ProRodeo Sports News - May 13, 2022

PRORODEO BULL RIDERS

TOP 15 NEW FACES 6. Lukasey Morris 7. Bubba Greig 10. Ernie Courson Jr.

12. JR Stratford 14. Cole Fischer 15. Toby Collins

Mary Peters photo Bubba Greig competes at the 2021 Permit Members of the Year Challenge in Las Vegas last season. He is currently second in the running for the Rookie of the Year honor.

Hailey Rae photo Cole Fischer rides 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Ferdinand at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. He has already won $37,948 in 2022.

New faces cracking into bull riding Top 15 On the Rise

any previous year in his career. His spot inside the Top 15 reflects that. “I’ve been trying to take a lot better care of my body this year and just finding ways to stay healthy,” said Fischer. “You have your rodeos where there are ups and downs, but as a whole it’s been pretty good for me.” And sometimes it can be as simple as an equipment change that gives a cowboy a much-needed boost of confidence to get things headed in the right direction. “Last summer I really struggled. I always rode with an American style (bull) rope, and I was getting all the 85 points and lower bulls ridden, but failed to capitalize on the tougher bulls,” he said. “That was really my downfall. Then about halfway through the summer my buddy talked me into using a Brazilian rope instead. So, I switched to it and things just took off. The next week I was 89 twice and 91 points. I was a firm believer after that.” At least for one cowboy it proved a simple adjustment can mean the world, quite literally in this case. It’s no surprise to Greig to see so many new faces having success. He believes this is only the beginning of that trend in bull riding. “You know I really think this is one of the greatest generations of bull riders and I think we will continue to see that,” he said. “There are a lot of really good young guys coming up and a lot of guys who are getting out and hauling that haven’t really gone hard before. This might only be the beginning of seeing

new faces in the mix.” Fischer echoed his statement, saying there are more opportunities than ever for cowboys of all levels to go out and win money. “This year there has been a lot more Xtreme Bulls events and there’s a lot more money available,” he said. “I think guys are capitalizing on that. We have those young guys or people who haven’t made the NFR coming into those big events or winter rodeos and taking advantage of good draws.” In 2022, the PRCA has already paid out more than $250,000 through six Division 1 Xtreme Bulls events. Cowboys who find success at those stand alone events usually set themselves with a golden opportunity to qualify for the NFR. So, they know how crucial it will be to stay consistent throughout the summer. “I’m just going to try to continue to ride as many of the bulls I get on as I can,” Greig said. “I try to not worry too much about the rest of it. There is a lot to it and a lot more bulls for me to get on. I figure if I do the best I can with each bull I get on it should work out in my favor in the end.” There are just over four months left in the season, with the ProRodeo year coming to an end on Sept. 30. These NFR hopefuls said they won’t think about it much, it’ll all come down to going out and doing their jobs. “I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing and try not to overthink it,” Fischer said. “I’ve worked my butt off to get to this point. So, I’m just going to trust the work I’ve put in and hopefully stay healthy down the stretch.”

BY TANNER BARTH B ull riding in ProRodeo over the last eight years has been controlled by one man and that’s seven-time PRCAWorld Champion Sage Kimzey. He won six straight titles from 2014-2019, until newcomer StetsonWright jumped into the picture in 2020. More fresh faces are trying to join the bull riding party in 2022. As of May 10, there are six cowboys inside the Top 15 of the PRCA | RAM World Standings who have never qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. One of the newcomers in the hunt for his first NFR qualification is rookie Bubba Greig, who currently sits seventh in the world standings. He said being around the best in the sport on a nightly basis has made him elevate his game even more.

“It has been really cool, they are all people who I looked up to and watched on TV growing up,” said Greig, 21. “It’s awesome to compete alongside them and pick up on stuff from them in the locker room. I feel like

I’ve learned a lot being around those guys and it’s definitely made me better. “You know I’m learning a lot more about the hauling part of it and the mental aspect of things, which I’ve learned is really important if you want to have success. It’s a little bit different when you are actually out here doing it full time for a living.” It’s not just newcomers to the sport who are making their push to the Finals. Cole Fischer has been competing in ProRodeo for seven seasons and finds himself in the thick of the NFR hunt headed into the summer run for the first time at age 29. He said staying consistent and healthy is a big reason for his success up to this point. He has already won more money this season ($37,948) than

ProRodeo Sports News 5/13/2022

ProRodeo Sports News 5/13/2022

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