LAS VEGAS – A sellout crowd of 17,811 at the Thomas & Mack Center was thrilled by Brazile – who has won a record 21 world championships – and also delighted in the performance of 20-year-old rookie Sage Kimzey, who clinched the bull riding gold buckle.
“To reach the pinnacle of ProRodeo in my first year is pretty special,” Kimzey said. “It’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”
He’s just the second bull rider to win Rookie of the Year and the gold buckle in the same season. Bill Kornell did it in 1963.
Kimzey placed third in the round – Jordan Spears was the winner – and is the only bull rider to ride seven bulls in eight attempts at this Finals; Joe Frost is next with five. So Kimzey is close to clinching the average title – something Kornell didn’t do in 1963. For Kimzey not to win the average, he’d have to be bucked off twice and Frost would have to average 88 points on his next two rides.
“There are very few times when you can get in a zone like this,” Kimzey said. “Baseball players always refer to it as seeing a beach ball coming toward you, and it’s slow and you know exactly where it’s going. I feel like there’s nothing that can throw me off.”
Spears, who is a Finals rookie, was equally thrilled.
“This was a dream come true,” he said. “To be able to set a goal as a little kid and then achieve it is something special. Being here and competing against people I look up to like J.W. Harris, I feel really blessed. To ride to the best of my ability and win tonight makes me ecstatic, and I’m so excited to be here to experience Las Vegas for the first time.”
“Trevor’s the king,” Graves said. “He’s a great competitor, and it’s an honor to get to rope with him. We’ve had a blast this year. He’s a great partner all the way around. You couldn’t ask for a better partner. He’s a great competitor and a great person, and he has a great work ethic.”
Bareback rider Austin Foss is making it hard on Kaycee Feild, who is chasing a fourth consecutive gold buckle and a fourth straight WNFR average title. Foss won for the second time in three rounds – he also claimed Round 6 – and pulled within $27,752 of Feild, who’s the world standings leader.
Foss rode Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Black Kat for 85.5 points to top the field and jump from fourth to first in the average race. The winner of the average earns an additional $48,732.
Feild is third in the average, which would earn him $31,262.
Brimming with confidence, Foss said he can knock off the reigning champ.
“Anything’s possible. I’m set on one thing and one thing only,” Foss said. “There’s not much of a gap in the world standings and it pays ($19,002) to win a round. I just want to put two and two together and see what happens.
“It’s my job to take him down. This is about my goals, my dreams, and what I’m living for.”
He smiled, and added, “I hope it’s out with the old and in with the new.”
Foss has won $61,758 in eight rounds of this Finals, and said it’s a bit mind-boggling.
“To be in this position and talk about that kind of money is something a lot of people my age (22) will never get to do,” he said. “It’s a blessing and an honor and a privilege.”
This is Foss’ second trip to the WNFR, and he said it’s a different feeling.
“It’s a different game the second year you come here,” he said. “The first year is fun, and you kind of take it all in. The second one is all business.”
Heith DeMoss regained the world standings lead by winning his first round of the Finals when he rode for 84 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Vitalix Hell’s Fire Hostage.
“I couldn’t be any happier than I am, and that’s exactly what I needed,” DeMoss said. “I’ve been drawing good horses and riding decent the first seven nights, but tonight I drew a good horse and finally rode really well.”
DeMoss has $163,833 while Cort Scheer is second with $156,049 and Taos Muncy is third in the world championship race with $141,437. Lurking in fourth place with $140,412 is WNFR rookie Spencer Wright, who also leads the average with 647 points on eight head. Scheer, with 624.5 points, is the only other saddle bronc rider to have eight qualified rides.
Two-time World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Cody Wright doctor released from Round 8 – the rule requires him to also miss the following round – due to a dislocated left (riding) shoulder he suffered during Round 7. It’s not certain if Wright, who sat fourth in the world and third in the average after Round 7, will compete in Round 10.
Wright, who won gold buckles in 2008 and 2010, was one of only three saddle bronc riders to earn a score in the first seven rounds, so he was in hunt for the average title before being injured; he won the WNFR average in 2010.
Barrel racer Mary Walker, the 2012 world champion, claimed her first round win of this Finals with a time of 13.79 seconds.
