ProRodeo rookie Clay Tom Hurt posted his fastest bulldogging run ever in 3.2 seconds to win the title during Monday’s third performance of Utah’s Own Rodeo.
(PHOTO BY STEVE GRAY)
SALT LAKE CITY – Clay Tom Hurt’s rookie season in ProRodeo began almost 11 and a half months ago.
He’s made dozens, if not hundreds, of steer wrestling runs, but none have been faster than Monday’s 3.2-second finish to win the bulldogging title at Utah’s Own Rodeo, worth $2,317. It pushed his 2026 earnings to more than $62,000 with just 15 days remaining on this campaign.
“That’s the fastest run I’ve ever had,” said Hurt, 23, of Dilley, Texas.
That’s saying something, but Hurt knew he needed to be fast. Veterans Mike McGinn and Jace Melvin had posted 3.7 runs earlier in the rodeo, so he needed to beat it. Everything had to come together very well for him to post such a fast score.
He had to do all the technical things right, and he had to draw a steer that would work to stop the clock that quickly. Most importantly, he was well-mounted, riding Banker, the 2025 Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year owned by fellow bulldogger Justin Shaffer.
“That horse is outstanding,” Hurt said of the powerful bay gelding. “He’s one of the coolest horses I’ve ever rodeo.”
Banker has been Hurt’s primary horse this year. He began traveling with Shaffer earlier in the summer and found comfort in the horse.
“I’ve been getting to ride him pretty much at all the big rodeos and anything else that works,” he said. “He gives you a lot of confidence in yourself and a lot of confidence that there are not many steers that get out around you. He’s going to show up and do his job every time.”
The chance to compete at big-time events like Utah State Fair’s rodeo is just icing on an already plentiful cake. He’s out of the chance to win the Rookie of the Year title and to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo, but he’s taking every opportunity he can to grow in the game he loves.
“This year has been awesome,” Hurt said. “It’s been an amazing experience. This is what I’ve wanted to do for a long time, and I get to go with the guys I get to go with. They’re all veterans, and they’ve all taught me more than I could have ever imagined.”
Utah’s Own PRCA Rodeo
Sept. 11, 12 and 14
Salt Lake City
Bareback riding: 1. Kody Lamb, 90.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail, $3,948; 2. Tim O’Connell, 88.5, $3,027; 3. Orin Larsen, 86, $2,237; 4. Jacek Frost, 85.5, $1,448; 5. Connor Griffith, 85, $921; 6. (tie) Cole Franks, Lane McGehee and Bradlee Miller, 83.5, $526 each.
Steer wrestling: 1. Clay Tom Hurt, 3.2 seconds, $2,317; 2. (tie) Mike McGinn and Jace Melvin, 3.7, $1,908 each; 4. (tie) Logan Kenline, Gavin Soileau and Tad Williams, 4.0, $1,363 each; 7. Jacob Wang, 4.1, $1,090; 8. Tyke Kipp, 4.3, $954; 9. Landris White, 4.4, $818; 10. (tie) Talon Roseland and Justin Shaffer, 4.7, $273 each.
Team roping: 1. (tie) Brodi Jones/Clay Elkington and Wyatt Murray/Jake Freeland, 4.9 seconds, $2,895 each; 3. Cody Snow/Lane Mitchell, 5.0, $2,352; 4. (tie) Kellan Johnson/Trae Smith and Cody Stubbs/Wyatt Thomas, 5.1, $1,900 each; 6. Jet Toberer/Dan Scarbrough, 5.3, $1,629; 7. Clay Tryan/Braylon Tryan, 6.0, $1,448; 8. Tadd Thomas/Brock Andrus, 6.2, $1,267; 9. Rhett Anderson/Chase Tryan, 6.6, $1,086; 10. Jade Anderson/Kycen Winn, 10.4, $724.
Saddle bronc riding: 1. Rusty Wright, 90.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Heavy Feathers, $3,751; 2. (tie) Damian Brennan and Chase Brooks, 87, $2,500 each; 4. (tie) Hayz Madsen and Bailey Small, 86, $1,125 each; 6. Kaden Chance Horrocks, 85.5, $625; 7. (tie) Zachary Dallas, Darcy Radel and Kolby Wanchuk, 84.5, $292 each.
Tie-down roping: 1. Tom Simpson, 7.6 seconds, $3,596; 2. King Pickett, 7.8, $3,173; 3. Riley Wakefield, 8.2, $2,750; 4. Tate Crandall, 8.6, $2,327; 5. Tom Crouse, 8.7, $2,115; 6. Bryce Derrer, 8.8, $1,904; 7. Britt Bedke, 9.1, $1,692; 8. Justin Brinkerhoff, 9.3, $1,481; 9. Logan Corta, 9.5, $1,269; 10. Gary Grant, 9.7, $846.
Breakaway roping: 1. Hali Williams, 1.7 seconds, $4,183; 2. Josie Conner, 1.8, $3,346; 3. Rickie Engesser, 2.0, $2,719; 4. (tie) Zoie Bedke, Jordan Jo Hollabaugh and Ali Norcutt, 2.1, $1,673 each; 7. Samantha Kingsbury, 2.2, $1,046; 8. (tie) Kimberly Sanford and Brylee Smith, 2.3, $889 each; 10. (tie) Sloan Anderson and Jill Tanner, 2.4, $680 each; 12. (tie) Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, Jenna Dallyn, Erika Frost and Kimberly Williams, 2.5, $366 each.
Barrel racing: 1. KariAnn Cross, 16.61 seconds, $2,997; 2. Tayla Moeykens, 16.72, $2,547; 3. Austyn Tobey, 16.75, $2,098; 4. Sonya Madsen, 16.79, $1,798; 5. (tie) Jennifer Kalafatic and Haylee Moosman Woodward, 16.99, $1,274 each; 7. Andrea Busby, 17.01, $749; 8. Alyssa Urbanek-Wade, 17.05, $599; 9. Anita Ellis, 17.06, $524; 10. Katie Barton, 17.15, $450; 11. Emma Smith, 17.21, $375; 12. Emma Parr, 17.22, $300.
Bull riding: 1. Colton Young, 89 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Best Chance, $4,729; 2. Elijah Mora, 86.5, $3,776; 3. Tristan Mize, 86, $2,960; 4. Dakota Adams, 72, $2,143; no other qualified rides.