KANSAS CITY, Mo. — When the gates open and the bronco starts bucking, Ty Pope is at his best.
“They’re bred to buck,” the 17-year-old from Waverly, Kansas, said casually.
Pope is making a name for himself on the youth rodeo circuit. He ranked ninth overall in the country last year among high schoolers. He won both events he entered this week at the American Royal Rodeo in Kansas City, Missouri. And he hopes to compete with the pros next year. They take over Hale Arena Friday and Saturday.
“You just gotta work hard at it and it will all pay off in the end,” Pope said.
The rodeo could also pave Pope’s path to college. His older brother, Jess, earned a scholarship for his rodeo skills. Pope hopes to do the same.
“I've always looked at it as what I want to do for a job and stuff,” he said. “And when I retire and look back on all of it, it would be pretty fun.”
Attendees can see all the fun beginning Friday evening. A fan zone opens at 5:30 p.m., the pro rodeo begins at 7:30 p.m. The action begins again Saturday, which rodeos at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The fan zone is open two hours before each rodeo.
Friday night Disco Dick & The Mirrorballs will perform after the rodeo. Saturday, Travis Marvin takes the stage at about 9:30 p.m.
Professional competitors at this rodeo earn points to qualify them for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas in December.
“If you don't know much about it, it would be a good experience to come watch one and see how everything works,” Pope said.
The American Royal is an agricultural-focused nonprofit based in Kansas City. Annually, it puts more than $1 million toward scholarships and educational programs.
Rodeo ticket prices range from about $15 to $75. For more information on how to purchase a ticket, click here.
—