“It’s been a bit frustrating this week because I have hit so many barrels,” Walker said. “Tonight I did a bit change, which I have never done before, but I talked to my friend (former WNFR qualifier) Sue Smith and she gave me a few suggestions of things to try and it all seemed to work. I am just so glad that things turned around and I was able to get this win.”
Lisa Lockhart placed second in the round in 13.81. Lockhart is second in the world and moved within $11,540 of world leader Fallon Taylor.
Lockhart leads the average with a time of 116.95 seconds, and Taylor is second with 117.10.
Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas
Round 8, Dec. 11, 2014
Bareback riding: 1. Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore., 85.5 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Black Kat, $19,002; 2. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., 83.5, $15,018; 3. Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas, 82, $11,340; 4. Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas, 81.5, $7,969; 5. (tie) Kaycee Feild, Spanish Fork, Utah, and Jake Vold, Ponoka, Alberta, 80.5, $3,984 each; 7. Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La., 80; 8. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas, 76; 9. Justin McDaniel, Porum, Okla., 75.5; 10. Caleb Bennett, Tremonton, Utah, 72.5; 11. Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore., 71.5; 12. Jessy Davis, Power, Mont., 69.5; 13. J.R. Vezain, Cowley, Wyo., 68; 14. (tie) Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., and Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa, NS. World standings: 1. Kaycee Feild, $212,227; 2. Austin Foss, $184,475; 3. Bobby Mote, $150,017; 4. Steven Peebles, $145,932; 5. Richmond Champion, $140,812; 6. Tim O’Connell, $131,240; 7. Justin McDaniel, $121,981; 8. Will Lowe, $115,104; 9. Tilden Hooper, $109,556; 10. Steven Dent, $108,651; 11. Winn Ratliff, $103,076; 12. Jake Vold, $96,698; 13. Caleb Bennett, $92,296; 14. Jessy Davis, $75,757; 15. J.R. Vezain, $70,208.
Steer wrestling: 1. (tie) Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala., and Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont., 3.7 seconds, $17,010 each; 3. Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore., 3.8, $11,340; 4. Dru Melvin, Hebron, Neb., 3.9, $7,969; 5. (tie) Clayton Hass, Terrell, Texas, and Casey Martin, Sulphur, La., 4.1, $3,984 each; 7. (tie) Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., and Cole Edge, Durant, Okla., 4.2; 9. K.C. Jones, Decatur, Texas, 4.3; 10. Wyatt Smith, Rexburg, Idaho, 4.8; 11. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev., 5.2; 12. Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis., 6.1; 13. (tie) Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta; Bray Armes, Ponder, Texas, and Seth Brockman, Wheatland, Wyo., NT. World standings: 1. Luke Branquinho, $138,630; 2. Trevor Knowles, $134,406; 3. Nick Guy, $124,341; 4. Kyle Irwin, $117,663; 5. Casey Martin, $116,597; 6. Curtis Cassidy, $101,431; 7. K.C. Jones, $101,058; 8. Clayton Hass, $98,337; 9. Bray Armes, $90,057; 10. Dru Melvin, $88,367; 11. Dakota Eldridge, $86,462; 12. Ty Erickson, $83,579; 13. Wyatt Smith, $75,271; 14. Seth Brockman, $73,468; 15. Cole Edge, $72,424.
