August 19, 2014
Grand Prize winner of Pro Fantasy Rodeo’s Christmas in July
Pro Fantasy Rodeo and RFD-TV are proud to announce the Grand Prize Winner of the first ever “Christmas in July” game that ended July 28. Grant Godfrey of Berthoud, Colorado is the winner of an all-new 2015 Ranger XP 900 H.O. Godfrey’s winning team, which he named “GG2”, amassed the most winnings during the hottest season of rodeo referred to as Christmas in July. The largest number of rodeos occur during this time, giving rodeo contestants the chance at more money than any other time during the season other than the WNFR in December.
GG2 won a total of $250,449.90 during the month-long span of rodeos and consisted of: bareback rider Kaycee Field $22,866.90; steer wrestler K.C. Jones $18,034.00; team roping header Erich Rogers $41,576.00; heeler Cory Petska $41,576.00; saddle bronc rider Wade Sundell $19,032.00; tie down roper Hunter Herrin $34,214; barrel racer Kassidy Dennison $30,721.00; and bull rider Reid Barker $19,510.00.
When asked about his winning strategy, Godfrey said he tried to pay attention to all the contestants throughout the season to see who’s hot and seems to be on a winning streak. Watching the standings and results on the PRCA website is especially helpful as well as reading the “News and Notes” section since that may give a hint or two about particular contestant’s standings.
As an avid team roper who has qualified for the USTRC National Finals and the World Series numerous times, he is, of course, most aware of the timed event end of the arena. It’s also important to watch the rough stock end and that’s what he likes about the concept of Pro Fantasy Rodeo—the manner in which it keeps fans interested in All the events. “Before Pro Fantasy Rodeo, I kept my focus on the timed event end,” said Godfrey. “But now I try to keep up on contestants in every event.” Obviously it has paid off for Godfrey since he has won money with his teams each of the 12 years Pro Fantasy Rodeo has been available to play.
“I’ll love having the Polaris Ranger around the place,” said Godfrey. He stated that he knows it will be helpful in toting hay around the place where his horses and team roping cattle are utilized to keep him sharp for his weekend sport. “Maybe we’ll find time to take it to the hills for some recreational riding too,” he mentioned.
Godfrey and his wife of 32 years have owned and operated a facility for high risk youth for 29 years in the front range of Colorado. A daughter, Cassie, competed in rodeos throughout her youth and is currently employed in the banking industry in Sterling, Colo. where she and her husband ranch and farm.
Godfrey feels the support PRCA has given PFR through its endorsement has done more to engage the fans with the sport than anything else they’ve tried. “It’s a great venue that allows PRCA fans to become more connected to the contestants. Once you’ve picked a team, you stay more focused on what’s happening at each rodeo. In addition, you also start getting your friends and family involved, and then you want to know how their teams are doing which usually involves all kinds of kidding and one-up-man-ship, so it’s just lots of fun,” Godfrey explained. “I’ve always been wholly immersed in the NFR game, but the summer game of “Christmas in July” was great—especially because RFD-TV offered it for free! What’s not to like? I encourage everyone to play the game!”
Second place winner, Michael Bates of Tohatchi, New Mexico’s team “RockinNB” won $241,973 winning Bates the Cactus Saddlery package valued at $5,000. Prizes were awarded through 20th place including a Pendleton Whiskey Firepit, Yoder Brothers Custom Log Bench, gift certificates, BEX sunglasses, ball caps and free Pro Fantasy Rodeo entries (valued at $89) to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Game in December. Weekly prizes were also awarded to individuals whose team won the most money for that particular week in July.
Since its inception in 2003, Pro Fantasy Rodeo paid out over 2.2 million in cash and prizes which includes payouts of 8 places in the 10-day average and daily payouts to 6th place in the Wrangler National Finals Game. Payout for the 2013 game was $165,000. Noted as the official PRCA fantasy game, it has become the gold standard for fantasy rodeo. Pro Fantasy Rodeo players can log on to www.profantasyrodeo.com to sign up for information for the 2014 WNFR game and receive the preview magazine to aid in picking their team. Interested players can also click on the results tab to study the rodeo results as well as the winning PFR teams. For example, studying the results can help players estimate how much payout a winning team might total—a dollar amount that players need to estimate as a tie-breaker.
Pro Fantasy Rodeo is especially proud to have RFD-TV as a partner in the “Christmas in July” game and wishes to thank them for their support.
