ProRodeo Sports News - Nov. 22, 2019

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

A Sixth Sense Kimzey out for sixth straight world title BY MATT NABER E ntering the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo as the top bull rider is old hat for Sage Kimzey. He’s done it every year of his career. 2019 BULL RIDING STANDINGS

1. Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla.. ........... $245,455 2. Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah................. 152,422 3. Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla....................... 149,116 4. Clayton Sellars, Fruitland Park, Fla.......... 129,191 5. Tyler Bingham, Honeyville, Utah.............. 127,527 6. Boudreaux Campbell, Crockett, Texas..... 126,771 7. Garrett Smith, Rexburg, Idaho................ 123,975 8. Trey Benton III, Rock Island, Texas......... 122,277 9. Jordan Spears, Redding, Calif................. 121,588 10. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah...................... 119,561 11. Jordan Hansen, Ponoka, Alberta............. 114,747 12. Koby Radley, Montpelier, La.................... 114,605 13. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas........................ 113,709 14. Daylon Swearingen, Rochelle, Ga.. ......... 111,851 15. Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla.. .............. 108,160 QUOTABLE “It’s my job and what I love to do. When I’m home, I’m not getting paid. I’m not going to sit at home if I can be making some money. There aren’t many occupations where a ... man can make this much money touring the country with his friends. But at the end of the day I just love riding bulls.” – Sage Kimzey ALWAYS ON TOP In his career, Sage Kimzey has always headed to the Wrangler NFR as the season leader in the bull riding world standings. Here's a look at his earnings before each of his trips to Las Vegas. 2014 ................................................................ $143,165 2015 ................................................................. $174,601 2016 ................................................................. $171,990 2017 .................................................................. $237,152 2018 ................................................................ $297,026 2019 ................................................................ $245,438 32, 1935-37), Harry Tompkins (1948-50, 1952, 1960), Jim Shoulders (1951, 1954-59) and Don Gay (1974-77, 1979-81, 1984). Sage is more than halfway to his goal of surpassing all of them by winning nine world titles. “I’d like to get the nine gold buckles and then count it out from there,” Sage said. “Then just make rodeo better for the next generation and keep helping bull riding evolve.”

But his sixth trip to the Wrangler NFR has a twist – he’ll compete alongside younger brother and rookie Trey Kimzey. “That’s pretty special for sure,” Sage Kimzey said. “He gave us a good scare, waiting until the last day to get it clenched up. I can’t even put it into words, but our parents are pretty proud and happy for sure. We’d been waiting for this moment as a family for a while now.” Sage enters the Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas, Dec. 5-14, with $245,438, while Trey is 15th with $108,160. Although they’re competing for the same goal, the brothers are rooting for each other. “He’s helped me with anything I asked for,” Trey said, adding that the biggest thing he’s learned from his older brother is to believe in himself. Sage made ProRodeo history by becoming the first cowboy in

BULL RIDING any event to win world titles his first two seasons, winning his rookie year in 2014 and repeating the feat in 2015. He continued to make history in 2016 by winning his third consecutive world title while becoming the youngest cowboy to surpass the million-dollar mark in career earnings at the age of 22 years, 3 months and 2 weeks. “He really is a freak of nature and one of the best bull riders ever,” Trey said. “It’s just amazing, honestly. I don’t know what else to say.” In 2018, Sage had the best regular season in any event in PRCA history, earning $297,026. “It’s my job and what I love to do,” Sage said. “When I’m

home, I’m not getting paid. I’m not going to sit at home if I can be making some money. There aren’t many occupations where a ... man can make this much money touring the country with his friends. But at the end of the day I just love riding bulls.” It wasn’t all smooth sailing as the Oklahoma cowboy missed some of the season due to injury. “The (2018) NFR had me pretty banged up, and all that’s in the past now, thank goodness,” Sage said. “Anything can happen in Vegas, but to come in No. 1 every year since I got my card is pretty special.” The 25-year-old cowboy’s rodeo résumé is packed with too many records and accomplishments to list. “I think it’s because of his mental attitude,” Trey said. “He studied the books and how the mind works.” One of Sage’s biggest wins in 2019 wasn’t even a rodeo title. “It wasn’t even a victory, it was my second-place finish at RodeoHouston,” Sage said. “I had a horrible winter relative to what I usually do, and Houston corrected that. Winning $25,000 boosted me up and leveled the playing field.” Now, he’s entering the Finals with a $93,000 lead. “I like it, but I’d always like it to be more,” Sage laughed. Unlike other events, ground money counts in bull riding so his lead could quickly get erased. Only four bull riders have as many world titles as Sage, and all of them are ProRodeo Hall of Famers: Smokey Snyder (1931-

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2019

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