ProRodeo Sports News - October 5, 2018

JOHNNY ESPELAND

HERE’S JOHNNY AGE: 21 EVENT: Saddle bronc riding CIRCUIT: Columbia River CAREER

Now, Espeland is trying to make a name for himself in the PRCA.

“He knows how to enter all the rodeos up there (in the Columbia River Circuit). He has been around long enough that he knows the ins and outs of everything.” Mackenzie, 33, was full of praise for Espeland, who works as a ranch hand and enjoys hunting deer and elk. “He’s a great rider,” Mackenzie said.

TURNING HEADS Espeland has had a solid season, evidenced by finishing fifth in the PRCA | Resistol Rookie saddle bronc riding standings with $17,925. “I have been fortunate to draw really good horses, that has been a big part of it, and I’ve been drawing good at the right rodeos,” Espeland said. “This year has been awesome. I love traveling all over, going to rodeos and meeting people.” More impressively, Espeland is leading the Columbia River Circuit. Espeland’s biggest win came at the Kitsap Stampede in Bremerton, Wash., Aug. 25. Espeland had an 86.5-point ride on Big Stone Rodeo Inc.’s Bubbles, earning $3,892 for the performance. Bradley Harter, a 10-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier, was second with 85 points, followed by world champions Jacobs Crawley and ZekeThurston, who had 83- and 82-point rides, respectively. “That was cool to get that win,” said Espeland, who resides in Tygh Valley, Ore. “I take a lot of pride in what I’ve been able to do and make my own path. We have a very tough circuit. This is the last year we have the Canadian cowboys competing in our circuit before they start their own circuit next year. So, it would be really cool to win the circuit before they move on to their own circuit.” To advance to the RAMNational Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., in April, Espeland needs to either win the Columbia Circuit year-end title

HIGHLIGHT: Leading the

Columbia River Circuit standings with $14,799 and

“He knows horses very well, and he craves rodeo. The advice I give him is to try not to think too much and just do what you’re going to do. In the last year, he has made unreal improvement. He has gone from being a decent rider to one of the top guys going. He definitely has the potential to make the NFR.” As beneficial as Mackenzie is to Espeland, it has been a reciprocal relationship. “I enjoy being a mentor to Johnny,” said Mackenzie, who joined the PRCA in 2005. “He’s young, and he makes me want to go out and have fun like he’s having. He brings some youthfulness back to me.” Espeland has his eyes on making the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “That’s the No. 1 goal when you start rodeoing, to make the NFR and become a world champion,” he said. looking to earn his first trip to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo.

or capture the average crown at the RAMColumbia River Circuit Finals Rodeo in Yakima, Wash., Jan. 11-12. “This year I want to win the Columbia Circuit and go to the RAMNational Circuit Finals and do well there,” Espeland said. “I’ve never been to the National Circuit Finals, and that would mean a lot for me. When I get to the Columbia River Circuit Finals, I’m just going to take it one horse at a time and see how it plays out.” TRAVELING PARTNER BENEFITS Espeland is thankful to be traveling with veteran saddle bronc rider Ryan Mackenzie. Mackenzie won Columbia River Circuit saddle bronc riding year-end titles in 2006 and 2015 and the average at the RAM Columbia Circuit Finals Rodeo in 2014. “Ryan has been a big help to me,” Espeland said.

Johnny Espeland waits for the referee to signal a pin during a district semifinal match while competing for Culver (Ore.) High School in 2015 as a senior. Espeland finished third in the state at 145 pounds and helped Culver win the Class 2A/1A state championship. Jeff Wilson photo/Madras Pioneer

ProRodeo Sports News 10/5/2018

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