PRORODEO Sports News - August 23, 2024

XTREME BRONCS RAPID CITY, S.D.

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Casper repeats Xtreme Broncs Finals success

BY TANNER BARTH W inning at the highest level is that is rarely achieved, but don’t tell Miami, Texas, saddle bronc rider Wyatt Casper that. He put his championship pedigree on full display in Rapid City, S.D., walking away with the coveted PRCA Xtreme Broncs Finals championship for the second straight season. Casper was a model of consistency in front of the sold-out crowd, besting the field of 24 contestants, in the average race with 174 points on two head. “I love Rapid City now,” laughed Casper, a four-time NFR qualifier. “I never dreamt of probably even winning this deal one time, so to win it twice is a dream come true for sure.” Casper was able to punch his ticket to eight-man finals after he put together an 87-point ride on Muddy Creek Pro Rodeo’s Disco Inferno in the first round. At the Xtreme never easy, repeating that success becomes even more difficult. There’s a reason it’s a feat

(Unofficial as of Aug. 22) 1. Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas................. .................$57,777 $57,777 2. Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah................... ...................46,549 3. Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont............. . ...........44,730 4. Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo...................... .....................42,450 5. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta ...... . .....42,360 6. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo.................. . ................40,122 7. Ben T. Andersen, Eckville, Alberta.......... ..........37,305 8. Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta............ ............34,363 9. Zac Dallas, Las Cruces, N.M.................. .................33,291 10. Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho.................. . .................29,834 11. Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah...................... ......................29,463 12. Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif.................. .................27,038 13. Layton Green, Millarville, Alberta......... .........26,968 14. Cash Wilson, Wall, S.D........................ .......................26,164 15. Logan Hay, Wildwood, Alberta............. .............24,866 Complete results/Page 89 PRCA XTREME BRONCS 2024 TOUR STANDINGS

Broncs Finals, each saddle bronc rider who advances to the short-go gets to choose their own horse by random draw in front of the bucking chutes. As one of the highest marked rides of the first round, Casper was one of the first cowboys to select his horse, J Bar J’s Shady Jacket was on the other side of the card. It’s a matchup he was hesitant about after a rough outing at the beginning of August. “I got on him one time in Jordan, Mont., and had a really good score and rode him good. Then I got on him a couple weeks ago in Sentinel Butte (N.D.), and he kind of made me look silly,” Casper said. “I think I was only 77 points, so there were some mixed emotions drawing him out of the box, but I knew it could be good.” Shady Jacket ended up being the perfect dancing partner for Casper. The duo combined for an 87-point trip, which was enough to push him to the top of the leaderboard. Casper edged out both Allen Boore and Ryder Wright by a half point, with each cowboy scoring 173.5 points on two head. Casper’s 16 seconds of work in South Dakota put $33,044 in his pocket, which marked the most money ever won at a PRCA Xtreme Broncs event. He earned $30,838 in Rapid City with his victory last season. The most recent payday has moved him into the top three in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $194,490. “My goal every year is to go to the NFR in the top 5,” Casper said. “This will dang sure help get me up there where I want to be, and it’ll make the rest of the year a little easier. Now, I’m going to focus on staying healthy and hopefully we will win some more big checks in September.”

Wyatt Casper hoists the coveted Xtreme Broncs bronze after winning the event with 174 points on two head. Casper earned $33,044 in Rapid City.

Clay Guardipee photos

Wyatt Casper started off the PRCA Xtreme Broncs Finals with an 87-point ride on Muddy Creek Pro Rodeo’s Disco Inferno. The ride helped him advance to the finals.

ProRodeo Sports News 8/23/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 8/23/2024

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