PRORODEO Sports News - August 8, 2025

He watched as eight out of nine cowboys ahead of him scored north of 80 points. Cole Franks had an 88.5 aboard Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phe nom Genetics' Land of Fancy. Two riders later Sam Petersen set a new mark to beat with an 89-point trip aboard Brookman Rodeo's Lone some Smile. That didn't last long as Jess Pope set a new high mark to beat at 91 while matched up with Brookman Rodeo's Risky Business. In most circumstances, at any other rodeo the scores ahead of Berry would have likely clinched the title. That was the mindset he had, and it led to the arena record. "I try not to focus on what could happen" Berry said. "I focus on what I know I can control in the moment. They told me to take the fight to that horse, that's all I had on my mind. I'm just so thankful for my family being here. The support means more to me than the arena record. I'm very grateful for this moment." Berry's mark came ahead of heavy hitters Jayco Roper, Wacey Schalla and Rocker Steiner. But his score remained at the top. He knew he had at least reached the 90-point mark on his ride. He fig ured the crowd did, too, based on the roar from the large grandstands. But that was taken up a notch when his score was announced. The ride was emotional. It came in front of Berry's family, including his brother, fellow bareback rider and four-time NFR qualifier Leighton Berry, and his father, Kirby, who was also a bareback rider. Kirby looked on with a smile as his son was swarmed by family and media following his championship ride. "This has been years and years and years in the making," Kirby told the PRORODEO Sports News. "I rode here. He's watched his brother have success here and now he has. They were better than me and there's an other one that is going to be better than them. The Kirby name is going to be one to know for a long, long time." Other winners from Cheyenne Frontier Days include all around champ Jake Clay (steer roping and team roping); steer roper Scott Snedecor (12.7 seconds); tie-down roper Tyson Durfey (10.9 seconds); breakaway roper Danielle Lowman (4.3 seconds); saddle bronc rider Brody Cress (91 points on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics' THE Black Tie); team ropers Aaron Tsinigine/Jeremy Buhler (9.3 sec onds); steer wrestler Tyke Kipp (5.5 seconds); barrel racer Lisa Lockhart (17.03 seconds); bull rider Qynn Anderson (90 points on Smith Pro Rodeos' Hunter).

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PRORODEO Sports News