ProRodeo Sports News - September 1, 2023

BREMERTON, WASH.

XTREME BULLS

Memorable

Hutchings wins first Division 1 Xtreme Bulls BY BRADY RENCK Special to ProRodeo Sports News A year is not a long time. But Tristen Hutchings’ life has changed dramatically over the past 12 months. Last August, he was preparing to hop on a flight to return to class at Sul Russ State University in Alpine, Texas. He now has his agriculture degree. Life is no longer about the books, but the bulls. And few in the sport ride them better than the 23-year-old, who is seeking his second straight Wrangler National Finals Rodeo berth after placing third in the world in 2022. “It’s very important to get back. It’s my whole livelihood. I am trying

Presented by 505 Southwestern Green Chile PRCA XTREME BULLS

2023 TOUR STANDINGS

(Unofficial as of Aug. 29) 1. Sage Steele Kimzey, Salado, Texas....... .......$65,854 2. Cullen Telfer, Plant City, Fla................... ..................61,365 3. Jestyn Jax Woodward, Custer, S.D........ . ......50,149 4. Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah................ ................49,544 5. Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho.....49,442 6. Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla............... ..............38,207 7. Trey Holston, Fort Scott, Kan................. ................37,933 8. Lukasey Morris, Union City, Okla........... ..........37,238 9. Trevor Reiste, Linden, Iowa................... ...................37,166 10. Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas................... . ..................35,874 11. Kase Hitt, Ardmore, Okla..................... ....................28,336 12. T. Parker, Winnie, Texas...................... . .....................28,227 13. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas.................... ....................27,941 14. Laramie Mosley, Palestine, Texas......... .........25,288 15. Creek Walker Young, Rogersville, Mo...25,094

Complete results/Page 138

to buy a house, and making the NFR and doing well is a big part of that. I have trained really hard for this season, and I am hopeful I can make a run at the gold buckle,” Hutchings said. “I have to keep on keeping on.” Hutchings has showed his success was no fluke. He sat fourth after his recent win at the Kitsap Stampede Xtreme Bulls in Bremerton, Wash. The field was stacked, and the bulls were rank. Hutchings captured the crown with an 89-point ride on Big Stone Rodeo Inc’s Hostile. It was satisfying but did not come without concern. Turns out his traveling partner Hayes Weight broke his jaw during the competition, creating a bit of a scramble before Hutchings jumped on his bull and made personal history. “The ride was really good. It worked out really well. It was my first Division I win, so that was pretty cool. It means a lot,” Hutchings said. “But it was a little different for sure. My friend Hayes got knocked out. So, I was running around picking up his stuff, trying to make sure he had the help he needed.” Weight is hardly a burden. Heck, he’s one of the reasons Hutchings is pushing so hard to return to Las Vegas. “We all have so much fun on the road, playing golf, making fun of each other. It burns pretty deep to compete, and it would be Hayes’ first NFR. He’s had a good season, and it’s a big deal to get him healthy and try and get him qualified, too,” Hutchings said. “It keeps us going.” Events like Kitsap provide fuel for Hutchings. The field left little margin for error. And the bulls demanded high scores. Hutchings knew Sage Kimzey posted a 90 on Hostile, so winning was the only goal with this draw. He embraced the pressure. “It was just a heck of a lot of great riding. I knew he was a really good bull, who would give me a chance. They brought some really good bulls, a bunch of the top ones,” Hutchings said. “When you have two stock contractors like that, it makes it a lot of fun. It was a great event.” For Hutchings, the key remains consistency. He has shaken off a recent injury, and his goals remain in front of him. Not bad for a kid who was finishing up school this time a year ago. “It’s been pretty smooth sailing. I didn’t treat the summer much different than when I was in college. And now it’s going good since I got roughed up in Missoula. I have battled back from that,” Hutchings said. “I rode a bull in Coeur d’Alene. I started feeling good. And it’s important with big events coming up in Ellensburg and Pendleton with a chance to make a lot of money. I am very happy to catch momentum at the right time.”

Kent Soule photo

Tristen Hutchings received a jolt to make a return trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo by winning the Kitsap Stampede Xtreme Bulls on Aug. 26. It was his first career Division 1 Xtreme Bulls win.

ProRodeo Sports News 9/1/2023

ProRodeo Sports News 9/1/2023

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