Brushton Minton closed out a dominant week at the California Circuit Finals by winning the year-end calf roping title, the calf roping average and the all-around title.
Minton entered the circuit finals neck and neck in the year-end standings with the No. 2 man, Tom Crouse. When Crouse won Round 1, Minton knew the margin for error in the year-end race had narrowed.
“I kind of thought I was out of it,” Minton said. “Me and Tom were pretty close on money going into it, and he won the first round.”
With the standings tightening, Minton turned his focus to the average, knowing it would be key to locking in his spot at the NFR Open.
Round Wins Shift Momentum
Minton answered the call in Round 2 with a 7.8-second run to win the go-round and $2,559, then followed it up with a 7.9 in Round 3 to claim another round win and $2,559.
“I came back and tied my last two in the seven range,” Minton said. “It was good enough to catch up.”
The back-to-back wins put Minton in position to control the average and separate himself in the year-end standings.
Minton finished the circuit finals with a three-head total of 26.4 seconds to win the tie-down average, earning $3,838 and securing both the average and the year-end titles. The year-end win also officially punched his ticket back to the NFR Open.
“That was kind of my goal all year,” Minton said. “It’s such a good rodeo to have in your bag for the summer.”
Consistent Horsepower
Minton relied on Gunny throughout the finals, the same horse he has won his last three average titles on.
“He’s the horse that kind of made me,” Minton said. “Everything I kind of have is from him. He’s been my main horse, and I owe everything to him.”
All-Around Title Seals the Week
Minton’s success wasn’t limited to the tie-down roping. He also qualified for the circuit finals in the team roping, placing in both the second and third rounds and finishing third in the team roping average.
Between the tie-down roping and team roping, Minton earned $13,113 at the Circuit Finals, securing the all-around title.
“I don’t go to all the circuit rodeos,” Minton said. “There’s a lot of guys that go to 25 or 30, and I go to about 14 or 15, so it feels cool to win it when you’re only going to that many.”