POCATELLO, Idaho – Matt Shiozawa was born in Pocatello and lives in neighboring Chubbuck, so he figured that unless he figured out a way to reward all the emotional support in Holt Arena “it could lead to some uncomfortable moments over at the feed store.”
Shiozawa instead gave local rodeo fans a moment they won’t soon forget, winning the tie-down roping at the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, presented by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, in a finish more appropriate to Hollywood than Pocatello.
Shiozawa, the last man out of the chutes in the four-man Wrangler Round, produced a time of 7.3 seconds just moments after Californian Wes Lockard had gone 7.6, the fastest time of the week to that point.
“I think it was almost better for (Lockard) to put up a 7.6, than an 8.6,” Shiozawa said, “because then you just let it go. You aren’t tempted to get conservative, play it safe and mess things up.
“It was kind of the perfect ending to what has been a wild week, with all the attention, all the calls and stuff. Luckily, I was able to keep my focus through it all.”
Shiozawa had also won the semifinal round earlier in the evening with a 7.8 second run to edge another local favorite, Nate Baldwin of Blackfoot. The two wins brought Shiozawa’s winnings for the week to $13,238 (along with the use of a Dodge truck for the year ) and helped the Wilderness Circuit easily repeat as team champion.
Montana barrel racer Shelley Murphy, devastated by the death of her father, Scott Perrigo, in a car accident a day earlier, found her own way to pay tribute to him on Saturday night.
Murphy broke the DNCFR record with a time of 14.84 seconds in the Wrangler Round, edging long-time rival Rachael Myllymaki, who had broken the record the night before with a 14.91 run.
“I know my dad was here watching over me,” Murphy said. “Rachael had a 14.97 run just ahead of me, so all I could do was pray and try to go as fast as I could.”
For 2006 World Champion Saddle Bronc rider Chad Ferley, of Oelrichs, S.D., this DNCFR had something of the feel of a comeback. He says his timing is back. He’s found his rhythm.
Ferley came into the Saturday night program as the two-head average winner, then tied for first in the semifinals and won the Wrangler Round with an 85 point ride on Big Bend Rodeo’s Kool Toddy.
He figures part of the reason for the big week – Ferley earned a rodeo best $17,328 – came from being around his many circuit and NFR friends like Cody Wright.
“We all know each other really well,” Ferley said. “We have joked around and giggled.”
Chris Harris, of Itasca, Texas, had an 87 point ride on Kesler Rodeo’s Street Dance to win the Wrangler Round and with it the DNCFR title.
“To come here and have a chance to win a national championship is unbelievable. I came here in 1996, and knew I wanted to win this and then in about 2003 a lot of bad things happened in my life,” said Harris who has publicly talked about overcoming drug addition.
“I lost track of what I was here to do. I was just put here to riding bucking horses. You can tell by the way I ride. To be back doing what I love and win a national championship is wonderful.”
Although laboring with a partially torn MCL, K.C. Jones of Dacatur, Texas, was the model of consistency in pulling off a win in the steer wrestling. Jones, the last alternate to get into the field late Tuesday night, finished second in the semifinals with a 4.3 run to Texas teammate Mickey Gee’s 3.8 and then won the finale with another 4.3 run.
Jones rode Gee’s horse Junior and Gee hazed for him. Jones then hazed for Gee.
“I said (to Mickey) ‘do you think they would give us two trucks if we tied?’ Let’s just go tie,” said Jones with a chuckle.
“We have helped each other along,” Gee said. “We have been supportive of each other our whole rodeo careers. We live about an hour away from each other. We just have a good friendship.”
Poncho Limas, a protégé of three-time DNCFR champion Cody Custer, had an 89 point ride to win the semifinals, but none of the four finalists made it to the eight second whistle in the finals.
Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo Final Results:
All Around cowboy: Chad Ferley, $17,328.
Bareback riding:
Semifinal round: 1. (tie) Jessy Davis, Payson, Utah, on JS Rodeo’s Let’s Play and Chris Harris, Itasca, Texas, on Kesler Rodeo’s Painted Smile, 86 points, $3,319 each; 3. Tom McFarland, Wickenburg, Ariz., 80, $1,897; 4. Steven Anding, Crossroads, Texas, 76, $948; 5. Tyson Thompson, Merrill, Ore., 72; 6. Scotty NeSmith, Russelville, Tenn., 71; 7. (tie) Kaycee Feild, Elk Ridge, Utah, and Noah Bayes, Adrian, Ore., NS.
