Logue Jumps Into Lead Bareback Bronc Rider Finds Way On Scout
Considering how few open dates there are on Bob Logue’s calendar, Spokane was lucky to get a visit from the nine-time National Finals Rodeo bareback rider.
With a couple days off, the 37-year-old Greeley, Colo., cowboy took a busman’s holiday, sneaking off to visit friends in Sandpoint and entering the Wrangler Prorodeo Classic.
Logue lived up to his reputation, drawing NFR horse Scout and scoring a 78 to take the bareback lead before 5,597 fans at the Arena Friday night.
“The horse was real good, real wild,” said Logue, who gets one day at home before going to rodeos in San Antonio, Jackson, Miss., Baton Rouge and Houston. “I just tried to impress the crowd and maybe that would impress the judges.”
He made the strong ride despite a shaky start caused by Scout banging into the chute when the gate opened.
“I had a bad start but I knew he was a good horse so I jumped back in,” he explained. “I’ve seen the horse a couple of times but I try to ride each horse as an individual each time, jump for jump.”
Logue’s ride highlighted a first night that saw only 2 of 12 bull riders make a ride, no team ropers break 12 seconds and only one steer wrestler break 10 seconds.
Fritz Symonds of Madras, Ore., leads in bull riding with a 73 aboard Savage Sam. The fastest time in team roping was a 12.6 by Montana cowboys Dennis Toussaint and Bill Armine. Jason Picard of Helix, Ore., had a 6.8 in steer wrestling.
Calf ropers fared better with Tony Currin of Heppner, Ore., timed in 10.3 and Tom Camarillo, of Hermiston, Ore., in 10.9. Dusty Otley of Summer Lake, Ore., rode Rodeo America to a 76 to lead the saddle bronc riders. He was one point ahead of Wyle Wells of Browning, Mont.
There were 24 steer wrestlers in “slack,” a session to fit in the large number of entries, after the performance. Steve Currin, Tony’s brother, set the pace with a 4.3-second run and Dennis Fellows of Hillsboro, Ore., had a 5.1.
The second performance is tonight at 8. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event, presented by The General Store, concludes at 2:30 Sunday. All payouts are awarded Sunday.
Spokane fans were lucky to see Logue, considering he broke his neck at the Pendleton Roundup in 1983, the summer after he finished second in the world standings. He didn’t return to rodeo until 1985, with a little anxiety.
“I had to be pretty motivated,” he said. “Any time you have a life-threatening situation and the doctor tells you you may never walk again or use your arms or legs, you have to be motivated.
“I guess (I returned) because I love it. It’s the only thing I can do, too, at least real well.”
He worked hard to get himself back in shape, and has made the Finals four times since the accident, when a horse fell on him.
Logue said the mental part of the game is important, whether gearing up for a ride at a small rodeo like Spokane or settling down before a ride at major rodeo like Houston.
“Every rodeo is important. You don’t make a million dollars out there so every dollar in your pocket is important. That might make it so you get to that big one,” he said. “As a seasoned rodeo cowboy and athlete, you learn to put your mind where it needs to be. That comes with experience.”
Chance Dixon was trying a new experience. The Ellensburg bronc rider took a no-time in team roping while skipping his specialty. He had surgery two days after finishing his third Finals in December.
“I came because it’s close to home,” he said. “I haven’t roped much but I enjoy roping.”
Dixon tore up his left shoulder during the third round of the NFR. Despite surgery that placed several pins in his shoulder and shaved a couple of inches off his clavicle, he went on to win the seventh round and place second in the eighth round of the 10-round NFR. He ended up 10th in the final standings.
“It’s tough when you lay off and don’t practice very much, whether it’s bronc riding or team roping,” he said. “But rodeo is fun, no matter what you do.”
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