BY BRETT NIERENGARTEN @PRORODEOBRETT
In 2023, Marty Yates ended an almost decade-long streak of NFR qualifications, wrapping up the season at No. 35. This year, he’s come roaring back, earning his way to his 10th NFR and sitting at No. 7 in the World. Yates picked up six victories in 2024, all at PRCA Playoff Series events.
RodeoHouston, $17,500
After advancing third out of Super Series 3 with two second place finishes, Yates turned it up in the Semifinals with an 8.1 to win the round and advance to the Finals. In the Chute Out, he finished third with an 8.7, which paid $10,000.
His final three times were his three fastest of the rodeo.
Clark County Fair and Rodeo, $8,477
Yates nabbed his first PRCA Playoff Series win of the season in Nevada by making runs of 8.8 and 8.4 seconds to win the two-head Average by three tenths over No. 3 man in the World Ty Harris.
It was his fourth of his career in Logandale and second in the last three years.
San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo, $6,793
Yates had another good showing in his home state in April by finishing the Texas Swing with an 8.2 and 7.3 in San Angelo, the latter of which won him more than $6,000 for a Round 2 victory.
Yates also won more than 6,000 at Rodeo Austin, the Texas Swing stop between Houston and San Angelo.
Guymon Pioneer Days, $6,008
The times were fast in the tie-down throughout Guymon and Yates contributed to that with a 7.5-second run in Round 1 and a 7.6 in Round 3.
He ultimately did not place in the Average, but was only cowboy with two runs of 7.6 or faster and both paid him more than $2,800.
California Rodeo Salinas, $8,514
In another three-head rodeo, Yates was more consistent and it resulted in a big July victory.
He won the Average despite only placing in one round, when he won the Finals with a 9.4.
However, Yates was the only one to make three runs of 11.5 seconds or faster and it resulted in an aggregate time of 31.3 seconds and half-second victory. Only one other cowboys was faster than 33 seconds on three.
Ogden Pioneer Days, $16,246
In one of the most impressive two-head tie-down roping performances we have seen all season, Yates won Ogden with a time of 14.5 seconds on two-head, including a 6.8, his fastest run of the season, in Round 2.
He was six tenths ahead of Cole Walker and 1.7 seconds faster than third-place cowboy Haven Meged.
That same weekend, Yates got another Playoff win at the Fiesta Days Rodeo in Spanish Fork, Utah, where he was 16.8 seconds on two to win the Average and $8,085.
Horse Heaven Roundup, $8,420
Yates made runs of 7.4, 7.8 and 7.7 seconds to split the Average win with Haven Meged at 22.9 seconds on three.
The same weekend, Yates added $4,000 paydays at both the Kitsap Stampede and Gem State Stampede.
Meet the NFR Athletes is presented by Montana Silversmiths #EveryBuckleHasAStory #BrandOfChampions #FromGreatToGold
