ProRodeo Sports News - July 28, 2023

DINOSAUR ROUNDUP

VERNAL, UTAH

Picture Perfect Strong run leads Minton to victory TOP SCORES TOP MONEY EARNER Braden Richard son ($9,552, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING Richardson

BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News B rush painted a perfect picture. And maybe it’s as simple as that. Brushton Minton boasts a top-five ranking in tie-down roping. That number comes from poise, purpose, and technique. At the recent Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo in Vernal, Utah, Minton put it all on display as he posted a 7.8-second time at Western Parks, edging out Haven Meged (8.2). “We drove all night to Vernal. And that was my first run on that calf. I didn’t know what it was or what it was really going to do,” said Minton, who pocketed $4,914 for first place. “I was trying to get ahold of him. I got off to a good start. That really helped. And I was able to finish.” At age 25, Minton is starting to gain his footing as a pro. Cowboy Christmas treated him well because “we were able to place in a lot of the bigger rodeos.” Minton credits his success to his horse Gunny. He wasn’t really for sale. But with persistence and patience, Minton was able to get Gunny. And the results have followed suit. The cowboy explained it this way: “It’s been a gamechanger. He just really fits what I do,” Minton said. “Every time I rode him, it just seemed like good things happened. To be able to get him, he’s such a good one. He’s gotta lot of run. He stays free and is so fast.” The success Minton has experienced traces back to his family. He grew up a fourth-generation roper in Northern California, Winter Springs to be precise. His father Casey was quite the cowboy. He won the Linderman Award in 1993 for his work in three different events involving roping and rough stock. Dad didn’t quite make the Wrangler Nationals Final Rodeo, but he provided inspiration for Minton. “He tried to make it a couple of times and got close. But he would rather stay close to home. But yeah, I followed in his footsteps, rodeoing in high school and junior rodeo,” Minton said. “I have always dreamed of making the NFR.” To that end, Minton has relocated to Texas. It is a strategic move, leaving him around the best cowboys and events. “As far as calf roping goes, there are so many jackpots and events going on, it’s a great place to be. And you get to practice with the best,” Minton said. “And that definitely helps. Iron sharpens iron.” The competition and lifestyle suit him. Minton embraces the hectic pace and the unique nature of every new rodeo. “It’s pretty crazy. I don’t know what I would want to change. This year has been good,” Minton said. “And I get to travel around, meet a lot of new friends, stay in cool places. It’s a lot better than working in an office I can tell you that.”

1. Keenan Hayes ...................... 87.5 pts. 2. Orin Larsen ................................... 86 3. Leighton Berry .............................. 85 STEER WRESTLING 1. Cameron Morman ................. 3.6 sec. 2. Ty Erickson ................................... 3.8 3. Four tied at ................................... 4.1 TEAM ROPING 1. C. Smith/C. Payne ................. 4.5 sec. 2. C. Proctor/L. Medlin ..................... 4.6 3. W. Bray/J. Patton .......................... 4.8 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Houston Brown ...................... 87 pts. (Tie) Stetson Wright ...................... 87 3. Two tied at ..................................... 86 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Brushton Minton ................... 7.8 sec. 2. Haven Meged ............................... 8.2 3. Two tied at .................................... 8.4 BARREL RACING 1. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi ....... 17.36 sec. 2. LaTricia Duke ............................ 17.41 3. Shelley Morgan ........................ 17.42 BULL RIDING 1. Braden Richardson .............. 93.5 pts. 2. JB Mauney .................................... 90 3. Ky Hamilton ................................ 89.5

Michael Pintar photo

Brushton Minton clocked a 7.8-second time to win the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo in Vernal, Utah, a stop on the Playoff Series.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/28//2023

ProRodeo Sports News 7/28/2023

ProRodeo.com

ProRodeo.com

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