PRORODEO Sports News, April 4, 2025

TRISTEN HUTCHINGS SETS PRCA RECORD FOR EARNINGS AT REGULAR SEASON RODEO BY ZACH ALVIRA

T risten Hutchings’ main goal head ing into the championship round of bull riding at RodeoHouston was to secure his first title at the mega event. Little did he know along with walking away with the title, he set a record in the process. Hutchings’ $74,000 at RodeoHous ton, which includes $1,000 in ground money, set a new PRCA record for earnings at a regular season rodeo in one or multiple events. Stetson Wright previously held the record with $73,750 in earnings from saddle bronc riding and bull riding at Rodeo

Houston in 2022. “I am just thankful, honestly,” Hutch ings said. “To win Houston has been nothing short of a dream. And to do it the first year after they raised the added money is a cherry on top.” Hutchings was the only cowboy to register a score in the bull riding championship round Sunday, March 23. Championship qualifiers Wacey Schalla, the top-ranked bull rider in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings, Mason Moody and Stetson Wright were all bucked off. Simply needing to complete his ride for the title,

The win in Houston comes three months after Hutchings was forced out of competition at the 2024 Wran gler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge due to a sprained knee he suffered in Round 9. It also vaulted him to the No. 3 spot in the world rankings. “I moved up somewhere around 50 places in one day,” Hutchings said. “There are some injuries you can brush off and then some that you have to take time off and go get fixed up or take time off to let it heal up. Throughout the years now, I know when I should go home and get phys ically stronger and let my body heal up.” Hutchings’ familiarity with Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Centerfold, the bull he rode in the finals, was lim ited to watching Wright match with it in Denver at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in January. Wright had an 88-point ride on the bull in Denver. Hutchings knew he had his work cut out for him, especial ly with the added pressure of another ride if he was unable to stay on. He said he cleared his head and went for it. It paid off. “I knew this morning if I gave it all I had, I’d be happy,” Hutchings said. “I wanted to come in here and I knew I was going to win this rodeo. But mentally, I just knew if I tried to do my job the best, and the way I pre pared myself, I would feel right with the outcome.”

Hutchings scored a 91 and helped him earn $65,000, adding to his total earnings at RodeoHous ton. Schalla, Moody and Wright all received $20,000 for making it to

the cham pionship round.

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