Clint Summers has earned his fourth National Finals Rodeo qualification, but this is the first year he has done so consecutively.
He partnered with Jake Long in 2023 and the two put on a show at the Thomas & Mack in their first time roping there together. They won the first three rounds in addition to Round 7 allowing Summers to surge from No. 13 to No. 2 in the final World Standings.
This year, he comes in ranked No. 5, carrying fresh momentum from a strong September.
San Angelo Cinch Chute-Out, $7,500
Summers and Long would get their first win amid a one-off event in the Texas Swing. The Cinch Chute Out features only the best of the best and their 4.2-second run in the Short Go was the better of the two qualified times.
Oakley City Independence Day Rodeo, $3,751
The highest of Summers’ Cowboy Christmas paydays came in Utah. There was heightened competition as a 4.4-second run put them in a four-way tie for third in Oakley City and missed the win by just two tenths of a second.
A swing up to Oregon over the Fourth lined their pockets as well at the St. Paul Rodeo, they picked up $3,300. They also added a $2,200 check at the Black Hills Roundup.
XIT Rodeo and Reunion, $2,416
To start August, three times of 5.4 seconds were tied at the top in Dalhart, Texas. Summers/Long had three wins on the season and the first two came in the Lone Star State.
That weekend, they won a total of four checks.
Horse Heaven Roundup Rodeo, $3,998
Roping steady was a key factor in Summers and Long’s success in Washington. While they did not place in Round 1 or 2, their 8.2 in the Finals put them fifth. However, because they didn’t stub their toe along the way their aggregate time of 20.1 seconds on three was good enough for third in the Average, which made up $3,654 of their earnings.
The next leg on the rodeo road took them down the road to Bremerton for the Kitsap Stampede, where they added another $3,000+ check for a 4.6-second run that got them fifth.
Meagher County Labor Day Rodeo, $2,271
Labor Day Weekend brought Summers/Long their third and final win of the season after a 4.5-second run was the fastest by two tenths. It was a four-way tie for second behind them.
Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup, $22,500
The final weekend of the regular season was good to Summers and Long. A 4.6 would set their pace in Round 1, but they would speed it up to be a 4.1 by the time the Final Four rolled around. That landed them second.
It moved Summers up two spots, from No. 7 to No. 5 in the final regular season World Standings.
Meet the NFR Athletes is presented by Montana Silversmiths #EveryBuckleHasAStory #BrandOfChampions #FromGreatToGold
