Nance Plans to be Back in 2022
By: Justin Felisko
PUEBLO, Colo. – Cody Jesus looked over at Cody Nance inside the locker room at T-Mobile Arena during the 2021 PBR World Finals, his eyes wide.
“This is your 12th PBR World Finals!?” Jesus asked in bewilderment.
Nance let out a slow grin.
“Cody, you weren’t even 12 years old yet when I made my first PBR Finals in 2009,” he responded.
Nance then said, “Hey, look at this.”
He paused and reached on top of his locker to grab his other pair of jeans and belt. The 33-year-old pointed down at the belt buckle on his battered brown leather belt.
“This is the first buckle I ever won at the PBR World Finals, and it is one of my proudest,” Nance said. “I tied with four of the baddest guys in the sport that night for the go-round win.”
Nance was referencing Round 6 of the 2009 PBR World Finals at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The then-21-year-old was making a push at winning the 2009 Rookie of the Year award, and he went on to ride Foolish Pride for 89.25 points.
Nance wound up splitting the round victory with Aaron Roy (89.25 points on Big Iron), Brian Canter (89.25 points on Frosty), Kody Lostroh (89.25 points on Chester) and Robson Palermo (89.25 points on Grey Dog).
Nance explained that what makes that specific go-round buckle so special to him is the fact of who he split the round with.
Roy is the winningest Canadian bull rider in PBR history. Lostroh would win the World Championship the next day. Palermo would go on to become the only three-time PBR World Finals event winner in PBR history.
“It’s a pretty dang cool group of dudes,” Nance, who attended Palermo’s Ring of Honor induction ceremony this year in Las Vegas, said.
Nance is now turning his focus to winning more buckles in 2022.
The Paris, Tennessee, bull rider told PBR.com during the World Finals that he has every intention of returning next season and pursuing his 13th PBR World Finals qualification.
Nance and three-time World Champion Silvano Alves have the most World Finals qualifications (12) among active riders who competed at the 2021 PBR World Finals.
“I want to compete next year,” Nance said. “I feel great. I’m ready. I’m back next year.”
It would also be special for Nance to compete at the first PBR World Finals held at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth. Last season, Nance missed the World Finals at AT&T Stadium, ending a streak of 11 consecutive World Finals qualifications, because of nerve damage in his right shoulder and chronic hip dysplasia.
The fan-favorite slowly worked his way back into the Top 30 this season. If not for a dislocated hip at the PBR Ariat Music City Knockout, presented by Cooper Tires, Nance likely would have finished higher than No. 36 in the world standings.
Nance was ranked No. 29 at the time of his injury before sitting out two months because of the injury.
Nance’s 87.25-point ride on CopperPoint Swagger in Round 4 of the 2021 PBR World Finals, where he finished 28th overall, also was the 296th of his career. He only needs four more rides to become the 20th rider in PBR history to record 300 rides on the premier series.
“It seems like it is taking forever, but the last couple of years have been different getting hurt,” Nance said earlier this season. “Leading up to it, it was going good. 2019 was a rocky year. I fractured my collarbone and dislocated my hip and shoulder. Then last year, I had to sit out my first Finals. So far, I am just thankful I have had a great career. You always wish you could do better, but I still feel pretty decent outside of a couple of factors, like my age.
“You always have to keep working to get better, and that’s what I am going to continue to do.”
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
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