Rookie Cowboy Wins San Angelo Xtreme Bulls Title

SAN ANGELO, TX — Just three months after his 18th birthday, second-generation bull rider Noah Lee has made a significant living in ProRodeo.

The Weatherford cowboy added to it Sunday afternoon, riding Stockyards Pro Rodeo’s Shakin Dominos for 89 points to win the San Angelo Xtreme Bulls championship at CRC Roofers Coliseum. 

With that, he padded his bank account by $13,372.

“I didn’t realize I won that much money,” said Lee, whose father, Mike Lee, was a PBR world champion in 2004. “I love the Xtreme Bulls, because they get me really excited. It’s just like riding in the old-school PBRs back in the old days, how my dad used to ride. It reminds me of when I used to go with my dad and be in the locker rooms.”

Nostalgia plays a heavy role on creating energy, and riding bulls is just part of that for Noah Lee. He began the year on his PRCA permit and won immediately. His first ProRodeo event was Bullnanza in Guthrie, Okla., and he won it. That was nearly $13,000 in his pocket and filled the requirements of his permit.

“I made the mistake of entering four other rodeos, so I ended up winning like $20,000 on my permit,” he said. “Then I bought my card after them four rodeos.”

He’s earned better than $61,000 in two and a half months, but only $42,336 count toward the world standings, where he has moved up to be among the top 20 bull riders in ProRodeo. He’s also moved to the No. 1 position in the Xtreme Bulls standings with his San Angelo victory.

“I just try to stay humble,” said Lee, who stands 5-foot-2 and weighs 114 pounds. “I don’t like to talk about how I’m going to do, because I don’t know how I’m going to do. I’m just going to stay focused and keep going, try to get everything rode.”

It’s a process that’s working so far. Lee has ridden 11 of 15 bulls he’s attempted this season, scoring 73 percent of the time. His Sunday victory marked the sixth time he’s won, and he’s had high-marked rides in each situation. He was 90.5 to win Bullnanza and 91.5 to win the Xtreme Bulls title in Wharton, Texas. He was also 91 in both Goliad, Texas, and Fresnos, Texas, then posted an 89.5-point ride to win in Waxahachie, Texas.

In March, Lee rode six of seven bulls and earned $28,964 by finishing third place or better at six rodeos. His April isn’t shaking out to be too shabby, either. He scored 88.5 points on Penthouse Pro Rodeo’s Sky Bandit this past Friday night and sits second at the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo. He will compete inside the storied coliseum for the third time this coming Friday night during the championship round, opening the opportunity to win both the Xtreme Bulls and rodeo’s bull riding titles in the same week.

“I just try to stay calm and talk to God,” Lee said. “He lets me know I’m safe, and I feel Him with me. I just like to talk to God and clear my mind, and He clears it for me. I’m not nervous or anything. I just like to stay calm. It’s a better way to live life.

“I’m really excited to come back Friday. I’m in San Angelo for all this next week; I’ll be back here Saturday for the Cinch Chute-Out, too.”

San Angelo Xtreme Bulls

1. Noah Lee, 89 points on Stockyards Pro Rodeo’s Shakin Dominos, $13,372; 2. Ethan Bayous, 85, $10,296; 3. Ernie Coursin, 84, $7,659; 4. (tie) Mason Moody and Cullen Telfer, 83.5, $4,143 each; 6. Jake Gardner, 83, $2,386; 7. Trevor Reiste, 81, $1m946; no other qualified rides.