Healthy Brody Wells Snares Title at Rodeo Rapid City (S.D.) Xtreme Bronc Match
By: Tracy Renck
A healthy Brody Wells was a victorious cowboy Saturday night at the Rodeo Rapid City (S.D.) Xtreme Broncs Match.
Wells had an 89.5-point trip on Muddy Creek Pro Rodeo’s Bugsy in the finals to capture the title at The Monument arena.
“I’ve seen my buddies get on that horse and I’ve seen him at a lot of rodeos and a lot of short rounds, but I had never strapped myself to him,” said Wells, 22. “He left there and I got a big spur out on him and I really just wanted to stick to the basics and be aggressive because he wants to drop out of there. To the average person he doesn’t look that strong, but to us bronc riders we know how strong he is. He’s a real deal bucking horse. He bucks hard so you have to stay aggressive and keep charging.”
Wells, who calls Powell, Wyo., home, earned $5,232 for his performance.
“I felt like I rode (Bugsy) pretty good,” said Wells about his first career win at this event. “It is a fun atmosphere, and everybody was pumped up. It was the short round with all my buddies, and it was a lot of fun. I had a horse that I could win on here and I took advantage of it.
“It feels great to get this win. I had some injuries last year and did some rehab and got my leg strong again and it has been good. Now, I have some momentum going into all these big winter rodeos like San Antonio, Houston, Austin, and San Angelo.”
Wells advanced to the final eight – winner take all short round – with his 84.5-point trip on Sutton Rodeo’s Ruby Girl in the long round.
“That horse was awesome,” Wells said. “She went out there and gathered herself up and blew up in the air. She went out there and let me show off and do my deal. Just what you want in a long round of a bronc match.”
During the 2023 season, Wells’ most severe injury happened in July when he tore his quad in his left leg during a ride at the Central Wyoming Fair & PRCA Rodeo in Casper.
“The horse ran into the concrete wall and my leg got caught in between the saddle and it ripped my quad up,” Wells said. “Two weeks into being home healing up my quad got infected and I had to go back to the hospital and get surgery and they had to flush it out. I had that nasty deal, and I was out until Pendleton (Ore.) in September. It just feels so good to be healthy and get back and win something. I’m out here having fun and traveling the country with my friends. It is a blast.”
A year ago, Wells finished 34th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $49,623 and his goal is to qualify for the WNFR in December in Las Vegas.
“If I stay healthy, I 100 percent believe I can get there,” Wells said.
With more performances like he had Saturday night that goal is well within reach.
Courtesy of PRCA.