Zeke Thurston (born July 15, 1994) is a Canadian professional rodeo cowboy who specializes in saddle bronc riding. He is a four-time (2016, 2019, 2022, and 2023) Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Champion saddle bronc rider, as well as a five-time (2019, 2021-2024) Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) champion saddle bronc rider.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Zeke Thurston |
| Born | July 15, 1994 Big Valley, Alberta, Canada |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) (2017) |
| Weight | 145 lb (66 kg) (2017) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Rodeo |
| Event | Saddle bronc riding |
| Turned pro | 2015 |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Highest world ranking | 4x PRCA Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion |
Early life
editZeke Thurston was born on July 15, 1994, in Big Valley, Alberta, Canada.[1] He attended and graduated from Sheridan College.[2][3] His father, Skeeter Thurston, was a six-time National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier.[4]
Professional career
editThurston competes in the PRCA circuit.[3] 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 national championship the same year.[8]
Thurston got his first NFR round win, in Round 6, of the 2016 NFR by making an 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]
Thurston came just one point shy of the all time world record saddle bronc ride with a 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 four-time champion of the Calgary Stampede.[13]
At the 2022 NFR, Thurston won the saddle bronc riding average for the second time in his career, which included winning Round 4. He would also win the Top Gun Award for the first time in his career by winning the most money in one event by any NFR contestant. He also won his third PRCA saddle bronc riding world championship.[14]
Personal life
editThurston resides in Big Valley, Alberta, with his wife Jayne and their three children. His interests include ranching, roping, deer hunting, and fishing. He continues to play amateur hockey since childhood.[3]
References
edit- ^ "Big Valley's Zeke Thurston shows the saddle-bronc technique that won him last year". Calgary Sun. July 12, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
- ^ Ashleigh Fox. "Locals find success at 2016 NFR in Vegas - Local Sports, Sports". The Sheridan Press. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Cowboy Biographies - Zeke Thurston". Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
- ^ "World champions crowned at National Finals Rodeo | Rodeo news". Billings Gazette. December 5, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
- ^ "Thurston wins world; Proctor, Pruitt capture average titles at NFR | Rodeo". Tribune. June 7, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
- ^ Moush Sara John. "Big Valley's Zeke Thurston crowned 2016 World Saddle Bronc Riding Champion". Sylvan Lake News. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
- ^ Moush Sara John. "Big Valley's Zeke Thurston conquers NFR sixth go-round with personal best". Rimbey Review. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
- ^ "Wrangler NFR 2019: Zeke Thurston wins saddle bronc riding world championship". RFD-TV. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
- ^ "Big Valley's Zeke Thurston conquers NFR sixth go-round with personal best | Sylvan Lake News". Sylvan Lake News. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
- ^ Nowlin, Jack. "Zeke Thurston wins 7th round of saddle bronc at National Finals Rodeo". Casper Star-Tribune Online. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
- ^ "Zeke Thurston wins Round 9, eyes second world title". Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
- ^ "Zeke Thurston". Wrangler Network. November 12, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
- ^ "Zeke Thurston defends saddle-bronc title at Calgary Stampede | CTV News". Ctvnews.ca. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
- ^ "Zeke Thurston wins 2022 PRCA saddle bronc riding world championship, NFR average, and Top Gun Award". Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Retrieved December 21, 2022.