LOVINGTON, N.M. – As soon as Wacey Schalla turned 18, he opted to test the waters in ProRodeo.
It’s a good thing he did. During his freshman season at Clarendon (Texas) College, he won both the all-around a bull riding national championships during the College National Finals Rodeo a month and a half ago in Casper, Wyoming. By then, he was already taking the PRCA by storm as a bareback rider and bull rider.
That trend continued Tuesday. Schalla won the first round and shared the championship-round victory to claim the aggregate title at the Lea County PRCA Rodeo Xtreme Bulls, worth $13,509. By doing so, he jumped three spots in the bull riding world standings and is cascading his way to the National Finals Rodeo.
“I’ve been really close to winning this Xtreme buckle at about two others,” said Schalla of Arapaho, Oklahoma. “The only one I won was in Palmer, Alaska, which is pretty special to me, but this one to get the buckle just tops it off.”
He began the evening of bull-riding only by riding Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Richard Slim for 89.5 points to win the opening round. In the short round, he matched moves with Salt River Rodeo’s Crawfish for 88 points to claim the crown. Much has changed for the Oklahoma youngster in the few weeks since he claimed the intercollegiate titles, but his consistency has been key.
“It’s been a blast,” he said. “When I bought my card as soon as I turned 18, I knew I could have a run at making the finals. It’s definitely looking a lot brighter now, so I’m excited.”
He should be. Only the top 15 on the money list in each event advance to the NFR, ProRodeo’s grand finale that takes place over 10 days each December in Las Vegas. Not only is he in strong contention to play for the biggest pay in the game as a bull rider, he’s 29th in the world standings in bareback riding. He’s well within reach of making the finale in two events. That experience paid off Tuesday, when he had to get on two of the toughest bulls in ProRodeo.
“I’d say it’s just as easy because I’m used to getting on two head a day, and let me tell you: That bareback riding wears you out way more than this does,” Schalla said with a laugh. “I know that’s why I get on more than one in the practice pen to be ready for stuff like this.”
Practice makes perfect, but Schalla is spending more time competing than rehearsing. There’s no need to get on any more than necessary this time of year, so making the right moves is more muscle memory at this stage of the game. Schalla said he had to hustle to produce a qualified ride on his first bull, Richard Slim, and that helped him stay firmly in place when it came to his short-round ride on Crawfish.
“That little Richard Slim is just a calf of Pete Carr’s, and that bull has a little something to him,” Schalla said. “He don’t get rode very often. I got bucked off him earlier this year in San Angelo, so it was dang sure good to get him rode.”
Lea County Xtreme Bulls
Lovington, N.M.
Aug. 6, 2024
First round: 1. Wacey Schalla, 89.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Richard Slam, $4,180; 2. Jackson Ward, 85.5, $3,277; 3. Jace Trosclair, 85, $2,503; 4. Avery Mullins, 84.5, $1,729; 5. Jax Mills, 81.5; no other qualified rides. Championship round: 1. (tie) Wacey Schalla, on Salt River Rodeo’s Crawfish, and T.J. Gray, on Rafter H Rodeo’s Wicked Sensation, 88 points, $2,752 each; 3. Avery Mullins, 87, $1,806; 4. Jace Trosclair, 86.5, $1,290. Average: 1. Wacey Schalla, 177.5 points on two rides, $6,576; 2. (tie) Avery Mullins and Jace Trosclair, 171.5, $4,426 each; 4. T.J. Gray, 88 points on one ride, $2.491; 5. Jackson Ward, 85.5, $1,631; 6. Jax Mills, 81.5, $1,201; no other qualified rides.