One calf at a time
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Thursday, July 19, 2007 | 
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No comments [ Add Comment ]By Dennis Larsen
Standard-Examiner staff
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By Dennis Larsen
Standard-Examiner staff
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By Dennis Larsen
Standard-Examiner staff
He bears a striking resemblance to actor Mark Wahlberg, but let us face facts.
How's this for a bold prediction: Jake Hannum won't win an Oscar and Wahlberg won't qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
The 27-year-old Hannum, of West Haven, is having the best year of his career since joining the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 2000.
A second-generation cowboy and the youngest of five children, Hannum is ranked No. 3 in tie-down roping ($65,125) in the Jack Daniel's World Standings. He is also in the No. 1 hole in the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour ($51,528), clinching a berth in the first round of the Ariat Playoffs.
"I'm just catching them this year," Hannum said. "I don't look at the standings and I don't keep focused on it. I take care of my end -- one calf and one rodeo at a time."
The 21-city Wrangler ProRodeo Tour started in Odessa, Texas, on Jan. 4, and concludes Aug 5. in Dodge City, Kan.
One Tour event -- the Snake River Stampede (Nampa, Idaho) is under way -- with California Rodeo Salinas starting today.
Hannum split fifth and sixth in the first round (8.0 seconds, $1,477) Monday at Nampa. He gets his second calf Saturday afternoon, and hopefully, will make it back for that night's short round.
Hannum was up in Tuesday's slack at Salt Lake City (Days of '47 Rodeo) and was up in Wednesday's slack at Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days.
He is up tonight at the Days of '47 Rodeo, Friday at Spanish Fork Fiesta Days Rodeo and in Sunday's slack at Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo.
Following the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, the top 35 contestants in total Wrangler ProRodeo Tour money and the wild card -- event champions from March's Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo -- advance to the first Tour championship event.
The first Ariat Playoff is the Caldwell (Idaho) Night Rodeo on Aug. 14-18.
Hannum missed qualifying for the 2006 ProRodeo Summer Tour Finale by only one-half point. He finished the year in 21st place ($49,759); $12,845 out of the No. 15 hole and a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo berth.
"I'm trying to prove to myself I'm good enough to make it after two years of not making the Tour Finales," Hannum said. "I haven't changed anything; I still rope right-handed.
"I'm more focused this year and I'm taking things more seriously," he said. "I've capitalized when I've drawn a good calf. The guys who have been winning all year on the Tour will be there at the end, now that it's based on money rather than points, and there won't be as much change in the standings."
Hannum has two quality horses, Aire, an 18-year-old black gelding, and Scout, a 14-year-old gelding.
Jake's father, Jack, purchased Aire as a 2-year-old from Earl Thompson. Jack bought Scout five years ago from Ed Wayment.
Aire had a bone chip removed from his right front knee in September 2006, and Jake rode him for the first time at the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo.
"Usually, I haul one and leave the other one home to rest and give him a break," Hannum said. "I've won most of my money on Scout, but I feel comfortable on both horses. If I had to ride one, it would be Scout.
"Scout is a bigger horse and I can rope the bigger calves off him," he said.
Hannum is a 1999 graduate of Fremont High School, where he played football and basketball for three years. He rodeoed for the Ogden-based Spikers Rodeo Club for four years, qualifying for the National High School Finals in 1998 (steer wrestling) and 1999 (tie-down roping).
He received a full-ride scholarship to Vernon (Texas) College, qualifying for the College National Finals Rodeo in 2001 (steer wrestling).
Hannum then transferred to Weber State for the 2002-03 school year, winning the Rocky Mountain Region in steer wrestling and tie-down roping and again qualifying for the CNFR.
He joined the PRCA in 2000 and married the former Ashlee Cook on Nov. 20, 2003. Hannum started going hard in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in 2004, traveling with Brent Lewis.
This year, he is traveling with Royce Lynch and Seth Hopper.
"We went to the winter rodeos together and we all got back together when the spring run started," Hannum said.
Hannum's year started with a bang, winning $13,968 and the aggregate tie-down roping title at Denver's National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in January.
"Winning Denver gave me a big confidence boost," he said. "This year I felt like I roped well enough to win. Winning money there made it easier to keep going, both financially and mentally. Most of the rodeos I've been to have been Tour rodeos; they're a good place to win."
Hannum hit eight rodeos over "Cowboy Christmas," June 27 to July 5.
Even with $65,125 won coming into this week, Hannum is not convinced he is headed to the Thomas & Mack Center for the 49th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December.
"I've tried to think every year how much (money) it will take to make the finals and I've been wrong," he said. "You have to think about it; it's why you go all year. I'm not worried about running one there until they call my name out and I'm there in Las Vegas."
Ashlee went to five of Jake's eight rodeos over "Cowboy Christmas."
"This is the first year I've gone with Jake. I'm not much help driving," she said. "I'm there for (moral) support and I video the (roping) runs. I like to watch Jake rope, and I miss him in the winters.
"I like the rodeo lifestyle; I've been around it long enough," Ashlee said. "Jake is more confident this year, and both of his horses are working really well. Our family knew he was good enough to have this kind of a year.
"I think his mind-set is better," she said. "Jake is so fast on the ground. He is confident he can get down the arena and make those quick runs. It has been a fun year so far.
"We're all excited if Jake makes the finals and we get to spend 10 days in Las Vegas," Ashlee said.
"I'm just happy he'll be able to reach his goal of making the finals."
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