ProRodeo Sports News 2022 Wrangler NFR Preview Issue

SADDLE BRONC RIDING Hello, Newman Sage into Finals

2022 SADDLE BRONC RIDING STANDINGS

after record-breaking saddle bronc season BY BRADY RENCK Special to ProRodeo Sports News S age Newman features a name straight out of central casting. He just sounds like a cowboy who should be riding into town on a horse. No one was better on saddle bronc horses in 2022 in the PRCA. The 24-year-old fromMeltsone, Mont., delivered a campaign that was a series of Wows! He earned $253,191, shattering the previous record of $224,488 set by Ryder Wright in 2019. Hello, Newman. “It all started at (RodeoHouston). After I won that, I knew I had a good chance to lead the standings because it was so much money,” said Newman, who netted $50,000 alone in the finals aboard the bronc Billie of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo. “I tried not to think about it too much. I kept doing what I was doing and stayed relaxed. But after Houston, I definitely wanted to finish first.” For Newman, it required living in the moment, staying away from the dizzying peaks and valleys from previous seasons. “I feel like consistency has a lot to do with my success this year,” Newman said. “I was more consistent than I have ever been.” His resume widens eyes. He won a battery of rodeos from the Clark County Fair in Logandale, Nev., to the Fallon County Xtreme Broncos in Baker, Mont., and the Missoula (Mont.) Stampede. Up next is the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Newman knows the stakes, but he’s trying to keep a slow heartbeat. “It’s a big deal. My focus will be on one horse, one round at a time,” Newman said. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself.” Newman is savoring his second NFR berth because he did not take the elevator to the top floor. He has been climbing stairs after battling injuries and ineffectiveness. Putting it all together this season, as a result, resonates when he gets in the chute. “Absolutely, it made me work for it. I am glad it happened this way because it made this season possible,”

1. Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont.............. $253,191 2. Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah. ................. 193,120 3. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo..................... 182,645 4. Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah...................... 161,920 5. Lefty Marvel Holman, Visalia, Calif........... 149,979 6. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta............ 143,838 7. Logan James Hay, Wildwood, Alberta...... 139,440 8. Layton Green, Millarville, Alberta. ............ 138,993 9. Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho....................... 137,726 10. Kolby Wanchuk, Sherwood Park, Alberta. 131,136 11. Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas.................... 123,802 12. Kole Ashbacher, Arrowwood, Alberta...... 117,543 13. Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont............ 113,992 14. Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta. ............ 111,718 15. Tanner Butner, Daniel, Wyo..................... 103,739

FROM THE CHAMP

“Winning the saddle bronc riding title meant a ton to me. When I got to No. 2 (in the PRCA | RAM World Standings) it never bugged me at all because of the guy who was No. 1. I didn’t honestly care if it was Ryder, or I who won at the end of the day. I knew

Wright

it was going home in the family and that’s what mattered. It’s really hard to explain, but that world title means more to me than any of the other ones that I have because it was Ryder and I battling it out.” – Stetson Wright

Sage Newman’s record breaking 2022 season saw him earn $253,191.

Newman said. “And I just love saddle bronc riding. It’s a classic event. When you are doing it right, it’s like a dance, and there’s no better feeling when you do it right. I grew up watching this. So, to be there is special.” Newman and his rig crew will be hard to miss in Las Vegas. They are sporting fabulous mustaches straight out of a 1970s soap opera. “Staching and bashing. It all started last year at the NFR, and we had a bet on it, and nobody wanted to shave,” Newman said. “So, yeah, gotta keep it going. Staching and bashing.”

QUOTABLE “I feel like consistency has a lot to do with my success this year. I was more consistent than I have ever been.” – Sage Newman

Alaina Stangle photo

ProRodeo Sports News 11/18/2022

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

DEC. 1-10, 2022

ProRodeo Sports News 11/18/2022

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