Team ropers Masters, Bach on top

LAS VEGAS – Team ropers Chad Masters and Allen Bach and barrel racer Kelly Maben won their second straight rounds Saturday night at the National Finals Rodeo.

Masters and Bach had a 4.3-second run to secure their second consecutive team roping victory. Colter Todd and Cesar de la Cruz were second in 4.5.

In round two, Masters and three-time world champion Bach won in 4.5 seconds.

“It (their round three time) actually felt a lot faster,” said Masters the header.

“Bobby Hurley and I won five go-rounds in a row one time (at the 1993 NFR),” Bach said. “I just about quit because I thought this will never happen again.”

Maben won the barrel racing in 13.73 seconds, one night after she had triumphed in 13.72. Terra Bynum was second in 13.79, and Shelly Anzick was third in 13.88.

In steer wrestling, 2004 world champ Luke Branquinho secured his second victory, winning with a time of 3.5 seconds. Gabe Ledoux was second in 3.6, and K.C. Jones followed in 3.7.

“If you start thinking about how much you are winning or how much everybody else is winning, I think a guy can lose focus,” Branquinho said. “I haven’t looked at the standings and I won’t look at the standings until, hopefully, I’m on that stage getting another gold buckle.”

In bull riding, B.J. Schumacher won with a 90 on Mulit-Chem Western Hauler. He was the only rider out of 13 to have a successful ride.

In bareback riding, defending world champion Will Lowe won with an 85-point ride on Wild Woman. Bobby Mote was second with an 84, and Cimmaron Gerke, Paul Jones, and Tom McFarland tied for third at 83.5.

Cheney cowboy Ryan Gray scored a 69.5 to finish well out of the money in bareback riding.

Gray’s ride on Sin City of Three Hills Rodeo, Inc., was the lowest scored ride of the night and dropped him to 11th in the average for the 10-round rodeo that finishes a week from today. Gray has 223.5 points for his three rides.

Rod Hay won the saddle bronc with an 87.5 on Coffee Break. Cody DeMoss was second with an 85.5 and Cody Martin, J.J. Elshere and Cody Wright tied for third at 84.

In tie-down roping, Hunter Herrin had his first NFR win, finishing in 7.1 seconds. Joe Beaver was second in 8.2, followed by Matt Shiozawa in 8.4.

In all-around, Trevor Brazile continues to lead by over $100,000 in total winnings. Brazile has earned $287,000, while Beaver is second with $183,000 after three rounds.