Wrangler National Finals Rodeo-Round Seven Recap

36K Wyo’s Way

The Bobby Welsh well is dry no more. The Gillette, WY bull rider has won several rounds at the national finals the past two years. Until last night Bobby was, for the most part, taking short trips for no scores. He is not alone in the ratio of scored rides to buck offs, mind you, but there was not a lot going his way. He and Kanin Asay aren’t far apart in age and the Powell bull rider has been right beside Bobby in the chutes helping him get set. Yesterday, they sat together to meet and sign autographs for fans who visited our booth at Cowboy Christmas in the Las Vegas Convention Center. The young riders are also each very much believers and Welsh says he took some time before the rodeo yesterday for prayerful reflection. “My attitude coming in was the same as before but I had to pick up my spirit. The mental part and preparation were all the same. I didn’t change my riding style or anything else. I just needed a spiritual pick-me-up and that’s what happened.” He got on a bull called Vertical Exit last night and stayed there for 89.5 points and second place. “When the water is spilling out of tipped jar you have to pick it up to make it stop. I’m expecting the rest of the time to go like tonight,” Welsh advised after his ride. He had not ridden Vertical Exit before although he’d seen him and felt the fit would be good. He broke a confident smile and carried away his bull rope saying: “This is like going to ten of the biggest rodeos there are in a row. If you let the first couple get you down the last few are going to be worse. I knew it was about time and it was going to come around.”

Photo: Bobby Welsh in motion. Credit: ESPN

Welsh’s friend and fellow bull rider Kanin Asay continues to nurse a serious elbow injury and was definitely strained during his ride last night. He persisted to remain one of only five bull riders who made the eight-second whistle and was scored 81 points for fifth place.

Photo: Bobby Welsh and Kanin Asay autograph pictures for fans in the Wyoming Booth at Cowboy Christmas. Credit: Mike McCrimmon


Lance Creek steer wrestler Jason Miller does not like to show a lot of emotion. He is a quiet person. You get to know him a little better to find something of a prankster and cut-up especially around his friend Luke Branquinho who came into the finals in the top spot. Luke hasn’t had much luck in the finals this time but he sure knows how to pick his friends. As of today Luke and Jason are fifth and sixth respectively in the world standings. In the grand scheme it won’t matter too much to either of them which one finishes the finals ahead of the other. Their friendship is bound to stay in place much longer than professional rodeo careers throwing steers. Miller continues to lead the average at the finals and keeps climbing in the standings. He topped a very big and tough steer last night to turn him down in 3.9 seconds – splitting second and third place.

Photo: Bulldogger Jason Miller is in position and ready to go. Credit: ESPN


The 2007 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo has three rounds remaining and Casper’s Jhett Johnson – a team roping heeler – is giving it everything he has each time out. Team ropers overall have been fighting demons all week here at the finals. Jhett and his partner suffered a five-second loss last night (only one leg caught) and still finished fifth.
Photo: ESPN captures team roping heeler Jhett Johnson and header Kevin Daniel. Credit: ESPN


In the bareback riding competition, Mills WY pro Kelly Timberman dipped for a little side-saddle action and managed to keep afloat to take home a split of fifth and sixth place cash.

Here’s the dispensation that went to Wyoming last night:

Bobby Welsh - $12,956.73
Jason Miller - $11,370.19
Jhett Johnson - $ 4,230.77
Kanin Asay - $ 4,230.77
Kelly Timberman - $ 3,437.50
$36,225.96



PRCA Photo Contest of the Year
The PRCA has just released the PRCA Photo Contest of the Year. There are 25 photos up for the title and Bullfighter Jeremy Sparks just happens to be one of them. Visit the Blogging Bullfighter for addtional information: http://bullfighterblog.blogspot.com/