ProRodeo Sports News - August 5, 2022

XTREME BULLS LOVINGTON, N.M.

At 34, bull rider Jeff Askey wins Lovington Xtreme Bulls Still Truckin’

BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News S ometimes the thought enters his mind, and it jars him. Jeff Askey knows what he does for a living makes no sense to 99 percent of the civilization. He rides bulls. He willingly sits atop rowdy, athletic animals who buck with evil intentions. And yet, the alternative is more frightening than a two- ton beast. “I don’t like working. Who wants a real job and a boss?” Askey said. “I don’t want that.” So, at age 34, Askey continues pursuing his dream across the country. His success keeps the fire lit. He has racked up a bushel of victories this season from his hometown event in Athens, Texas, to the Roughrider Days Rodeo in North Dakota. He added to his total in Lovington, N.M., on Aug. 2 winning the Lea County PRCA Rodeo Xtreme Bulls. After an 88.5-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Twister in the long go, Askey entered the chute with a title on his mind. He was matched up with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Twilight Zone. He had some intel on the bull, but it was more confusing than enlightening. “When I was hanging on to the rope, one (friend) said he likes to go right. Another (person) said he likes to go left,” said Askey, pausing as he told the story. “And I finally said, ‘You know what? How about I ride him for what he is? And see how that works out?’ ” Askey trusted his instincts and was rewarded with another stellar ride. He posted an 89.5 to win the average with 178 points. He left town after earning $10,509. It left him third in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings. “He has me hustling, but it worked out,” Askey said. “Lovington is always a really good rodeo. I don’t think I have done well at Xtreme. But the rodeo is good. The stock’s always good and so is the crowd.” There is a candor about Askey that is refreshing. He enjoys his craft. He grew up breaking horses, and that led him to his passion. He’s been riding bulls for over two decades, starting at age 13. There is a pull that is unmistakable. “Oh, shoot I don’t know, I guess at the end of the day what I like best is there is an adrenaline factor,” Askey said. “I think with bull riders, it’s not the ideal work, but most would tell you that we are adrenaline junkies.” For Askey, the thrill ties back into his goal. He seeks to return to his fifth NFR. He finished seventh in the world standings in 2020 and 13th in 2019. There is an absence that still irks him. He missed the event last year. “I am not going to say I watched it on TV. I was at home on the couch and getting ready to go to work. I would much rather be there in the yellow chute,” Askey said. “That’s how you make a chunk of change. You get there and make the kind of money where you can buy land or pay off stuff at the house. It drives you.” As Askey talked, he shut the door on his ride, and prepared to head down the road to the next event. The hours are long, the travel staggering. And Askey wouldn’t have it any other way. “This is what I do,” Askey said. “This is my job.”

PRCA XTREME BULLS 2022 TOUR STANDINGS (Unofficial as of Aug. 3) 1. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah...................$57,022 2. Stetson Dell Wright, Milford, Utah.........48,687 3. Garrett Smith, Rexburg, Idaho...............48,084 4. Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla......................38,945 5. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas. .....................37,534 6. Maverick Potter, Waxahachie, Texas.......30,864 7. Tyler Taylor, Stephenville, Texas. ...........27,390 8. Sage Steele Kimzey, Salado, Texas.........26,696 9. Riggin L. Shippy, Colome, S.D...............25,776 10. Jack Gilmore, Ironton, Mo...................23,626 11. Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho. ..23,608 12. Lukasey Morris, Union City, Okla.........20,679 13. Cole Fischer, Jefferson City, Mo...........20,556 14. Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla.............19,419 15. Ky Hamilton, Mackay, Australia............17,755

Complete results/Page 81

Veteran bull rider Jeff Askey acknowledges the crowd after winning the Lea County Xtreme Bulls and earning $10,509.

Peggy Gander photos

Jeff Askey, won a highly-competitive Lea County Xtreme Bulls event with his 89.5-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Twilight Zone in the short round.

ProRodeo Sports News 8/5/2022

ProRodeo Sports News 8/5/2022

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