PRCA for the Record: Craig Begay’s Ride of Lifetime Holds Record in Casper
Craig Begay has ridden hundreds of bulls during his ProRodeo career, but his greatest ride came from the determination of getting bucked off just months before.
Begay holds the record for the top bull riding score at the Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo in Casper, Wyo. The Shiprock, N.M., cowboy went for 92 points to etch his name in the record books.
“I remember that ride like it was yesterday, it was one of the most memorable rides I’ve had during my career,” said Begay, 35.
The 92-point ride came on a bull Begay had matched up with before. In fact, it was a bull that had sent him into the dirt just five months before.
“I wasn’t even thinking about what my score was going to be, I was just so excited that I actually got the bull rode,” Begay said. “That bull bucked me off in February back in 2009 at the San Angelo (Texas) Rodeo. From that point on I was determined to get him ridden no matter what it took.”
After a three-year layoff from competition to get his body healthy, the veteran of the sport is back out on the PRCA circuit this summer. He says there are still a few things left he wants to accomplish before hanging up his spurs.
“I’m still looking at my ultimate goal and that’s to find a way to make it to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and ride at the big prestigious rodeos again,” Begay said. “You can never get the sport of rodeo out of your blood.”
Below, are the other record holders at the Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo.
Central Wyoming Fair & Rodeo records
• Total payout: $269,090, 2019
• All-around: $7,982, Caleb Smidt, 2016
• Bareback riding: 88 points, Jared Smith, 2009; Heath Ford, 2011; Steven Dent, 2013 (172/2, Steven Peebles, 2009)
• Steer wrestling: 3.1 seconds, Wade Sumpter, 2011 (7.6/2, Casey McMillen and Matt Reeves, 2007; 11.9/3, Sumpter, 2011)
• Team roping: 3.9 seconds, Tyler Wade/Tyler McKnight, 2012 (10.3/2, Charles Pogue/Britt Bockius, 2001; Clay Tryan/Caleb Twisselman, 2001; Travis Tryan/Michael Jones, 2008; Tyler Wade/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 2016; 16.4/3, Clay Tryan/Patrick Smith, 2006)
• Saddle bronc riding: 90 points, Jake Wright, 2012 (172/2, Jess Martin, 2002; Jake Wright, 2012)
• Tie-down roping: 7.4 seconds, Fred Whitfield, 2002 (15.6/2, Scott Kormos, 2017)
• Barrel racing: 16.24 seconds, Patti Jo Higdon, 2003
• Bull riding: 92 points, Craig Begay, 2009 (176.5/2, Boudreaux Campbell, 2018)
Courtesy of PRCA