RAPID CITY, SD – “Good prize money. Good cowboys and cowgirls. Good stock. That’s what makes Rapid City among the best rodeos in America,” said Steve Sutton.
That was born out yet again as Rodeo Rapid City wrapped up its annual event in Rapid City last week while producing its last rodeo in the Barnett Arena (where Sutton’s put on the first rodeo 44 years ago) as it makes plan to move into the new Summit Arena in 2022.
Rodeo Rapid City went out in dramatic fashion as three arena records were set on the final day of competition on Saturday, Feb. 6.
There were eight PRCA bull riding world champions in the field of bull riders for the final performance of Rodeo Rapid City. With a 90.5-point ride holding down first place and an arena record of 93 on the books, the expectations were high for a spectacular night of bull riding action.
Eighteen-year-old PRCA rookie JR Stratford gave the packed house inside Rushmore Plaza Civic Center a real show when he bested the previous record held by PRCA World Champion Terry Don West, who set the record in 2003. Stratford raised the Rapid City bull riding bar to 93.5 points.
Another record fell in saddle bronc when Cody DeMoss, spurred his way to an arena record 91-point ride on Sutton Rodeo’s Face Book to win the saddle bronc gold buckle. The win continued what has been an excellent start to the 2021 PRCA season for the 40-year-old Louisiana man, who finished 16th in 2020 season one spot out of qualifying for his 14th trip to the National Finals Rodeo.
Canadian bronc rider, Kolby Wanchuk, posted an 88.5-point ride and South Dakota legendary all-around cowboy, Jesse Bail (Camp Crook) matched up another legend as well, Burch Rodeo’s Lunatic From Hell for an 86.5-point-ride.
Rodeo Rapid City’s barrel racing record of 12.21 seconds also fell. Originally set by Shandi Metzinger-Scales in 2002, Randee Prindle shattered that mark when she ran 11.80 seconds to win the rodeo.
2021 RODEO RAPID CITY EVENT WINNERS
Bareback riding – Jess Pope, Waverly, KS, 89.5 points on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Prarie Rose.
Steer wrestling – Jake Kraupie, Bridgeport, NE, 3.5 seconds.
Team roping – John Gaona, Winkelman, AZ /Trevor Nowlin, Casa Grande, AZ , 4.1 seconds.
Saddle bronc riding – Cody DeMoss, Heflin, LA, 91 points on Sutton Rodeo’s Facebook.
Tie-down roping – Shad Mayfield, Clovis, NM, 8.0 seconds.
Barrel racing- Randee Prindle, Gilman City, MO, 11.80 seconds.
Bull riding – JR Stratford, Byers, KS, 93.5 points on New Frontier’s High Expectations.
