ProRodeo Sports News - January 20, 2023

Wiser Caleb Bennett keeps maintaining winning ways Efficient BY DAGIN RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News TOP SCORES GREAT FALLS, MONT.

RAM MONTANA CIRCUIT FINALS

TOP MONEY EARNER Hawk Whitt ($12,199, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING

I n sports, athletes don’t have the luxury of turning back the clock. It becomes a game of chess, utilizing strategy and self-awareness to execute in a shrinking window. Bareback rider Caleb Bennett finds himself here, aiming to keep his successful ProRodeo career alive for a chance to reach the pinnacle. “I want to rodeo smarter, not harder. I’d really like to spend more time at home and with my wife (Savannah) and enjoying stuff like that,” said the 34-year-old. “At the same time, I’m not ready to be done with the sport of rodeo.” The strategy is already paying dividends, as he captured a win in his first stop of the season at the RAMMontana Circuit Finals Rodeo in Great Falls. Bennett rode his way to victory for the second-straight year with 253 points on three head, bringing home the $3,660 prize. He focused on stringing good rides together, knowing consistency was critical. “Just one horse at a time. I drew really, really good horses. I was pretty tickled for each one of them,” Bennett said. “I didn’t exactly capitalize on the last two horses the way that I could have but still managed to get by them and do what I needed to do to get the win.” Bennett, a Utah native, made the move to western Montana about three years ago. He’s enjoyed the transition to the Montana Circuit, noting the quality of horses in the area. The cowboy believes the circuit finals in the Four Seasons Arena for three nights creates a special environment. “Up here, in that arena, and those horses with J Bar J and Sankey, they just have an amazing herd of animals,” Bennett said. “The culmination of all of them over three nights makes for an action-packed event. It’s just awesome to be a part of.” The 10-time NFR qualifier recently completed another stint in Las Vegas, admitting it may have been the worst Finals showing of his career. Bennett finished ninth in the average while placing in just one round, winning a mere $16,063. This season he’s fueled by redemption, craving the opportunity to prove why he’s been one of the best bareback riders over the last decade. “It’s about moving forward from that. I’m not ready to be done, I’m ready to keep rolling,” said Bennett. “Get back there this year and show them why I deserve to be there. Take advantage of good ones and my good health.” Bennett boasts an impressive career, displaying remarkable consistency. He stands roughly $150,000 shy of the $2 million career earnings mark, notching numerous top-10 finishes along the way. A world title remains the only thing missing, something he’s set his sights on from the beginning. “That’s a dream come true. I’ve been there enough now to know it takes the right one underneath you and the stars to align in the right way. That’s all I can keep doing,” Bennett said. “I have to put the grind foot down and keep chasing it. I’m hoping and praying that in the next couple of years it’s my time.”

Whitt

1. Caleb Bennett. ...............253 pts. on 3 2. Trevar McAllister....................... 243.5 3. Tristan Hansen.......................... 242.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Ty Erickson.................. 12.7 sec. on 3 2. Jake Nelson................................ 14.3 3. Austin Whitehouse...................... 14.9 TEAM ROPING 1. D. Bird/I. Folsom. ........ 18.3 sec. on 3 2. M. Kobold/J. Viles. ..................... 21.8 3. C. Berquist/L. Williams............... 23.3 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Jesse Kruse...................235 pts. on 3 2. Josh Davison............................... 229 3. Qwint Stroh. ........................ 154 on 2 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Dillon Hahnkamp......... 27.3 sec. on 3 2. Haven Meged.............................. 28.8 3. Shay Keller. ................................ 33.1 BARREL RACING 1. Abigail Knight............ 38.95 sec. on 3 2. Cierra Erickson. ........................ 39.52 3. Maggie Poloncic....................... 39.75 BULL RIDING 1. Hawk Whitt.................174.5 pts. on 2 2. Parker Breding....................... 83 on 1 3. Connor Murnion. ........................... 82

Complete results/Page 41

Clay Guardipee photo Veteran bareback rider Caleb Bennett had an 86-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Wise General on the way to winning the average at the RAM Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo.

ProRodeo Sports News 1/20/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 1/20/2023

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