Local stock featured at National Finals Rodeo

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo began in Las Vegas Thursday with more four- than two-legged connections for area fans. 

Among the contests, the only area connections are tie-down roper Tyson Durfey, who used to live in Colbert before getting married and moving to Texas, and Ellensburg team roping brothers Riley and Brady Minor. 

Stock contactors Don Hutsell of Ritzville and Sonny Riley of Pomeroy, who co-own the Big Bend and Flying Five rodeo companies, have a handful of horses at the finals. 

Rodeo secretary Debi Davis of Nine Mile Falls is working behind the scenes at the event. 

Thursday highlights

Nick Guy of Sparta, Wisconsin, moved up from fourth to first in the steer wrestling world standings by placing first in 3.6 during round one.

Guy boosted his earnings to $96,757 while Casey Martin of Sulphur, Louisiana, moved from third to second in the standings with $93,457 by tying for second place in 3.7 with four-time world champion Luke Branquinho of Los Alamos, California.

Trevor Knowles of Mount Vernon, Oregon, entered first in the world standings with $91,804 but now is third after coming in 15th and last in 20.70.