ProRodeo Sports News - June 23, 2023

FALLON, NEV.

BATTLE BORN BRONCS

On Track

Holman bounces back to get win in Fallon BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News T hose who make a living in a saddle know the truth. The animals are strong, powerful, and unpredictable. It is why there is a sobering reality when it comes to saddle bronc riders: there are those who have been humbled, and those who are about to be. Lefty Holman is one of the top performers, a two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier in 2020 and 2022. But this season did not start as he expected. Not even close. And he makes no excuses for it. “I wasn’t injured. Honestly, I was just kind of struggling a little bit. I went through a rut. It’s a very humbling sport,” Holman said. “It just fired me up to work harder and harder. I started getting some good draws, and I was happy to take advantage of them.” That exact scenario unfurled at the Battle Born Broncs in Fallon, Nev., June 14. Holman landed a ride on Powder River Rodeo’s Miss Valley. His eyes widened and his score inflated with helium. Holman posted a 90-point ride to win the title and earn $7,840. Bradlee Miller won the bareback riding portion of the event. He had an eye-opening 89-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics Shoutin Shoes. “It felt awesome, just really great. That horse is going to be right there in the running for horse of the year. He puts his head down and bucks. That’s the kind of horse you want to get on,” Holman said. “With a horse like that, it’s hard to explain and put into words. It feels like you are floating out there. It’s the kind of moments that dreams are made of.” For Holman, the win resonated more than most. He has family in the area, and his grandma, who passed away two years ago, was from Battle Mountain, Nev. “It made it super special,” Holman admitted. The focus now narrows, while peeking at the future. Holman aims to return to the NFR. Well, actually, his goal is to win it after finishing second into the PRCA | RAM World Standings last season, while earning a career-high $341,390. “That’s all I think about it. It’s the first thing on my mind in the morning, and the last thing I think I think about when I go to bed at night,” Holman said. “It would mean everything. Where we are on the season is kind of the start to our summer. And I am looking to have the best summer of my career and I am on the right path.” Holman’s self-awareness about the gravity of an NFR gold buckle remains keen because of his family. Holman’s grandfather, uncles and brother were saddle bronc stars decades ago, providing motivation and a platform for Lefty to find his right path on the sport’s biggest stage. “They dangle all that money in front of our face, it’s kind of crazy. It inspires all of us to get better,” said Holman, who hails from Visalia, Calif. “It’s pretty obvious that the bronc riders right now are some of the best we’ve ever seen. You have to think about getting an 87 to get a check at a lot of these events. It makes it feel like a real sport, which it is. But it’s hard. With my traveling partner Brody Cress, we have the five mile rule. We can talk about the last ride for five miles, then we have to let it go and get ready for the next one.”

(Unofficial as of June 21) 1. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta....... . ......$44,135 2. Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont............. . ...........30,767 3. Layton Green, Millarville, Alberta........... ...........29,184 4. Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho.................... ....................28,674 5. Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo...................... .....................24,439 6. Ben T. Andersen, Eckville, Alberta.......... ..........23,328 7. Lefty Marvel Holman, Visalia, Calif........ . ......23,166 8. Damian Brennan, Injune, Australia......... .........18,219 9. Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta............ ............17,318 10. K. Wanchuk, Sherwood Park, Alberta...15,375 11. Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas................. .................14,359 12. Ross Griffin, Tularosa, N.M................. . ...............14,232 13. Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah................. . ................13,972 14. Ryder Sanford, Sulphur, La................. . ...............11,707 15. Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont......... ........11,648 PRCA XTREME BRONCS 2023 TOUR STANDINGS

Hailey Rae photo

Complete results/Page 75

Lefty Holman had a 90-point ride on Powder River Rodeo’s Miss Valley to win the saddle bronc riding portion of the Battle Born Broncs in Fallon, Nev., June 14.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/23/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 6/23/2023

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