Even though the performance was in the afternoon, it didn’t affect the enthusiasm of the crowd, or the talent of the cowboys. The rodeo could not have started off any better- beginning with a tribute to the legends of rodeo and the performance of the National Anthem by none other than Trace Adkins.
Huge jumps, high kicks, and rank horses today in the bareback riding. Three Hills Rodeo’s Peaches and Cream jumped out of the chute and didn’t go straight to the end of the arena, that’s for sure. After two circles in the corner of the arena Steven Dent scored 87 points to split first place. Cody DeMers scored 87 points as well on Harry Vold’s Hypnotic. A nice ride of 80.5 points was made by Royce Ford, but had a tragic turn of events following his less than graceful dismount. The cowboy was bucked off into the camera pit and received an injury to his head. The Justin Sports Medicine Team was there within seconds, and he did stand up and walk out of the arena with the Team’s assistance.
Jason Miller on Jesse took home their second 1st place check in the steer wrestling. The beautiful black horse continues to prove himself over and over and is having a phenomenal WNFR thus far. In only four days this “Golden Steed” has won almost $90,000! And this rodeo is not even half way over. Jason is coming very close to Luke Branquinho in the World Standings, and with a horse like Jesse anything is possible.
As rodeo fans we need to do something to change the luck of the team roping! This marks 4 extremely rough rounds for the sport. There were only TWO CLEAN RUNS out of all 15. After the first three teams out missed, Luke Brown and Martin Lucero roped one for 4.3 seconds to win it. World champion Trevor Brazile and Patrick Smith roped the next clean one for 4.7 seconds. Seven misses, six single leg catches, and two broken barriers: 50 seconds in penalties and half the field missing allowed for 4 runs with penalties to be in the money! What a crazy scoreboard.
Jesse Wright further secured his number 1 spot in the average with his 89.5 point saddle bronc ride on Bar T Rodeo’s Eight Ball. The Utah cowboy is familiar with this horse and has won two rodeos on him this year; the 2011 WNFR rematch was no different.
Fans gasped as they watched from the stands in awe. Even with a bobble of the back leg, Matt Shiozawa took over the leader board with a 7.4 second run on the sorrel gelding. The $17k win pushed this tie down roper over the $1 million mark! Huge congratulations to Matt for not only his Montana buckle, 1st place check, and first champion title of this rodeo, but also to new achievement.
Carlee Pierce’s luck has finally taken a turn! After hitting 4 barrels in the last 3 rounds, Carlee and Dillon are taking home their first Go Round Champion title with a smoking run of 13.81 seconds- the fastest of the whole rodeo.
Champion of the world, J.W. Harris did not disappoint tonight as he was matched up with Mo Betta Rodeo’s Bailey Hou. Some trouble in the Priefert chute as he struggled to get the bull to stand- but as soon as he nodded his head and the gait was open, it paid off with an 88 point ride.
Round 5 kicks off at the Thomas and Mack at 7pm [Vegas time]. Make sure to watch it live on GAC- the exclusive TV broadcaster of the WNFR.
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