The co-owners of Lancaster and Pickett Pro Rodeo Company watched as their stock dominated the competition Thursday night on the first day of the 85th annual Belton Fourth of July PRCA Rodeo at Bell County Expo Center.
None of the nine bullriders completed the mandatory eight-second ride, leaving the rodeo’s featured event without a leader heading into today’s 7 p.m. start and Saturday’s finale.
Many of the bullriders hit the dirt after one or two turns and some were left with bruises after the bulls tumbled on top of them. Killeen’s Steven Robertson stayed on “Soldier Boy” for about 3 seconds before being bucked off.
That makes the cowboys 1-for-28 - eventual winner Nick Price completed a ride last year - against Lancaster and Pickett’s stock dating back to last year’s three-day rodeo.
The bull riders weren’t the only competitors baffled during the evening.
Only two of the eight team-roping duos recorded a time. Cayuga’s Vance Walters and Campbell’s Matthew Ingle hold the lead with a solid 7.3-second performance. Belton’s Taylor Mitchell, who teamed up with J.C. Williams of Bridgeport, competed in slack Thursday morning but didn’t record a time.
Dean Wadsworth completed a mediocre score of 73 to lead the saddle bronc. Pink-haired Kaila Mussell-Dent, who became the first female in PRCA history to win a saddle bronc event when she won in Oregon in 2002, didn’t record a score.
With many of the calves acting stubborn in tie-down roping, Dennis Luetge of Hempstead finished the event’s nightcap with a 9.5, second behind Decatur’s Stephen McLauchlin, who had a 9.1 in slack.
Robertston, the rodeo’s first rider, got the night off to a great start with a 75 in bareback riding. Ryan Stutes of Sulphur rode “Pop Rivet” for an 85 to take the lead.
The competitors’ momentum dwindled after that.
Cody Redden of Lipan recorded a 5.4 to lead steer wrestling, while travelmate Barry Kreikemeier is second with a 6.2.
In barrel racing, Janna Beam of Hallsville completed her ride in 16.56 seconds, which places her second behind Hondo’s Lisa Ruhnke, who had a 16.53 in slack. Killeen’s Katie Parks had 17.91, and Rogers’ Charity Lundy had a 21.65.
Rogers’ Sandra Richter will compete in barrel racing tonight on Family Celebration Night.
cmeister@temple-telegram.com
