PRORODEO Sports News - July 26, 2024

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.

NFR OPEN

Bodie Mattson stuns field, wins tie-down roping title

Bodie Mattson entered the NFR Open powered by RAM at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo as a Badlands Circuit champion but a relative unknown on a national stage. The 22-year-old tie-down roper from Sturgis, S.D., ensured everybody knew his name at Norris Penrose Event Center. Mattson completed a 7.6-second run to win the national championship in front of a sellout crowd. “It’s awesome,” Mattson said of winning the title. “From junior high to high school to college, it’s always something that I wanted to do. This is the first one, so I’m finally glad to get it accomplished.” Mattson opened Pool C with a 12.8-second time to finish fourth and pick up $750. In the second round, he won with a 9.7-second effort to pocket $3,000 and cement his spot in the championship round. Mattson entered the event 23rd in the PRCA | RAM World Standings in search of a big boost from the lucrative rodeo. But the tie-down roping featured a stacked lineup. “I was in a spot in the world standings where I dang sure needed some money,” Mattson said.

“That calf, I was here when we tied him, and he was outstanding. The draw comes into play here at a big rodeo like this. “With this group of guys, you have to draw something to have a chance, and I was fortunate to be the one to draw the one tonight.” Mattson capitalized on the winner-take-all format in the finals. He put the pressure on the rest of the daysheet with the 7.6-second run on the second out of the round and held on to earn the victory. “It’s a one-header, and you’re guaranteed to win something no matter what,” he said. “You don’t really have much to lose, so you’ve got to take a chance. I took a chance at the barrier and happened to get a great roll at him, get it on him, turned around and it set up a great run.” Mattson also competes in team roping and plans to continue both events if his body allows it. “For many years, I was a better (team roping) header, but I really worked on my calf roping for a while. “And this year, I’m having a little bit more success in the calf roping,” he said. “So, I think I’ll bounce between both for the next few years while I’m healthy.”

Tie-down roper Bodie Mattson secured the NFR Open win after clocking a 7.6-second run in the short round. Kristen Schurr photo

Cardona takes bull riding

Sage Newman entered the final day of the NFR Open powered by RAM at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo at the bottom of the daysheet. The Melston, Mont., cowboy needed a high-octane performance after Ira Dickinson set the bar high with an 87-point trip on Andrews Rodeo Company’s Cracker Jack earlier in the round. Newman drew a horse with a fitting name for the winner-take-all format of the NFR Open in Andrews Rodeo Company’s All or Nothing. The duo paired up for an 88-point ride to win the title in front of a fired-up crowd at Norris Penrose Event Center. “I knew that horse was good and that I had to stick to the basics, have fun and do my job the best that I can,” Newman said. “That horse was going to give me every opportunity to win. So, I kept it simple and tried to do the best job I could.” The NFR Open featured saddle bronc riding circuit champs from across North America. Newman said he likes the added pressure of being the last guy out, especially when his friends are applying the pressure. “I like watching those guys go before me. It gets me fired up to go make some good rides,” Newman said. “It’s always fun watching your buddies do good, too… It doesn’t really matter what they do, but I just try to go do my job. That’s all I can do.” The 26-year-old swept the weekend. He opened Pool C with an 85-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Real Fancy to win the first round and $3,000. In the second round, he bested the field with an 88.5-point trip on Kirsten Vold Rodeo Company’s Gossip Girl and nabbed another $3,000. Newman’s national championship ride in the finals added $13,000 to his ledger. “To be here my first time and win it is unbelievable,” he said. “This is a great, great setting and a great format. I love it…It feels pretty dang good (to be a national champion). I’m excited to bring the title home.” Newman saves best for last in victory

Hector A. Cardona earned a bid to compete in the NFR Open powered by RAM at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo by winning the Mexican Rodeo Federation championship. The Saltillo, Mexico, native walked out of Norris Penrose Event Center as an NFR Open Bull Riding National Champion. “It was one of my goals,” Cardona said. “I just got here and set my mind straight. I just got it right.” A rank pen bucked off all nine competitors in Saturday’s championship round, forcing the title to be decided by tiebreaker. Cardona earned the buckle and $13,000 as the only bull rider out of 27 competitors to complete rides on two head. “I’m trying to encourage little kids down there (in Mexico) that don’t have the money to go bull riding events and buy all of the gear,” Cardona said. “I’m just trying to be an inspiration for them and trying to put my name out there so those kids know it’s possible.” Cardona opened Pool B with an 82.5-point trip to finish second and pocket $2,500 in Round 1. He completed an 81.5-point ride on Generations Pro Rodeo’s Speed Test to nab an extra $7,500 as the only qualified rider in Round 2. Cardona appreciated the opportunity to represent Mexico at an event that featured a litany of competitors in the Top 15 of the PRCA | RAM World Standings. “I think it’s just believing in ourselves and trying to put our names out there,” Cardona said of his fellow Mexican cowboys. “We’re just trying to do our jobs like we’re supposed to and forget about trying to represent our country and everything. It’s just bull riding. It’s simple. “As long as we stay together as a group and keep striving for it, we’ll make a name for ourselves in the PRCA.” Cardona planned to compete at the Garfield County Fair Xtreme Bulls on July 24 in Rifle, Colo., and continue competing at other PRORODEO events this season.

Kristen Schurr photo

Ryan Jae photo Representing the Mexican Rodeo Federation, Hector Cardona won the bull riding national championship based on his two rides in Pool B.

Sage Newman took Andrews Rodeo Company’s All or Nothing on an 87-point trip in the finals to claim the NFR Open title.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/26/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 7/26/2024

ProRodeo.com

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