Keenan Hayes burst onto the scene a year ago, winning the PRCA Bareback Riding Gold Buckle in his rookie season. Hayes proved it was no fluke, backing it up with another great season. Hayes will enter the NFR in the No. 2 spot behind Rocker Steiner with $219,083 earned on the year.
Hayes heads to Las Vegas this December for the second time in his career as he looks to defend his World Title.
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, $15,693
Hayes started his Texas Swing off in a great way with a third-place finish at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Hayes opened the rodeo with an 89.5-point ride in Round 1 to take second place. He would follow that up with an 86.5 and a 91-point ride which advanced him to the Finals.
In the Finals, Hayes was marked 89 points on Drunk Bunny to place third and add $8,000 to his earnings in Fort Worth.
San Angelo Cinch Chute-Out, $7,500
Hayes dominated the San Angelo Cinch Chute-Out where he was 178.5 on two. Hayes opened the rodeo with an 87-point ride on Nite Faded, which set him up for a chance to win the rodeo with his second ride.
In the Finals, Hayes posted one of his best rides of the year, a 91.5-point ride on New Scarlet to get the win. Hayes won $7,500 with the win and continued a great Texas Swing.
NFR Open, $13,000
Hayes’ NFR Open got off to a rough start when he was marked 77 points in the Opening Round. He would not be deterred, however. In Round 2 Hayes was marked 85 points, which would be enough to get him to the Finals in Colorado Springs.
In the Finals, Hayes would be 89 points on Uncapped to get the win and take home a big $13,000 payday.
Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo, $15,000
One of the biggest wins of Hayes’ season came in mid-July at the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo where he took home $15,000. In the opening round, Hayes earned $2,000 thanks to an 87-point ride which would help him advance to the Finals.
Hayes posted an 89-point ride in the Finals which earned him the win and an additional $13,000 to his season earnings.
Cinch Playoff Series Championship Governor’s Cup, $14,611
Hayes ended his season on a high note, earning over $14,500 at the Governor’s Cup and locking in a No. 2 spot at the NFR. Hayes opened the rode with an 88-point ride which won the opening round and earned him $11,000. Hayes would place in one more round with an 83-point ride to earn another $3,500.
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