ProRodeo Sports News - July 23, 2021

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.

Bringing the Payne

Steer wrestler pins down win in Colorado Springs BY TANNER BARTH D on Payne came into the 2021 Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs, Colo., with something to prove. He wanted to show the rest of the ProRodeo world he has what it takes to be among the best in steer wrestling. He did just that in front of a sellout crowd at the Norris Penrose Event Center July 17. Payne put together a 4.5-second run to take home the title, edging out Tristan Martin by one-tenth of a second in the final round to secure the win. “In these shootouts it’s always tough getting into the finals,” said Payne, 27. “The first one I had tonight in the short-go was a tougher steer, but I did just enough to advance. Then I came back with the same one I had in round one, and I knew he was pretty good. I didn’t make the best run of my life, but it worked out for me and I’m thrilled to come away with a win.” The first-place finish in Colorado Springs earned Payne the biggest payday of his career. The Stephenville, Texas, cowboy, walked away with $12,500, bumping his weekly total at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo up to $14,342. He still has some work to do this summer if he wants to qualify for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. As of July 20, he was 22nd in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with $23,871. It’s the highest in the standings he’s been at any point in his seven-year ProRodeo career. “I knew this rodeo (Colorado Springs) had a chance to jump me up there quite a bit in the world standings, so this is going to be huge for me headed into the final months of the season,” Payne said. “But I’m just going to keep taking things one rodeo at a time and do what I can to make the NFR.” He won’t let the added pressure of trying to qualify for the Wrangler NFR change the way he prepares or competes in the event he’s been doing for most of his life. “I try to just leave everything to God in this sport and just let what happens, happen,” Payne said. “So, that’s how I go about it every time I’m set to go on a run. If you think about it too much it can come back to bite you in the long run.” $17,105 Money won by bull rider J.B. Mauney during the 2021 Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo in Colorado Springs, Colo.

TOP MONEY WINNER TOP SCORES

Stetson Wright, $19,355 (saddle bronc riding and bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Wright

1. Cole Reiner ............................. 90 pts. 2. Chad Rutherford ......................... 87.5 3. Mason Clements ........................... 83 STEER WRESTLING 1. Don Payne ............................ 4.5 sec. 2. Tristan Martin ............................... 4.6 3. Reed Kreager ................................ NT TEAM ROPING 1. K. Johnson/C. Johnson ......... 5.0 sec. 2. C. Tryan/J. Long ........................... 5.2 3. E. Rogers/P. Bray .......................... NT SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Stetson Wright .................... 91.5 pts. 2. Ryder Wright ................................ NS 3. Sterling Crawley ........................... NS TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. J.D. McCuistion .................... 9.4 sec. 2. Bryson Sechrist ............................ 9.9 3. Ryley Fontenot ........................... 10.6 BARREL RACING 1. Jessica Routier ............... 17.042 sec. 2. Jimmie Smith ......................... 17.352 3. Ashley Castleberry ................. 22.491 BULL RIDING 1. J.B. Mauney ........................ 87.5 pts. 2. Stetson Wright .............................. 86 3. Clayton Sellars .............................. NS

Click Thompson photo

ProRodeo Sports News 7/23/2021

ProRodeo.com

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