ProRodeo Sports News - March 31, 2023

HOUSTON, TEXAS

Ky Hamilton wins coveted crown On Top BY TANNER BARTH T o say bull rider Ky Hamilton is on a heater may be an understatement. In a 32-day stretch from Feb. 24 through March 26, the Mackay, Australia, native RODEOHOUSTON

TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER Ky Hamilton ($67,750, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING

covered 10 of the 13 bulls he rode. Perhaps none meant more to his 2023 ProRodeo season than a matchup with The Cervi Brothers’ Dim Tricks at NRG Stadium, March 19. In front of a crowd of nearly 75,000, Hamilton delivered one of the best rides of his career. His eight second effort was good enough for 90.5 points and the RodeoHouston title. He said it’s an opportunity he’s been waiting for after missing out on the chance a year ago. “It’s a big deal. Last year was my first year there and I won my set,” said Hamilton, a three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “Then I went to another bull riding, and I actually lacerated my kidney and didn’t get to come back for the semis. “I was really disappointed because I love that rodeo. I love not only the amount of money there, but the whole atmosphere. It’s one of the biggest paying rodeos we get to go to. So, to be able to not only win it, but win every round is pretty special.” Hamilton walked out of Houston with $67,750 added to his name, which includes the $50,000 won for his ride in the Championship Shootout. Hamilton said when the stakes are the highest, he seems to perform at his best. “I don’t know why I feel so comfortable there, but I just do,” Hamilton said. “I think the bigger the stage the more comfortable I feel. I don’t know why that is. Growing up that’s all I ever wanted to do, was ride at big events and win big events and win world titles. The bigger the stakes, the more comfortable I feel like I am.” Hamilton’s career has been on a steady incline from the moment he purchased his PRCA card in 2019. Last season, he finished fourth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, tying his 2020 performance for his best finish in ProRodeo. He sees the stars aligning right before his eyes. “I feel as good as I did in 2020, the only difference is I feel I’m a lot more mature now,” he said. “I back myself 100 percent now. In 2020, I was riding really good, but I didn’t realize how good I was. “I wasn’t backing myself as much as I probably should have been. Now, I know I can win, I know how capable I am of winning. Therefore, when you have that kind of confidence on top of actually being able to ride, I feel like that’s the ultimate key.” And he has his sights set on the ultimate prize in 2023. “If I wasn’t showing up to win first, I wouldn’t show up at all,” he said.

Hamilton

1. Leighton Berry ....................... 90 pts. 2. Kaycee Feild .................................. 89 3. Keenan Hayes ............................... 88 STEER WRESTLING 1. Dalton Massey ...................... 4.5 sec. 2. Cody Devers ................................ 4.7 (Tie) Tyler Waguespack ............... 4.7 TEAM ROPING 1. R. Richard/J. Buhler ............. 5.5 sec. 2. N. Wyatt/J. Davis ......................... 9.9 3. M. Theriot/C. Curry ...................... NT (Tie) B. Hall/P. Bray ...................... NT SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Sage Newman ........................ 90 pts. 2. Chase Brooks ............................... 87 3. Ben Andersen ............................... 83 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Riley Webb ........................... 8.9 sec. 2. Hunter Herrin ............................... 9.6 3. Reese Riemer ............................ 15.4 BARREL RACING 1. Jordon Briggs ................... 14.73 sec. 2. Molly Otto ................................ 14.75 3. Jessica Routier ........................ 14.79 BULL RIDING 1. Ky Hamilton ........................ 90.5 pts. 2. Josh Frost ..................................... 86 3. Creek Young ................................ NS

Complete results/Page 52

Mallory Beinborn/RodeoHouston photo

Ky Hamilton won every round of his Super Series in Houston, including this 86-point ride on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Magnum, March 5.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/31/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 3/31/2023

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