ProRodeo Sports News - February 8, 2019

NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW

Brody Yeary’s second trip to Denver was a success, riding 10 bulls that week despite feeling under the weather. Greg Westfall photo

Yeary wins while under the weather BY MATT NABER G etting on 10 bulls in one week isn’t common at the end of January, and it’s definitely not normal for a cowboy who’s under the weather. That didn’t stop Brody Yeary, 21, from taking the bull by the horns and winning the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver. “I’d been working really hard the last two months, really since the season started, and it’s nice to see it pay off,” Yeary said. “I’ve been on a lot of practice bulls at home, working out every day to get in bull riding shape and staying tuned up. It felt good to get it done.” Yeary tied for seventh in the first round with an 83-point ride, and although his 77-point ride in the second round was out of the money, it got him into the final round with Cervi Championship Rodeo’s White Smoke for his final draw. “I’d never seen him before, but I’d heard he’s a good bull to get some

Between Denver, Fort Worth, Texas, Rapid City, S.D., and St. Paul, Minn., the Texas cowboy rode 10 bulls in a week despite feeling ill. “I’ve been under the weather and it’s taken a toll on me, but I think I’m on the back side of it,” he said with the Denver buckle in hand after winning the average with 248.5 points on three head. “It can impact bull riding if you let it, but our drive is only eight seconds, so it doesn’t matter how bad you feel, just put it aside and do your job.” Last year was his first time competing at Denver, and he narrowly missed winning the average by two points. This year he was ready.

points on,” he said. “I knew I needed to make up ground in the short round.” He more than made up some ground as his 88.5-point ride in the final round placed him at the top of the average, nearly 30 points ahead of the second-place finisher. His Denver efforts were worth $6,276, moving him from 17th to eighth in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $15,380. “Denver has to go down as one of my favorite rodeos because I’ve done well both times I’ve been here,” Yeary said. “I think the crowd gets into it and it’s energetic, a very upbeat rodeo.”

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ProRodeo Sports News 2/8/19