Mote matches bareback record

LAS VEGAS – Bobby Mote matched the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo bareback record for the second time in three rounds Wednesday night, scoring 91.5 points on Spring Fling in the seventh round to take the season lead.

“It was more of a personal challenge,” Mote said. “I’ve dreamed about getting on her at the NFR so many times. When I’m dreaming about great stuff happening, she always pops into my head. She’s a legend, and I’m just so tickled I got to get on her.”

Spring Fling is from Big Bend Rodeo of Ritzville.

Mote, from Culver, Ore., also tied the NFR bareback record set by Justin McDaniel and Will Lowe in 2007 with a 91.5 on Big Tex in the fifth round.

Cheney’s Ryan Gray placed sixth in bareback (85.0) to earn $2,704.33. Gray stands in third place overall in the NFR aggregate race (591.0).

Mote is a close second in the aggregate with a score of 600.5 on seven rides. Justin McDaniel, who didn’t place among the top six in round seven, is the leader at 601 on seven rides.

Among other area cowboys, Zack Oakes of Elk, Wash., placed third in bull riding (84.0) to earn $10,006.01. Oakes stands 13th overall.

Tyson Durfey of Colbert placed sixth in tie-down roping (8.7 seconds) to earn $2,704.33. Durfey, who won the second round, stands third overall.

In team roping, Trevor Brazile of Decatur, Texas, and Patrick Smith of Midland, Texas, won their first 2008 NFR round in a time of 3.9.

Brazile, who earned $16,767 for his part in the win, is $49,805 away from becoming the PRCA’s first $3 million cowboy.