Wrangler National Finals Rodeo - Round Three Recap

Sir Lance Creek A Lot

Jason Miller has rolled up seven slots since his arrival in Las Vegas. He doesn’t strike me as superstitious but coming into the national finals Miller was 13th in steer wrestling’s world standings and must not have cared to stay there. He won the round last night – his first go-round win in pro rodeo’s Superbowl – and has tickled the pay window for more than $36,000 in three days. His 4.0 second run last night bested everybody. “I called a friend of mine that ran that steer earlier in the year and he told me about him. I didn’t feel like I made a real great run but I had a great steer so that paid off,” Miller said. The Lance Creek, Wyoming dogger has his parents with him at this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. There is not a prouder couple to be found today. We’ve gotten to know Jason pretty well this past year and there’s no doubt his folks have a lot more to feel good about than how their son has performed in Vegas so far. They’ve raised a fine, grounded, man who is admired greatly by his peers. Miller is now #1 in the average at the national finals. He has risen to sixth in the world standings having thrown three steers here in a total of 11.4 seconds.

Photo: Jason Miller of Lance Creek, Wyoming takes a victory lap. Credit: Rick Carpenter

Jhett & Chet

Casper’s Jhett Johnson broke through after a couple of nights of losing seconds to team roping miscues. He and partner Keven Daniel put together a solid run of 5.3 seconds to finish sixth and catch a check for $2,600 apiece. It is still early in this 10-day affair. Jhett and Keven are sitting seventh in the average (total times so far) while several of the pairs ahead of them in earnings for the year have fallen back dramatically in terms of where they stand average-wise at the finals.

Chet Johnson is pretty much over a bad cold that had him in bed for twelve hours overnight Friday. Last night he spurred Blazing Saddle to notch an 85 score and third place finish. The horse bucked toward a side rail at the end of his turn slowing down the finish, and score slightly. The Gillette, WY saddle bronc rider says the ride felt good and he is feeling much better. A check for $10,000 can’t hurt.

Photo: Chet Johnson rides with an 85 score. Credit: Rick Carpenter

Kelly’s Heroes

“If you’re going to lose to somebody, that’s the way to do it,” exclaimed Mills, WY bareback rider Kelly Timberman after posting a score of 88.5 last night to claim a $13,000 payday. Young Justin McDaniel (or kid as Kelly calls him) climbed aboard a horse he saw Timberman, the 2004 world champ, handle at the Wrangler Tour stop in Omaha and McDaniel proved himself a quick study last night. He flew to a new Wrangler National Finals Rodeo record in his event, scoring a 91.5
One of the great things about pro rodeo is how much contestants help each other. Timberman is looked up to, as well he should be, by McDaniel and Kelly expends a good deal of time and effort offering advice to the next generation of
champions.

Glad to be Here

This is Christmas and Cowboy time in Las Vegas. All the hotels switch their in-house music systems over to country and the restaurants are full of people in western wear. Usually the brightest smiles, anticipatory glee, and pure joy come through the face of a child. Last night in the rodeo arena the most satisfied customer was a person brought in to see his first national finals. The rodeo announcers recognized him. He stood, tipped his hat, and smiled. That fan was a sprightly 99-years-old.