Team roping: 1. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas/Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 3.8 seconds, $19,002 each; 2. (tie) Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont./Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev., and Kaleb Driggers, Albany, Ga./Patrick Smith, Lipan, Texas, 4.0, $13,179 each; 4. Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Ariz./Clay O’Brien Cooper, Gardnerville, Nev., 4.6, $7,969; 5. Jake Barnes, Scottsdale, Ariz./Junior Nogueira, Scottsdale, Ariz., 6.1, $4,904; 6. Dustin Bird, Cut Bank, Mont./Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo., 9.3, $3,065; 7. Luke Brown, Stephenville, Texas/Kollin VonAhn, Blanchard, Okla., 9.4; 8. Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash./Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 10.9; 9. (tie) Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz./Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz.; Brandon Beers, Powell Butte, Ore./Jim Ross Cooper, Monument, N.M.; Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla./Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan.; Nick Sartain, Dover, Okla./Rich Skelton, Llano, Texas; Charly Crawford, Prineville, Ore./Shay Carroll, La Junta, Colo.; Turtle Powell, Stephenville, Texas/Dakota Kirchenschlager, Morgan Mill, Texas, and Tom Richards, Humboldt, Ariz./Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz., NT. World standings (headers): 1. Clay Tryan, $160,292; 2. Trevor Brazile, $159,632; 3. Dustin Bird, $146,731; 4. Erich Rogers, $125,941; 5. Turtle Powell, $122,332; 6. Coleman Proctor, $121,684; 7. Kaleb Driggers, $112,272; 8. Riley Minor, $111,393; 9. Jake Barnes, $104,523; 10. Aaron Tsinigine, $103,014; 11. Charly Crawford, $99,756; 12. Brandon Beers, $97,267; 13. Luke Brown, $92,065; 14. Nick Sartain, $80,028; 15. Tom Richards, $74,713. World standings (heelers): 1. Jade Corkill, $160,292; 2. Travis Graves, $159,632; 3. Paul Eaves, $149,823; 4. Cory Petska, $126,288; 5. Jake Long, $122,684; 6. Dakota Kirchenschlager, $118,972; 7. Patrick Smith, $112,272; 8. Brady Minor, $111,393; 9. Shay Carroll, $100,815; 10. Jim Ross Cooper, $97,267; 11. Clay O’Brien Cooper, $95,195; 12. Junior Nogueira, $94,515; 13. Kollin VonAhn, $89,065; 14. Rich Skelton, $80,028; 15. Cesar de la Cruz, $66,484.
Saddle bronc riding: 1. Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La., 84 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Vitalix Hell’s Fire Hostage, $19,002; 2. Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 83, $15,018; 3. Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah, 82.5, $11,340; 4. Jake Wright, Milford, Utah, 80.5, $7,969; 5. (tie) Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, and Bradley Harter, Loranger, La., 79, $3,984 each; 7. Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La., 77.5; 8. (tie) Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb.; Jacobs Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, and Tyler Corrington, Hastings, Minn., 74.5 each; 11.Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., 73; 12. Dustin Flundra, Pincher Creek, Alberta, 70; 13. (tie) Cody Wright, Milford, Utah; Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, S.D., and Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D., NS. World standings: 1. Heith DeMoss, $163,833; 2. Cort Scheer, $156,049; 3. Taos Muncy, $141,437; 4. Spencer Wright, $140,412; 5. Wade Sundell, $133,833; 6. Cody Wright, $130,393; 7. Jacobs Crawley, $120,450; 8. Jake Wright, $106,075; 9. Tyler Corrington, $104,052; 10. Jesse Wright, $100,482; 11. Cody DeMoss, $96,719; 12. Cole Elshere, $82,449; 13. Bradley Harter, $81,885; 14. Chad Ferley, $81,674; 15. Dustin Flundra, $77,133.
Tie-down roping: 1. (tie) Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, and Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, 6.8 seconds, $17,010 each; 3. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas, 6.9, $11,340; 4. (tie) Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., and Timber Moore, Aubrey, Texas, 7.2, $6,436; 6. Cody Ohl, Hico, Texas, 7.3, $3,065; 7. Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 7.4; 8. Ryan Watkins, Bluff Dale, Texas, 7.7; 9. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 8.0; 10. Reese Riemer, Stinnett, Texas, 8.7; 11. Clint Robinson, Spanish Fork, Utah, 18.1; 12. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., 18.8; 13. Cade Swor, Winnie, Texas, 24.7; 14. (tie) Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas, and Tyson Durfey, Colbert, Wash., NT. World standings:1. Tuf Cooper, $181,662; 2. Matt Shiozawa, $165,561; 3. Trevor Brazile, $153,768; 4. Marty Yates, $141,268; 5. Cody Ohl, $129,952; 6. Cade Swor, $115,243; 7. Timber Moore, $109,531; 8. Clint Cooper, $108,316; 9. Hunter Herrin, $107,278; 10. Adam Gray, $104,647; 11. Shane Hanchey, $104,207; 12. Clint Robinson, $102,137; 13. Ryan Watkins, $75,348; 14. Tyson Durfey, $73,742; 15. Reese Riemer, $66,317.
