BY BRETT NIERENGARTEN @PRORODEOBRETT
Kade Bruno had a breakout year in 2023, earning $322,178 and finishing third in the world. In 2024, he spent much of the summer battling Damian Brennan for the top spot before ultimately finishing the season ranked third.
At 24, Bruno will be competing in his third consecutive NFR in 2024, aiming to extend a streak every cowboy dreams of—he’s earned more money each year of his pro career than the last.
Winnemucca NYE Xtreme Broncs, $9,419
Almost immediately after the 2023 NFR ended, Bruno went to work on 2024. On Dec. 23, 2023, he was second at the Chase Hawks Rough Stock Rodeo with 86 points to win $7,600 and then was even better in Winnemucca in both score and money on Dec. 31.
His 86.5-point ride on Hippy Mountain was worth almost $10,000 and gave him wins in two of his first four events of the season.
Clovis Rodeo, $8,893
In Clovis, Bruno notced the first year qualified ride of the season on Corey & Lange’s Monster, a horse that would prove to be one the cowboys wanted in 2024, delivering an average score of more than 86 points.
The Weekend of April 28 ended up being a big one for Bruno in California, he also rode for 85.5 points at the Lakeside Rodeo, once again doing so on Hippy Mountain.
Bruno has won a rodeo in California every year of his career.
St. Paul Rodeo, $13,127
There aren’t many one-headers that pay better than St. Paul and Bruno took full advantage by riding Broken Camp for 87 points. It was a big bounce back for him after putting up just 69 points, his lowest score of the season, there in 2023.
Ogen Pioneer Days, $10,113
Bruno tied fellow world title contender Lefty Holman with 87.5 points, finishing just half a point ahead of Ben Andersen and a full point ahead of Wyatt Casper and Zac Dallas. Reigning World Champion Zeke Thurston placed sixth with 86 points, meaning the entire Top 6 at the rodeo consisted of 2024 NFR qualifiers.
Ogden was part of a massive three-rodeo run for Bruno from July 19-24. In addition to his win there, he took second at the Fiesta Days Rodeo and the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo to make it more than $27,000 total from three events in six days. At Days of ’47, he was 91 points in the Finals.
The Calgary Stampede, $35,602
In a dramatic Championship Sunday, Kade Bruno rode for 92 points not once, but twice to defeat Zeke Thurston in a ride-off at The Stampede.
The ride that ultimately delivered Bruno the title came on Northcott and Yule Rodeo’s Mary Lou.
In addition to winning the big prize, Bruno also placed on all three of his horses in Pool C.
All of this came at his Calgary Stampede debut, by the way.
Caldwell Night Rodeo, $7,664
Bruno’s biggest win in August came in his home state of Idaho when he was a whopping 177.5 points on two in Caldwell.
His first ride was 87 points on Lyin Lunatic for second in the Long Round before taking first in the Finals with 90.5 on Miss Valley.
That same weekend, he also won $4,000 for second at the Moses Lake Round-Up (Washington).
Meet the NFR Athletes is presented by Montana Silversmiths #EveryBuckleHasAStory #BrandOfChampions #FromGreatToGold
