Wrangler NFR 2011 Round 1 in Vegas

Nerves are always at their highest on round one of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The performance was great, competition was tough- and it’s only going to get better.
Kaycee Field didn’t disappoint last night in the bareback riding with a score of 89 points on Bar T Rodeo’s Bitter Robin.  Pueblo, Colorado should be proud of their cowboy, Casey Colletti, for his 87.5 point ride to follow up Field with second. The black horse of Carr Pro Rodeo, Black Coffee, had a little bit of nerves himself in the chute- but the 3 chute gate opens were well worth the wait!

The athletic Jesse was definitely the star of the steer wrestling! Jesse, the black trusty steed, led first Trevor Knowles and then Jason Miller to their first place victories with 3.9 second runs. This horse is just getting warmed up and we’re excited to see him off to such a great start.
Tough luck for the headers in the team roping! Cowboys were definitely going for the day money tonight, but the Arizona team of Matt Sherwood and Cory Petska were the fastest to successfully stretch one with a 4.1.

The third place cowboy in the world standings for the saddle bronc riding took the Montana Silversmith buckle for round 1. The Iowa roughie, Wade Sundell, spurred Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Goin South sorrel horse for an 85.5 point ride. Second place on the blue roan of Flying Five Rodeo Company was an 84.5 point ride by Bradley Harter.
The arena record holder, Cody Ohl, lived up to his name in the first go for sure. Both Clint Cooper and Matt Shiozawa were sitting comfortably splitting the first place spot with a 7.7, and Ohl flew out of the box, ran down the rope, flanked and tied one for a 7.5 second time to win the round.

The Duke and the Dutches graced us with their presence with a run of 14.03. Brittany Pozzi was joined in the Pendleton victory lap by Lindsay Sears who also cruised through the pattern on Martha with a 14.03 second run.

Five Star Rodeo’s Gangster decided to throw 3 spunky jumps at Cheyenne’s Seth Glause. Despite Gangster’s efforts to throw Glause to the ground, the judges loved his ride and he was scored 86.5 points. The dismount was less than graceful, and there was a definite gasp amongst the crowd as the bull missed landing on him by inches.

Round 2 kicks off tonight at the Thomas and Mack at 7pm [Vegas time]. Make sure to watch it live on GAC- the exclusive TV broadcaster of the WNFR.