ProRodeo Sports News - Sept. 7, 2018

definitely important for us.”

PRCA XTREME BULLS 2018 TOUR STANDINGS (Unofficial as of Sept. 6)

PARTYTIME Kimzey celebrated in style, too. A week after turning 24, the bull rider found a reason to keep on celebrating. During a season-end party put on by the Ellensburg committee, Kimzey’s girlfriend surprised him with a birthday cake among all 40 bull riders from the Xtreme Bulls Finale, bullfighters, stock contractors and the Ellensburg committee. Everyone sang him, “Happy Birthday.” “It was good, for sure,” Kimzey laughed. “My girlfriend said, ‘I was so glad you won, because it would’ve been pretty awkward to celebrate if you’d have been in a bad mood.’” Kimzey had no reason to be in a bad mood, though his night did start inauspiciously when he tied for eighth with Dustin Boquet in the first round. They each earned $423. After that, the money flowed to Kimzey. His final-round ride was worth $18,800. Winning the average netted him another $14,400. BUILDINGTOWARDATITLE The win at Ellensburg put Kimzey’s season Xtreme Bulls winnings at $79,796, more than $32,000 ahead of Riker Carter, who finished second in the Xtreme Bulls competition. Kimzey’s total was second only to Matt Austin’s $119,584 when he claimed the 2005 Xtreme Bulls crown. More important than that lead was Kimzey’s PRCA | RAMWorld Standings lead. Entering Saturday night, Kimzey had built his season earnings to $236,806. Before the event, he led Parker Breding, his closest competitor, by more than $70,000. That lead ballooned to $105,070. “This is one of the last game changers of the season for us,” Kimzey said. “There are only a few big, huge payoffs left coming down in the last month of the season. It’s definitely an event that can make or break a season. It plays a big key in the race for a world title. So anytime there’s that kind of money up, you try a little harder.” In the Xtreme Bulls, Kimzey has won $255,801, including ground money, over his career, putting him in third place all time. This season he’s overcome several nagging injuries and a fractured pelvis suffered near the start of the year. But he’s put the pain of those injuries behind him to put together another impressive season.

1. Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla. ................. $79,796 2. Riker Carter, Stone, Idaho ........................... 47,535 3. Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont. ...................... 38,638 4. Trey Benton III, Rock Island, Texas .............. 37,524 5. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah ........................... 33,340 6. Elliot Jacoby, Fredericksburg, Texas ............ 27,934 7. Jordan Spears, Redding, Calif. .................... 27,712 8. Joseph McConnel, Bloomfield, N.M. ............ 27,101 9. Boudreaux Campbell, Crockett, Texas .......... 22,786 10. Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah ........................... 21,525 11. Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla. ........................ 21,285 12. Lane Nobles, Gatesville, Texas .................. 21,236 13. Koby Radley, Montpelier, La. ..................... 21,114 14. Garrett Smith, Rexburg, Idaho .................. 19,338 15. Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho ....... 18,646 16. Dustin Boquet, Bourg, La. ......................... 18,436 17. Lon Danley, Tularosa, N.M. ....................... 17,884 18. Cole Melancon, Batson, Texas ................... 17,026 19. Brody Yeary, Brock, Texas ......................... 16,709 20. Eli Vastbinder, Athens, Texas ..................... 16,597 COMPLETE RESULTS ON PAGE 57

“I hyperextended it (elbow) again,” Kimzey said. “I’ve been battling it since the NFR last year. It stays pretty sore, but in the world of bull riding it’s not that bad of a thing.”

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ProRodeo Sports News 9/7/2018

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