Willy Wins Again
By Ed Knocke
A great horse can play a vital role in steer wrestling.
Curtis Cassidy discovered that fact Thursday night at the opening of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. The Donalda, Alberta, cowboy had no knowledge of the steer’s running style he had drawn. And to make matters worse, no one else seemed to know much about him, either.
But, Cassidy had one thing working for him. He owns one of the best steer wrestling horses around in Willy, a 24-year-old gelding. And did Willy help out his owner in this crucial situation. The two combined for a sizzling 3.6-second run in the tight Thomas and Mack Center arena that put him at the head of the class for the night.
“When the steers run in a short building like this, it takes a great horse to get you there,’’ he said. “And Willy did his job tonight.’’
Willy, the only horse Cassidy has ever ridden, has incredible credentials. He’s carried four cowboys to world steer wrestling championships—Rope Myers in 2001, Lee Graves in 2005, Jason Miller in 2007 and Luke Branquinho in 2008.
The horse also was named the PRCA/AQHA steer wrestling horse of the year in 2008 and was named the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association steer wrestling horse of the year in 2002-03 and 2005-08.
“What separates a great horse from a good horse is heart,’’ Cassidy said. “And he has that. He really did the trick tonight.
“I knew absolutely nothing about the steer. I asked a few guys, some said those red steers were good average steers. But, then I asked the other guys, and nobody had any lists on him, so, I jut backed in like you would at any other rodeo where you don’t know about a steer. You just back in and go at him.’’
He encountered a similar situation earlier this year in Houston. Willy also came through for him there, winning the event at RodeoHouston and a $50,000 bonus. Their performance at the WNFR also boosted Cassidy right into the middle of the world championship race. His $17,139 first-place check moved him within $11,276 of fellow Canadian Lee Graves, who led the world standings coming into the WNFR.
With the large payoffs that are offered at the finals, he can make up that deficit in a short time. Especially, with a great horse like Willy in his corner.
Check back during the NFR’s 10-day run for more from Western Horseman columnist Ed Knocke.