ProRodeo Sports News - March 31, 2023

AUSTIN, TEXAS

RODEO AUSTIN

Keenan Hayes continues stellar start On the Rise BY TANNER BARTH K eenan Hayes’ first two years in ProRodeo have been a dream for most cowboys. A season ago, the 20-year-old

TOP SCORES

TOP MONEY EARNER Stetson Wright ($17,839, saddle bronc riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Hayden, Colo., bareback rider earned the most money ever on a PRCA permit with a record $108,568. Now, as a cardholder he’s shown that he doesn’t plan on going anywhere anytime soon. His latest accomplishment came by winning Rodeo Austin (Texas), March 25. Hayes drew Black Kat in the finals, a standout horse of Beutler & Son Rodeo. He made the most of the opportunity with an 86.5-point ride to claim the title. “I think this is my second or third year coming here, I haven’t had much luck in the past with this rodeo,” said Hayes, a two-time RAM Mountain States Circuit Champion. “So, it’s awesome to do really good and capitalize on what this rodeo can do for a guy.” Hayes was the last cowboy out in the eight man finals. He knew it would require at least an 84.5-point score to walk away as the winner but admits his focus at that point was solely on the animal underneath him. “I really don’t pay much attention to the guys that go before me,” Hayes said. “I try to stay focused on the horse that I’m getting ready to get on. I just went and did what I was supposed to. That horse is outstanding, so I just had to stay out of her way and not mess her up.” In Austin, Hayes pocketed $14,316 toward the PRCA | RAM World Standings. That payday continued his successful month of March, where he earned more than $36,000 in total. He said the expectation is to win every time he competes. “I mean I’ve always known that every time I nod my head that I expect to go out there and win,” he said. “I just have to keep pushing forward. I’d say it’s been going even better than last year at this point.” Hayes is eyeing his first trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge this December, it’s a goal that’s in the back of his mind. But he says for now it’s about taking things one day at a time and enjoying the sport he loves, all while making a living. “I’ve done this my whole life, I’ve never really wanted to do anything else,” Hayes said. “So, I decided I better be good at it if I want to do this for a living. So, that’s kind of my main driving factor. I don’t feel like having a 9-5 job, this is much better.”

Wright

1. Keenan Hayes ..................... 86.5 pts. 2. Leighton Berry .............................. 84 (Tie) Sam Petersen ....................... 84 STEER WRESTLING 1. Stan Branco .......................... 3.2 sec. 2. Stephen Culling ........................... 3.6 3. Landris White .............................. 3.7 TEAM ROPING 1. J. Flenniken/T. Worley ........... 5.2 sec. 2. L. Brown/H. Koch ........................ 5.3 3. P. Emmett/L. Falconer .................. 5.4 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Stetson Wright ...................... 90 pts. 2. Four tied with ................................ 88 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Hunter Herrin ........................ 7.1 sec. 2. Riley Mason Webb ....................... 7.3 3. Beau Cooper ................................ 7.8 BARREL RACING 1. Amanda Welsh .................. 14.88 sec. 2. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi .............. 14.96 3. Presley Smith .......................... 14.97 BULL RIDING 1. Jace Trosclair ...................... 87.5 pts. 2. Mazinho Jeremias ...................... 86.5 3. Tyler Bingham ............................... 86

Complete results/Page 58

James Phifer photo

Keenan Hayes continued his stellar rookie season by winning Rodeo Austin (Texas) with an 86.5-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Black Kat.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/31/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 3/31/2023

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