Jade Corkill has won nearly every major title there is to win, in both the jackpot and rodeo worlds. But not even his first gold buckle made the cut after he won the first ever Broc Cresta Memorial Roping with Clay Tryan in April 2013.
“To win it was so humbling,” Corkill said. “That day just meant more than any other. I was a little more focused, wanted it just a little bit more. It was Broc’s day, and everyone there was there for him. I don’t have a right to say anything about winning the roping, because we all wanted to win our buddy’s roping, and the day was about remembering him.”
Corkill and Cresta grew up roping on the West Coast together, and Corkill was in Cheyenne the day Cresta died.
“The night after the roping, I told Jeff Davis (Justin’s dad, and close Cresta family friend) that I wanted to wear this buckle, and I’m going to wear it, but I told him if he or any part of Broc’s family wanted it, they should have it,” Corkill remembered. “But he said it would mean more if I wore it. And I just can’t take it off. I wear it every day. I wear it to the practice pen and to every rodeo and jackpot I go to. I just can’t seem to take it off.“
It was the first jackpot win of the Clay Tryan and Jade Corkill’s rodeo partnership, and kicked off their summer of wins that included the Cheyenne Frontier Days on the one-year anniversary of Cresta’s death.
“When my kid grows up, and I’m 50, we’re all going to only know the 25-year-old Broc. He’s 25 forever.”
Editor’s note: After winning his second gold buckle, Corkill has decided to give his Broc Cresta Memorial buckle to Broc’s mom, Kelly.
