Reno Rodeo Media Release6/18
Jesse Wright from Milford, Utah was smiling from ear to ear when he got off of Flying Five Rodeo's Drinkin Blues in the saddle bronc riding at the Reno Rodeo on Monday night.
He knew he made a good ride that would hopefully put him in contention for a second set of championship spurs from the Reno Rodeo. Wright won last year's championship here and nearly $10,000. That helped him qualify for his second Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) in Las Vegas last December where he finished the season as the reserve world champion.
When the judges added up their scores, Wright had an 82. Added to his score of 85 from Sunday, he has a total of 167 points on two rides. That is in second place behind Cody DeMoss from Heflin, La., who has 169. DeMoss also rode here on Sunday and Monday. He has the high-marked ride of the second round with an 85-point effort on Flying Five Rodeo's Spring Blues. DeMoss also has his own set of spurs after winning the title here in 2005.
Wright is currently fifth in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings. DeMoss is just behind him in seventh place. It is likely they will both add checks to their pockets and be battling for the Reno Rodeo title at Saturday night's final round.
In the bareback riding, two Utah cowboys are tied for the overall lead with 166 points on two head. Kaycee Feild, the reigning world champion from Payson competed during the first two performances of the rodeo. Caleb Bennett, from Morgan, who has yet to qualify for the WNFR joined Feild after scoring 82 points on Big Bend Rodeo's Moon Shadow at the fourth performance.
Bennett is a four-time College National Finals Rodeo qualifier that is now focusing on his professional career. He is currently 13th in the standings. A good win here will help him move up in the standings where he will hopefully remain among the top 15 and make the trip to Las Vegas next December to compete at rodeo's championship event.
"That's always been my goal," Bennett said. "I've struggled with injuries the past couple of years, but I'm feeling good now and I know I'm riding better. It's a lot more fun when you're not hurting every time you get on a bucking horse."
There were also lead changes in the women's barrel race and the bull riding. Nancy Hunter from Neola, Utah, has the fastest time so far at the rodeo with a 16.96 on Monday night. Hunter, who also has a full-time job as a nurse has a total time of 34.75 and will be making plans to return here Saturday night for the finals.
Two bull riders had successful rides Monday. Nevada Newman from Melstone, Mont., moved to the top of the leaderboard with an 88-point ride on Western Rodeo's Vindicator. Trey Benton, who just competed at the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyo., last Saturday was also successful with a 75-point effort aboard Fly Boy.
The fifth performance begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are available at www.renorodeo.com or by calling 800-325-7328. For more information, please call 775-329-3877.
RENO, NEV., June 18, 2012 --- Following are unofficial results from the fourth performance of the Reno Rodeo:
Bareback Riding: 1, (tie) Caleb Bennett, Morgan, Utah on Big Bend Rodeo's Moon Shadow; Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash., on Flying Five Rodeo's Broken Saddles; and Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., on Big Bend Rodeo's Major Motion, 82 points each. 4, Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., 80. 5, (tie) Richie Champion, The Woodlands, Texas; Joe Gunderson, Agar, S.D.; and Josi Young, Kimberly, Idaho, 76 each.
Steer Wrestling: 1, John Franzen, Riverton, Wyo., 4.3. 2, (tie) Ben Shofner, Jasper, Texas, and Zack Cobb, Pampa, Texas, 5.1; 4, Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore., 5.4.
Team Roping: 1, Marcus Battaglia, Ramona, Calif., and Kyle Lockett, Visalia, Calif., 5.6 seconds. 2, Bill Snure, Douglas, Ariz., and Lane Siggins, Ruidoso Downs, N.M., 6.2. 3, Travis Bard, Chino Valley, Ariz., and Allen Bach, Weatherford, Texas, 6.9. 4, Paul Mullins, Shafter, Calif., and Preston Williams, Casa Grande, Ariz., 10.8.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La., 85 points on Flying Five Rodeo's Spring Blues. 2, Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 82. 3, (tie) Roy Johnson, Etna, Calif., and Cody Taton, Mud Butte, S.D., 81.
Tie-Down Roping: 1, Joseph Parsons, Marana, Ariz., 10.2. 2, Justin Truman, Huntington, Utah, 9.3. 3, Clif Cooper, Decatur, Ttexas, 11.4. 4, Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif., 15.1.
Barrel Racing: 1, Nancy Hunter, Neola, Utah, 16.96 seconds. 2, Dolli Lautaret, Kingman, Ariz., 17.34. 3, Brittany Pozzi, Victoria, Texas, 17.54. 4, Shelby Pulham, Heber, Utah, 17.79. 5, Brianna Trepanier, Agua Dulce, Calif., 17.92. 6, Reiney Hatch, Ukiah, Calif., 18.07.
Bull Riding: (two rides) 1, Nevada Newman, Melstone, Mont., 88 points on Western Rodeo's Vindicator. 2, Trey Benton, III, Rock Island, Texas, 75.