Wrangler round: 1. Chris Harris, Itasca, Texas, 87 points on Kesler Rodeo’s Street Dance, $3,794; 2. Tom McFarland, Wickenburg, Ariz., 83, $2,845; 3. Jessy Davis, 82, $1,897; 4. Steven Anding, Crossroads, Texas, $948.
Total event earnings: 1. Jessy Davis, Payson, Utah, $16,597; 2. Chris Harris, Itasca, Texas, $10,433; 3. Steven Anding, Crossroads, Texas, $4,742; 4. Tom McFarland, Wickenburg, Ariz., $4,742; 5. Tyson Thompson, Merrill, Ore., $3,319; 6. (tie) Matt Bright, Loudon, Tenn., and Zach Curran, Arvada, Colo., $2,371 each; 8. Dustin Murray, Midwest City, Okla., $1,897; 9. (tie) Scotty NeSmith, Russelville, Tenn., and Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore., $474 each.
Steer wrestling:
Semifinal round: 1. Mickey Gee, Wichita Falls, Texas, 3.8 seconds, $3,957; 2. K.C. Jones, Decatur, Texas, 4.3, $2,968; 3. Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb., 4.7, $1,979; 4. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., 5.0, $989; 5. Stockton Graves, Newkirk, Okla., 5.5; 6. (tie) Seth Hadlock, Liberty, Utah; Craig Smith, West Haven, Utah and Shawn Downing, Silver Star, Mont., NT.
Wrangler round: 1. K.C. Jones, Decatur, Texas, 4.3 seconds, $3,957; 2. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., 4.6, $2,968; 3. Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb., 5.8, $1,979; 4. Mickey Gee, Wichita Falls, Texas, 6.0, $989.
Total event earnings: 1. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., $15,334; 2. K.C. Jones, Decatur, Texas, $11,871; 3. Mickey Gee, Wichita Falls, Texas, $4,946; 4. Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb., $3,957; 5. Shawn Greenfield, Lakeview, Ore., $3,462; 6. (tie) Matt Gilbert, Camp Crook, S.D., and Seth Hadlock, Liberty, Utah, $2,968 each; 8. (tie) Chad Van Campen, Lamar, Colo., and Stockton Graves, Newkirk, Okla., $1,484; 10. Nick Griffith, Donville, Ala., $989.
Team roping:
Semifinal round: 1. Justin Spence, Modesto, Calif./Evan Arnold, Santa Margarita, 5.3 seconds, $3,812 each; 2. Brandon Beers, Powell Butte, Ore./Dean Tuftin, Prineville, Ore., 5.6, $2,859; 3. Colby Siddoway, Argyle, Texas/Jade Anderson, Goshen, Utah, 7.0, $1,906; 4. Richard Lowe, Tucson, Ariz./T.J. Brown, Payson, Ariz., 7.1, $953; 5. Tommy Edens, Gatesville, Texas/Rich Skelton, Llano, Texas, 10.0; 6. (tie) David Motes, Tolar, Texas/Dee Rampy, Bertram, Texas and Billy Berry, Rainesville, Ala./Derick Freeman, Dadeville, Ala., 10.2.
Wrangler round: 1. Justin Spence, Modesto, Calif./Evan Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif., 4.5 seconds, $3,812; 2. Brandon Beers, Powell Butte, Ore./Dean Tuftin, Prineville, Ore., 4.7, $2,859; 3. Colby Siddoway, Argyle, Texas/Jade Anderson, Goshen, Utah, 9.5, $1,906; 4. Richard Lowe, Tucson, Ariz./TJ Brown, Payson, Ariz., 14.4, $953.
Total event earnings: 1. Colby Siddoway, Argyle, Texas/Jade Anderson, Goshen, Utah, $10,006; 2. Justin Spence, Modesto, Calif./Evan Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif., $9,529; 3. Richard Lowe, Tucson, Ariz./TJ Brown, Payson, Ariz., $9,053; 4. Brandon Beers, Powell Butte, Ore./Dean Tuftin, Prineville, Ore., $8,100; 5. Matt Sherwood, Queen Creek, Ariz./Randon Adams, Logandale, Nev., $3,812; 6. Nick Sartain, Alva, Okla./Shannon Frascht, Alva, Okla., $2,859; 7. Jimmy Tanner, Tifton, Ga./Kyle Lawrence, Dover, Fla., $1,906; 8. Tommy Edens, Gatesville, Texas/Rich Skelton, LLano, Texas, $1,429; 9. Cody Tew, Belgrade, Mont./Kory Mytty, Lolo, Mont., $953.
