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Rodeo: Circuit Finals titles for Hill

David Lesnick Daily Inter Lake | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 10 months AGO
by David Lesnick Daily Inter Lake
| January 13, 2013 10:31 PM

Beau Hill’s perfect weekend resulted in more titles and another big payday for the West Glacier bull rider at the 34th annual Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals at Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls.

Hill rode three bulls to cash in with average and year-end championships.

Hill pocketed $2,451.69 for his three 8-second rides in the Electric City.

For the Circuit Finals season, he wound up with $13,752.65.

“It was a really good weekend,” Hill said. “I couldn’t ask for much better.”

The 33-year-old cowboy, who turns 34 next month, tied for second on Friday with a 79-point ride.

He followed that with high scores on Saturday — 85 points on Grand Slam — and Sunday — a 92-point go on Whiskey Jack.

That gave him a 256-point total. He finished 100 points ahead of the runner-up.

“I won on that same bull in Kalispell (last summer),” Hill said of Whiskey Jack. “Got a 91 in Kalispell and a 92 today. He was the bull of the year for our circuit.

“You always want to draw one you can win on,” he continued.

“He was the best one here. That gives you the chance to prove yourself ... show that you’re one of the best ones there.”

Whiskey Jack and Grand Slam are both from the talented stable of Kesler Rodeo.

“He’s one of the rankier ones,” Hill said of Whiskey Jack.

“He gives you a chance to win ... bucks super hard. If you mess up for a split second, he’ll throw you off.

“He’s also got a little fear factor about him. He’ll come after you, try to hook you. He has a little attitude.”

Hill said this was his fifth Circuit Finals year-end title.

“Not sure on the average (titles) ... five or six.

“Somewhere around 10 times (competing in the Circuit Finals).

“It’s one of the best rodeos I go to all year,” he said. “The crowd, fans, the atmosphere ... it’s an unbelievable place to ride.”

By virtue of the year-end title, Hill now qualifies for the Ram National Circuit Finals in Oklahoma City in April.

This week he’s off to PBR events in Denver, Pueblo, Colo., and Wichita Falls, Texas.

After a PRCA rodeo in Fort Worth, it’s back to Rapid City and Denver.

“I’ve been home for the last month,” he said.

“Doing some duck hunting with my dad, father-in-law, my kids. Also helping coach my daughter’s basketball team. It’s been a lot of fun being home, doing normal things.”

Hill last month competed in the Canadian Pro Rodeo Finals in Edmonton, Alberta, and the Canadian PBR Finals in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

“Never gets old,” he said of being a Circuit Finals champion. “The older I get, the more I appreciate everything. You never know when it will be the last one.”

As far as his future ...

“I’m feeling healthy, feeling good,” he said.

“I have a lot of support from my family.

“It’s year-to-year for now,” he said on his outlook.

“And how I feel at the end of each year.”

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