Rodeo: Showdown in bull riding highlights Champions Challenge

Two-time world champion Sage Kimzey was the final bull rider Tuesday night at the Wrangler Champions Challenge in Kennewick, and he knew he needed a top score on Whiskey Bent to take home a nice paycheck.

Rookie Roscoe Jarboe (RAM team), the sixth man out and the first to get a legal ride on the night, held the led with an 85.5-point score on Golly Gee.

Kimzey (B&W Trailer Hitches) did his part, and was given an 85.5-point ride to land in a tie with Jarboe.

“Roscoe is a great bull rider and already a force to be reckoned with,” said Kimzey, who leads the world standings and has a $48,000 lead over the next man. “The level of talent the young guys have, and their mental capability, it’s unheard of to have that many rookies of that caliber.”

Jarboe, who is sixth in the world standings, and leads the rookie standings with $77,851, picked up his first Champions Challenge win.

“We are fall fair game out there,” Jarboe said. “It’s always a good day when you win money. As a pro bull rider, you have expectations. To reach those goals is awesome.”

Though Kimzey is headed to his third NFR and has a sizable lead, he’s not about to take his foot off the gas pedal.

“Everyone is battling hard and I’m not giving up,” said Kimzey, who also leads the Champions Challenge bull riding standings. “My job doesn’t change, I still have to get on my bull. I’m trying to cushion that lead. Every dollar is so crucial. The bigger the lead you have (going into the NFR), the better your chances are for a world title.”

Evan Jayne, riding for the Horse Heaven Round-Up/Kennewick team, had the top ride of the night in the bareback with an 85.5-point score on Big Prize. The payout will put him close to $70,000 for the year and sealed his trip to the NFR.

“I’m more than safe,” Jayne said of earning his second trip to the NFR. “I’d never been on that horse, and felt stupid asking the stock contractor about her. She was a little challenging at first, but I just kind of kicked myself in the butt and got to work.”

The Horse Heaven Round-Up/Kennewick team also got a win from barrel racer Pamela Capper, who turned in the top run of 17.26 seconds, and a second-place finish by Cody Rostockyj in the bull riding (81.5 points).

Jake Wright, who is trying to stay in the top 10 in the world standings, topped the saddle bronc field with an 83-point ride on Look Again.

“It’s always good to be first,” said Wright, who competed for the Coors team. “I’ve been banged up a little and it’s nice to get back out here.”

Team ropers Luke Brown and Jake Long, who are on the B&W Trailer Hitches team, had the hot run of the night in the team roping at 4.1 seconds.

“This was huge,” Brown said. “We are in the top three (of the world standings), and to win here is a big deal.”

Blake Knowles (ProRodeo Hall of Fame) and K.C. Jones (RAM) tied for the top time in steer wrestling at 4.4 seconds, while the top tie-down run went to Marcos Costa (Justin Boots) and Hunter Herrin (B&W Trailer Hitches) at 8.2 seconds.

This story was originally published August 23, 2016 at 11:42 PM with the headline "Rodeo: Showdown in bull riding highlights Champions Challenge."