ProRodeo Sports News - June 23, 2023

SISTERS, ORE.

SISTERS RODEO

Hamilton credits return to his roots as reason for strong start Perfection BY ALEX RILEY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News K y Hamilton had done the research ahead of his ride at the Sisters (Ore.) Rodeo. Unfortunately, that reconnaissance yielded just as many questions as answers. Watching Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Stand By Me compete TOP MONEY EARNER Richard Newton ($7,212, tie down roping) BAREBACK RIDING TOP SCORES Newton

in-person earlier in the year, Hamilton saw a bull with a tendency to turn left out of the chute. After pulling up a few video highlights, he also saw an animal capable of going right on a whim. The Queensland, Australia, native had gathered all the intel he could. Turns out, he needed it. “When he bailed out of there, I was kind of expecting the left and he went right out of nowhere. I was like, ‘Oh crap, I better get over there,’” Hamilton said with a laugh. “He had really good timing, bucked hard and you couldn’t ask to get a better one, so it worked out good.” His 89.5-point ride was enough to win the rodeo, giving Hamilton back-to-back championships at Sisters. The $5,753 prize was the largest of three checks he claimed over the June 7-11 stretch, as Hamilton won the Ute Mountain Round-Up in Cortez, Colo., and placed sixth at the Eagle (Idaho) Rodeo. Combined, the three events yielded more than $10,000, helping Hamilton keep a grip on the top overall spot in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Sitting just shy of $133,000 won this season, Hamilton is about $15,000 ahead of the next closest competitor. After three straight trips to the National Finals Rodeo, including a fourth-place finish in the world standings last year, Hamilton came into 2023 eager to change his approach. Since coming to America, the Aussie had gotten away from practicing and focused more on competing. “I was kind of just thinking to save all the good rides for the events, which is kind of what you want to do, but in the same token in any other professional sport, those guys practice the exact same thing they do when they compete,” Hamilton said. “When I was at home in Australia, I always got on a lot of practice bulls just because there aren’t nearly as many events to go to as there are over here. You have to practice over there to get the bulls underneath you and to get the experience. I always felt like that was something that made me ride better when I went to competitions because I had already had bulls under me throughout the week.” Depending on where the next rodeo is located and how his body is feeling, Hamilton has taken weekly practice rides with fellow competitor JB Mauney or Stetson Wright. Sometimes, that can mean two or more bulls in a day to get ready for what’s ahead. That consistent preparation has given Hamilton a renewed sense of confidence, resulting in four wins and a significant advantage in the season standings thus far. But with many rodeos still to come, Hamilton isn’t changing his approach or slowing down. He’ll keep hitting the practice bulls and competitive ones as hard as he can. After all, it’s worked well so far, no need to stop now. “After the last three years and the experience and getting better in my riding, I know I’ve got the ability to (win a world title),” Hamilton said. “Now, it’s just motivation. I know I can do it. I want to do it. It’s just pedal to the metal and keep the gas mashed to the floor.”

1. Mason Clements .................... 87 pts. 2. Jayco Roper ............................... 85.5 3. Kody Lamb ................................... 85 STEER WRESTLING 1. Josh Garner ................. 8.2 sec. on 2 2. Dalton Massey ............................. 8.6 3. Bridger Chambers ...................... 10.0 TEAM ROPING 1. L. Aguilera/J. Fillmore .......... 4.8 sec. 2. J. Dees/R. Ashford ....................... 5.2 3. H. Peterson/C. Hendrix ................ 5.5 (Tie) K. Schmidt/L. Spady ............ 5.5 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Ryder Wright .........................88 pts. 2. Stetson Wright .............................. 87 3. Brody Wells ............................... 86.5 (Tie) Stu Wright ......................... 86.5 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Richard Newton ......... 17.6 sec. on 2 2. Trevor Hale ................................ 18.5 3. Lane Livingston ......................... 18.9 BARREL RACING 1. Katie Halbert .................... 17.19 sec. 2. Megan McLeod-Sprague .......... 17.51 3. Mary Thomas .......................... 17.60 BULL RIDING 1. Ky Hamilton ........................ 89.5 pts. 2. Jordan Hansen ........................... 87.5 3. Hayes Weight ............................. 85.5

Complete results/Page 72

Ashley Kendall photo Bull rider Ky Hamilton won the Sisters (Ore.) Rodeo with an 89.5-point ride on Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Stand By Me. He earned $5,753 for the victory.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/23/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 6/23/2023

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