Don Payne, Western Sports Media's sponsored steer wrestler, is off to a great start in the 2024 PRCA season, with earnings of $18,253 and a comfortable position at 13th place. With Houston's RODEOHOUSTON coming up next, he's ready to conquer the big stage with his new horse.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) 2024 season is already underway, with large winter rodeos paying out substantial amounts. Don Payne, Western Sports Media's sponsored steer wrestler, is already in a comfortable position at 13th place this season with $18,253 in earnings.
"I'm pretty sure that's what I had, if not less, when I left for the summer last season," said Payne. "It takes a lot of stress and pressure off, having earnings like that early in the season."
Payne had a successful Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, banking a total of $5,456. Fort Worth is close to home, which allows his family and friends to come out and support him, making it his favorite rodeo.
Payne faced some ups and downs at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo but still managed to win $4,979.
Next week, Payne will be heading to Bay City, Texas, and RODEOHOUSTON, one of the largest and most important rodeos of the season.
"It can about make or break your season. If you do well enough, you just about punch your ticket to the NFR," said Payne.
Houston's arena is larger, which means the boxes are set further back, and steers run farther out. Four and five-second steer wrestling runs usually win the larger checks.
Payne will be traveling to Houston with a new teammate, a new horse that helped him qualify for the 2023 NFR during the regular season.
"I got him from Denard Butler. He let me ride him last season, and I turned more steers on him in three seconds than any other horse I've ridden," said Payne. "He's shorter, but he is so fast."
This exciting match-up has proven successful in the past, so Payne is looking forward to competing with his new horse for the remainder of the season. With Houston being next on the list, this dynamic duo has a big stage to conquer.
Payne said, "There's nothing that compares to the nerves and stress of the NFR. The rest aren't as nerve-racking, but Houston is big. It'll still make you have some nerves."