PRCA for the Record: Baker, Mont.
The competition keeps getting better at the Fallon County Fair & Rodeo in Baker, Mont. Every ProRodeo event in Baker has witnessed a record-breaking score or run within the last five years.
In saddle bronc riding, records have been set two years in a row. In 2018, Sterling Crawley set the record with an 87-point ride on C5 Rodeo’s Black Hills. In 2019 Brody Cress registered a 90-point ride on C5 Rodeo’s High Valley.
“I also got on that horse at the Calgary Stampede and he jumps out there, it is a big horse and gives you every chance in the world to be able to place high at rodeos or win them,” Cress said. “You dang sure don’t want to stub your toe on that horse because he will buck you off. We’ve matched up for some big scores every time I’ve been able to get on him. I knew when I drew him (in Baker) I had a chance to win that rodeo.”
Both cowboys went on to compete at the National Finals Rodeo after their Baker performances, and they’re not alone. Many of Baker’s record-holders have competed at the NFR multiple times, with some of them notching world titles.
Cress came close to winning his first world title last year when he won the 2019 NFR average, finishing second in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Now the Wyoming native is on track for what would be his fourth consecutive NFR qualification.
As of Aug. 12, Cress was third in the 2020 world standings.
Cowboys will have a chance to break Cress’ Baker rodeo record, and the rest, while winning their share of the prize money and valuable ProRodeo Tour points, Aug. 15-16. Fans can catch Baker’s rodeo action on The Cowboy Channel and on the PRCA on the Cowboy Channel Plus App, Aug. 15-16 at 3 p.m. (ET).
Rodeo records
• Total payout: $198,433, 2017
• All-around: $6,678, Dakota Eldridge, tie-down roping and steer wrestling, and Junior Nogueira, tie-down roping and team roping, 2017
• Bareback riding: 91 points, Tim O’Connell, 2018; Richmond Champion, 2019
• Steer wrestling: 3.3 seconds, Rod Paschke, 2004; Ty Erickson, 2016
• Team roping: 4.1 seconds, Luke Brown/Jake Long, 2016
• Saddle bronc riding: 90 points, Brody Cress, 2019
• Tie-down roping: 8.2 seconds, Boe Brown, 2015
• Barrel racing: 14.52 seconds, Jana Griemsman, 2016
• Steer roping: 9.7, Brodie Poppino, 2018 (34.8/3 Brodie Poppino, 2018)
• Bull riding: 87.5 points, Tim Bingham, 2018
Courtesy of PRCA