Of the 10 80+ point rides during the Short Go on Monday in Ellensburg, Wyatt Casper’s 89 on Calgary Stampede’s Xena Warrior sent him to the top of the Average making the title his for the first time in his career.
He won the Long Round as well and was 177 points on two, three points clear of Sage Newman.
“That horse has been good for a long time. She’ll try to treat you a little bit in the chute, try to leave over the gate but just after that she gives you all the opportunity to just gas it, stay ahead of her, she’s a good feeling horse,” Casper said.
Going into Ellensburg, there was $12,000 between the Top 3 saddle bronc riders in the World and in the Short Go, those three went head-to-head with Casper cinching the win and closing the gap to only $3,000.
“It’s a pretty fun competition. You get to ride with your buddies day in and day out and they’re the best in the World and they’re here to prove it so it’s fun,” he said.
Casper now has $209,822 to his name and is looking at his fifth National Finals Rodeo qualification with a chance at a Gold Buckle.