Saddle Bronc

SADDLE BRONC

Rhythm is the key in this event. The rider moves his feet from the horse’s neck in a full arc toward the back of the saddle in time with the bronc’s action. The cowboy must ride in a saddle built to CPRA specifications with a braided rein connected to the horse’s halter. The cowboy uses this rein for balance. Where a cowboy holds onto the rein is very important. If he takes too short of rein, he will be pulled over the front, too long he may be bucked off the back.

The rider will be disqualified for touching any part of the horse or his equipment with his free hand, losing a stirrup or being bucked off before the end of the eight-second ride.

Below is a list of contestants that have qualified for the Calgary Stampede.

Pool A

Anthony Bello

Birth Date:
1976-01-30
Hometown:
Oakley, UT
Career Earnings:
$261,651

Born in Brewarring, Australia, Anthony has been competing for 10 years and chose Saddle Bronc after his love of riding. When not on the rodeo trail, Bello works as a plumber and enjoys waterskiing.


PRCA Standings
2006 won West Jordan, UT
2005 won Wichita Falls, TX and Pampa, TX.
Holds the Australian record - 92 points

Chad Ferley

Birth Date:
1980-01-25
Hometown:
Oelrichs, South Dakota
Career Earnings:
$411,937

Chad is married to Jessica and when not rodeoing he is a certified electrician.
Five time world Champion Billy Etbauer is his Idol.


PRCA Standings
World Titles (1)
Wrangler NFR (2)
Won his first world title after finishing second in the average and placing in six out of 10 rounds at the 2006 Wrangler NFR.

Cody Taton

Birth Date:
1981-11-05
Hometown:
Newell, S.D.
Career Earnings:
$126,039

Got his start in 4-H, High School and College Rodeos.
Trains colts and works cattle when not competing.


PRCA Standings
CFR(1)
Qualified for CFR 2007
In 2007, won at Medicine Hat, Williams Lake, and Central Wyoming Rodeos.

Dustin Flundra

Birth Date:
1980-11-29
Hometown:
Pincher Creek, Alberta
Career Earnings:
$154,607

When he is not rodeoing Dustin works as a ranch hand.


PRCA Standings
CFR (7)
Dustin won the CFR Saddle Bronc title in 2007.
Placed third in the 2006 CPRA standings.
In 1999 he was the Calgary Stampede Novice Saddle Bronc Champion.

Heith DeMoss

Birth Date:
1985-04-26
Hometown:
Crowville, Louisianna
Career Earnings:
$153,487

Heath's older brother is five-time WNFR qualifier Cody DeMoss. Precompetition rituals mean no shaves or baths before a ride.


PRCA Standings
Wrangler NFR(1) Won Round 4 of the WNFR and placed in 2 other rounds.
Won in 12 other major events in 2007.

Isaac Diaz

Birth Date:
1986-09-15
Hometown:
Stephenville, Texas
Career Earnings:
$149,446

In college, Diaz roomed with NFR Bareback qualifier Justin McDaniel. His greatest achievement has been qualifying for 2007 NFR.


PRCA Standings
Wrangler NFR (1)
Placed in 5 of 10 rounds at the WNFR.

Jeffery Willert

Birth Date:
1982-01-18
Hometown:
Belvidere, South Dakota
Career Earnings:
$651,226

In 2003, Jeff was kicked in the head by a horse after being bucked off at Reno (Nev.) Rodeo and suffered nerve damage to his left eye that cost him his sight in that eye.
Jeff is right-handed, but competes left-handed.


PRCA Standings
World Titles (1)
Wrangler NFR (5)
Placed in first two rounds of Wrangler NFR before injury forced him to miss the rest of the competition.

JJ Elshere

Birth Date:
1979-12-05
Hometown:
Quinn, SD
Career Earnings:
$234,023

JJ and his wife Linday have two sons, Talon and Thayne. JJ is short for Jeremy James.
JJ graduated from Philip High School in South Dakota with a class of 40 students.


PRCA Standings
Wrangler NFR (1)
Competes in both Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding.
JJ won the Wrangler NFR Saddle Bronc riding average in 2006.

Justin Arnold

Birth Date:
1980-01-30
Hometown:
Santa Margarita, CA
Career Earnings:
$354,492

Justin started riding at age 8 and is superstitious about putting his hat on the bed and eating chicken before a ride. He enjoys country music and raising broncs. Married to wife, Cory


PRCA Standings
Wrangler NFR(1)
Placed in 6 of 10 rounds at the WNFR, earning the fourth highest amount among Saddle Bronc Riders.

Rod Hay

Birth Date:
1969-01-05
Hometown:
Wildwood, Alberta
Career Earnings:
$2,087,383

Rod has had a 20 year long ride as a professional Saddle Bronc Rider.
He and his wife Shelley have three sons, Logan, Dawson and Devon.


PRCA Standings
Wrangler NFR (18)
CFR (17)
Won Round 2 and placed in 9 of 10 rounds at the 2007 Wrangler NFR on his way to the aggregate title.
Calgary Stampede $50,000 winner four times.
He has won the Canadian Saddle Bronc Riding Championship eight times.

