Monthly Archives: April 2012

The Western Frontier Pro Rodeo has just begun, but the action is already hot in Pocatello, Idaho. The event is a silver-level rodeo on the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour, and on opening night, the tie-down roping was over the top: Cory Solomon, 6.8 seconds; Shane Hanchey and Hunter Herrin, 7.3; and Trevor Brazile, 7.5. “That’s rank,” Matt Shiozawa tweeted. Yes, it is.

GUYMON, Okla. – The rugged terrain of the Oklahoma Panhandle is home to row crops, sagebrush and livestock, and the weather can be as unyielding as any other place on Earth. Some will say it takes a special person to make things work around here, but the region once known as No Man’s Land is filled with special people. They work hard, and they hold tight to the pride they have in themselves and their community. Much of that pride comes from the Western way of life and the great rodeo tradition that beats down on the Oklahoma Panhandle like the hot July sun. It’s why the Pioneer Days Rodeo is in its 80th year in existence, celebrating with a week of competition that culminates in the four action-packed performances set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 4; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 5; and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 6, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. It’s also home to some of the greatest cowboys in rodeo history, men like Craig Latham, a nine-time saddle bronc riding qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Originally from Wyoming, Latham transplanted to the area more than two decades ago to attend Oklahoma Panhandle State University. Now he’s the rodeo coach at his alma mater, helping one of the greatest programs uphold a strong tradition. “Obviously the things Craig has done for this area started when he was on that rodeo team and his contributions as a team member when Doc Gardner was a coach,” said Ken Stonecipher, the production director for the Pioneer Days Rodeo committee. “Then when he began his pro career, he really helped put us on the map. “He was also instrumental, with the Etbauers, in growing that Guymon rodeo and getting guys to come here in the late 1980s and early 1990s.” When Latham first began competing at the Guymon rodeo, it was one of the smaller ones in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Even though he was making a living in the sport, he volunteered his time and popularity to help the annual event grow. It has continued to grow, and over the years has been dubbed “Oklahoma’s Richest Rodeo.” Even now, Latham helps round up other volunteers and members of the Panhandle State rodeo team to help. “We couldn’t do this thing without the things Craig has provided for us over the years,” said Earl Helm, chairman of the Pioneer Days Rodeo committee, which produces the annual event. “He bails us out all the time. Craig brings in his crew to take care of the stripping chute and take care of the sorting; that gives the rest of us a breather. “Whatever we need done, Craig makes it work. He’s a top hand. He’s right there asking what he can do to help us out.” Latham and his family – wife, Lori, and daughters, Chaney and Sadie – live on their ranch southwest of Goodwell. When Latham was hot on the rodeo trail, he traveled with brothers Robert, Billy and Dan Etbauer, and the quartet were among the very best in the business at riding rank bucking horses. Robert owns two world championships, Billy owns five gold buckles and all four were the epitome of greatness at rodeos all across this land. “Craig is just good all the way around,” said Billy Etbauer, who lives near Edmond. “It doesn’t matter if you need something, he was always there – just like him entering me forever, even after he quit rodeoing, he was still entering me. “I guess he’s always trying to take care of others and always helping others.” Latham continues that trend as the coach in Goodwell, a community of 1,300 just 10 miles southwest of Guymon. “I think one of the things that people maybe don’t know about Craig is how committed he is to this rodeo program and the countless hours he spends, not just in the arena, but the number of hours he spends on the phone, raising support and doing other things for the program,” said Laura Nelson, the campus communications director at Panhandle State. “It’s nearly his whole life, but I think it’s a big part of what makes him so successful. Bearing that in mind, he is genuinely grateful for the people who help him out. He knows he doesn’t do this by himself, and he’s constantly acknowledging people who help him out.” Robert Etbauer has been a close friend of Latham’s most of their lives. Besides being longtime traveling partners, they live near one another, as does Robert’s youngest brother, Dan. “We don’t live together, but we see each other every day and kind of know what each other’s going to do,” Robert Etbauer said. “He’s done a great job with the coaching deal. He’s brought in a bunch of great kids, then he introduces them to the community, blends them in here, gets jobs for them. He gets them an education. They get to rodeo while they’re getting their education, so it’s a really good opportunity for them.” The students, whether in their first year on the championship rodeo team or celebrated alumni, see up close and personal the type of attention it takes to be successful, whether in the arena or out. They feel a special bond with Latham and see how his giving nature has been a major player in their own successes. “He’s willing to help anyone,” said Jordan Muncy-Taton, the 2010 breakaway roping and all-around national champion while at Panhandle State who now coaches at New Mexico Highlands University. “He was always there for me. While I was going to school, if I asked for anything, he and Lori were there for me. “His family is just so nice and down to earth. I just look at him as one of my friends, but I think that’s one of the good things around this sport. If you’re around it all the time, you see that people like Craig, one of the best  Continue Reading »

