BY BRETT NIERENGARTEN @PRORODEOBRETT
Dawson Hay made the highest marked and most memorable ride at the 2022 NFR with 92 points on Beutler & Son’s Killer Bee’s final out in Round 9.
With a propensity for big rides at the right time, Hay returns to Las Vegas for his fourth NFR berth in the last five seasons at No. 5 in the PRCA Saddle Bronc Riding World Standings.
BIGGEST PAYDAYS
The Calgary Stampede, $31,300
Following in his brother Logan’s footsteps the year before, Hay claimed the title at the biggest rodeo in his home county and did it in style, too. He was 91 points in the Semifinals and 92 on Xplosive Skies in the Finals.
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, $21,080
To kick off the Texas Swing, Hay made four straight rides of 88 points or better, saving the best for last with 90.5 The Calgary Stampede’s Tokyo Bubbles in the Finals to share the title with Stetson Wright.
San Angelo Rodeo, $15,858
Hay started the Texas Swing with a win and finished with one as well, making rides of 90.5 and 88 points to sweep both rounds and the Average.
HIGHEST MARKED RIDES
Oakdale Saddle Club Rodeo (California), 91 Points
Hay made a career-high four rides of 90 Points or More in 2023, the highest marked of which won him the Oakdale Saddle Club Rodeo and $2,109. Hay’s Average Score of 84.23 points was also a career high.
NOTABLE WINS
Battle of the Best (California), 88.5 Points in Finals
The name says it all, Hay topped Lefty Holman, Layton Green and Kolby Wanchuk in the Short Round and also won his second thanks to back-to-back rides of 88 and 88.5 points
Fallon County Fair and Rodeo (Montana), 84 Points
Hay’s biggest win of the summer in the U.S. came in Montana when he won almost $8,000 for an 84-point ride in Fallon County on Aug. 19. The weekend prior, he won the Cache County Fair and Rodeo (Utah) and the Missoula Stampede (Montana).
Meet the NFR Athletes is presented by Montana Silversmiths #EveryBuckleHasAStory #BrandOfChampions #FromGreatToGold
