Zeke Thurston

Zeke Thurston (born July 15, 1994) is a Canadian rodeo cowboy who specializes in saddle bronc riding. He is the 2016 and 2019 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion.

Zeke Thurston
Personal information
Full nameZeke Thurston
Born (1994-07-15) July 15, 1994
Big Valley, Alberta, Canada
Height5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) (2017)
Weight145 lb (66 kg) (2017)
Sport
SportRodeo
Event(s)Bronc riding
Turned pro2015
Achievements and titles
Highest world ranking2x PRCA Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion

Early life

Thurston was born on July 15, 1994, in Big Valley, Alberta, Canada.[1] Thurston attended Sheridan College.[2] His father, Skeeter Thurston, was a six-time National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier.[3] Thurston graduated from Sheridan College.[4]

Professional career

Thurston competes in the PRCA circuit.[4] In 2016, he won the Saddle Bronc Riding World Championship at the National Finals Rodeo. He beat Jacobs Crawley by less than $3,000.[5] He solidified his crown by winning the Average at the 2016 NFR as well as his first NFR go around.[6][7]

In 2019, Thurston won the Saddle Bronc Riding World Championship for a second time. On his way there, he broke the yearly earnings record for the event. Thurston also earned $347,056 which was more than Ryder Wright's earnings of $284,938 in 2017. Thurston said he wanted this second championship even more than the first one. Thurston also became the first competitor since 2011 to win both a PRCA world championship and a Canadian Professional Rodeo Association world championship the same year.[8]

Thurston got his first NFR round win, in round 6, of the 2016 NFR by making a 88.5 point ride on the bucking horse Black Hills from C5 Rodeo.[9]

He also won rounds 6 and 9 of the 2018 NFR. He also won rounds 1,7 and 9 of the 2019 NFR to capture his second world championship. His round 7 victory fell just half a point shy of the 93 point arena record set by Billy Etbauer. Thurston was riding Northcott Macza's "Get Smart" when he made his 92.5 point ride.[10][11]

Zeke came just one point shy of the all time world record saddle bronc ride with an 94 point ride. He rode aboard one of the Calgary Stampede's broncs, Special Delivery, at the 2019 Hardgrass Bronc Match in Pollockville, Alberta.[12] He is also a three-time winner of the $100,000 prize at the Calgary Stampede.[13]

Personal life

Thurston resides in Big Valley, Alberta, with his wife Jayne and their daughter. His interests include ranching, roping, deer hunting, and fishing. He continues to play amateur hockey since childhood.[4]

References
  1. "Big Valley's Zeke Thurston shows the saddle-bronc technique that won him last ye". Calgarysun.com. July 12, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  2. Ashleigh Fox. "Locals find success at 2016 NFR in Vegas - Local Sports, Sports". The Sheridan Press. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  3. Custom Search (December 5, 2016). "World champions crowned at National Finals Rodeo | Rodeo news". billingsgazette.com. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  4. "Cowboy Biographies - Zeke Thurston". Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. www.prorodeo.com. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  5. "Thurston wins world; Proctor, Pruitt capture average titles at NFR | Rodeo". trib.com. June 7, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  6. Moush Sara John. "Big Valley's Zeke Thurston crowned 2016 World Saddle Bronc Riding Champion". Sylvan Lake News. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  7. Moush Sara John. "Big Valley's Zeke Thurston conquers NFR sixth go-round with personal best". Rimbey Review. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
  8. "Wrangler NFR 2019: Zeke Thurston wins saddle bronc riding world championship". RFD-TV. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  9. "Big Valley's Zeke Thurston conquers NFR sixth go-round with personal best | Sylvan Lake News". Sylvan Lake News. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  10. Nowlin, Jack. "Zeke Thurston wins 7th round of saddle bronc at National Finals Rodeo". Casper Star-Tribune Online. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  11. "Zeke Thurston wins Round 9, eyes second world title". Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  12. "Zeke Thurston". Wrangler Network. November 12, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  13. "Zeke Thurston defends saddle-bronc title at Calgary Stampede | CTV News". Ctvnews.ca. Retrieved December 11, 2016.

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