The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association action in the Central Plains Region returns from its month-long hiatus this weekend at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford. It’s the first of three straight weekends the cowboys and cowgirls from programs primarily in Oklahoma and Kansas will battle to conclude the 2011-12 season. The Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College men’s team has a stranglehold on the team race with a 1,100-point lead over the No. 2 squad, Western Oklahoma State College; Oklahoma Panhandle State University is in third, less than 140 points behind Western. The chase for the women’s title is much closer, with Southwestern just ahead of Garden City (Kan.) Community College. After the trip to Weatherford, the teams will compete at Fort Hays (Kan.) State University and Panhandle State. It should be an exciting race to the finish.

The money won at the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo a couple of weeks ago does not count toward the world standings, but it can sure help rodeo cowboys and cowgirls with the expenses they incur on the rodeo trail. That’s why total event earnings are an important statistic at an event like that. Nobody won more money than barrel racing champion Brittany Pozzi, who pocketed $19,881. In fact, the No. 2 person on the earnings list was the No. 2 barrel racer, Carlee Pierce, who earned $18,578. In comparison, other top money winners were bareback rider Tanner Aus, $13,094; steer wrestler Cody Cowan, $16,864; tie-down roper Blair Burk, $12,957; saddle bronc rider Taos Muncy, $13,457; team ropers Spencer Mitchell and Brady Minor, $10,283; and bull rider Bobby Welsh, $11,380. More than $525,000 was paid out over the four days of competition. While some associations don’t post earnings at their respective events, I think it’s important to mention it on every turn. Whether it’s Cody Teel winning the Tuff Hedeman Challenge in Fort Worth or Pozzi winning nearly $20,000 in Oklahoma City, the money is pretty important. It’s how rodeo contestants pay bills, and they only collect checks if they score better or run faster than most of the field.

When you consider the greatest names in any sport, you must consider how much influence they’ve had on the younger generation. Many of rodeo’s elite saddle bronc riders have considered one man their rodeo idol: Five-time world champion Billy Etbauer, one of the members of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012. Why? It’s a combination of many things, from his outstanding athletic ability on the backs of bucking beasts to his giving nature to his humble personality. You see, Etbauer isn’t just one of the greatest cowboys in the history of the sport, he’s one of the greatest men I’ve ever met, and every bronc rider you meet will tell you the same thing. That’s what makes Billy Etbauer a hall-of-famer in any league.

Cody Teel is just 19 years old, but he’s quickly establishing himself as one of the greatest bull riders in the game already. He’s No. 1 in the PRCA world standings, having earned more than $55,500 so far this season. He’s also in the top 10 in the CBR standings. Oh, and this past weekend, the young Texan won an established Texas event, the Tuff Hedeman Championship Challenge in Fort Worth, scoring 175 points on two rides and finishing atop a field of just four cowboys who had two qualified rides. In Fort Worth, Teel won one of the most prestigious bull riding titles in the sport’s young history; Hedeman is still one of the greatest names in the game, and he is a major part of the CBR. Teel, of Kountze, Texas, won a bunch of prizes, from boots to trophy rifle to a cowboy hat and loads of money, even though the CBR didn’t list the amount. Teel won the bull riding title at the 2011 College National Finals Rodeo. He also won the All-American ProRodeo Finals and the Ram Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo, both of which took place in Waco, and finished the season as the No. 2 rookie bull rider in the PRCA. He failed to qualify for the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, but barring injury, it might be the last time in a long time that he is not in Las Vegas.

TwisTED Rodeo has been low on the radar for about a week. It was time for a spring break of sorts; more, it was necessary to have some special time with my girls. That’s why posts have been done sparingly over the last few days and why Easter Sunday was a day off. But I’m back to it. There are some great things in store over the coming months, and I hope you’ll not only come back often but also sharing the site with your friends and anyone else who might be interested in the world of rodeo. As a certain chef has been known to say, “Let’s kick it up a notch.”

