ProRodeo Sports News - March 8, 2019

THE AMERICAN

in the chutes,” Wright said. “When she hears that latch crack, she bails out of there. I was lucky enough to stay on her.” Winning $100,000 and having half of it count toward the world standings is another highlight for Wright. “This win ranks right up there at the top,” saidWright, who won the 2017 world championship. “To be there with my dad (Cody) and competing for that much money is pretty special. This win is going to make this year a lot easier.” Cody Wright, a two-time world champ (2008 and 2010), was competing for the first time since May 2018 when he hurt his back at a rodeo in Moab, Utah. The 41-year-old reached the shootout round but failed to make the whistle on his final ride. “I can’t complain when one of my sons wins,” Cody said. Ryder Wright had success aboardWild Cherry in the past. He clinched the 2018 ProRodeo Tour title with his 89.5-point ride on the horse in the finals of the Justin Finale in Puyallup, Wash., Sept. 9. “I was very happy with my draw,” Ryder said. “I knew that horse bucked, and I just had to do my part. The ride was fast. That horse was moving pretty quick, but I was able to get the job done.” – Tracy Renck BOOST WON’T ALTER LARSEN’S RODEO PLANS Last year, it took about

be a little pickier on where I have to go or don’t have to go. For the most part, I’ve had a good thing going for the last four or five years. I don’t want to ruin a good thing.” That kind of money is only helping the sport, Larsen said. “I think it’s a great thing for The American to be a part of the PRCA,” he said. “I think it was a long-time coming, and it’s evolving the sport of rodeo andWestern life. … I think there should be more rodeos like this, but that’s easier said than done. But I definitely have the advantage now having $50,000 won and carrying that on. … “Right now, I’m in the driver’s seat and I’m pretty happy about it.” – Scott Kaniewski BULL RIDER VIEIRA TOPS IN ARLINGTON The bull riding event at The American consisted of contestants from the PRCA, PRCA Xtreme Bulls and the PBR. Bull rider Joao Ricardo Vieira had an 87-point ride on Dakota Rodeo’s Soup in a Group in the shootout round to get the victory. – Tracy Renck

$78,000 to qualify for the Wrangler NFR in bareback riding. After winningThe American, Orin Larsen is already past that mark. Larsen posted an arena-record, 91-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Top Notch in the shootout round to win the bareback riding in Arlington, Texas. That $50,000 payday toward the world standings gave himmore than $80,000 in earnings in the 2019 world standings. Even with that knowledge, it won’t affect how Larsen approaches the rest of the season. “I’m not going to really change my strategy of rodeo,” said Larsen, who grew up in Canada but now resides in Gering, Neb. “This is definitely a boost of confidence, a boost in the season. But as far as my plans, I’m going to rodeo like I have been the last three or four years.” He won’t be letting up either. “I plan on going just as hard,” he said. “I’ll obviously

Saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright posts an 88.5-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Wild Cherry in the four-man shootout to snare The American crown March 3. Wright, the 2017 world champion, had $50,000 of his winnings go toward the PRCA | RAM World Standings Kay Miller photo

ProRodeo Sports News 3/8/2019

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