Holding the average lead from the first set all the way to the short round is a luxury Bryce Derrer experienced June 19-27 at the Reno Rodeo.

The Portales, New Mexico, native walked away with $17,929 after a 9.5 in the first round, a 7.7 that placed second in round two for $6,333, and a 9.3 in the short round worth $672—good for a 26.5-second total on three head, the average title and another $10,924. The haul moved Derrer from 18th in the world standings with $40,737 to 10th with $58,736 on the year.

“Reno is a rank rodeo,” Derrer said. “To get a payday like that to start the summer and get the ball rolling—I’ve been going in picking up little checks here and there, but hitting a big lick like this, it’s awesome. It’s a big sigh of relief.”

Last Man Out

With the average lead in hand and the last man to back in the box, Derrer knew a smart run would do the job.

“I didn’t really hear what the announcer said walking into the box, so I just went in to make my run,” Derrer said. “I knew I was a little off of the barrier, but I had some time to play with. I knew, sitting first, if I tied a nine-something I was going to get paid regardless. A championship would be awesome, but in our game you’re trying to get money built up. So just go secure a paycheck. That’s what I was trying to do.”

He’d watched the calf all week and had a good read on it backing into the box.

“I knew that calf was pretty soft and I wanted to make sure I saw my start,” Derrer said. “He pushed with the guys who ran him earlier in the week, so I really needed to sit down and get across. He was a little slower off to the right, so I just had to be up and aggressive and see a little bit more. I wanted to just go make a decent run and see how it played out. It worked out for sure.”

The Mare “Bauhnie”

Derrer called on the same clutch sorrel mare he’s rode most of the winter—Lil Jo Bahn, “Bauhnie,” the same horse Derrer rode to the Cinch Roping Fiesta win last fall. Now seven, she’s carried him to a second prestigious title in less than a year.

“I love this mare,” Derrer said. “We’ve grown together since she’s young, she’s just seven years old. We really started coming back together about Nampa and started making the best runs we can make. It’s truly amazing to win those two really prestigious rodeos on this mare.”

Leaving Reno with the win in hand, Derrer kept coming back to the people who got him there.

“I’m so blessed,” Derrer said. “The Lord has helped me in so many different ways—friends and family preparing me for moments like this throughout my career. It was unbelievable. I got to compete with everybody like that and stayed at number one from the first set. It was crazy. The calves were amazing. I looked up, I was 9.3, and I got it done.”

Even the morning after, it hadn’t quite landed.

“My mom texted me this morning and said, ‘Has it sunk in yet?’” Derrer said. “I’m like, ‘Oh, not really.’”

Ready to Rock On

Aside from the big payday, the Reno title comes with a set of silver spurs, the cherry on the top of a great week for Derrer, who isn’t slowing down with St. Paul and the Greeley short round next on the schedule.

“Every one of these big rodeos is paying so much now, and if you hit a good lick at any of them it’s a bonus to get down the road, especially toward your goal of getting to the Finals,” Derrer said. “That payout is awesome, but the bonus part of winning Reno—you get silver spurs and that’s even cooler. It’s pretty badass, honestly.”

With the biggest payday of the summer so far in the bank and Cowboy Christmas just getting rolling, Derrer is headed down the road.

“I’m just ready to rock on,” Derrer said.