Stone, Blue

Few people had heard of Blue Stone at the 2001 National Finals Rodeo, but they definitely knew his name after. Stone entered the 2001 National Finals Rodeo in 12th place and through a series of fortunate events, found himself at the top of the world by the end of the ten days. Stone not only set an earnings record for the NFR average at $112,322, but a PRCA bull riding season earnings record at $174, 772. The Ogden, Utah, cowboy started his career early. He tried one bareback horse and decided that was not for him. A few weeks later, he tried bull riding and liked it much better. In 1996, he won the Utah State High School Championship. The next year, Stone placed second in the College National Finals Rodeo for the College of Southern Idaho. Stone went on to win the 2000 Wilderness Circuit Championship. After his meteoric rise in 2001, Stone continued riding well. He won the gold medal at the 2002 Olympic Command Performance in Farmington, Utah. While there, he also fractured his sternum. He recovered his 2002 season and entered the Finals in eighth place. Stone entered this second Finals with more confidence than the first. Through ten rough performances, Stone edged out Myron Duarte by $8,792. Not since Don Gay had a bull rider won back-to-back titles. Stone went on to compete in the 2003 and 2004 Xtreme Bulls Tours before he retired to ranching and hunting. Stone was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame with the Class of 2024.