ProRodeo Sports News - October 29, 2021

DUNCAN, OKLA.

Rutland claims bull riding crown Quick Start BY TANNER BARTH T he climb to the top of the PRCA ranks isn’t an easy one and bull rider Fulton Rutland has experienced that firsthand. However, step by step he’s making his name known in sport of ProRodeo. Rutland helped his cause by winning the RAM TOP MONEY WINNER Fulton Rutland ($8,635, bull riding) BAREBACK RIDING TOP SCORES Rutland RAM PRAIRIE CIRCUIT FINALS RODEO

1. Blaine Kaufman ......... 250.5 pts. on 3 2. Garrett Shadbolt ......................... 244 3. Will Martin .................................. 240 STEER WRESTLING 1. Cody Devers ............... 14.5 sec. on 3 2. Riley Duvall ................................ 15.4 3. Bridger Anderson ....................... 16.7 TEAM ROPING 1. Baker/Woods .............. 17.0 sec. on 3 2. Tierney/Braden ........................... 20.2 (Tie) Buckaloo/Doyal .................. 20.2 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Cody Ballard ................. 236 pts. on 3 2. Sam Martin ................................. 234 3. Hardy Braden ...................... 165 on 2 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Eli Barger .................... 32.4 sec. on 3 2. Will Howell ................................. 33.7 3. Ryan Jarrett ............................... 37.4 STEER ROPING 1. Cole Patterson ............ 33.9 sec. on 3 2. Rocky Patterson ......................... 35.0 3. Tyrel Taton ................................. 39.9 BULL RIDING 1. Fulton Rutland ............. 243 pts. on 3 2. Trevor Kastner ............................. 234 3. Lukasey Morris ..................... 84 on 1 ALL-AROUND COWBOY Paul David Tierney, $6,060, (tie-down roping and team roping)

Prairie Circuit Finals in Duncan, Okla., Oct. 16. The 26-year-old won the average with 243 points on three head. In the final performance of the rodeo, Rutland faced off with Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em knowing he had to ride to capture the title. He wasted no time taking advantage of the opportunity delivering a 77-point ride to cap off an $8,635 weekend. “It means a lot for the fact that I had won it in 2019, then in 2020 I didn’t even come close to making the (Circuit) Finals,” said Rutland, a two-time National Circuit Finals Rodeo qualifier. “So, to be able to pull everything back together and get back to the basics and come back here and stay on all three again feels really good.” The win didn’t come without consequences. Rutland was stepped on by the bull after his final ride and suffered two fractured ribs and a bruised kidney. He knows in this sport risk and reward sometimes go hand in hand. “I’m thinking I probably have to take a little time off this fall, but I should be perfectly fine,” Rutland says. “I kind of just went into it (the final round) with the same mindset I had all weekend and that was just stay on no matter what it took. When it comes down to it in that type of situation you just have to hang on to them to get the job done.” While he will have to take a little time off Rutland said this is the start he was looking for headed into 2022. This past season he finished 37th in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings, the highest finish he’s had in his five-year ProRodeo career. “With this money counting towards the world standings that’s going to help me out tremendously this year,” he said. “I learned a lot this past season that’s for sure. So, I’m really looking forward to the 2022 season. I think I’m starting to figure things out, I mean you never stop learning in this sport, but I’m excited to see what happens going forward.” Now his focus shifts to putting it all together as he continues to chase his first National Finals Rodeo bid. “This was my way of setting my feet enough to make it a good winter,” Rutland said. “Now I just need to take advantage of those opportunities.”

Complete results/Page 51

Kay Miller photo

Bull rider Fulton Rutland won the average at the RAM Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo with 243 points on three head, earning $8,635.

ProRodeo Sports News 10/29/2021

ProRodeo Sports News 10/29/2021

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