Derrick Begay Headed to the NFR

Cory Petska misses NFR after Win with Derrick Begay in Salinas

SALINAS, Calif. – Any chance team roping heeler Cory Petska had of making the 2021 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo hinged on his run Saturday.

Petska and his partner/header Derrick Begay had to win the second round of the ProRodeo Rodeo Tour Finale at California Rodeo Salinas.

Petska entered the ProRodeo Tour Finale 16th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $56,148. He trailed Caleb Hendrix, who is in the No. 15 spot in the world standings, by $1,652.

Petska and Begay won the round and they earned $2,300 each for their victory. Begay entered the ProRodeo Tour Finale 11th in the world standings with $68,593.

“I had to win Saturday and I just wanted to make sure I made a good catch,” Petska said. “I wanted to win some money and just do the best job I could. I wasn’t worried about the NFR. If I make it, I make it if I don’t, I don’t.”

“This was a huge win today,” Begay said. “We just went out there and made our run and now it is out of our hands. We did all we could. Our year ended today.”

Unfortunately for Begay and Petska, Petska roped a leg in the first round Thursday, which knocked them out of semifinal consideration.

In Salinas, Petska was riding Raymond, a horse he borrowed from his uncle team roping heeler Monty Joe Petska, a 14-time NFR qualifier (1985-86, 1988-92, 1996-97, 1999-2001, 2003-2004).

“I rode that horse a few years ago and won Hermiston, Ore., on him,” Cory said. “From

Pendleton (Ore.) I drove home to Bancroft, Wis., because we are shipping cattle. I wasn’t going to drive from Wisconsin to Salinas and my uncle only lives 60 miles from Salinas. I was mad at myself that I roped a leg in the first round. I should be in a better position than I am. The situation that I was in at least I came through and did my job.”

Petska has qualified for the NFR 15 times (2003-11, 2013- 18), highlighted by him winning the PRCA Team Roping Heeler World Championship in 2017 with header Erich Rogers.

“We did what we had to do, and we will see how it goes,” said Begay about qualifying for the NFR with Petska.