The latest edition of ProRodeo Sports News included a wonderful feature on young bucking horses. What’s great about a piece like that is it shows the tremendous athleticism of these bucking beasts and the bloodlines that are a big piece of the development of these athletes. The story stands for just a few of the many outstanding young bucking horses in ProRodeo. They are a great symbol. There are a couple of other great horses that need mentioning, and they belong to the same stock contractor, Dallas-based Carr Pro Rodeo: Dirty Jacket and MGM Deuces Night. Both of these great animal athletes are fixtures in the TV pen at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, meaning they are the showiest bucking horses in the business and that they are featured in the fifth and 10th rounds of ProRodeo’s championship event. They have the same daddy, the great Night Jacket, and their genetics shows quite well in the arena. Over the last year or so, both horses have been featured in short go-rounds in Fort Worth and San Angelo and have been in the final-four rounds at RodeoHouston, the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo and the Justin Boots Championships at the River City Rodeo in Omaha. Dirty Jacket is an 8-year-old bay gelding who led reigning world champion Kaycee Feild to the short-round win and a share of the average title in Fort Worth; a few weeks later, he matched moves with world standings leader Wes Stevenson to help the seven-time NFR qualifier win the short-round and average title in San Angelo. Oh, and in less than a month, he will buck at the Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo, where he’s been a major partner for the winners each of the last four years. MGM Dueces Night is a 7-year-old paint/bay mare that has helped cowboys to wins in NFR go-rounds the last three times she’s bucked in Las Vegas — the 10th round in 2010 and the fifth and 10th rounds in 2011. Feild won the final round this past December; it was one of three times the two have done quite well together. Feild and MGM Deuces Night matched moves for 90 points to share the final-round win at the 2011 RNCFR, then just three weeks ago, they set an arena record 93 points at RodeoHouston. The great thing about rodeo is that you get the opportunity to see exceptional athletes like these. There’s a reason why MGM Deuces Night and Dirty Jacket are part of the talk for PRCA Bareback Riding Horse of the Year.

I’d been around rodeo quite a bit the first time I walked onto the grounds of the Dodge City Roundup Arena in 1994, but I took a major step in my career on that acreage. I was still a wet-behind-the-ears journalist trying to take in everything the newspaper game had to offer while working at the Dodge City Daily Globe. What I quickly found was just how much rodeo had taken to my heart. Roundup is the biggest rodeo in my home state of Kansas, and other rodeos in the Sunflower State have been the beneficiaries of having their events the same week as Dodge City; Abilene, Hill City, Phillipsburg, etc., draw the top players in the game every year because of the dates. In addition, Dodge City Roundup has been the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event of the year several times. Add it all up, and you can see why Roundup is part of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame class of 2012. It’s a distinguished honor, and the folks who have been part of Roundup’s past are to be credited with its success today. The rodeo is part of the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour, and it brings thousands of rodeo fans to southwest Kansas every summer. I haven’t been back to the Roundup’s hallowed grounds in nearly seven years, but my memory goes back often. I go back to listening to the calls by Clem McSpadden and Phil Gardenhire, two of ProRodeo’s greatest announcers, and watching the action of cowboys wearing Brushpopper shirts. Congratulations to all those who had a hand in making Dodge City Roundup one of the best.

Bryan Richardson is a three-time qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Even when he isn’t among the top 15 in the world standings, the Texan is always among the bull riding leaders in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. It’s been six years since Richardson played on ProRodeo’s grandest stage. While everyone realizes how much he wants to return to Las Vegas, Richardson is quite tickled to have earned a chance to ride at the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo, set for March 29-April 1 at State Fair Arena in Oklahoma City. Richardson qualified for the RNCFR by how he finished in the year-end standings in the Texas Circuit. It’s his first trip to ProRodeo’s National Championship, so look for the veteran to take advantage of it.

This weekend we celebrate the Lord’s Resurrection, typically a time with family or others close to us. Typically, though, it’s not a time off the rodeo trail. Rodeo, as we know, is cyclical, meaning that seasons revolve around themselves. For instance, the 2012 season began in October, even though the 2011 season didn’t wrap until the final go-round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on Dec. 10. That means rodeo every weekend. I’ve been to college rodeos on Easter weekend, and I can’t remember a time when there wasn’t a ProRodeo on Easter. I think it’s a good thing. Just like Christmas, there are times that need to be spent with those closest to you. If you’re on the road as much as rodeo folks are, then breaks like this are important. Happy Easter, everyone. Enjoy the time off.

