GOODING, Idaho – Zac Dallas had a little taste of what it takes to win a world championship when he qualified for last year’s National Finals Rodeo.

It was his first trip to ProRodeo’s grand finale, and he’s trying to make sure it’s not his last. He entered this week No. 8 in the world standings with $144,434, and he stands a great chance to add to it. He rode Summit Pro Rodeo’s Big John for 88.5 points Wednesday night to take the saddle bronc riding lead at the Gooding Pro Rodeo.

“I had that horse at the same exact (performance) here at Gooding last year, and I was 87.5,” said Dallas, 23, of Las Cruces, New Mexico. “Last year I got behind one jump, but this year I stayed ahead of it, and it felt a lot better. It felt better, and I think the horse was just as good today. I just rode it better.”

It showed, but it also helped Dallas to be familiar with the bronc.

“John Forbes raised that horse, and he’s a buddy of mine,” he said. “J.D. Hamaker has him, and he’s a good bronc.”

The key for success as an athlete is to make sure the fundamentals are strong.

“That’s what gets you to the top for the bronc riding,” Dallas said. “Make a good spur out, lift on your rein, stay back and set your feet. It doesn’t matter what horse you have or where you are; if you do things, you’re probably going to get a score and win money.”

That’s the name of the game. This is what the cowboys and cowgirls do for a living, and dollars equal championship points. Only the top 15 on the money list in each event when the regular season concludes advance to the NFR. That’s where the world champions will be crowned and handed gold buckles.

“Since I started riding broncs, my goal is to win a world title,” Dallas said. “That was my goal last year. That’s my goal this year. I’m getting close as I can during the regular season to get me in range to win that at the NFR.”

Richmond Champion has been to the NFR nine times in his career. He’s been in that battle for rodeo’s gold, and he’s been matched with some of the greatest bucking horses over his 11-year career. One of those is Macz Pro Rodeo’s Stevie Nicks, which has been recognized as one of the most electric bareback broncs in the sport.

The two matched for the third time Wednesday, and Champion posted an 87.5-point ride to take the bareback riding lead in Gooding.

“It’s anybody’s game, but anytime you can get on Stevie Nicks for 87.5 to kick off a rodeo, you’re feeling good about your chances at a good check,” said Champion, 32, a nine-time NFR qualifier from Stevensville, Montana.

The Gooding rodeo features three livestock producers who bring some of their top bucking animals to town. Many have been featured at the NFR.

“That’s the beauty of everything we’re seeing in these rodeos that get so good and the scores get so good,” Champion said. “It’s not one guy trying to make it with what they have. They’re reaching out and letting everybody bring their better stock in, and that makes rodeos like Gooding great.”

He has seen rodeo evolve over time. He first qualified for the NFR in 2014, and the money is definitely greater than it was a decade ago. He sits 19th in the world standings, so every dollar he can earn right now is important. The Gooding rodeo has a big purse, which is attractive, but there are other reasons cowboys arrive in southern Idaho.

“The community is in it from the time you show up to the time you leave,” he said. “You know the crowd’s into it. I’ve been seeing the ‘Beer Worthy’ girls for a decade now.

“Just this week, there are so many big rodeos a guy can go to, but I don’t think anybody chose not to come to Gooding. I can think of other rodeos where they could have been, and the cowboys chose to be here. They should be proud of that.”

Gooding Pro Rodeo
Aug. 13-16
Bareback riding: 1. Richmond Champion, 87.5 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Stevie Nicks; 2. Sage Allen, 86.5; 3. Mason Stuller, 86; 4. Tanner Aus, 85; 5. (tie) Mason Clements and Tilden Hooper, 84; 7. (tie) Taylor Broussard, Cole Reiner and Waylon Bourgeois, 84; 10. Nick Pelke, 81.5.

Steer wrestling: 1. Riley Duvall, 3.4 seconds; 2. Will Lummus, 3.6; 3. Riley Westhaver, 3.7; 4. (tie) Tristan Martin and Landris White, 3.9 each; 6. (tie) Jacob Edler, Trisyn Kalawaia and Garrett Oates, 4.0.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Zac Dallas, 88.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Big John; 2. (tie) Lefty Holman and Ben Andersen, 87; 4. Kade Bruno, 86.5; 5. (tie) Sawyer Eirikson, Logan Hay, Reed Neely and Brody Cress, 85.5; 9. Q McWhorter, 85; 10. Layton Green, 84.  

Breakaway roping: 1. Delaney Kunau, 3.0 seconds; 2. (tie) Kaydin Finan and Talia Seaward, 3.1; 4. Roanie Kasel, 3.3; 5. Oakley Crane, 4.4; 6. Olivia Wosnik, 4.6; 7. Kallie Roeser Foust, 12.3; 8. Summer Williams, 12.5; 9. Danielle Lowman, 12.6; 10. Haley Sage, 13.2. 

Bull riding: 1. Trevor Reist, 87 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Carharts and Lac; 2. Jordan Spears, 86.5; 3. Cutter Kaylor, 86; 4. Billy Quinlan, 83.5; no other qualified rides.