ProRodeo Sports News - July 12, 2019

Kimzey keeps winning With wins just about everywhere, World Champion Bull Rider Sage Kimzey can finally notch Reno off his list – both in the Xtreme Bulls and for the Reno Rodeo. “I’m just blessed,” Kimzey said. “I feel healthy mentally, physically and spiritually, and I’m 100% now.” Kimzey, 24, was ready for a rematch with Diamond G Rodeo’s Magic Dave, having been bucked off in Coalville, Utah, last August. His 90.5-point ride on Magic Dave in the final round added points on two head, good for a $12,543 check and a pair of Reno’s Silver Spurs. “It’s just huge to start the summer out like this and to move into Cowboy Christmas with two huge wins like this does worlds for a guy’s morale,” Kimzey said. The timing couldn’t have been better for a morale boost, as Kimzey’s Cowboy Christmas schedule involved up to a win in the Reno Rodeo average with 176 eight flights in 10 days immediately after Reno. Kimzey altered his trip this season to accommodate more Canadian rodeos as he pursues a Canadian title in addition to his sixth consecutive PRCA world title. “Some of my entries got traded around,” Kimzey said. “I’ve been on a lot of planes, but it is what it is and that’s what it takes to be in the winner’s circle.” Although he has big goals, Kimzey kept a steady pace during Cowboy Christmas. “Just one a day, I don’t like doing two-a-days too much,” Kimzey said.

Rookie Berry takes bareback crown Winning $10,051 at the Reno Rodeo launched “I didn’t think about it, I just knew I was prepared Matt Cohen photo Bareback rider Leighton Berry has claimed the top spot in the PRCA | Resistol Rookie Standings.

Leighton Berry from sixth place to first in the 2019 PRCA | Resistol Rookie Standings for bareback riding. “My dad always talked about how cool this rodeo is, and to get it on the 100th anniversary (of the Reno Rodeo) as a rookie is a blessing,” said Berry, 20. The Weatherford, Texas, cowboy’s three third-place finishes added up to a two-point lead in the average with 252 points on three head.

to win and had the horses to win on,” Berry said. Duking it out with world champions and frequent qualifiers for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo hasn’t fazed the rookie bareback rider. “I hadn’t thought about anything but nodding my head,” Berry said. Winning Reno also propelled Berry from 44th to 22nd in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings.

ProRodeo Sports News 7/12/2019

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