Down to the Wire Kade Bruno and Sage Newman Crowned Co-Champs of Saddle Bronc in Phoenix

It came down to the final ride in Phoenix as Kade Bruno and Sage Newman battled to the finish, ultimately sharing the Saddle Bronc Riding Championship at the 2025 Hondo Rodeo Fest.

Bruno led the average heading into Round 3 after securing wins in both the first and second rounds. Close behind him was Newman, who knew he had a big chance to close the gap in the final performance.

Newman delivered the standout ride he needed on J02+ Blessed Assurance of J-J Pro Rodeo, marking 89.5 points to take the round lead. As the final cowboy out, Bruno needed an 88-point ride to match Newman’s total, and that’s exactly what he did. The two bronc riders finished in a tie for the title, continuing a trend that’s becoming something of the Hondo.

For the second consecutive year, the Saddle Bronc title at Hondo ended in a tie. In 2024, Ryder Wright and Zeke Thurston shared the championship. Fittingly, Thurston was back in the mix again this year, finishing third in the average just behind the co-champions. Brody Wells rounded out the top four. 

Newman, a five-time NFR qualifier from Montana, will make his fifth appearance in Las Vegas this December. He enters the Finals ranked eighth in the PRCA world standings. Bruno, a four-time NFR qualifier from Idaho, sits fifth in the standings heading into rodeo’s biggest stage.

Despite the tough competition, there is nothing but mutual respect between the two champions. Off the chutes, they’re not just competitors, they’re close friends who push each other to be better. 

“Having these guys here is really cool,” Bruno said. “Our camaraderie between all the bronc riders — it’s special. Yeah, we’re competing against each other, but we’re also best friends, and I wanted him to do just as good today.”

Newman shared that same appreciation for the event and everyone who makes it possible for all of the athletes. “This is awesome,” Newman said. “Getting to ride in big stadiums like this. Thanks to Hondo Rodeo for letting us have this opportunity. It’s a great event, and thank you all for showing up.”

With back-to-back years of ties among the best guys to do it, the Saddle Bronc Riding at Hondo has proven once why it’s one of the most competitive and exciting events to watch The Hondo is becoming one of the best stand alone rodeo events of the year, where the best in the world meet, and sometimes, can’t even be separated by a single point.