One of the great things about being behind the scenes at a big event like the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo is hearing the stories I can’t always report. Whether it’s about a late-night fight or an overserved cowboy, the tales are magnificent. Oftentimes they’re one-sided, so you have to take them for what they are, but they’re almost always enjoyable. That’s the main ingredient in a good re-ride story. Another is that it’s mostly true. But in the words of a famous rodeo announcer, don’t ever let the facts get in the way of a good story.

Professional basketball used to have the slogan, “NBA action is fantastic.” The reality is that no other sport is more FAN-tastic than rodeo, because most of the cowboys and cowgirls who make their living on the rodeo trail understand the common man; they know how much much hard work goes in to paying for those seats, and they want everyone to enjoy the show they’re putting on. I was reminded of this upon my return from Oklahoma City and working the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo. An envelope from Colorado contained a beautiful picture colored by and autographed by Cade Hemphill, a young man I have yet to meet, the 4-year-old son of friends Karla and Kevin Hemphill; it also had photos of Cade and his cowboy heroes, Chet Johnson, Chad Ferley and Cort Scheer and a “Thank You” note from Cade’s parents. In January 2011, I set up the meeting between Chet and the Hemphills because I knew young rodeo fan Cade would easily become a lifelong rodeo fan with a little urging. Chet brought along a couple of buddies, and they all shared their passion and smiles with the young cowboy-to-be. Chet and the Hemphills met again this past January at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver, and I suspect that as long as the Wyoming cowboy returns to Denver to compete, that relationship will continue. The Hemphills wrote of how Chet has become more than a rodeo hero; he’s a family friend. While they may feel as though they found something special, I know for a fact Chet Johnson feels the same way. That’s just FAN-tastic.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve gotten to know a little more about rodeo photographer James Phifer. He’s worked the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo, the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping and the Timed Event Championship. There’s a great reason he works these prestigious events, along with countless other events throughout the year: He’s damn good at what he does. You can see a lot of his work at his website, which you can find by clicking HERE. You also can see some of the outstanding images by looking here:

