By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
The rookie from down under came to Del Rio and stole the show at the 47th George Paul Memorial Xtreme Bull Riding Friday night at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds.
Qynn Andersen, a 21-year-old from Koumala, Australia, who is six months into his rookie season of professional bull riding in the States, snatched the Friday night championship. He notched the only successful ride in the six-person championship round to grab the Friday championship.
If his 89.5 score stands Saturday night, not only will he take home
a large portion of the $37,000 pot, but will get a chance to win a Ram Truck provided by the Khoury Group and a firearm from Cactus Weapons System, along with the coveted George Paul buckle.
The Friday night win wasn’t Qynn’s first victory in America. In February, he clinched a Round 1 victory at the Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour event in Reno, Nevada, with an 87.5-point ride aboard the bull Scrapper.
Another factor that fell his way Friday was drawing the massive bull Schott in the Dark, owned by Sutton Rodeo, who is the son of the legendary Bushwhacker. Schott in the Dark carried Josh Frost to a GPMBR victory in 2024.
If Andersen holds on Saturday night for the victory, Schott in the Dark will be 2 for 2, making him the first bull to win two consecutive championships at GPMBR while Andersen will be the first Aussie to win a championship here.
Andersen was appreciative of the ride the bull gave him. “He was really cool and showy,” Andersen said. “It was the kind of ride you dream of.”
However, as the clock ticked down Friday night, many in the audience thought veteran Chase Outlaw might steal the championship in the last ride of the night. Adding to the tension, in what was supposed to be the final ride, the bull took a seat for a moment during the ride.
“I didn’t know what was happening,” Outlaw said. “He just folded up like an accordion.”
Outlaw was then put on Time Traveler, a Stockyards Pro Rodeo bull for his re-ride and as he said, “I just didn’t make it count.”
The top five finishers for Friday were Andersen at 89.50; Outlaw with an 88 score; Braydan Kilcrease with an 87.5; Tyler Taylor with an 86.0 and Trent Ferreir with an 85.5.
Andersen is the only one whose score advances to Saturday.
Casey Harp, the production manager for the event, was thrilled with the night’s lineup. “We were very lucky to have a great turnout from the next generation of riders,” he said. “We had some amazing young riders with a strong mix of veterans. We are going to hear a lot more from some of the young guns out here as well as more from their veteran mentors.”
The riders from Friday scatter across the country to compete in various events while another crop of 35 riders will come to Del Rio. Andersen will ride in Athens, Texas while Outlaw heads to Clovis, Calif.
There are names slated for Saturday that many have heard of but a couple of contenders for a 2025 championship include Wacey Schalla, Ky Hamilton and Tristen Hutchins.
Bobby Paul, chief executive officer of the GPMBR, said he’s anticipating a sell-out Saturday and if people want tickets, to try and get them early.
The writer can be reached at JoelaLangton@gmail.com .
