our sports: BULLRIDING
Cody Teel and Sage Kimzey Head
to Head for CBR Championship
T
wo men are at the top of the Championship Bull Riding (CBR) World Standings, but only one
of them will be crowned the Championship Bull Riding Winner in Wyoming at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo July 20 and 21. The winner of the five-round CBR competition will
walk away with a $100,000 bonus, belt buckle and saddle as well as one of the most prestigious
titles in bullriding.
BY MELISSA DILL
CODY TEEL
Cody Teel has had a great year this year. He’s
in first place with 1,325.50 points going into
the CBR Championship. “I’ve always started out
the year great, but have missed the second part
because of injuries. I’m number one right now. It
feels good and it is different being first or second,” he said.
Teel, 23, has been able to add land and cattle
to his ranch this year with his winnings thus far,
and according to Teel, “If I win I’ll buy more land
and more cattle. It’s been a fun year to get stuff
set up outside the arena.”
Teel’s property is located in Texas between
Winnie and Beaumont. He’s looking forward
to attending the CBR Championship in July in
Wyoming.
“I’ve been to Cheyenne before. It’s a historic
rodeo and it’s a different atmosphere because of
the history. It’s more exciting when you are in
the hunt for the CBR Championship. It makes it
better.”
His dad was a bull rider and he never considered competing in any other event. He grew up
listening to his dad’s stories about bull rides and
rodeos. Teel has competed in bullriding events
through high school and after as part of Sam
Houston State’s rodeo team.
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
SAGE KIMZEY
When we spoke, Sage Kimzey had just returned from rodeos in Texas as well as a photo shoot in Las Vegas. A heady experience for any rodeo cowboy, much less one that at 20 years old can’t have a cold beer
at the end of the long day or even rent a car.
Kimzey is the defending CBR Champion and in second place going into the championship. He trails
Cody Teel by only 32 points. According to Kimzey, “It’s going to be a pretty neck-and-neck race. Cody is a
really great bullrider, but my job never changes, even if I’m in last place. I have a bull to ride. Stay on the
bull and let the chips fall where they may.”
JULY 2015
“It’s the only event I ever [did] or ever tried. It’s the only one I had interest in,” Teel said.
This is his fifth year competing at the professional level. To get ready for the championship, Teel will be
riding bulls for 17 days straight beginning at the end of June. “Then I’m going to Cheyenne,” Teel added.
After the Championship is over, what’s next for Teel? “There’s always another rodeo. That’s the thing
about rodeo and bullriding. For me, I have another rodeo to go to the day after the CBR. You can’t