For Scheer, long climb back to the top ‘worth it’
Cort Scheer’s bio on prorodeo. com is filled with accomplishments for every year since he turned pro 11 years ago.
The one exception is 2016, which reads only “Did not compete.” That’s not entirely true. Scheer never stopped saddle bronc riding, but he spent that season in the new Elite Rodeo Association, along with many of rodeo’s biggest stars, including Trevor Brazile and Tuf Cooper, and their efforts to grow the sport weren’t approved by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.
“It was a great deal,” Scheer said. “We went out there trying to make rodeo better. It’s the same reason Houston does what it does, and Calgary does what it does — it’s just trying to improve the sport. People here work their rear ends off, trying to push the cowboys, get them more exposure and educate the fans on rodeoing.”
A valuable experience
But with the ERA’s decision to cancel the 2017 season, Scheer returned to the PRCA circuit, with no regrets.
In fact, the year away worked to his advantage.
Since he didn’t compete in PRCA rodeos in 2016, he lost all of his exemptions and pre-qualifications and was forced to start from scratch, so he reached The American Rodeo two weeks ago in Arlington through its qualifier system, which also made him eligible for the rodeo’s $1 million side purse.
He won his event there, along with two other cowboys who went through the qualifier, so they split the purse three ways.
Scheer exited with his biggest career payout of $433,333.
“I don’t think I’ll ever have that opportunity again, but it was worth it, I promise you,” Scheer said.
The Nebraska native rode that momentum into RodeoHouston.
He won two rounds and placed third in the other, giving him the Super Series V victory with $7,500 Tuesday at NRG Stadium.
“I’m drawing great and having fun,” Scheer said.
Scheer, who finished fourth
here last year, won in Houston in 2011 — in his first trip.
“I was a pretty young kid,” he said. “It was the year after I made the (National) Finals (for the first time), so I was coming off a pretty good run, and coming to Houston, it was a dream to be here. Honestly, it’s a blur. I drew outstanding, rode well, and it was unbelievable what it did for my career.”
The $60,350 he won that year changed his life.
But it didn’t help him make the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
Time for a change
He won in Houston the first year it lost PRCA sanctioning because of its format. And since The American isn’t sanctioned — nor is the Calgary Stampede, meaning three of the richest rodeos don’t count toward the world standings — his payday won’t help him return to the NFR for the first time since 2015.
Scheer, for one, would like to see that change.
“The way I look at it is, (Houston) takes the top 40 guys in the world, and everybody has a shot to win,” Scheer said. “So it’s your fault if you don’t.”
Reigning world champion tiedown roper Marcos Costa, from Brazil, did his part, winning his series with $5,000.
Bareback rider Seth Hardwick ($4,000), team ropers Aaron Tsinigine and Kyle Lockett ($14,000), steer wrestler Kyle Irwin ($8,000), barrel racer Fallon Taylor ($7,000) and bull rider Parker Breding ($5,500) also won their series, moving them to the semifinals Wednesday and Thursday.
“Whoever wins this rodeo, it’s setting up their life,” Scheer said.