Cole Reiner rode Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail for 91 points to win the bareback riding title at the 2024 Gooding Pro Rodeo, then qualified for the National Finals Rodeo for the fifth straight year. He’s hoping the magic returns at this year’s rodeo.
(PHOTO BY W.T. BRUCE)
Committee, crowd receive praise from one past world champion
GOODING, Idaho – Two years removed from qualifying for his fifth straight National Finals Rodeo, bareback rider Cole Reiner is on a redemption tour.
“Last year, I struggled,” said Reiner, 27, of Buffalo, Wyoming. “I was just slow. I didn’t feel at the top of my game. From the National Finals Rodeo in ’24 on, something just wasn’t right. Maybe I wasn’t having the most fun. Maybe I was trying a little too hard, just not as focused as I needed to be. I had a lot going on outside of rodeo with my personal life.
“This year’s been different. It’s been good.”
He’s hoping that trend continues. He’s excited to return to one of his greatest victories from a couple years ago, when he won the bareback riding championship at the 2024 Gooding Pro Rodeo. He will return to southern Idaho to defend his crown during this year’s festivities, presented by Idaho Ford Dealers, set for Thursday, Aug. 20-Saturday, Aug. 22, with a special “Beauty and the Beast” performance set for Wednesday, Aug. 19. All performances take place at 8 p.m. at Andy James Arena.
When Reiner claimed his first Gooding title two seasons ago, he did it on the back of Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail, bucking horse that is widely recognized as one of the very best in the sport. With three stock contractors in the mix – Summit will be joined by Canadian firm Macza Pro Rodeo and South Dakota outfit Korkow Rodeos – he and other cowboys like their chances to ride for big scores and bigger money.
“When we go to Gooding, it seems I get on a horse that I’m at least 87 points on and win money,” Reiner said. “It’s a chance to kick off the Idaho-Washington-Oregon run and make things fun. When I was 91 on Game Trail, it was an incredible feeling.
“I like being in the (Wednesday) special section, but we’re out Saturday night this year. There’s not a bad day to be in Gooding, and the crowd in amazing. We say that a lot about rodeo crowds, but in Gooding, they really are amazing. There’s really nothing like riding in front of that crowd, and the ‘Beer Worth’ section is great. Whether I’m 78, 88 or 92, I’m stopping over there to get a beer.”
That’s reason enough to return every year, but there are other incentives. For one, rodeo officials have increased the local dollars invested in the payout. Each event will feature $20,000 in “added money” in each event; the dollars are mixed with contestants’ entry fees to make up the overall purse.
“Gooding has stood out,” he said. “They’ve been adding more money every year. They want to improve things. Every year, they ask us what they could do to make things better for us. They are one of the few committees that do that, and the best part is they do listen. It’s great.”