ProRodeo Sports News - Jan. 6, 2023

GILLETTE, WYO.

NEW YEAR’S BUCK & BALL

Bull rider Blaine Beaty off to good start with victory BY DAGIN RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News A spur-of-the-moment decision changed the course for Blaine Beaty. In a heartbeat, the cowboy turned his once childhood hobby into his passion and profession. “I was pretty stoked to get on him. He took that first jump out and set me up on my rope,” said Beaty. “After that, I felt I could ride him all day. I couldn’t ask for any better.” Beaty rode Burning Bush to an 82.5-point ride, earning $2,380. With no qualified rides in the final round, he also picked up the $1,250 check for the average title. It was the night this cowboy needed to regain his footing. Other winners in Gillette were bareback rider DeanThompson and saddle bronc rider Sage Newman. Celebration

Just weeks before the start of the 2017-18 school year, Beaty flipped his script. He went from having no plans of attending school to being a part of the Iowa Central Community College Rodeo team. There, the Minnesota native struck gold. Beaty helped capture multiple regional titles while finding his love for rodeo. He credits his coaches for playing a crucial part in launching his ProRodeo career. “If it weren’t for those two coaches (Terry Coleman and Bridget Lambright Coleman), I wouldn’t be where I am today,” the 23-year-old said. “So, that was the best decision I ever made.” Beaty, now entering his third season of ProRodeo, aims to lean on those experiences in pursuit of reaching the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. It has already begun to pay dividends. The bull rider collected his first win of the 2023 season at the New Year’s Eve Buck & Ball in Gillette, Wyo. Beaty knew his matchup, Burch Rodeo’s Burning Bush, would land him a chance at earning money after watching strong rides from his traveling partner Reid Oftedahl (87.5 points) and StetsonWright (91 points) at the Clovis (Calif.) Rodeo last April.

“I haven’t had the best start to my season, but I knew the (New Year’s Eve) Buck & Ball was coming, and I had seen the draw come out,” Beaty said. “Once I saw what I had, I couldn’t have been anymore stoked to be there.” Last season, Beaty attacked rodeo full-time for the first time. It was a grueling test. He recalls riding a rollercoaster of emotions while trying to remain level-headed. “My mentality was about keeping a positive mindset and continuing to enter rodeos, regardless of standing. The lows are low, and the highs are high,” Beaty said. “Last year, I had quite a bit of lows and all I could keep telling myself was ‘keep your head up and keep entering.’” This year, the mindset has pivoted. Beaty has intentions to stick around in ProRodeo, making a career out of it. He hopes to encapsulate that energy into each rodeo he enters, setting his sights on a trip to Las Vegas. “We’re going to the big show.”

Alaina Stangle photo Bull rider Blaine Beaty had an 82.5-point ride on Burch Rodeo’s Burning Bush, which propelled him to the win at the New Year’s Eve Buck & Ball in Gillette, Wyo. Beaty left town after earning $4,760.

Hailey Rae photo Bull riders Riggin Shippy, Blaine Beaty and Coy Thorson ham it up prior to competing at the New Year’s Eve Buck & Ball in Gillette, Wyo., Dec. 31.

ProRodeo Sports News 1/6/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 1/6/2023

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

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