ProRodeo Sports News - November 17, 2023

BAREBACK RIDING No Fluke Permit record holder Keenan Hayes sets new earnings mark as a rookie

Keenan Hayes broke the record for the most money in a PRCA regular season with $265,896. This comes a year after he set the PRCA Permit earnings mark. Hailey Rae photo photo

BY TRACY RENCK A year ago, bareback rider Keenan Hayes was a star on his PRCA permit, earning $81,128 in the PRCA | RAM Rodeo Permit Standings, which is the record for most money won on a PRCA permit for one year. Well, the Hayden, Colo., native proved that was no fluke. In 2023, as a Resistol Rookie, Hayes set the single season earnings record in bareback riding – before the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – with $265,896. The record was $233,504 set by Clint Cannon in 2009. Hayes enters the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Dec. 7-16 in Las Vegas as his event’s season leader. He has a $103,158 lead over second place Clayton Biglow, the 2019 PRCA World Champion. “It’s pretty cool to get that record,” said Hayes, 20. “I grew up watching Clint when I was younger, and I started going to his Mini Bareback Riding events and I competed at the one he had in Vegas for four years and I got to meet him and he kind of got me started in my career.” This season has been an amazing one for Hayes. He won 17 rodeos, including Rodeo Austin (Texas), the San Angelo (Texas) Cinch Chute-Out and the NFR Open powered by RAM in Colorado Springs, Colo. On Sept. 30, the last day of the PRCA’s regular season, Hayes earned $19,000 by placing second in the championship round at the inaugural Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup presented by Community Coffee at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. “I found out on my permit that I could ride with these guys (in the PRCA) and everywhere I go I expect to win, but I didn’t expect it to go this well,” Hayes said. “I have been drawing super great everywhere I have been and that’s helped tremendously, and everything has just fallen into place. It is pretty awesome.” With the PRCA regular season done, Hayes has his mind on making his Wrangler NFR debut at the famed yellow bucking chutes at the Thomas & Mack Center. “I just want to be as ready as I can be going into the (NFR),” Hayes said. “I have heard a lot about it and watched it all my life and hopefully everything there will go as well as it has this year. I’m just trying to keep my head on straight and have fun doing it.”

2023 BAREBACK RIDING STANDINGS

1. Keenan Hayes, Hayden, Colo.................. $265,896 2. Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif................ 162,738 3. Kade Sonnier, Carencro, La...................... 160,469 4. Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa................... 159,326 5. Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas......... 157,955 6. Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba................... 147,237 7. Rocker Steiner, Weatherford, Texas......... 143,123 8. Dean Thompson, Altamont, Utah............. 131,452 9. Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla....................... 127,968 10. Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan......................... 127,048 11. Mason Clements, Spanish Fork, Utah..... 126,166 12. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn.............. 119,897 13. Cole Reiner, Buffalo, Wyo....................... 118,220 14. Jacob Lees, Caldwell, Idaho.................... 117,808 15. R. Champion, Stevensville, Mont............ 111,688 FROM THE CHAMP

“I want to defend (the title and average crown) just as badly as anybody wants to win one. To be able to do that last year was an amazing experience. And this is my job. Whenever I enter a rodeo, I have full intentions of winning it when I show up. You know

Pope

QUOTABLE “I just want to be as ready as I can be going into the (NFR). . . . I have heard a lot about it and watched it all my life and hopefully everything there will go as well as it has this year. I’m just trying to keep my head on straight and have fun doing it.” – Keenan Hayes

going out there it’s a marathon not a sprint. I take pride in being able to grind it out for 10 days. I just try to have the same ride on every one of them and be perfect on every one of them. I know someday it’s not going to happen, but until that day comes, I plan on winning them.” – Jess Pope

ProRodeo Sports News 11/17/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 11/17/2023

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