ProRodeo Sports News - November 19, 2021

CAMP VERDE, ARIZ.

RAM TURQUOISE CIRCUIT FINALS RODEO

Fountain Pours BY ALLY GALLAGHER Special to ProRodeo Sports News S addle bronc rider Leon Fountain didn’t feel pressured or nervous as he saddled up at the RAM Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo in Camp Verde, Ariz. He didn’t need to be. For the past three years, Fountain has left the circuit finals a champion. In 2021, he tacked on his fourth consecutive championship buckle. “I got on three pretty nice horses and tried to get all TOP MONEY WINNER Cauy Hale ($10,068, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING TOP SCORES Hale Leon claims fourth consecutive crown

the points I could out of them,” Fountain said. “I got three qualified rides and I guess it was good enough to come out on top of the average. “I try not to think about it too much, I just try to keep it simple. Just take it horse by horse and just try to stay focused. I try not to think about anything.” After four straight years of winning the same rodeo, Fountain said the feeling still never gets old. Possibly making his win even more impressive, the cowboy said he didn’t feel like he was in riding shape after taking most of October off. “It wasn’t too bad,” he said. “I’m a little bit out of riding shape because I went from getting on all the time to just not getting on at all. So, I was a little bit sore, but not bad.” He’ll be back in riding shape soon, though. Fountain is getting back on the road, competing at the Las Vegas (Nev.) Days Rodeo 2021, the Brawley (Calif.) Cattle Call Rodeo, and a few others before the holidays. After taking a few weeks off in October, he’s ready for a productive winter season. Even though winter brings a change in scenery, with rodeos being indoors, Fountain said it’s an easy adjustment for him. “I guess the atmosphere is just a little bit different in the indoors versus the outdoor arenas. But I don’t know, I like the big indoor arenas in the wintertime,” Fountain said. “I don’t really think I have to transition myself. I guess it’s the same, just getting on the bucking horse.” Fountain finished 23rd in the 2021 PRCA | RAM World Standings, meaning he already has his eyes set on a 2022 NFR qualification. A big win is just what he was looking for to spur him toward that goal. “I think I just do a little more winning right away in the wintertime, get in a good spot and try to stay consistent all year. Stay at the top all year and hopefully be in the Top 15 come December,” Fountain said. Winning now also gives him the chance to win big later. By coming out on top of his circuit, Fountain qualifies for the NFR Open, slated for July in Colorado Springs, Colo. He said he can’t wait to compete for a buckle and his share of $1 million in payouts come summer 2022.

1. Evan Betony ……..… 240.5 pts. on 3 2. Tolman Moore ..................…… 221.5 3. Rio Lee …………..........……….. 221 STEER WRESTLING 1. Wyatt Jurney …...…… 16.0 sec. on 2 2. Cody Moore ……................…… 16.8 3. Trevor Duhon …...............…….. 16.9 TEAM ROPING 1. L. Stock/J. Simon ....... 20.5 sec. on 3 2. B. Baize/S. Raines ……….……. 20.6 3. J. Siggins/R. Murphy …….……. 25.1 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Leon Fountain ........... 228.5 pts. on 3 2. Tanner Lockhart …..............…… 206 3. Ross Griffin ……........….. 167.5 on 2 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Seth Hall …….........… 29.8 sec. on 3 2. Dean Holyan ….................…….. 31.7 3. Kalai Nobriga …........…….. 18.7 on 2 STEER ROPING 1. Brain Garr …...........… 63.7 sec. on 3 2. Chance Kelton …..........….. 24.1 on 2 3. Rob Denny ………...............….. 35.0 BULL RIDING 1. Cauy Hale ………...... 262.5 pts. on 3 2. Lon Danley ……..........…… 168 on 2 3. Scottie Knapp …...........……. 80 on 1

Complete results/Page 88

William Kierce photo

Saddle bronc rider Leon Fountain had a 75.5-point ride on JK Rodeo’s Big Trick during the RAM Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo. Fountain won the average for the fourth year in a row.

ProRodeo Sports News 11/19/2021

ProRodeo Sports News 11/19/2021

ProRodeo.com

80

81

ProRodeo.com