Las Vegas, NV: 2011 Canadian and World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Taos Muncy has been to the top of every level of this sport, but he still gets nervous. Tonight it was about the horse he drew, Wayne Vold’s former Horse of the Year, Awesome.
“I had never been on him before. I’ve seen that horse a bunch. Last year at Strathmore I saw him and I couldn’t believe how rank he was. I knew I couldn’t stub my toe.” Muncy told of his thoughts. “All my travelling partners had been on him before. They were giving me heck about it so I was real nervous.”
Nervous or not, it worked for the New Mexico man. “That’s a real great horse of Wayne Vold’s.” Taos said applauding the horse. It’s a wonder he hadn’t been on the mount before as he’s spent many days and nights on Canadian highways. “I really enjoy going to his rodeos.” He finished on the matter referring to Wayne’s events.
Taos Muncy won’t repeat this year as the PRCA World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider, but he’s not fretting. “I’ve messed up a few times this week, that cost me a lot and I’ve drawn some good horses, but I wasn’t real consistent. Getting towards the end of the rodeo, there’s still a lot of money and you’re at the NFR and you have to give it your all until the last ride.”
Speaking of last rides and money won, through nine rounds, there has been $179,915 won on Canadian Bucking Stock. Something to think about.
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Three-time Canadian Champion Lisa Lockhart won the round tonight in the Barrel Racing with a very quick 13.66 second time. It’s the second fastest run of the entire weekend. Last night she crossed the $1,000,000 mark in career earnings. “When you really put things in perspective and people give me some stats and knowing who’s exactly in there and how few there really are, that makes it that much more sweet to know that’s a very elite group, and I’m extremely honored to be in that group.” She said.
The round win pushes Lockhart’s NFR earnings to $63,409. It’s the next closest to RAM Top Gun leader Mary Walker who’s got $106,010 after adding a third place check tonight. With both Lindsay Sears and Brittany Pozzi knocking over barrels tonight, Mary Walker has all but locked it up.
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In the Bull Riding, Trevor Kastner was the only man to ride. He won $18,257 that counts towards the standings along with another $40,637 in ground money. In his second NFR, it was his first round win but the money proved to fuel his excitement. “I’m really excited to get my first round win and it feels good to be the only one to stay on and to get a bunch of money. I’m more happy about the money for sure and I think the only person happier than me is my mom.”
A $58,895 check would excite anyone. especially someone in his early twenties. It’s getting put to good use though. “I don’t think winning all the money has sunk in yet. I’ll probably use it to pay my place off, which was my goal when I came out here.”
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Bareback: 1. Steven Peebles on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Vitalix Hell’s Fire Hostage, 84.5, $18,257; 2. Matt Bright, 84, $14,429; 3. (tie) Brian Bain, Justin McDaniel and Steven Dent, 83.5, $7,656; 6. Bobby Mote, 83, $2,945.
Steer wrestling: 1. Tom Lewis, 3.5 seconds, $18,257; 2. (tie) Billy Bugenig, Trevor Knowles and KC Jones, 4.0, $10,994; 5. Todd Suhn, 4.2, $4,712; 6. Casey Martin, 4.4, $2,945.
Team roping: 1. Spencer Mitchell/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 4.0 seconds, $18,257; 2. Turtle Powell/Dugan Kelly, 4.5, $14,429; 3. Kaleb Driggers/Jade Corkill, 4.7, $10,895; 4. Erich Rogers/Kory Koontz, 8.8, $7,656; 5. Charly Crawford/Jim Ross Cooper, 8.8, $4,712; 6. Clay Tryan/Travis Graves, 9.5, $2,945.
Saddle bronc: 1. Taos Muncy on Wayne Vold Rodeo’s Awesome, 84 points, $18,257; 2. Cody Demoss, 83, $14,429; 3. Cody Wright, 78, $10,895; 4. Cole Elshere, 77.5, $7,656; 5. Chad Ferley, 76.5, $4,712; 6. Jesse Wright, 75.5, $2,945.
Tie-down roping: 1. (tie) Clint Robinson and Bradley Bynum, 6.9 seconds, $16,343; 3. (tie) Monty Lewis, Cory Solomon and Tuf Cooper, 7.2, $7,656; 6. Cody Ohl, 7.7, $2,945.
Barrel racing: 1. Lisa Lockhart, 13.66, $18,257; 2. Lee Ann Rust, 13.88, $14,429; 3. Mary Walker, 13.90, $10,895; 4. (tie) Brenda Mays and Christy Loflin, 14.24, $6,184; 6. Christina Richman, 14.29, $2,945.
Bull riding: 1. Trevor Kastner on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Bailey Hou, 84.5, $18,257; no other qualified rides.
Round Nine highlights courtesy of the PRCA and GAC.
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Tomorrow we will crown the 2012 PRCA World Champions. The performance gets started at 6:45pm.