Rematch in Redmond Ends With Big Win for Cameron Messier
The moment he saw the draw, Cameron Messier knew there was potential for a strong outcome at the High Desert Stampede in Redmond, Ore.
Back in August 2022, the up-and-coming saddle bronc rider had faced Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Diamond Fever at the Farm-City Pro Rodeo in Hermiston, Ore. The end result that day was an 83.5-point ride that left Messier just shy of earning a check.
The sequel was worth the wait.
Messier took advantage of the draw, going for 88 points to secure his biggest win of 2024. The result put $4,512 in his earnings giving him more than $15,600 for the year.
“She was actually outstanding today. That’s a great little mare from Corey & Lange Rodeo, she’s been to the (National Finals Rodeo) a couple times herself, so I was fortunate enough that she was having a good day and I was having a good day and we just really matched up together and it worked out today,” Messier said.
The outcome was the latest in a run of good results for the Herald, Calif., native. After placing third in the average at the California Circuit Finals back in late December, Messier has taken part in limited rodeos during the winter schedule, making the most of his rides.
He won the third round at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver to open 2024 and has picked up money at six of the eight rodeos he’s taken part in so far.
The slower but successful pace has allowed Messier to get comfortable with a saddle he’s been breaking in. Last May, his saddle broke during a ride, forcing Messier to find something new.
At the time, his travel partner, Justin Lawrence, had sustained an injury that was going to require significant recovery time. Lawrence allowed Messier to use one of his saddles during that period. It resulted in Messier finishing the 2023 season with more than $21,600 in earnings, his second highest total since turning pro in 2017.
“I fell in love with it – and I was kind of bummed when I had to give it back,” Messier said with a laugh. “But, when I did give it back, I was fortunate enough to find one pretty alike, and I jumped on it and set it up like I had the one that my buddy had. It’s been working really well for me, and it kind of fits me really good, and it fits my style really good. It’s paid for itself over and over, and I’ve only had it for a couple months now.”
With a comfortable saddle and some additional confidence, Messier is looking forward to continuing his strong start during the spring and summer schedule.
The Remond win pushed Messier up to No. 41 in the World Standings, placing him about $600 away from cracking the top 40. If things keep going well, the climb could be far from over.
“To kind of get a whooping on them guys early on, it gives me a little bit of confidence and will bump me up in the standings a little bit more than where I’m at right now,” Messier said. “I’m pretty excited and really excited to see what’s going to happen in the next couple weeks.”
Other results from the High Desert Stampede:
Bareback rider Garrett Shadbolt rode Bridwell Pro Rodeo’s Ted to 87.5 points and a $4,759 paycheck.
Levi Rudd finished his steer wrestling run in 4.3 seconds to win the title and earn $3,096.
The team roping duo of Cole and Tyler Eiguren edged the field with a time of 5.3 seconds to earn $3,763 each. Second and third places were 5.4 and 5.5 seconds, respectively.
Beau Cooper’s time of 7.8 seconds in the tie-down roping was good enough to win the event at $4,355. Runner-up Haven Meged finished in 7.9 seconds.
Barrel racer Hayle Gibson posted a time of 16.32 seconds to win $4,819.
Luke Mast captured the bull riding title with a ride of 87.5 points on Bridwell Pro Rodeo’s Hell No Roscoe, earning him $5,911.
Brushton Minton was named all-around cowboy after earning $4,217 competing in tie-down, steer wrestling and team roping.
ALEX RILEY
Alex Riley is a writer for Sports Illustrated's feature, Rodeo Daily. Formerly working at news outlets in South Carolina, Texas, Wyoming and North Carolina, Alex is an award-winning writer and photographer who graduated from the University of South Carolina.