Bull Rider Luke Mast Cashes in at San Antonio

8 seconds worth of work and putting his life on the line earned Prairie Circuit cowboy Luke Mast a $20,000 paycheck. The 23-year-old cowboy was the only cowboy to cover a bull in the finals.

Mast is enjoying his second year on the Xtreme Bulls tour, and this win was enough to jump him to No. 15 in the PRCA Bull Riding World Standings.

In an interview with Pro Rodeo Sports News, Mast talked about the win.

"It was awesome. The crowd was huge. It really gets a guy going with all that support. It feels really good when you put together a ride for them. I was blessed to do that."

Mast has set the ultimate goal of reaching the Wrangler National Finals for the first time in his career.  

The experience at San Antonio will provide a reminder of the grit it takes to stay in the game.  

In what is called the long round, Mast drew Pete Carr Pro Rodeo's Smokin Again and covered the bull for 82 points, which let him finish in the top 10, which was just enough to qualify for the final round.

In the finals, Mast drew another of Pete Carr's bulls named Bayou Bengal. In 2024 the bull has been bucked nine times with only two qualified rides.  

Mast knew that the bull likes to change things up, and the only thing he could count on was that he needed to stay really forward on the bull.

In the same interview with Pro Rodeo Sports News, Mast explained his strategy.

"I knew a little about him, but not much. I got on him last year in Fort Worth, and he bucked me off. He is unpredictable, but I knew I needed to move forward on him. He gets everybody to stay back, and that's when you get into trouble. I charged that front end this time."

Mast has experienced some consistent success this month by placing at Rodeo Rapid City to win $1,934 and then taking the win at Los Fresnos, Texas for $3,331.

San Antonio provided Mast with the biggest win of his career thus far.