New Saddle Bronc Leader Emerges at Pendleton Round-Up

The Thursday matinee of saddle bronc riding at the Pendleton Round-Up yielded a new leader as Zeke Thurston dropped out of the top spot, thanks to Sage Newman.

Newman, who rode Four Star Rodeo's Kemosabi, finished with an 88-point ride to overtake Thurston’s 86-point ride from Wednesday on Wayne Vold Rodeo Co.’s Legacy.

Newman is the No. 2 saddle bronc rider in the world and has made back-to-back National Finals Rodeo qualifications in the event (2021-22). With the ride, he’s put himself in position to potentially claim his 12th saddle bronc title this season.

Thurston remained in the Top 5, but he slid into a three-way tie for second place with Chase Brooks and Dawson Dahm.

Brooks is ranked No. 13 in saddle bronc riding this season, but he’s a seasoned vet in the event, with more than $1 million in earnings and five straight NFR qualifications, dating back to 2018. He has five individual titles this season.

Dahm is ranked No. 38 this season and has earned less than $100,000 for his career. But, the Tomahawk, Alberta, native has four titles north of the border this season. His current ranking is his highest ranking in any season since he joined PRCA in 2018.

Stetson Wright, the world all-around leader, finished with a final score of 84.5 on Wednesday and dropped to fifth place. He was the No. 1 saddle bronc rider and bull rider in the world entering the week and won the NFR saddle bronc title in 2021.

Lucas Macza rode to an 84 on Thursday and moved into sixth place. He entered Pendleton No. 30 in the world with three individual titles and a shared title this season.

The Pendleton Round-Up continues on Friday.