Caleb Smidt dominated the NFR in the tie-down roping to win third World Championship and third Average title since 2015.
Smidt placed in eight rounds and won Round 3 with a time of 7.1 seconds. He had five times faster than eight seconds and won the Average by more than eight seconds with a time of 83.1 on 10 head.
Smidt finished the season with $318,456, the most he’s ever made in his career. He finished about $22,000 clear of second-place Haven Meged, who was also second in the NFR Average.
“Last year was a tough year, not being able to compete at the NFR after making it,” Smidt said. “I just kept praying and kept believing that good things come from bad things and it did.”
Smidt also thanked his horse Pockets while accepting his Gold Buckle. He has rode Pockets the last seven years at the NFR.
“I don’t know why I’m blessed with such a great horse,” he said. “He makes my job so easy and makes a way better rope than I am.”
Smidt was one of six past World Champions in the tie-down roping field at the 2021 NFR. He also won the Gold Buckle and the Average in 2015 and 2018.
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