ProRodeo Sports News - October 1, 2021

TOUR FINALE SALINAS, CALIF.

Champion on top in Salinas

Richmond Champion is used to performing under the brightest of lights on ProRodeo’s biggest stages. The bareback rider shined even brighter at the ProRodeo Tour Finale in Salinas. Champion covered the eight seconds in the finals on his way to an 87-point ride on Bridwell Pro Rodeos’ Mary. It was the way he wanted to end the 2021 regular season. “I knew the NFR was pretty much sealed up, but I really have not had the best of summers and wanted to end it on a good note,” said Champion, a six-time NFR qualifier. “I definitely put myself in a better position going into the Finals for that gold buckle. Before this it was going to be a big stretch when I got there, I was really going to have to make some things happen. It looks like everything is headed in the right direction now.” The meeting between Champion and Mary in the finals was a rematch fromKennewick, Wash., about a month ago. Champion was looking forward to climbing back aboard her in California with big money on the line. “I was pretty tickled to have her,” Champion said. “I had her in Kennewick a few weeks ago and we didn’t get along that well. So, I really wanted to pay it back a little bit and she had an outstanding day today. This is my third time on her, this is the best it’s ever been. So, I couldn’t have picked for a better time for her to do it.” Champion earned $16,911 at the ProRodeo Tour Finale. He’ll head into his seventhWrangler NFR in the top 10 of the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings.

Stu Hagen photo

Richmond Champion secured his second ProRodeo Tour Finale title with an 87-point ride on Bridwell Pro Rodeos’ Mary in the finals.

Steer wrestler Riley Duvall needed a huge performance at the ProRodeo Tour Finale at California Rodeo Salinas to have any hope of qualifying for the Wrangler NFR. Duvall entered the week $9,357 out of the No. 15 spot in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings with the PRCA regular season ending Sept. 30. Duvall, however, should be making his fourth trip to the NFR after earning $16,249 at the ProRodeo Tour Finale. Duvall earned $10,000 of that by winning the final-four sudden-death round with a 5.6-second run. “I had to win first to have a shot (at the NFR),” Duvall said. “It was first or last right there, and I thank the Lord it worked out, I was very blessed. This is just so crazy.” Duvall earned $2,500 in the first two rounds and then added $3,749 when he won the eight-man semifinals with a 6.0-second run. That set the stage for Duvall’s run in the finals when he was the last cowboy out. “I wanted to do the best I could in the finals and whatever happened, happened,” Duvall said. “Having this kind of money at the ProRodeo Tour Finale saved my season. I didn’t have a shot until this, and I thank God for Salinas.” Duvall was riding Rockhouse, a horse five-time world champion steer wrestler Luke Branquinho and Tucker Allen are partners on. “That horse was just great for me,” Duvall said. “I can’t thank them enough for letting me ride him.” Duvall gets crucial win

Richard Levine photo Needing to win the ProRodeo Tour Finale to have a chance to make the NFR, steer wrestler Riley Duvall won with a 5.6-second run. He left town after earning $16,249.

ProRodeo Sports News 10/1/2021

ProRodeo.com

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