Parker Breding Ready for More Circuit Success
The PRCA circuit system has been good to bull rider Parker Breding.
The Edgar, Mont., cowboy won the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo three times (2014, 2016 and 2018).
Breding will try to add to his impressive circuit résumé when he competes at the RAM Montana Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kalispell, Jan. 15-16. Knowing that money earned at the circuit finals count toward the PRCA | RAM World Standings ups the stakes.
“I’m leading the (Montana Circuit) year-end standings heading into this and I’m excited to see what I can do,” said Breding, 28. “The money counts from the circuits this year into the world standings, and one of my big goals this year is to have a good (Montana) circuit final and qualify for the National Circuit Finals. If I could do well in those two events it would put me right back up in the world standings.”
This year’s RAM NCFR will be in Kissimmee, Fla., April 9-10.
Breding’s draws for the RAM MCFR are Brookman Rodeo’s Knuckle Puck, JS Rodeo’s Red and J Bar J’s Little Hoot.
“Knuckle Puck I’ve been on before, so I have an idea what he’s like,” Breding said. “My second bull, Red, is a solid bull, and Little Hoot is definitely the rankest one I drew. He is a cool little bull with a mean streak. The (Montana) circuit finals is always a fun time, and it’s definitely better when you’re riding for bigger stakes to have the money count in the world standings.”
Breding, a three-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (2013, 2015 and 2018), has been trying to return to top form since suffering a severe left knee injury while competing at the Calgary Stampede, July 10, 2019.
Breding tore the ACL and MCL in his knee.
“My knee definitely isn’t the same as it was, but it’s as healthy as it’s ever going to be and I’ve gotten used to that big knee brace I wear,” said Breding, who finished a career-best fourth in the world standings in 2018.
Breding finished 31st in the 2020 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $28,256, but the season was a struggle as he battled back from the injury.
“I came back a little too early, and by the time I was confident again the COVID-19 break happened,” Breding said. “When I came back in June it was going awful for me. I think I rode my first bull back and thought everything was good, and then I got bucked off quite a few bulls. I was contemplating maybe hanging it up for a second because it was going so bad. Right around the Fourth of July run I started staying on bulls again, got my groove back and rode good throughout the rest of the summer. It’s just a matter of riding with confidence.”
Courtesy of PRCA