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Sage Kimzey Knows About the American’s Riches Firsthand

The financial jolt of winning RFD-TV’s The American is not lost on bull rider Sage Kimzey, a six-time PRCA world champion.

The Oklahoma native has cashed in twice at The American – once in 2017 and the second time in 2020 – earning $433,000 and $65,125, respectively, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Each event winner earns $100,000, with $50,000 counting toward the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Qualifiers at The American also have a chance to earn a share of $1 million.

Last year, Kimzey split the win with Joao Ricardo Vieira, who was on a permit.

“The approach to The American is really no different than any other rodeo,” said Kimzey, 26. “I will definitely make sure to try and get a good night’s sleep, eat healthy and drink lots of water. It’s definitely super important, but if you freak out about it too much you probably will not perform well anyway.”

The 2021 American concludes March 6-7. As it did last year, the rodeo will play a key part in qualifying for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

“You will have to have done something really wrong if you don’t make the (NFR) and you win The American, especially in a year that 90 percent of winter rodeos were canceled,” Kimzey said. “That’s a quarter of the season that we didn’t have (because of the COVID-19 pandemic). On a shortened schedule, The American is even more important. It’s going to be the biggest event we ride at probably all year.”

Competing at AT&T Stadium, which can seat more than 100,000, presents a different environment to contestants.

“It’s hard to describe (the feel), especially in big football stadiums,” Kimzey said. “There’s a different vibe to each stadium. It (AT&T Stadium) is so big that it’s relatively quiet down on the arena dirt. The stadium is so unreal, and it makes you feel pretty small the first time you walk through those doors and look up. It is a marvel.”

Having a chance to win a share of $1 million for eight seconds of work like Kimzey did in 2017 is something he will never forget. He split the million with saddle bronc rider Cody DeMoss and barrel racer Hailey Kinsel and earned another $100,000 for winning the bull riding.

“You’re talking about a true life-changing amount of money,” Kimzey said. “There are very few times anyone can compete for a true life-changing amount of money. Us getting to compete for $100,000 is a lot of money, but $1 million changes the whole game.”

After seeing his streak of six consecutive world championships end in 2020, Kimzey, who finished fifth in the world standings, is determined more than ever.

“We will just say last year was difficult,” Kimzey said. “With it being a difficult year, it definitely lit a fire back under me. It got to the point where bull riding was my job not what I was really enjoying and what I was really loving. At this point in the game, it definitely rekindled the fire.”

Courtesy of PRCA

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