ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 20, 2019

WRANGLER NFR RECAP

Bull rider Sage Kimzey takes a victory lap after his 94-point ride on Powder River Rodeo’s SweetPro’s Bruiser, Dec. 12. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Dan Hubbell

Memories Made

2019 Wrangler NFR full of history, record-breaking performances

BY PRCA STAFF O nce again, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – the 61st edition – was loaded with historic moments and record-breaking performances. It was also filled with the crowning of new and old world champions. Bull rider Sage Kimzey was on top of the mountain – again. The Strong City, Okla., cowboy won his sixth consecutive world championship at the Wrangler NFR. Kimzey finished the season with a PRCA bull riding-record $480,797, breaking his 2017 record of $436,479. Kimzey also won the average with 709 points on eight head. Kimzey tied Jim Shoulders’ PRCA record for consecutive bull riding world championships at six. Shoulders won seven career bull riding titles and six in a row from 1954-59. Don Gay holds the PRCA record for most bull riding world titles with eight. “It’s hard to put into words, it is something that will take a long time for me to realize what it means,” Kimzey said.

While Kimzey is a PRCA superstar, there were a pair of young guns who turned heads in Las Vegas. Rookies StetsonWright and Haven Meged won the all-around and tie-down roping world championships, respectively. Wright came in as the leader in the all-around standings and held off all challengers to win the prestigious title with $297,923. He edged team roping header world champ Clay Smith ($279,672) for the crown. Wright became the first rookie and the youngest cowboy at age 20 to win the all-around crown. He also became the first roughstock rider to capture the honor since ProRodeo Hall of Famer Ty Murray in 1998. Wright finished third in the bull riding standings with $267,345. “It’s pretty awesome,” saidWright, who also is a saddle bronc rider. Meged, a 21-year-old, Miles City, Mont., cowboy, earned the tie- down roping gold buckle with $246,013. He also won the average with an 85.7-second time on 10 head.

ProRodeo Sports News 12/20/2019

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