ProRodeo Sports News - November 2, 2018

For the second consecutive year, C5 Rodeo’s Virgil, seen here at the 2017 Wrangler NFR with Tim O’Connell aboard, won the 2018 Pendleton Whisky “Let ’er Buck” Bareback Horse of the Year Award. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Greg Westfall

BY MATT NABER S tanding out among a crowd of exceptional roughstock requires a perfect balance of animal athleticism and the cowboys capable of showcasing their talent. The 2018 PendletonWhisky “Let ’er Buck” Stock of the Year recognized C5 Rodeo’s Virgil for Bareback Horse of the Year, Burch Rodeo’s Lunatic FromHell for Saddle Bronc of the Year and Big Stone Rodeo, Inc.’s Spotted Demon for Bull of the Year. VIRGIL For the second consecutive year, Virgil won Bareback Horse of the Year. The 10-year-old, 1,600-pound gelding took numerous cowboys to the winner’s circle, several of them going on to qualify for the 2018Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “It really means a lot to us, me as an owner, yes, but it means more to my crew,” said Vern McDonald, owner of C5 Rodeo. “We all love this horse, and it just means so much to do it two years in a row with the same horse. You can’t put a price on it, it’s overwhelming.” Reigning two-time PRCAWorld Champion Bareback Rider Tim O’Connell has a history with Virgil. O’Connell won Round 3 of the 2017 Wrangler NFR with a 91.5-point ride on him. Their paths crossed again at the Fallon County Fair & Rodeo in Baker, Mont., Aug. 19. The result was a rodeo- record, 91-point ride. “A lot of guys told me he would do it (win the award again), hands Hellacious TOP STOCK

Spotted Demon leads Top Bucking Stock List

down,” McDonald said. “About halfway through the season they said he had a good shot at it because he had a good season.” Other cowboys to attribute their win to Virgil include: • David Peebles, 88 points at the Oakdale (Calif.) Saddle Club Rodeo, April 13 • Jamie Howlett, 87.5 points at the Red Bluff (Calif.) Round-Up, April 20 • Tilden Hooper, 90.5 points at the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., Aug. 26. “He’s always in the 89-to-90s, and that’s what it takes to win it,” McDonald said. “He just seems to draw good cowboys.” LUNATIC FROM HELL It’s no surprise that the son of Lunatic Fringe won 2018 Saddle Bronc of the Year. Like his father, Burch Rodeo’s Lunatic FromHell has a reputation for being a powerful bucker, having ranked among the top three saddle broncs of the year in 2014 and 2015. “It means the world to us,” said Matt Burch, who co-owns Burch Rodeo with his brother Chad. “It’s what we bank on every year when crossing studs and mares. That’s why a guy does it. It doesn’t happen often because there are a lot of great horses now, and to win it in this day and age means a lot. That’s what you raise them for, you raise them to be the best.” Lunatic FromHell proved to be a heavenly draw as he brought in high scores and few buck-offs.

ProRodeo Sports News 11/2/2018

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