In his only appearance at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, South Dakotan Cody Taton won the 2008 saddle bronc riding average title.

During the 30 performances of the Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show Rodeo, Taton took home the biggest payday of any contestant in the field, $13,259. He placed in all three go-rounds, including wins in the first and short rounds, to run away with the average title – his 252, three-head total was 10 points better than runner-up Cody Wright.

Taton, who lives in Corona, N.M., with his wife, Jordan Muncy-Taton, moves into the No. 1 spot in the world standings. More importantly, it gives the 10-year pro outstanding momentum through the remainder of the ProRodeo season. He’d love to carry that to his second qualification to ProRodeo’s grand finale in Las Vegas.

Taton is just one of the Fort Worth champions who were honored Saturday night. Other winners are bareback riders Kaycee Feild and Will Lowe, steer wrestler Curtis Cassidy, team ropers Kory Koontz and Erich Rogers, tie-down roper Jared Kempker, barrel racer Nikki Steffes and bull rider Trevor Kastner.