JON GOLD Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Wednesday, June 13, 2007 12:00 am
BULL RIDING
The night took a somber tone late in the evening, when Jared Allen's ride of AC-DC turned into disaster. The bull immediately turned into the gate instead of toward the arena, and on the ensuing kick, his right back hoof caught onto the gate.
Allen said he did not realize the bull was caught as it continued to buck, and he stayed on for roughly 14 seconds before hopping off. The crowd was left stunned as AC-DC continued to fight for his foot and, ultimately, arena officials had to remove the gate.
Minutes later, on his reride attempt, Allen again was unlucky as, remarkably, his next bull got caught. Luckily for the bull, it was able to kick free almost immediately but fell to the ground and almost landed on Allen, who got away unharmed.
No other riders had luck as no scores were registered.
BAREBACK RIDING
Spice Mix and Breezy Day paid off for a pair of 76ers Tuesday night in the third go-round's opening bareback riding session.
Jared Smith of Ranger College and Jared Keylon of Fort Scott CC scored matching 76 rides, besting Panola College's Matt Smith by a point. Jared Smith's ride gives him a solid long-go score of 229, followed by Keylon's 226.
Smith and Keylon trail South Dakota State's Joe Gunderson, who registered a 71 (234 overall) to maintain the lead he earned after both the first and second go-round.
SADDLE BRONC RIDING
Panhandle State's Taos Muncy put together his third consecutive impressive ride, scoring a 77 Tuesday night to follow his 77 and 78 in the first and second go-rounds, respectively.
If not for a relatively mediocre 73 in his second go-round, Ranger College's Steven Dent would be side-by-side with Muncy. Dent's 79 led Tuesday night's scoring, giving him an average of 228.
West Texas A&M's Marty Eakin, meanwhile, was a bit more consistent, adding a 76 to a pair of 75s in his first two runs.
After scoring an 81 in the first go-round, Treasure Valley CC's Frank McCay again struggled, failing to register a score.