ProRodeo Sports News - October 16, 2020

PRORODEO SEASON

Jake Link photo Bareback rider Chad Rutherford reacts after the first round at the Gold Buckle Knockout in Stoneham, Colo., Sept. 30. The event that was only for bareback riding and saddle bronc riding helped Rutherford remain in the Top 15 in the PRCA | RAM World Standings.

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Stand-alone events gaining momentum

BY BRETT HOFFMAN, Special to ProRodeo Sports News W hen Chad Rutherford readied himself to compete in the Sept. 30 Gold Buckle Knockout, the Texas bareback rider faced one big challenge: avoid getting knocked out. He entered the event 15th in the bareback riding world title race. An extremely thin margin of $34 separated Rutherford fromNo. 16Winn Ratliff in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings going into the event, which was conducted on the last day of the 2020 regular season at the Cervi Ranch near Stoneham, Colo. There was enough prize money that Rutherford easily could have been knocked out of the Top 15. But he turned in an attention-grabbing, opening-round score of 88 points for second place to pocket $1,894. That settled it then and there. It was clear that Rutherford, who finished fourth in the short round with an 87-point ride for $549, would finish the season among the Top 15 and would advance to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Dec. 3-12.

The Gold Buckle Knockout is a prime example of the rise of PRCA events that showcase a specific segment of ProRodeo. Since 2003, bull riders have had the Xtreme Bulls Tour that featured solely bull riding, and it’s been a hit with fans. Over the past two years, the sport has witnessed a noticeable increase in events that cater to one end of the arena. It can be one or two events, and the prize money earned by a contestant counts toward the world standings. “We really appreciate having those events,” Rutherford said. “It’s pretty cool to get together with all of your buddies and get on great horses for moderate to big amounts of money.” In some cases, events such as the Gold Buckle Knockout that featured the top 20 bareback riders and saddle bronc riders have been suddenly created. There also was the Yellowstone Riggin Rally, a single-day event on Labor Day that offered bareback riders $30,000. Winner Orin Larsen walked away with $11,400.

ProRodeo Sports News 10/16/2020

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