ProRodeo Sports News - September 20, 2024

PUYALLUP, WASH.

CINCH PLAYOFFS

Wright leaves mark in win The best bucking horses in the world going head-to-head with the top cowboys in rodeo never disappoints. That was the case in Puyallup, Wash., for the 2024 Cinch Playoffs. To become a PRCA World Champion it’s paramount to capitalize on opportunities when they present themselves. Ryder Wright has made a living doing that during his career. He has two gold buckles and eight trips to the NFR to prove it. The Beaver, Utah, saddle bronc rider put his talents on display for the sold-out crowd at the Washington State Fair. Calgary Stampede’s Flying Carma was the perfect matchup for Wright in the final-four shootout round. “This is an awesome young horse. I think she just came on the scene this year in PRORODEO,” said Wright, 26. “I’ve seen her a bunch this year and everybody seems to do well on her. So, I was super happy to see my name next to hers here in the finals.” Wright and Flying Carma combined for an 89-point ride to capture the championship. Fellow bronc rider Lefty Holman posted an 89-point score himself in the finals, but Wright was declared the winner based off a higher score in the semifinals. “It’s awesome to come to a rodeo like this, especially if you’re able to get into the short round,” Wright said. “All of the horses are awesome. Moments like this is what we live for as bronc riders.” Wright looks destined for a ninth trip to Las Vegas this December. As of Sept. 17, he sat fifth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. It’s a spot he’s comfortable with but a steady climb is a necessity as he eyes his third world title. “We will try to keep things rolling and keep climbing that ladder,” Wright said. “I just have to keep making good rides. If they run the good one’s underneath you, you have to try to take advantage of the draw and try not to stub your toe.”

J.D. Struxness has become a model of consistency in Struxness win keeps him in line for NFR Hailey Rae photo J.D. Struxness was on a mission at the Cinch Playoffs. He put together a 4.0-second run in the finals to secure the win. The Milan, Minn., steer wrestler has finished in the top 10 of the world standings five times in his 10-year PRORODEO career and he’s eyeing another high finish. His performance at the Puyallup (Wash.) Rodeo for the Cinch Playoffs will help his cause. Struxness clocked a 4.0-second run in the final-four shootout round to walk away with the title and a $13,000 first-place check. “I thought we did a pretty good job picking these steers. Everybody kind of had a chance in the finals,” said Struxness, a five-time NFR qualifier. “Some are better than others obviously. I had the right steer here today.” Struxness’ time was quick enough to edge Rowdy Parrott (4.1 seconds), Will Lummus (4.2) and Stetson Jorgensen (4.7) for the title. He was quick to credit his fellow steer wrestler’s horse for leading him to victory. “Getting to ride Ty Erickson’s horse Crush makes a big difference, he’s been awesome this year,” Struxness said. “Then Cody Woodward’s horse has been getting it done on the haze side. So, it’s just been a really good year on that horse for us and we are just going to keep rolling.” In total, Struxness added $17,313 to 2024 ledger in Washington and moved up to fourth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. He hopes to continue climbing up the world standings with the PRORODEO regular season coming to a close. “This win just kind of builds that momentum for us with Mandan (N.D.) and Sioux Falls (S.D.) coming up,” Struxness said. “So, to get the win here and get that confidence rolling going into those two big rodeos is huge. “Hopefully it will allow for us to climb a few more spots before we go into Vegas. We are up there around $120,000 now. So, now we are getting within a round win or so of being at the top of the standings and a gold buckle. We will just try to finish out the year strong, get ready for Vegas and go give them heck out there.” the sport of rodeo.

Ryder Wright won the

tiebreaker over Lefty Holman to win the Cinch Playoffs after his 89-point

ride on Calgary Stam- pede’s Flying Carma.

John Pyle photo

He goes by the name Shad “Money” Mayfield and for good reason. Since bursting onto the PRORODEO scene in 2019 he’s qualified for five straight National Finals Rodeos and won his first gold buckle in 2020. Over that stretch, Mayfield has earned over $1.3 million in three events. 2024 has been yet another banner year for the Clovis, N.M., cowboy. Entering the first week of September, Mayfield sat atop the world standings in tie-down roping and the race for the all-around gold buckle. His success continued at the Cinch Playoffs at the Puyallup (Wash.) Rodeo. Mayfield advanced to Championship Sunday after clocking 16.3 seconds on two head in Bracket 2. That set the stage for two winner-take-all runs, a spot that Mayfield thrives in. In the four-man finals, he clocked a 7.4-second run that no other cowboy could catch. Shane Hanchey finished second at 8.1 seconds. “I was just trying to knock it down. You know that first round was pretty light and I’m glad it was,” said Mayfield. “I locked up when I went to try and tie that calf, and it hurt pretty bad. So, I went to Justin Sportsmedicine and said I need to be a little looser because I’m sure this last round is going to be fast. They worked on me and got me right. My horse was amazing and I’m glad to get the win.” Mayfield has been dealing with nagging hip injuries a majority of the 2024 season. He was diagnosed with a torn Labrum in both hips and Femoral Impingement after last year’s National Finals Rodeo. Instead of opting for surgery at that point, he decided to push through. “The stuff I’ve been going through really sucks. It’s slowed me down a lot honestly, but I just have to keep pushing and not think about it too much,” Mayfield said. “The big rodeos and the pressure is what I like. It seems like I should just go to the big rodeos because those are the ones I win at. You have all this money up for grabs in front of great crowd like this in Puyallup, so you have to grit up and go for the win.” Mayfield stays at No. 1

John Pyle photo Shad Mayfield kept his foot on the gas during the Cinch Playoffs at the Puyallup Rodeo. His 7.4-second time in the finals was good enough to capture the victory.

ProRodeo Sports News 9/20/2024

ProRodeo Sports News 9/20/2024

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