ProRodeo Sports News 2023 Year-End Edition

BAREBACK RIDING WORLD CHAMPION

History Maker

BY TRACY RENCK I t was a fitting end to an amazing season for bareback rider Keenan Hayes. The Hayden, Colo., native became the first cowboy to win a PRCA Bareback Riding World Championship in his Resistol rookie season. Hayes clinched his spot in the PRCA record book with his electric 90-point ride on J Bar J’s Straight Ringer in Round 10 of the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge at the Thomas & Mack Center. Hayes won the round and earned $30,706 for the performance. He also added the NFR average title to season resume. The ride allowed Hayes to finish with $434,050, which is a PRCA Bareback Riding single-season earnings record. The record was $425,843 by Clayton Biglow in 2019. “It was awesome, me and Jess (Pope) were over there fighting with some buckskin horses that’s mostly what we were thinking about just getting out on those horses, so it was really fun,” said Hayes, 20. “I mean I knew it was all going on but like I said I was trying not to think about it much just go out do my job for something I’ve worked for my entire life, it’s pretty awesome,” Hayes said. A year ago, Hayes was a star on his PRCA permit, earning $81,128 in the PRCA | RAM Rodeo Permit Standings, which is the record for most money won on a PRCA permit for one year. That translated into 2023, as a Resistol Rookie, Hayes set the single-season earnings record in bareback riding – before the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – with $265,896. The record was $233,504 set by Clint Cannon in 2009. Hayes entered the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas as his event’s season leader. He had a $103,158 lead over second place Clayton Biglow, the 2019 PRCA World Champion. Never fazed by the pressure of Vegas, Hayes beat 2022 PRCA World Champion Jess Pope by $118,955 for the coveted gold buckle. “No, I’m not surprised at all (how I did this season), like I said I’m sure blessed that God gave me this ability and that I get to show it to everyone, it’s just an amazing experience that I wanted to get done my whole life,” Hayes said. Bareback rider Keenan Hayes first cowboy in rookie year to win world

Keenan Hayes was a measure of consistency at his first NFR, including this 85-point ride on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Cajun Queen during Round 6. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Click Thompson

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Click Thompson

ProRodeo Sports News 12/22/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 12/22/2023

ProRodeo.com

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