Utah’s Dean Thompson is among an elite group of Resistol Rookies that have proved they are National Finals Rodeo caliber bareback riders early on in their careers. He is the third highest ranked rookie in the bareback riding as he enters Las Vegas the No. 8 cowboy in the World with $131,452 in earnings.
BIGGEST PAYDAYS
Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup (South Dakota), $17,000
On the last weekend of the regular season, Thompson cashed in a major payday. He placed in Round 2, and when combined with his Round 1 score, made him the No. 4 cowboy advancing. He tied for second in the Semifinals before matching up with Harper & Morgan Rodeo Co’s Sippin Firewater to finish third, which paid $12,000 of the $17,000.
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, $10,000
At one of the biggest rodeos of the winter, Thompson showed up to put together strong rides to land him in the Finals. Winning two of three Go-Rounds in Bracket 2 before winning Semifinal 2 with an 89.5-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Freckled Frog.
HIGHEST MARKED RIDES
Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo (Oklahoma), 92.5 Points
Aboard the World Champion bucking horse Gun Fire of Fronter Rodeo, Thompson topped the leaderboard in Oklahoma by more than four points to get the win. It added over $3,500 to his earnings and was the highest marked ride of his career.
New Years Eve Buck & Ball (Wyoming), 89 Points
Thompson kicked off the New Year in a big way when he cinched the win in Gillette, Wyoming with what would be his third highest marked ride of the regular season. An 89-point ride on Muddy Creek Pro Rodeo’s Black Mamba did the trick in the Final Round.
NOTABLE WINS
Farm-City Pro Rodeo (Oregon), 87 Points
Thompson climbed on yet another great bucking horse, this time in Hermiston, Oregon, when he matched up with Calgary Stampede’s Agent Lynx. The two would be marked 87 points and Thompson beat out fellow NFR qualifier Richmond Champion by two points.
Walla Walla Frontier Days (Washington), 85.5 Points
Tying with Cole Franks for the win in Walla Walla came after a pair of 85.5-point rides. Thompson’s was aboard Bridwell Pro Rodeo’s Warrior Wagon to add more than $4,000 to his name.
Pendleton Round-Up (Oregon), 87 Points
A bucket list rodeo for most, Thompson picked up a massive, career-making kind of win at the Pendleton Round-Up. He won Round 1 with an 87-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo and Phenom Genetics’ Great Nation before going for 84 points in the Finals on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Side Show. He was on top in the Average by a half-point over reigning World Champion Jess Pope.
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