BY BRETT NIERENGARTEN @PRORODEOBRETT
Dawson Hay and the legendary Killer Bee matched up Friday night at the NFR and gave the fans a show on the legendary horse’s final out.
Hay was marked 92 points, tying the round record, and was greeted by perhaps the biggest applause of the entire National Finals Rodeo.
“Some horses stick out that you just really want to get on one day, since I started riding broncs, I’ve looked up to anyone who stuck that sucker (Killer Bee),” he said. “I still don’t really remember much of the whole ride.
Speaking of things fans loved Friday night, Hailey Kinsel turned in the fastest time of the rodeo with a 13.34-second run to win Round 9 and set herself up for a Round 10 where either she or reigning World Champion Jordon Briggs will leave with the Gold Buckle.
“I feel like we’re in the middle of the best field of horses, the competitors are great, the horses are amazing,” Kinsel said. “I’m not one to pay attention to results a lot and if I did, I probably would be doing the same thing, which is go fast and see if we can win another round.”
BAREBACK RIDING
On a re-ride, Tim O’Connell bested Kaycee Feild by a half-point to get his first win of Round 8. Jess Pope placed for the eighth time in nine rounds and will likely win the World Title and the NFR Average.
1. Tim O’Connell, 88, $28,914
2. Kaycee Feild, 87,5, $22,851
3. Garrett Shadbolt, 87, $17,255
T4. Clayton Biglow, 85.5, $8,083
T4. Cole Reiner, 85.5, $8,083
T4. Jess Pope, 85.5, $8,083
STEER WRESTLING
Hunter Cure picked up his third round win of the NFR as seven bulldoggers were 4.2 seconds or faster. Cure has registered winning times of 3.4, 3.6 and 3.7.
1. Hunter Cure, 3.6, $28,914
2. Jesse Brown, 3.7, $22,851
3. J.D. Struxness, 3.9, $17,255
T4. Dakota Eldridge, 4.0, $9,793
T4. Tyler Waguespack, 4.0, $9,793
T6. Timmy Sparing, 4.2, $1,555
T6. Rowdy Parrott, 4.2, $1,555
T6. Tanner Brunner, 4.2, $1,555
TEAM ROPING
Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler were able to partly salvage a disappointing NFR by going 3.8 to win Round 9 and get their second check. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith placed for the sixth time and have a massive lead in the Average as the only team to catch all nine.
1. Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler, 3.8, $28,914
T2. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 3.9, $20,053
T2. Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, 3.9, $20,053
4. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.2, $12,125
5. Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, 4.3, $7,462
6. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 4.6, $4,664
SADDLE BRONC RIDING
Dawson Hay’s big ride on Killer Bee got him his third straight check. Behind him, Lefty Holman was second to place eighth time this NFR and Zeke Thurston, the NFR Average leader and projected World Champion, was third.
1. Dawson Hay, 92, $28,914
2. Lefty Holman, 89.5, $22,851
3. Zeke Thurston, 88, $17,255
4. Logan Hay, 86.5, $12,125
5. Chase Brooks, 85.5, $7,462
6. Stetson Wright, 84, $4,664
TIE-DOWN ROPING
Marty Yates has won three checks this NFR and all three have come from round wins.
1. Marty Yates, 7.8, $28,914
2. Ty Harris, 8.0, $22,851
3. Tuf Cooper, 8.2, $17,255
4. Hunter Herrin, 8.6, $12,125
5. Zack Jongbloed, 8.8, $7,462
6. Haven Meged, 9.3, $4,664
BARREL RACING
Hailey Kinsel’s clutch Round 9 win set her up for about a 50-50 shot the Gold Buckle as most scenarios have her only needing to not hit a barrel and finish ahead of Jordon Briggs to win her fourth World Title.
1. Hailey Kinsel, 13.34, $28,914
2. Emily Beisel, 13.38, $22,851
3. Shelley Morgan, 13.47, $17,255
4. Margo Crowther, 13.52, $12,125
T5. Dona Kay Rule, 13.59, $6,063
T5. Lisa Lockhart, 13.59, $6,063
BULL RIDING
After starting 0-of-7, Trey Holston found some mojo in Round 8 and followed it up with a Round 9, the first for the NFR rookie. Stetson Wright covered his bull for the eighth time this NFR and has a chance to be the first to cover nine bulls in Las Vegas since 1996.
1. Trey Holston, 89,5, $29,846
2. Tristen Hutchings, 88.5, $23,784
3. Ky Hamilton, 88, $18,188
4. Jeff Askey, 85, $13,058
5. Stetson Wright, 82.5, $8,394