RENO - Jesse Bail is just happy to be rodeoing at this time of the year. Chet Johnson is hoping to have even more success than he did two years ago when he won a round.
Bail posted an 88 aboard Sam's Town and Johnson an 87 on Black Wasp to highlight Tuesday night's saddle bronc competition at the 88th annual Reno Rodeo at the Reno Livestock Events Center.
Both riders would need a score in the high 70s tonight to pass Jess Martin and move into first place. Both appear to be a lock at making Saturday's finals.
Bradley Harter scored a 79, followed by Cody DeMoss and Cody Taton at 76. Dustin Flundra and Chad Ferley, defending champion, also posted a 76.
"I was in trouble," Johnson said. "He about bucked me off. He about pulled me over his head with my rein. I hadn't see the horse before. Cody (Wright) scored an 84 on him two nights ago. I was really excited to get that horse.
"I won a round here a couple of years ago. It was one of the better things I'd done. This is such a good rodeo. I want to do well. I got a good draw tomorrow (today), but it's not quite as strong (as Black Wasp)."
Bail hadn't been to Reno in two years because of a broken leg and broken wrist.
"I'm just happy to be participating," Bail said. "I had that horse last year at Red Bluff and he bucked me off. I was tickled to death to have him again. I thought it would be a pretty good ride.
"He went straight down (the arena). I felt like he had a couple of moves. That's more points I guess. Maybe he was better than I thought he was."
In bullriding, the bulls got the best of the cowboys again. Only two of the nine riders were able to stay upright.
Former world champion B.J. Schumacher posted the best score of the night, a 76 aboard Water Gate. Tyler Johnston posted a 71 aboard Water Table.
Schumacher has a good opportunity to make Saturday's finals. The leader is Wesley Silcox at 90 followed by Joe Meling 88, Jake Wade 86, Jarrod Craig and Sean Case 85, Steve Woolsey 84, Alex Dudley 81 and Garrett Vig 80.
It was redemption of sorts for Schumacher, who was unceremoniously dumped .03 seconds into his ride during Xtreme Bulls last Thursday.
"It was an average bull," Schumacher said. "It turned right into my hand. It kind of got flat after that. If he had kept bucking like he did at the start he would have been a good bull. I did all that I could."
Schumacher is currently ninth, and if he gets a good draw and can stay on, has a chance to win the title. One thing is certain, in bullriding, no lead is safe.
"You have to forget about it," Schumacher said. "It was a whole different event. If I do my job and make my two bulls that's all I can do."
In bareback riding, Steve Andlng, aboard Bruce Almighty, and Steve Dent, aboard Montego Bay, both scored 82s.
"I'd seen it (Bruce Almighty) a couple of times," Anding said. "It was a good horse. I haven't done worth a damn here. Maybe things will change. That's what I'm hoping for."
Heath Ford and Jason Havens are tied for the lead with 167 on two head. Kelly Timberman is a point back at 166.
Only three teams posted scores in team roping. Mike and Brandon Beers were timed in 5.3 seconds, Waylon McCurley and Joseph Shawnego posted a 5.4. Gary Ford and Chance Johnson were next with a 5.8.
Johnson and Ford have a two-head total of 10.8 and the Beers brothers are at 11.2.
Kim Kammenzind had the fastest barrel racing time at 17.38. Tracy Kenyon clocked a 17.57, Jan Duquette 17.81 and two-time world champ Kelly Kaminski 18.52.
Jill Moody remains the overall leader at 34.17 on two runs.
Jake Hettinger had the fastest time in steer wrestling at 4.1, followed by Sean Mulligan at 5.0 and defending champ B.J. Campbell was next at 5.3.
Todd Suhn is the overall steer wrestling leader at 8.7 on two head, which is .8 better than Stockton Graves (9.5). Ben Goodman is third at 9.6 and Glen Clark is fourth at 10.0. Blake Knowles is fifth at 10.1.