ProRodeo Sports News - July 7, 2023

PRINEVILLE, ORE.

CROOKED RIVER ROUNDUP

Ky Hamilton earns $7,400 for Crooked River victory Payday BY JOLEE JORDAN, Special to ProRodeo Sports News G A little veteran experience – and a little luck – led to a big payday for PRCA | RAM Bull Riding World Standings leader Ky Hamilton on the final weekend of June. Hamilton captured the win at the Crooked River Roundup in Prineville, Ore., on June 22, after conquering Four Star Rodeo’s Hell Hound for 82.5 points.

TOP MONEY EARNER TOP SCORES

Ky Hamilton ($7,400, bull riding). BAREBACK RIDING

Hamilton

1. Cooper Cooke......................... 83 pts. 2. Jacob Lees.................................... 82 3. Two tied at..................................... 79 STEER WRESTLING 1. Tristan Martin.............. 15.2 sec. on 2 2. Tyler Ravenscroft.........................16.6 3. Mike McGinn.............................. 17.3 TEAM ROPING 1. Rogers/Eaves................11.6 sec. on 2 2. M. Battaglia/J. Johe.....................11.8 3. C. Proctor/L. Medlin....................12.1 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Allen Boore............................. 84 pts. 2. Mitch Pollock................................. 81 3. Three tied at................................... 80 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Ryan Jarrett..................20.4 sec. on 2 (Tie) Britt Bedke...........................20.4 3. Ty Harris..................................... 20.8 STEER ROPING 1. Dalton Walker.............. 23.9 sec. on 2 2. Garrett Hale................................ 25.4 3. Pake Sorey................................. 29.9 BULL RIDING 1. Ky Hamilton......................... 82.5 pts. 2. Stetson Wright............................74.5 3. No other qualified rides

Because only two bull riders managed to make a qualified ride – the other was Hamilton’s hauling partner and reigning PRCA World Champion Stetson Wright – Hamilton banked a stout $7,400 with the added ground money. “It worked out good – it paid really good,” said Hamilton, 23. It was a win that may not have happened but for some sage advice from Cody Wright, Stetson’s father, and a two-time PRCA World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider. “Everybody was talking about going to Steamboat Springs (Colo.) because the money had rolled over and it was like $10,000 added,” Hamilton explained. Rodeo committees have the option to roll purses over to their next event should no rider make a qualified ride – Steamboat’s season opener had an extra $7,640 rolled over from the final weeks of 2022, attracting many of the highest-ranked riders. “Cody is doing our entering and he said Prineville also had $10,000 added,” Hamilton said. “He said we might as well go up there.” Turns out the savvy veteran was dead on. Not only did Hamilton and Wright both win big paychecks, they also earned valuable Playoff Series points, as Prineville is included in the Series in 2023. Hamilton remains first in the Playoff Series, while Wright is third. Competing in Prineville for the first time in his five years in ProRodeo since coming to the U.S. from Mackay, Queensland, Australia, Hamilton experienced another first in getting to climb on Hell Hound. “I’ve seen a bunch of videos and always thought he would be awesome to get on,” Hamilton said of the bull, who is himself a veteran of three Wrangler National Finals Rodeos. “It’s funny, actually, the first time I saw that bull was in 2018 when I had just gotten over here,” Hamilton said. “Sage Kimzey won the Pendleton Round-Up on him, and I thought he looked like he would be awesome to get on. So, I was glad to finally get to get on him.” The poised Hamilton handled the ride with ease, setting up the victory after becoming the first to cover the bull for the full eight seconds in 2023. “He’s a nice bull to have, he’s got good timing.” Hamilton had a few days off following the win as he and Wright prepped for the Fourth of July run. He had plans to spend the time much like he does with any downtime . . . getting on bulls. “I feel good,” he said. “In fact, we’re going to buck some practice bulls here before we head out. Get a couple under my belt, get my timing down.” While that may seem counterintuitive given the upcoming schedule, that’s exactly why summer is a favorite time for the Aussie — more rodeos, more bulls.

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“That’s why I get on practice bulls,” he explained. “I feel like the more bulls I’m getting on, the better I ride.” That could spell trouble for a jam-packed field trying to catch Hamilton in the standings.

Jackie Jensen photo Bull rider Ky Hamilton, shown competing at the Mandan, N.D. had a 90-point ride to win the Crooked River Roundup in Prineville, Ore. Hamilton is aiming for fourth trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2023.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/7/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 7/7/2023

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