PRORODEO Sports News - August 9, 2024

DEADWOOD, S.D.

DAYS OF ’76 RODEO

Woodward wins long awaited matchup Dream Scenario

BY ALEX RILEY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News E verything about the moment left Jestyn Woodward grinning. The perfect late July afternoon in Deadwood, S.D. His parents, younger brother and numerous friends looking on. Drawing a bull he has been hoping to see for the last several years. It all added up to be an ideal situation – and Woodward made sure to capitalize. The second-year competitor put together an 88.5-point ride on Dakota Rodeo’s Dr Campbell to edge out fellow bull rider Hayes Weight and secure the Days of ’76 Rodeo championship over the final weekend in July. Matching up with Dr Campbell has been a desire for Woodward ever since he saw the bull on TV as a teenager. The years of waiting turned out to be worth it. Woodward didn’t know what he would have to score to take the lead in the competition coming into his ride, but knew Weight had the top mark going in. The eight-second horn was a great sound, but what he heard next was even sweeter. “I just remember hearing the announcer say as I was leaving the arena that I went to the lead,” Woodward said. “That bull feels really, really cool underneath a guy. It was just awesome to get to draw him at Deadwood because it’s just such a special rodeo. I’m just glad it all worked out to get the win.” The victory and $5,809 payday in Deadwood were just part of a strong flourish to end the month for the Custer, S.D., native. Along with the Days of ’76 result, Woodward also picked up a win at the Sheridan County Fair & Rodeo in Gordon, Neb., to earn an additional $2,256. Woodward is grateful he got to ride after recovering from a minor head injury suffered during the Snake River Stampede in Nampa, Idaho, back in mid-July. After taking a few days to recuperate, he’s back to feeling strong. More importantly, he avoided a repeat of last season when he had to sit out much of the late summer run with an injury. Thankfully, he got to experience the hectic July schedule during his permit year back in 2022, so Woodward was prepared for navigating the pace that comes at this point in the season. It all set him up for a big showing and hopefully some continued momentum. “It’s like second nature now after last year. And my permit year in 2022, I went pretty hard for the months of July and August, just so that I could get my feet wet and get it all figured out,” Woodward said. “There’s still a lot of stuff I learn every day from the veterans in the sport that teach me new stuff, better ways to travel and enter and everything like that, but I’ve got a pretty solid foundation on it.”

TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER Gus Franzen ($7,543, steer wrestling) BAREBACK RIDING

Franzen

1. Leighton Berry ....................... 87 pts. (Tie) R.C. Landingham .................. 87 3. Cole Reiner ................................... 86 STEER WRESTLING 1. Gus Franzen .................. 8.8 sec. on 2 2. Shane Frey ................................... 9.3 (Tie) Justin Shaffer ....................... 9.3 TEAM ROPING 1. Aguilera/Mitchell ..........10.0 sec. on 2 2. B. Crites/T. Worley ...................... 11.7 3. T. Tryan/L. Moore ....................... 11.8 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Q McWhorter ....................... 87.5 pts. 2. Kade Bruno ................................... 86 3. Shorty Garrett ............................... 85 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Blane Cox .................... 18.8 sec. on 2 (Tie) Dylan Hancock ................... 18.8 3. Zane Kilgus ................................ 20.3 STEER ROPING 1. Kelton McMillen ...........37.0 sec. on 3 2. Jess Tierney ............................... 37.3 3. Chet Herren ................................ 40.8 BULL RIDING 1. Jestyn Woodward ................ 88.5 pts. 2. Hayes Weight ................................ 88 3. Parker Breding ........................... 86.5

Complete results/Page 66

Kristen Schurr photo

Jestyn Woodward would not be denied at the Day of ’76 Rodeo in Deadwood, S.D. Woodward secured the victory with an 88.5-point ride on Dakota Rodeo’s Dr Campbell.

ProRodeo Sports News 8/9/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 8/9/2024

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