Keenan Hayes sets bareback riding regular season earnings record 2023

A year ago, bareback rider Keenan Hayes was a star on his PRCA permit, earning $81,128 in the PRCA | RAM Rodeo Permit Standings, which is the record for most money won on a PRCA permit for one year.

Well, the Hayden, Colo., proved that was no fluke.

In 2023 as a Resistol Rookie, Hayes set the single-season earnings record in bareback riding – before the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – with $237,546 as of Sept. 14, to lead the PRCA | RAM World Standings. The record was $233,504 set by Clint Cannon in 2009.

“It’s pretty cool to get that record,” said Hayes, 20. “I grew up watching Clint when I was younger, and I started going to his Mini Bareback Riding events and I competed at the one he had in Vegas for four years and I got to meet him and he kind of got me started in my career.”

This season has been an amazing one for Hayes. He’s won 15 rodeos, including Rodeo Austin (Texas), the San Angelo (Texas) Cinch Chute-Out and the NFR Open powered by RAM in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“I found out on permit that I could ride with these guys (in the PRCA) and everywhere I go I expect to win, but I didn’t expect it to go this well,” Hayes said. “I have been drawing super great everywhere I have been and that’s helped tremendously, and everything has just fallen into place. It is pretty awesome.”

With the PRCA regular season concluding Sept. 30, Hayes has his mind on making his Wrangler NFR debut, Dec. 7-16 in Las Vegas.

“I just want to be as ready as I can be going into the (NFR),” Hayes said. “I have heard a lot about it and watched it all my life and hopefully everything there will go as well as it has this year. I’m just trying to keep my head on straight and have fun doing it.”

courtesy of the PRCA