WNFR Bareback Horse Hostage of Cervi Championship Rodeo Passes Away

Former standout Cervi Championship Rodeo’s bareback horse F42 Hostage, a multi-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier, passed away Saturday at the Cervi’s ranch in Stoneham, Colo.

“She wasn’t necessarily the best horse, but she was the most consistent,” Binion Cervi said. “She was one that cowboys could win money on every time. Cowboys knew when they drew her they may win first and if not they will place. She was so easy to ride.”

F42 Hostage was born in 1997 on Cervi’s ranch in Stoneham and retired from rodeo in 2016. She was a multiple-time competitor at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Bobby Mote won Round 4 of the 2007 NFR with 85.5-point ride on the way to winning the world championship that year.

“I had that horse in San Antonio this year,” Mote said moments after his ride. “I didn’t get along with him as good then. I just didn’t bring it and didn’t make as good a ride as I could have. I had a little better game plan today. I just tried to stay as aggressive as I could and fortunately they rewarded me for it.”

At the 2004 NFR in Round 1, Larry Sandvick split second with an 86-point ride on Hostage. In 2005 at the NFR, Wes Stevenson won Round 1 with an 87.5-point ride on Hostage.

F42 Hostage has had 17 foals. Many of which have made NFR appearances, including P16 Hell’s Fire Hostage and W30 Guardian Angel.

“Hostage is one of those horses that if you had a trailer load of them, you would never have to stress being in the rodeo business,” Cervi said.

Courtesy of PRCA