Zeke Thurston of Big Valley, Alta., captured his second career world championship in saddle bronc at the National Finals rodeo Saturday.
The 25-year-old capped the 10-day NFR atop the world standings with a record $347,056 in season earnings.
The previous high was $284,938 set by Ryder Wright in 2017.
Thurston also took the title in 2016.
“Honestly, I don’t know what to say,” Thurston told nfrexperience.com.
“I wanted this second one worse than I wanted the first one. I came close last year, but it was a roller coaster out here. Lots of ups and downs, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
He is a three-time winner at the Calgary Stampede.
Thurston opened the NFR ranked second just over $47,000 behind Wright of Milford, Utah.
The Albertan began gaining on Wright on opening day with a top score of 88 points aboard Sue City Sue.
Thurston also won the seventh and ninth rounds with a 92.5 ride on Get Smart a half a point short of the arena record and 91 points with Sun Glow respectively.
Wright didn’t record a score in six of 10 rounds and dropped to third.
Jake Watson of Hope, B.C., placed sixth in saddle bronc with season earnings of $236,406 after wins in the fifth and eighth round at the NFR.
Dawson Hay of Wildwood, Alta., was seventh in his NFR debut with $197,747 and picked up a win in the sixth round.
Bull rider Jordan Hansen of Ponoka, Alta., placed fifth at $214,792. He won Saturday’s final round with an 88.5 ride on Hell Hound.
Bareback rider Clint Laye of Cadogan, Alta., was ninth and steer wrestler Scott Guenther of Provost, Alta., finished 12th.