Xtreme Broncs Finale on Tap for PRCA Saddle Bronc Riders
The field is set for the 2021 PRCA Xtreme Broncs Tour Finale Aug. 26 in Rapid City, S.D.
The event will feature some of the best saddle bronc riders the sport has to offer. It’s an outing the cowboys look forward to all season long.
“It’s always a really fun event and it’s one of the biggest events a guy can win during the season,” said Shorty Garrett, 28. “If a guy can have a good Xtreme Broncs Finale it can push him right into the mix to get into the (Wrangler) NFR and that’s what everyone is trying to do.”
Last year’s champion Ryder Wright is back in the field. Wright won the short round in 2020 with a 91.5-point ride on Sutton Rodeo’s South Point, that ride helped him secure the average win as well. Brody Cress split the inaugural Xtreme Broncs Tour Finale championship with Wade Sundell in 2019.
Dawson Hay ($35,576) and Stetson Wright ($30,336) are first and second in the Xtreme Broncs Tour standings. Both are in the field.
“You know you have to bring your ‘A’ game when you go up there to Rapid City because all the best guys are going to be there,” said Wyatt Casper. “You have to ride your butt off and hope you draw good. I can’t wait for it.”
The Xtreme Broncs event will start out with 25 riders in the first round. The top eight scores from round one advance to the finals. It’s a format the cowboys don’t always see, but one they say they’re prepared for at this point in the season.
“Earlier in the season it could be something that could throw a guy off, but we are all deep in the season now and we’re used to getting on a bunch of horses,” Casper said. “So, I think we’re ready to go and are all prepared to get on two (horses) in a couple hours.”
The event provides cowboys like Shorty Garrett with a huge opportunity. Garrett is currently sitting 17th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, just outside the Top 15 that qualify for the NFR. He says while the pressure is there to perform, he’s going to take it horse by horse and enjoy the moment.
“There’s still a lot of days left to go in the rodeo season, so you can’t let all the pressure mount up on this event,” Garrett said. “We all just need to keep having fun and do what we know how to do. I’m ready for the challenge it’s going to bring.”
This year’s event will air on the PRCA on The Cowboy Channel Plus App at 8 p.m. ET.
Courtesy of PRCA