Creasy able to 'cash' in

CLOVIS — Luke Creasy just got a new bundle of Cash in his life, so a new chunk of cash would be appreciated.

Creasy, an Alberta, Canada, native who now resides in Deming, was one of eight bareback riders looking to get into the top six on Saturday at the PRCA Pioneer Days Rodeo at Curry County Events Center — a.k.a. into the money, a.k.a. into the cash.

Along with friendly reminders, “You are in Clovis, N.M.” and “Today is June 4, 2011,” posts on the east wall showed the bareback scores from Thursday and Friday night’s runs posted.

That meant that any Saturday night competitor was so inclined to look, they knew before they stepped in the chute they’d need to at least beat a 77, and maybe hold off some of their Saturday brethren, to end the night in the money.

They had encouragement from a sizeable crowd, and from public address announcer Charlie Throckmorton.

“Will we have a new leader tonight? I think so,” Throckmorton said boisterously before Creasy’s run opened matters.

Is knowing what you need an advantage? Well, Creasy said, you can imagine it into anything you want, but you’re better off blocking it out and doing your best run.

“You don’t really think about it,” Creasy said. “You don’t want anything to change what you’re going to do. You always want to put out the most technical performance you can, while being flashy. Any day’s a good day.”

Thursday might have been the best of days, however. While others were setting the marks in the rodeo’s opening night performance, Creasy was welcoming his son into the world. The birth certificate says Lucas Jr., but he said he’d probably call his son by his middle name — Cash.

Because Cash is now around, Creasy has an even greater motivation to get cash from every rodeo — at least, more cash than he puts in. The entry fee was $81, but Creasy’s 83 was enough to put him in a tie for third place and a $649.80 check.

That put him behind Will Lowe and Matt Bright, who tied for first place and each claimed $1,256.28. But $649.80 isn’t bad for a few seconds of work.

“As long as it’s enough to keep me going,” said Creasy, who’s got a few days of family time before his next rodeo Thursday in Cortez, Colo.