If you’ve spent any time around a rodeo arena lately, you know the name Ky Hamilton. Honestly, you probably know the legend of the 2023 NFR more than the man himself at this point. People still talk about that Wednesday in Las Vegas like it was a movie script. He’s the kid from Mackay, Queensland, who showed up at the hospital in a gown and left with a gold buckle.
But here’s the thing. Bull riding isn't just about one crazy week in Vegas. It’s a grind.
Ky Hamilton isn't just "another Australian" on the circuit. He is arguably the most resilient athlete in the PRCA today. When he won that world title in 2023, he didn’t just win; he broke records. He banked $595,414 in a single season. That's more than Stetson Wright’s previous record. It’s a staggering amount of money for someone who spends their life trying not to get stepped on by 1,800 pounds of muscle.
What Most People Get Wrong About Ky’s Rise
A lot of folks think Ky just showed up and started dominating. That isn't how it happened. Not even close.
Back in early 2023, he was cold. Like, ice cold. He went through a stretch where he only rode three of twelve bulls. Imagine being at the top of your game and suddenly forgetting how to do your job. That was Ky in San Antonio. He was missing checks. He was falling behind Stetson. Most guys would have spiraled, but Ky did something different. He called JB Mauney.
He spent a week at JB’s place. They didn't do anything fancy. Ky just got on practice bulls until his confidence came back. He even ditched the helmet for a hat during those sessions just to feel the grit again.
It worked.
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He went to Houston and absolutely cleaned up, taking home over $65,000. That’s the "flipped switch" moment everyone refers to. You can't teach that kind of mental reset. You either have it, or the bulls break you.
The 2024 Injury Sidelining
Just when he was at the peak, 2024 decided to be a jerk. Injuries are the tax you pay for playing this game. In January 2024, Ky dislocated his right shoulder twice in one week. Once in Denver, then again in Fort Worth.
It wasn't just a "pop it back in" situation.
He had a torn labrum. Surgery was the only fix. He had to sit out basically the entire 2024 season, including the NFR. For a reigning world champ, sitting in the stands is a special kind of torture. He watched his buddies ride while he was doing physical therapy. He spent months wondering if his shoulder would ever hold a rope the same way again.
The 2025 Comeback: Stats Don't Lie
Fast forward to 2025. Ky came back like he never left. If you think a year off made him timid, you haven't been watching the scores.
By the end of the 2025 regular season, Ky Hamilton was sitting comfortably at No. 3 in the world standings. He earned $317,617.90 before even hitting the NFR. His riding percentage? A cool 57.4%. To put that in perspective, in a sport where staying on half your bulls makes you a god, Ky is covering nearly 6 out of every 10.
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He and Stetson Wright were the only riders in the top three for both average score and riding percentage.
- Average Score: 86.23
- Qualified Rides: 54 out of 94 attempts
- Season High: 91.75 at the Governor’s Cup
His performance at Cheyenne Frontier Days was vintage Ky. He put up a 90.5-point ride that reminded everyone why he’s a world champion. He isn't just surviving the eight seconds; he’s out-styling the bulls.
Why the Aussie Connection Matters
Ky isn't just riding for himself. He’s the third Australian to ever win a PRCA World Championship. He follows in the footsteps of Dave Appleton and Glen O’Neill. But Ky is the first to do it in bull riding, which is a different beast entirely.
There’s a brotherhood there. You’ll often see him behind the chutes with Damian Brennan or supporting the younger Aussie kids coming up. He’s paved a path that says you don't have to be from Texas or Oklahoma to be the best in the world. You just have to be willing to suffer more than the guy next to you.
The "Hospital Gown" Legend
We have to talk about that 2023 NFR Round 5. He got knocked out. Hard.
He was carried out on a stretcher. Most people thought his season was over. His mom wanted him to stay in the hospital. Stetson Wright was there, helping him weigh the risks. But Ky has this "fire in his eye," as Stetson puts it. He checked himself out.
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The next day was a doubleheader. Ky rode both bulls.
In Round 7, he was the only rider to make the whistle. Because he was the only one, he took all the "ground money." He made $99,000 in eight seconds. Honestly, it’s the gutsiest thing I’ve seen in professional sports. He finished that day with $115,000 in his pocket and a concussion that would’ve sidelined a NFL linebacker for a month.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Ky is currently in the prime of his career. At 25 years old, he has the physical strength and the veteran experience. He’s already crossed $1.6 million in career earnings.
The shoulder seems to be holding up. His 2025 season proved that the surgery was a success. He’s committed to the PRCA but still "dabbles" in PBR events when the schedule allows. He recently won a PBR Challenger Series event in Minot, proving he can handle the ranker, short-duration bulls just as well as the rodeo circuit.
What’s next? More gold.
Ky has mentioned he wants multiple world titles. He’s not satisfied with being a one-hit wonder. He has the land, he has the house, and now he has the hunger to build a dynasty. If he stays healthy, we’re looking at a guy who could challenge the record books for the next decade.
Insights for the Road
If you're following Ky Hamilton's career or looking to understand the sport better, keep these points in mind:
- Watch the "Average": Ky wins by being consistent. While others go for the 90-point flashy ride and buck off the next three, Ky stays on. In the NFR, the "Average" title is often more important for the world standings than individual round wins.
- The Gear Shift: Notice his change in style after injury. He’s more technical now. He relies less on raw power and more on perfect positioning.
- Follow the Standings: Use the PRCA ProRodeo website to track his "Power Rankings." He often climbs late in the summer during the "Cowboy Christmas" run in July.
- Study the Matchups: Ky excels on bulls that spin to the right (into his hand). When he draws a bull that fades left, that's when you see his real talent as he has to use his outside leg to stay centered.
Ky Hamilton didn't just stumble into a gold buckle. He bled for it, went broke for it, and then did it all over again after surgery. That's a real cowboy.