PRORODEO Sports News - November 22, 2024

SADDLE BRONC RIDING Aussie Excellence

Brennan enters atop NFR field for first time BY TANNER BARTH S ince purchasing his PRCA card in 2021 Damian Brennan has been on a constant climb to the PRO RODEO mountain top. He took another step toward that summit in 2024. The Injune, Queensland, Australia, saddle bronc rider recently wrapped up a record-breaking regular season that saw him earn an event-best $280,035. “That’s huge to break a record like that,” said Brennan, 25. “When I came over here a few years ago it was always in the back of my mind of something I would love to accomplish. But to actually get it done and put my name is the history books is pretty dang cool.” The 2022 Resistol Rookie of the Year started off this season with a bang. Brennan took home the $50,000 first place check for winning RodeoHouston in March. That propelled him to shatter Sage Newman’s earnings record that was set in 2023. According to Brennan this is a step in the right direction as he continues his quest for his ultimate goal. “It’s honestly crazy, I can’t really put words together to describe it,” Brennan said. “It was my big goal to come over here and try and win a gold buckle and come to all these great rodeos. Now, I’m here doing it.” A gold buckle just might be in the cards this season as he enters the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge No. 1 for the first time in his four-year rodeo career. He understands that nothing is final until the last ride of Round 10 at the Thomas & Mack Center but having a strong regular season like he just did is a good start. “You need every cent you can out there at the NFR. You just never know what’s going to happen in Vegas,” Brennan said. “So, having a strong regular season and going in No. 1 is going to help in achieving that gold buckle.” But before he nods his head in those yellow bucking chutes, he will take some time to relax at home and prepare himself for the 10 of the toughest nights in rodeo. “I’m going to head back to Australia for a couple weeks to see the family and just chill out for a little bit,” Brennan said. “Then I’ll get back over here to the States and get on some horses to help get ready for the NFR.”

2024 SADDLE BRONC RIDING STANDINGS

1. Damian Brennan, Injune, Australia .......... $280,035 2. Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah ...................... 251,262 3. Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho ....................... 227,123 4. Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas ...................... 219,784 5. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo. ..................... 213,988 6. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta ............ 211,385 7. Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif. ...................... 207,735 8. Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont. ............... 187,940 9. Statler Wright, Beaver, Utah ...................... 172,824 10. Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta ............. 147,858 11. K. Wanchuk, Sherwood Park, Alberta ..... 139,743 12. Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo. ...................... 135,803 13. Zac Dallas, Las Cruces, N.M. .................. 129,157 14. Ben Andersen, Eckville, Alberta .............. 127,285 15. Logan Hay, Wildwood, Alberta ................ 127,250

FROM THE CHAMP

“Last year was world title No. 4 for me and I don’t think it’s really set in yet what the means for my career. It’s one of things that you just knock it off the list and keep going. As soon as it’s all over and they shoot off the fireworks, a couple days

Damian Brennan matched Brookman Rodeo’s Ragin’ Lunatic for an 85.5-point ride in the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup finals on Sept. 28 in Sioux Falls, S.D. The trip helped the saddle bronc rider finish as the top money earner at the event. Hailey Rae photo photo

Thurston

after that they are talking about somebody else for the next season being the new No. 1. So, we are shooting for No. 5 this year.” – Zeke Thurston

QUOTABLE “You need every cent you can out there at the NFR. You just never know what’s going to happen in Vegas. So, having a strong regular season and going in No. 1 is going to help in achieving that gold buckle.” – Damian Brennan

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2024

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

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