Aussies

By Patrick Everson

Ky Hamilton and Damian Brennan are somewhere in the range of 18 time zones from home. As they compete each night at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, it’s early afternoon the next day in Australia.

But the two are making themselves quite at home in Las Vegas, while repping Down Under quite well. Hamilton in particular is having a massive week. Through Monday night’s fourth go-round, he was 4-for-4 in bull riding, with two go-round wins.

That’s got him atop the world standings, with total season earnings of $402,013 – including a whopping $137,848 in just the past few days at the NFR.

Hamilton won the fourth go, and about 45 minutes before doing so, fellow Aussie Brennan – competing in his first Wrangler NFR – notched his first career go-round win, in saddle broncs.

“Let’s go Aussies,” a fired-up Brennan said after the win, before acknowledging his countryman’s huge week. “Ky is having a kick-ass start to the NFR. I’m just as excited for him as I am for myself.”

Brennan’s win Monday night – an 89-point ride aboard Cancun Moon – gave Hamilton a little more juice for his bull ride.

“That was awesome. When I saw Damer win that round, it fired me up,” Hamilton said.

And you could tell. Hamilton also scored 89 points, aboard Fred, to edge out Sage Kimzey’s 88. Those two were the only bull riders to post a score Monday night, so they split a ton of ground money. Hamilton earned $52,746 Monday night alone — $30,706 for winning the round, and another $22,040 in ground money.

Brennan’s $30,706 Monday night check helped him move into ninth in the world saddle bronc standings. He was thrilled to join Hamilton as go-round winners from Australia.

“There are only two of us here. It’s very special to come over from Australia and represent our country,” Brennan said.

Hamilton, competing in his fourth Wrangler NFR, echoed his fellow Aussie’s sentiments.

“I’ve got a big support crew back home,” Hamilton said. “We’re just out here having fun and trying to do our country proud.”