ProRodeo Sports News - April 28, 2023

SAN ANGELO, TEXAS

Saddle bronc rider Dawson Hay gets significant victory Hay Power BY TRACY RENCK T he last couple of years, qualifying for the Justin Smith ($18,891, tie down roping) BAREBACK RIDING TOP SCORES Smith SAN ANGELO RODEO TOP MONEY EARNER

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo has been somewhat of a frantic late-season push for Dawson Hay. The Wildwood, Alberta, cowboy is trying to avoid that plight this year and he’s doing a good job of that. Hay won the average at the San Angelo (Texas) Rodeo with 178.5 points on two head. Hay solidified the win with his 88-point ride on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Secret Agent in the finals. “I like to take them all the same as if I’m riding in the practice pen or in a short round,” said Hay, 24. “You can’t let everything get in your head. It’s just go out there and give it your all and hope for the best.” Hay also won the first round with a 90.5-point trip on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s South Point Gambler. He departed San Angelo with $15,858, which pushed him up to seventh in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. “I feel healthy, and I have been getting on some good horses and I couldn’t feel more confident right now,” Hay said. “It is a great feeling being healthy this time of year and I’m ready to let these rodeos start coming and I’m looking forward to them all.” Hay has qualified for the Wrangler NFR three times in 2019, 2021-22. A year ago, he finished seventh in the world standings with $213,122, thanks to earning $101,405 at the NFR in Las Vegas. “I think the bronc riding is the best it has ever been,” Hay said. “There’s no place to stub a toe these days. There are so many guys who are great now, who are riding so good. Everyone who is in the top 40 is liable to jump out and be 90 points, so there’s no mess ups anymore. You have to come to ride.” Hay and his older brother and fellow saddle bronc rider Logan qualified for the NFR together in 2022. Logan finished third in the world standings with $339,401. Their father, Rod was a saddle bronc rider and qualified 20 times for the NFR (1989-90, 1992-2008, 2010). “I’m not saying we are any better than them (the saddle bronc riders in his dad’s day),” Dawson said. “They are all our heroes, and we just try and be like them.”

1. Leighton Berry............175.5 pts. on 2 (Tie) Andy Gingerich ................175.5 3. Luke Thrash.................................175 STEER WRESTLING 1. Jay Williamson............12.1 sec. on 3 2. Jesse Brown...............................12.3 3. Two tied at .................................12.5 TEAM ROPING 1. J. Yeahquo/L. Yeahquo.12.3 sec. on 3 2. T. Green/C. Green........................13.2 3. C. Masters/T. Yates.....................13.4 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Dawson Hay...............178.5 pts. on 2 2. Tanner Butner..............................171 (Tie) Cash Wilson........................171 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Justin Smith................23.7 sec. on 3 2. Cody Waldrop.............................24.7 (Tie) Jerry Adamson...................24.7 BARREL RACING 1. Kassie Mowry............43.86 sec. on 3 2. Lindsay Sears...........................44.19 (Tie) Hailey Kinsel.....................44.19 BULL RIDING 1. Deklan Garland...........174.5 pts. on 2 2. Ernie Courson Jr. ........................174 3. Two tied at ...............................169.5

Complete results/Page 48

Ric Andersen photo

Saddle bronc rider Dawson Hay put his victory in motion at the San Angelo Rodeo with a 90.5-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s South Point Gambler in the first round. The ride alone earned him $7,104.

ProRodeo Sports News 4/28/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 4/28/2023

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