ProRodeo Sports News - January 26, 2018

NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW

Despite travel delays, 2016 World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Zeke Thurston arrived at the Denver Coliseum in time to compete in the first round Jan. 12. The Canadian cowboy won the average with 255.5 points on three head, good for $10,934. Greg Westfall photo

Thurston rides to nearly $11,000 BY MATT NABER W inter weather almost kept ZekeThurston frommaking it out of the Great White North in time to compete. Despite the snow, the Canadian cowboy’s rodeo résumé continued to flourish, as he added the National estern Stock Show and Rodeo to his ever-growing list of rodeo wins, taking home $10,934. Thurston’s flight out of Calgary was delayed Jan. 12, but he arrived at the Denver Coliseum in time to compete in the first round, where he placed second with 85.5 points. Thurston said. “But you can’t worry about what you have to beat, just do what you can.” By the time his turn came in the final round, he needed a ride of at least 79.5 points on Burch Rodeo’s Iron Maiden and the average was his. Thurston scored 85.5 in the final round Jan. 21, placing him third for the round, but at the top of the average with 255.5 on three head. “I don’t change my game plan if it’s a $4,000 or $40,000 rodeo,” Thurston said. “Just stick to the basics.” Denver was Thurston’s first time competing since the 2017Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris Ranger, where he placed seventh in the average and sixth in the PRCAWorld Standings. “It’s great to start the year off with a win,” Thurston said.

“I carried my saddle on (the plane) and Nancy Cervi picked me up, and we drove like crazy and made it just in time – I had to borrow equipment and did well,” Thurston laughed. “It’s happened to me a few times. Lately, I’ve had bad luck. With flying, you don’t have a lot of control.” Thurston placed third in the second round with 84.5 points, giving him a six-point lead as he entered the final round. “I knew it would be great bronc riding and it would be tough, and it was,”

After Denver, Thurston hit the road for Rodeo Rapid City (S.D.). “I’m a positive guy – Fort Worth bucked me off as fast as you can get bucked off,” Thurston said. “Everyone asks what the most important ride is, and it’s the next one. Whatever happened yesterday is trail dust, so have fun. That’s why I got into it, and winning money.”

ProRodeo Sports News 1/26/18

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