LAS VEGAS – There’s a lot to being a rodeo cowboy.
It’s not just riding or roping. It’s being a businessman, knowing how to plan a schedule and take care of all the little things that come with it. It’s being a driver, someone who travels tens of thousands of miles to get from one event to another.
For Brody Wells, it’s all part of being a saddle bronc rider, those men who ride equine sticks of dynamite to make a living. For the first time in his career, the 23-year-old man was shown on ProRodeo’s biggest stage, the National Finals Rodeo. It was a chance to shine, but it was also an opportunity to learn.
“The biggest thing I did this week that helped me was just ignore some of the big stuff and just keep it simple,” said Wells of Powell, Wyoming. “It’s just bronc riding at the end of the day. I’ve learned so much about the other stuff, to not let your schedule get so packed. There are so many little things, like trying to make sure you try to eat good a couple of times and do all the things to try not to get sick.
“There are so many little factors that come into play. I’ve just been watching the guys that have been here a bunch of times and dominated here, but at the same time, I just had fun and rode broncs.”
He finished the 10-day championship with an 86.5-point ride on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Cat Walk, which resulted in a four-way tie for sixth place worth $1,358. He earned $94,761 in Las Vegas and ended the 2024 season 10th in the world standings with $230,546.
“That’s a sweet horse,” he said of Cat Walk. “It’s nice to get on a Wyoming born and raised bucking horse, and it was awesome.
“It’s been a great 10 days, and I’m super pumped for how it went. It makes me want to be back here a bunch. I’m just getting rolling here, just getting started.”
Wells was one of five cowboys who attended Clarendon (Texas) College. Combined, Wells, fellow bronc rider Wyatt Casper, bareback riders Weston Timberman and Cole Franks and bull rider Wacey Schalla earned nearly $673,000.
“Wacey picked it up there at the end, and he’s one of the best bull riders here,” Wells said. “He struggled for whatever reason, but he ended up riding great. Everybody was riding great and getting checks.”
He plans to utilize the momentum he gained during his first venture to Las Vegas as he prepares for next year.
“Coming here made me realize how much potential I have, and it’s a boost to my confidence,” he said. “We have the Chase Hawks (Memorial Rough Stock Rodeo) next weekend, so I’m rolling right into it. I’m going to keep rolling, because I want a gold buckle.”
Those only go to world champions, so his sights are set high.