ProRodeo Sports News - May 10, 2024

XTREME BULLS UVALDE, TEXAS

Bingham comes up clutch with Cactus Jack victory BY ALEX DODD T yler Bingham, a three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier, entered the Cactus Jack Xtreme Bull Riding, May 2-4 in Uvalde, Texas, needing a boost to set him up for a solid summer run. Bull. In the second round, he finished sixth with 83.5 points to stay in the mix. When Bingham drew Top Gun in the final round, he knew he had a good shot at winning it all. “I was wanting (Top Gun), and I was pumped because I Big Payday

wanted a bull that you can go in there and win on,” Bingham said. “I just had to do my part. I knew he fit me pretty good, so I was pretty excited about that.” It took Bingham a while to prepare for action as Top Gun delayed the ride by fighting the neck rope in the chutes. “That bull is known for being a hair-trigger in there. He gets to bucking and wants to fight pretty bad in there,” Bingham said. “I just tried to stay super calm and relaxed, given how hot and humid it was, because I didn’t want to wear myself out.” Top Gun started to gain the upper hand late in the eight second battle, but Bingham stayed on until the horn sounded. “He got me beat starting at that seven-second mark, and in my head, I wasn’t going to let go for anything,” Bingham said. “He was going to have to hit me off the ground or the chutes before I ever came off of him. And it was cutting it pretty close, but I was happy with the way it ended.” After a week off, Bingham plans to head west for the California rodeos. Bingham reached three-straight Wrangler National Finals Rodeos from 2018-20 and hopes his performance at Cactus Jack will set him up for a solid summer run. “It’s going to take a year of my body actually staying healthy (to return to the NFR),” Bingham said. “I’ve been trying to take care of it a lot more than I have in the past. And that way, I can actually ride a full year, stay healthy and keep going.”

Bingham entered the weekend 43rd in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $21,185 but made a significant jump in the Lone Star State. The 31-year-old from Howell, Utah, finished atop the heap with 261 points on three head to win the average and rake in $15,212. Bingham’s weekend bumped him up 17 spots to 26th with $35,928 as of May 9. “This is a huge win. This event pays as much as what you can get during some whole weeks,” Bingham told the ProRodeo Sports News . “You can win every rodeo that you’re entered in during some weeks and not win as much as you can in a single one. So, that was awesome.” Bingham knew what he needed to do when he hopped in the chutes for the final go-round on Saturday night. He drew United Pro Rodeo’s Top Gun, a bull that hadn’t been ridden since July 2023, for the last of his three rides. Bingham held on for an 89.5-point ride to lock up the win. “That was awesome. It’s literally exactly what I came in with the game plan to do, to win,” Bingham said. “That’s what we’re all here for. I’ve been coming here since 2011-12, even before I joined ProRodeo. I’ve had good years and bad years, but it’s finally time that I won it.” Bingham started the weekend on a high note, winning the opening round with an 88-point ride on United Pro Rodeo’s Pit

LEFT: Tyler Bingham jumpstarted his 2024 season by winning the Cactus Jack Xtreme Bulls with this 89.5-point ride on United Pro Rodeo’s Top Gun. RIGHT: Bingham collects his winning check. Robert Rosales photos

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ProRodeo Sports News 5/10/2024

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