ProRodeo Sports News - June 9, 2023

PALMER, ALASKA

49TH STATE PRCA XTREME BRONCS

Northern Exposure

Sage Newman wins northernmost rodeo BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News T here is a beauty to Sage Newman as a cowboy. At one point last season, he wore a stashin’ and bashin’ mustache with his crew, making him look like he was straight out of central casting for a 1970s Western. And when it comes to his profession, he’s old school in his discipline and approach. “The mental game is a big part of bronc riding. You must have short-term memory and keep your confidence,” Newman said. “I really like to keep it simple. Go out and do my job. Fix the basics.” Following that blueprint, Newman produced a big win in a career spangled with them. The 25-year-old ranked fifth in the world last season after finishing 11th at the NFR, and showed why in a special event in Palmer, Alaska. Newman posted an 89-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Borderline Untimely at the 49th State PRCA Xtreme Broncs, securing the crown and the $6,289 top prize. The knowledge of the stock didn’t hurt. “I actually got on him last year and was like 84 points at Calgary Stampede. It was a good score here, but there were still about eight guys to go after me,” Newman said. “Borderline Untimely had a really good day. Everything bucked well up there. We just teamed up well together and it worked out like I felt it should. It was just a good bronc match with the way all the horses were bucking. It was anybody’s game. Everybody rode well. It was a fun bronc match for sure.” What made this win unique was everything around it. Newman arrived in Alaska a few days before the competition, and what happened next will stick with him as much as the victory. “We got to fly around in the bush plane and check out some glaciers, moose, and goats, just a lot of different stuff. Then the next day we went fishing on the ocean and caught some halibut. It was pretty wild out there on the ocean. It was kind of storming, kind of scary as heck out there,” said Newman, who had the fish packed and sent to his home base in Montana. “It was definitely worth it. I will remember that for a long time.” Newman is having the type of season that makes it hard not to peak toward the finish line. He won the lucrative RodeoHouston, New Year’s Eve Buck & Ball in Gillette, Wyo., and the 94th Annual Arcadia All-Florida Championship when he jumped a last-minute flight that he turned into profit. Last season, he banked $320,474 after reaching the NFR for the second straight year. “The end goal is to be in the gold bucking chute at the (NFR). I keep my goals high. I want to be in the top five when that rolls around,” Newman said. Newman acknowledges without hesitation that he “loves rodeo, the Western way of life and being a cowboy.” His desire to compete unfurled last week. He boarded a flight from Alaska to Denver, and along with 12 other competitors, hustled up to the Back When They Bucked event in Deadwood, S.D. He didn’t win, posting an 82. But the entire experience was worth it. “It’s been crazy few days for sure. I haven’t gotten much sleep,” Newman said. “I will get a few days off to get situated again and get back out there. It’s been hectic and fun. And winning in Alaska, that was the cherry on top. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”

(Unofficial as of June 7) 1. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta....... . ......$31,459 2. Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont............. . ...........27,518 3. Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho.................... ....................27,498 4. Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo...................... .....................23,263 5. Layton Green, Millarville, Alberta........... ...........18,631 6. Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta............ ............17,318 7. Ben T Andersen, Eckville, Alberta.......... . .........16,564 8. Damian Brennan, Injune, Australia......... .........15,350 9. Lefty Marvel Holman, Visalia, Calif........ . ......15,326 10. Ross Griffin, Tularosa, N.M................. . ...............14,232 11. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas............. .............11,467 12. Ryder Sanford, Sulphur, La................. . ...............10,895 13. K. Wanchuk, Sherwood Park, Alberta...10,556 14. Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont.......... ......... 9,618 15. Logan Hay, Wildwood, Alberta.............. .............. 9,452 PRCA XTREME BRONCS 2023 TOUR STANDINGS

Darlena Roberts photo

Complete results/Page 44

Sage Newman continued his strong season by winning the the 49th State PRCA Xtreme Broncs in Palmer, Alaska, May 27 with an 89-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Borderline Untimely.

ProRodeo Sports News 6/9/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 6/9/2023

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