ProRodeo Sports News - April 28, 2023

SAN ANGELO RODEO

Berry, Gingerich tie for the win in bareback riding To say Leighton Berry is riding a tidal wave of momentum is an understatement. to be getting on good horses and it was awesome. This is the biggest win of my career.” Ric Andersen photos Leighton Berry, left, had an 87-point ride on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Rip in the long round at the San Angelo Rodeo, which put him in the position to split the win with Andy Gingerich, right, who had an 88-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Freckle Frog in the finals April 14.

The Weatherford, Texas, bareback rider won RodeoHouston in March and kept cashing checks at the San Angelo (Texas) Rodeo on his way to splitting the average win with 175.5 points on two head. Berry secured a share of the title with an 88.5-point ride on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Cajun Queen in the finals. “I don’t remember a whole lot of it,” said Berry about his ride in the finals. “That horse leaves there strong and everyone says she rides really good, and she did. She had a really great day today, really showed the judges what she is capable of. I was just lucky to have her underneath me.” Berry split the average win with Resistol Rookie Andy Gingerich. Gingerich had an 88-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Freckle Frog in the finals. “There are really no words for it,” said Gingerich, 27. “I’m just blessed

Gingerich was thrilled to pocket $13,739 for his performance. The Aberdeen, S.D., cowboy has battled a slew of injuries the past five years, including fracturing three vertebrae in his back, and breaking his collarbone and then he dealt with some health issues. “I’m glad to be on the road competing now and I absolutely love it,” Gingerich said. “That horse (Freckle Frog) is stronger than he looks. I saw a few videos of him, and he didn’t look really strong, but he was all there. It was a lot of fun. It was awesome to get on a horse like that. It was a lot of fun.” Berry knows getting rodeo wins these days is no easy task. “The talent right now is unreal,” said Berry, who finished third in the PRCA | RAM World Standings a year ago. “To come out on top in this field makes me feel like I’m on top of the world.”

ProRodeo Sports News 4/28/2023

ProRodeo.com

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