PRORODEO Sports News - January 10, 2025

BILLINGS, MONT.

CHASE HAWKS ROUGH STOCK RODEO Jake Lockwood sets himself up for 2025 after Gillette, Billings Happy New Year BY ALEX DODD T here aren’t many opportunities to pick up checks for the new season in December, but cashing in can set you up nicely for the start of the new year. Jake Lockwood made the most of his chances before the calendar turned over at the Chase Hawks Rough Stock Rodeo and New Year’s Eve Buck & Bull. The 24-year-old bull rider kicked off the season with $16,175 for his top finishes at the two events. “I wouldn’t say I made a statement, but I dang sure feel TOP MONEY EARNER Lucas Macza ($9,945, saddle bronc riding) Jake Lockwood ($9,945, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING 1. Bradlee Miller ..................... 88.5 pts. (Tie) Sam Petersen .................... 88.5 3. Three tied at ............................... 86.5 SADDLE BRONC RIDING TOP SCORES

1. Lucas Macza ....................... 88.5 pts. 2. Riggin Smith .............................. 85.5 3. Kade Bruno ................................ 84.5 (Tie) Isaac Diaz .......................... 84.5 BULL RIDING 1. Jake Lockwood ...................... 86 pts. 2. Ethan Skogquist ......................... 83.5 (Tie) Stran Smith ....................... 83.5

like I belong at the NFR,” Lockwood said. “I know I ride good enough to make it there, and not just to make it, but compete with those guys. I’m a little more focused and know I can get there this year.” Lockwood gave himself a huge jolt for the 2025 season with his impressive performances at the two December events. Lockwood held on for an 86-point ride on Muddy Creek Pro Rodeo’s Southern Heat to pick up $9,945 at the Chase Hawks Rough Stock Rodeo on Dec. 21, 2024, in Billings, Mont. The win at First Interstate Arena carried more weight for Lockwood because of his admiration for the event in his home state. “To get to ride up at Chase Hawks in general was pretty exciting, let alone to win it,” he said. “I’ve been up there a few years watching it and always wanted to ride there. And it worked out. “They packed them in there this year. It’s right after the Finals, and these big NFR guys come up there. And they make a good show out of it.” Lockwood kept things moving in the right direction at the New Year’s Eve Buck & Ball in Gillette, Wyo. He matched Burch Rodeo’s Stickin’ And Movin’ for an 86-point ride to win the opening round and advance to the four man final. There were no qualified rides in the short round, so Lockwood left the Cam-Plex Wyoming Center as the event winner with $6,230. “I knew the bull I was getting on. A buddy of ours, Jade Nixon, owned him and brought him to the house three or four weeks before, and me and my brother (Jess Lockwood) rode him,” Jake Lockwood said. “So, I knew what I was getting into, that I had a good bull and knew I had a good shot to make the four-man. That didn’t turn out as well as we’d like, but I snuck out of there with the win still. It was pretty exciting.” The Volborg, Mont., native currently sits in the top ten of the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings. “After last year (I saw) that it’s a long season,” Lockwood said. “So, you just have to take it one bull at a time. Getting two wins off the bat just helps kickstart everything.”

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Callie Adams, the director of events for Montana Silversmiths, hands Jake Lockwood his buckle for winning the Chase Hawks Rough Stock Rodeo, Dec. 31, in Billings, Mont.

Hailey Rae phtoos Jake Lockwood won the Chase Hawks Rough Stock Rodeo with an 86-point ride on Muddy Creek Pro Rodeo’s Southern Heat. He earned $9,945 for his eight seconds of work. Lockwood finished 45th in the 2024 world standings.

ProRodeo Sports News 1/10/2025

ProRodeo Sports News 1/10/2025

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