ProRodeo Sports News - May 28, 2021

Gray overcomes rookie move to take Del Rio title Unlikely Win

BY TRACY RENCK W ith the biggest victory of his PRCA career within reach, rookie bull rider TJ Gray had a momentarily lapse of judgment. During the short round at the prestigious 43rd annual George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding aboard Stockyards Pro Rodeo’s Silver Lining, Gray did something he regretted as the eight-second whistle drew closer. “He jumped out and he came around, and I thought to myself this is about to be a lot of fun,” said Gray, 19. “It was, and then about six or seven seconds in I was like, well, it’s probably time to start spurring him, and it didn’t go well. I tried to spur him, and I threw one leg out there and he jerked me down right then. “I know they are going to 7.9-second me, and Trevor Kastner and Sage Kimzey are going to buck off and I’m going to be kicking myself for pulling a dumb move like that. Fortunately, I made the whistle, and I was pretty excited.” Gray registered an 86-point ride on Silver Lining May 22 and was the only bull rider to cover both bulls in the two- day event in Del Rio, Texas, as Kastner and Kimzey, the final two riders, were bucked off. Gray won the event with 173.5 points on two head. “This is pretty cool, because this event is so historic,” Gray said. “This means a little bit more than just another bull riding, so this feels really good. I’m just in love with riding bulls right now, and this is the biggest win of my career so far, but I don’t plan on stopping.” At the 43rd edition of the Division 1 event, Gray put his name on a champions list that includes ProRodeo Hall of Famers Denny Flynn, Charlie Sampson, Lane Frost and Tuff Hedeman. “This is incredible, I’m at a loss for words,” Gray said. “I’m happy to be riding good. I was relaxing and having fun, and to come out with the win was great at a bigger event like this.” Gray started his improbable performance with an 87.5-point ride on 4L &Diamond S Rodeo’s Three Days in the long round. “I had never been on that bull before, but my brother, Levi, had and when the draw came out, he told me I had a bucker,” TJ said. “I don’t like to know too much about (my bulls) and it turned well for me.” Gray’s ride in the long round set the stage for when he climbed aboard Silver Lining in the short round. “I didn’t know who that bull was and then I heard the

announcer say Stetson (Wright) rode him at the NFR,” Gray said. “As soon as he said that I knew exactly which bull he was. It was a cool bull ride. I was excited when I got off, but Sage Kimzey and Trevor Kastner still had to ride, and I didn’t expect either of those guys to get bucked off. I sure didn’t think I was going to win it. When they both bucked off, I couldn’t believe it.” Wright, the reigning PRCA all-around and bull riding world champion, won Round 1 at the 2020Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with a 90.5-point ride on Silver Lining at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Dec. 3. Although Gray received a boost in the PRCA | RAM World Standings after earning $9,542 in Del Rio – he moved up to 17th in the standings with $23,460 as of May 25 – he’s staying grounded. “I don’t like to think about the (world standings) too much,” Gray said. “I was stressing too much about trying to make the NFR, and lately I’ve just been not really caring. I’ve been just enjoying where I’m at and not thinking about tomorrow or making the NFR. I’ve been just enjoying the bull I’ve been getting on and it’s been working out better for me.” 1. Sage Kimzey, Salado, Texas.................$23,763 2. Clayton Sellars, Fruitland Park, Fla.. ......22,391 3. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah.....................20,454 4. Dustin Boquet, Bourg, La.. ....................19,407 5. T.J. Gray, Dairy, Ore..............................14,921 6. Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho....14,916 7. Creek Young, Fort Scott, Kan.................12,575 8. J.B. Mauney, Cotulla, Texas...................11,069 9. Fletcher Jowers, Waxahachie, Texas. .....10,716 10. Laramie Mosley, Palestine, Texas.........10,562 11. Maverick Potter, Waxahachie, Texas.....10,331 12. Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla....................10,305 13. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas. ...................10,151 14. Garrett Smith, Rexburg, Idaho.............. 9,716 15. Shane Proctor, Grand Coulee, Wash...... 8,701 Complete results/Page 47 PRCA XTREME BULLS 2021 TOUR STANDINGS (Unofficial as of May 25)

The number of times six-time world champion Sage Kimzey has won the Xtreme Bulls Tour title. Kimzey was the Xtreme Bulls champ in 2015 and 2017-19. Kimzey moved into the Xtreme Bulls standings lead for the first time this season after he earned $4,557 at the George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding in Del Rio. 4

Kay Miller photo

ProRodeo Sports News 5/28/2021

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