Saddle bronc highlight of rodeo's first day

By Dan Casarez/Special to the Independent Saturday, Apr. 26, 2008

Cody Horwedel of Parkfield fought off the fighting effort of "Curly Jane" to win the saddle bronc riding event on opening day of the 94th annual Clovis Rodeo.

Queensland, Australia's Scott Keogh and Dallas Osburn of Santa Maria finished tied for second with 76 points in the popular Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) event. But it was Horwedal who earned the praise of the thousands of fans after his 79-point first place finish in the event.

Horwedal, 24, tightened his grip and stayed atop the approximately 1,200-pound bucking bronc to ride roughly to a successful finish.

The weather couldn't have been any better for spectators, who enjoyed an easy breeze under the 78 degrees. Grammy Award country music winners Emerson Drive provided a vocal rendition of the national anthem, while some in attendance sported pink shirts and hats honoring the day's theme dubbed "Tough Enough to Wear Pink," which diverted some of the proceeds to charity.

In the team roping event, twins from Monument, New Mexico, Jake and Jim Ross Cooper, perfectly timed for a score of 5.4. The Coopers maintained their composure after several unsuccessful attempts in the event among the 12 teams competing in the event.

During a crowd favorite, seven-year-old T.J. Simpson of Fresno kept his grasp on the sheep and won the 'Mutton Bustin' event. Seven-year-old McKinley Lingenfelter Clovis won the Best Dressed event.

John Payne, the 'One Armed Bandit Act,' wowed spectators during a break in the competition with his ability to ride and control two large buffalo, which did wind up atop of the entertainer's decorated trailer.

Bareback riding, first go-round

1. Cimmaron Gerke, 84.0 1. Tim Shirley, 84.0 3. Ben Londo, 83.0 4. Dusty LaValley, 78.0 4. Cody DeMers, 78.0 4. Kelly Timberman, 78.0 7. Joe Gunderson, 77.0 7. Zach Curran, 77.0 9. Josi Young, 75.0 10. Zac Compton, 74.0 11. Matt Lait, 73.0 12. Bo Casper, 70.0 13. Forest Bramwell, 68.0

No scores: Matt Crumpler, Julian Whitcher, Chris Timberman, Rob Oakleaf , Jason Martin, Teddy Athan, Wyatt Hancock, Eric Frazier, George Gillespie IV, Tyson Thompson, Paul Jones, Jessy Davis, James Sursa, Kaycee Feild, Caleb Bennett, Moe Heaton, Matt Bright, D.V. Fennell, Justin McDaniel, Steven Dent, Casey Colletti, Bobby Mote, Brian Bain, Ryan Gray, Jason Havens, Wes Stevenson, Tom McFarland, Will Lowe, Shannon Miller, Tilden Hooper, Jerad Schlegel, Bud Munns, Chase Erickson, Mac Erickson and Chris Harris.

Saddle bronc riding, first go-round

1. Cody Horwedel, 79.0 2. Scott Keogh, 76.0 2. Dallas Osburn, 76.0 4. Elliot French, 75.0 5. Bryce Miller, 74.0 6. Jeff Rianda, 70.0 7. Roy Johnson, 69.0

No scores: Jake Griffin, Ben Londo, Morgan Forbes, Jesse Bail, Matt Hebbert, Ad Bugenig, Sam Swan, Rod Hay, Ben Morrow, Samuel Kelts, Dustin Flundra, Justin Arnold, Anthony Bello, Brandon Bias, Todd Weagant, Jess Williams, Nick Laduke, Scott Miller, Darin Redelsperger, Ryan MacKenzie, Sam MacKenzie, Heith DeMoss, Cody DeMoss, Rowdy Rathmell, Brad Rudolf, Matt Marvel, Levi Berry, Rusty Allen, Cody Wright, Mike Outhier, Jess I Martin, Ryan Mapston, Shaun Stroh, Bobby Griswold, Cody Taton, Dusty Hausauer, Josh Reynolds, Chet Johnson, Bradley Harter, Taos Muncy and Isaac Diaz.

Steer wrestling, third go-round

1. Shawn Greenfield, 5.2 2. Travis Carnine, 5.4 3. Wes Lockard, 7.4 4. Baillie Milan, 7.5 4. Jonathon Ferreira, 7.5 6. Dean Gorsuch, 8.0

No times: Russell Smith, Beau Franzen, Ryan Jarrett, Dane Hanna, Tanner Milan, Clint Robinson, Rhett Kennedy, Stan Branco, Les Shepperson, Ivan Coleman, Kyle Hughes, Linn Churchill, Jason Lahr, Blake Knowles, Tyler Holzum, Trevor Knowles, J.C. Bonilla, Brad Morgan, Charles Harris, Brad McGilchrist, Clayton Morrison, Luke Branquinho, Matt Deskovick, Wade Sumpter, Dani Leslie, Billy Bugenig, Garrett Boekenoogen, Cade Swor, Ken Lewis and Trevor Cox.

