Badlands Circuit Finals Crowns Saddle Bronc Riding Champion

Cash Wilson proved to be too difficult to beat during the Badlands Circuit Finals in Minot, N.D., as he won the saddle bronc riding crown.

Cash Wilson claimed the Saddle Bronc title at the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo in Minot, N.D., which wrapped up on Saturday.

Wilson, out of Wall, S.D., claimed the title with a three-round average of 242.5 points on three head. That included a third-round victory on Korkow Rodeo's "Bambino Vold," which he covered for an 80.5-point ride and helped him capture the title by 7.5 points.

Wilson finished second in the second round with an 83-point ride.

Wilson was coming off a 2023 PRCA season in which he won five events, including a pair of Cinch World’s Toughest Rodeo titles in St. Paul, Minn., and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Cole Elshere came in second in the average with 235 points. Elshere won the second round with an 84-point ride on Sutton Rodeo's "Rubys Girl" and for second in the third round behind Wilson with a 77-point ride. The four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier finished No. 29 in the world last season and won three titles.

Jade Blackwell came in third with 231.5 points. He won a pair of titles in the 2023 season, both in South Dakota.

Shorty Garrett was fourth with 227 points. The 2020 NFR qualifier won three titles in Saddle Bronc last season.

The only round champion who didn’t end in the average was Lavern Borntreger, who won the first round with an 80.5-point ride on Bailey Pro Rodeo's "Rip Cord."

Badlands Circuit Finals

Minot, N.D., Oct. 13-15

First round: 1. Lavern Borntreger, 80.5 points on Bailey Pro Rodeo's Rip Cord, $2,228; 2. (tie) Kash Deal and Cash Wilson, 79, $1,392 each; 4. (tie) Shorty Garrett and Brady Hill, 78, $278 each. Second round: 1. Cole Elshere, 84 points on Sutton Rodeos' Rubys Girl, $2,228; 2. Cash Wilson, 83, $1,671; 3. Brady Hill, 80.5, $1,114; 4. Jade Blackwell, 80, $557. Third round: 1. Cash Wilson, 80.5 points on Korkow Rodeos' Bambino Vold, $2,228; 2. Cole Elshere, 77, $1,671; 3. Jade Blackwell, 75, $1,114; 4. Shorty Garrett, 70, $557. Average: 1. Cash Wilson, 242.5 points on three head, $3,341; 2. Cole Elshere, 235, $2,506; 3. Jade Blackwell, 231.5, $1,671; 4. Shorty Garrett, 227, $835.