Pool B

Bradley Harter

Birth Date:
1981-09-26
Hometown:
Weatherford, Texas
Career Earnings:
$343,806

His superstition is that he always puts his left boot on before the right one.
He has a regular workout routine that includes jogging and lifting weights.
Bradley graduated from Tarleton State University with a bachelor's degree in Marketing.


PRCA Standings
Wrangler NFR (2)
Place in four out of 10 rounds at the 2006 Wrangler NFR, sharing the round victory in the Round 9.

Bryce Miller

Birth Date:
1980-05-04
Hometown:
Buffalo, South Dakota
Career Earnings:
$253,412

Bryce is single. His hobbies include fishing, riding colts and playing golf. His rodeo Idols are Billy and Dan Etbauer.


PRCA Standings
Wrangler NFR (3)
Placed in three rounds at the Wrangler NFR in 2006 tying for a win in the 10th round with a score of 89 points on Kesler Championship Rodeo's Cool Alley.

Chet Johnson

Birth Date:
1980-10-18
Hometown:
Gillette, Wyoming
Career Earnings:
$266,122

Chet got involved in Saddle Bronc because to him its the "true" Cowboy event.
Chet is single and is superstitious about eating chicken before he rides.
His favorite rodeo is the Calgary Stampede.


PRCA Standings
Wrangler NFR (2)
CFR(1)
Chet placed in three rounds of the Wrangler NFR and took home seven other rodeo wins in 2007.
Won the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour round at RodeoHouston in 2005.

Cody DeMoss

Birth Date:
1981-01-14
Hometown:
Heflin, La.
Career Earnings:
$931,691

Cody and his wife Margie have a daughter, Darbi.
His nickname is Hot Sauce DeMoss which he got in college because he poured hot sauce on everything he ate to make is taste better.


PRCA Standings
Wrangler NFR (5)
Cody placed in six rounds of the WNFR and won Round 1.
He was the 2006 regular season leader.
Calgary Stampede $100,000 Champion 2007

Cody Wright

Birth Date:
1977-04-01
Hometown:
Milford, Utah
Career Earnings:
$880,670

Cody and his wife ShaRee have four sons, Rusty, Ryder, Stetson and Statler.


PRCA Standings
Wrangler NFR (5)
Finished second in 3 rounds at the WNFR in 2007.
Won or tied for first at 9 rodeos in 2007.
Calgary Stampede 2006 $100,000 winner and was the 2002 Calgary Stampede Saddle Bronc average winner.

Dan Mortensen

Birth Date:
1968-12-16
Hometown:
Billings, Montana
Career Earnings:
$2,392,167


Dan started competing at age 11 in youth rodeos near Billings, MT and turned pro in 1990.
His hobbies include outdoor activities and wood working.


PRCA Standings
World Titles (7) (6 in SB 1 AA)
Wrangler NFR (16)
CFR (2)
Calgary Stampede $50,000 Saddle Bronc Champion twice.
Dan won two rounds at the Calgary Stampede in 2007.
In 2003 Dan became the first rough stock cowboy to pass the 2 million dollar mark.

Jesse Bail

Birth Date:
1979-12-28
Hometown:
Camp Crook, SD
Career Earnings:
$1,376,460

Jesse has been competing professionally in Saddle Bronc for ten years. His early mentor was Tom Reeves.


PRCA Standings
Wrangler NFR (10) CFR(1)
In addition to Saddle Bronc riding, Jesse competes in bull riding.
2007 CPRA SB Season Leader and Canadian Rodeo Tour Champion.
In 2007 Jesse won titles in 15 major rodeos.
During Cowboy Christmas in 2002 Jesse won over $33,000, competing in six states, two countries and worked for a total of three minutes.

Jesse Martin

Birth Date:
1970-07-01
Hometown:
Dillon, Mont.
Career Earnings:
$684,066

Jess is single.
His hobbies include hunting, skiing and sports.
He competes with diabetes.
Legendary barrelman Flint Rasmussen was Martin's resident assistant when he was going to Montana College.


PRCA Standings
Wrangler NFR (4)
CFR (1)
2007 Tied Buc Days ProRodeo Corpus Christi(TX)
In 2006 Jess won both the Ponoka Stampede and the Cloverdale Rodeo and Exhibition as well as four other major rodeo's in the U.S.

Ross Kreutzer

Birth Date:
1970-12-21
Hometown:
Maple Creek, SK
Career Earnings:
$275,276

Ross tried other events before landing in the Saddle Bronc saddle in 1989, when he entered the event for the first time, and won. Ross also works as a horse trainer.


PRCA Standings
CFR (7)
2007 SK, BC Circuit SB Champion
2006 Canadian Saddle Bronc Champion
2001 Calgary Stampede SB $50,000 winner

Rusty Allen

Birth Date:
1975-09-16
Hometown:
Lehi, Utah
Career Earnings:
$651,035

Rusty and his wife Fawn have two daughters, Ashley and Seinna. His other occupation is engineering.
Rusty's hobbies include skiing, hunting and fishing.


PRCA Standings
Wrangler NFR (4)
Won Round 6 of the WNFR and placed in two other rounds.