Get off your butt and get down here...
Caleb Bennett, of Tremonton, Utah, hangs on as Oak Ridge leaps into the air during the bareback riding event at Friday's Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede rodeo.
Caleb Bennett went for one wild ride on Friday night at the Medicine Hat Stampede and Exhibition rodeo.
The Tremonton, Utah product earned a re-ride on a familiar horse in Oak Ridge and treated the fans to a bumpy 86.5-point ride to share the day’s victory with Luke Creasy while sitting just one point behind overall leader Ty Taypotat.
“I've seen that horse a handful of times, at the (National Finals Rodeo) last year and at the (Canadian Finals Rodeo). That horse is always kind of wild. He bucks every time he goes out so I was tickled to have him for a re-ride. He blew out of there,” said Bennett. “He made me work for it a little bit.”
Bennett has been coming to rodeos in Canada since 2012 and says there are a few, like the one in Medicine Hat, with the ultimate goal of reaching the CFR and unseating three-time reigning champion Jake Vold.
“I come up here every year to hit these major rodeos like this, Strathmore and Ponoka, and try to make the CFR every year. It's a huge goal of mine,” said Bennett. “I'd sure like to give ol' Jake Vold a run for his money with the Canadian title. I know he's kind of been kicking everybody's butt up here for the past few years.”
Bennett is well on his way after Friday’s winning ride, which topped Vold’s ride on Illegal Smile. While he and Creasy shared the day money, several of their competitors put in solid rides for what Bennett says is shaping up to be a impressive field this season.
“The competition in the bareback riding up here has been outstanding. Phenomenal riders, outstanding horses. I came away with the top score of the night but I'm just tickled and blessed to be here, blessed to be able to keep doing these, doing what I love, and blessed with good horses.”
Official results from Friday’s rodeo were not available by deadline.
The Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede rodeo concludes with Saturday’s performance at 1:30 p.m.