ProRodeo Sports News - June 23, 2022

XTREME BULLS RENO, NEV.

Reno Riches

Garrett Smith strikes paydirt at Xtreme Bulls

BY TANNER BARTH G arrett Smith has overcome adversity time and time again throughout his 10-year ProRodeo career. The Rexburg, Idaho native continues to defy the odds this season. In 2021, his year abruptly came to an end in July, when he broke his foot in four places, but once again he found his way back in the arena this season. And it doesn’t look like he’s missed a beat. Smith’s latest accomplishment came at the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo Xtreme Bulls, June 16. He won the premier bull riding event with 177.5 points on two head. He secured the win with a 91-point ride on Big Stone Rodeo Inc.’s Shot InThe Dark in the 12-man finals. It’s the highest marked ride on the bull this season. “That ride was awesome and one I won’t forget,” said Smith, 27. “I didn’t know the bull at all really. I hadn’t seen him before, but Julio Moreno said he was an awesome bull, and he should fit me good. “I’m kind of feeling on top of the world right now if I’m being honest. That was probably one of the most fun Xtreme Bulls I’ve ever been to. I’ve always rode one bull in the Xtreme Bulls there (Reno). The year I finally got two rode I finished sixth or seventh. So, to finally win here is pretty incredible.” He was able to punch his ticket to the short-go with an 86.5-point ride on Diamond G Rodeo’s Battle Mountain in the 40-man long round. He said his mentality headed into the finals didn’t change a bit, it was just like any other ride. “I don’t really think too much about it, you just have one more bull in front of you,” he said. “You just kind of forget about that last bull and run your hand into the rope for the next one and go again.” The trip to Reno proved to be a prosperous one for Smith. His 16 seconds of work earned him $18,189 toward the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings, where he sits seventh. He said he’s proud of the progress he’s made, but there’s still a lot of work left to do. “It’s crazy to see where I’ve come. It’s kind of been a slow process with setbacks and then you get to the point where you’re riding good and then another setback comes,” he said. “You just have to keep following your goals and keep living your dream. “We are just going to keep having fun. Just taking it bull by bull and see what happens. You can’t get too excited or too ahead yourself yet. There’s still a lot of rodeoing left to go this year.” TOP FINISHERS 1. Garrett Smith .................... 177.5 pts. on 2 2. Stetson Wright .................................... 172 3. Maverick Potter ............................ 87 on 1 (Tie) Tristen Hutchings ........................ 87

PRCA XTREME BULLS 2022 TOUR STANDINGS (Unofficial as of June 22) 1. Stetson Dell Wright, Milford, Utah.......$47,673 2. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah.....................40,866 3. Garrett Smith, Rexburg, Idaho...............32,404 4. Tyler Taylor, Stephenville, Texas. ...........26,727 5. Sage Kimzey, Salado, Texas...................26,696 6. Jack Gilmore, Ironton, Mo.....................23,626 7. Maverick Potter, Waxahachie, Texas.......23,209 8. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas. .....................22,412 9. Lukasey Morris, Union City, Okla...........20,679 10. Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho. ..19,744 11. Cole Fischer, Jefferson City, Mo...........18,384 12. Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla.............17,778 13. Ky Hamilton, Mackay, Australia............17,755 14. Ruger Piva, Challis, Idaho. ..................16,641 15. Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont................16,599

Complete results/Page 63

Reno Rodeo President Josh Iveson presents Garrett Smith with the Reno Rodeo Xtreme Bulls buckle. Smith earned $18,189 at the Xtreme Bulls stop.

Fernando Sam-Sin photos

Garrett Smith secured his first Reno (Nev.) Rodeo Xtreme Bulls title with a 91-point ride on Big Stone Rodeo Inc.’s Shot In The Dark in the short-go.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/24/2022

ProRodeo Sports News 6/24/2022

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