Team roping, third go-round

1. Jake Cooper/Jim Ross Cooper, 5.4, 23.8/3 2. Jake Barnes/Kyon Sayer, 6.6, 42.0/3 3. Steve Smith Jr/Wes Goodrich, 6.9, 23.0/3 4. Garrett Tonozzi/Kinney Harrell, 10.8, 33.1/3 5. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 10.9, 42.3/3 6. Pat Boyle/Dennis Watkins, 11.0, 40.3/3 7. Colter Todd/Cesar de la Cruz, 14.5, 26.4/3 8. Keven Daniel/Jhett Johnson, 14.8, 38.4/3 Derrick Begay/Victor Aros, NA, 20.5/2 David Key/Kory Koontz, NA, 18.3/2 Turtle Powell/Travis Graves, NA, 17.6/2 Logan Olson/Broc Cresta, NA, 23.1/2 Shane Kenny/Tony Bacigalupi, NA, 22.9/2 Brandon Farris/Justin Copp, NA, 22.8/2 Jay Adams/Cody Hintz, NA, 29.4/2 Paul Mullins/Tarek Goddard, NA, 21.3/2 Justin Spence/Evan Arnold, NA, 15.3/2 Blake Hirdes/Walt Rodman, NA, 14.7/2 Mel Coleman/Rhett Kennedy, NA, 32.9/2 Shain Sproul/Bobby Baize, NA, 18.0/2 Matt Funk/Bucky Campbell, NA, 19.0/2 Mike Christensen/Tristen Luther, NA, 18.9/2 Charly Crawford/Jade Corkill, NA, 25.0/2 Blaine Linaweaver/Richard Durham, NA, 28.6/2 Dylan Bransom/Jody Pinkert, NA, 19.1/2 Jon Stafford/Dave Tripp, NA, 26.7/2 Daniel Green/Todd Hampton, NA, 17.3/2 Jason Vohs/Brent Hammerstrom , NA, 38.8/2 Sherrick Grantham/Dusty Watkins, NA, 16.0/2 David Ramont/Chris Wooten, NA, 21.0/2 Wade Wheatley/Cory Petska, NA, 20.7/2 Spencer Mitchell/Justin Davis, NA, 14.5/2 David Motes/Jared Hixon, NA, 14.3/2 Derick Fleming/Caleb Twisselman, NA, 13.5/2 Joel Bach/Cody Cowden, NA, 13.2/2 Ron Darnell/Mike Silveira, NA, 36.8/2

Bull riding

1. Dave Samsel, 83.

No scores: Johnny Allen, Evan Matthews, Josh Daries, Shawn Proctor, Jesse Bail, Cody Hodges, Thomas Bert, Mike Moore, Cory Melton, Dwayne Hargo, Will Farrell, Spud Jones, Brady Scott Williams, Bobby Roberts, Chance Smart, J.W. Harris, Tony Smart, Sean Case, Jon Buchert, Mike Randall, Wesley Silcox, Steve Woolsey, Dustin Larsen, Jerry Shepherd, Shane Gordon, Jed Moore, Jake Wade, Nat Fly, Sonny Murphy, B.J. Schumacher, Marcus Michaelis, J.C. Bean, Dustin Skiles, Josh Verburg, Dustin Smith, Jason McClain, Cody Hancock, Howdy Cloud, Kyle Joslin, Zeb Lanham, Myron Duarte, Ted Bert, Kenneth Restani, Colin McTaggart, Colby Reilly, Bobby Waller and Ryan Brown.

Calf roping, third go-round

1. Wes Lockard, 8.2 2. Cheyenne Stanley, 8.8 3. Clint Robinson, 9.2 4. Stephen Reagor, 9.8 5. Caddo Lewallen, 9.9 6. Trent Creager, 12.3 7. Blake Hirdes, 12.7 8. Jim Ross Cooper, 12.9 9. Paul Emerson, 17.6 10. Jake Hannum, 23.3

No times: Ryan Jarrett, Jack Vanderlans, Kelsey Garrison, Mike Johnson, Trevor Knowles, Jay Adams, J.D. Miller, Jesse Egan, Anthony Estep, Matt Shiozawa, Clayton Hamil, Rhett Kennedy, Doug Pharr, Joseph Parsons, Jason Vohs, Chris Wooten, Tyler Garten, Barry Burk, Royce Lynch, Tuf Cooper, Tyson Durfey, Ryan Watkins, Tyler Thiel, Clint Cooper, Rick Kieckhefer and Scott McCulloch.

Barrel racing, second go-round

1. Pat Spratt, 16.43 2. Jana Jarreau, 16.45 3. Sherry Cervi, 16.57 4. Jamie Cook, 16.61 5. Danyelle Campbell, 16.70 6. Traci Dawson, 16.80 7. Kali Knight, 16.93 8. Jetta McCormick, 16.94 9. Tiffany Fox, 16.97 9. Kelly Carr, 16.97 11. Aimee Kay, 17.03 12. Deanna Coon, 17.04 13. Danni Scheer, 17.10 14. Leslie Hurford, 17.11 15. Sheena Robbins, 17.12 16. Mary Moe, 17.17 16. Rayanne Currin, 17.17 18. Krystal Jones, 17.18 19. Chris Rose, 17.28 20. Shelley Holman, 17.29 21. Stacey Freitas, 17.43 22. Rachael Myllymaki, 21.75 23. Tara Lee Woodall, 21.78 24. Cydni Terry, 21.85 25. Linda Vick, 21.90 26. Becca Fullenwider, 22.13 27. Bailey Tuck, 22.25 28. Jill Welsh, 22.31 29. Tona Wright-Andrade, 22.42 30. Tammy Lowe, 22.47 31. Tracy Keller, 22.58 32. Sybni Blanchard, 26.43 33. Heidi Phillips, 26.95 34. Sonia Gorrell, 27.13 35. Karla Schneider, 27.70 36. Renee Ryckebosch, 29.53

No times: Shane Jonhston, Megan McLeod, Vonnie Nunes, Cambria Fetherston, Christina Richman, Brittany Pozzi-Pharr, Charlene Jespersen, Nellie Williams, Kristie Jensen, Sherrylynn Johnson, Molly Powell, Marvel Murphy-Selvester, Sarah Kieckhefer, Deb Renger, Brenda Mays, Alicia Sandoval, Lyndee Stairs, Tracee Young, Stacy Dial, Noel Cosca, Katy Varian, Allie Hamner, Melanie Southard, Shelley Murphy and Amber Berry.