Brazile, Koontz rope tie for record
LAS VEGAS — Replacement rider Trevor Brazile and Kory Koontz tied the National Finals Rodeo team roping record of 3.7 seconds during the sixth round Wednesday.
Brazile, of Decatur, Texas, the three-time all-around champion, is replacing header Jake Barnes, who had his right thumb amputated after his rope cut it off during the fifth round, for the remainder of the NFR. It was Brazile’s first teaming with heeler Koontz in 2005 and they tied the record set by Clay Tryan and Michael Jones at the 2004 NFR.
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association World Standings leaders Tryan, of Billings, Mont., and Patrick Smith of Midland, Texas, finished second in 4.7 seconds, while Steve Purcella of Hereford, Texas, and Britt Bockius of Claremore, Okla., placed third.
“When Kory asked me last night, I just wanted to get on the best horse I could, and Travis Tryan offered his good horse, Walt,” Brazile said. “And we owe a lot of it to that right there. Kory still has a chance at a world title and I am just trying to do the best I can to help him.”
In bareback riding, Royce Ford of Kersey, Colo., won with 89 points on Coconut Roll. Wes Stevenson of Kaufman, Texas, and Ryan Gray of Cheney, tied for second with 84.5 apiece.
After Wednesday’s sixth round, Gray is 5th overall with an aggregate score of 492.5.
Aggregate and event leader Lee Graves of Alberta, Canada, won his second consecutive steer wrestling round, this time in a clocking of 3.6 seconds. Graves also closed in on world standings leader Jason Lahr of Emporia, Kan., who has earned $149,646, compared to $149,035 for Graves.
Garret Nokes of McCook, Neb., was second in 3.8 seconds, while Cash Myers of Athens, Texas, placed third in 4.1.
In saddle bronc riding, world standings leader Jeffery Willert won with 85.5 points on Rawhide, just ahead of world standings runner-up Cody DeMoss of Crowville, La., who had 85 on No Dice. Chet Johnson of Gillette, Wyo., placed third with an 83.
“When Cody won Dallas, I figured it was going to be a good Finals,” Willert said. “It’s back and forth (for the world title), so that makes it fun.”
In tie-down roping, Cade Swor of Winnie, Texas, won in 8.2 seconds. Ryan Jarrett of Summerville, Ga., tied for second in 8.3 with Cody Ohl of Hico, Texas.
In barrel racing, Denise Adams Fea won in 13.95 seconds, Kelly Kaminski of Bellville, Texas, was second in 14.01, and Sherry Cervi of Marana, Ariz. third in 14.05.
Howdy Cloud of Kountze, Texas, came in first in bull riding with 84 points on Nasty. Dustin Elliott of North Platte, Neb., and Zack Oates of Tonasket, Wash., tied for second, each with an 81.5.
Steve Woolsey of Spanish Fork, Utah, had an unsuccessful ride for his first time, but he is the only rider who has successfully ridden five of his bulls. He is the aggregate leader with 402 points.