South Dakota bronc, Wright duo for $30,000 Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup

by: Greg McDonald

Pope wins on horse named Hell’s Fire, in Sioux Falls

South Dakota bucking horse, leads Ryder Wright to Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup victory

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (September 30, 2024) — Sioux Falls hosted the second annual Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup over the weekend, with a payout just shy of $1.1 million. The Cinch Tour marks the end of the 2024 season and a major push for contestants aiming to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Dec. 5-14.

Headlining the Governor’s Cup were some outstanding livestock chosen to compete. The stock contractors are a list of who’s who in the rodeo world. Thirteen companies steeped in tradition participated in the finals at the Denny Sanford Center.

In the Bareback round, winners on Thursday and Friday included Burch Rodeo Company’s Bunkhouse Mouse, who teamed up with reigning World Champion Keenan Hayes for 88 points in round one. Round two was split between Burch Rodeo Company’s Hell’s Fire with 2022 World Champion Jess Pope and Harper and Morgan’s Sippin Fire Water with Rocker Steiner up. Both scored 86.5 points.

On Saturday, the rodeo started with the top eight qualifiers advancing to a four-man short round. The eight-man round was headlined by Championship Pro Rodeo’s bronc named Ranch & Crows Interiors with Rocker Steiner for 89 points. The four-man round saw Brookman Rodeo’s Hell’s Fire and Jess Pope come out on top with an 88.5 score and the title. Hell’s Fire is a Brookman-bred six-year-old mare. “It was an honor for her to be chosen for the Governor’s Cup,” said Tate Wieferich of Brookman Rodeo. “She really shows heart,” Wieferich added. The Montana bucking horse is expected to compete in Las Vegas.

Other Bareback qualifiers included Jacob Lees, Bradlee Miller, Dean Thompson, Garrett Shadbolt, Cole Reiner, R.C. Landingham, Waylon Bourgeois, Cole Franks, and Jacek Frost.

The Saddle Bronc riding also featured outstanding bucking horses at the Cinch Tour Finals. The first round was won by Bailey Pro Rodeo’s Capone and Brody Cress with an 86.5. Friday night’s round went to Burch Rodeo Company’s Rev Runner and Damian Brennan with 88 points. The eight-man round on Saturday night was highlighted by Championship Pro Rodeo’s Tickled Pink and Damian Brennan for another 88-point trip.

The short round was won by South Dakota’s own legend, South Point of Sutton Rodeo. The champion bronc, known for never having a bad trip, teamed up with two-time World Champion Ryder Wright for 88 points.

Saddle Bronc qualifiers included Logan Cook, Ryder Sanford, Kolby Wanchuk, Kade Bruno, Lefty Holman, Zac Dallas, Wyatt Casper, Statler Wright, and reigning 4X World Champion Zeke Thurston.

The thirteen stock contractors also included Powder River Rodeo, Korkow Rodeo, Three Hills Rodeo, Dakota Rodeo, Big Bucks Rodeo, Fettig Pro Rodeo, Sankey Pro Rodeo and Phenom Genetics, and Smith Pro Rodeo.

Full results www.prorodeo.com