PRORODEO Sports News - February 21, 2025

EXPERIENCE MATTERS

A few days before traveling to Okeechobee, Fla., bull rider Trey Benton III competed at the Los Fresnos (Texas) Rodeo and bucked off before the eight-second horn. During that ride, he drew a bull with the tendency to come out of the chute and go left. It's a move that has been difficult for the veteran compet itor to navigate at times. So, when he saw his draw for the Brighton Field Days Festival Xtreme Bulls event in Okeechobee, Fla., Ben ton had concerns. "I was telling my buddy Cody Teel that I got one drawn that comes out of the gate to the left, so we'll see how this goes – but it went good," Benton said with a laugh. "I fixed my mistake and didn't think too long or too hard about it." The Richards, Texas, cowboy had watched a few videos of his opposi tion -- JC Kitaif Pro Rodeos' Rockstar -- ahead of the ride, giving him an idea of what to expect. With a little recent experience on his side, Benton was able to hang on for eight and produce an 88-point ride to hold off Cody Jesus at 87.5 points and pick up the win. It's the latest significant winter result for the seven-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier as he aims for his first trip to Las Vegas since 2021. Benton already has more than $30,000 in earnings this season, putting him near the top of the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings. BENTON USES PRIOR LESSONS TO PICK UP XTREME BULLS WIN IN FLORIDA By Alex Riley, Special to PRORODEO Sports News

Trey Benton III grits his teeth during an 88-point ride on JC Kitaif Pro Rodeos' Rockstar to win the Brighton Field Days Festival Xtreme Bulls on Feb. 16 in Okeechobee, Fla. PRCA Photo by Darlena Roberts

big checks in Dayton, Texas, at the River Ranch Stampede and the River Ranch Extreme Bulls event. It's all adding up to put him in posi tion for a big year. Since last making the NFR in 2021, Benton has finished among the top 20 just once, earning a 17th place finish in 2023. With a slew of upcoming stops throughout Florida and Georgia over the next week, the longtime pro isn't letting past setbacks keep him from being among the PRCA's best. "I've just had a few things in the last few years that have just kind of just been bumps in the road and stuff," Benton said. "I don't know, man, I've been doing this a long time, so I don't ever get worked up about it. I just take it in stride."

Through all of 2024, he managed to earn just shy of $51,000, placing him 44th in the final standings. The 33-year-old’s win in Okeechobee was worth $12,972 alone. "I actually didn't realize I think I won right at $50,000 all year last year, but everything is just going good," Benton said. "I'm drawing good, and I guess I'm just going to ride it out. When it's good, it's good and when it's bad, you just get through it." Because of his finish last season, Benton didn't qualify for some of the bigger winter rodeos, including San Antonio. While he might be missing out on a few noteworthy events, it hasn't slowed him down. Benton picked up some round money in Fort Worth, along with two

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