Texans compete with heavy hearts at Calgary Stampede after devastating flood back home
A serious flood over the Fourth of July weekend in Texas is weighing heavily on the hearts of rodeo competitors from the Lone Star State.
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Especially those currently participating at the Calgary Stampede.
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The flooding has been especially tough for the Harris brothers, Ty and Joel, who hail from San Angelo and are competing in the tie-down roping event at this year's 'Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth'.
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San Angelo is one of several areas in Central Texas that have been severely impacted by the floods.
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'It's very, very difficult. My wife and I were watching the flooding all day yesterday, and it just affects you emotionally,' Joel Harris said on Monday.
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'You realize that rodeo isn't the most important thing. Coming out here and competing really puts things into perspective — people in Texas are going through a really hard time.
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'We have friends whose homes have flooded, and I know that many lives have been lost. I'm thankful my family has been safe through it all, and we are praying for those truly affected by the flood.'
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The top four spots in the tie-down roping event on Monday were all claimed by Texans: Ty Harris took top honours, followed by Cash Hooper in second, Riley Webb in third, and Joel Harris rounding out the top four.
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Ty Harris was able to briefly put the flooding out of his mind as he raced to 6.7-second clocking, earning $7,000 on the first afternoon of Pool B competition.
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'I think about my roping three, four, maybe five minutes before I rope — then I rope, and it's off my mind,' said the 27-year-old cowboy.
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'I was thinking about the flooding as I was coming up here today, but I think we're pretty used to having to block things out. It's always something — not always as catastrophic as this, not people losing their lives — but always something we deal with mentally.'
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The severe flooding in Texas has tragically left more than 100 people dead.
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Ty plans to donate 10 per cent of his winnings to families affected by the disaster.
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'You feel helpless being here while everyone's back there. You're just calling family, grateful to hear they're safe,' he added.
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According to police in San Angelo, more than 12,000 houses, barns, and other structures have been affected in the city of approximately 100,000 people.
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