PRORODEO Sports News - August 5, 2026

The NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo

The Wilderness Circuit finished as the top-earning circuit at the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, with contestants earning a combined $103,542 over the course of the seven performances. To top it off, Acumatica awarded an additional $15,000, to be split among the Wilderness Circuit contestants.

by Alex Dodd

KADE BRUNO WINS HIS THIRD CAREER NFR OPEN TITLE

M ake it a hat trick for saddle bronc rider Kade Bruno. Bruno is now a three-time national champion at the NFR Open. The Challis, Idaho, cowboy’s latest victory came at the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo presented by John Deere July 18.

Bruno had an electric 88.5-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo and Phenom Genetics’ Atomic Blonde in the championship round at Norris Penrose Event Center. “I can’t say enough good things about this rodeo. The stars just seem to align for me here. It’s been cool,” said Bruno, 25. “This rodeo is awesome. They do such a good job. The crowd’s energetic, and it’s fun to come here.”

also thrilled to represent the Columbia River Circuit. He qualified for the NFR Open by winning the Boot Barn Columbia Circuit Finals Rodeo in Redmond, Ore. “This is the one rodeo that kind of breaks us up, and we get to com pete as a team,” Bruno said. “It’s fun getting to come here with your fellow circuit members and try to put your name on the board for the circuit.” Bruno was sitting third in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Stand ings with $165,611 and will now keep edging his way to the top. “The momentum swings can be big right now, and if a guy catches a little momentum now, you can ride it throughout the rest of the year,” Bruno said. “So, I just hope to keep things going well and keep having fun and doing my job. “I’m going to be going hard. I go to every rodeo I can, every opportunity to make money. And we’re just going to keep the pedal down.”

Bruno earned $13,000 for his ride in the championship round and left the Olympic City with a total of $16,000. Bruno also won the NFR Open in 2022 and 2023. “I actually just got on (Atom ic Blonde) in Reno (in June), and I was 87 (points) on him in the short round,” Bruno said. “She’s a little horse that tries so hard. She isn’t very big, but she gives you a chance to win every time. And tonight, I gave her a little more rein. I was kind of regretting it about the third jump. I was swimming in it, but I got sat back down, and that was just a nice horse.” Beyond winning anoth er national title, Bruno was

Kade Bruno hoists his third NFR Open championship buckle after his short-go win

on July 18 in Colorado Springs. PRCA photo by Nicole Stevens

6 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS DIGITAL MAGAZINE August 5, 2026