Berry rides momentum to title

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Leighton Berry rides Championship Pro Rodeo’s Cajun Queen for 88.5 points to win the short round and earn a share of the average championship at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. He pushed his season earnings to more than $115,000 and sits No. 1 in the bareback riding world standings.
(PHOTO BY RIC ANDERSEN)

SAN ANGELO, Texas – Leighton Berry has earned a significant income in just a short time.

Now in the fourth month of the year, the Weatherford, Texas, cowboy has already earned more than $115,000 and sits No. 1 in the bareback riding world standings. Nearly $11,000 of that has come over the last couple of weeks at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo.

Since February, Berry has earned at least a share of the championship at three of the biggest rodeos in Texas: Houston, San Antonio and San Angelo; he also won in Los Fresnos, Texas. He’s been on a roll that nobody would want to stop, and he proved again it inside the Foster Communications Coliseum.

“First and foremost, I’ve got to thank God,” he said. “That’s been my No. 1 thing; I’ve been trying to focus on Him this year. It’s kept my head on straight and helped me with everything else in life, my workouts and everything I’ve got going on at home. I try to remind myself to be a good person and keep following God.”

Prayer works, and it has for quite a while. Two years ago, Berry didn’t get the chance to compete in San Angelo. He’s suffered a broken back at a rodeo in Odessa, Texas, in January. Through his faith and his dedication to rehabilitation, he returned to action seven months later and came within a whisker of returning to the National Finals Rodeo; he first competed at the NFR in 2020, just a few weeks before his injury.

He got his chance to play on the grandest stage in rodeo again last season, and he took full advantage. He earned more than $137,000 in just 10 December nights in Las Vegas and finished the 2022 campaign as the third-best bareback rider in the game. He’s just taken it a step up in the early stages of this season.

In San Angelo, he finished in a four-way tie for third place in the opening go-round with an 87-point ride on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Rip, which was worth $2,523. He then won the San Angelo short round with an 88.5-point ride on Championship’s Cajun Queen and shared the aggregate championship with newcomer Andy Gingerich of Aberdeen, South Dakota. Both had a two-ride cumulative score of 175.5 points.

“Everybody at Championship Pro Rodeo, mainly Will O’Connell, has done an outstanding job of putting together a great set of bucking horses that prove themselves time in and time out,” Berry said. “Pete Carr is the stock contractor in San Angelo and does a great job all the time of bringing the right stock contractors to his rodeos, whether it’s his amazing bucking stock or the best from other guys.

“He tries to make it as even a pen of stock as he can whether it’s the bucking stock or the calves they rope or the steers they rope. That gives everybody as even of a shot to win.”

Berry is an established veteran. Friday’s championship round featured 10 bareback riders, six of whom have made the NFR (two world champions). Three others – Gingerich, Luke Thrash and Jacek Frost – are all rookies. It just added to the flair that people in west Texas have come to expect at San Angelo’s rodeo.

“I’m only 24, and I’ve been rodeoing the last couple of years, but I feel like I’m turning into a veteran because of all these young kids that are riding like superstars,” he said. “Bareback riding has exploded on the scene, and I’m glad to see it. It makes for better competition.”

There was plenty of excitement all night, and the biggest winner fiscally was barrel racer Kassie Mowry of Dublin, Texas. She placed in a tie for second in the opening round, then won the second round. She and her big, gray gelding, Will, posted the second fastest run in the championship round to clinch the aggregate title. In all, Mowry pocketed $25,283.

The packed house inside the historic coliseum made sure every contestant felt the energy.

“The electricity in there is similar to the NFR,” Berry said of the Thomas & Mack Center, the home of ProRodeo’s grand finale since 1985. “You’re in a little dome building. The fans come to this rodeo for a reason. They make you feel right at home.

“You get a cowboy feel to it and get chills down your spine. You feel like you’re in a gunslinger town.”

Leighton Berry came to town with his pistols loaded and the No. 1 ranking in the world standings. He made sure to fire off a few shots of his own, and he has the San Angelo title because of it.

Justin Smith of Leesville, Louisiana, secured the tie-down roping championship at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo.
(PHOTO BY RIC ANDERSEN)

San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo
March 31-April 14
Bareback riding:
1. Luke Thrash, 88.5 points on J Bar J Rodeo’s Think Pink, $7,569; 2. Andy Gingerich, 87.5, $5,803; 3. (tie) Jess Pope, Clayton Biglow, Cole Reiner and Leighton Berry, 87, $2,523 each; 7. Orin Larsen, 86.5, $1,009; 8. Shane O’Connell, 86, $757. Final round: 1. Leighton Berry, 88.5 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Cajun Queen, $1,650; 2. Andy Gingerich, 88, $1,250; 3. Shane O’Connell, 87.5, $900; 4. Luke Thrash, 86.5, $600; 5. Jacek Frost, 86, $350; 6. Jess Pope, 85.5, $250. Average: 1. (tie) Leighton Berry and Andy Gigerich, 175.5 points on two rides, $6,686 each; 3. Luke Thrash, 175, $4,289; 4. Shane O’Connell, 173.5, $2,775; 5. Jess Pope, 172.5, $1766; 6. (tie) Jacek Frost and Clayton Biglow, 170.5, $1,135 each; 8. Richmond Champion, 169, $757. 

Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Dakota Eldridge, 3.4 seconds, $6,530; 2. (tie) Will Lummus and Josh Garner, 3.5, $5,252 each; 4. Jay Williamson, 3.7, $3,975; 5. (tie) Eli Lord, Logan Kenline, Denard Butler and Remey Parrott, 3.8, $1,845 each. Second round: 1. Cash Robb, 3.2 seconds, $6,530; 2. (tie) Justin Shaffer and Cody Devers, 3.5, $5,252 each; 4. (tie) Tanner Milan and Brandon Harrison, 3.8, $3,549 each; 6. Stan Branco, 3.9, $2,271; 7. (tie) Tucker Allen, Joe Nelson and Talon Roseland, 4.1, $662 each. Final round: 1. Jay Williamson, 3.7 seconds, $1,760; 2. (tie) Talon Roseland and Jesse Brown, 4.0, $1,415 each; 4. Tyler Pearson, 4.1, $1,071; 5. Eli Lord, 4.3, $842; 6. Cash Robb, 4.4, $612; 7. Cody Devers, 5.0, $383; 8. Jacob Talley, 5.;2, $153. Average: 1. Jay Williamson, 12.1 seconds on three runs, $9,795; 2. Jesse Brown, 12.3, $8,514; 3. (tie) Talon Roseland and Eli Lord, 12.5, $6,601 each; 5. (tie) Tyler Pearson and Cash Robb, 13.0, $4,046 each; 7. Cody Devers, 13.2, $2,129; 8. Jacob Talley, 13.7, $852. 

Team roping: First round: 1. (tie) Jaxson Tucker/Wyatt Cox and J.C. Yeahquo/L.J. Yeahquo, 3.9 seconds, $5,188 each; 3. Dustin Equsquiza/Levi Lord, Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Cyle Denison/Cody Hogan, 4.0, $3,378 each; 6. Chad Masters/Trey Yates, 4.1, $1,930; 7. (tie) Shay Carrol/Evan Arnold, Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins and Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.2, $563 each. Second round: 1. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 3.4 seconds, $5,550; 2. Brenten Hall/Paden Bray, 3.6, $4,826; 3. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 3.7, $4,102; 4. (tie) Coy Brittain/Colton Brittain and Billy Bob Brown/Kirby Blankenship, 4.0, $3,016 each; 6. (tie) Derrick Begay/Colter Todd and Garett Chick/B.J. Dugger, 4.1, $1,568 each; 8. (tie) Tanner Green/Caleb Green and Reno Stoebner/Whit Kitchens, 4.2, $241 each. Final round: 1. J.C. Yeahquo/L.J. Yeahquo, 3.9 seconds, $1,639; 2. Chad Masters/Trey Yatres, 4.1, $1,356; 3. McCray Profili/McCoy Profili, 4.3, $1,074; 4. (tie) Tanner James/Jason Johe and Garrett Tonozzi/Corey Hendrick, 4.4, $650 each; 6. Tanner Green/Caleb Green, 4.5, $283. Average: 1. J.C. Yeahquo/L.J. Yeahquo, 12/3 seconds on three runs, $8,324; 2. Tanner Green/Caleb Green, 13.2, R7,238; 3. Chad Masters/Trey Yataes, 13.4, $6,153; 4. Garrett Tonozzi/Corey Hendrick, 13.9, $5,067; 5. (tie) McCray Profili/McCoy Profili and Tanner James/Jason Johe, 14.0, $3,438 each; 7. Chris Francis/Cade Passig, 14.4, $1,810; 8. Ty Arnold/Kaden  Profili, 8.8 seconds on two runs, $724.  

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Dawson Hay, 90.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s South Point Gambler, $7,104; 2. Brody Cress, 87.5, $5,446; 3. Wyatt Casper, 86, $4,025; 4. Ian McGivney, 85, $2,605; 5. (tie) Sage Newman and Ben Andersen, 84.5, $1,421 each; 7. (tie) Cash Wilson and Tanner Butner, 84, $829 each. Final round: 1. Dawson Hay, 89 points on Picket Pro Rodeo’s Secret Agent, $1,650; 2. (tie) Tanner Butner and Cash Wilson, 87, $1,075 each; 4. (tie) Jacobs Crawley and Wyatt Casper, 84.5, $475 each; 6. Ryder Wright, 78, $250. Average: 1. Dawson Hay, 179.5 points on two rides, $7,104; 2. (tie) Tanner Butner and Cash Wilson, 171, $4,736 each; 4. Wyatt Casper, 170.5, $2,605; 5. Jacobs Crawley, 168, $1,658; 6. Ryder Wright, 161.5, $1,184; 7. Brody Cress, 87.5 points on one ride, $947; 8. Ian McGivney, 85, $710.

