ProRodeo Sports News - 2021 Year End Edition

BULL RIDING WORLD CHAMPION

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Rod Connor

Bull rider Sage Kimzey returned to the spotlight, winning his seventh world championship. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Roseanna Sales

Face of a Champion

disappointment. “For sure, I wanted to be at the top always,” Kimzey said. “It was one of those things where last year didn’t go as planned so I just got back on, tried harder, and do better.” The eight-time NFR qualifier did just that. In the first two rounds, Kimzey found the pay window both nights, earning a third and second place finish, respectively. The Round 2 ride was unique, not for the score but because he made the eight-second whistle. Kimzey rode Sankey Pro Rodeo & PhenomGenetics’ Artic Assassin, a bull who had not had a qualifying ride in three years. After Artic Assassin rendered 18 unsuccessful tries, Kimzey snapped the streak, scoring 87.5 points. After multiple tough nights, Kimzey rebounded in Round 6. The cowboy posted an 83.5-point ride and a fifth-place finish. The ride kept him in the average and a chance to extend his lead in the standings.

With four nights remaining, Kimzey looked to solidify his world title. The champion found his groove in Round 8 with a fourth-place finish and never looked back. He finished the NFR with a qualified ride each of the final nights, highlighted by his Round 10 ride. Kimzey rode Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Greeley Hat Works Centerfold to an 88-point ride, earning second place. The cowboy finished his 2021 NFR with 506 points on six head, enough for a third-place finish in the average. Kimzey finished his 2021 season with a crisp $411,465 to go along with his latest accomplishment. The seven world titles places Kimzey second all-time in bull riding titles, chasing only eight-time winner Don Gay. Despite reclaiming the throne and strong NFR showing, Kimzey is not done. His sights are set on becoming the greatest ever. “It’s just one more step towards the mountain top.”

Sage Kimzey collects seventh bull riding title

BY DAGIN RENCK Special to the ProRodeo Sports News G uess who’s back, back again? Bull rider Sage Kimzey.

however, was not easy.

“Yeah, I mean it was a long 10 days for sure,” said Kimzey. “But it’s the best 10 days of our lives every year, so it’s just fun. There’s a lot of ups and downs, but at the end of the day it’s the NFR.” Kimzey set out to put 2020 in his rearview

It only took a year for Kimzey to reclaim the bull riding throne for

mirror. He finished fifth in the world standings following the 2020 NFR in Arlington, Texas, ending his streak of six consecutive bull riding world titles. Kimzey made no excuses, showing self-awareness in the wake of

the seventh time. The Salado, Texas, cowboy found himself in a familiar place Dec. 11 at theThomas &Mack Center, holding the sought after gold buckle. This one,

ProRodeo Sports News 12/17/2021

ProRodeo Sports News 12/17/2021

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