Bareback riding is wide open

RENO - The logjam at the top of the bareback standings at the 88th annual Reno Rodeo resembles the Spaghetti Bowl at rush hour.

Jason Havens followed up a first-round 85 on Sunday with an 82 Monday night aboard Major Reno to move into a first-place tie with Heath Ford at 167. Ford's score apparently was marked up by one point by the judges.

"He (Major Reno) was a real nice horse," said Havens, who excited the crowd of 5,310 with his ride. "I've never been on him, but I've seen him a number of times. I've seen guys win rodeos on him up in the Northwest.

"These are the two best horses I've had here and the best two scores I've ever had in Reno."

There are six cowboys within 10 points of the lead, including Kelly Timberman (166). Cleve Schmidt (161) is fourth following a 78-point ride on Reno Fling.

"I can't complain," Schmidt said after his second ride. "I'm having a good time in Reno, and I haven't played a single hand ... yet.

"I've made it to the short round a half-dozen times, but I have yet to win it. That's my goal this year."

If Schmidt can post a big number on Saturday, he might be able to afford to play more than a few hands of blackjacks.

Jason Jeter recorded a 77 on Mount Holly and is fifth at 160. His horse stalled briefly in the stall, but was finally coaxed into the arena.

"I hadn't been on him before," Jeter said. "He wasn't as good of a horse as I would have hoped. I still did enough to get to Saturday, but I'll be just a little behind, though."

Josi Young is sixth at 158, while Royce Ford, Justin McDaniel and Justin Sursa are at 157.

With two more groups of riders still to come, world leader Bobby Mote (153) and Ryan Gray, also in the top five in the world at 154, are in danger of not making Saturday's finals.

Jess Martin, who performed over the weekend, is still the saddle bronc leader at 164 on two rides. Matt Hebbert moved into a second-place tie with Cody Wright at 162 with an 84-point ride aboard Bordello Blues.

"It was a good horse; a real good horse," Hebbert said. "This is the best I've done here. I've been here a couple of years and didn't get anything."

Morgan Forbes remains in third at 161 and Brad Rudolf is a point behind at 160. Veteran Nevada cowboy Ira Slagowski is fifth at 158 following a nice 80-point ride. He's followed by Shaun Stroh 157, J.J. Elshere 156 and Jake Griffin 153.

Billy Etbauer, the five-time world champion has just 151 after a 75-point ride aboard Bartender Blues and is in danger of not making Saturday's finale.

For the first time in four days, the bull riders got the better of the bulls. Before Monday, only six riders had remained upright in three days. Last night, four riders posted scores.

The top score, and the new leader in the event, is Wesley Silcox, who scored a 90 aboard McNasty. Silcox appeared to suffer a slight injury to his right leg because of an awkward dismount.

Silcox, who has two Reno bullriding wins on his resume, is halfway to a third title in the Silver State. He's hoping his good fortunes last one more round.

"I'd never seen it (the bull) before," Silcox said. "I'd seen it a few times. I knew it was a pretty good bull to get on."

Silcox was scheduled to attend another rodeo in Utah, but he may turn out instead.

Joe Meling is now in second with an 88 and Jake Wade is third with an 86. Jarrod Craig moved into a tie for fourth with Sean Case after his 85-point ride aboard Broken Promise. Steve Woolsey recorded an 84 aboard Rapid Reloader and Garret Vig turned in an 80 aboard Rapid Reward.

Only three team ropers posted times. Brandon Harris and Shawn Harris clocked a 6.1, and Turtle Powell and Travis Graves were close behind at 6.3. Keven Daniel and Jhett Johnson remain in the lead with a time of 5.2 seconds.

Monty Lewis, the 2004 tie-down champion, turned in a 12.1 time which was good for eighth place. Scott Kormos remains the leader with a time of 9.3. The round will conclude with a slack performance at 7 a.m. today.

Sherry Cervi, a two-time world champion, had the lowest score in barrel racing with a 17.32. Kali Parker was timed in 17.55 and Abby Davis was timed in 17.98.

Jill Moody remains the barrel racing overall leader at 34.17 followed by Maegan Reichert at 34.31. Brandie Halls is third at 34.47.