ProRodeo Sports News - December 16, 2022

SADDLE BRONC RIDING WORLD CHAMPION

Zeke Thurston had an 89.5-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Pendleton Roundup’s Marquee during his march to the world championship. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Hailey Rae

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Click Thompson

Make it a Hat Trick

Thurston earned $399,916 this season, including $256,078 at the 2022 NFR. The most of any single-event competitor, not counting ground money. “This one was probably the hardest one I have ever had. I had to work for this one given the competition. I had quite a bit of money to make up coming in here. I knew if I just made the best ride I could on every horse and kept placing in the rounds I would give myself a fighting chance. And that’s what I did,” Thurston said. “Having my family and everybody here, it is really cool.” Thurston’s gold buckle moment came into focus over several months. He won eight events in 2022 fromAlberta, Canada, to North Dakota to Montana, earning his eighth consecutive NFR berth. Thurston is comfortable in Las Vegas, but he traces his success to his roots. To win the title as a Canadian is important. This year’s field was speckled with Canadians, making this crown resonate even more for the 28-year-old from Big Valley, Alberta.

“It means the world. All the guys here, the other five guys with me fromCanada, I grew up with all of them. We all learned to ride broncos together. I kind of started the wave, and they have followed,” Thurston said. “I honestly could not be prouder of them. They are great guys and ride broncs outstanding. It’s so fun to be part of.” Thurston grew up in the sport. His father Skeeter qualified for the NFR six times. As a boy, he performed trick riding and roping. There’s no denying his style, but this crown will be remembered for substance. Consistency won the race as Thurston finished in the top 3 in eight of the 10 rounds. When he jumped off All or Nothing, he knew he had something. He performed a circle flex, let out a howl before slapping fives with anyone nearby and looking into the crowd. “I have won a couple of others,” Thurston said. “For family and everyone to be here, this one is really special.”

Zeke Thurston wins third world title

BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News Z ekeThurston didn’t want to talk about himself. Instead, he started mentioning two of the most important factors that fueled his third PRCAWorld Championship in saddle bronc at the raucous Thomas &Mack Center: the competition and the stock. “The other 14 guys in the room are crazy talented and ride awesome,” Thurston said. “And I drew some outstanding horses.”

Motivated and inspired, Thurston demonstrated a slow heartbeat in a nervy final round of competition. Lefty Holman, Sage Newman, StetsonWright and

Thurston were all positioned to win the title, separated by less than $6,000. Thurston delivered an 89.5-point ride on Andrews Rodeo’s All or Nothing. That tied him for the round win, and gave him first place in the average, leading him to the title, joining his crowns in 2016 and 2019.

ProRodeo Sports News 12/16/2022

ProRodeo Sports News 12/16/2022

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