PRORODEO Sports News - March 7, 2025

DAWSON HAY FOLLOWS IN FAMILY FOOTSTEPS

By Zach Alvira

“It’s kind of cool (my family has had success in San Antonio).” Hay’s goal entering San Antonio was simple: “90 or nothing.”

T he San Antonio (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo holds a special place in Dawson Hay’s heart. It’s where the Wildwood, Alberta cowboy’s brother, Logan Hay, won last year in 2024. It’s also where his father, 20-time NFR Qualifier Rod Hay, had some of his most impressive rides. The 26-year-old Canadian saddle bronc rider further added to his family’s legacy in San Antonio, capturing his first title at the event and $23,908 in earnings. “I got to watch my brother win this rodeo last year,” Hay said.

It came to fruition, as he secured the title with a 90-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Yippee Kibitz in the finals on Feb. 22 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. Though, it didn’t come easy. It was his first experience with Yippee Kibitz, which Hay described as a strong horse who hits the ground hard. “It was a lot of fun,” Hay said of Yippee Kibitz. “There was a couple of times in there I was jumping back into my saddle.” His score in the finals came after four consecutive rounds where he hung around the high 80s. Hay admits some doubt crept into his mind during his final ride. But he stuck it out and it paid off. “I wasn’t sure I was going to make it all the way through, but it worked out,” Hay said.

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