ARLINGTON, Texas – When Sage Kimzey walked off the AT&T Stadium dirt for the final time at the 2024 PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast – Championship, he had two things in his hands.

His 2-year-old son, Steele, and a big check for $350,000.

It was a fitting end to his first full season in the PBR, as Kimzey ultimately made the jump from the PRCA – where he’s a seven-time bull riding world champion – to spend more time with his family.

And, of course, to win.

“One of the number one things that I wanted to do with the season was get to spend more time with this little guy right here,” Kimzey said. “So being able to travel on the weekends, ride bulls on the weekends, and end up winning a lot of money doing that—”

Kimzey paused, laughing as Steele growled and repeatedly head-butted his chest. “Really? Are you a dinosaur?”

After one of the most successful careers in PRCA history, Kimzey made waves when he first joined the Carolina Cowboys in the PBR Camping World Team Series and then decided to compete full-time on the Unleash The Beast. He joined a historically talented rookie class – yes, the 29-year-old, seven-time world champion was a PBR rookie – and expected to contend for the 2024 PBR world title.

But then he injured his elbow at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

“I started out the year and rode five out of six bulls,” Kimzey said. “I was sitting good, everything was rolling, and then I had the injury at the NFR and never could really get over it. Ended up having to have surgery, and it kind of derailed the whole season.

“It’s just injuries. It’s what we all face.”

Kimzey competed in just 12 regular-season Unleash The Beast events and was ranked No. 21 heading into Eliminations on May 9-12 at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas. The Top 15 in the standings would advance directly to the Championship. Anyone else would have to advance via the aggregate if they wanted to avoid Ride For Redemption.

Kimzey only knocked down one ride at Eliminations – 88 points on Jersey Tuff in Round 4 – but it was enough to punch his ticket to AT&T Stadium.

It was on the biggest stage that Kimzey truly shined, going 3-for-4 to win the coveted PBR World Finals event title, 537 points towards the UTB World Championship standings, and a grand total of $411,200.

“It feels great, especially after the tough season that I’ve had,” Kimzey said. “It feels great to come in here and show what my talent can be.”

Kimzey began the weekend with 89 points in a rematch with Jersey Tuff in Round 1. He was bucked off by Army Slasher in 1.2 seconds in Round 2 and came into Championship Sunday sitting in a five-way tie for fourth place.

He immediately distanced himself from the pack in Round 3, riding Preachers Kid for 91 points.

“I was really excited to have him,” Kimzey said. “He’s been giving guys fits for years, but it’s really just a move that he’s got right out of there. He kind of hops and skips and gets a lot of guys shook loose before he turns back, and I knew if I could weather that storm, everything could get smooth whenever he finally found a spot and turned back. It was tough to get there, but as soon as he found a spot and turned back, I had a real comfortable seat on him and finished him strong, so it was good.”

In Round 4, Kimzey rode Let’s Roll for 89.5 points, clinching the World Finals event title when No. 2 John Crimber bucked off his final bull.

Kimzey was the only rider to go 3-for-4 at the Championship.

After the disappointing season, the injury, the surgery, and spending most of the season on the outside looking in, Kimzey ultimately finished the year ranked No. 7.

Not bad for a down year for a 29-year-old rookie.

Kimzey joins a storied list of World Finals event winners that includes Ty Murray, J.B. Mauney, J.W. Hart, Silvano Alves and Jose Vitor Leme.

Of all the events to win, this is the one.

“The world titles definitely are on top of it, but this is probably a close second right behind them, for sure,” Kimzey said. “Especially this being my first year in the PBR, and this transition I’ve made in my career – it was the second goal on the list, right behind winning the world over here. So I’m super happy to come in, compete well, and come home with the title.”

Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media