Few people would have expected the level of success Powell, Wyoming, saddle bronc rider Brody Wells has had at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas this week, placing four times in first NFR, including two first place rides.
Wells, 23, has earned $83,402 over the course of the past week in saddle bronc riding at the NFR, which is essentially the World Series or Super Bowl of rodeo competition.
Wells’ mom Lora Wells has been watching her son compete all week in Las Vegas. She credits his determination and strong work ethic for his success in what can be a brutal and dangerous sport.
“It’s pretty cool, all that hard work is paying off for him,” she said.
Rundown
In the first round, Wells stayed on top of the bucking bronc for the full 8 seconds to earn an 80-point ride.
In the second round was where he truly shined, launching a perfect textbook performance on the bucking mare named Resitol’s Pretty Woman to score a 90-point ride, one of the highest possible scores.
After finishing fourth in Round 4, Wells stayed glued to his horse again in Round 5, sharing the go-round title with two-time world champion Ryder Wright.
Through Friday morning, Wells ranked 10th in the world in saddle bronc riding for the season.
On Thursday, Wells finished sixth, adding $5,433 to his earnings from the NFR.
Lora Wells said her son has been so busy at NFR that they’ve barely had a chance to speak with him. But that’s OK with her as she knows he has a larger priority at play.
“It’s easy to get caught in the limelights with all the autograph signings and all the activities,” she said.
She’s been busy too, still working her day job remotely from Las Vegas during the event.
Dedication Pays Off
Wells started competing in rodeo early in his high school career in ranch broncs.
Lora Wells said a friend advised him to switch to saddle bronc horses, which proved to be valuable advice.
“He’s stayed with saddle broncs ever since,” she said.
Wells competed extensively at the Cody Nite Rodeo and ended up earning a rodeo scholarship to compete at Clarendon College in Texas. He later continued his career at Tarleton State, also in Texas.
Former Cody resident Colter Ellis competed at Tarleton State a few years after Wells and got to see Wells compete firsthand at the Nite Rodeo many evenings. Ellis said he’s seen Wells consistently improve over the last four years and expects to see him at the NFR for years to come.
“It is very inspiring to see a guy I’ve known most of my life, who grew up in the same area as me, make it to the top,” Ellis said. “Brody has worked extremely hard to get to this point in his career.”
Wells turned pro in 2021, and with the success he’s had this year is cementing his place in the sport.
“It’s been great. There’s a lot of people and sponsors watching now,” Lora Wells said.
With his incredible performance at the NFR, Wells has pushed his season’s earnings in saddle bronc riding to $229,205.
As far as what her son plans to do with this season’s earnings, Lora Wells said he’ll use it to continue funding his career.
“The IRS will take a big chunk of that,” she said with a laugh.
The NFR continues with two more rounds Friday and Saturday.
“He’s been drawing good and can ride good,” she said. “As long as he can continue do that he’s going to do well.”
After that, Wells will continue competing at the Chase Hawks Rough Stock Rodeo in Billings and New Years Eve Buck & Ball in Gillette before heading to the National Western Stock Show in Denver in January.
Saddle Bronc rider Brody Wells rides Resistol's Pretty Woman of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo for 90 points to win Round 2 of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Dec 6, 2024. (Photo by John Pyle, Getty Images) 
Saddle Bronc rider Brody Wells celebrates after riding Resistol's Pretty Woman of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo for 90 points to win Round 2 of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Dec 6, 2024. (Photo by John Pyle, Getty Images) 
Brody Wells, left, and his father Ed Wells at the 2024 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. (Courtesy Lora Wells) 
Saddle Bronc rider Brody Wells rides Diamond Fever during Round 3 at the National Finals Rodeo NFR at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by John Pyle, Getty Images) 
Saddle Bronc rider Brody Wells rides Resistol's Pretty Woman of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo for 90 points to win Round 2 of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Dec 6, 2024. (Photo by John Pyle, Getty Images) 
Brody Wells, right, after winning a round at the 2024 National Finals Rodeo. (Courtesy Lora Wells) 
Powell resident Brody Wells has made a name for himself at this year’s National Finals Rodeo. (Courtesy Lora Wells)
Other Wyoming Competitors
Wells isn’t the only Wyoming cowboy competing at the 2024 NFR.
Hillsdale’s Brody Cress won Round 7 of saddle bronc Wednesday night.
“You just have to look at it as 10, one-day rodeos,” Cress said in a press release. “Something bad can happen one night and the next day you still have a chance to win a lot of money. The best thing I can do is have a short-term memory. There’s a lot of money to be had and I’m excited to see where I end up.”
Cress has earned more than $100,000 at this year’s NFR and is fourth in the world standings. He won average titles at NFR in 2017, 2019 and 2021.
Zeke Thurston, who rodeoed at Sheridan College, won Rounds 1 and 3, has earned around $97,000 at NFR.
In bareback riding, Casper-born Weston Timberman was third Wednesday night with an 86 score and Buffalo's Cole Reiner tied for fifth with an 84.5. Timberman finished sixth on Thursday.
Timberman, who’s ranked sixth in the world in bareback riding, has earned about $73,000 during this year’s NFR.
Reiner is ranked 12th in the world in bareback.
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
