ProRodeo Sports News - March 19, 2021

Bruno turned heads by capturing the average at the RAMColumbia River Circuit Finals Rodeo with 167.5 points on two head in Hermiston, Ore., Oct. 3. “That was actually my first circuit finals, I was still on my permit,” said Bruno, 20. “I drew really well and had been going all summer. I went out there, rode my horses and did what I could, and it all came together for me.” Bruno earned $4,034, which prompted him to buy his PRCA card four days after the circuit finals ended. The victory qualified him for the RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., April 9-10, where the money will count toward the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings. “I’m extremely excited to qualify for the RAMNCFR,” Bruno said. “It is big that the money counts toward the world standings because the RAM NCFR has a lot of money added. They only take two guys (per event) for each circuit, so we’re only going up against like 26 guys, and a regular rodeo you’re going up against 50 or 60 guys. It will be cool to go up against some of the best guys in the sport, and I feel like you’re only as good as the guys you’re hanging around. “It should be a good

Saddle bronc rider Joe Harper, who won the Columbia River Circuit year-end crown, believes Bruno has a bright future. “Kade is a young guy with a lot of natural talent,” said Harper, 29, who finished second in the average at the RAMCRCFR. “He has the talent for being able to get his feet moving on horses that are tough to ride. I think Kade can do well in Kissimmee and make some money.” Bruno is keeping his rodeo goals simple. “I think everybody wants to make the NFR, but for this year I just want to stay consistent, and if I can win the (PRCA | Resistol) Rookie of the Year and make the NFR that would be awesome,” Bruno said. “I really want to win Rookie of the Year. I’m just going to take it horse by horse and day by day, and we’ll see what happens. The amount of money we can win these days in eight seconds is wild. I just crave it.” When not rodeoing, Bruno, who has two sisters – Vanessa, 21, and Jacey, 16 – enjoys hunting and fishing with his father and playing golf. “I’m a terrible golfer, but I have fun,” Bruno said. “It’s a good stress reliever and helps pass the time.”

time in Kissimmee because my grandparents, parents and family members are going down there to watch me compete.”

“It will be cool to go up against some of the best guys in the sport, and I feel like you’re only as good as the guys you’re hanging around. – KADE BRUNO

FINDING THE RIGHT EVENT

Like many young cowboys, Bruno tried most events. But it was saddle bronc riding that he liked most. “I’ve always ridden horses, and my dad every now and then would break some colts, and he would have me get on first when I got old enough,” Bruno said. “I enjoyed riding them. There was a guy in Challis, Kurtis Koeppen, who had some horses, and he offered for me to come down and get on some. The first time I was using a regular stock saddle, and after

that I wanted to try and ride broncs. I found a bronc saddle, and the same guy helped me get on and buck my first few horses there.” Bruno began displaying his talent soon after. “I got on that first horse when I was 15 years old and it was a lot of fun,” he said. “I high school rodeoed for the next four years. I rode bulls and broncs and I team roped, (tie-down) roped and steer wrestled. My senior year I won the state championship in saddle bronc riding and I had been to the National High School Finals Rodeo twice and had top 10 finishes. I was riding good, and I thought if I really want to do this and be serious about it, I need to do saddle bronc riding. I bought my first (PRCA) permit in June 2019.” PERMIT TO CARD In 2020, Bruno earned $9,082 and finished third in the PRCA | RAMRodeo Permit Standings behind Parker Fleet ($14,085) and Jack Bentz ($9,484). “I won a little money here and there and quietly moved up the permit standings,” Bruno said. “I realized this is something I could do for a living.”

Photo courtesy Kade Bruno Kade Bruno, right, enjoys hunting with his father, Mike, a former PRCA bull rider.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/19/2021

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