PRORODEO Sports News - August 8, 2025

BREAKING SUPERSTITIONS BRINGING FLARE TO PRORODEO By Zach Alvira C ooper Filipek was approaching the short go of the College National Finals Rodeo like any other. That is until he was asked to take a phone call in the media office. needed to build some momentum heading into the Fourth of July run. The 22-year-old Rapid City, S.D., cowboy placed in the top 10 in three of the four rodeos he entered during the run. His earnings were enough to give "He wears my love every time he gets on a horse," Ruth told the PRORO DEO Sports News. "It makes me feel really good." At the NFR Open, Filipek wore a custom shirt with "Buckin' Crazy" stitched on the back. But that only

When he entered, he started to get a feeling of who may be on the other end of the phone. The 'private num ber' caller ID confirmed it. ProRodeo Hall of Fame bull rider Ty Murray's voice came through the phone. It was the first time Filipek had ever spoken to his idol. Hours later, he had an 83.5-point bareback ride, increasing his overall score to 330 points on four head. It was enough to secure the national title. "It was pretty cool to be able to talk to (Murray) and see the different sides of it all," Filipek said. "About six sec onds in (to his championship ride), you couldn't tell, but I definitely had a smile on my face. I could hear every body screaming. It was pretty cool." The win was a monumental milestone in Filipek's young career, and one he

him confidence heading into the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he competed against some of the best bareback riders in the world. It also helped him secure an 88-point ride in the long round of the Central Wyo ming Fair & PRCA Rodeo in Casper, Wyo., where he returned following his two rides in Colorado. "It's been going good coming off the college finals," Filipek said. Filipek has made a name for himself in a way separate from his talent on the back of a bucking horse. Similar to the Wright brothers' blue shirts, Shad Mayfield's custom money patch and Rocker Steiner's red shirt, Filipek brings his own unique style to every PRORODEO arena. His shirts are

scratched the surface as the reason he turns heads in every arena. His yellow cowboy hat is usually the item of clothing he wears that breaks necks. "One of my dad's old travel partners started making hats and I told him to make it short-brim and yellow," Fili pek said. "Everybody gives me a little crap here and there but the way I ride I can probably wear whatever I want." Filipek is breaking the superstition of yellow being bad luck in PRORODEO. His first go at the NFR Open resulted in a score of 85 points, good for sec ond in Pool C behind fellow Resistol Rookie Sage Allen. The two remained in the same positions in the second round after Allen's 85-point ride and Filipek's 79.5. Filipek qualified for the champion ship round where a 76-point ride placed him in seventh overall. But the earnings on a national stage against some of the top talent in the world fueled Filipek's confidence, which is at a constant high all year round. It helped him move inside the top 10 of the Resistol Rookie Standings and as of July 16, he has pocketed nearly $16,000. Not bad for a rookie that faces bad luck head on. "The way the last few rodeos have been it must not be too much bad luck," Filipek said with a laugh.

custom made by his grandmother, Ruth Filipek. She said the style with unique, old school patterns comes from two to three different shirts she sews together. "De signed by Ruth" is stitched inside the shirt, as well as a two-word phrase to make him stand out.

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