PRORODEO Sports News - March 7, 2025

BRODY WELLS WINS AVERAGE TITLE AT 100TH LA FIESTA DE LOS VAQUEROS CENTENNIAL SUCCESS

By Kensie Darst-Todd A good cup of coffee, conversa tions about horses and the right music are three simple ingredi ents that set the stage for Brody Well’s success in the arena. The 23-year-old cowboy from Powell, Wyo., delivered a standout perfor mance at the centennial edition of La Fiesta De Los Vaqueros at The Tucson (Ariz.) Rodeo, riding his way to the saddle bronc average championship with 175 points on two head. In the first round, Wells drew Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Cloud Nine and set the tone with an 85.5 point-ride, earning a payout of $3,154. Despite some initial uncertainty about the horse, he knew he had to make it work to secure his spot in the short round. “I knew that one I had the long round was kind of hard, but it was a shock,” Wells said. “So it worked out and I ended up getting second in the long round.” In the short round, he matched with Andrews Rodeo’s Wind Me Up, know ing a strong ride would put him in a position to win the average. Conversations with fellow riders, in cluding Statler Wright, confirmed the horse’s ability and Wells delivered. “We got the stock list for the short round and mine was a 5-year-old horse. I talked to a of couple buddies that had seen him, and Statler Wright told me he was really good,” Wells ex plained. “I mean, you couldn’t ask for one to be any better than that – hang ing three feet off the ground, kicking them over my head every time. “I was sitting good in the average, so I was gonna come get on whatever I

had drawn and I’m so glad it worked out.” In previous years, Tucson has been a frustrating stop for Wells as he always left unsatisfied. Last year, he made the short-round but a leg injury in San Antonio left him no choice but to sit out the round to recover. “This is the first year I've ever actually ridden in the short round,” Wells said. “The years before that, I just did not draw good. It came together this year – I was healthy and it all worked out.” Like any professional athlete, setbacks arise, but Wells embraces the chal lenge. His drive to win and love for the rodeo lifestyle keep him motivated to push forward. “I love the lifestyle, and I love that it's all on me,” Wells said. “I'm really an independent person. I don't want to work for anybody. I don't want to rely on anybody. I'm not a team sport guy, so I like it. I like it being all on me. The desire to win – it’s the most addictive thing in the world.” Currently in the Top 15 of the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings, Wells aims to be in the top five come the end of the season. Wells finished the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge ninth in the world with $230,564. Winning the average and the finals at Tucson gave Wells momentum as he turned his attention towards a strong finish to the winter run. “My main goal is to win the world on season earnings, and I feel like those are goals I'm gonna have every single

year,” Wells said. “More or less, I want to try to get better every day – be a better rodeo cowboy, be a better bronc rider, be a better person to be around, and keep going after it.”

TOP SCORES TOP MONEY EARNER Kyle Lucas ($12,171, unofficial, tie-down roping) BAREBACK RIDING 1. Jayco Roper, 172.5 pts on 2 2. Roedy Farrel, 171.5 3. Dean Thompson, 169.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Marc Joiner, 18.4 sec. on 3 2. Jace Melvin, 18.6 3. Stetson Jorgensen, 19.7 TEAM ROPING 1. N. Wyatt/J. Torres, 11.1 on 2 2. T. Blassingame/J. James, 11.8 3. C. Smith/C. Payne, 12.1 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Brody Wells, 175 pts. on 2 2. Allen Boore, 171.5 3. Kolby Wanchuk, 167

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Kyle Lucas, 29.7 sec. on 3 2. Thane Lockhart, 33.2 3. Haven Meged, 33.3

BARREL RACING 1. Amy Stoultzfus, 34.61 sec. on 2 2. Emily Beisel, 34.93 2. (Tie) Anita Ellis, 34.93

BULL RIDING 1. Jordan Spears, 172.5 on 2

2. Scott Wells, 171.5 3. Jackson Ward 87

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