Riley Kittle from Woodland, AL and Sergio Gonzales from Jourdanton, TX won the roping after a tough roping from top to bottom. Their four head total of 28.00 flat, included the fast time of the short round of 6.41-seconds to win them $162,000, as well as Cactus Saddlery Trophy Saddles, Gist Silversmiths Championship Trophy Buckles, Dinner for 2 at Michael's 5-Star Restaurant, Cactus Saddlery Saddle Pads, Yeti Coolers, Resistol 20X Black Gold Hat Certificates and Mule Deer Foundation Cascade Bolt-Action Rifles. The day's event paid a total of $900,000 with all twenty-four teams in the short round earning a paycheck and five teams earning cash in the consolation Average.
Kittle has had a lifetime of support from his family and friends and knows what it takes to win big. He is the 2022 Collegiate National Champion and has a bright future in the sport.
"This was my first year here," said Kittle in the follow-up interview. "But this is dang right the most money I've ever won. What a great event."
"In my mind I just had to stay aggressive," said Gonzales. "Don't back off, but don't do something stupid either. Just be aggressive."
Experience carried the duo to this year's Priefert #14.5 championship at the Ariat World Series of Team roping.
