ProRodeo Sports News 2023 Year-End Edition

WRANGLER NFR TOP STOCK NFR’s Top Stock

BY TRACY RENCK T he starpower of award-winning horse Calgary Stampede’s Xplosive Skies was on full display at the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. Xplosive Skies was chosen as the Top Saddle Bronc Horse of the NFR. That came on heels of the horse being selected as the 2023 “Pendleton Whisky’s Let ‘er Buck Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year.” At the NFR, Xplosive Skies paired up with Zeke Thurston for a 91-point ride, good for the Round 5 victory. In Round 10, Xplosive Skies bucked off Wyatt Casper. “This (Top Saddle Bronc Horse Xplosive Skies tops list of roughstock winners at NFR

Zeke Thurston won Round 5 of the Wrangler NFR with a 91-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Xplosive Skies. The horse was named the Saddle Bronc Horse of the NFR. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Click Thompson

of the NFR) means the world,” Calgary Stampede’s Keith Marrington said. “The horse has had such a year, winning the Horse of the Year in Canada, the Horse of the Year in the U.S., and the Horse of the NFR, which culminates a fantastic year for that horse. We are so proud of our program and proud of the mare.” Xplosive Skies has now proven to be a star horse in two events. The Calgary Stampede horse won the Bareback Horse of the Year in 2021 and now in 2023, Xplosive Skies took top honors as the Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year. Back in 2016, Xplosive Skies was the Top Bareback Horse of the NFR. Xplosive Skies is 12 years old and weighs 1,250 pounds. She is 15.3 hands. She is the granddaughter of ProRodeo Hall of Fame horse, Grated Coconut. “I think with her it is her athletic ability that makes her special,” Marrington said. “Guys have a chance every time you get on her and if you stub your toe, you’re going to get bucked off. She’s honest and she’s true and a great athlete.” Bareback Horse of the NFR was a shared title by two standouts – C5 Rodeo’s Virgil, and Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire. Both horses are no strangers to winning awards. Virgil was the PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year in 2017 and 2018. Gunfire, meanwhile, was the PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year in 2022. At the NFR, Virgil danced with Jayco Roper for an 89.5-point ride, which split first in Round 5. Mason Clements had an 84-point trip on the horse in Round 10.

Universal Pro Rodeos’ Red Demon did not allow a qualified ride during the NFR. The bull bucked off Jeff Askey in Round 5 and T Parker in Round 10. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Click Thompson

ProRodeo Sports News 12/22/2023

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