Eubank brought the Bell County Expo Center audience to its feet in hopes of seeing a second cowboy complete the 8-second bull ride. But once again, the stock provided by Lancaster and Pickett Pro Rodeo Company proved too tough during Saturday night’s final round of the 84th annual Belton Fourth of July PRCA Rodeo.
Aboard the bull “Nearly Famous,” Cleburne’s Eubank nearly became famous with a restless crowd that was so desperately begging for a great ride. Eubank hung on for 7.8 seconds before being bucked off and then speared by the bull while on the ground. Eubank walked away fine, but the win went to Nick Price, the only competitor to complete an 8-second ride in the three-day event.
Price, of Russellville, Ark., collected $4,218 for his Thursday effort on top “Slim Stinger.” For the week, the bulls defeated their human counterparts 18-1.
Terrell’s Kyle Cauthorn and Clay Whisenhunt thought they had earned a split atop the standings in team roping. The duo recorded a time of 5.2 seconds to tie Dakota Shipp and Trey Norris III’s effort from Thursday night.
But Cauthorn and Whisenhunt’s joy was short-lived because the next riders, Caleb Mitchell and Dee Rampy, blistered to a time of 4.9 seconds for the victory.
With a confident prediction by announcer Charlie Throckmorton, Everman’s Bud Ford lived up to his billing by winning the tie-down roping event in 8.6 seconds. His time surpassed George Rowland’s time of 8.8 seconds set on Friday. Justin Macha finished third in 8.9 seconds.
Mandy Smith of Desdemona raced to a 16.19-second ride in women’s barrel racing, edging Lynn Hinds’ time of 16.26 seconds. Jordon Peterson’s time of 16.28 from Thursday finished third.
Curtis Garton’s 83 from Thursday’s opening round held up for the victory in saddle bronc. Travis Edwards from Western Australia scored an 81 to tie Justin Browning for second.
Troy Nail’s outstanding 87 in Friday’s bareback riding event easily prevailed. Jake Brown finished second with a 77 and Bubba Hudson had a 74.
Joe Walker’s time of 4.4 seconds on Friday gave him first place in steer wrestling. Austin’s Dusty McKenzie finished second in 4.9 seconds and Houston firefighter Craig Cavaness was third at 5.0.
Right before the junior bull riding event was to begin, another unfortunate mishap struck the rodeo.
Sadie Carter, a 16-year-old member of the All American Cowgirl Chicks dance team, failed to complete her riding trick. Her horse lost its balance and tumbled on top of Carter, sending paramedics out to help. Carter, of Weatherford, was carried out of the ring and diagnosed with a dislocated hip at Scott & White Memorial Hospital.
