ProRodeo Sports News - December 16, 2022

SADDLE BRONC AVERAGE WINNER

Canadian Consistency Saddle bronc rider Zeke Thurston reacts after his 89.5-point ride in Round 10 aboard Andrews Rodeo’s All or Nothin to split the round win and win the average. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Hailey Rae BY BRADY RENCK Special to ProRodeo Sports News I n the winter of 2022, ZekeThurston joined his friends and made his annual pilgrimage to the Nationals Final Rodeo. Only 28, he has earned eight straight berths to the sport’s top event. Now, as in then (in 2016 and 2019), he reigns as the PRCA Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion. Thurston clinched the title in round 10 because of remarkable was in Round 4 where the idea of winning the average became realistic even if Thurston wasn’t about to consider it. He boarded the aptly named Heaven on Earth fromChampionship Pro Rodeo. Thurston had an 88.5-point ride, igniting the crowd at Thomas &Mack Center. Thurston wins first average title on way to world championship

“It was unridden, but I figured, you know, they are all going to get ridden at some point so why not be the guy,” Thurston said. “She was a really big, strong stud horse that bucked hard. I was able to get ahead of her and luckily, I stayed on.” The physical accomplishment ties back toThurston’s mental focus. He developed the right plan entering the round, momentum that carried him through the competition. “For me, my biggest confidence comes frommy spur outs, and I was really confident in them. On a horse like that, that’s where you’re going to thrive. I always go with that and win, lose, or draw, we’re going to start the process all over again the next day,” Thurston said. “So, you might as well lay it all out there and see what you get.” What Thurston got was a gold buckle, an honor traced to his consistency.

consistency, winning the average title with 876.5 point on 10 head. Thurston placed in nine rounds, which allowed him to clinch the world title in a photo finish with standouts Lefty Holman, Sage Newman and StetsonWright. This path came with math, leavingThurston admittedly uncomfortable. “I am not usually an average-kind-of guy. It definitely helps. But I darn sure didn’t come here with the mindset to win the average. When it comes down to it, it can make-or-break you,” Thurston explained. “To be the guy leading it coming in, I would almost rather not have been in that position because it starts playing tricks on your mind. I just blocked it all out and went and made the best possible ride (in round 10).” Thurston became a bit of pace car early on, delivering an 87.5-point ride on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Cinch Jeans Hit Man in the opening round and an 85.5-point ride on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Dreamliner in Round 2. It

ProRodeo Sports News 12/16/2022

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