OKLAHOMA CITY – It’s a cliché, but it’s true in ProRodeo: The cream rises to the top. No statement was more obvious than the final day of the 2012 Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo, which crowned eight national champions on Sunday afternoon, seven of whom were part of the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Two-time barrel racing world champion Brittany Pozzi led the contingent of rodeo’s elite to the big-money rodeo, which offered a $20,000 voucher for a Ram truck as a prize for the winners. Steer wrestler Clay Cowan is the only non-NFR qualifier to take home the biggest prize in his event. Other winners were bareback rider Brian Bain of Culver, Ore.; tie-down roper Matt Shiozawa of Chubbuck, Idaho; saddle bronc rider Sam Spreadborough of Snyder, Texas; team ropers Spencer Mitchell of Colusa, Calif., and Brady Minor of Ellensburg, Wash.; and bull rider Bobby Welsh of Gillette, Wyo. The championship featured a who’s who of ProRodeo’s top contenders as well as a mix of part-time cowboys and cowgirls and others who are just beginning their careers in the sport. They qualify by being one of the top two contestants in each event in their regions, so the top players from all across the United States converge on Oklahoma City each spring to try to get their hands on the $525,000 purse. “It’s pretty exciting,” said Pozzi of Victoria, Texas. “This is my first time to compete at the event, and I’m pretty excited to win a voucher for a truck. It was a tough barrel race, tough competition. I am very honored to be here.” The RNCFR’s format calls for all contestants to compete in two go-rounds. Money is paid out in each round and the two-run aggregate, and the top eight cumulative times and scores returned Sunday for a clean-slate semifinals – the scores from the previous rounds were thrown out, and only the top four advanced to the finals later in the performance. Pozzi was the No. 2 semifinal qualifier behind Carlee Pierce, but Pozzi blistered a 15.05-second run to win the semifinals. After Pierce posted a 15.08-second run in the final round, Pozzi and her great palomino, Duke, sprinted to a 15.07 to claim the top prize. “That’s just a testament to how tough these horses are,” Pozzi said. “You’re not just going to luck your way into winning something.” That may not be the case in barrel racing, but it was sort of that way for Mitchell, a header who qualified for the NFR for the first time this past December. Brady Minor usually ropes with his brother, Riley, who wasn’t able to compete because of an injury. “I got to come in here because Riley Minor had a broken leg,” Mitchell said. “You can turn down an opportunity to try to rope with a partner like that.” Although roping with his brother would’ve been nice – the Minors have roped at the NFR together three times – Brady Minor knew he had something special in Mitchell. “He ropes great, and I knew he was going to do good over here,” said Brady Minor, who also qualified for the NFR with B.J. Campbell in 2006. “It’s a fast setup here, and he’s known to get on them fast. I was just going with the flow, and he turned them.” Bain qualified for Sunday’s competition by the skin of his teeth. He finished in a tie for eighth place in the bareback riding aggregate with Casey Colletti of Pueblo, Colo., but Bain advanced because of a tie-breaker. He placed in a tie for third place in the semifinals, then rode Andrews Rodeo’s Power Play for 86 points to win the championship round. “This is a dream come true,” said Bain, who qualified for his first NFR in 2011. “Last year I come really close; I ended up third, so I kind of knew what it was all about.” Cowan, who held his newborn baby while being honored in the arena after the rodeo, celebrated the win in an understated fashion. A five-time qualifier to the RNCFR, he is the epitome of the circuit cowboy, taking care of his family in South Dakota and competing in multiple events. “I’ve won second twice in the finals round for the pickup,” Cowan said. “It’s good to finally win first and finally win the pickup.” Spreadborough is a two-time NFR qualifier originally from New South Wales, Australia. While the RNCFR is considered ProRodeo’s national championship, he’s quite proud to give it some international flair. Of course, he was pretty excited to match moves with Classic Pro Rodeo’s Big Tex, the 2010 bareback riding horse of the year that has been switched over to saddle bronc riding. “He’s an awesome bronc, and I think he’s one of the best,” Spreadborough said of the horse. “He’s definitely one of the best I’ve ever been on.” Shiozawa won the tie-down roping average title at the NFR this past December. His hot streak continued in Oklahoma City over the weekend. “I’ve gotten to where I just love the competition,” said Shiozawa, a five-time NFR qualifier. “I’ve learned that the outcome is less important than the competition. It’s about enjoying the moment.” Welsh took advantage of the format the most of any contestant. After bucking off his first bull, Welsh came back with an 82-point ride in the second round. Since only seven cowboys rode in the opening two rounds – only Minnesotan Sunshine Schwartz rode two in the first two rounds – Welsh advanced to Sunday. He bucked off his first bull, but he advanced because of a tie-breaker. He was the only cowboy to score a qualified ride in the finals, matching moves with Rafter H Rodeo’s Best Yet for 83 points. “This rodeo is one of the most historic rodeos we’ve got in the PRCA,” said Welsh, a seven-time NFR qualifier. “To win a rodeo this prestigious is a very big blessing.” Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo Final results Sunday,  Continue Reading »

OKLAHOMA CITY – Carlee Pierce and Rare Dillion have set the barrel racing world on fire over the last 12 months. The tandem upped the ante on Saturday night during the fourth performance of the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo, posting a 15.16-second run to win the second go-round and the two-run average title and carrying a boatload of momentum into Sunday’s championship. How fast was the run? Lisa Lockhart of Oelrichs, S.D., posted a 15.34 to finish second in the round; it was also the second fastest round of the rodeo so far, but it was nearly two-tenths of a second behind Pierce – in barrel racing, times are measured in 100ths of a second, so two-tenths is an eternity. “It felt great from the beginning,” said Pierce, who grew up in Freedom and qualified for ProRodeo’s National Championship by finishing second in the Prairie Circuit, made up of contestants and rodeos in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. “He ran hard; he turned hard. I felt like that was a better run than he made at Houston setting the record there.” Pierce purchased Dillion last April, and the 12-year-old buckskin gelding carried the cowgirl to her first qualifications to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and the RNCFR. In Las Vegas this past December, Pierce set the arena record with a 13.46-second run in the fourth go-round. She won $138,000 in 2011, most of which came while riding Dillion. She then posted the fastest run at RodeoHouston two weeks ago and finished second at the largest regular-season rodeo in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. The $27,200 she won inside Reliant Stadium pushed Pierce to the No. 1 spot in the world standings. Her run Saturday night in historic State Fair Arena is just further proof that the tandem is working quite well together. “I think he’s one of the phenomenal horses out there,” Pierce said. “I’m blessed to have him. I think he and I have a bond, and we work well together.” Pierce and her husband, Steve, moved their family from Woodward to Stephenville, Texas, last fall, but she is quite proud of her Oklahoma roots. “It’s exciting to be here,” she said. “To be the top two in the circuit is tough to do anyway, and the Prairie Circuit is one of the toughest. It’s great to be back in Oklahoma. “I know I had lots of family and friends from home who were out there cheering for me.” Pierce finished the first round in 15.52, which put her in a tie for fourth place; that was worth $1,303. With her run Saturday, she has earned more than $10,000 in two runs. She admitted that things just didn’t go right for her or Dillion on Thursday night. “Dillion worked great tonight,” she said. “I thought, I’m going to quit trying to ride him and just let him do what he does, and it worked.”

Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn., on Southwicks Rky Mtn Rodeo’s Hard Times, and Tyson Thompson, Bradley, Calif., on Carr Pro Rodeo’s Big Lights, 82 points, $3,976; 3. Mac Erickson, Sundance, Wyo., 81, $2,468; 4. Luke Creasy, Brownfield, Alberta, 80.0, $1,645; 5. (tie) Joe Gunderson, Agar, S.D., Kaycee Feild, Payson, Utah, and Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., 78.0, $548 Average leaders: 1. Luke Creasy, Brownfield, Alberta, 160 points on two head, $4,525; 2. (tie) Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn., Kaycee Feild, Payson, Utah, 158, $2,948; 4. Tyson Thompson, Bradley, Calif., 156, $1,645; 5. (tie) Seth Hardwick, Laramie, Wyo., and Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas, 155, $823; 7. Cody DeMers, Kimberly, Idaho, 154; 8. (tie) Brian Bain, Culver, Ore., and Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., 153 Steer wrestling: 1. Jason Thomas, Benton, Ark., 3.5 seconds, $4,525; 2. Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla., 4.0, $3,428; 3. Logan Gledhill, Huntsville, Texas, 4.3, $2,468; 4. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont., 4.4, $1,645; 5. (tie) Wyatt Smith, Rexburg, Idaho, and Clay Cowan, Highmore, S.D., 4.6, $823 Average leaders: 1. Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla., 8.3 seconds on two head, $4,525; 2. Clay Cowan, Highmore, S.D., 9.0, $3,428; 3. Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah, 9.1, $2,468; 4. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., 9.2, $1,645; 5. Tom Farrelly, Cayuga, N.Y., 9.6, $960; 6. Shane Henderson, Winfield, Kan., 10.2, $686; 7. Juan Alcazar Jr, Kissimmee, Fla., 10.4; 8. Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb., 10.6 Tie-down roping: 1.(tie) Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, and Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., 7.7 seconds, $3,976; 3. (tie) E.J. Roberts, Stephenville, Texas, and Blair Burk, Durant, Okla., 8.5, $2,057; 5. (tie) Joseph Parsons, Marana, Ariz., and Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif., 9.0, $823 Average leaders: 1. Joseph Parsons, Marana, Ariz., 18.4 seconds on two head, $4,525; 2. Nate Baldwin, Blackfoot, Idaho, 18.6, $3,428; 3. E.J. Roberts, Stephenville, Texas, 19.3, $2,468; 4. (tie) Bill Huber, Albia, Iowa, and Blair Burk, Durant, Okla., 19.6, $1,303; 6. (tie) Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, and Roger Nonella, Klamath Falls, Ore., 20.2, $343; 8. Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif., 21.0 Saddle bronc riding: 1. Josh Reynolds, Ekalaka, Mont., 81 points on Western Rodeos’ Hippy, $4,525; 2. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., 80, $3,428; 3. (tie) Jake Costello, Newell, S.D., Cody Taton, Mud Butte, S.D., Londo, Pendleton, Ore., Doug Aldridge, Carthage, Mo., and Ryan MacKenzie, Jordan Valley, Ore., 78., $1,152. Average leaders: 1. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., 157 points on two head, $4,525; 2. (tie) Jake Costello, Newell, S.D., Cody Taton, Mud Butte, S.D., and Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 154, $2,514; 5. (tie) Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, Sam Spreadborough, Snyder, Texas, and Ryan Elshere, Elm Springs, S.D., 153, $548; 8. Justin Browning, Sulphur, La., 150 Team roping: 1. