Philip’s Jacob Kammerer Rises to Win Corn Palace Stampede Saddle Bronc Title – Mitchell Republic

MITCHELL — The gate to the bucking alley flew open and the front hooves of the bucking horse Knobs went high into the air.

Jacob Kammerer had to hold on tight, but at that moment he knew he had a chance at a championship ride at the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo in the saddle bronc category on Sunday night.

The 27-year-old Kammerer rode the high-flying horse to a score of 87.5 points, which was ultimately the winning score by a half-point over the three-day event at Stampede Park.

“I’ve ridden that horse three times now and I’ve won team money on him the last two times, but this was much better,” Kammerer said. “I was thrilled to come out of the blocks like that.”

It’s the second time in four years that Kammerer has left Mitchell with a saddle bronc title in tow. He won the 2021 title with an 87-point ride.

Kammerer said he was well aware of the scores on the board ahead of the final night of competition and that this was a huge motivation.

“I love it. It gets me all excited and it’s great to know what position you’re in and what you have to do,” he said.

It was a great night for saddle bronc riding, with nearly 20 cowboys in attendance and the action divided into two sections. Kammerer had to sweat until almost the last ride of the night, when Jade Blackwell scored an 87 on Sweet Emotion to finish in second place for the weekend behind Kammerer. The top four rides of the weekend came on Sunday night in saddle bronc, with Texans Hunter Greathouse and Jack Smithson posting scores of 84.

Marcus Traxler / Mitchell Republic

Kammerer said he’s battled knee injuries and underperformance the past two years, meaning the confidence that comes from a winning ride in Mitchell is huge for his season. Kammerer had $3,380 in earnings leading into the week, which will be increased after the Corn Palace Stampede.

Another top performer from the past also performed on Sunday night in Mitchell, as Austin Hurlburt, of Norfolk, Nebraska, won the tie-down title with a mark of 9.3 seconds, bettering the previous best time by half a second. He was the rodeo’s top all-around cowboy in 2021.

Mason Moody of Letcher, the reigning Badlands Circuit bull riding champion, drew the biggest cheers from his hometown fans with his night-high 81-point ride. He finished fifth in the overall event score for the weekend.

Marcus Traxler / Mitchell Republic

Final payouts and places will be published as soon as they become available.

Rodeo of the Stampede of the Corn Palace

Sunday’s Results at Stampede Park

Top six finishers if applicable

Bulls wrestling: Wynn Schaack, Wall, 4.7; Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Nebraska, 5.1; Joe Wilson, Martin, 6.1; Tucker Ravenscroft, Nenzel, Nebraska, 6.3; Kaden Wooters, Elwood, Neb., 7.8; Chance Grill, Mitchell, 9.6.

Team roping: Bodie Mattison (Sturgis)/Trae Smith (Georgetown, Idaho), 7.3; Clay Holz (Niobrara, Neb.)/Matt Zancanella (Aurora), 11.0; Adam Rose (Willard, Mo.)/Gralyn Elkins (Owensville, Mo), 11.1; Wyatt Tibbitts (Piedmont)/Tracer Olson (Wanblee), 11.5; Austin Barstow (Springview, Neb.)/Zach Varian (Dublin, Texas), 11.5; Rex Treeby (Hecla)/Dustin Harris (O’Neill, Neb.), 12.1.

Saddle Bronc Riding: Jacob Kammerer, Philip, 87.5; Jace Blackwell, Rapid City, 87; Hunter Greathouse, Santa Fe, Texas, 84; Jack Smithson, Springfield, Texas, 84; Cash Wilson, Wall, 83; Darcy Radel, Injune, Australia, 83.

Breakaway roping: Brooke Curuchet, Belle Fourche, 2.6; Christi Braudrick, Caddo, Okla., 3.0; Shayla Hall, Belle Fourche, 3.1; Winter Williams, Copan, Okla., 3.4; Michelle Wilson, Osage City, Kan., 3.4.

Tying: Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Nebraska, 9.3; Bodie Mattison, Sturgis, 10.4; Cole Wilson, Osage City, Kan., 12.6; Ty Moser, Volga, 13.0; Seth Gaikowski, Waubay, 14.8; Chance Grill, Mitchell, 15.3.

Barrel Racing: Jessica Routier, Buffalo, 17.73; Kristen Zancanella, Aurora, 17.87; Taya Skiles, Inwood, Iowa, 18.09; Nikki Hansen, Dickinson, ND, 18.11;

Bull riding: Mason Moody, Letcher, 81; Colby Edgar, Australia, 80.