Rodeo Recap: June 10 – June 16: Cowboys and Cowgirls Earn Big Bucks as Summer Rodeo Season Heats Up
In This Article
The week of June 10th to June 16th saw some of rodeo's biggest names compete at high-paying events across the country. From the aptly named Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo in Vernal, Utah to the iconic Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte, Nebraska, contestants had the opportunity to secure their places in the world standings and earn some serious cash. Let's take a look at the highlights from this week's events.
This Week's Results in Rodeo
Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo | Vernal, Utah Total Payout: Nearly $174,000
Bareback Riding
Keenan Hayes, the reigning world champion, continued his dominant streak with a 90-point ride on Powder River Rodeo's Misdemeanor. The 21-year-old Colorado native is well on his way to his second NFR appearance, currently leading the world standings with over $100,000 in season earnings.
Saddle Bronc Riding
It was a "Ryder" affair in Vernal, with Ryder Sanford and Ryder Wright both marking 87 points to split the win. Sanford, an NFR qualifier from Louisiana, rode Powder River Rodeo's Toss Across, while Utah's own Wright, a 2x World Champion and 8x NFR qualifier, covered Powder River's Party Planner. The pair each pocketed $4,200 for their efforts.
Barrel Racing
Oklahoma's Leslie Smalygo and her horse "Gus" clocked a 17.05-second run to win the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo. The 2022 NFR qualifier is unofficially leading the world standings with over $78,000 in season earnings, positioning herself well for a return trip to Las Vegas.
The Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo has been nominated 8 times as one of the PRCA's best Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year!
Buffalo Bill Rodeo | North Platte, Nebraska
Bareback Riding
Texas cowboy Rocker Steiner is on a hot streak, winning his third rodeo in a week with an 88-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo's Happy Hour. The 2x NFR qualifier pocketed $5,500 between his wins in North Platte and North Dakota, maintaining his 4th place position in the world standings with $77,000 in season earnings.
Total payout for Buffalo Bill Rodeo was over $125,000!
Steer Wrestling
Australia's Travis Munro claimed his second win of the season in Nebraska, clocking a total time of 8.7 seconds on two head. The aspiring first-time NFR qualifier earned approximately $3,800, moving him to 14th in the world standings with $34,000 in season earnings.
Team Roping
The dynamic duo of header Dustin Egusquiza (Florida) and heeler Levi Lord (South Dakota) continued their winning ways with a 4.5-second run, earning $3,100 each. The 6x and 3x NFR qualifiers, respectively, are currently leading the world standings with $82,000 in season earnings.
Bull Riding
JR Stratford, an NFR qualifier from Kansas, is making a strong comeback after a major elbow surgery sidelined him for most of 2023. His 86.5-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo's Mayhem earned him a $3,600 check and moved him to 7th in the world standings with $77,600 in season earnings.
Wildwood Bronc Bustin' | Wildwood, Alberta, Canada
Hometown hero Logan Hay put on a show for the Wildwood crowd, riding two broncs for 90+ points in the same weekend. The NFR qualifier marked 90 points on Calgary Stampede's Frosted Brownie to win Round 1, then outdid himself with a 92.5-point ride on Calgary Stampede's Exotic Warrior in the final round. Hay's dominance earned him nearly $10,000 of the event's $30,000 purse, moving him to 8th in the world standings with $68,700 in season earnings.
Conclusion
As the summer run kicks into high gear, rodeo fans can expect more exciting performances from their favorite cowboys and cowgirls. Stay tuned for weekly updates on the latest results and standings as contestants vie for a spot at the NFR and a chance at a world title.
Richard Sutherland
RichardSutherland@bitsnspurs.orgRichard is a western lifestyle author for Bits N' Spurs, the weekly newsletter that keeps pace with today's rodeo. His articles are featured on dozens of rodeo and Western related websites and provide a window to the world of cowboy culture.