Kansas native Coy Pollmeier scores top bull riding score at Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo

Branden Hull, The Daily Republic, Mitchell, S.D.
·5 min read

Jul. 16—MITCHELL — In redeeming fashion, Coy Pollmeier from Fort Scott, Kansas earned a first-place finish at the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo on Friday.

Pollmeier was bucked off his bull during Thursday's Extreme Bulls Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event at Horseman's Sports Arena, but luckily for the 21-year-old, what happened the night before was short lived.

He scored an 87.5 in the bull riding event on Friday night in front of 2,806 fans, and did so by putting all the trust in himself.

"On Thursday, I was trying to look up the bull and predict what he did but that's probably why I hit the dirt," Pollmeier said. "Tonight I put that behind me and just trusted in myself more than anything. I shot from the hip and it worked out."

Pollmeier has a well known rodeo background, as he began riding holstein calves at the age of nine, learning from his father who was a professional bull rider himself. Struggling to find the success he had hoped for this year, Pollmeier said the support from his girlfriend and his parents helped him refocus after nights like Thursday where he scored a zero.

"My parents helped me through things like that and their experience combined with my own really helped me keep going cause at times this year it was tough," Pollmeier said. "When you get a high score like I did today it really brings the emotions in and creates so much excitement, especially when you perform at a place like this."

As 12 climbed on bulls to compete on Friday night, only three qualified. Of the three finishers, Pollmeier wasn't the only young rider looking to have a great performance.

18-year-old Jestyn Jax Woodward from Custer managed to leave the 51st annual Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo feeling accomplished after posting a score of 85 in the bull riding competition.

Receiving his pro permit in January, essentially one month after turning 18, performing at Mitchell's rodeo grounds was only the 13th time Woodward had performed in a professional rodeo. Thanks to his father, who was a national bull riding champion in high school, Woodward felt no pressure before putting on his highest bull riding score of his young career.

"When I was younger my Dad would take me to bigger events for the juniors so I would get used to performing in bigger atmospheres," Woodward said. "Now that I have my pro permit, performing in places like this, I feel like I'm already used to it."

Woodward finished in second for the second time this year, still looking for his first ever first-place finish. He was the first to perform of all contestants, but believes that may have played into his favor as it alleviated any pressure he would have added onto himself.

"The first time I got second-place was in Belle Fourche, but I was so disappointed about that. It was more of a heart breaker since I already convinced myself I was getting first," Woodward said. "I came into this one as the first guy out and I was really just hoping to place decently. Finding out I got second was a much better feeling this time around because I had no idea where I stacked up."

Pollmeier and Woodward are two young bull riders that gained even more confidence after Friday's performances and will both compete in the Burke Stampede Rodeo on Saturday evening.

The Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo continues on Saturday.

Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo results

Friday at Horseman's Sports Arena

Bareback riding: 78: Ty Blessing, De Soto, Kan.; 75: Colt Eck, Redfield, Kan.; 73.5: Chase J Yellowhawk, Blunt; 63: Grant Worthington, Fort Scott, Kan.

Steer wrestling: :4.3: Billy Boldon, Oglala; :4.7: Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, :4.8: Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb.; :5.3: Sam Olson, Buffalo; :6.0: Carson Good, Long Valley; :6.0: Noah Lassa, Merrill, Wis.; :6.5: Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Neb.; :8.2: Sterling Lee, Rhame, ND.

Saddle bronc riding: 88: Dylan Schofield, Philip; 80: Dusty Hausauer, Dickinson, ND; 79.5: Chance Masters, Leon, Iowa; 78: Ean Charles Price, Goodwill, Okl.; 77: Denton Ward, Goodwill, Okl.; 77: John Grady Allen, Auxvasse, Mo.; 68: Lavern Borntreger, Elsmere, Neb.; 61: Jack Thomas Skavdahl, Casper, Wyo.

Tie-down roping: :9.4: Austin Hurlburt, Nofolk, Neb.; :10.1: Clint Kindred, Oral; :10.3: Matt Peters, Oral; :12.2: Ty Moser, Volga; :12.7: Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okl.; :12.9: Luke Madsen, Marshalltown, Iowa,; :13.0: Bodie Mattson, Sturgis; :13.8: Stratton Forrest Kohr, Gillette, Wyo.; :13.9: Grant William Lindsley, Osceola, Neb.; :14.9: Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okl.

Team roping: :5.0: Clint Summers, Lake City, Flo./Ross Ashford, Lott, Tex.; :5.3: Turner Harris, Killdeer, ND/Matt Kasner, Cody, Neb.; :5.9: Blair D Lammers, Hartford/Shad Chadwick, Phoenix, Ari.; :6.0: Jon Peterson, Belle Fourche/Levi O'Keeffe, Belle Fourche;:6.2: Shaw Loiseau, Flandreau/Dylan Hart, Flandreau; :11.4: Steve Sherwood, San Tan Valley, Ari./JD Phillips, San Tan Valley, Ari.; :11.6: Curry Kirchner, Ames, Okla./Reagan Ward, Edmond, Okla.; :12.1: Rafe Taylor Wientjes, Onida/Jade Joseph Byrne, Martin; :15.2: Jhett Trenary, Salida, Col.; Gralyn Elkins, Ericson, Neb.; :21.0: Cayden Rance Slykhuis, Letcher; Tater Moody, Woonsocket.

Barrel racing: 14.86: Molly Otto, Grand Forks, ND; 15:03: D'Ann Gehlsen, Mission; 15:04: Suzanne Brooks, Seminole, Okla.; 15.05: Summer Kosel, Glenham; 15:05: Fonda Melby, Backus, Minn.; 15.10: Kailee Webb, Loveland, Col.; 15.13: Allison Pauley, Honey Creek, Iowa; 15.14: Ari-Anna Flynn, Charleston, Ark.; 15.20: McKenzie Jendersee, Box Elder; 15.20: Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Tex.; 15.21: Megan Van Liere, Pierre; 15.22: Patty Finney, Ainsworth, Neb.

Bull riding: 87.5: Coy Pollmeier, Fort Scott, Kan.; 85: Jestyn Jax Woodward, Custer; 71: Brylen Dees, Fort Scott, Kan.