Top-class rodeo action on tap at Horse Heaven Round-Up

Sage Kimzey spent Friday morning golfing with friends before competing that evening at the Caldwell Night Rodeo.

The world leader in the bull riding standings, who has won more than $900,000 this year between the PRCA and the different bull riding circuits, also won on the course. There was no money on the game, just a good time.

“It was just a friendly match today,” Kimzey said. “My traveling partner (Tyler Taylor) usually beats me, so it was my turn to win. If we have a day or a morning to kill, we usually try to find a good golf course.”

Rodeo fans will get to watch Kimzey, 22, ply his trade Wednesday at the Horse Heaven Round-Up. If he should make it back for Saturday’s short-go, it will be his 23rd birthday.

The Horse Heaven Round-Up kicks off Tuesday with five nights of action, including the fifth night, which will see the top 10 in each event from throughout the week return for the finals. The rodeo committee has added $20,000 to each purse (excluding mutton bustin’) to sweeten the prize.

“In the world of rodeo, it is a struggle to find bareback riders,” said Lori Lancaster, executive director of the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo. “We increased our purse. We want to take our rodeo to the next level. This is the last step we need to take to be up there with the best rodeos in the United States. We have gotten really good feedback from the cowboys, we have a new stock contractor and our entry level is up in the rough stock, higher than it has been in the past years. I think these moves will make ours the most sought-after rodeo this week of August.”

While $900,000 is a nice chunk of change, only $210,432 applies to Kimzey’s PRCA standings. The Strong City, Okla., cowboy has a comfortable $44,325 lead over second-place Garret Smith of Rexburg, Idaho.

“It has been a really rough year,” the three-time reigning world champion said. “The bank account and dollar figures don’t show it, but I had a nerve issue in my riding shoulder, a bulging disk in my neck, which I’m still dealing with, and I had the flu for a month or so. But I can’t complain about the year I have had. I’m trying to invest it wisely. We don’t have long careers.”

Let’s break his season down a bit more.

He made just over $300,000 in July, but he said he’s had no time to spend it. He just gets back on the road.

He won the Calgary Stampede, which put $100,000 in his pocket, and another $100,000 came from winning the Championship Bull Riding title.

He won another $50,000 in Salt Lake in July, but the big paycheck came at The American in February.

Kimzey won and picked up a check for $433,000 at the home of the Dallas Cowboys, who did not kick in a ticket to a game in the prize package. Maybe next year.

And, Kimzey is not above getting on a top-notch bull for a bit of pocket change.

Last month, he picked up a cool $20,000 for an 8-second ride on a black and white beast named Pearl Harbor in an exhibition showdown.

Top talent on the schedule

In addition to Kimzey, the Horse Heaven Round-Up will be chock full of top cowboys and cowgirls.

Tuf Cooper, the world leader in the all-around standing and tie-down roping will compete Friday.

“It’s a blessing to be on track and in a great position,” said Cooper, who hails from Decatur, Texas. “I just have to keep pressing forward and make the most of it. Be in the moment.”

Cooper, a three-time world champion in tied-down roping, said his haul of $153,931 in his specialty event has been the combination of a little luck and good calves.

“You go to enough rodeos, you will have good opportunities,” he said. “This year I have had the right calves at the right places. I think everyone has an equal opportunity out there. You just have to stay positive. No matter what you draw, make the most of it. It’s a tough season. It’s important to be balanced — it keeps you positive and your mind in the right place.”

And, Cooper is fond of the new championship Saturday schedule this season.

“I love the short-go rounds,” he said. “That’s what i shoot for. I want to be up on championship night. And, we appreciate the added money.”

On Friday night, you also can’t go wrong with five Wrights up in the saddle bronc.

Jake Wright (sixth in the world standings), Jesse Wright (14th), Cody Wright (19th), Ryder Wright (11th) and Spencer Wright (34th) are in the draw, along with world standings leader, Jacobs Crawley, who has banked $155,868 this year.

New bulls (and horses) on the block

After years of having Big Bend and Flying 5 provide the rough stock for the Horse Heaven Round-Up, the rodeo committee rustled up a stock contractor this year, partnering with the Calgary Stampede Ranch.

Calgary Stampede prides itself on its Born to Buck program, breeding animals which buck harder and higher.

Among Calgary Stampede’s championship stock have been Coconut Roll, Moon Rocket, Lawsuit, Kloud Grey, Guilty Cat, and six-time world champion bucking horse of the year Grated Coconut, son of Coconut Roll.

Also providing rough stock will be the Bridwell Pro Rodeo Company.

“This is our first time there, and it’s a good thing,” Bridwell said. “It’s nice to get something started and create a good working relationship for time to come. As much fun as rodeo is, you still have to make some money.”

Bridwell has worked with Calgary Stampede multiple times, and Bridwell said they have a good working relationship.

“Their bucks are second to none,” Bridwell said of Calgary’s horses. “That leads to an excellent rodeo.”

While Bridwell has bulls and horses, it’s the bulls that grab people’s attention.

“Our top bull, Boot Hill, has not been ridden this year,” Bridwell said. “Then we have Omaha, who has bucked off Sage Kimzey this year. We will hold our higher-end animals for the short-go. That’s what sells tickets. Sage earned about $300,000 last month. He’s a high-end rider. Hopefully he’ll come back for the short-go.”

What you don’t see

The Horse Heaven Round-Up received a grant from Wild Horse Resort & Casino to buy a new timed event chute, and the committee also picked up a new arena groomer.

“We are doing things on all levels to make it the best we can be,” Lancaster said. “The timed event chute will work smoothly and the groomer will make our dirt top notch. We hope the rough stock and timed event guys are pleased.”

Cooper, for one, was elated when he heard the news.

“This is exciting,” he said. “Movin’ on up and sharpening things up. I wish other ones would do that too. We appreciated the extra work they put in to make it better for us.”

This story was originally published August 21, 2017 at 3:24 PM with the headline "Top-class rodeo action on tap at Horse Heaven Round-Up."