Mize Rides to Narrow Victory in Caldwell
CALDWELL, Idaho – Bull rider Tristan Mize was rather jubilant following his win at the fabled Caldwell (Idaho) Night Rodeo, but he knows that the end-goal is in sight. Better said, he has his eyes on a bigger prize.
Despite Cole Melancon posting a 90-point bull ride earlier in the evening, Mize managed to notch a clutch 90.5-point ride during Saturday night’s final round, scoring the 20-year-old cowboy $2,500 for his winning efforts.
“I’m feeling really good,” Mize said. “I had a really good week, and I really needed to win at Caldwell. I had a good bull and I knew that if I rode him I’d probably get the win, so it worked out.”
Mize drew Powder River Rodeo’s Savage Mood in the concluding performance at Caldwell, and according to the Texan rookie, he put up a heck of a fight.
“He was a really good bull,” Mize explained. “He turned back right there and then a little left, and he had me out of position after the first jump, but I was able to get back in position. After that, it worked out well. He was a really fun bull.”
After such a narrow win in such a crowded crop of talented bull riders, Mize understood the task in front of him. Even so, he knew that the opportunity that Savage Mood presented couldn’t be for nought.
“I knew it was going to be a tough bull riding field, but I knew that I had a bull to beat 90 on,” Mize said.
Mize, who entered the week ranked second among bull riders in the PRCA Resistol Rookie Standings, has had his fair share of impressive wins this early in his career. While being named champion at the Livermore (Calif.) Rodeo earlier this season, Mize had not yet recorded a bull ride equivalent to 90 points or above. At Caldwell, he wanted that to change.
“It’s kind of funny, because I’d been talking about how I was going to beat 90 all week for the first time,” he said. “Luckily, I was 90.5 for the first time.”
Residing from Bryan, Texas, Mize has constantly displayed an advanced prowess for a first-timer. Currently slotted at 23rd in the WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings, Mize is thrilled for the stretch run as the year comes to a close.
“I’m excited,” Mize said. “I’m ready to be at the NFR at the end of the year, that’s for sure. I’ve always dreamed about going to the NFR. It’s all I ever think about. I want it so bad.”
With his first qualification certainly not out of reach, expect the young gun to unholster the chance.
“I can’t wait to be there. Hopefully I win a couple more big ones.”
Other winners at the $292,843 rodeo were bareback rider Clayton Biglow (172 points on two head), steer wrestler Rowdy Parrot (11.3 seconds on two head), team ropers Clay Smith/Paul Eaves and Tyler Wade and Billie Jack Saebens (15.5 seconds on two head each), saddle bronc rider Jacobs Crawley (173.5 points on two head), tie-down roper Jake Pratt (26.8 seconds on three head), and barrel racer Stevi Hillman (50.69 seconds on three runs).
For more coverage of the Caldwell Night Rodeo, check out the Sept. 1 edition of ProRodeo Sports News.
Courtesy of PRCA