ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 21, 2018

BAREBACK RIDING WORLD CHAMPION

Tim O’Connell won his third consecutive bareback riding world title at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Dec. 6-15.

PRCA ProRodeo photo by James Phifer

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Phil Doyle

ride on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Vitalix Ain’t No Angel for O’Connell to regain the lead. He held that lead through Round 10, earning a split of the average and his third consecutive gold buckle. Only seven bareback riders have won four or more world championships. In a way, the Finals reflected how challenging the 2018 season was for O’Connell. His competition opened a lead of more than $30,000 as winter became spring and the calendar flipped to April. Then, O’Connell won the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, earning $26,723 in Kissimmee, Fla. That moved him to third in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings. He continued to battle. He rode the momentum of the RAMNCFR win into the summer, but it wasn’t until August that he finally climbed into first place. There he stayed until the Finals, when he dipped to second before rallying, thanks to winning $132,551 at the Finals. His Wrangler NFR performance was something he fought internally throughout the Finals. It wasn’t until Round 9 that he believed he was on track. He finished by splitting the average with Steven Dent with 849.5 points

on 10 head. “I had plenty of sleepless nights, I had plenty of anxiety and was sick to my stomach wondering what’s going on out here,” said O’Connell, who also won Round 3 with an 88.5-point ride on Powder River Rodeo’s Craig at Midnight. “I had this peace about me going into the second Eliminator Round, and I feel I came and shined at that point. I felt I was backed into a corner and God told me to fight. And I fought.” All those challenges, plus the enjoyment of his first child, son, Hazen, made title No. 3 special. He’ll feel that every time he dons his new buckle. “I wear them all,” O’Connell said. “I got a belt made last year that had a “2X” on it. I’m going to get a belt made this year that’s going to have a “3X” on it. And I’m going to hang it. People ask, ‘Why don’t you keep that in a safe?’ This is something cherished to me. I live for these moments. I live to come out on top, and I’m doing everything in my power to be the best in the world. I want my son to see this. I want my family to see this. I’m very proud of these buckles, and I’m going to show them to the world.”

ProRodeo Sports News 12/21/2018

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