ProRodeo Sports News -- May 24, 2024

MILES CITY, MONT.

MILES CITY XTREME BRONC RIDE Victory has Dawson Hay back on the right track Game-Changer BY ALEX RILEY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News D awson Hay didn’t know much about his first matchup at the World Famous Miles City (Mont.) Bucking Horse Sale Matched Xtreme Bronc Ride. He had heard Smith Pro Rodeos’ Splash of Truth was an up-and-coming horse that had shown well at futurity events. Beyond that, Hay wasn’t sure what to expect.

After traveling from Redding, Calif., to Arlington, Texas, and then all the way to Montana in a span of just a few days, Hay simply wanted to climb in his rig and ride. The outcome would take care of itself. And it certainly did. “Honestly, I wasn’t too sure about my first horse. It’s a younger horse and hasn’t been around for very long. So, I was kind of going into it just hoping for the best,” Hay said. “Winning the long round definitely sets a guy up for the short go. All the horses are really good in the short round and if you can head into a short round like that with a lot of confidence, it’s definitely a big bonus.” Hay put together a 90.5-point ride on Splash of Truth in the first round to secure a victory and earn a spot in the finals. That set him up for a ride on Burch Rodeo’s Moose, a horse his brother, Logan, rode to a third-place finish at the Clovis (Calif.) Rodeo in late April. Even with a little intel on his side, Hay simply used confidence to get the job done, going head-to-head with Moose for another 90.5-point ride to win the finals, clinching his first Miles City Xtreme Broncs title since winning it back in 2021. For Hay, it was a much-needed win at the right time – and it came with a hint of déjà vu. Coming into the event, the four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier was sitting 30th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. His two rides in Montana earned him a total of $19,336, vaulting him into the top 20. Prior to Miles City, Hay had earned only $816 for the in April and May. His last big payout came from Rodeo Austin (Texas) way back in March when he finished third in the finals. It’s a familiar result for Hay who had a similar thing happen back in 2021 during his second NFR-qualifying season. Back then, Miles City turned into that jumping off point. “I had some luck earlier in April, but after Miles City when I won it in 2021 it kind of sling-shotted me,” Hay said. He went on to finish ninth in the world. “I think I ended up winning four or five rodeos within the next month after winning it in 2021 for one of my better seasons that I’ve ever had. It all kind of started there around Miles City.” Repeating that type of success is Hay’s goal over the coming weeks. He’s put himself back in position to qualify for his fourth straight trip to Las Vegas in December. If anything, Hay has proven already he has the ability to get the job done, giving him the mental boost he needs heading into the summer run. “It’s all the confidence in the world. I feel like I’m riding the way I want to be heading into the busy season,” Hay said.

Mary Peters photo Saddle bronc rider Dawson Hay put on a show for the fans at the World Famous Miles City (Mont.) Bucking Horse Sale Matched Xtreme Bronc Ride. He captured the title in the finals with a 90.5-point ride on Burch Rodeo’s Moose.

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ProRodeo Sports News 5/24/2024

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