ProRodeo Sports News - June 21, 2024

WILDWOOD, ALBERTA

WILDWOOD BRONC BUSTIN’

Logan Hay shines at Wildwood Bronc Bustin’ Hometown Hero

BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News L ogan Hay was too hurt, too inconsistent, too everything to return to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo last season. He began the year eyeing his second berth, making it back-to-back. But he never made it back, a reminder of the fragility of stardom as a saddle bronc rider. “It was kind of a tough year. I was coming off injury and I came back too soon. I wasn’t drawing good, and I wasn’t riding good,” Hay said. “But man, I am feeling 100 percent again.” And everything is different. Hay finds himself in the top 10 of the standings after a strong run of rodeos in his native Canada. His latest came in his home of Wildwood, Alberta, June 15. The 27-year-old delivered his best performance of the season. Showing what he learned growing up in the small town – “There is a gas station and post office. Blink and you will miss it,” Hay said – the veteran cowboy posted a pair of scores with a 9 in front of them. Yes, he was that good. He captured the Wildwood Bronc Bustin’ title with a 92.5 on Calgary Stampede’s Exotic Warrior, edging out a pair of 89.5s from Nicholas Patterson and Lucas Macza. It represented Hay’s best ride of the season, this X-Broncs payday of nearly $10,000 continues his strong momentum. “I was pretty pumped when I saw what I had. I got on her at the Canadian Finals,” said Hay, ranked eighth in mid-June. “She’s a 6-year-old, who has been outstanding her whole life. But she’s very unpredictable. Last time I was on her, it was a lot of ducks and dives. This time, she kind of stalled out of the chute and was really bucking after that. It probably looked prettier than it felt.” Hay, in truth, was feeling good when he entered the chute. He produced a 90-point ride in the first round on Calgary Stampede’s Frosted Brownie. It gave him the advantage of going last in the finals. Or at least it was set up that way. The pressure, however, was real as there was a battery of 89-point scores in front of him. And there was this: his father Rod Hay won this event several years ago. Buckle up. “Everyone stepped out and showed out. It was a great finish. I had to step out when it was my turn. To do this means a lot. This is where I grew up. I went to school from kindergarten to grade 9 here,” Hay said. “To win where Roddy (his father, Rod Hay) won, man, it’s great.” Rodeo is Logan Hay. And Logan Hay is rodeo. It’s all he’s ever known. Competing professionally was his dream for as long as he can remember. He is on the circuit with his brother Dawson, a four-time NFR qualifier. “It’s the best, honestly. All of us bronc riders are good buddies,” Hay said. “You will see us at these events all supporting each other.” It has been a joy the last few months to compete in Canada and gain traction before heading to the states for nearly two months. And Hay knows there are no easy wins anymore given the talent and training of the riders. “These X-Broncs events bring out the best in all of us,” Hay said. “It’s kind of a nice reset. Then comes late June and July and we won’t see the house again until August. But I love everything about it. And on a night like this, when you get off the horse after two 90s, there’s not a better feeling.”

Billie-Jean Duff photo

Complete results/Page 74

Logan Hay wouldn’t be denied in his hometown as he captured the title at the Wildwood Bronc Bustin’ with a 92.5-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Exotic Warrior.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/21/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 6/21/2024

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