Graphic: He was Hoofed in the Head

SAN ANGELO, TX — "This is the highest ticketed event and it sold out in nine minutes," the rodeo announcer for the 2021 San Angelo Rodeo Boyd Polhamus said Saturday night before the 10th Annual Cinch Chute Out began. The Chute Out is a 13th night added onto the end of the annual rodeo that features an invitation-only slate of performers who are competing for a pile of cash. Earnings and standings for this stand-alone event do not count towards PRCA NFR qualification.

Because it is a no-holds-barred competition with nationally-ranked rodeo athletes, this final night of the rodeo is the hottest ticket in San Angelo. Saturday night's 10-year anniversary of the Chute Out featured the reigning world champion in bull riding named Stetson Wright.

The show started with bareback riding. The ride we'll be talking about for ages is when three-time world champion Will Lowe hopped on what announcer Boyd Polhamus called one of the greatest bucking horses on the planet named Killer Bee, a horse supplied by stock contractor Butler and Sons. Lowe had an amazing ride until the horse took a wild turn right at the 8-second buzzer bucking Lowe off. As Lowe fell through the air, Killer Bee hooved Lowe before the 38-year-old Texas cowboy hit the dirt hard. Lowe laid motionless on the ground as the crowd gasped. Paramedics checked him out, and after several minutes of anxiety of all, Lowe was helped up to his feet and he walked off the arena floor to a loud applause.

Lowe would notch an 84-point ride. Unfortunately, despite dodging serious injury, 84 points was not enough to make the final round.

In steer wrestling, Ricky Bobby once said if you ain't first, you're last. Tyler Pearson received the memo as he was good for a 3.54-second time, faster than Will Lummus and Dakota Eldridge for the Chute Out steer wrestling title and $7,500 in prize money

In team roping, it was the Erich Rogers and Paden Bray show. This is the #1 team in the world. These guys won the average at the NFR in Arlington in 2020. The duo came out in the Chute Out long round with a 3.8-second time. Then, in the short round finals, the two sealed the deal with 5.03-second time, claiming the 2021 Chute Out team roping title.

In saddle bronc riding, these cowboys took a beating, from ugly falls to getting stepped upon, just to get to the short round. At the end, it was the reigning world champion bull rider who also doubles as a saddle bronc rider, Stetson Wright showing off on Pete Carr's Big-Tex for an 88.5-point ride. We aren't done with Stetson just yet. By the way, watch the video above to see what a $7,500 saddle bronc ride looks like.

In tie-down roping, Tuf Cooper picked up the PRCA 2021 San Angelo Rodeo title on the night before, Friday, April 23. He would make it to the Chute Out's short round finals on Saturday but holler at your boy Wesleyn Hughes who snuck into the short round's final spot with an 8.13-second time in the first round, and then set the mark with an 8.71-second run to win the Chute Out tie-down roping title.

In bull riding, remember that Stetson Wright cat who also rode horses? He was looking to be the first cowboy of the San Angelo Chute Out to win a saddle bronc and bull riding title. It appeared promising with an 83.5-point ride on the Pete Carr's bull named Topline.

But before Wright rode, it was Josh Frost who scored an 88 on Pete Carr's Curley Bill. It was Wright, Creek Young, and Josh Frost in the short round finals. But get this: not one cowboy was able to go the full 8 seconds in the short go finals therefore Josh Frost was crowned the champion based on his 1st round 88 score.

In barrel racing, the two-time world champion Brittany Pozzi-Tonzi came in looking to defend her Cinch Chute Out title. It looked good for her in the opening round with a 14.1-second time.

Following Jana Bean's 14.8-second run, it was time for Amanda Welsh, the last rider of the first round, to strut her stuff. She did so to the tune of a 14.28-second time, setting up a battle between Welsh and Pozzi-Tonzi in the Short Go Finals.

The fastest time of this rodeo has been a 14.11-second time in the Friday Short Go by Wenda Johnson. Amanda Welsh said I see your 14.11-seconds and i'll raise you a to a 14.02. Talk about fast.

Up next was the defending Cinch Chute out champion Brittany Pozi-Tonozi. She's not a 14-time NFR qualifier for nothing. She gave it a great run but in the end her 14.22-second time wasn't quite enough to best the Wyoming cowgirl, Amanda Welsh. Welsh is the 2021 Cinch Chute Out barrel racing champion.

After the performance, Welsh had plenty to talk about. From what was so difficult for most in the final round and how she was able put together a win. Watch above for all of the highlights from the 2021 Cinch Chute Out. At the end, we talk to the barrel racing champ, presented by Principal LED.

Here are the final standings of the 2021 Cinch Chute Out held Saturday night, April 24.

Bareback riding: 1. Tim O’Connell, 89.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Uncapped, $7,500; 2. Shane O’Connell, 87, $3,000; 3. Tilden Hooper, 85.5, $2,000.

Steer wrestling: 1, Tyler Pearson, 3.54 seconds, $7,500; 2. Will Lummus, 13.85, $3,000; 3. Dakota Eldridge, 14.83, $2,000.

Team roping: 1. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 5.03 seconds, $7,500; 2. Colby Lovell/Paul Eaves, 9.15, $3,000; no other qualified runs.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Stetson Wright, 88.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Big Tex, $7,500; 2. Kolby Wanchuk, 86.5, $3,000; no other qualified rides.

Tie-down roping: 1. Westyn Hughes, 8.71 seconds, $7,500; 2. Tuf Cooper, 9.34, $3,000; no other qualified runs.

Barrel racing: 1. Amanda Welsh, 14.023 seconds, $7,500; 2. Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi, 14.222, $3,000; 3. Jana Bean, 14.775, $2,000.

Bull riding: No qualified rides. Josh Frost wins the title based on his first-round ride.