Friday, December 2nd
The 2005 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo started with a bang. 5.2 million dollars in prize money is up for grabs and only the best can lay a claim on it. This years NFR has seen a changing of the guard as many first time qualifiers take aim at their share of the prize. But look out; your first time at the big show can shake even the toughest rodeo cowboy.
Bareback Riding:
The boys of the first event really showed up tonight and set the pace for an awesome first round. This event is going to turn out to be squeaky tight till the end.
Wes Stevenson took a wild, belly-rollin', wild spurrin' ride aboard Airforce Hostage (Cervi Championship Rodeo) and a 87.5 score.
Royce Ford rode Black Friday (Growney Brothers Rodeo) for an 86.5 and second place.
2004 World Champion Kelly Timberman and Cimmaron Gerke split third with scores of 85.
Steer Wrestling:
The small arena and big crowds of the WNFR make for some tough adjustments for the timed event cowboys. The bulldoggers, never to be outdone, showed up for work and made some quality runs.
Rookie qualifier Garrett Nokes looked like an old hand with a blazing 3.5 second throw.
Cash Myers hit some cash last night with a second place run of 3.6.
Lee Graves showed that this might just be his year with a run of 4 seconds flat for third.
Team Roping:
The story of the night in team roping is the eminent split of the greatest roping teams ever, that of 8-time World Champions Speed Williams and Rich Skelton after this NFR.
Wade Wheatley and Kyle Lockett take first place with a time of 4.3 seconds.
Tee Woolman and Cory Petska rope their way into second with 4.7 seconds.
Shain Sproul and Kinney Harrell round out the top three with a 4.80 second run.
Saddle Bronc Riding:
With only one buck-off (Bradley Harter), it was a good night for the bronc riders.
Jeffery Willert may only have vision in one eye, but he’s also got a big heart as he rode Domino Theory (Sankey Rodeo) for an 87.5 score and first in the round.
He was followed by an 87, posted by Rusty Allen on Wild Card (Sankey Rodeo), who was looking anything but rusty.
Third place in the round went to Cody Wright riding Lil' Rose (Korkow Rodeos) for an 85.5.
Tie-down Roping:
The story of the night was Cody Ohl who stomped into first place with a 7.40 second go but possibly pulling a groin muscle. It’s gonna be a long 10 days for Ohl with that injury.
Stran Smith posted a time of 7.50 for second place.
Third place was a split between Houston Hutto and Blair Burk, both with a 7.70.
Barrel Racing:
The adjustment to the Wrangler NFR arena didn't seem to bother the ladies or their horses on the first night of competition.
Denise Adams Fea took the top spot with a run of 14.06 seconds.
Molly Powell scored second in the round with a 14.09 second run.
Finishing third was Shali Lord on top of Slider with a 14.10 second time.
Bull Riding:
The score was bulls 7 and cowboys 8, with wild rides and even wilder spills defining the bull riding in Round 1. Nerves seemed to dominate the bull riders and the bulls as well as some of them didn't make their usual trips in the arena.
First place went to Jarrod Ford riding (Flying 5 Rodeo) Spotted Jacket for 90 points.
Zack Oakes scored an 88.5 on Taylor Made (Broken Arrow Rodeo).
Wesley Silcox made an 87.5 on Smoking Gun (David Bailey Rodeo).
A notable buck-off was Bryan Richardson riding Whirly Gig (Diamond G Rodeo) in his day-glow green vest and chaps going head over heels in some acrobatic magic. Matt Austin may have the top spot sown up, but that doesn't mean that the rest of the field wont try and bring home the average title and the big paycheck that goes with it.
The 2005 WNFR is off to a great start with the best Round #1 I’ve seen in a long time. The great thing is that we've only just begun the toughest 10 days in rodeo. Next stop Round 2...I'll see you there!
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