Competing for the first time in the Professional Rodeo CowboysAssociation National Finals Rodeo is something a cowboy will neverforget.
Casey Colletti has his inaugural trip to the Thomas & MackCenter in Las Vegas etched in his memory.
The Pueblo cowboy had a stellar performance at the PRCA’s SuperBowl event earlier this month, vaulting him to a fifth-place finishin the bareback world standings.
“To be honest with you I didn’t know what to expect going inthere,” Colletti, 26, said. “It is kind of like asking John Elwaywhat it is going to be like going into his first Super Bowl. Then,the way it worked out for me, I can’t complain. . . . It wasnerve-racking the first couple of nights, but once I climbed in thebucking chutes it was business as usual for me. I didn’t let thepressure get to me.”
Colletti won $155,762 in 2011, including $82,644 at the NFR.Colletti placed in seven of the 10 NFR rounds, highlighted by hisRound 9 title. Kaycee Feild won the PRCA’s 2011 bareback worldchampionshipwith $319,986.
“That was a dream come true,” Colletti said about his 87.50round-winning ride aboard Jessie’s Girl. “I have seen guys the pastfew years wearing those (NFR) go-round buckles and I always wantedone and to be able to win one against the 15 best guys in the worldwas an honor.”
Colletti, a 2004 graduate of Pueblo County High School, has beenon a whirlwind ride this month, going from an unknown PRCAcompetitor to an NFR star. Prior to 2011, Colletti’s best finish inthe PRCA bareback world standings was 33rd in 2010. Colletti hasbeen a PRCA member since 2006.
“I’m not sure what the difference was this year (2011) comparedto years past,” the 5-foot-9, 155-pound Colletti said. “I guess Ijust had a little bit more confidence and started making betterrides. I also had a more positive outlook whether I had a good rideor bad ride. This month has been crazy. . . . It has beenlife-changing.”
Colletti competed at 98 PRCA rodeos in 2011, winning 12 barebackchampionships, including the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days.
Ranked 31st in the world heading into the last week of July, hewon $18,000 at Cheyenne and by the end of the month had moved closeto the top 10.
Colletti has already started competing in rodeos for the 2012PRCA campaign. The 2012 season runs from Oct. 1, 2011 to Sept. 30,2012. Bareback riders have a 100 rodeo limit they can count towardthe PRCA world standings.
He has competed at two rodeos for 2012, placing in the top fiveat Kansas City and winning in Casper, Wyo. He is 19th in thestandings with $1,796 in winnings.
“The new season has started out really good for me so far, and Iwant to just keep having fun and stay positive,” Colletti said.”Maybe next year I can win a world championship. I’m going to startdoing two-a-day workouts again and get myself in shape so I canstart rodeoing again.”
Colletti’s next official PRCA rodeo is the Denver Western StockShow on Jan. 14-15.
On Jan. 7, Colletti will participate in the inaugural Coloradovs. The World rodeo at the Denver Coliseum. Bareback riding, saddlebronc riding, bull riding and barrel racing will be the onlycontested events.
“They took champions from Colorado rodeos and 10 other cowboyswho won rodeos outside of Colorado,” Colletti said. “There are 20guys in the bareback event and we will be competing for the $10,000top prize. This should be an exciting rodeo.”