Clayton Rides

The first time in the box he was thrown back and forth, up and down and all around and finally jettisoned over the front end of his bull for the knock-out punch. Casper bull rider Clayton Savage was pulled from the bull and given some time to refresh. A few rides later at the first Friday night edition of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Savage got back on Sooner Shaker and spurred him to an 87, second place, and $13,500. And he unknowingly performed this uncanny act wearing a bareback riding friend’s cowboy hat. We give you a night to remember for Wyoming and rodeo fans everywhere:



Clayton Savage says it felt great to complete his first successful performance at a national finals and he has sights set on doing so eight more times this year. Bobby Welsh of Gillette took his 58 in favor of a re-ride and that turned out to be the right choice. Only six men rode for scores last night. Bobby picked up a sixth-place check for $2,700 and held his number one stance in the average. It is early but check that bull riding leaderboard. Three out of the top four spots are filled by Wyoming’s Welsh, Asay and Savage respectively.

A Lot of Bull

Wyoming-owned bulls had a nifty night Friday with two throwing their riders early and one bucking his, Tate Stratton, to an 80-point score and fifth-place money. Powder River Rodeo Co. of Riverton let out Disco Dancer for Stratton’s dancing pleasure. Burns Rodeo of Laramie had Conspiracy and Kid Twist taking to the arena floor as dance partners who weren’t in the mood for harmonic convergence with the men on them:



Round 3 of the WNFR airs live tonight at 7 Mountain Time on ESPN Classic. For those who’ve not been able to catch the broadcasts yet there will be easier access for three rounds starting tomorrow evening on ESPN2.