PRORODEO Sports News, April 4, 2025

WACEY SCHALLA TAKES HUMBLE APPROACH TO PRORODEO SUCCESS BY ZACH ALVIRA

Wacey Schalla continues to put on a show this season, winning Rodeo Austin to hold on to his No. 1 world ranking. PRCA photo by James Phifer

O ne week after receiving a no score in the bull riding cham pionship at RodeoHouston, Wacey Schalla reinforced why he holds the No. 1 ranking in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings just over 160 miles away in Austin, Texas. The 19-year-old once again found himself competing for a title. But this time he delivered a 91.5-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo's Gangster Walk to come out of Austin with the cham pionship and $14,218 in earnings. “That’s a bull I’ve been wanting to get on for a long time,” Schalla said. “(Beutler & Son Rodeo) brought him to the NFR last year and they won money on him. I was pretty excited to have him. “He was a lot tougher than I thought.

I didn’t think I made the buzzer but I’m glad I did.” Schalla beat out Stetson Wright for the title in Austin. Wright, who is the No. 2 ranked bull rider in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings behind Schalla, capped off the cham pionship round with an 89.5-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Foul Motion. The win brought Schalla’s season earnings to $112,723, with a large majority having come from bull rid ing. His first and only bareback ride in Austin resulted in a tie for fourth place with Roedy Farrell and Tilden Hooper, earning $2,937. The win helped push Schalla’s season earnings to $125,941, with a large ma jority having come from bull riding.

But he remains on a fast track to qual ify for his second Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Holding on to his No. 1 ranking before heading to Las Vegas is key for Schalla. But he is taking a humble approach in attempting to do so, not taking any ride for granted and fo cusing on his love for the sport rather than money earned. It’s a mindset that helps him stay grounded. So far, it’s led to plenty of success. “It’s a long season but to be going into the next few months on top feels great,” Schalla said. “(I’m a) hum ble kid just chasing my dreams. I’m riding bulls not for the money but because I love it.”

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