ProRodeo Sports News - April 12, 2024

REDMOND, ORE.

Messier seizes rematch opportunity Return to Form BY ALEX RILEY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News HIGH DESERT STAMPEDE

I t was unintentional, but for Cameron Messier the gap between his last rodeo and the High Desert Stampede in Redmond, Ore., on April 5 was exactly what he needed. During the three-week space between his ride at the Lake Havasu Stampede in Arizona back in mid-March, personal matters back home took priority, allowing him to focus on more important things. Just before climbing in the chute at Redmond, Messier paid a visit to Nevada to help train some up-and-coming high school competitors. It gave him an opportunity to ride a few practice broncs before returning to action. From there, Messier came back and made a statement – nothing is slowing him down. The Herald, Calif., native shined in a rematch ride with Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Diamond Fever, a horse he previously faced in 2022, scoring 88 points to take the saddle bronc title at the High Desert Stampede. “I had that horse two years ago in Hermiston, Ore., and was 83.5 on it, so I kind of had an idea of how she should be. But she was actually outstanding today,” Messier said. “That’s a great little mare from Corey & Lange Rodeo, she’s been to the (Wrangler National Finals Rodeo) a couple times herself, so I was fortunate enough that she was having a good day, and I was having a good day and we just really matched up together and it worked out today.” The victory was the latest in a run of good rides to open the 2024 season. In December, Messier closed 2023 by placing third in the average at the RAM California Circuit Finals Rodeo. Once the calendar flipped, the momentum didn’t stop. Messier has competed in eight rodeos this year, coming away with some money at six of them, including a win in the third round at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver back in January. Redmond was by far Messier’s biggest payday, earning him $4,512 and vaulting him to 41st in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with a little more than $15,600 thus far. The early success has been a boost of confidence for Messier as he continues to find his stride. Last May, he hit a bump when his saddle broke. Fortunately, his travel partner at the time, Justin Lawrence, allowed him to borrow a saddle, which Messier fell in love with. The loaner worked well, helping him to bring in more than $21,600, his second-highest year-end total since turning pro. “I was kind of bummed when I had to give it back,” Messier joked. “But, when I did give it back, I was fortunate enough to find one pretty alike and I jumped on it and set it up like the one that my buddy had. It’s been working really well for me and it kind of fits me really good and it fits my style really good.” With the saddle tuned in and a lot of positive outcomes on his side, the goal is to keep building momentum as the spring season continues. Redmond was certainly a big win, the first of what Messier hopes are more to come. “To kind of get a whooping on them guys early on, it gives me a little bit of confidence and will bump me up in the standings a little bit more than where I’m at right now,” Messier said. “I’m pretty excited and really excited to see what’s going to happen in the next couple weeks.”

TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER Luke Mast ($5,103, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Mast

1. Garrett Shadbolt ................. 87.5 pts. 2. Taylor Broussard ....................... 82.5 (Tie) Orin Larsen ........................ 82.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Levi Rudd ............................. 4.3 sec. 2. Cord Gomes ................................ 4.6 (Tie) Jace Melvin ......................... 4.6 TEAM ROPING 1. C. Eiguren/T. Eiguren ............ 5.3 sec. 2. T.C. Hammack/B. Minton ............. 5.4 3. H. Smith/J. Davis ......................... 5.5 (Tie) D. Williams Jr./C. Stewart .... 5.5 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Cameron Messier ................... 88 pts. 2. Jake Clark .................................. 86.5 3. Damian Brennan ........................... 86 (Tie) Trent Burd ............................ 86 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Beau Cooper ......................... 7.8 sec. 2. Haven Meged ............................... 7.9 3. Zaine Mikita ................................. 8.4 BARREL RACING 1. Hayle Gibson .................... 16.32 sec. 2. Megan McLeod-Sprague ......... 16.44 3. Aysha Martin ........................... 16.58 BULL RIDING 1. Luke Mast ........................... 87.5 pts. 2. Jake Lockwood ............................. 86 3. Caleb McMillan ............................. 85

Complete results/Page 50

Roseanna Sales photo

Saddle bronc rider Cameron Messier captured the biggest win of his PRCA career when he won the High Desert Stampede in Redmond, Ore., with this 88-point ride on Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Diamond Fever.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/12/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 4/12/2024

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