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz./Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz., 3.7 seconds, $4,525; 2. (tie) Jason Handy, Scobey, Mont./John Robertson, Polson, Mont., and Cody Graham, Everton, Mo./Jason Thompson, Ozark, Mo., 4.8, $2,948; 4. Blaine Linaweaver, Leavenworth, Kan./Jake Twisselman, Santa Margarita, Calif., 5.0, $1,645; 5. (tie) Travis Dorman, Dade City, Fla./Brad Culpepper, Poulan, Ga., and Miles Kobold, Shepherd, Mont./Matt Robertson, Augusta, Mont., 5.2, $823 Average leaders: 1. Travis Dorman, Dade City, Fla./Brad Culpepper, Poulan, Ga., 11.3 seconds on two head, $4,525; 2. Tyler Schnaufer, Pueblo, Colo./Cole Cooper, Grand Junction, Colo., 12.3, $3,428; 3. Clay White, Shandon, Calif./John Chaves, Los Alamos, Calif., 13.4, $2,468 4. Blaine Linaweaver, Leavenworth, Kan./Jake Twisselman, Santa Margarita, Calif., 13.8, $1,645; 5. Kaden Richard, Roosevelt, Utah/Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah, 15.9, $960; 6. Spencer Mitchell, Colusa, Calif./Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 16.0, $686; 7. Manny Egusquiza Jr., Madison, Ga./Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla., 17.3; 8. Adam Newcomb, Benton, Ark./Gabe Gwaltney, Carthage, Mo., 18.9 Barrel racing: 1. Carlee Pierce, Stephenville, Texas, 15.16 seconds, $4,525; 2. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 15.34, $3,428; 3. (tie) Sabra O’Quinn, Ocala, Fla., Brittany Pozzi, Victoria, Texas, 15.39, $2,057; 5. Christina Richman, Glendora, Calif., 15.46, $960; 6. Theresa Walter, Billings, Mont., 15.52, $686 Average leaders: 1. Carlee Pierce, Stephenville, Texas, 30.68 seconds on two runs, $4,525; 2. Brittany Pozzi, Victoria, Texas, 30.82, $3,428: 3. (tie) Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., and Sabra O’Quinn, Ocala, Fla., 30.92, $2,057; 5. Nikki Steffes, Vale, S.D., 30.93, $960; 6. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., 31.01, $686; 7. Linda Vick, Hesperia, Calif., 31.28; 8. Tammy Whyte, Eau Claire, Wis., 31.31 Bull riding: 1. Travis Atkinson, Lehi, Utah, 85.0 points on Bar T Rodeo’s Coffee Break, $4,525; 2. Bobby Welsh, Gillette, Wyo., 82.0, $3,428; 3. Tyler Willis, Wheatland, Wyo., 78.0, $2,468; 4. Dustin Hall, Republic, Mo., 77.0, $1,645; 5. Sunshine Schwartz, Anoka, Minn., 76.0, $960; 6. A.J. Hamre, Chico, Calif., 75.0, $686. Average leaders: 1. Sunshine Schwartz, Anoka, Minn., 157 points on two head, $4,525; 2. Travis Atkinson, Lehi, Utah, 85 on one, $3,428; 3. Bobby Welsh, Gillette, Wyo., 82, $2,468; 4. Tyler Willis, Wheatland, Wyo., 78, $1,645; 5. Dustin Hall, Republic, Mo., 77, $960; 6. A.J. Hamre, Chico, Calif., 75, $686; 7. Paul Coppini, Kuna, Idaho, 68.

Reigning world champion bareback rider Kaycee Feild rode Bar T Rodeo’s Bitter Robin for 78 points on Saturday night, securing his spot in Sunday’s semifinals. The last time the two matched moves together was during the second round of the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. That was worth 89 points and the go-round victory. Feild won five other rounds before the NFR was done and set all sorts of records. The other semifinals qualifiers in bareback riding are Brian Bain, Cody DeMers, Will Lowe, Seth Hardwick, Tyson Thompson, Tanner Aus and Luke Creasy. They’ll be joined by steer wrestlers Kyle Whitaker, Juan Alcazar Jr., Shane Henderson, Tom Farrelly, Luke Branquinho, Tom Lewis, Clay Cowan and Riley Duvall.