by Scott Sacry
The best bareback riders in the world descended on the Richard Cromwell Memorial Rodeo Grounds in Darby on June 1st & 2nd for the Yellowstone Darby XTREME Bareback competition.
Cole Reiner, a four-time National Finals Rodeo rider, scored 92 points on Night Crawler to win the event.
“Anytime you’re at 90 it’s a ride that you’ll remember,” said Reiner, a 25 year old from Buffalo, Wyoming, “But to go 92 in that arena where there have been some really huge scores and to be in there with the rest of them is something you’ll remember. And that’s my highest score so far.”
Night Crawler, a 12-year-old mare, is the reigning PRCA Bareback Riding Horse of the Year, and has traveled five times to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Night Crawler was the horse that Kaycee Field rode to victory in Darby last year.
“That horse is great but you have to do your job, too,” Reiner said. “I was definitely a lot more calm during the short round than the first round. I was keeping everything calm, cool and together. I was a little less excited and a little more focused.”
Reiner won $12,011, took home the Capri Camper Trophy, the coveted YDXB gold buckle, a Barstow Pro Rodeo bareback rigging, and an American Hat.
“I love coming to Darby every year and that horse has been one I have dreamed of getting on for a long time,” said Reiner. “I got to get on her this year in San Antonio and you know to have that confidence to come back here is amazing. It feels amazing.”
The event was previously called the Darby Riggin’ Rally and is in its 5th year. The event was sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and attracted the world’s best bareback riders. Paramount Network’s original series, “Yellowstone,” was the presenting sponsor and it was broadcast on the Cowboy Channel.