Rocky Patterson wins World Championship Steer Roping Title

GUTHRIE, Okla. – Winning the 10th round at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping was nice, but Rocky Patterson was convinced after action had concluded at the Lazy E Arena that he would be returning to his Pratt, Kansas home with a second place finish.

A few friends of his weren’t so sure.

“I’ve got some friends who keep track of everything, and after it was over, they came down and told me, ‘I think they (the announcers) are wrong,’” Patterson said. “They said I had won it by $1,000 or $1,500 or something. You don’t want to let yourself believe it. It gave me a little hope, though.”

Before Scott Snedecor rode out of the chutes for his 10th-round run, the last of the event, it was announced that a time of 14.9 seconds or better – essentially, placing in the round – would give him his second consecutive world title. Snedecor stopped the clock in 13.5 seconds, placing fourth in the round and seemingly locking up the gold buckle.

But with Patterson finishing third in the average – good for $11,322 – and Snedecor finishing eighth and out of the average money, Patterson won with a season total of $80,923. Snedecor finished with $79,492.

“I was shocked,” said Patterson, who placed in seven of the 10 rounds and pocketed $31,283 in Guthrie.
 
Press Release from prorodeo.com