Caleb Smidt and “Pockets” Top Round 5

Bellville, Texas is proud of their four-time world champion cowboy Caleb Smidt and tonight they had reason to cheer yet again. Smidt and his great bay equine partner, lovingly called “Pockets” were the first to back in the box for Round 5. The remaining 14 tried their best but couldn’t top the stellar run of 6.9 seconds put together by Smidt.

Round 5 brought the “bigger” set of calves back to the Thomas & Mack that the ropers saw in Round 2. Smidt drew a red, white-faced calf tagged 23 that was supposed to be run by Westyn Hughes in Round 2. Unfortunately, the calf was loaded out of order and got let out so, there wasn’t a competitive run on the calf for Caleb to compare. He didn’t need any notes, he took full advantage of a great calf.

“I was first out tonight, and the game plan was to just back in there and go as fast as possible. You know, these 20-year-old guys go fast, and they like to be six seconds every time. At my age, I’d rather go about 7.7 or 7.8 but if you want to play the game you better go fast, so you adjust,” Smidt joked.

Smidt has won four world titles, four NFR average titles, and has been to the NFR 10 times. Every single accomplishment has been with one staple – “Pockets.” The 16-year-old bay gelding is known in the tie-down world as one of the greatest tie-down roping horses that has ever graced the arena. Together the pair has won more than $2 million. Smidt knows how special the horse is and treats him as such.

“Pockets is getting tired of rodeo. I don’t practice on him ever. Maybe before the summer starts, I’ll breakaway one or two and that’s usually all he gets. He stays ready, in fact, he stays more ready than I do,” Smidt said. “We will retire together.”

The $30,706 payday for the round jumped Smidt to over $204k for the year and moved him to No. 4 in the world standings. Staying strong and solid, Riley Webb threw his hands in the air and stopped the clock at a mere 7.4 seconds. Keeping things interesting, Shad “Money” Mayfield was a quick 7.8 to earn third. Finishing out the round was Haven Meged, Kincade Henry, and Shane Hanchey.

Only two of the 15 cowboys have yet to pick up a check from the NFR. Rounds 6 and 7 will occur tomorrow in a groundbreaking setup where cowboys will run two rounds in one day. No doubt, Beau Cooper and Brushton Minton will be looking to collect their first of many checks.

NFR Tie Down Roping Round 5 Results:

1. Caleb Smidt, 6.9 seconds, $30,706
2. Riley Mason Webb, 7.4, $24,268
3. Shad Mayfield, 7.8, $18,325
4. Haven Meged, 8.1, $12,877
5. Kincade Henry, 8.3, $7,924
6. Shane Hanchey, 8.7, $4,953

NFR Average Results:

1. Haven Meged, 39.4/5
2. Riley Webb, 39.9/5
3. Tuf Cooper, 41.4/5
4. John Douch, 43.4/5
5. Kincade Henry, 45.2/5
6. Cory Solomon, 46.9/5