Jess Pope is returning to Las Vegas as the defending World Champion Bareback Rider. Winning his first Gold Buckle added both pressure and confidence to the following regular season.
“You show up to Denver and you’re fresh off a World Title and all the energy in Vegas that’s like wow, we’re rodeoing but it’s just, it doesn’t quite feel the same,” Pope said.
The standard that he felt he was held at in 2023 was higher than before and it came with it’s own set of challenges. A slow start and issues with his neck put him in a less than desirable position during the big, winter rodeos. RodeoHouston was his first big check of the season.
After his wedding in May, Pope’s summer picked up and although he had some tough draws, it came down to simply doing his job. That is Pope’s mindset for his return to the Thomas and Mack.
“I mean, I’m just going to show up and do my job, you know… There really is no such thing as a safe bareback rider once you get to the NFR,” he said.
His childhood dreams continue to come true in Las Vegas and although it is a whirlwind, Pope emphasizes trying to slow down and take it all in, that will be his main focus come December.
