ProRodeo Sports News - July 28, 2023

By Tanner Barth & Tracy Renck

Tavenner adds NFR Open title Steer wrestler Dirk Tavenner has made more than 1,200 runs in his ProRodeo career, with more than 150 of those times clocking in at less than 4.2 seconds. Little did he know one of the longest runs of his career, would turn into one of the highest paying. A muddy arena on the final night of the NFR Open powered by RAM made for an interesting round of steer wrestling with a national championship on the line. It may have slowed Tavenner down a bit, but it didn’t deter his focus. The Rigby, Idaho, cowboy clocked an 11.2-second run to walk out with the coveted title. “The environment out there was pretty crazy,” said Tavenner, a two-time Wrangler NFR qualifier. “It’s muddy and really sticky. The steers hadn’t been in the mud, they were sitting on dry ground. So, it was definitely a little tricky to get one thrown down, but I couldn’t be happier to come out with the win.” The win added $14,595 next to Tavenner’s name in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, where he sat 12th as of July 19. He said an event like the NFR Open provides contestants with a golden opportunity to get their season pointed back in the right direction. “This win will definitely help me out a lot as far as the standings go,” he said.

Natalie McFarland photo Dirk Tavenner left his mark at the NFR Open powered by RAM. His 11.2-second run in the finals secured the national championship. He left town with $14,595.

Bruno makes it two in a row at NFR Open

Saddle bronc rider Kade Bruno has definitely taken a liking to the NFR Open powered by RAM. For the second year in a row, the Challis, Idaho, cowboy walked away with a national championship. Bruno’s latest came on July 15, when he had an 85.5-point ride on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Sue City Sue in the four-man sudden death finals at the Norris Penrose Event Center. Bruno actually tied Cole Elshere in the finals, but won the title based on a higher score in the semifinals. Bruno had a 79-point trip on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Cimarron Jack, while Elshere had a 77-point semifinal ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Hammer Stone. “I couldn’t have drawn any better horses last year or this year and it just seems like my place here,” said Bruno, 25. A year ago, Bruno won the NFR Open with a 90-point ride on Andrews Rodeo’s All or Nothin in the finals. He earned $20,511 and $21,634 in 2022 and 2023 at the NFR Open. The 2022 victory propelled Bruno to his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, where he finished 11th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. “Last year I was always on the outside looking in and it put me in the Top 15,” Bruno said. “This year it is kind of keeping me in the world title race more than anything. It’s still way too early to be thinking about that, but it helps to stay near the top of the standings when you get to the NFR, so you don’t have to come from the back of the pack.”

Natalie McFarland photo Saddle bronc rider Kade Bruno had an 85.5-point ride on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Sue City Sue in the four-man sudden death finals at the Norris Penrose Event Center. Bruno tied Cole Elshere in the finals, but won the title based on a higher score in the semifinals.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/28/2023

ProRodeo.com

45