Jared Keylon Claims RAM Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo Title
DUNCAN, Okla. – The last time Jared Keylon won the RAM Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo he went on to qualify for the 2012 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
On Saturday, the bareback rider gave his 2019 season an early boost by winning the RAM PCFR for the second time in his 12 years of PRCA competition.
“I came in with the attitude there are so many good guys riding in this circuit, and when you have competition like that all the time you know you have to be on your toes,” Keylon said.
The Arkansas-native-turned-Kansas cowboy won two of the three rounds, giving him the average win by 11.5 points. Keylon’s $4,580 payday came in part by winning the second round with an 84.5-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Big League and the third round with an 85-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Satin Sheets.
“I couldn’t have asked for three better horses,” Keylon said. “The third one (Satin Sheets) I’ve had before. You couldn’t ask for a more solid draw. You never know if you’re going to win first, but you look at it like, ‘That’s my placing horse.’”
Before his win, Keylon ranked second in the Prairie Circuit with $17,517.
Since his last trip to the Wrangler NFR, Keylon’s been climbing the world standings. He was 54th in 2017 and 36th in 2018 with $25,791.
Winning the RAM PCFR hadn’t sunk in for Keylon on Oct. 20 since he’d been bouncing between Duncan, Okla., his home in Uniontown, Kan., and Waco, Texas, for the All American ProRodeo Finals. While at Waco, he won the first two rounds of Bracket 1 and the semifinals and took home $7,600, bringing his weekly winnings to just past $12,000.
“It means a lot to my heart because I have two kiddos at home, so to them dad’s gone, but I can show this is what dad’s doing to get some extra money,” Keylon said, referring to his son Gunner, 7, and daughter Sadie, 2. “This time of the year is the best time (to win) because we’re going to lay up for the winter for those of us that didn’t make the NFR.”
With two big wins early in the season and a qualification for the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in place, Keylon’s feeling optimistic.
“I feel like if you work hard and put your faith in the Lord it will work out the way it’s supposed to,” Keylon said. “You never know where you’re going to end up, and if you do your job at home by working out and getting on the spur board, you’ll be satisfied because you know you did the best you could.”
With the holidays on the horizon and rodeo season heading into hibernation, Keylon’s ready to head home.
“I’ve been gone so many weekends this year I’m ready to do something with my family,” he said.
Considering the start he’s had for the 2019 season, there’s a good chance Keylon will make another run for the Wrangler NFR.
“My wife and I talked about it, but I kind of just leave it up to the Lord,” Keylon said. “If it keeps going good, I might try to go back to the NFR.”
Other winners of the $185,591 rodeo were all-around cowboy Steven Dent ($6,447, bareback riding and saddle bronc riding); steer wrestler Riley Duvall (13.8 seconds on three head); team ropers Dylan Gordon/Chase Boekhaus (16.2 seconds on three head); saddle bronc rider Hardy Braden (242 points on three head); tie-down roper Cody McCartney (27.4 seconds on three head); barrel racer Dona Kay Rule (46.35 seconds on three runs); steer roper Kelton McMillen (51.8 seconds on three head); and bull rider Brett Custer (246 points on three head).
For more coverage of the RAM Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo, check out the Nov. 2 edition of ProRodeo Sports News.
Courtesy of PRCA