Jet Price wasn't going to let a little thing like running order deter him from putting up a good score in the second go-round of bareback riding at the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo on Friday.
Price went first, put up an 86, and watched as the rest of the field at All Seasons Arena tried - and failed - to top it.
"I guess it don't matter," the Buffalo, S.D., cowboy said. "You can't always choose."
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Adam Lawson/MDN
Jet Price holds on during his run at the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo on Friday at All Seasons Arena.
Bareback riders are scored on a 100-point scale based on their ability to ride a bucking horse and the horse's bucking strength. Riders may use only one hand. If a cowboy's free hand touches the horse or equipment or the rider falls off before eight seconds have elapsed, the rider is disqualified.
It was the second 86 in a row for Price, who also won the first go-round. Price was positioned in fifth place more than $3,000 behind circuit leader Casey Breuer at the start of the rodeo, but if he can hold onto the 12-point lead he has over Mandan's Ty Breuer for the next two nights he'll earn one of two tickets to nationals. The other will go to the rider that leads the overall standings after the rodeo.
Price's score was easily enough to hold off Midland, S.D., cowboy John Addison's 83 and Ty Breuer's 82. Price said his horse Crystalyx ran exactly like he anticipated he would, taking off quickly to the right before making his way straight down the arena.
"He's pretty fast out there," Price said.
Despite the fact that he is going head-to-head against Price and other cowboys, Ty Breuer, Casey's brother, said there is no ill will between competitors and that he is friends with most of them.
"You're not riding against each other really," Ty Breuer said. "Your competitor is the horse. ... (Jet's) riding really good. I'm proud of him."
Casey Breuer scored 79 points and is positioned 16 behind Price for the last two nights.
"I could have probably done a little bitter," Casey Breuer said. "That's my part. The horse dang sure did hers. (I'm) still in the average and that's what pays in the end. We've got two more rounds."
Action resumes at 6:30 tonight.