Bull Riders descended on Sioux City Jan 13-14 competing in the first tour stop of the 2018 Barnes Bull Riding Challenge.  Iowan cowboys swept the Saturday night competition collecting all five paychecks.  Two-time Great Lake Circuit Year End Champion (2012, 2015) John Young from Orient captured the win on Saturday.

Amos Yoder from Zearing placed second on #132 Sniper and his first cousin Freeman Yoder placed fourth.  Freeman drew #16 Butter Biscuit, a RAM National Circuit Finals and Great Lakes Circuit Finals selected bull, with a 70% buck off rate.  Henry Schwartz from Waverly finished fifth on Saturday night. 

The hometown cowboy Garrett Wall from Sioux City took third on Saturday and fourth on Sunday.  The recent Morningside college graduate is on a hot streak riding his last six bulls in a row.  On his Facebook page he posted, "Real good weekend in Sioux City making some good cash! Thank you to anyone who came out to watch and support! I'm 6 for 6 right now make sure you come out to Lincoln next weekend and watch me make it 10 in a row!"

The significance of riding 10 bulls in a row has everything to do with 10 go-rounds of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.  Only three cowboys in history have climbed that Super Bowl of Pro Rodeo summit.  The first cowboy was Jim Sharp in 1988 the same year he won his world championship.  In 1991 Norman Curry and in 1994 Adriano Moraes followed in Sharp's path.  

Wall's biggest goal is to qualify for the PRCA Great Lakes Circuit Finals in 2018.  The 22-year-old cowboy has earned accolades in youth and regional associations paving the way.  

Stock Contractor Marty Barnes owns and operates the third-generation family business with his oldest son Westin Barnes.  The Father-son duo are both Iowa State University and Iowa High School Rodeo Association alum.  The Barnes family believes in supporting the youth associations knowing they are the future of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA).  

Wall reflected on the mentorship he's received by stating, "Marty Barnes is great. The atmosphere he brings to rodeo is always very positive and funny in a professional way. He really does support the youth of rodeo.  He puts on many junior high, high school rodeos, practice pens and has just started bringing bulls to Johnny Hopkins winter youth bull riding series in Fort Dodge. When Marty speaks it is always very inspiring for me. I am not sure why but it always makes me try harder and have more fun."

The Sunday bull riding results included a three-way tie for first place; Skyler Sims from Peculiar, Missouri, Clayton Jacobs from Tomah, Wisconsin and Nick Volden from Cashton, Wisconsin.  Casey Woodhouse from Stueben, Wisconsin and Cole Fischer from Jefferson City, Missouri split fifth and sixth place. 

According to Livestock Superintendent Westin Barnes, "The bulls performed and their buck-off percentage was impressive.   They are wintering well and are healthy.  We are really looking forward to our next Barnes Bull Riding Challenge tour stop.  It will be held at our alma mater,  Iowa State University with proceeds benefitting the Iowa State University Rodeo Club.  Both my dad and I were members of the club." 

The second tour stop in Ames is March 2-3, 2018. Early Bird tickets start at just $10 and can be purchased online.

Media Contact: Kirchmann Media Group
Photo Caption: Garrett Wall rides #903 Owen's Special during the Sunday matinee. Photo copyright Gretchen Kirchmann