Cody Hancock claims Xtreme Bulls national championship
ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The answer is Cody Hancock. The question was, who was going to emerge as the Xtreme Bulls year-end champion in a season of parity? There were nine different tour-stop champions in 2009, and there was no clear-cut favorite heading into the Seminole Hard Rock Xtreme Bulls Finale, presented by B&W Trailer Hitches in Ellensburg, Wash., on Sept. 5. It makes sense then that the veteran in the group would come through when the title was on the line. The 2000 world champion from Taylor, Ariz., can now add national champion to his list of awards, and he did it in dramatic fashion.
“I like to come from behind,” said the 34-year-old, who was seventh in the Xtreme Bulls standings before the finale in Ellensburg. “That is how I won the world.”
Indeed, Hancock is known for being the first roughstock cowboy in PRCA history to rally from the No. 15 spot at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo to win a world championship. Hancock had to rely on just that experience and composure to clinch the crown in front of a sell-out crowd of 9,458. He won the Ellensburg stop, along with the year-end title, thanks to a clutch ride in the finals.
All total, Hancock collected $16,620, while reigning World Champion Bull Rider J.W. Harris finished second and pocketed $14,460.
The stage was set when Hancock scored 88 points Flying Diamond Rodeo’s Little Jimmy in the first round, finishing tied for fourth place in the round and securing a spot in the finals. Kanin Asay, the 2007 Xtreme Bulls national champion, had the high-marked ride in the first round with a 91-point score on Burns Rodeo Company’s Kid Twist. Harris squeaked into the finals with a 77-point ride, setting up a showdown of two stars of the sport.
Harris appeared to have the momentum when he scored 91.5 points on Flying Diamond Rodeo’s Boomtown, the first qualifying ride of the final round. He threw his helmet in celebration and the helmet was caught by barrelman Keith Isley – in the barrel – as the crowd erupted in cheers. Hancock had to follow up the effort and not let his emotions get away from him.
“I was trying not to (think about the pressure),” he said. “Bull riding is the same whether you are riding for $2 or $100,000. You have to keep your hand set and do your job.”
Hancock stayed aboard Four Star Rodeo’s Happy Hour and the scoreboard showed his 88 points was enough to win the average and lock up the year-end title. He accepted the guitar from the Seminole Tribe of Florida and proceeded to play a little air guitar for the crowd. Not bad for a guy a few years older than many of the bull riders going down the road.
“Kanin (Asay, age 24) and J.W. (Harris, age 23) were calling me ‘Gold Card,’ and it actually cracks me up,” Hancock said. “But I told them I’m still riding with you guys and winning.”
Along with prize money and guitar, Hancock was presented a buckle by Steve Miller of Montana Silversmiths.
The Xtreme Bulls Finale was held in conjunction with the Ellensburg Rodeo, which concludes with its finals at 11:45 a.m. local time on Monday. The Xtreme Bulls Finale was contested after rain fell throughout the day and up to a couple of hours prior to the performance leaving the arena muddy.
Along with Hancock and Harris, the 40-man field included world champions B.J. Schumacher (2006) and Wes Silcox (2007).
Past overall Xtreme Bulls champion are Mike Moore (2003), B.J. Schumacher (2004), Matt Austin (2005), Zeb Lanham (2006), Kanin Asay (2007) and Chance Smart (2008).
The Xtreme Bulls finale from Ellensburg will be televised on ESPN2 at noon EDT on Oct. 11 and rebroadcast Oct. 17 and Nov. 15 at noon EDT on ESPN Classic. Visit ProRodeo.com for past Xtreme Bulls stories, photos and an Xtreme Bulls TV schedule. In-depth coverage of the Ellensburg Rodeo and the Xtreme Bulls finale will be in the Oct. 2 ProRodeo Sports News, THE Voice of ProRodeo.
Unofficial results
First round: 1. Kanin Asay, Powell, Wyo., 91 points on Burns Rodeo Company’s Kid Twist, $7,191; 2. Tyler Smith, Fruita, Colo., 89, $5,513; 3. Tate Straton, Stanley, N.M., 88.5, $4,075; 4. (tie) Cody Hancock, Taylor, Ariz., and Zack Elliott, Thatcher, Utah, 88, $2,157 each; 6. Jarrod Ford, Greeley, Colo., 86.5, $1,199; 6. 7. Laine Baze, Benton City, Wash., 84, $959; 8. Jason Beck, Prairieville, La., 83, $719; 9. Colby Reilly, Stratford, Wash., 82.5; 10. Jake Wade, Alamo, Nev., 82; 11. Austin Ambrose, Fletcher, Okla., 81; 12. J.W. Harris, May, Texas, 77.
Finals: 1. J.W. Harris, 91.5 points on Flying Diamond Rodeo’s Boomtown, $5,273; 2. Cody Hancock, 88, $3,995; no other qualified rides.
Average: 1. Cody Hancock, 176 points, $11,985; 2. J.W. Harris 168.5, $9,189; 3. Kanin Asay, 91 on one head, $6,792; 4. Tyler Smith, 89, $4,395; 5. Tate Straton, 88.5 on one, $2,797; 6. Zack Elliott, 88, $1,598; 7. Jarrod Ford, 86.5, $1,598; 8. Laine Baize, 84, $1,199.
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