Tie-down roping: First round: 1. (tie) Brush Minton, Hayden Ford and Chase Webster, 7.6 seconds, $6,105 each; 4. King Pickett, 7.8, $4,273; 5. (tie) Quade Hiatt, Michael Otero and Ty Harris, 7.9, $2,442 each; 8. Kyle Lucas, 8.0, $610. Second round: 1. Justin Smith, 6.9 seconds, $7,020, 2. J.T. Adamson, 7.2, $6,105; 3. (tie) Cory Solomon and Preston Pederson, 7.4, $4,731 each; 5. (tie) John Douch and Trenton Smith, 7.6, $2,900 each; 7. (tie) Caleb Smidt, Cimarron Boardman and Beau Cooper, 7.7, $712 each. Final round: 1. Cody Waldrop, 7.9 seconds, $1,990; 2. Westyn Hughes, 8.2, $1,730; 3. (tie) Trevor Hale and Justin Smith, 8.4, $1,341 each; 5. J.T. Adamson, 8.9, $952; 6. Brush Minton, 9.3, $692; 7. Chase Webster, 9.6, $433; 8. Ty Harris, 10.1, $173. Average: 1. Justin Smith, 23.7 seconds on three runs, $10,530; 2. (tie) Cody Waldrop and J.T. Adamson, 24.7, $8,470 each; 4. Trevor Hale,  24.9, $6,410; 5. Westyn Hughes, 25.2, $5,036; 6. Brush Minton, 25.9, $3,663; 7. Chase Webster, 26.6, $2,289; 8. Ty Harris, 27.1, $916. 

Barrel racing: First round: 1. Jimmie Smith-Tew, 15.80 seconds., $6,582; 2. (tie) Timber Allenbrand and Kassie Mowry, 15.82, $5,171 each; 4. Taycie Matthews, 15.83, $4,074; 5. Janet Staton, 15.89, $3,134; 6. Summer Kosel, 15.90, $2,507; 7. (tie) Nicole Driggers, Jackie Ganter, Katie Halbert and Amanda Welsh, 1,175 each. Second round: 1. Kassie Mowry, 14.04 seconds, $6,582’; 2. Shelley Morgan, 14.12, $5,642; 3. Dona Kay Rule, 14.13, $4,701; 4. Summer Kosel, 14.16, $4,074; 5. Ilyssa Riley, 14.17, $3,134; 6. Hailey Kinsel, 14.20, $2,507; 7. Jennifer Driver, 14.22, $1,881; 8. (tie) Wenda Johnson and Kelly Allen, 14.23, $1,097 each; 10. Kaycee Killingsworth, 14.25, $627. Final round: 1. Lindsay Sears, 13.88 seconds, $4,875; 2. Kassie Mowry, 14.00, $3,657; 3. Hailey Kinsel, 14.04, $2,438; 4. Dona Kay Rule, 14.12, $1,219. Average: 1. Kassie Mowry, 43.86 seconds on three runs, $9,873; 2. (tie) Lindsay Sears and Hailey Kinsel, 44.19, $7,757; 4. Dona Kay Rule, 44.34, $6,112’ 5. Kelly Allen, 44.38, $4,701; 6. Jimmie Smith-Tew, 44.40, $3,761; 7. Timber Allenbrand, 44.49, $2,821; 8. Emily Beisel, 44.64, $1,881; 9. Shelley Morgan, 44.72, $1,410; 10. Taycie Matthews, 44.74, $940.

Bull riding: 1. Deklan Garland, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Smokin Again, and Trey Benton III, on Stockyards Rodeo’s Just Another Gangster, 88.5 points, $6,474 each; 3. Josh Frost, 88, $4,153; 4. Koby Radley, 86, $2,687; 5. (tie) Jax Woodward and J.C. Mortensen, 85.5, $1,466 each; 7. Ernie Courson Jr., 85, $977; 8. (tie) Colby Demo and Coy Pollmeier, 83.5, $366 each. Final round: 1. Ernie Courson Jr., 89 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Midnight Special, $1,800; 2. Cody Teel, 87.5, $1,400; 3. (tie) Coy Pollmeier and Deklan Garland, 86, $900 each. Average: 1. Deklan Garland, 174.5 points on two rides, $7,329; 2. Ernie Courson Jr., 174, $5,619; 3. (tie) Cody Teel and Coy Pollmeier, 169.5, $3,420 each; 5. Trey Benton III, 88.5 points on one ride, $1,710; 6. Josh Frost, 88, $1,222; 7. Koby Radley, 86, $977; 8. (tie) J.C. Mortensen and Jestyn Woodward, 85.5, $366.

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