ProRodeo Sports News - January 5, 2024

EDITOR’S LETTER TRACY RENCK

Tracy Renck is the editor of the ProRodeo

Sports News. He previously served more than seven years as a media coordinator at the PRCA. He has three decades of experience in sports journalism with the last several consumed by ProRodeo.

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Hailey Rae Bull rider Ky Hamilton celebrates after his 89-point ride aboard Bridwell Pro Rodeos’ Fred to win Round 4 at the 2023 Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas. It was part of a legendary performance by the Australian native.

Hamilton’s title one for the ages – especially Down Under W hen Ky Hamilton won his inaugural PRCA Bull Riding World Championship on Dec. 16 in Las Vegas – it was one for the ages. Hamilton left the Thomas & Mack Center with two gold buckles for the PRCA World Championship and NFR average title. observation. Straight from the hospital to the arena – Hamilton defied the odds Dec. 13. By night’s end, Hamilton claimed the Round 7 victory with an 88-point ride on Duane Kesler’s Alberta Prime Devil’s Advocate. He also was the lone rider in the round – earning him a $99,053 payday. It was the stuff of legends – especially for Australia – and it didn’t go unnoticed by Appleton. “What Ky did was phenomenal,” Appleton said.

Hamilton finished atop the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $595,414 and clinched his first career PRCA World Championship on Dec. 15 after Round 9. Hamilton, who is a native of Mackay, Australia, is the first Australian to capture a PRCA Bull Riding World Championship. Hamilton broke the single season bull riding mark, eclipsing Stetson Wright’s mark of $592,144 in 2022. Hamilton joins ProRodeo Hall of Famers Dave Appleton (all-around, 1988) and Glen O’Neill (saddle bronc riding, 2002) as the only native Australians to win PRCA World Championships. Hamilton wasn’t supposed to compete in Round 6 of the NFR on Dec. 13 – until he did. Just 16 hours after losing consciousness and suffering a concussion when he was bucked off in Round 5, Hamilton was back in the yellow bucking chutes, Wednesday morning for Round 6, and winning money. Hamilton split third with his 85.5-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Love The Grind’s Bouchon. Hamilton was knocked out during his ride aboard Honeycutt Rodeo’s Bales Hay’s MAGA during Round 5. Hamilton was sent to University Medical Center Trauma Center in Las Vegas for evaluation and

“I have been cheering him on and I met Ky and his parents before the (NFR in 2022). You become who you travel with and associate with. He travels with Stetson (Wright), and he’s mentored by JB Mauney. “When Stetson got hurt at the NFR and couldn’t go on, there comes Ky and I swear that Stetson gave him his Superman cape. When you throw in that JB Mauney grit and that Aussie grit, the whole world wanted Ky to put on that (world championship) buckle because he earned it. I hope he’s an inspiration for many other young Australians when they see what he’s done on this stage to be inspired to come (rodeo in the PRCA).” In Round 4 and Round 7, Hamilton made more history as he and saddle bronc rider Damian Brennan became the first Australians to win NFR rounds on the same night. “I had more people who are Australian who don’t follow rodeo reach out to me to talk about this NFR,” Appleton said. “It was such a neat story with Ky and to have Damian also excel was great. People in Australia couldn’t believe it.”

A NOTICE TO SUBSCRIBERS OF OUR PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS : EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, REFUNDS OF SUBSCRIPTIONS WILL NO LONGER BE ISSUED.

ProRodeo Sports News 1/5/2024

ProRodeo.com

6