Wyatt Denny Gets Momentum Boost with Parada del Sol Win
It’s not often a good gut feeling, and a last-minute plane ticket equals a paycheck and round win, but that was the case March 12 for bareback rider Wyatt Denny.
No stranger to the winner’s circle, Denny made a splash in the desert at the Parada del Sol Rodeo in Scottsdale, Ariz., winning with an 83-point ride on Salt River Rodeo Company’s Captain Hook. The rodeo concluded March 13.
Originally not entered, Denny’s spring rodeo itinerary changed last-minute when he entered as a walkup replacement. He bought a plane ticket, matched up with the horse and rode to a win.
“Captain Hook is a really good horse, a good campaigner and one that you can bet is always a winner,” said Denny, 26.
Denny had a feeling if he could ride Captain Hook, he could win the round. His hunch proved to be correct. He added $1,321 to his 2022 earnings and good momentum.
For every good comeback story, there needs to be a setback. In rodeo, especially the roughstock side, contestants are no strangers to physical setbacks. After hip surgery and having to miss basically the entire 2020 season, the 2015 PRCA Resistol Bareback Riding Rookie of the Year said he’s never felt better.
“This year, ever since I started doing Doug (Champion’s) workout program, I feel like I’m back 110%,” he said.
In terms of goals, Denny said he’s vying for another NFR bid. He qualified for the NFR in 2016-18.
“Always set your goals high,” Denny said. “That way if you miss them, you’re going to end up where you need to be anyways.”
Of course, the bright lights of Las Vegas are kept in mind, but Denny prefers to keep his thoughts on the present.
“I just try to focus on that one horse, that one ride at a time and focus on the moment,” he said. “It’s simple if you keep it simple.”
Other winners at the $67,856 rodeo were steer wrestlers Blake Knowles and Brock Powell (4.1 seconds); team ropers Audon Lutz/Clint Groff (4.7 seconds); saddle bronc rider Clayson Hutchings (79.5 points on Salt River Rodeo’s Taos Timebomb); tie-down roper Bryce Derrer (7.8 seconds); barrel racer Megan McLeod-Sprague (17.47 seconds); and bull rider Hunter Kelly (85 points on Honeycutt Rodeo’s Hillbilly Jitterbug).
Courtesy of PRCA