ProRodeo Sports News - July 28, 2023

XTREME BULLS SALINAS, CALIF.

Sharing Telfer, Fugate split Xtreme Bulls victory

BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News C ullen Telfer did not grow up with generations of family in rodeo. But there was rodeo in his family that shaped his future. His younger sister Reghan performed in the barrel racing when the two were kids, and Telfer found himself fixated by the most dangerous sport. “That’s when I began watching the bulls,” Telfer said. “And I knew that was something I wanted to do.” For years Denton Fugate made a living on the roughstock, but he wondered if it was something he would ever do again after catching his spur and fracturing his right leg. His recovery and rehab took a calendar year, and included rods inserted then removed because of an infection followed by a bone graft. “There was a point where I didn’t know if there was going to be another time on a bull,” Fugate said of the long road back. The pair made headlines at the California Rodeo Salinas Xtreme Bulls, tying for the top prize with scores of 87, their victories resonating for different reasons. Telfer delivered his score on Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Stand By Me. He ranks 17th in the standings, so a win like this pushes him closer to his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo berth. “This is big. Everyone is riding really well. Every ride counts, every dollar counts,” said Telfer. “It means a lot. I dang sure want to be in the Top 15 at the end of the year.” The NFR is part of what inspired Fugate to keep grinding, to keep pushing to return to the sport he loves. He accomplished the feat once in his career, qualifying in 2020 at the Arlington, Texas event. It did not go as planned as he failed to score on any of his 10 rides. “I want to go back to the NFR and fix that,” said Fugate, who hails from Ash Flat, Ark. “The NFR is not in the (cards) this year. But this year is about building qualifications up to get into more rodeos next year to get back.” Fugate posted his 87 on Corey & Lange’s Cold Turkey. He had intel on the bull, and it followed the road map save for a few twists. “It was about what I expected. He kind of had the upper hand with that first jump, then I felt like I got back into it. I thought I had a chance at a good score because of how hard he bucked,” Fugate said. “I am super happy. It’s been kind of a rebuilding summer. This is a big boost in the right direction.” Telfer, 24, had never been to Salinas before winning it. It was a reminder of the rodeo journey, of the unpredictable nature and the ultimate reward for consistency. That is what the cowboy is chasing as he soaks in every moment. “I just love riding. The rush, it’s pretty hard to explain what it is like getting on those big bucking animals. It’s something that you can’t find anywhere else,” said Telfer, who participated in college rodeo for Western Texas College and is completing his business degree at Tarleton State. “All of the people I have met, going to different places, and seeing different stuff, I enjoy it all. But the Top 15, that’s where I want to be.”

Ryan Jae photos Cullen Telfer, above, had an 87-point ride on Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Stand By Me, and Denton Fugate, right, had an 87-point ride on Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Cold Turkey to share the California Rodeo Salinas Xtreme Bulls win.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/28/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 7/28/2023

ProRodeo.com

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