Kade Bruno’s 2023 regular season was undeniably his best. Coming off of his first ever National Finals Rodeo in 2022, he came in guns blazing to surpass all personal bests from any previous season.
His 83.23 Average Score, 42 85+ Point Rides and 20 Go-Round Wins were all among his career-highs set in 2023.
Bruno racked up $225,259 in season earnings to enter his second NFR the No. 3 ranked cowboy in the saddle bronc riding with only $26,000 between him and No. 1 Stetson Wright. Coming into this season, Bruno had $223,675 in career earnings.
BIGGEST PAYDAYS
Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup, $32,375
In Sioux Falls, South Dakota Bruno placed in Rounds 1 and 2 to lead the Average and advance to the Semifinals. There, he was an 85.5 on Powder River Rodeo’s Double take before he bested that score by two points in the Finals on none other than Sutton Rodeo’s South Point. Bruno took home the first ever Governor’s Cup title and added a pretty penny to his earnings to close out the regular season.
NFR Open (Colorado), $15,620
The 2022 Inaugural NFR Open is the rodeo that put Bruno’s first NFR in sight. As the defending champion, he knew what was on the line when he proceeded to win the NFR Open for the second time. Making an 83 and 84-point ride in the Go-Rounds, Bruno went on to matchup with Mo Betta’s Sue City Sue in the Finals to be 85.5 points and split the win with Cole Elshere.
HIGHEST MARKED RIDES
Magic Valley Stampede (Idaho), 91 Points
A new arena record would be what Bruno’s highest marked ride of the regular season would be. In his home state, his matchup was Sankey Pro Rodeo and Phenom Genetics’ The Black Tie. Bruno’s 91-point ride would be one of three arena records that would be broken aboard The Black Tie in 2023 and it was the last of his three PRCA Playoff Series Rodeo wins of the year.
Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo, 90 Points
The Third Performance in Salt Lake City would bring what would be Bruno’s second highest score of the regular season and another Go-Round win for the Idaho cowboy. Aboard C5 Rodeo’s Macho Man, Bruno rodeo for 90 points to beat the likes of Stetson Wright and Logan Hay in the Long Round.
NOTABLE WINS
Greeley Stampede (Colorado), 173 Points on Two
Bruno’s high score of the Greeley Stampede came in at 88 points in Round 1 to get the Go-Round win on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Thunder. He tied for third in Round 2 to land No. 1 in the Average. This Colorado payday totaled $9,346.
Moses Lake Round-Up Rodeo (Washington), 90 points
Tying for one of his highest marked rides of the season is Bruno’s performance in Moses Lake, Washington. After drawing Calgary Stampede’s Bourbon, he made a 90-point ride to get the win by two and a half points over reigning World Champion Zeke Thurston. The win paid him over $4,500.
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