Kaycee Feild wins bareback riding title at National Finals Rodeo

Like father, like son.

Well, not exactly, explained Kaycee Feild, who clinched his first Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association bareback riding world championship Friday with one night left in the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center.

"This is my first one," he said, "and my dad has five."

Twenty-six years ago, Lewis Feild won his first of two bareback riding and first of three all-around world championships at the inaugural NFR in Las Vegas.

Kaycee Feild, 24, made more trips to the NFR media center than some reporters after winning rounds the past nine days.

Each time since winning on the first night to start a three-round winning streak, he talked of dominating as the adrenaline continued to flow.

But, upon reaching the pinnacle of his sport, he was subdued.

"I might be numb, I guess," Feild said.

His father understood.

"I remember the first year I won, it didn't set in right away," said Lewis Feild, who won all-round titles in 1985, '86 and '87 and bareback titles in 1985 and '86. "I was numb, too."

The father's facial nerves might have locked up, too, because a smile was etched on his face as he looked at his son.

The younger Feild joined Trevor Brazile as 2011 world champions. Brazile wrapped up his ninth all-around championship in the fourth go-round.

That leaves seven championships to be determined in tonight's 10th and final round that starts at 6:45.

Feild has dominated the competition in the NFR by winning five go-rounds and $115,577 so far. On the year, the cowboy from Payson, Utah, has earned $256,236.

"I didn't realize I'd won it, actually," Feild said. "I knew I had to do good tonight and lock it up. I wished I could have done a little better, but I'm just as happy as I can be."

He padded his pocket in the ninth round by tying for fourth to bank $5,000. His father said it was on the same horse that his son rode to win the College NFR three years ago.

The Feilds are the sixth father and son to own PRCA world championships and first to each have won titles in roughstock -- bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding.

A seventh father-son pair could join the list tonight. Tuf Cooper, 21, has a commanding lead in tie-down roping, and a world title would go along with the eight his father, Ray Cooper, owns.

Riders and stock are paired randomly at rodeos, but the way Feild has ridden here, he might have scored 90 on a mule.

He has earned a paycheck in eight of nine rounds and is closing in on the most bareback money won at the NFR and in a season.

Feild tied three-time and reigning world champion Bobby Mote and Clint Cannon to share first place in Thursday's eighth go-round.

"I'm just happy the way everything's turned out," Feild said. "I'm blessed the way I drew horses here."

He also made the right decision at the beginning of the year to focus on higher-paying rodeos and not go to as many smaller ones where bucking horses often are not as rank and prize funds aren't as big.

The strategy paid off. He won 12 rodeos and tied for first three times before heading to Las Vegas for his fourth consecutive NFR.

His father looks beyond his son's riding talent. "I'm just proud of the way he treats people," Lewis Feild said.

During a break this season, Kaycee Feild traveled to Iraq with the Wrangler Patriot Tour and gave roping demonstrations to American troops.

"People have been asking me if he rides better than me," Lewis Feild said. "He does ride better than me, and I'm proud of that."

His son stood nearby and beamed as his father spoke.

"He's my hero," Kaycee Feild said. "My dad's taught me everything. We're best friends, and he's my dad."

Jeff Wolf is a freelance reporter. He can be reached at (702) 406-8165 or nitrorodeo@gmail.com.