PRORODEO Sports News - November 22, 2024

HEBER CITY, UTAH

RAM WILDERNESS CIRCUIT FINALS

Opportunity

Riley Barg parlays turnout into Wilderness Circuit title BY DAGIN RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News S ometimes life’s greatest gifts are the unexpected ones. A tough 2024 season plagued by injury left Riley Barg convinced he would not get an opportunity to compete at the RAM Wilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo in Heber City, Utah. “I didn’t get my circuit count, I didn’t win that much money throughout the season,” Barg explained. “…and I still decided to enter it anyway.” Thankfully, a turnout gave the cowboy a chance. He never looked back, topping the leaderboard with 170 points on two head and claiming the $3,711 average prize. Barg credited his mental approach. “I entered the finals with a clean slate and the mindset that ‘I know how to ride bulls, and I know what I’m here for,’” he said. “Sure enough, it happened to all work out. I drew good and rode well, so I’m really happy with the result.” The cowboy struck first with an 84-point ride on Western Rodeos’ Monkey Spank. It marked only his second qualified ride in the calendar year, adding to his excitement and providing a boost of confidence. “That definitely felt good. It had been quite a while since I heard the whistle, so I was happy,” said Barg. “I didn’t really care what the score was. Just to hear that, it was all worth it. And to have that score on top of it, it was a great feeling.” The 22-year-old secured the lead with another strong performance in the second round, collecting an 86-point ride on Legacy Pro Rodeo LLC’s Iron Federally. Barg finished the weekend with $8,349. For him, it was a defining performance against a strong field of cowboys. “In my opinion, this is the toughest circuit in the country,” he said. “There are a lot of top guys who rodeo here, so that’s a huge accomplishment to be able to win this one.” The Lewisville, Idaho, native resides in the heart of the Wilderness Circuit. The bull rider has been a competitor at these rodeos his entire career, joining the PRCA in 2021. He relishes an opportunity to compete at a high level so close to home. “The Wilderness Circuit, they just host such great rodeos,” said Barg. “There’s a lot of money at most of them and they are all right by my hometown. The majority of them are within five hours of me, so that only adds to the incentive.” Barg hopes to put his 2024 campaign in the rearview mirror. A broken right fibula in the spring forced him to miss a large chunk of the summer rodeos. The time away provided a chance to hit the reset button. He attacked the rehab with authority, walking away in a better place rather than feeling sorry for himself. “No. Actually, it was the opposite,” he stated. “It boosted my confidence a little bit more. I felt stronger mentally thinking about ‘nothing can hurt me that bad.’ It’s going to help in the long run.” The bull rider plans to compete in a full season in 2025, using the head start to his advantage. With only a few stops left before the winter season, he hopes to stay on a heater. “Take it one bull at a time,” Barg said. “Keep riding how I did at the circuit finals and continue my momentum throughout the season. Just keep going.”

TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER Ryder Wright ($10,283, saddle bronc riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Wright

1. Mason Clements .......... 248 pts. on 3 2. Dean Thompson ......................... 247 3. Cooper Bennett ........................... 245 STEER WRESTLING 1. Tristan Martin ............. 13.0 sec. on 3 2. Stetson Jorgensen ..................... 13.3 (Tie) Cash Robb ......................... 13.3 TEAM ROPING 1. Anderson/Fillmore ...... 20.3 sec. on 3 2. T. Whitlow/T. Whitlow ................ 24.9 3. B. Jordan/C. Wilson ................... 30.9 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Ryder Wright ............... 261 pts. on 3 2. Statler Wright .......................... 254.5 3. Mitch Pollock ........................... 247.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Riley Webb ................. 24.4 sec. on 3 2. Cole Clemons ............................ 24.9 3. Jake Hannum ............................. 25.9 BARREL RACING 1. McKenna Coronado .. 50.52 sec. on 3 2. Sue Smith ................................ 50.81 3. Ashley Castleberry ................... 52.11 BULL RIDING 1. Riley Barg .................... 170 pts. on 2 2. Rawley Johnson ......................... 156 3. Tyler Bingham ............................ 88.5

Complete results/Page 83

Amanda Dilworth photo Riley Barg holds on for an 86-point ride on Legacy Pro Rodeo’s Iron Federally at the Wilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo, Nov. 1 in Heber City, Utah.

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2024

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