Colorado Natives Take Denver Chute-Out Bull Riding Title
Susan Kanode

DENVER, Colo. --- Bull riding fans at the National Western Stock Show couldn’t have written a script that would have ended any better than the Denver Chute-Out.

They got to see the best bull riders from Monday and Tuesday night’s performances compete in hopes of being among the top 15 that advanced to the final round. Among those riders was Kody Lostroh, the Professional Bull Riders reigning world champion who grew up at Longmont and now makes his home at LaSalle.

Lostroh had his first appearance here on Tuesday where he scored 88 points on Jeff Robinsons bull Relentless Warrior. In the second round he rode Black Magic owned by Ty Rinaldo for 81 points, gaining him a ninth place spot in the finals.

For Lostroh to win the Denver championship, things had to go right on his end and wrong for the eight men ahead of him. That’s exactly what happened. He had another bull owned by Rinaldo named Tower 59. When the judges added up their scores, Lostroh had 91 points giving him a total of 260 on three rides and the over-all lead.

Fans at the Denver Coliseum waited through the next eight riders to see if their hometown hero would add a National Western championship to his resume. Seven of the eight bucked off with the other one not earning enough points to overtake Lostroh’s lead. When it was all said and done, Lostroh earned $16,924.

“This is outstanding,” he said of the win. “The National Western is historic and it really means a lot to win here. I’ve come close before and it just feels great to be here in front of these fans.”

The bull, Tower 59 is also a native of Colorado and now makes his home in Larkspur. The bulls are responsible for one-half of the total score so getting on Tower 59 was a great opportunity for Lostroh.

“I’d never been on him before,” he said. “I got on three good bulls here, but Tower 59 was definitely the best. Anytime you can get on a bull like that in front of fans like these it’s going to be fun.”

Lostroh wasn’t the only one having fun. Rinaldo was excited to see one of his favorite bull riders be successful.

“I’m way more excited for him (Lostroh) than I am for my bull,” Rinaldo said. “I’m a huge Kody Lostroh fan and I love seeing him do good. When one of my bulls helps him get a big score, that’s just a bonus.”

Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association action returns to the Denver Coliseum on Thursday with a rodeo performance at 7 p.m.
 

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