ProRodeo Sports News - March 3, 2023

XTREME BULLS OKEECHOBEE, FLA.

Smash Hitt

Hitt wins Okeechobee bulls BY BRADY RENCK, Special to ProRodeo Sports News O n the topic of bulls, Kase Hitt admits he’s been around a few good ones. That’s like linebacker Clay Matthews explaining he knows a few NFL players or The Bluebird Café saying it has run across a few good country singers. Hitt’s uncle H.D. and grandfather Dillon run the D&H Cattle Co., in Dickson, Okla. They have raised some of the best bucking bulls in the world. Even their website dhcattle.com featuring the rank beasts inspires fear with the blaring headlines “Bred to Buck,” and “Born To Dominate.” No one was better than Bruiser, a multi-time world champion bull, who retired in 2021 and passed away at age 11. This is the type of stock Hitt grew up watching on the ranch. “It’s what I knew. It is what our family does,” Hitt said. “And it made it special when we would go to the NFR (National Finals Rodeo) with our bulls. Being there, seeing those bulls, seeing those riders, it inspired me.” With his family connected to the sport – H.D., Dillon and his mother Shawna Page – it should not come as a surprise that Hitt evolved from ranching to riding. H.D. provided motivation and instruction. At 18, the work and commitment are beginning to pay off. Hitt is in his rookie season and he’s starting to make a name for himself. The Oklahoma native posted an impressive victory at the Brighton Field Days Festival Xtreme Bulls on Feb. 19, scoring an 87.5-trip to eclipse the field. “It was a great experience,” said Hitt of the Okeechobee, Fla., event. “The fans were perfect. The rodeo arena was perfect. It was an amazing environment.” Hitt knows bulls and has incorporated scouting reports into his routine. He figured he had a chance to score well on Painted Pony Championship Rodeo’s No. 573. He saw the bull up close when a friend rode him, and “I knew he would be good.” What Hitt thought about the bull unfolded. The bull played to Hitt’s strengths, resulting in a $11,210 first-place check, besting Clayton Sellars (85.5, $8,594) and Cody McElroy (85, $6,352). “He turned back into my hand, and I really like when a bull turns back into my hand like that. My timing was good. I rode the front side well,” Hitt said. “And I was able to get to the end. It was a good day.” Even for a family around the sport, this was a special moment. Citing the article about Hitt’s victory, mom Shawna Page commented on Facebook: “Kase makes my dreams come true for sure! Had my water works going today! Tears of joy!” His mom has every reason to be proud as her son finds his way in the sport he loves. He arrived in Okeechobee after appearances at the 150th Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., and the Dixie National Rodeo in Jackson, Miss., trying to maximize nearby competitions. He has taken to the rodeo lifestyle, and the flooding rush of adrenaline of getting on bulls he works closely with daily. “Just that feeling when you ride one. There’s nothing like it,” Hitt said. “It’s really hard to explain. The crowd is screaming, it’s loud and it all happens so fast. There’s just no feeling like it.” Although young, Hitt’s goals remain big. He boasts great memories with his family at NFRs. He wants to create new ones as a competitor and naturally lets his mind wander about competing on rodeo’s biggest stage. “It’s something I think about for sure,” Hitt said. “It’s always been my dream to come out of those chutes.”

PRCA XTREME BULLS 2023 TOUR STANDINGS (Unofficial as of March 1) 1. Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas..................... .....................19,543 2. Lukasey Morris, Union City, Okla........... ..........18,794 3. Kase Hitt, Ardmore, Okla....................... ......................18,241 4. Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho.....17,372 5. Trevor Reiste, Linden, Iowa................... ...................16,414 6. Colton Byram, Mound City, Kan............. ............16,074 7. Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla............... ..............15,466 8. Trey Holston, Fort Scott, Kan................. ................14,632 9. Koby Radley, Montpelier, La.................. .................14,555 10. T. Parker, Winnie, Texas...................... . .....................12,445 11. Cole Fischer, Elk City, Okla.................. . ................12,359 12. Coy Thorson, Fergus Falls, Minn.......... .........11,066 13. Fulton Rutland, Westville, Okla............ ...........10,920 14. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas.................... ....................10,603 15. Chance Schott, Mclaughlin, S.D............ ........... 9,899

Darlena Roberts photo Kase Hitt, shown riding in Jackson. Miss., picked up the biggest payday of his young career at the Brighton Field Days Festival Xtreme Bulls, pocketing $11,210 for his efforts.

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