After he qualified for the 2020 National Finals of Rodeo but was sent home following a positive COVID-19 test, Bellville native Caleb Smidt, and his horse Pockets, returned for the 2021 NFR in December and secured their third World Championship in tie-down roping in Las Vegas, NV.

Smidt previously won the tie-down World Championship in 2015 and 2018 and added a third belt buckle and saddle to the collection after he won the average with a time of 83.1 seconds on 10 head for a payoff of $69,234.

He also won the aggregate with an eight-second cushion over Haven Meged, who finished as runner up, to help finish second in the all-around standings with a purse of $313,887 behind only Stetson Dell Wright ($585,850).

Out of the 10 NFR rounds, Smidt finished in the top six seven times – and won Round 3 – to help compile nearly a third of his total earnings of $318,455.60.

Smidt said in post-performance interviews that he made an adjustment with Pockets heading into the third day of competition which proved to be a key to victory. The roper-steed connection has been building as Smidt and Pockets competed in their sixth NFR together in 2021.

“He’s 14 now, I’ve had him since he was 7 so I’ve ridden him at six – should have been seven had I competed last year – NFRs, rode him on every calf since I bought him. I ride him all summer long and he’s been durable, takes on big arenas and small arenas,” Smidt told the Wrangler Network. “He’s awesome and gives me a chance to win each and every time. Big calves, little calves, fast ones – whatever, I feel like I’ve got a chance. When you’re back in the box with that kind of confidence in your horse, it’s all on you then just gotta do your job.”

After he was crowned the world tie-down roping champion, he was sure to thank the support system that helped him get there.

“Unbelievable, it’s still just a dream I’m here,” Smidt told the Cowboy Channel in a Dec. 11 interview. “I give all the glory to God, because without Him none of this would be possible. My horse Pockets, my family, they push me to be better and better every day – no words to explain it really.”

The world title capped a 2021 season that saw Smidt earn four all-around victories (Gladewater (Texas) Round-Up Rodeo; Coleman (Texas) PRCA Rodeo; Kansas (Phillipsburg) Biggest Rodeo; Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo (Abilene, Kansas)), two wins in team roping with B.J. Dugger (Coleman (Texas) PRCA Rodeo; XIT Rodeo & Reunion (Dalhart, Texas)) and four tie-down roping championships (Black Hills Roundup (Belle Fourche, South Dakota); Crooked River Roundup (Prineville, Oregon); Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo (Abilene, Kansas); Buffalo (Texas) Pro Rodeo presented by Bill Fick Ford).