DICKINSON, N.D. – Sage Newman is having the kind of year every saddle bronc rider wants, especially now in just his third year in ProRodeo.
He’s No. 11 in the world standings and is in position to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo for the first time. He helped his cause a bit Saturday afternoon by sharing the bronc riding victory at the Wild Rides Rodeo Dickinson at the Stark County Fairgrounds.
“It’s nice to be drawing good horses and stay on a roll,” said Newman, 23, of Melstone, Montana. “I try not to think about it too much. We’re just riding broncs and having fun. I don’t look at the standings. I’m just having fun doing what I’m doing.”
He rode Macza Pro Rodeo’s Surprise Party for 83 points to split the victory with Jacob Kammerer of Phillip, South Dakota, who rode Macza’s AKA; each man pocketed $1,529 for their work in western North Dakota.
That will push Newman’s season earnings past the $77,000 mark and further help in his bid to advance to ProRodeo’s grand finale this December under the bright lights of Las Vegas. Only the top 15 contestants in each event at the conclusion of the regular season earn their opportunities to ride for the biggest prize money in the game.
“I’ve had a blessed year; I couldn’t ask for anything better,” Newman said. “My end-of-the-year goal is to be in the top 15. That’s still what I’m striving for to get to the yellow bucking chutes.”
Rodeo has been part of his life most of his life, and he’s continuing to live his dream on the road one bucking horse at a time. Of course, he always has plenty of people to lean on, especially in a family like his.
“The support system I have is amazing,” he said. “The family and friends that help me get up and down the real. I couldn’t do this without my family.”
Wild Rides Rodeo Killdeer
Sept. 18, 2021
Dickinson, North Dakota
Bareback riding: 1. Tristan Hansen, 81 points on Macza’s Dirty Looks, $1,393; 1. Zachariah Phillips, 77, $1,055; 3. Nate McFadden, 76, $760; 4. Tucker Zingg, 73, $506; no other qualified rides.
Breakaway roping: 1. Sloan Anderson, 2.1 seconds, $1,717; 2. Randa Calbaugh, 2.2, $1,421; 3. Brandi Guttormson-White, 2.3, $1,125; 4. Hailey Kleemann, 2.4, $829; 5. (tie) Bethanie Shofner and Kristy Lawrence, 2.6, $415 each.
Steer wrestling: 1. Joe Nelson, 4.0, $1,329; 2. Travin Bauman, 4.1, $1,100; 3. Wynn Schaack, 4.6, $871; 4. (tie) Tyler Thorson and Jake Kraupie, 4.7, $527 each; 6. Cameron Morman, 4.8, $299.
Team roping: 1. Radley Day/Taylor Williams, 5.1, $1,567; 2. Shawn Bessette/Jacob Goddard, 5.2, $1,297; 3. Cint Gorrel/Cody Smith, 5.9, $1,027; 4. (tie) Bodie Mattson/Cash Hetzel and Clay Ullery/Matt Zancanella, 6.1, $622 each; 6. Nate Horner/Wyatt Maglike, 6.2, $270.
Saddle bronc riding: 1. (tie) Sage Newman, on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Big Surprise, and Jacob Kammerer, on Macza Pro Rodeo’s AKA, 83 points, $1,529 each; 3. K’s Thomson, 78, $949; 4. Dusty Hausauer, 76, $633; 5. Kash deal, 74.5, $369; 6. (tie) Brand Morgan and Houston Brown, 74, $132 each.
Tie-down roping: 1. Joe Schmidt, 8.6 seconds, $1,411; 2. Ty Hedrick, 8.7, $1,167; 3. Jesse Medearis, 9.4, $924; 4. Jason Lawrence, 10.5, $681; 5. Jason Schaffer, 11.3, $438; 6. Trey Young, 12.2, $243.
Barrel racing: 1. Molly Otto, 17.39 seconds, $869; 2. Erin Williams, 17.43, $744; 3. Nicole Bice, 17.48, $620; 4. Jessica Routier, 17.47, $537; 5. Nikki Hansen, 17.61, $414; 6. MacKenzie Benson, 17.67, $331; 7. (tie) Jenna Humble and Carey Rivinius, 17.90, $207 each; 9. Heather Crowley 17.93, $124; 10. Lindsay Homer, 18.56, $83.
Bull riding: 1. Coleman Entze, 79 points on Fettig Pro Rodeo’s Happy Hour, $2,396; 2. Clayton Savage, 77, $2,041; no other qualified rides.