Making Moves in Loveland

Round One of the Mountain States Circuit Finals Brings Changes.

As expected, the competition at the Mountain States Circuit Finals in Loveland, CO on Friday night was exceptional. With two season leaders going into the 2023 Wrangler National Finals coming from this circuit, along with many current and former WNFR qualifiers, it is not a question that cowboys and cowgirls need to be at the top of their game.

Keenan Hayes took his sixth career circuit finals go round win last night where he topped Summit Pro Rodeo’s Bald Mountain for 86.5 points. Collecting the second-place finish and also making an exceptional ride was Myles Carlson who rode for 85.5.

The steer wrestling went to Gage Hesse who threw his steer in 4.6 seconds and earned $2,068 to move to third in the standings. Chisum Docheff kept himself in the hunt for the year end title by picking up the second place check worth $1,551. The earnings moved Docheff to within $900 of Seth Peterson the current season leader.

The team roping win went to a new pairing of Garrett Tonozzi and JW Borrego who smoked a run in 4.8 seconds. The cowboys will deposit $2,068 each for the effort. Borrego reflected, “We are good friends and grew up together. It just made sense to rope together at the finals this year.”

Clayton Van Aken put the pressure on for the year end heading championship finishing second with partner Cullen Teller. Unfortunately, Jay Tittel and partner TJ Watts took a no time last night, which could end up taking them out of the average payoff.

Ira Dickinson didn’t disappoint with his 80.5 point performance on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Cowboy Logic. Although, not to be outdone, Cauy Pennington nodded his head on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Sand Burr to tie for the win.

Owen Wahlert was thirteenth in the standings when the season ended but got to compete due to Cash Enderli not entering the finals. Wahlert took full advantage of the good luck and being first out in the tie down roping he took care of business by tying his calf in 8.5 seconds. He held on to the lead the entire round. Seth Peterson worked on keeping his lead in the all-around standings by picking up a second-place check with his 9.0 second effort. Tyler Boxleitner went to the lead of the standings for the year with his third-place $1,034 check for his 9.2 second effort.

First out on the ground, first place in the circuit, first place in the World Standings, and a first place finish last night for Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi. It has been a dream season for the veteran cowgirl who has ridden multiple horses this year to wins. Last night it was Chitichiti BangBang’s turn to run down the alleyway. The four-year-old mare, affectionately known as Maybelline to Tonozzi, is loving the rodeo scene. The pair just earned the reserve title win at Bellville, Texas as well. Tonozzi spoke highly of her young talent, “I am just so impressed with her ability to run and handle ground at rodeos at such a young age.”

Cervi Brothers’ Bad Memory proved to be a good memory for Dillon Tyner who rode the bull for 83 points and the win. Wyatt Phelps was the only other cowboy to stay on for eight seconds and pick up the second-place check.

The year-end and average champions will be crowned today with the completion of rounds two and three.