CODY, Wyo., June 30, 2025 — There is no better way to kick off the Fourth-of-July festivities than with the Cody/Yellowstone Xtreme Bulls at Stampede Park. Just ask Ruger Piva.
The Challis, Idaho, bull rider has been coming to the Xtreme Bulls and the rodeo here for nearly 10 years and has been waiting to capitalize on an opportunity to get a big check. That happened Monday night when Piva, 30, won the bull riding with an 87.5-point score on Frontier Rodeo’s bull named Frontier Coffee.
He was one point higher than world standings leader Wacey Schalla who had an 86.5-point effort. Piva earned $12,831 of the $42,770 in prize money. He is hoping that will give him a big boost in the world standings where he is currently 31st.
“This is a great way to start the Fourth,” Piva said. “I’d never been on that bull before. I watched some videos and knew he was going to be good. But he was bigger and stronger than what I expected. I’ve been working to get each week started right. I’ve never really done great over the Fourth, so I’m really happy to start it off this way.”
Piva qualified for the 2021 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo after finishing two spots out at 17th the previous two years. He has had his share of injuries, three surgeries and feels as good as he ever has started the busy summer rodeo season.
The bull riding featured 40 riders with nearly one-fourth of them getting qualified rides in front of a sold-out crowd. They also had a Jr. steer riding and a jr. bull riding and finished the night with action from Bullfighters Only.
The Cody Stampede rodeo’s first performance will start at 8 p.m. at Stampede Park on Tuesday night. Tickets are available for July 1 and July 2 only. Rodeo fans are encouraged to come to the arena early and take advantage of the free entertainment and food trucks at the arena.
The following are unofficial results from the Cody/Yellowstone Xtreme Bulls, June 30, 2025.
1, Ruger Piva, Chalis, Idaho, 87.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Frontier Coffee, ,$12,831. 2, Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, Okla., 86.5, $9,837. 3, Clayton Sellars, Fruitlandpark, Fla., 86, $7,271. 4, J.R. Stratford, Byers, Kan., 85.5, $4,705. 5, (tie) Colten Fritzlan, Rifle, Colo., and Rawley Johnson, Swan Valley, Idaho, 84.5 and $2,566 each. 7, (tie) Trevor Reiste, Linden, Iowa and Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho, 82.5, $1,497.
PROVIDED COURTESY OF SUSAN KANODE FOR CODY STAMPEDE RODEO TO TENN TEXAS MEDIA
