Bradley Harter of Weatherford, Texas, added another California victory to his collection of titles after scoring 90 points on Flying Five Rodeo’s No. 756 to win the saddle bronc riding championship at the Grand National Rodeo in San Francisco.
Harter, who in 2005 won average titles at California Rodeo Salinas and the Clovis Rodeo, earned $7,089 as he seeks to return to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo later this year after having his two-year streak snapped in 2007.
Team roper Daniel Green reached the Wrangler NFR 10 years in a row from 1994-2003, and the Oakdale, Calif., cowboy showed his championship form at the Cow Palace. Along with partner Todd Hampton of Chowchilla, Calif., the team roped two calves in 11.4 seconds to win the average title and $3,049 each.
Two titles ended in ties, one on each end of the arena. In bareback riding, Paul Jones of Elko, Nev., and Justin McDaniel of Porum, Okla., each turned in 83-point rides. Both earned $5,381. Tie-down ropers Casey Branquinho of Los Alamos, Calif., and Seth Hopper each roped and tied two calves in 17.0 seconds. Branquinho, the older brother of 2004 World Champion Steer Wrestler Luke Branquinho, earned $3,338, while Hopper, a two-time Columbia River Circuit tie-down roping champion, bagged $3,592.
Other Grand National Rodeo champions were steer wrestler Matt Deskovick of Ramona, Calif., 7.8 seconds on two head, $4,513; and bull rider Casey Baize of San Angelo, Texas, 87 points, $7,688.
Grand National Rodeo Champions
Bareback Riding
(tie) Paul Jones (Elko, Nev.) and Justin McDaniel (Porum, Okla.), 83 points, $5,381 each
Steer Wrestling
Matt Deskovick (Ramona, Calif.), 7.8/2, $4,513
Team Roping
Daniel Green (Oakdale, Calif.)/Todd Hampton (Chowchilla, Calif.), 11.4/2, $3,049 each
Saddle Bronc Riding
Bradley Harter (Weatherford, Texas), 90 points, $7,089
Tie-Down Roping
(tie) Casey Branquinho (Los Alamos, Calif.) and Seth Hopper (Stanfield, Ore.), 17.0/2, $3,338 and $3,592, respectively
Bull Riding
Casey Baize (San Angelo, Texas), 87 points, $7,688