The figures have been tabulated and bull rider Kanin Asay was Pro Rodeo’s biggest money winner during the extended Fourth of July holiday period last week. The Powell, Wyo., cowboy topped out at $36,031.

Asay cashed in twice at his hometown Cody (Wyo.) Stampede by picking up $14,523 at the Dodge Xtreme Bulls Tour event and later at the Cody Rodeo, where he turned in a 92-point ride worth $10,638.

Asay also earned $4,542 at an Xtreme Bulls event in Greeley, Colo., and also placed in Livingston, Mont. ($2,205). He finished the two-week run with a runner-up finish at the Hamel (Minn.) Rodeo and Bull Ridin’ Bonanza, good for $4,123.

“We went to a few more than I’ve been to over the Fourth, and it sure paid off,” Asay said. “We stayed healthy, and we were able to get on all our bulls. Other than being a little sore, we went and got on everything.”

This year’s official dates for the big holiday week were July 2-8-which over the years has been tabbed as “Cowboy Christmas” because of the lucrative payoffs offered. This year it totaled more than $2.5 million at 32 PRCA-sanctioned rodeos.

This year’s results show a roster of 20 contestants that earned more than $15,000 during the holiday week.

Current world champion saddle bronc rider Chad Ferley of Oelrichs, S.D., was second on the money earnings list. Ferley jumped from 29th place to 10th in this week’s world standings after totaling $29,253 in earnings over the Fourth.

Brittany Pozzi-Pharr topped the ladies in barrel racing earnings-cashing in for $26,933 at six rodeos. Her run was highlighted by a $7,054 payday at the Cody Stampede for tying for the title, and a check worth $6,584 for winning the St. Paul Rodeo.

More bronc riders coming in with big pay checks: Cody Wright of Milford, Utah, won $23,822 and had the highest haul from a single rodeo-leaving Greeley with the average title and $17,069. Five-time world champion Billy Etbauer, also enjoyed a big week, winning $21,284 at four rodeos. The 44-year-old’s biggest win was in Cody, good for $11,514.

Lee Graves, the PRCA’s 2005 world champion steer wrestler of Calgary, Alberta, won the average title in Cody, and also had a $10,725 payday in Ponoka, Alberta. In just two rodeos, Graves pocketed $20,375.

Oregon’s Bobby Mote, the 2002 World Champion Bareback Rider, also eclipsed the $20,000 mark in earnings. The cowboy from Culver earned $20,257 at six rodeos, including a $6,480 payday in Cody, where he finished in a three-way tie for second place.

NOTES: The Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame induction ceremonies will be held this Saturday in Colorado Springs, Colo. This year’s class includes Doug Corey, a Veterinarian of Adams; 1986 World Saddle Bronc Champion Bud Monroe; two-time World Champion Steer Roper Jim Davis; long-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo committeeman Michael Gaughan; three-time PRCA Clown of the Year Lecile Harris; 1948 and 1967 World Champion Team Roper, the late Joe Glenn; 1961 and 1966 World Champion Bull Rider, the late Ronnie Rossen; rodeo secretary, the late Dorothy Apodaca; and three-time PRCA Bull of the Year, Skoal’s Pacific Bell.

—

Butch Thurman has covered professional rodeo for 27 years. His e-mail address is butch@rodeosportsupdate.com