Reno bull riding champ looks for another victory.
RENO, NEV., June 25, 2015 — In 2013, when Brennon Eldred from Sulphur, Okla., won the bull riding at the Reno Rodeo, people were wondering just who he was.
It was Eldred’s rookie year and he hadn’t been to many rodeos outside of the state of Oklahoma. He came here with veteran rider Cody Whitney and left with a new pair of championship spurs. He finished fourth in the rookie of the year standings in his event and gained confidence to start the 2014 season.
Eldred qualified for his first Wrangler NFR last year and finished the season in 13th place. This year has been his best yet. He is currently fourth in the world standings and with his success here in Reno, he is in position to improve that.
At the seventh performance of the rodeo, Eldred rode the bull named Snap Shot from Growney Brothers for 86 points. That put him in the lead of the first round and secured him a place in Saturday night’s finals.
There are 12 bull riders left to compete here on Friday. They would all have to be successful and have scores over 86 points to move Eldred out of the final round which is virtually impossible.
When Eldred earned the title here previously, he was one of two riders to be successful on two rides and earned over $7,500. If he does that again this year, he will move up in the standings and gain momentum going into “Cowboy Christmas,” the busiest time of the year in rodeo.
The first round of bareback riding and saddle bronc riding were completed on Thursday night with Jessy Davis from Power, Mont., taking the lead in bareback. Davis rode the Big Bend Rodeo horse Faded Winds for 83 points to win $3,656. He will ride in the second round Friday night.
The eighth performance begins at 7 p.m. Friday and is Tough Enough to Wear Pink night. Tickets are available at www.renorodeo.com or by calling 800-325-7328.
