ProRodeo Sports News - July 8, 2022

CODY STAMPEDE CODY, WYO.

Cole Reiner captures Cody title BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News C ole Reiner knows he’s close. The numbers don’t lie. As a rookie in bareback riding, he finished fifth in the world standings in 2020. In 2021, he placed seventh. The ultimate prize is not a mirage, but rather something he envisions each day. TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY WINNER Cole Reiner ($8,460, bareback riding) BAREBACK RIDING

“I think it about every time. I want to make every ride the best I can while focusing on staying in the moment and being on that ride,” Reiner said. “I have a real chance at a world championship, but it’s about knowing what to think about and what not to think about once it’s time to ride.” His mind clear, Reiner showed why he remains a title threat at the Cody (Wyo.) Stampede. Even before he was in the chute, Reiner knew the promising bloodlines of the stock, Southern Star. The horse was from Frontier Rodeo and a full brother of Hooey Rocks, which he scored a 90 on in Fort Worth in January. “I knew she was going to buck, and she started bucking in the front of the chutes. I had a chance if I just kept doing my job,” said Reiner said. Southern Star was hopping more than bucking – getting air from the front side. It forced Reiner to lean back and into his fundamentals. He delivered a top score of 88.5 to win $8,460. “It’s a little bit more challenging and a lot harder on the hands and feet when everything is going back. It’s about sticking to the basics,” Reiner said of his sixth victory ride of the season. “The second you get a little out of your control you are in trouble.” Reiner’s preparation tempers surprises. He has adopted a successful routine and surrounded himself with stars in the sport. His traveling partners are five-time world champion Kaycee Feild and Tilden Hooper (eight NFR appearances). It has microwaved Reiner’s development as he has learned to streamline his process. That includes traveling less, working out more – the cowboys push each other in the gym – and strategically picking rodeos. “I am not going to as many by design, making sure I stay strong, have time to recover and see family. Those guys keep it light. We are always having fun,” Reiner said. “It definitely keeps things from getting boring or monotonous. And Tilden and Kaycee know how to win. That’s super important. They have helped me know what to think about and what to eliminate to performmy best.” The NFR has become part of how Reiner understands his season. He had a misstep a year ago that “cost me a lot of (prize) money),” and it has served to harden his resolve. “I want to be a champion,” Reiner said. Only 23, Reiner finds a way to balance rodeoing with his hobbies. He loves to hunt, enjoys fishing with his mom and “messing around and roping with horses.” But his mind never strays far from realizing his goal. “I like the challenge of it. We work out three-to- four days a week, then you have one chance a weekend to capitalize, and it really boils down to 10 days a year. Can you stay focused and be prepared for those days? I love that,” Reiner said. “I love fromOct. 1 to whenever the NFR starts. You have those two months to get ready, compete and it leaves me very motivated for the finals.”

Reiner

1. Cole Reiner .......................... 88.5 pts. 2. Tilden Hooper ................................ 88 3. Cole Franks ................................. 86.5 (Tie) Tim O’Connell ..................... 86.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Kyle Irwin . ............................. 3.4 sec. (Tie) Tyler Pearson . ...................... 3.4 3. Jason Thomas .............................. 3.6 TEAM ROPING 1. Proctor/Medlin . ..................... 4.3 sec. 2. Driggers/Nogueira ........................ 4.4 (Tie) Tomlinson/Smith .................. 4.4 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Zeke Thurston . .................... 87.5 pts. (Tie) Spencer Wright .................. 87.5 3. Jesse Wright . ................................ 86 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Riley Pruitt ............................. 7.7 sec. 2. Kyle Lucas .................................... 7.9 3. Zack Jongbloed ............................ 8.6 BARREL RACING 1. Leslie Smalygo .................. 17.04 sec. 2. Kylee Scribner .......................... 17.08 3. Jordon Briggs ............................. 17.0 BULL RIDING 1. Brady Portenier . .................. 92.5 pts. 2. Tyler Taylor ................................. 87.5 3. Creek Young .................................. 87

COWBOY CHRISTMAS Determined

Complete results/Page 84

Hailey Rae photo

Wyoming native bareback rider Cole Reiner won the Cody Stampede with an 88.5-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Southern Star on July 4.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/8/2022

ProRodeo Sports News 7/8/2022

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