Maple Creek’s Jared Parsonage hits back-to-back 8-second rides for 171.5 total points
A local bull rider placed first Saturday at the annual Clunie-Clooper Memorial PBR bull riding event at the Art Hauser Centre.
Jared Parsonage, of Maple Creek, Sask., had back-to-back eight-second rides to finish with a total score of 171.5 points, putting him four and half points up on second-place finisher Wacey Finkbeiner of Ponoka, Alta.
“It’s great. Consistency is the name of the game,” Parsonage said of his two-consecutive eight-second rides.
“You’ve gotta get that long one under your belt, and you’re gonna get on a bucker in the short round. So I had to find a way to capitalize on him and take advantage of every opportunity possible.
“It’s pretty cool to come out with a win at a big event like this.”
For his first ride, the fourth-year rider was on Smash, of Skori Bucking Bulls, and he earned 83.5 points.
That put him two spots out of first place, which Aaron Roy, of Yellow Grass, Sask., held after the first round with 87 points. Riding Kool Aid (of RSGA), Roy had enough control and focus to make it look like he was riding a motorized scooter, rather than a bucking bull.
For his second ride, in the championship round, Parsonage was on Happy Camper (of Two Bit Bucking Bulls), and he earned 88 points there for the win.
“He’s a fantastic little bull. He’s been winning all ten events and he’s only a four-year-old,” Parsonage said of Happy Camper.
“I knew he’d suit my style, but it was going to be a lot of points, and I had to work to ride him and things worked out in my favour,” he said.
Along with the physical challenge, he also emphasized the mental one.
“You’re putting your life on the line on an animal that’s bigger than you. The odds are stacked hugely against you too; it can hurt you.
“It’s big-time mental; you’ve gotta learn how to challenge that and block that out.”
Winning in his home province, in front of the Prince Albert crowd was all the more special, he said.
“Oh it’s great. I love Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan crowds. There’s nothing better. They come, they pack the building, they’re cheering, and they’re loud. It’s great. It’s a cool feeling.”
Saturday’s win was Parsonage’s second one on Canadian soil, the first time a bull rider has done that.
Saturday’s final results are listed below, with points and money earnings:
1. Jared Parsonage, 83.5-88,171.5-60-$5,159.08
2. Wacey Finkbeiner, 81-86-167-30-$3,213.86
3. Dayton Johnston, 77-86.5-163.5-20-$2,283.53
4. Lawson Nobbs, 85-77-162-15-$1,184.05
5. Aaron Roy 2, 87.5-0-87.5-10-$1,725.33
6. Wacey Finkbeiner, 0-87-87-5-$1,234.80
7T. Lonnie West 2, 86-0-86-$704.79
7T. Lachlan Richardson, 86-0-86-$704.79
7T. Lachlan Richardson 2, 86-0-86-$704.79
