Greeley Stampede Closes Rodeo With PRCA Finals

Rodeo clown Ryder Rich of Eaton, right, steps in front of the bull to save the bull rider during the PRCA rodeo finals at the Greeley Stampede on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, in Greeley. (Jim Rydbom/Press Photographer)

The large crowd was in a jubilant mood during the final night of the professional rodeo tournament on Wednesday at the Greeley Stampede.

On the night before July 4, the Stampede Arena was filled with Americana, with approximately 7,500 fans attending the three-hour show, ending six nights of Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association action.

Rodeo clown Ryder Rich was in a jolly mood at the end of the night, which turned ugly as the crowd filed toward the exits. Rich, a 24-year-old from Eaton in his fourth year as a rodeo patron, celebrated a successful Stampede for himself, fellow clowns Chuck Swisher and Nathan Harp, and the bull-riding athletes.

Rich said that despite a few near misses during the week, the Stampede went about as well as he could have wished.

“We made it on both legs,” Rich said.

Stampede bull riding champion Scott Wells nearly found himself in hot water after his winning ride. Wells, a 21-year-old from Snyder, Texas, scored 169.50 points on two rides, including a crowd-pleasing 87-point performance to clinch the title. He earned $4,256 for the two-head average win and a total payout of $6,402.

Wells ended up on the ground after earning his points. The bull named Moody Mulie nearly brought his hooves down on Wells, forcing the rodeo protectors to intervene and divert the animal’s attention until Wells could get up and walk away.

Rich said what happened to Wells is known as “dropping in the well.” The force of the bull bucking and spinning pulls the rider to the side of the animal, forcing the protectors to intervene.

“We see them fall in a split second and there’s a gap (of time),” Rich said. “We jump in to get their attention.”

Wells’ winning ride generated one of the highest scores of the night and captured the attention of the crowd. Minutes earlier, the crowd had begun singing along to Joan Jett & the Blackhearts’ “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” in the stadium.

Wells got back up and celebrated the ride.

The contestants were the main performers. But the audience was also treated to constant entertainment, with stand-up comedy jokes from clown and barrelman Trent McFarland. Well-known and uptempo songs from artists such as John Denver, Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp were played during the show.

Isn’t that America?

Regular announcer Will Rasmussen narrated the evening. He reminded everyone of simpler times at the beginning of the rodeo. Rasmussen also encouraged thoughts and recognition of members of the armed forces and freedom of worship.

He certainly went for the light and the fun. Rasmussen encouraged the audience to sing along to the music and was once amazed at “what a night we have”.

In addition to Wells’ strong ride, fellow bull rider Jeter Lawrence scored 87.5 points in a third-place finish Wednesday. Saddle bronc champion Damian Brennan and second-place finisher Gus Gaillard both scored 89 points in their final rides.

Brennan, a 25-year-old Australian, won for the second year in a row in Greeley and for the seventh time this season. He is the highest-ranked saddle bronc rider in the world this year.

“It’s the beginning of Cowboy Christmas and it’s nice to start the summer like this,” Brennan said of the win. “It’s a big step to be in the NFR (National Finals Rodeo).

The National Finals Rodeo is the PRCA season-ending rodeo held each December in Las Vegas. The top 15 money finishers in each event compete at NFR.

Brennan said he owed much of his victories to the horse he rode, an animal named Rage. Brennan called the horse “a very good horse” and rider-friendly. Rage bucked a lot during the ride, which allowed Brennan to gain control of the horse.

Brennan earned a total of $9,192 for his win in Greeley and has earned $135,000 this season.

Steer wrestling champion Logan Kenline was the only winner from Colorado. His hometown is Penrose.

Wednesday’s winners were: Dean Thompson, bareback riding, 174.5 points on two runs, $9,479; Logan Kenline, steer wrestling, 11.7 points on three runs, $11,273; Dustin Egusquiza and Levi Lord, team roping, 15.6 seconds on three runs, $10,234; Kincade Henry, tie-down roping, 26.6 seconds on three runs, $11,890; Halyn Lide, barrel racing, 51.92 seconds on three runs, $9,710; and TiAda Gray, breakaway roping, 7.7 seconds on three runs.

The payout at this year’s Stampede was $443,451 and the add-on money was $262,199, according to the PRCA. Most rodeos are pay-to-play. Contestants pay an entry fee to participate, and that money goes toward the prize. The add-on money, or commission money according to the PRCA, is what the local committee contributes and usually comes from sponsors.

In 2023, the Stampede ranked 16th among the top 50 PRCA rodeos by pursuit. The Stampede had a total payout of $516,876.