Richmond Champion, a nine-time qualifier for rodeo’s biggest stage, has beenmaking a habit of slipping into the NFR.
A year ago he finished in the regular season in the No. 15 spot with $111,688 earned. This season, Champion had another sweat toward to the end, once again grabbing the last spot in the bareback riding.
Thanks to a solid run at the end of the year, Champion made more than $9,000 in the last 10 days of the regular season, edging out Tanner Aus—another consistent qualifier—by just $200.
RodeoHouston, $10,000
After making less than $5,000 despite five straight rides marked 80 or better in Fort Worth and San Antonio, Champion finally got a big Texas Swing payday with another strong showing in Houston. He would advance out of his Super Series afte earning $4,500 on his three rides. Champion was 85 points, 79 points, and 83.5 points to advance to the Semis.
There, he was 85.5 points to win the First Semifinal and earn an additional $3,000. More importantly, he was headed to the Finals.
It was a disappointing Championship Round, Champion placed eighth with an 81-point ride, but still tacked on another $2,500.
At the end of the Texas Swing, Champion was No. 23 in the PRCA World Standings.
Livingston Roundup Rodeo, $6,521
Champion earned a big payday in Montana at the Livingston Roundup Rodeo, where he was 86 points on Bailey Pro Rodeo’s Candy Coated to get the win. He edged out fellow young bucks and fellow NFR qualifiers Weston Timberman and Rocker Steiner.
Over Cowboy Christmas, Champion also placed third at the Basin City Freedom Rodeo in Washington as well as the Western Stampede in Utah.
California Rodeo Salinas, $9,109
Champion took home a second-place finish at the California Rodeo Salinas after going 168.5 on two. Champion was 83.5 points in the Opening Round for a fourth-place check. In the Finals, he got second with an 85-point ride. He ultimately finished three points behind Round 1 winner Cole Franks.
The Calgary Stampede, $9,500
Champion started things off with a bang by winning Pool B, Round 1 with 87 points on Macza’s Grit Your Teeth and then placed in the next two rounds as well with rides of 81.5 and 82.5. Champion bowed out in the Semifinals after an 85.5-point ride put him seventh.
Thanks to his performances in Salinas and Calgary, Champion went from No. 20 to No. 11 in the World.
Wayne Herman Invitational Xtreme Broncs, $4,608
As the end of the season neared, every dollar Champion won would be vital to his NFR hopes. He took the title at the Wayne Herman Invitational with an 87.5-point ride on Time to Rock to get the win and earn $4,608 in mid-August. He shared the win with Orin Larsen while Tilden Hooper, Rocker Steiner, Weston Timberman and Cole Franks all also won checks.
Madison Pro Rodeo, $4,808
The Madison Pro Rodeo kicked off Champion’s final dash of the regular season reason. Knowing he needed to capitalize because he wouldn’t be competing at the Governor’s Cup, Champion was 86 in the First Round and 87 in the Second Round to tie Rocker Steiner for the win and delivered him his biggest of seven checks he won over the last two weeks of the season.
Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo, $1,605
It came down to the final weekend for Champion who had to hold off Tanner Aus. Aus entered the rodeo $2,000 behind Champion for the No. 15 spot. Aus would go 82.5 points for a third-place finish and Champion would tie for fifth with an 80-point ride. Had Aus been one point better, or Champion a half point worse, Tanner Aus would be heading to the NFR instead of Richmond Champion.
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