
Bull rider Wade Tuni is the biggest winner at Gallup rodeo

Navajo Times | Quentin Jodie
Arizona cowboy Wade Tuni stays center during Saturday night’s performance at the Gallup Lions Club Rodeo. Tuni was the only rider to cover his bull as he collected a whopping $4,440.
CHURCH ROCK, N.M.
The annual Gallup Lions Club Rodeo never disappoints as cowboys and cowgirls compete for a shipload of cash.
The biggest winner to emerge from the 75th edition was Wade Tuni as he collected a whopping $4,440, which included ground money.
Of the 36 entries, Tuni was the only one to cover his bull as he rode 100X for 82 points in Saturday night’s performance.
“I was the first one out and it was a pretty nice one,” Tuni said of his draw. “He was a pretty good bull to start off with. I just came out with a bang, so it came out pretty good.”
As the only qualified rider, the 19-year-old had a chance to win an additional $5,000 in the bonus round. Tuni, however, was bucked off Diablo Rosso as that money will roll over into next year.
“I came here for one thing and it’s to ride bulls and hang on,” Tuni said. “But that bull got the best of me. There was some pressure to ride, but I had to treat it like a normal bull riding.
“I feel pressure wherever I go, but I just try to get over that,” he added. “I just try to take it bull by bull, and if I try my hardest sometimes things will turn out nice.”
With ambitions to make this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Tuni is currently ranked No. 27 in the PRCA world standings with $41,435 won.
“Oh, yeah, I did,” Tuni said when asked if he’d be in contention to make the NFR. “I just have to keep trying my hardest to stay in that top 25. But the top 15 is where it’s at right now. I’m going to try and cover more bulls and win more buckles to stack on my wall.”