Coy Pollmeier Accomplishes Goal of Winning Lea County Xtreme Bulls
By: Brady Renck
Coy Pollmeier has grown up around bulls. His father Mark raises them. The family has an arena behind their house in Fort Scott, Kan., to practice on the beasts. Pollmeier began his journey before his 10th birthday on steers and calves and advanced to bulls in his teen years, excelling in high school events in a community that loves and supports rodeo.
As Pollmeier improved, his ProRodeo dream began to crystallize. Tuesday night, he accomplished a goal that remained a pinch-me moment long after he left the chute. The 23-year-old claimed the top prize at the Lea County Xtreme Bulls in Lovington, N.M., delivering a score of 177 points on two head at Jake McClure Arena.
“I still don’t really know how to take it all it in,” Pollmeier said. “To get one of these Division 1 Xtreme Bulls buckles, it’s something I have been eyeing since I was 18 years. It’s a lot to take in. It really is. I had won a Division 2 Xtreme Bulls in Rapid City (S.D.), but nothing like this. What are my plans for the buckle? I plan to keep it on my belt.”
Pollmeier celebrated his birthday last week and held a party at the competitive field’s expense. It was actually more like a title bout. Needing a big number, Pollmeier posted a 91-point ride on Stockyards Pro Rodeo’s Ground Assault, netting $4,035 for the ride and $5,605 for the average.
“I didn’t personally know much about him. One of my buddies had been on him earlier in the year and he told me to stay aggressive and keep hustling,” Pollmeier said. “He left pretty hard and had me stuck in my hand. It was a little bit of a give and take. There were points it felt like a dance and a fight.”
Pollmeier won last year around his birthday as well, claiming the top prize at the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo in Abilene, Kan., with his mom and dad in attendance.
“Yeah, it’s been good to me. But I don’t know about the connection to my birthday,” he said with a laugh. “I would like to be winning more year-round.”
While Pollmeier remains a longshot to qualify for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, he is gaining momentum in his career. Wins like this can set him up for the winter, which should be special as his brother Tate plans to ride on his rookie card next season and travel with Coy.
“I always watched the PBR growing up. Then I turned my eyes to the PRCA and those yellow bucking chutes. This is a big qualification for me,” Pollmeier said. “I might not be able to get into the Top 15 this year, it’s a little late. But I dang sure want to keep getting these qualifications for those winter events.”
Courtesy of PRCA