Rodeo: Cowboy has Big Tex’s number

Ryan Gray knows a thing or two about big scores in Pro Rodeo.

Just two months ago, the Cheney, Wash., bareback rider tied the world record with a 94-point ride at a rodeo in Eagle, Colo. On Saturday night at Qwest Center Omaha, Gray rode the Classic Pro Rodeo horse Big Tex for 92 points, the highest-marked ride in any event through the three-day Justin Boots Championships in conjunction with the River City Roundup.

It also helped Gray to a $32,171 payday and moved him comfortably into the No. 3 position in bareback riding standings heading into the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s grand finale, the National Finals Rodeo, set for December in Las Vegas.

“They set the arena record on that horse at the NFR last year,” said Gray, who, by finishing in the top 15 of his event, will qualify for the NFR for the fifth time in his seven-year career. “It always helps when you’re winning no matter where it is, but this is pretty big.

“I’m healthy, and getting a win this time of year is a good boost.”

Being healthy is big, especially in bareback riding, where cowboys wedge their hands to a rigging that is strapped tightly to the backs of bucking horses. Even rides on the gentlest of bareback horses tend to leave bronc busters with some sort of ache.

“When you get to the end of any year in any sport, it’s tough to stay healthy, but especially in my event,” said Gray, 26, who packs 170 pounds on a 5-foot-7 body. “You can get any little aches and pains throughout the year, and they just don’t go away.”

In the three roughstock events — bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding — scores are based on a 100-point scale, with 50 going to the animal and 50 to the cowboy. Rides in the 90s translate into animals that are not only athletic but also more difficult to ride.

Gray has proven this season that he handles those beasts pretty well.

“That’s just a great horse,” Gray said of Big Tex.

The River City Roundup had its share of big rides, and Gray posted two of them. Besides Saturday night’s high score, he also posted an 89 on Friday night on J Bar J Rodeo’s First Light. But bull rider J.W. Harris of May, Texas, posted a 90 on opening night, then bettered that score during the final round Saturday, matching moves with the Four L Diamond S Rodeo’s Velvet Elvis for 91 points to win that event.

Harris, the reigning world champion, added $32,083 of Nebraska cash to his already substantial lead in the world standings; he stands at $222,707, almost $100,000 ahead of the No. 2 man, Bobby Welch of Gillette, Wyo.

Not only do dollars help pay bills, but they are also the points used in the world standings. At the end of the season, including the NFR, the contestant with the most money won in each event is crowned world champion.

Over the past few years, nobody knows that better than all-around hand Trevor Brazile of Decatur, Texas, a nine-time gold-buckle winner. He won the tie-down roping at the Qwest Center, blasting through the final round in 7.2 seconds. Now closing in on a record-tying seventh career all-around title, he pocketed a little more than $26,000 over the weekend.

He attributes his strong season, like most cowboys this time of year, to being healthy.

“It’s been a phenomenal year,” said Brazile, who has earned more than $250,000 while competing in tie-down roping, team roping and steer roping. “But this year, I’ve been as healthy as I’ve been in a long, long time.”

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