ProRodeo Sports News - May 12, 2023

XTREME BULLS DEL RIO, TEXAS

Kimzey continues X Bulls dominance in Del Rio Dialed In

BY BRADY RENCK Special to ProRodeo Sports News S age Kimzey is a seven-time world champion in a sport where bulls floss their teeth with riders and hang Resistols on their horns. He embraces competition like a long lost friend, eating up the “man vs. beast” confrontation measured in frayed nerves and eight-second intervals. “When you get out there and have a great ride, and hear the crowd roar,” Kimzey said, “there’s really nothing like it.” Last summer, Kimzey wandered off his path toward another gold buckle and set off on a new journey of adversity. He underwent season-ending surgery on his left shoulder. Everything since has been a new experience. Watch him ride, and it’s hard to see it. But he’s a little different – injuring his leg in San Antonio didn’t help – but he’s now inching back closer to peak performance with every rep. “I tore my groin in San Antonio and battled that for a little bit to get healthy. And really, you can’t prepare yourself for what it’s like getting on bulls after injuries without getting on bulls,” Kimzey said. “It’s kind of the trap I was in when I came back. I was rusty. But it wasn’t something I could really fix in practice. I need to ride bulls in competition.” The good vibes are returning. Kimzey wrote his own diary of success in April, winning two Xtreme events. The latest triumph for Kimzey arrived at the 45th George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding in Del Rio, Texas. He delivered a 178.50-point score on two-head for his 12th career PRCA Division Xtreme Bulls title. It came a few weeks after he showed up and showed out at the San Angelo (Texas) Xtreme Bulls. He scored 177.5 in that event, a performance that admittedly resonated a little deeper because it was his first Xtreme win since May of last year. Seeing Kimzey sitting atop a leaderboard is predictable, expected. But the veteran star knows work remains. “The season is not feeling normal yet because I didn’t have the type of winter run I am used to. But my riding is starting to feel normal again,” Kimzey said. “I am feeling back to health again. My timing on the bulls is getting better and my body is feeling good.” Kimzey set the tone in Del Rio on his first ride. He flashed a commercial-worthy smile when he drew Rafter G Rodeo’s Megalomaniac. That confidence carried out when the chute opened as he netted a 90.5, earning $4,870. “I was super excited. I had never been on him before, but guys always get high 80s with him. So, I knew I was going to have a good opportunity,” Kimzey said. “He jumped out like I expected, then he backed up a little bit. It was a great draw for any round.”

Presented by 505 Southwestern Green Chile PRCA XTREME BULLS

2023 TOUR STANDINGS

Kimzey followed it up with a stellar second ride. He delivered an 88 on Rafter G Rodeo’s Freddy Fender for $4,355 in earnings. This is where institutional knowledge played a role. “That bull has been around for a bit. I kind of knew what to expect. He usually goes around the right and is known to jump out around the 5-to-6 second mark,” Kimzey said. “I kept him spinning and it worked. And Del Rio was awesome. The crowd was loving it. They are so into it and whenever you do something good, they let you know it. It was a great event.” Moments like this serve as mile markers in his journey back to Las Vegas. Up next is Uvalde. That brings back good memories. He won the Cactus Jack Xtreme in 2021 and 2022. Kimzey talked with eagerness about the event. He also realizes he has set the bar high, meaning every detail matters. He competes because he loves it, but make no mistake, he’s in it to win it. “It’s about continuing to get back into riding shape. I spend a lot more time in the gym now. But the only way you can get your timing back on bulls is by riding bulls,” Kimzey said. “So, it’s about finding that balance of staying healthy and staying sharp. That means competing and having success.” (Unofficial as of May 10) 1. Sage Steele Kimzey, Salado, Texas....... .......$45,921 2. Stetson Dell Wright, Milford, Utah......... .........30,563 3. Jestyn Jax Woodward, Custer, S.D........ . ......30,475 4. Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas..................... .....................28,676 5. T. Parker, Winnie, Texas........................ . .......................24,219 6. Kase Hitt, Ardmore, Okla....................... ......................24,163 7. Trevor Reiste, Linden, Iowa................... ...................24,006 8. Cullen Telfer, Plant City, Fla................... ..................22,338 9. Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho.....21,689 10. Lukasey Morris, Union City, Okla......... ........21,464 11. Trey Holston, Fort Scott, Kan............... ..............18,502 12. Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla............. ............18,128 13. JC Mortensen, Paulden, Ariz................ ...............18,044 14. Koby Radley, Holden, La...................... .....................17,911 15. Colton Byram, Mound City, Kan........... ..........16,074 Complete results/Page 63

Kay Miller photos

Seven-time PRCA World Champion Sage Kimzey got his 2023 season going by winning the George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding in Del Rio, Texas, April 29. Kimzey secured the title with an 88-point ride on Rafter G Rodeo’s Freddy Fender.

ProRodeo Sports News 5/12/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 5/12/2023

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