Permit holder Noah Lee wins his first-ever PRORODEO event at BULLNANZA
GUTHRIE, Okla. – Noah Lee turned 18 in the middle of January. He celebrated by purchasing his PRCA permit to compete as a professional cowboy for the first time.
He set his sights on BULLNANZA in Guthrie, Okla., for his debut, part of the Rank 45 Xtreme Bulls Tour. His birthday celebration caught a second wind Feb. 6 at the Lazy E Arena, as Lee rode McCoy Rodeo’s The Hondo for 90.5 points.
It was his first ride as a professional and it resulted in his first win and paycheck.
“I was just happy I got to ride him,” Lee said. “I can’t really take anything too seriously, you just have to ride every bull you get on. So I’m doing that and just having fun.”
The Division 2 Xtreme Bulls event featured up-and-coming riders like Lee as well as National Finals Rodeo qualifiers.
Rawley Johnson, who finished 15th in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings last season, held the lead with an 89-point ride on McCoy Rodeo’s Tulsa Time in an earlier section on Night 1. Jesse Petri, who finished 14th in the 2025 world standings, had an 86-point ride on McCoy Rodeo’s Pif.
Qynn Andersen, one of the Australian stars in PRORODEO, rode McCoy Rodeo’s Airborne for 86 points in Night 2.
Through NFR qualifiers and bucking bulls, Lee’s ride held up for the victory.
“I grew up with everybody here so it’s like being at home,” Lee said. “I knew Cord (McCoy) growing up. He used to help me. Took me when I was getting on sheep and stuff. So I’ve known Cord my whole life. I know he’s got some good bulls, and I just knew if I drew one of his, I was going to get a good score.”
Lee was the final cowboy to ride in Night 1.
He didn’t feel pressure seeing the rides ahead of him. Even as Jhett Wheeler rode McCoy Rodeo’s Blue Duck for 90 points just ahead of him.
Lee remained patient and delivered when he needed to.
Along with cashing a check, the performance gives him momentum as he eyes bigger and bigger rodeos as he pursues his card.
“I was just hoping I would win some money,” Lee said. “So I can get my card and get rolling to try to make the Finals.”
-PRCA
