RENO - Colin McTaggart is on a roll that bullriders only dream about.
McTaggart, who won the Xtreme Bulls event last week and won an event in Utah earlier this week, scored a 90 aboard Scoundrel to move into second place Thursday night at the Reno Rodeo at the Reno Livestock Events Center.
McTaggart trails reigning world champ J.W. Harris by a single point, 91-90. Zack Oakes posted an impressive 86 aboard Little Hitler and Shane Gordon posted an 84 on Stone Cold.
"I'm really loving Reno right now," said McTaggart, who lives in Las Vegas. "He (Scoundrel) didn't go both ways. He set me up right away. I felt like I got it secured. He kept going different speeds and hesitating. He was trying everything he could to get me off."
McTaggart said this week is a microcosm of his career.
"A lot of my success has been in streaks," he said. "I'd rather be more consistent. I'm on a pretty good roll the last week or so. Hopefully it continues."
It was easily the best night of the week in bareback riding.
Of the 11 riders, 10 posted clean rides, and six of those rides were 80 points or better. Only three points separated the top six bareback riders Thursday night.
Zach Curran of Arvada, Colorado, the same town that produced ex-Wolf Pack hoop great Nick Fazekas, posted an 83 aboard Ragidy Ann which was good enough to tie for third in the first go and earn some money.
Steven Peebles and Jason Jeter posted 81s, while Cody DeMers, Zac Compton and Joe Gunderson all had 80s.
"I hadn't been on it," Curran said. "I hadn't even heard of her. I talked to some people that said she was a good horse."
Curran drew Wind Chimes for his second round tonight, which is another new horse for him. Curran said he heard that his draw used to be used in saddle bronc.
Curran's 83 puts him in good position to come back on Saturday. Kaycee Feild still leads the way with 168, while world leader Clint Cannon is second at 165. Justin McDaniel is third at 183 and Heath Ford, Cannon's travel partner, is at 162. Curran would need an 80 tonight to crack the top five.
North Dakota's Shaun Stroh moved into third place on the first go in saddle bronc with an 86 on Billy the Kid. Jeff Willert and defending Reno Rodeo champion Jesse Kruse each posted 82s. Joe Heguy recorded an 80.
"I'd never been on that horse before," Stroh said. "It was supposed to be a good horse."
Dusty Hausauer still leads saddle bronc riders with a 169, while Justin Arnold is at 166. Brad Harter is third at 164, Cody Wright is next at 163 and Chad Ferley is at 162.
It was a tough night for team ropers. Only three of 12 competitors posted times. Cole Bigbee and Tanner Bryson posted a 6.2 for a two-ride total of 13.3, which was good enough for 12th place.
Chad Masters and Fallon's Jade Corkill still lead the team roping at 10.7, while the teams of Travis Tryan and Michael Jones, and JoJo Lemond and Randon Adams are tied for second at 11.8. After a two-year hiatus, Corkill is back in the finals for the first time since his rookie year.
The steer wrestling produced just two good scores - a 5.7 by Montana cowboy Ted Gollaher, who performed a takedown that would make any pro wrestler jealous, and a 6.2 by Gabe Taylor.
B.J. Campbell still leads the field at 8.4 for two rides, while Joey Bell is second at 9.1 and Dean Gorsuch is still third 9.9 and Spud Duvall is fourth at 10.2.
In calf roping, Seth Emerson clocked an 11.7 last night, while Clint Arave is at 12.2. Pete Jones is at 12.7. All have an attempt left tonight. Jason Vohs leads with a 19.0 on two attempts, while Matt Shiozawa is at 19.2.
In barrel racing, Brenda Seely posted a 17.23, while Sammi Bessert is at 17.46. Morgan Montello posted a 17.66.
Lindsay Sears leads the field at 34.03, while Sue Smith is at 34.41. P.J. Burger is third at 34.45.