This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Four-time world champion Kaycee Feild of Spanish Fork continued his uncharted journey Friday night, when he finished fourth in bareback at the Days of '47 Rodeo.
Feild posted a score of 82.5, earning $1,750 for his effort at Vivint Smart Home Arena and continuing a season unlike any other during his career.
Last fall, Feild joined a group of other high-profile stars and created the Elite Rodeo Athletes, a new sanctioning body.
The motivation?
Cut down on the travel grind, operate high-paying rodeos in top markets and continue to compete in other events when their schedules allowed.
The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association balked, however.
The existing organization prohibited anyone with a financial interest in another association from buying a PRCA membership card, which is required to compete.
The result?
Feild and other top rodeo stars can only enter in ERA rodeos during its inaugural Premier Tour.
"It has been a little different," he said. "I've stayed home a lot more. I'm getting the itch to ride a lot more. But it's been good for me. … I've been able to be home with my family — be there for them. A true blessing. I've got to do some things I haven't always been able to do."
In 2015, Feild underwent hip surgery in April. Still, he won three rounds at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas and placed second in the world standings. He missed his fifth straight championship by $10,000.
"I came back strong," Feild said. "I don't know if I let it quite heal. After Vegas it felt tight. A little sore. But this year with the ERA — only going to 12 events — my body has healed up. I feel better than I have in a long time."
Feild has enjoyed another aspect of the abbreviated schedule.
When participants compete in a new city, they have time to promote the sport. They don't arrive hours before the rodeo starts and rush down the road when it's over, heading for the next one.
"I want to see rodeo continue through my life, my kids' lives and their kids' lives," Feild said. "I want to do whatever I can to make this sport better and to make it last. …
"In years past — during the Days of '47, the biggest rodeo in Utah — I couldn't do anything to promote it or make it better. Now, that door is wide open. I'd like to keep it open and go down that avenue."
Twitter: @sluhm —
Friday's results
Bull riding
1. Neil Holmes (Houston), 85.5 points, $3,625; 2. Brian Canter (Randleman, N.C.), 84, $3,000; 3. Steve Woolsey (Payson, Utah), 83.5, $2,375; 4. Beau Hill (Columbia Falls, Mont.), 80, $1,750; 5. Cody Campbell (Summerville, Ore.), 76, $1,125.
Steer wrestling
1. Kyle Irwin (Robertsdale, Ala.), 3.69 seconds, $3,625; 2. Luke Branquinho (Los Alamos, Calif.), 4.31, $3,000; 3. Hunter Cure (Holiday, Tex.), 4.71, $2,375; 4. Sean Mulligan (Coleman, Okla.), 4.80, $1,750; 5. Stockton Graves (Alva, Okla.), 4.95, $1,125.
Team roping
1. Clay Tryan (Plentywood, Mont.) and Jake Corkill (Fallon, Nev.), 3.24 seconds, $3,625; 2. Derrick Begay (Winslow, Ariz.) and Clay Cooper (Gardnerville, Nev.), 3.81, $3,000; 3. Kaleb Driggers (Albany, Ga.) and Junior Nogueira (Scottsdale, Ariz.), 3.94, $2,375; 4. Chad Masters (Clarksville, Tenn.) and Travis Graves (Jay, Okla.), 4.18, $1,750; 5. Aaron Tsinigine (Fort McDowell, Ariz.) and Ryan Motes (Weatherford, Tex.), 4.27, $1,125.
Saddle bronc
1. Issac Diaz (Desdemona, Tex.), 86 points, $3,625; 2. (Tie) Zeke Thurston (Big Valley, Alberta) and Wade Sundell (Boxholm, Iowa), 85.5, $2,688; 4. Cort Scheer (Elsmere, Neb.), 83.5, $1,750; 5. Taos Muncy (Corona, N.M.), 80, $1,125.
Barrel racing
1. Callie Duperier (Boerne, Tex.), 13.40 seconds, $3,625; 2. Brittany Diaz (Desdemona, Tex.), 13.51, $3,000; 3. Kassidy Dennison (Tohatchi, N.M.), 13.55, $2,375; 4. Charmayne James (Collinsville, Tex.), 13.60, $1,750; 5. Lisa Lockhart (Oelrichs, S.D.), 13.64, $1,125.
Tie-down roping
1. Shane Hanchey (Sulphur, La.), 7.10 seconds, $3,625; 2. Fred Whitfield (Hockley, Tex.), 7.25, $3,000; 3. Tuf Cooper (Decatur, Tex.), 7.46, $2,375; 4. Cody Ohl (Hico, Tex.), 7.90, $1,750; 5. Stran Smith (Childress, Tex.), 8.02, $1,125.
Bareback
1. Ryan Gray (Cheney, Wash.), 86.5 points $3,625; 2. Wes Stevenson (Kaufman, Tex.), 85, $3,000; 3. Richmond Champion (Woodlands, Tex.), 84, $2,375; 4. Kaycee Feild (Spanish Fork, Utah), 82.5, $1,750.