Richmond Champion Claims Lovington Victory
By: Brady Renck
This is the thing about cowboys and injuries. They know what they signed up for, especially bareback riders. Those eight seconds can alternate between elegant dances and symphonies of destruction. Richard Champion has lived this experience with great success and pain. He is a seven-time qualifier at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. His streak of six consecutive berths ended last season because of neck injury that required fusion surgery.
That was April of 2022. And that seems like a long time ago as he’s back winning again like nothing ever happened. He captured the Lea County PRCA Rodeo in Lovington, N.M., with an 88.5-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo Company’s Uncapped.
“Oh yeah, I don’t even think about it anymore. I am feeling good and confident. I am getting good draws,” Champion said. “Yeah, I don’t think it would mean more to return to the NFR (after injury). If I didn’t think the NFR was an option, I would go do something different. That’s the main goal, to put myself in position to get that gold buckle. That’s why I am out here.”
Champion showed why he has earned more than $1.5 million on the circuit with his performance at Jack McClure Arena. He had previous experience on the horse and learned from it.
“I wouldn’t say that horse is easy by any means. He’s one you want to get on, but you can easily stub your toe. I had him in the last round of the 2021 NFR and my left foot kicked me in the butt. I knew I really had to get a hold of him,” Champion said. “It’s about having a good start because he gets stronger as he goes.”
This season Champion has shown resilience and talent. His wins include the PRCA Extreme Bares & Broncs and the Belt, Mont., Rodeo. He aims to finish with a flourish.
“It’s about listening to your body, paying attention to how you feel. But if you are healthy and get a decent horse in the draw, you should probably go. There’s just a ton of money to win in August and September. It’s underrated how much you can win,” Champion said. “And man, it’s just fun. The mental challenge, the physical challenge, getting to hang out with your buddies. We go to all these cool places and rodeos. I wouldn’t want to do anything else, that’s for sure.”
Other winners at the $283,753 Playoff Series rodeo were steer wrestler Laramie Warren (8.0 seconds on two head); team ropers Chad Masters/Trey Yates (9.8 seconds on two head); saddle bronc rider Damian Brennan (89.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s High Dive); tie-down roper Cory Solomon (18.1 seconds on two head); barrel racer Wenda Johnson (17.34 seconds); steer roper Tanner Stec (39.9 seconds on three head); and bull rider Trey Kimzey (89 points on Stockyards ProRodeo’s Cheddar Biscuit)
Courtesy of PRCA