Ryle Smith
Ryle Smith – Oakdale, Calif. ($93,768)
3-time WNFR qualifier (2 in Tie-Down Roping)
Ryle Smith is headed to his third consecutive Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, but only his second in the tie-down roping.
The talented all-around cowboy qualified the first time in 2016 in tie-down roping where he placed in two rounds and finished the year in 14th place. The next year he nodded his head in the Thomas and Mack Center during the steer wrestling and finished in 15th.
This year has been his best in tie-down roping in his eight-years of membership in the PRCA. He qualified in fifth place with $93,768 won during the regular season. Winter rodeos have been good and crucial to his two tie-down roping appearances.
In 2016, he won the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo to kick start his season. This year, he got the very prestigious San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo buckle in February. That came with a $5,000 gas card, an award for his horse and most importantly, nearly $19,000 towards the world standings.
He started the first of March in eighth place. He had qualified for the RAM National Circuit Finals got some cash and moved up to sixth. He continued adding checks to his bank account using a formula that works well for him – make the best run on each animal you get, don’t listen to the chatter and make the most of each opportunity.
Ryle is the first in his family to make a living on the rodeo trail. Both of his parents worked, but loved the sport, competed some and took their children to any rodeo they could. By the time Ryle was in high school, he was a veteran that knew exactly what he wanted to do. He won the tie-down roping at the National High School Finals Rodeo, then moved to Texas to go to school and compete at college rodeos.
Tarleton State University is at the heart of the town that is the “Cowboy Capital of the World.” That’s where Ryle chose to further his quest to be among the best. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management and gave himself a present – he got his permit to be a member of the PRCA.
Rodeo is more than a career choice for Ryle. It is a way of life that he shares with his family, He and his wife Danika and daughter Remy, who just turned one on June 29th, are often on the road together and when they are not, Ryle can’t wait to get home to his girls. That won’t be an issue in December. Danika and Remy will be cheering in the stands as Ryle makes the most of his opportunities in Las Vegas.