Barrel racing: 1. Mary Walker, Ennis, Texas, 13.79 seconds, $19,002; 2. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 13.81, $15,018; 3. Trula Churchill, Valentine, Neb., 13.85, $11,340; 4. Kaley Bass, Kissimmee, Fla., 13.91, $7,969; 5. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., 13.93, $4,904; 6. Jana Bean, Fort Hancock, Texas, 13.94, $3,065; 7. Fallon Taylor, Whitesboro, Texas, 14.02; 8. Kassidy Dennison, Tohatchi, N.M., 14.03; 9. Nancy Hunter, Neola, Utah, 14.10; 10. Carlee Pierce, Stephenville, Texas, 14.12; 11. Michele McLeod, Whitesboro, Texas, 14.13; 12. Britany Diaz, Solen, N.D., 14.62; 13. Christine Laughlin, Pueblo, Colo., 19.04; 14. Samantha Lyne, Cotulla, Texas, 19.10; 15. Christy Loflin, Franktown, Colo., 30.80. World standings: 1. Fallon Taylor, $218,821; 2. Lisa Lockhart, $207,281; 3. Kaley Bass, $183,170; 4. Michele McLeod, $138,956; 5. Britany Diaz, $131,604; 6. Nancy Hunter, $130,341; 7. Mary Walker, $126,683; 8. Kassidy Dennison, $126,072; 9. Sherry Cervi, $122,165; 10. Trula Churchill, $118,477; 11. Carlee Pierce, $115,870; 12. Christy Loflin, $107,980; 13. Christine Laughlin, $93,135; 14. Jana Bean, $92,483; 15. Samantha Lyne, $70,577.
Bull riding: 1. Jordan Spears, Redding, Calif., 85.5 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Johnny Ramone, $19,002; 2. Ty Wallace, Collbran, Colo., 85, $15,018; 3. Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla., 84.5, $11,340; 4. Tyler Smith, Fruita, Colo., 82.5, $7,969; 5. Beau Hill, West Glacier, Mont., 81.5, $4,904; 6. Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas, 79, $3,065; 7. Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah, 78; 8. Josh Koschel, Nunn, Colo., 70.5; 9. (tie) Trey Benton III, Rock Island, Texas; J.W. Harris, Mullin, Texas; Tim Bingham, Honeyville, Utah; Aaron Pass, Dallas, Texas; Reid Barker, Comfort, Texas; Brennon Eldred, Sulphur, Okla., and Elliot Jacoby, Fredericksburg, Texas, NS. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $250,897; 2. Trey Benton III, $159,874; 3. Cody Teel, $132,012; 4. Joe Frost, $123,500; 5. Aaron Pass, $104,550; 6. Beau Hill, $102,711; 7. Tim Bingham, $100,652; 8. Jordan Spears, $100,030; 9. J.W. Harris, $97,228; 10. Elliot Jacoby, $97,067; 11. Ty Wallace, $93,935; 12. Brennon Eldred, $89,170; 13. Tyler Smith, $89,042; 14. Reid Barker, $76,227; 15. Josh Koschel, $72,837.
Total payout: $6,375,000. Stock contractors: Various. Rodeo secretary: Sunni Deb Backstrom. Assistant secretary: Jackie Higlin. Contestant office manager: Vickie Shireman. Officials: Wade Berry, Terry Carlon, Skip Emmett, George Gibbs, Chuck Hoss, Allan Jordan Jr., Bruce Keller, Butch Kirby, Steve Knowles, Joe Bob Locke, Cliff Overstreet, Harry Rose Jr., Rocky Steagall and Mike Todd. Timers: Sherry Rice Gibson, Tammy Braden and Jessi Franzen. Announcers: Wayne Brooks, Randy Corley and Boyd Polhamus. Specialty acts: Rider Kiesner, Madison MacDonald and Kenny Petet. Bullfighters: Chuck Swisher, Dusty Tuckness and Cody Webster.Barrelman: Justin Rumford. Barrelman alternate: Mark Swingler. Livestock superintendent: John Barnes. Assistant livestock superintendent: Ryan Brown.Roughstock chute boss: Tom Neuens. Timed-event chute boss: Tony Amaral.Pickup men: Josh Edwards and Chase Cervi. Pickup man alternate: Matt Twitchell.