Fresh off another Canadian Title, World Champion Zeke Thurston buckles down for his ninth trip to the National Finals Rodeo. He says good rides, sticking to the basics and executing is what helped him get there.
“I had a really good year, had a good winter. It just kind of carried on and hopefully just keep riding that wave and take it to Vegas,” Thurston said.
The other 14 saddle bronc riders that are Thomas and Mack bound are not short of talent. For Thurston, it is fun to ride with this caliber of cowboys on horses that match that same level of athleticism and power.
With three Gold Buckles to his name, Thurston says there is no longer added pressure when he goes in as the reigning World Champion.
“You still got to go out there and do your job. I’ve been enough times now that I’ve went out there and done really well and I’ve went out there and not done very good at all, it doesn’t really matter who you are or how good you are. You kind of have to get things rolling and keep them rolling,” he said.
Another ten rounds for the Alberta cowboy and he plans to take each one as it comes.