2019 PRCA Media Guide - 2018 World Champions

Saddle Bronc Riding

Wade Sundell Sundell earns gold at his eighth NFR

Eight might be Wade Sundell’s lucky number. Thanks to picking up eight checks during his eighth trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the Boxholm, Iowa, cowboy was crowned the 2018 Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion. “Words can’t explain it, it’s amazing,” Sundell said. “I’ve been trying to do it since the first time here, but I’m glad it came and hope there’s more to come.” Sundell has competed at every Wrangler NFR from2009-15. He nearly won theworld twice before, finishing second in 2010 and 2015. “It’s the gold buckle and what everyone wants, it’s the greatest thing ever,” he said immediately after winning the title.“Everyone shoots for it, and it’s what you always work for. Before tonight, I felt good and kept firing away at them.” Sundell won Round 5 with a 92-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s MedicineWoman, the same bronc

“I’d seen her before and knew she would have some moves, and there were a few more than I thought,” he said. “She lived up to every bit of it.” By then, Sundell had climbed from eighth to fifth in the world standings at $194,329 with three rounds left to go. “Just being here is the coolest thing you ever get to do,” he said. “Every day is like the first time. It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do, I’m just glad to be here.” Scoring 85.5 points in Round 8 and then placing second and fourth in the last two rounds, pushed Sundell to the top of the 2018 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $280,636. He won by a margin of $18,202. “Just go day by day and do what you’ve been doing your whole life,”Sundell said.“Keep your chin down and have fun riding bucking horses.” – Matt Naber

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Billie-Jean Duff 2018 WORLD CHAMPIONS

that was the deciding factor in CoBurn Bradshaw’s average win, after nailing a 92-point ride in Round 10. “I told (flankman) Heath Stewart earlier that they (the crowd) were needing to be wowed and that he was about to see something he hadn’t seen in a while,” Sundell said. “I was stoked to have that one. It’s the best she has ever been with me, so I bared down and had fun.” Sundell and Medicine Woman are familiar with each other. Sundell had another 92-point ride on her in the final round of the 2014 Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup Rodeo. “It was everything I figured it would be,”he said.“She wanted to stall out, so I kept gassing on her.” Sundell went on to split the win in Round 7 with Chase Brooks, when both cowboys made 90-point rides. Sundell did it aboard Lancaster & Jones Pro Rodeo’s Total Equines Angel Fire. The 90 points tied the round record set by Billy Etbauer in 2009. Sundell had never ridden Angel Fire, but said he had a good idea of what the bronc might do.

Sundell won his first saddle bronc riding world championship after placing in eight rounds at the 2018 Wrangler NFR.

2019 PRCA MEDIA GUIDE

47