Ky Hamilton captures first Division 1 Xtreme Bulls win in San Angelo (Texas)
Australian native Ky Hamilton debuted on the PRCA bull riding circuit in 2020 and finished fourth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings as a rookie. Hamilton proved that was no fluke when he finished eighth in the 2021 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.
Hamilton’s quest for a third consecutive NFR was derailed when he suffered a lacerated kidney at an unauthorized PRCA event on March 5 and was forced to sit out for a month.
However, after winning the Xtreme Bulls event in San Angelo (Texas) on April 10, he returns to normal.
Hamilton took home $11,757 for winning the two-headed average with 175.5 points. With 170.5 points, Parker Breeding, the only other cowboy to complete two qualifying races, finished second on average. Hamilton, 22, stated: “I am delighted to get my first Xtreme Bulls (Division 1) buckle.” It’s a cool buckle, and winning these competitions (Division 1) is tough.
With a 90.5-point run at Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Time Bomb, Hamilton claimed the championship in the short round. It was a dogfight the whole time, according to Hamilton. That bull kept me on my toes the whole time. He didn’t stop. I had never ridden with him before and had no idea what to expect. He looked like a big dangerous rodeo bull, which is the kind he enjoyed. They are stylish and fun to drive.
That bull was vicious, but there is no better feeling than doing 90+ when you look at the scoreboard. In the first round, Hamilton set the tone for his win at Texas with an 85-point run in the Night Prowler at Rafter H Rodeo.
I didn’t know what (Night Prowler) would be like, Hamilton said. I hadn’t been on it in any way, but it was also great to ride. When you take out the first one, you also feel good about the alternate bone.
This was the Division 1 Xtreme Bulls’ third event of 2022 and Hamilton joins winners Stetson Wright (Fort Worth, Texas, Jan. 19) and Josh Frost (San Antonio, Feb. 22). Speaking of Wright, that’s Hamilton’s traveling companion.
We went together last time, and we’ll do it again this season, Hamilton said. As the old saying goes, iron sharpens iron. You’re only as good as the guys you run with. It sure is good to race with a Joe like (Stetson) because we’re always trying to outshine each other, and they anticipate each other a lot. It also surely helps each of us to be better.
Hamilton returns to action on Friday for the short round of the San Angelo Rodeo. He may sound a little cheeky, but I’m not worried about trying to do the NFR, Hamilton said. I know what kind of contender I am and I know I can do that (do the NFR again).
It makes no sense to look at the ranking. Just go ride everything that runs under you and the rest will take care of itself.
In the last two NFRs, Hamilton has earned a combined $188,571 and placed at eight rounds. He settled the palm of Round 1 at the 2021 NFR with an 87.5-point surge at Hurst & TNT Pro Rodeo’s Rip in Las Vegas.
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