ProRodeo Sports News - Feb. 21, 2020

FORT WORTH, TEXAS

James Phifer photo

Brady Portenier won nearly $25,000 at Fort Worth.

Bull rider Brady Portenier has been close to the Wrangler NFR but hasn’t achieved that goal of riding under the bright lights of Las Vegas. In each of the last three seasons he’s finished inside the top 20. He has yet to crack into the Top 15 during his seven years of ProRodeo. In 2017, he finished on the bubble. Last year, he was 19th. In between, he was 20th. After winning the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, Portenier jumped to second in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $31,589. He earned $24,827 in Fort Worth, $20,000 of that from the win. “It can be very important (to win one of these rodeos),” said Portenier, who turned 25 Feb. 22. “It doesn’t necessarily make your season or break your season, but it dang sure gives a guy a boost.” Portenier posted a 90-point ride on J Bar J Pro Rodeo’s Little Hoot in the finals. “That felt really good, what a bull,” Portenier said. “Basics is what it came down to. He did his job, and I did mine.” Being so close to the Finals in Las Vegas has been frustrating, but the Caldwell, Idaho, cowboy is looking at the positives. “Last year was a great year, I finished 19th,” he said. “There’s definitely some room for improvement, but I get to go to all the great rodeos aside from the NFR. I’m happy to get to do what I do.” The big boost in the standings (he was 25th before Fort Worth’s conclusion) has him on track for his goals. “My goals are to stay as healthy as I can, go to as many rodeos as I can and make as much money as I can and be a world champion at the end of the day,” he said. – Scott Kaniewski Portenier second in world after Fort Worth win

Stock Show & Rodeo with a 4.0-second time in the finals Feb. 8 before a sellout crowd of 9,300 at the new Dickies Arena. Talley earned $20,000 for his finals run and left Fort Worth with $26,640. “That run was awesome,” Talley said. “Hunter Cure drew that steer in the first set of the semifinals and then the guy who hazed for me (Justin Shaffer in the finals) had run that steer during his set in the rodeo, so I was pretty familiar with him. I knew if we took a chance at the barrier, we would have a chance to win, especially riding what we were riding.” Talley was riding Baby Doll, a horse owned by SamDixon. Fellow steer wrestler Will Lummus won Round 8 at the 2019Wrangler NFR in 3.6 seconds on Baby Doll. “This win is amazing,” Talley said. “It gives you a big jump (in the 2020 PRCA | RAMWorld Standings). When you have to sit at home after being out a little bit (with an injury) you miss the NFR and your funds are running low, it can get to be a little stressful, so this takes a little bit off you.” Talley moved to first in the Feb. 18 world standings with $32,008.

ProRodeo Sports News 2/21/2020

ProRodeo.com

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