ProRodeo Sports News - November 2, 2018

before,” Uptain said. “He ended up being rider-friendly, and it was so cool when I made the whistle.” Uptain had an 84-point ride, which was good for second in the round, winning him the average. That eight-second performance earned him $4,648. “That ride was huge for my confidence,” Uptain said. BOOKS, BRONCS & BULLS The average and big payday in Loveland is a boost for Uptain, as he’s attending Chadron (Neb.) State College and competing on the Eagles’ rodeo team. Before transferring to CSC in the fall, Uptain went two years to Sheridan (Wyo.) College, where he competed on the school’s rodeo squad and earned an associate degree in ag business. He qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo his freshman year in saddle bronc riding. “Right now, I’m going to school and I’m trying to go to as many (PRCA) rodeos as I can,” Uptain said. “Being where I can’t really take off time to hit some of the bigger rodeos because of school, I’m just going to try and go to as many circuit rodeos I can go to. In the summer, if I have the funds, I’m going to go as much as I possibly can.” MOUNTAIN STATES CIRCUIT FINALS

Uptain acknowledged he has some unfinished

business at Chadron State.

“I’m definitely going to try and win a college title,” Uptain said. “That’s something I have my sights set on.”

RODEO ROOTS Uptain was introduced to the sport of rodeo at a young age. His dad, Rick, rode bareback horses in college and professionally, and his mother, KimMoon, was a barrel racer and breakaway roper. Garrett’s older brother, Wyatt, 23, is a PRCA tie-down roper. “I started to go to Little Britches rodeos when I was younger, and I team roped and was a breakaway roper,” Garrett said. “When I was in sixth grade, I started riding bulls.” Garrett’s bull riding career didn’t flourish. “For a long time, I couldn’t get anything rode,” he said. “I just kept getting on them and getting bucked off. Finally, I started staying on a few here and there, and now it is something I really enjoy.” As for saddle bronc riding, Garrett was following inWyatt’s footsteps. “He was riding broncs, and when I was a sophomore in high school I decided to give it a try to see if I was any good at it,” Garrett said. “I enjoyed it and it was something different from bull riding. I would say I probably ride bulls a little bit better and win more money at it, but I’m probably more consistent in saddle bronc riding.” Wyatt was thrilled to see Garrett excel at the RAMMSCFR. “That kid has more try than anyone I know,” Wyatt said. “It’s not a rare occurrence for him to get on three bulls and three broncs during a practice. I was so pumped, and it was cool to see him do so well (in Loveland). He tries so hard. He deserved to win something like this.”

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Complete results on Page 62

SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Andy Clarys .............. 228 pts. on three 2. Tanner Lockhart .............. 163.5 on two 3. Chanse Darling ........................... 160.5 4. Wyatt Hageman ............................. 158

TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Kyle Dickens ........... 28.3 sec. on three 2. Owen Wahlert ............................... 29.0 3. Joey Dickens ................................ 30.3 4. Jack Tyner .................................... 34.3

STEER ROPING 1. Will McBride ..... 95.5 sec. on five head 2. Chris Glover ..................... 56.5 on four 3. Troy Tillard ................................... 58.2 4. Wade Shoemaker ......................... 65.9

BULL RIDING 1. Garrett Uptain ............. 166 pts. on two 2. Cordell Curtis ................ 86 pts. on one 3. Elijah Mora ...................................... 77 4. Clayton Savage ............................. 76.5

ProRodeo Sports News 11/2/2018

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