Braden Richardson Captures Xtreme Bulls Win in Lawton
Bull rider Braden Richardson’s goal is to make the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
On June 6, the Richwood, Texas, cowboy proved he could beat the best bull riders in ProRodeo at the Liberty National Division 2 Xtreme Bulls in Lawton, Okla.
Richardson topped a field of 110 riders with countless Wrangler NFR qualifications with an 87.5-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Magic Trick at the two-day event.
“Getting a win like this makes me feel good, especially coming off the COVID-19,” said Richardson, 25. “This was my first PRCA rodeo back, and it felt great to get the win.”
In mid-March the COVID-19 pandemic halted rodeos, which have been returning on a limited basis since May 22.
Richardson edged Jeston Mead, who had an 87-point trip on Frontier Rodeo’s Whiskey Bent on June 5. Richardson earned $5,781 for his performance.
“I had never been on that bull before,” Richardson said. “He was young, and I had a good ride on him. He jumped out of there real far and came around to the right and was smooth after that. He gave me some trouble there at the end. I wish I would have been able to finish him a little better, but I was excited when I made the whistle. I felt like I had a good ride.”
Although Richardson didn’t want to see rodeos go on hiatus, the break in the action played into his favor. It allowed him to recover from a torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his left knee.
Richardson suffered the injury Jan. 9, following a 77-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Hometown at the 67th Annual Mid Winter Fair & Rodeo in Lafayette, La. He was 32nd in the June 2 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $14,993.
“I just had a bad get off,” Richardson said about how he got hurt. “The doctors told me I was supposed to be out three to four months, and because of the COVID-19 (break) I was able to come back. I rode with a brace (June 6), but my knee feels good. I just got on one practice bull (before Lawton). When I got hurt, I was sitting third in the world and the COVID-19 hit, and I got some time to get healthy. Coming back and riding one just felt good.”
Richardson is hoping to keep his momentum going. He’s up in Woodward, Okla., June 11, Coleman, Texas, June 12, and Mesquite, Texas, June 13.
“This gives me a big boost of confidence, and I want to go to as many rodeos as I can so I can try and qualify for the NFR,” Richardson said. “I just need to keep staying on my bulls. I just try and have fun. I have been on so many (bulls) now, I just try and stay calm. I’m glad they are starting to open rodeos back up so we can go to more than we thought we were going to be able to.”
Courtesy of PRCA