Rattler Roundup: Springfield 2024
Rattler Roundup – Springfield, MO
A storm was brewing in Springfield last weekend. Your Ariat Texas Rattlers went 1-1 in their Thunder Days matchups against Florida and Arizona. Standout performances from Brady Fielder, Daniel Keeping, and João Ricardo Vieira helped bump Texas up to the number five overall spot in the 2024 Camping World Teams Series standings, all while clinching another $3200 for Permian Basin youth organizations.
Here’s the scoop on What Went Down in Missouri, as well as What’s Next for Texas in the days to come.
What Went Down
Thunder Days Recap
Game 1: Florida Freedom
The Rattlers came rolling into Thunder Days on a high note, picking up a hard-fought victory over Florida on Friday night. Brady Fielder was the first to strike, besting Caesar with an 87.25-point-ride that the Freedom then failed to answer to. A couple more throws from both sides of the bucking chutes made Elizmar Jeremias’ matchup against I’ll Make Ya Famous the second qualified ride of the night, bringing the Freedom within one point of the Rattlers’ lead.
Two more buckoffs apiece brought the final decision down to veteran João Ricardo Vieira and young gun John Crimber. 40-year-old JRV and 18-year-old Crimber exchanged a fist bump following the veteran’s 87-point-marker against Roc Wit It. Florida’s closer then followed suit, logging a competitive 87.25-point-ride aboard Crazy Times. It wasn’t quite enough to pull Florida to the front, though, and Texas collected the opening-night-win by just under one point. (Final 174.25 : 173.5)
Game 2: Arizona Ridge Riders
Saturday night proved a bit of a stumbling block for the Rattlers, falling to the Arizona Ridge Riders in the opening game of the evening. Even so, there were some definite highlights.
Brady Fielder has been on fire lately, and Saturday night was no exception. His showdown against Bossed Up was good for 86.25 points, making for a perfect weekend record at the close of Thunder Days. The 24-year-old cowboy now leads the race in the league's highest average ride score thanks to his consistent performances this season. Daniel Keeping was the only other Rattler to reel in a score against the Ridge Riders, logging a solid 86.5-point-ride aboard Killer Instinct. In the end, Arizona pulled ahead to collect the win over Texas by a full bull. (Final 172.75 : 261)
What’s Next
We’ll be showing out in the Show-Me-State again before you know it. The Camping World Teams Series is making its way back to Missouri this weekend – this time, for Outlaw Days in Kansas City. Your Ariat Texas Rattlers will be facing off against the Florida Freedom on Saturday, followed by a tango with the number-one Carolina Cowboys on Sunday. If you don’t have Merit Plus by now, you’ve been missing out: Sign up today to stream the action as it happens every weekend.
On that note: If you don’t have Rattler Days tickets by now, you’ll be missing out.
Don’t let the big weekend pass you by! We’ve got less than thirty days to go, and we can hardly wait. Don’t miss your chance to cheer on your home team from the historic Cowtown Coliseum on September 26, or from the iconic Dickies Arena on the 27th and 28th. Visit our website to grab your tickets today.