ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 20, 2019

XTREME BRONCS TOUR RECAP

BY TRACY RENCK T he first Xtreme Broncs Tour Finale was one for the history books. Wade Sundell, the 2018 saddle bronc riding world champion, and Brody Cress shared the title with outstanding performances at the inaugural event in Rapid City, S.D., Aug. 22. Sundell and Cress each notched 178 points in the two-head average. “I’m just so thankful for the guys who took the time to put something like this together,” Cress said. “It’s outstanding for us to be able to have Xtreme Broncs matches, and they took it a step further and gave us a Finale with $50,000 added. That was amazing. There could have been 22 other guys who came in just as well. The set of horses they put together and the crowd here was ecstatic with every ride. It was one of the coolest things I have ever been a part of.” a long time,” Sundell said. “Having this amount of money and the crowd that was here, it was outstanding, and it was an amazing feeling to win.” The top 12 saddle bronc riders in the Historic Night Sundell, Cress split win at inaugural Xtreme Broncs Finale Sundell also was thrilled with the event. “I’ve been looking forward to this deal for

PRCA | RAMWorld Standings and the top 12 in the Xtreme Broncs standings competed in the Finale. The top eight advanced to the finals. Sundell earned $10,599, while Cress walked away with $12,315. Unfortunately for Sundell, he suffered a season-ending injury Aug. 24 while competing at the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. Sundell was aboardThe Cervi Brothers’ LivingThe High Life when the horse reared up in the chute and smashed Sundell in the chest. The impact lacerated Sundell’s liver, according to Rick Foster of the Justin Sportsmedicine team. Cress, meanwhile, used the Xtreme Broncs Tour Finale co-championship to qualify for his third-consecutive trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. During the eight-man finals, Sundell took the event lead with his

Brody Cress, left, and Wade Sundell were all smiles after sharing the win at the inaugural Xtreme Broncs Tour Finale title in Rapid City, S.D., Aug. 22. Alaina Stangle photo

92-point ride on Burch Rodeo’s Lunatic FromHell, the 2018 Pendleton Whiskey Let ’er Buck Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year. J.J. Elshere had a 93.5-point ride on Lunatic FromHell earlier in the season in Rapid City. “That horse was amazing,” Sundell said. “He had a couple of moves right there and just stacked up and I did my part. It was fun. I love that horse.” Cress, however, didn’t flinch. He posted a 90-point ride on J Bar J’s Hell on Hooves to tie for the win. “She was dang-sure bucking, and I knew if I just gassed it and did my job that it would work out well,” Cress said.

ProRodeo Sports News 12/20/2019

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