LOVINGTON, N.M. – Since he first joined the ranks of ProRodeo, Brian Bain has been considered one of the best bareback riders in the business.
In 2011, he’s showing the world. Bain, of Culver, Ore., is No. 11 in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings. On Wednesday night at Jake McClure Arena, Bain rode the Carr Pro Rodeo horse Black Coffee for 87 points to take the lead in bareback riding during the opening performance of the Lea County Fair and Rodeo.
“I’d seen that horse a few times, but I’d never been on her,” Bain said. “I didn’t know if she’d fit me all that well, because she’s smaller and she’s really fast.
“It turned out all right.”
Yes, it did. In a rodeo that features some of the best bareback horses in the business, Bain drew a strong horse from the Dallas-based livestock firm owned by Pete Carr. Black Coffee has been featured at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, ProRodeo’s grand champion that features the best athletes, both human and animal.
“There’s nothing like nodding your head before a crowd,” said Bain, 29, now in his fifth year in the PRCA. “I love going to Pete’s rodeos, because you can get on great bucking horses. I don’t go to a lot of rodeos Pete does, but when I do, I really like it. He’s one of the best stock contractors out there.
“The tough part when you go to one of Pete’s rodeos is that it takes an 84 to even get a check.”
Bain would love for his score to hold up for the Lovington championship, but he knows there are plenty of great match-ups over the next three performances.
“I like to make money, but to win a rodeo is something special,” he said.
Lea County Fair and Rodeo
Lovington, N.M.
After First Performance
BAREBACK RIDING
1. Brian Bain, 87 points on Carr Pro Rodeo’s Black Coffee; 2. Lee Lantz, 85; 3. Caleb Bennett, 84; 4. Royce Ford, 75.
STEER WRESTLING
First round leaders: 1. Dean Gorsuch, 3.9 seconds; 2. Shane Henderson, 4.1; 3. Seth Braockman and Ken Lewis, 4.2; 5. Stockton Graves and Stan Branco, 4.9; 7. Olin Hannum, 5.1; 8. Josh Peek and John Franzen, 5.6.
Second round leaders: 1. Dean Gorsuch, 4.3 seconds; 2. Stan Branco, 4.4; 3. Clayton Morrison, 4.7; 4. Brad McGilchrist, 4.9; 5. Les Shepperson, 5.0; 6. Chance Campbell, 7.2; 7. Gabe Ledoux, 13.8; 8. Kyle Hughes, 14.7.
TIE-DOWN ROPING
First round leaders: 1. Seth Hooper and Houston Hutto, 9.3 seconds; 3. Ryan Jarrett and Joseph Gernentz, 9.6; 5. Jerome Schneeberger, 9.7; 6. Kyle Dutton, 9.9; 7. Jayce Johnson, 10.5; 8. Jake Hannum, 11.0.
Second round leaders: 1. Josh Peek, 8.9 seconds; 2. Marty Jones, 11.7; 3. Johnny Salvo, 13.6; 4. Jeremiah Peek, 13.8; 5. Tommy Smith, 15.6;
SADDLE BRONC RIDING
1. Cody Angland, 85 points on Miss Congeniality; 2. Sterling Crawford, 80; 3. Taos Muncy and Casey Sisk, 77; 5. Zachariah Phillips, 73.
STEER ROPING
Third round leaders: 1. Rocky Patterson, 8.7; 2. Jake DeGeer, 10.0; 3. Chris Glover, 10.2; 4. Cody Garnett, 10.3; 5. Shay Good, 10.4; 6. Trevor Brazile, 10.5; 7. J.D. Yates, 11.1; 8. Bobby Joe Hill, 1 2.3.
Average leaders: 1. Trevor Brazile, 32.4 on three runs; 2. Shay Good, 32.8; 3. Ralph Williams, 35.4; 4. Ty Herd, 36.5; 5. Rocky Patterson, 37.0; 6. Leo Campbell, 39.9; 7. Chris Glover, 41.0; 8. Cody Garnett, 42.5.
TEAM ROPING
First round leaders: 1. Keven Daniel/Chase Tryan, 5.2 seconds; 2. Ryan Jarrett/K.C. Curtis, 5.3; 3. Chad Masters/Jade Corkill, 5.4; 4. Tommy Edens/Justin Hendrick, 5.7; 5. Charly Crawford/Russell Cardoza, 6.9; 6. Brandon Beers/Jim Ross Cooper, 11.5.
Second round leaders: 1. Ty Blasingame/Cody Hintz, 4.3; 2. Erich Rochers/Kory Koontz and Brandon Beers/Jim Ross Cooper, 5.2; 4. David Motes/Ryon Tittel, 5.4; 5. Tommy Edens/Justin Hendrick, 5.5; 6. Caleb Mitchell/B.J. Dugger, 5.6.
BARREL RACING
1. Sydni Blanchard, 16.99 seconds; 2. Cindy Smith, 17.77; 3. Kim Schulze, 17.86; 4. Calie Rios, 18.22; 5. Crystal Logan, 18.25; 6. Layna Kight, 23.04; 7. Kandace Blanchard, 23.94.
BULL RIDING
1. Bryan Richardson, 80 points on Do Or Die Rodeos’ Anvil Tough; 2. Logan Knibbe, 79; 3. Jacob O’Mara and Colin McTaggart, 76; 5. Allen Helmuth, 75; 6. Tag Elliott, 72.