But those cowboys who did made it count in a big way.
Douglas Duncan of Alvin, a rookie of the year selection last season, hung on to the spinning “Jim Elbows” for an 89-point score to take a commanding lead going into the final night of the rodeo at Bell County Expo Center.
Three bullriders overtook the previous leader, Jay Morrow, who put up an 82 on Thursday, the only cowboy to score that evening. Colin McTaggart of Las Vegas moved into second place by riding “AWOL” to an 84. Jay Slyder of Justin was close behind with an 83 on “Sand Man.” Beau Schroeder of China, Texas, rode “Avatar” to an 80 to sit in fifth place.
Another big move in the standings came in bareback riding as Waller’s Clint Cannon scored a 90 on “Phantom,” a National Finals Rodeo horse, to take the lead.
Cannon’s score overtook Logan Hodson, who had an 87 on Thursday. The next-best ride came from Jesse Christensen of Gardendale, who had a 74 on “Vodka.”
Saddle bronc riders were consistently strong Friday, with eight riders getting a score of 70 or better. Jesse Kruse of Montana and Scott Miller of California both moved into second place overall by scoring 77s, respectively. They join Garet Fordyce from Thursday for a three-way tie. Billy Herbert of Marble Falls is close behind at 76. Gladewater’s Todd Rangel still holds a commanding advantage from his 86 from Thursday.
Mattie Little of Ardmore, Okla., the No. 1-ranked women’s barrel racer, turned in a time of 15.71 seconds to put her in fourth place. Little had the fastest ride Friday. Jordan Peterson of Chilton still leads in a time of 15.56 seconds. Eight-year-old Kyleigh Powell of Troy competed in the 10-and-under barrel race.
K.C. Jones of Decatur moved into third in steer wrestling in a time of 4.1 seconds. Mickey Gee of Wichita Falls and Jake Rinehart of South Dakota remain tied at the top in 3.6 seconds.
Ropers, by and large, struggled Friday. Ross Hinds of Waller had the best time in 11.9 seconds but still is well behind leader Trevor Brazile’s 7.7.
Only three roping teams posted a time Friday. Texans Clay Logan and Devin Hayes were the best in 6.2 seconds. Gatesville’s Jimmy Edens teamed with New Mexico roper John Paul Lucero for a 6.6. Belton’s Taylor Mitchell joined Llano’s Will Groth, but a 10-second penalty cost them a nice time. A pair of Oklahoma teams - Coleman Proctor-Jake Long and A.J. Horton-Kyle Horton - is at the top in times of 4.6 and 4.7 seconds, respectively.
The rodeo’s final performance is tonight at 7:30.
twaits@temple-telegram.com
