No. 2 ranked PRCA bull rider Parker Breding at the South Point Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour event in March.
Photo Credit: Todd Brewer
All eyes will be on second generation PRCA bull rider Parker Breding as he qualified for the NFR in 2018 for the third time with a career high No. 2 position. The Edgar, Montana athlete will lead the pack of bull riders attempting to knock off four-time World Champion Sage Kimzey from the throne he has occupied since 2014.
After missing the 2016 and 2017 NFR, 26 year old Breding found his inspiration and with $185,475.93 in 2018 earnings he heads to Las Vegas to make a legitimate run for his first bull riding gold buckle.
He started 2018 with $449,946.00 in his PRCA bank of career earnings. He won the National Circuit Finals bull riding title for a third time (2014, 2016, 2018), now sharing the record with ProRodeo Hall of Famer Cody Custer who won three straight (1990-92).
He also left Rodeo Houston with almost $60,000 and the infamous rodeo bull riding championship complete with trinkets, prizes and airline vouchers.
Breding’s rise as a top contender in the bull riding world is no surprise as he has great advice and coaching from 5-time NFR qualifier Scott Breding, or Dad to Parker.
Tuff Hedeman welcomed Parker, son of one of his PRCA and PBR competitor, Scott Breding, to the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour in 2018
Photo credit: Todd Brewer
“My father is such a big influence in my life,” said Breding in an April interview. “And he’s such a positive person. I never used it to my advantage.”
When his oldest son was struggling, “I would have a few bad bull rides and let it snowball into a bad situation,” Parker admitted, Scott would try to offer some advice.
“He told me not to worry so much,” Parker Breding continued. “He helped me learn how to shake things off easier. I’ve had some hardships … injuries, financial things … it made me grow up and see things differently.
“His advice helped me see things in a better way. It made me a better bull rider.”
Breding joined the PRCA in 2011 and earned $3,534 in the first year on his permit. In 2012 he won the Pendleton Round-Up and several other rodeo titles, but finished just outside the top 15 at No.25 with $39,338 in money earned.
Breding’s 2013 season set his life on a new path as he made a solid NFR Rookie appearance placing in three rounds at his NFR debut. He finished sixth in the average with 312.5,and tenth in the world standings with $114,189.
In 2014 he missed the NFR but won the Ram National Circuit Finals and several rodeo titles. A fractured right arm at the Clovis rodeo curtailed his season and he finished 27th in the World Standings with $45,694.
In 2015 he finished seventh in the PRCA with $176,247 after winning round 1 and placing in two rounds at the NFR after a bull hooked him under his protective vest and he suffered three fractured ribs on his right side. He continued to compete at the NFR but could not gain any traction in the standings.
“When the gate opened, it didn’t hurt. The adrenaline took over,” Breding said. “But it did mess with your mind. It took the air out of me. I had a chance to win the world.”
In 2016 Breding won the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo and finished 33rd in the world standings with $41,160.
2017 saw Breding win several rodeo titles but would finish the year outside the NFR as No. 46 with $33,527 in PRCA earnings.
Breding began his career as many of his competitors as a high school champion. Breding won the Montana high school bull riding title twice representing the state at National High School Finals Rodeo placing 10th his senior year. He played guard on his Juliet high school basketball team. He looks up to his Dad and Jim Sharp in the bull riding world and when he’s not rodeing you can find him team roping and hunting, following Dallas Cowboys football and San Antonio Spurs baskeball team.