ProRodeo Sports News - March 31, 2023

HOUSTON, TEXAS

BY TANNER BARTH & TRACY RENCK

Sage Newman repeats as champ in Houston

Twice is nice. Saddle bronc rider Sage Newman won storied RodeoHouston for the second year in a row. The Melstone, Mont., cowboy’s most recent triumph came thanks to his 90-point ride on 2020 PRCA Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Vitalix Womanizer in the Championship Shootout on March 19. “It’s unbelievable to go back-to-back,” said Newman, 25. “I don’t even know what to say. It is one of the biggest rodeos of the year and to repeat as the champion is very special to me.” Newman put his latest Houston victory in motion by winning the 10-man Super Series Championship round with a 90-point trip on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Hitman. That set the stage for his identical 90-point ride on Womanizer in the

Championship Shootout later in the day. “That was my first time on Womanizer,” Newman said. “I’ve seen her a lot and all my traveling partners have been on her and when I saw I drew her I was super stoked. She has been bucking really good. I knew I had a chance (to win) as long as everything went right, and she was even better than I imagined. She had an awesome day.” The last two years at RodeoHouston Newman has earned $114,250 – $57,500 (2022) and $56,750 (2023). A year ago, Newman set a PRCA regular season saddle bronc riding earnings mark with $253,191 on the way to finishing fifth in the world standings. “Records are made to be broken and I’m just going to keep the pedal to the metal,” Newman said.

Mallory Beinborn/RodeoHouston photo Sage Newman had a 90-point ride on Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Vitalix Womanizer to win RodeoHouston for the second year in a row.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/31/2023

ProRodeo.com

33