Rookie Jestyn Woodward Gets Big Reno Xtreme Bulls Victory
Jestyn Woodward is exactly the sort of cowboy organizers had in my mind when they created Xtreme Bulls events. He grew up dreaming of riding the ornery beasts, following in the footsteps of his father Jacey and grandpa Jesse. He started at nine years old. A decade later, the 19-year-old Woodward is enjoying an eye-opening breakthrough campaign, while positioning himself to achieve a dream of a lifetime.
His wake-up-pinch-self season continued Thursday night as he captured the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo Xtreme Bulls win with a score of 168 points on two head.
“It would be huge for me to make it to the (National Finals Rodeo) and win rookie of the year because nobody from South Dakota has won it in like 30 years,” Woodward said. “That was Chad Brennan (in 1994). And he was my dad’s traveling partner. So, it would really mean a lot.”
Woodward is viewing this season through the windshield. No need for a rearview mirror with the road he’s traveling. Woodward continued cruising this season, posting an 84.5-point ride on Big Stone Rodeo Inc.’s Mr. Clean to secure the title. He had been eyeing this bull.
“I just really, really wanted to get on him for the last two years. He’s a really cool bull. Most of the time he goes out and he’s around to the right, but with me he went to the right and jumped ahead and went back to the left. I had to try really, really hard, and I couldn’t quit. It was tough, but it still felt good,” Woodward said.
“It’s just super exciting, a big confidence booster. I love to ride with these guys because everyone pushes each other. And when you ride against the best of the best and they are sitting there pushing you it makes you feel like you are just as good as they are.”
Woodward put himself to win with an 83.5-point trip on Flying U Rodeo’s Conundrum on his first ride. Life has been moving fast for Woodward. A year ago, he considered going to college and staying on his permit. But a friend told him to buy his card and commit to the ProRodeo trail. The leap of faith has been rewarded on an almost weekly basis as Woodward sits in the top five of the PRCA | RAM World Standings.
“I try not to look at that or pay attention to it. It’s not the end of the season yet, and that’s when it matters,” Woodward said. “I set my goals for myself by how much I want to win by a certain time. I set one for the end of the July and I have already blown that out of the water. Now I have a new goal for the end of August and this win is going to help me reach it. I am just trying to have fun, not look too far ahead, and it’s all been working out.”
Courtesy of PRCA