PRORODEO Sports News - August 5, 2026

ZEKE THURSTON WINS FOURTH HARDGRASS BRONC MATCH TITLE Z eke Thurston is no stranger to big moments, especially at the Hardgrass Bronc Match. The four-time PRCA Saddle Bronc Riding World By Alex Dodd

Champion entered the short round in Pollockville, Alberta, Canada, July 25 as the leader. Still, a pair of fellow Canadi ans, Kolby Wanchuck and Dawson Dahm, set the bar high at 177.5 points on two head. Thurston had an ace up his sleeve, though. As the winner of the long round, Thurston got first choice of his bucking horse in the finals and selected Calgary Stampede’s Agent Lynx. The Canadian sensation showed out in his home province with an 89.5-point ride on Agent Lynx – a horse better known for its prowess in bareback riding – to secure the average win at 179 points on two head and a massive payday at the Rank 45 Xtreme Broncs Series event. “You’d have to drive the tires off a lot of trucks to find a bronc match that’s better than this one,” Thurston said on the dirt after receiving his check. “To have the success here that I’ve had is amaz ing.” The victory in Pollockville marked Thurston’s fourth Hardgrass Bronc Match championship. Dahm set the standard in the finals with a 90-point ride. Wanchuck responded on the next out with another 90-point ride on Calgary Stam pede’s Frontier Acres.

The duo shared the top of the leaderboard be fore Thurston clinched the win on Agent Lynx. The Big Valley, Alberta cowboy entered the event No. 10 in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings. The more than $20,000 payday for the event victory has him poised to surge up the standings. During the day’s festivities, Thurston’s young son, Hardy, also got in on the action and rode a pony in the arena. “That’s what it’s all about,” Thurston said. “It’s a family sport, and we let the kids partake. Getting to watch Hardy buck his pony, there’s nothing better.

Zeke Thurston points at the crowd after his opening round 89.5-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Crakin the Till at the Hardgrass Bronc Match July 25 in

Pollockville, Alberta, Canada. PRCA photo by Billie-Jean Duff

August 5, 2026 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE 37