ProRodeo Sports News - July 28, 2023

NFR OPEN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.

Tanya Hamner photo Bareback rider Keenan Hayes continued his stellar season with an 86.5-point ride on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Pass the Hat to win the NFR Open powered by RAM on July 15 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Bareback rider Keenan Hayes stars

This season has been a phenomenal one for rookie bareback rider Keenan Hayes. Hayes arrived at the NFR Open powered by RAM first in the PRCA | RAM World Standings – and he showed why on July 15. The Hayden, Colo., cowboy had an 86.5-point ride on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Pass the Hat in the four-man showdown to capture the national title before a sold-out crowd at the Norris Penrose Event Center. “The last couple of hours were awesome,” said Hayes, 20. “I’m super excited to be here in Colorado Springs and win this in my home state. That horse (Pass the Hat) had a little bit of a drop to her. I heard good things about her, and I saw her the other day in Prescott, Ariz. I was super excited to have that horse and I had to cock my hammer and keep going at her. I heard the crowd get really loud and that just made me keep going and make the push.” Hayes, who was representing the Mountain States Circuit, was thrilled to compete at the NFR Open. He earned $20,862 at the rodeo. “I’ve always wanted to win this back when it was the RAM National

Circuit Finals and I was excited it got moved to Colorado Springs, and I got to get this win in my home state,” Hayes said. “All this is going to do now is just help me out more (in the world standings). I have a lead and I’m just going to keep going at it and hopefully set a record.” Hayes sat atop the world standings with $166,235. This year he has claimed wins at Rodeo Austin (Texas), the Mountain States Circuit Finals in Loveland, Colo., and the San Angelo (Texas) Cinch Chute-Out. “Nothing has really surprised me this year,” Hayes said. “I expect the best out of myself every time I get on one. I don’t want to do anything else but win. They have been running ones under me everywhere I have been and that’s been making my job a lot easier.” Hayes advanced to the final-four Gold Buckle Round in the second position after recording an 82-point ride on Brookman Rodeo’s Joe Dirt. That set the stage for his victorious ride in the Showdown. “This NFR Open is awesome,” Hayes said. “I just want to keep going at them and keep my foot on the gas.”

ProRodeo Sports News 7/28//2023

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