Wells captures round win No. 2 at NFR

By Ted Harbin, TwisTed Rodeo

LAS VEGAS – Through the first half of the 10-day National Finals Rodeo, saddle bronc rider Brody Wells has placed three times and collected just shy of $90,000 in Sin City.

He’s earned at least a share of two go-round wins, which offers the lion’s share of the nightly payout. He’s proven that he’s in the right place at the right time, and he’s capitalizing on his opportunities.

“That felt great,” he said after posting an 89.5-point ride on The Black Tie of Sanky Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics to tie for the fifth-round win with two-time world champion Ryder Wright; each man collected $30,155. “That felt just like the first time I had him. He just fell of the ground, jumping up in the air, kicking hard, and it felt amazing.

“He gave a guy every opportunity to show off, still bucking. You’ve got to ride him, but he’s a great horse.”

The two tangled five months ago at the Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City and matched-up for 92 points. That earned Wells a $13,000 payday and the gold medal during the unique event that features an Olympics-style championship round. Having had The Black Tie before helped provide a ton of confidence, something he felt when he saw the draw.

“I already knew what he was going to do in the chute and how he was going to feel and the M.O. on that horse,” said Wells of Powell, Wyoming. “So, to win in Salt Lake on him and then have him here and win a round on him is pretty cool.”

He has pushed his season earnings to $223,772 and has moved up four spots to eighth in the world standings since arriving in Las Vegas. He’s accomplished things in his first week of the NFR that many cowboys dream about, even those that have played for the highest stakes in the game for years.

“It’s awesome to get it once, but at my first NFR to win it twice, it’s awesome,” said Wells, who was part of men’s national championship teams at both Clarendon (Texas) College and Tarleton State University. “I’m super excited and grateful to be here.”