PRORODEO Sports News - August 23, 2024

XTREME BULLS WOODSTOWN-PILESGROVE, N.J.

Gardner’s first visit to Northeast ends with win Xtreme Effort

BY ALEX RILEY Special to ProRodeo Sports News S ince Aug. 10, Jake Gardner’s schedule has been chaotic. A Washington rodeo on Saturday. A 13-hour drive into Canada for another on Sunday, followed by a six-hour trek to catch a Monday flight to Philadelphia. Then, a 40-minute cab ride to New Jersey, all for an opportunity to ride at the Cowtown Rodeo Xtreme Bulls. Whirlwind? Undoubtedly. Worth it? Absolutely. “Shoot, I just gained some good memories and good times and got to check out the East. I’ve never been over here, so it’s kind of cool,” Gardner said with a laugh. A Fort St. John, British Columbia, Canada, native, Gardner has been to Northeast Canada and the Southeastern United States for events, but never had a reason to go to the Northeast portion of America. His first visit was certainly memorable as he covered two of the three bulls he faced, posting an aggregate score of 178 points to claim the Cowtown Xtreme Bulls title. It’s another positive outcome that has Gardner believing he can continue climbing the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Prior to the New Jersey win, he had amassed slightly less than $65,000 in earnings, placing Gardner 29th. But the last few weeks have given the 28-year-old reason to believe he can reach the Top 15 and earn his first trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. After securing less than $4,200 during the entire month of July, Gardner has gotten back on track since the calendar flipped. Through the first 11 days of August, he had nearly $11,000 in earnings, including a win at the Omak (Wash.) Stampede just before heading east. Because of his spot in the standings, Gardner is embracing every opportunity to compete, even if it means a few cross-country flights. It all worked out as he arrived in New Jersey, rode his first round bull for 87 points on Aug. 12 and then came back Aug. 13 focused on finishing the job. In the finals, he drew McCoy Rodeo’s Ridin Solo, a bull that had been bucked five times in the PRCA this year, with Trey Benton III notching the only score – a 92-point effort back in February. “I got here, and I saw that he was in the short round and it’s in the back of your mind. You’re thinking, ‘Oh, it would be so cool to get on that bull with what that bull has accomplished.’ I drew him and it was great,” Gardner said. “I knew that bull was pretty exotic and if I could just stick my chest out and ride him it would be pretty good.” His 91-point effort sealed the win and a payday that should bump him up the PRCA | RAM World Standings. The next few weeks will feature more lengthy treks, but Gardner is excited to keep the tires and momentum rolling as he chases his final destination – the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas this December. “This trip has been pretty good, but there’s always all-night drives that get tough and I expect more of them. But when you’re doing good and having fun it doesn’t matter,” Gardner said.

(Unofficial as of Aug. 22) 1. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah ................ ................$94,682 $94,682 2. Clayton Sellars, Wildwood, Fla.............. . ............53,884 3. Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, Okla................ ...............49,704 4. Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho....47,156 5. Tyler Bingham, Howell, Utah.................. ..................45,609 6. Luke Mast, Hutchinson, Kan.................. .................45,107 7. Lukasey Morris, Union City, Okla........... ..........39,669 8. Tristan Mize, Bryan, Texas..................... .....................37,755 9. Creek Young, Rogersville, Mo................ ...............37,236 10. Maverick Smith, Mountain Grove, Mo..34,617 11. Jace Trosclair, Chauvin, La.................. .................33,445 12. Jeter Lawrence, Council Hill, Okla........ .......33,192 13. Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla............. ............30,606 14. Jake Gardner, Fort St. John, B.C. ........ ........28,710 15. Trey Holston, Fort Scott, Kan............... ..............28,425 Complete results/Page 76 PRCA XTREME BULLS 2024 TOUR STANDINGS

The win in Woodstown-Pilesgrove, N.J., continued a string of success for Gardner as he moves his way up the PRCA | RAM World Standings.

Andre Silva photos

Jake Gardner tamed McCoy Rodeo’s Ridin Solo with a 91-point trip to win the Cowtown Rodeo Xtreme Bulls, Aug. 13.

ProRodeo Sports News 8/23/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 8/23/2024

ProRodeo.com

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