In the world of saddle bronc, one Powell native is currently ranked No. 5 in the world. This Wyoming cowboy has already raked in $214,707 this season.
One of his season highlights was on Aug. 16. Brody Wells, 24, captured the title at Xtreme Broncs Finals in Rapid City, South Dakota. He now holds the event earnings record of $37,901.
“His performance in Rapid City was outstanding,” junior Gabi Gernhart said. “[It] shows all the locals, as well as everyone else who cheers for him, that he had a goal and wanted to perform highly.”
Wells’ performance showcased why he is one of the fastest-rising saddle bronc riders. In Rapid City, he rode two horses for a combined total of 183 points, beating the next competitor by 6 points. In the first round, Wells marked 92 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Damaged Goods, and during the finals, Wells turned in 91 points on Big Bucks Rodeo’s Freckles.
“It’s not very often that you have a kid who went to Powell High School becoming a big shot in the Pro Rodeo Circuit,” senior Rieta Clark said. “It definitely gives the whole town something to be proud of.”
However, Wells’ hot streak didn’t start at the Xtreme Broncs Finals. Earlier in August, he also won the Farm-City Pro Rodeo in Hermiston, Oregon; the Lea County PRCA Rodeo in Lovington, New Mexico; and the Bozeman Stampede in Bozeman, Montana.
If Wells continues his momentum, this will be his second qualification for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December.
“I think he’s become such an amazing competitor this year because he was sitting 12th last year going into the NFR,” Gernhart said. “He really wants to drive higher up in the standings.”
For context, only 15 saddle bronc riders qualify for the NFR. Over the course of ten nights, they compete for a share of more than $14 million in prize money.
“In the rodeo world, anything can happen,” Gernhart said. “But if Brody keeps riding like he has been, there is a good chance he will be top three during the NFR.”
“He’s showing everyone that if you want it bad enough and you try hard enough, what you want will happen with hard work and dedication,” Clark said.
