LINCOLN – The Lincoln Riding Club’s 71st annual Rodeo went up a notch, according to feedback from last weekend’s event at the LRC Arena.
LRC President Kris Hartgrave felt the rodeo went very well and the club made several changes.
“It was really good, a lot of people here, there was a good energy, it was fantastic,” Hartgrave said. “We had a lot of royal guests, a lot of attendees, 19, I mean, that’s a lot. Everything is on the line for (Royalty Coordinator) Sherry Smith. It was good stuff.”
Hartgrave spoke highly of him and said that Monte Stueve was a great announcer.
“He’s a good guy to work with. He’s a good guy,” Hartgrave said.
Hartgrave praised the performance of Colton Ulmer, who played the dual role of barrel man and comedian.
“He’s a real blast, man. He was a lot of fun,” Hartgrave said. “I got to spend some time with him. It was fun.”
Tommy Osburn and Randy White served as judges and had to climb over the fences more than once when a bull escaped in the arena.
Livestock supplier Big Horn Rodeo continues to provide the other element of the rodeo: animal athletes, including bucking horses, bucking bulls, steers and calves. Owners and operators Kyle Robinson and Jerry Ogden served as the pickups. Logan Robrahn and Jason Bogle were the bullfighters.
“Kyle Robinson is great. He puts on a good show. He has a great crew. They’re all good guys,” Hartgrave said.
Cowboys and cowgirls earned a total of $37,484, including $13,750 in extra money.
All-round cowboy
Rodeo Secretary Ronda Teague complimented as she announced the official results on Monday: “I’ve heard so many good things from the competitors about all the changes and improvements you’ve made. I believe Lincoln will soon be THE rodeo that everyone wants to attend. I’m excited to see next year’s competitors.”
Among the new features, Lincoln recognized an all-around competitor for the first time this year, giving both cowboys and cowgirls an incentive to participate in multiple events.
Billy Bart Brunson took third place in tie down roping and teamed with his partner Justin Yost to take third place in team roping. Brunson won the all-around cowboy title, an award that could also go to an all-around cowgirl if she qualifies for multiple competitions. Brunson’s efforts paid off with $1,553.91 in prize money.
Category winner
Saturday’s performance featured three qualified bareback rides, including back-to-back 73-point scores from Jesse Troyer and Brad Gower in front of a packed house. Neither could overtake Mark Kreder, who won the event with a 79-point ride that earned him $915.84 in prize money. Troyer tied for second with Gower. Each cowboy took home $305.28.
Only two points separated the top three places in the Saddle Broncs. Rowdy Chesser took first place with an 83-point ride that earned him $939.60, while Colt Bass won $563.76 with an 82 and Timothy Troyer took third place with an 81 for $375.84.
In bull riding, Dason Janes repeated his title as event winner with an 86-point ride, but shared the prize with Garrett Tribble, who also scored 86 points. Both cowboys received $812.07.
Kole Bowman scored 79 points for second place and took home $464.04. Sebastian Jackson finished third with 78 points and won $232.02.
In tie-down roping, the top five payers were: Tylen Layton, 9.2, $1,064.34; West Smith, 9.3, $886.95; Billy Bart Brunson, 9.5, $709.56; Drew Griffith, 9.6, $532.17; and Clint Kelley, 9.7, $354.78.
In the cowgirl breakaway competition, six competitors finished in 2.5 seconds or less: Tamara Smith, 2.0, $1,376.51; Kate Kelley, 2.2, $1,139.18; and a trio tied for third: Jackie White, Cale Neisius and Jimme Beth Hefner, all with a time of 2.4 seconds and a prize of $664.52 each. Laraye Stipes finished sixth with a time of 2.5 seconds and won $237.33.
Four competitors earned money in steer wrestling: David Reagor, 4.1, $992.88; Casey Greer, 4.3, $744.66; Jace Rutledge, 4.8, $496.44; and Hadley Sanders, 4.9, $248.22.
Cowgirl Barrel Racing featured six finishes with purses: Halle Cummings, 16,630, $1,069.06; Ginger West, 16,684, $884.73; Sheila Hardy, 16,793, $700.42; Chelsea Shoop, 16,895, $516.10; Brandie Inman, 17,012, $331.77; and Stephanie Joyner, 17,072, $184.32.
The team roping duo of Lane Bryson and Gus Howell posted the fastest time of 4.6 seconds, each winning $1,447.47. Casey Hicks and Jake Pianalto took second place with a time of 4.9 seconds, each winning $1,206.22. Justin Spotts partnered Travis Holland and posted a time of 5.0 seconds, each earning them $844.35. The tandem of Billy Bart Brunson and Justin Yost finished the same with a time of 5.0 seconds, each also winning $844.35. Jesse Stipes and Cale Markham posted a time of 5.1 seconds, each earning both cowboys $482.49.
Collapse of steer roping
In steer roping, Riley O’Rourke won the first round on Thursday with a time of 11.1 seconds and earned $389.70. Shorty Garten took second place with a time of 12.5 seconds and earned $232.82. Pakes Garrett took third place with a time of 13.1 seconds and earned $155.88.
In the second heat on Friday, Dustin Bassett clocked a time of 12.0 seconds to win $389.70. Pakes Garnett finished in the prize again with a time of 12.7 seconds to earn $233.82. Ryan Miller finished third with a time of 13.5 seconds to win $155.88.
O’Rouke performed excellently in the third heat on Saturday with a time of 10.0, the best of the three-day competition, and won $389.70. Jesse Stipes finished second with a time of 12.1 seconds and received a purse of $233.82. Troy Dingman tied for third with Casey Stipes. Each cowboy had a time of 12.4 seconds and both took home $77.94.
Casey Stipes proved to be the most consistent player, winning the average with a total time of 40.0 and cashing in $779.40. Garten finished second in average with 41.2 and won $467.64. Jesse Stipes finished third in average with 42.1 and took home $311.76.
JUNIOR BARRELS
Thursday
Riley Batson – 17,252 – $125.00
Ivee Pumpkin – 17,838 – $75.00
Bailey Shockey – 18,678 – $50.00
Friday
Abby Drummond – 17,553 – $150.00
Riley Batson – 17,674 – $90.00
Kylie Battiest – 18,102 – $60.00
Saturday
Riley Batson – 17,121 – $170.00
Abby Drummond – 17,448 – $127.00
Racey Drummond – 17,543 – $85.00
Emily Burk – 17,755 – $43.00
PEE WEE BARRELS
Thursday
No qualified times
Friday
Gracie Dewey – 18,109 – $60.00
Saturday
Liz Robison – 19,138
Cracking mutton
Thursday
Wade Southern – 73 – $76.00
Oakley Wilson – 71 – $57.00
Kenley Goodwright – $70 – $38.00
Cade Jerkins – $60 – $19.00
Friday
Jamie Valentine – $80 – $108.00
Carson Buretta – 76 – $81.00
Brecken Adams – $75 – $54.00
Henry Duplanti – $70 – $27.00
Saturday
Easton Davis – $80 – $97.00
Cason Burrows – $78 – $82.00
Taylon Scraper – 70 – $65.00
Keon Stephenson – 69 – $48.00
Jackson Villegas – 68 – $31.00
Andre Murray – 61 – $17.00
