ProRodeo Sports News - April 16, 2021

DIRECTOR’S CUT SCOTT KANIEWSKI RAM NCFR feels like return home for rodeo world T he RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo had a distinctly youthful flavor this year. Maybe not in the finals results, but definitely as cowboys cashed checks throughout the weekend. As the RAMNCFR returned to the friendly confines of his first bull riding crown last season, earned another $11,016 in the bull riding standings.

Then there were cowboys a tad older but who haven’t made the NFR – like Kyle Lucas. The 26-year-old tie-down roper from Carstairs, Alberta, finished second in the first round, third in the second round and first in the average. He made $11,700 and now sits third in the world. Jake Finlay, also 26, is looking to make his lifelong dream of leaving Australia in search of riches at the NFR. He won both the semifinals and the finals in Kissimmee. (Read more on him on page 30.) He earned $14,249 and moved to seventh in the standings. In other words, the RAMNCFR proved to be a great place for young guys to get a boost. No surprise, we saw NFR regulars win titles – like bareback rider Richmond Champion and steer wrestler Scott Guenthner. But seeing younger guys and professional cowboys who haven’t gotten over the hump and into Vegas yet made the rodeo feel special. And it should. With a payout of more than $600,000, the RAMNCFR was a stop on the ProRodeo Tour for the first time this season. The rodeo had all the feel of one of the biggest stops on the ProRodeo circuit. And deservedly so. The crowds were noticeably excited and into the performances, especially those Friday night and Saturday night crowds. And when the cowboys saw a good ride from one of their competitors, they were nearly as loud as the crowds. The energy was palpable. And a lot of that came from that youthful exuberance. And all that cash.

Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee, Fla., young talent that has yet to taste the sweetness of the National Finals Rodeo earned big checks. Bull rider Nathan Hatchel, a rookie in 2020, has been riding well this season. The 23-year-old entered the RAMNCFR one spot away from cracking the top 10. After leaving Florida – and doing so despite having to doctor release from the semifinals – he finds himself solidly in seventh place in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings. Hatchel won nearly $7,000 as one of only two bull riders to cover both his bulls in the first two rounds. Oh, and he did it with a torn groin. (Read more about that on page 10.) Cole Reiner made his NFR debut last season. And he continued to show he belongs, despite the fact he’s 22 years old. The bareback rider fromKaycee, Wyo., earned $8,929. Then, of course, there are the two youngest Wright brothers in ProRodeo – Ryder and Stetson. Between them they own four gold buckles. Neither has hit the quarter-century mark of life. And they both showed off their talent in Kissimmee. Ryder, the reigning world champ in saddle bronc riding who also won in 2017, won the first and second rounds and the average in Kissimmee. He already led the world standings but added another $15,333 for good measure. Stetson, the two-time reigning all-around champ who added

Scott Kaniewski is the Media Director at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. He previously served more than two years as the editor of ProRodeo Sports News. He has nearly two decades of experience in sports journalism, with the last few being consumed by ProRodeo.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/16/2021

ProRodeo.com

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