ProRodeo Sports News - March 1, 2024

TUCSON, ARIZONA

LA FIESTA DE LOS VAQUEROS

Revenge Ride

Under Tucson sun, Thompson capitalizes on second chance BY ALEX RILEY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News D ean Thompson never forgot. Since February 2022, the Altamont, Utah, cowboy has had plenty of high points in his rodeo career, creating moments and memories that he will savor for a long time. But no matter the good, one of the all-time lows always stuck with him. Two years ago, while riding on his permit, Thompson headed to Tucson, Ariz., for a chance to compete in La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Rodeo. He covered his first-go in the bareback riding and reached the finals, drawing Beutler & Son Rodeo bucking horse Bad Influence. “Tucson has been my worst enemy and my best friend now. On my permit year, I went to Tucson, and I drew the horse Bad Influence,” Thompson said. “I think I was 19 years old then. Man, I’ve never taken a worse a** whooping in my entire ProRodeo history than right there in Tucson.” The ride left Thompson with a 73-point score and plenty of wounded pride. It took two years for the rematch to line-up, but for the up-and-coming competitor it was worth the wait. Thompson’s effort of 87 points in the first-go on Bad Influence gave him a strong start to the two-head event, placing him third in the round. He followed that up with an 86-point ride on Amped Up in the finals to take second in the round, giving him an aggregate of 173 points on two head, which easily carried Thompson to the average title and $7,310 in prize money. R.C. Landingham and Bradlee Miller were the next closest, each totaling 168.5 points on two rides. “I got a little revenge on the rodeo, and I got a little revenge on that horse. She took me from feeling like a fool that year to being a champion this year, so it was pretty special,” Thompson said. The comeback moment gave Thompson a chance to pause and reflect a bit on his progression the last few years. While he was competing in college events simultaneously, the first battle with Bad Influence was just his 15th ever ride on his permit at a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event. Since then, Thompson has certainly had his share of successes, including his first trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo last season and a win at the renowned Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up. He’s parlayed all of that experience into nearly $32,000 in earnings so far this season and spot in the top 10 of the PRCA | RAM World Standings. But in that 2022 moment, his rodeo journey wasn’t so clear – to others at least. “After I got my butt kicked, I remember my mom was like, ‘Do you think you ought to take a little time off and take it easier?’ I remember telling her, ‘No, usually when you get bucked off that’s a sign you should be going harder,’” Thompson said. “I’m only going to say this one time – but I told you so, mom.” With some money won and a continued positive start to the 2024 season, Thompson certainly shows no signs of slowing. This time around, he plans to savor the Tucson success. After all, he’s stewed on his shortcomings long enough. “I’m just going to have to rub it in to all my bareback riding buddies that I got one of the more iconic ones under my belt now,” Thompson said.

TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER Chase Dougherty ($13,764, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Dougherty

1. Dean Thompson ...........173 pts. on 2 2. R.C. Landingham ......................168.5 (Tie) Bradlee Miller ...................168.5 STEER WRESTLING 1. Tanner Brunner ...........10.2 sec. on 2 2. Stetson Jorgensen ......................10.7 3. Walt Arnold .................................10.8 TEAM ROPING 1. C. Snow/H. Koch .........10.3 sec. on 2 2. A. Ward/K. VonAhn .....................11.5 3. C. Summers/J. Long ...................11.8 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Statler Wright ...............169 pts. on 2 2. Q McWhorter ............................168.5 3. Kolby Wanchuk ............................168 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Tuf Cooper ..................17.5 sec. on 2 2. Cole Robinson ............................19.6 3. Kyle Lucas ..................................19.9 BARREL RACING 1. Chelsea A Moore .......34.49 sec. on 2 2. Carlee Otero ..............................34.53 3. Lisa Lockhart ............................34.59 BULL RIDING 1. Chase Dougherty .......176.5 pts. on 2 2. Clayton Sellars ............................86.5 3. Marco Juarez .................................85

Complete results/Page 58

Click Thompson photo Dean Thompson celebrates during his victory lap after winning La Fiesta de los Vaqueros with 173 points on two head. It marked Thompson’s first win in Tucson, Ariz.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/1/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 3/1/2024

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