ProRodeo Sports News - September 1, 2023

PRORODEO COWBOYS

Wyatt Phelps earns nearly $15K at Steamboat ProRodeo Series Cash Out Phillip Kitts photo Wyatt Phelps had an 83-point ride on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Broken Dreams on July 8, to finish third at the Rooftop Rodeo in Estes Park, Colo. Phelps had the biggest payday of his career, earning $14,795 at the Steamboat Springs (Colo.) Pro Rodeo Series on Aug. 25

BY TRACY RENCK T This was quite the money whirlwind for bull rider Wyatt Phelps. The PRCA permit holder entered the Steamboat Springs (Colo.) Rodeo Series at the last minute and was rewarded handsomely. Phelps had an 82-point ride on Lancaster & Pickett Pro Rodeo’s No. 785 to win the rodeo and receive a huge payday. Since the Steamboat Springs Pro Rodeo Series had not had a qualified bull ride for several weeks the carryover money earned Phelps $14,795. “I had never been on that bull before, but my buddy Tipton Wilson got on him a few weeks before and he was really good, and I was excited to have him and I knew it was going to go well,” said Phelps, 22. “The ride felt great. He was a super good bull.” Phelps made his ride on Aug. 25 and then had to wait to see what kind of check he would collect after the final performance on Aug. 26. “I left Steamboat and went to another bull riding, and I had some friends who were up in Steamboat (on Aug. 26), and they called and told me I won. I wasn’t even going to enter the rodeo, and everyone was telling

me the money was carrying over, so I got on really quick and entered. It’s awesome to win almost $15,000. That was a huge check, that was like winning a big Xtreme Bulls event.” The large payday is something Phelps is still trying to digest because he didn’t think it would happen. “I figured there would be some rides the next night (Aug. 26),” Phelps said. “Some of my friends were up (Aug. 26) and I thought for sure they were going to stay on. I knew it was going to pay good, but not that good. It’s crazy. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.” Phelps has been on his permit for a few years, but he is planning on buying his PRCA card for the 2024 season. Phelps is in his final year of school at Sheridan (Wyo.) College. The business major is a member of the school’s rodeo team. Phelps finished fourth at the College National Finals Rodeo in June in Casper, Wyo. “I’m feeling good and riding good and I have a little money saved up now, so I think I’m going to get my (PRCA) card,” said Phelps, who lives in Pinedale, Wyo. “This win is a huge confidence boost for me. I’m going to use it to rodeo as much as I can and hopefully, I will keep on winning.”

ProRodeo Sports News 9/1/2023

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