Saddle bronc riding:
Semifinal round: 1. (tie) Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, S.D., on Sankey Pro Rodeo’s Barn Dance, and Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb., on Korkow Rodeo’s Big Ugly, 80 points, $3,369 each; 3. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, 78, $1,925; 4. (tie) Ben Londo, Pendleton, Ore., Jake Costello, Newell, S.D., Curtis Garton, New Zealand, Jake Griffin, Powell, Wyo., and Tyler Corrington, Hastings, Minn., NS (Londo advances to final on basis of two-head average).
Wrangler round: 1. Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, S.D., 85 points on Big Bend Rodeo’s Kool Toddy, $3,851; 2. Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb., 77, $2,888; 3. (tie) Ben Londo, Pendleton, Ore., and Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, NS.
Total event earnings: 1. Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, S.D., $17,328; 2. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, $8,664; 3. Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb., $6,257; 4. Ben Londo, Pendleton, Ore., $3,851; 5. Jake Griffin, Powell, Wyo., $2,888; 6. Curtis Garton, New Zealand, $2,407; 7. (tie) Tyler Corrington, Hastings, Minn., Jake Hayworth, St. Anthony, Idaho, and Justin Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif., $963 each.
Tie-down roping:
Semifinal round: 1. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, 7.8 seconds, $3,782; 2. Nate Baldwin, Blackfoot, Idaho, 8.0, $2,837; 3. Caddo Lewallen, Morrison, Okla., 8.1, $1,891; 4. Wes Lockard, Susanville, Calif., 8.3, $946; 5. Shane Erickson, Terrebonne, Ore., 8.4; 6. Brad Goodrich, Hermiston, Ore., 9.1; 7. Marty Becker, Edmonton, Alberta, 9.5; 8. Rick Kieckhefer, Prescott, Ariz., NT.
Wrangler round: 1. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, 7.3 seconds, $3,782; 2. Wes Lockard, Susanville, Calif., 7.6, $2,837; 3. Nate Baldwin, Blackfoot, Idaho, 9.5, $1,891; 4. Caddo Lewallen, Morrison, Okla., 11.1, $946.
Total event earnings: 1. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, $13,238; 2. Wes Lockard, Susanville, Calif., $6,619; 3. Brad Goodrich, Hermiston, Ore., $5,201; 4. Nate Baldwin, Blackfoot, Idaho, $4,728; 5. Rick Kieckhefer, Prescott, Ariz., $3,782; 6. Justin Thigpen, Waycross, Ga., $3,782; 7. Shane Erickson, Terrebonne, Ore., $3,309; 8. Caddo Lewallen, Morrison, Okla., $2,837; 9. Tony Wells, Wilmar, Ark., $1,891; 10. (tie) Marty Becker, Edmonton, Alberta, and Royce Lynch, Deming, N.M., $946.
Barrel racing:
Semifinal round: 1. Shelley Murphy, Helena, Mont., 15.07 seconds, $3,942; 2. Rachael Myllymaki, Simi Valley, Calif., 15.27, $2,956; 3. Kappy Allen, 15.30, $1,971; 4. Tracee Young, Delta, Utah, 15.39, $985; 5. Carrie Thompson, Morton, Miss., 15.44; 6. Jeanne Anderson, White City, Kan., 20.04; 7. Nancy Hunter, Neola, Utah, 20.15; 8. Diann Bukowski, Falcon, Colo., 20.29.
Wrangler round: 1. Shelley Murphy, Helena, Mont., 14.84 seconds, $3,942; 2. Rachael Myllymaki, Simi Valley, Calif., 14.97, $2,956; 3. Tracee Young, Delta, Utah, 15.03, $1,971; 4. Kappy Allen, Austin, Texas, 20.18, $985.
Total event earnings: 1. Shelley Murphy, Helena, Mont., $13,797: 2. Rachael Myllymaki, Simi Valley, Calif., $12,811; 3. Nancy Hunter, Neola, Utah, $9,855;
4. (tie) Kappy Allen, Austin, Texas, and Tracee Young, Delta, Utah, $3,942; 6. (tie) Renee Morgan, Avondale, Colo., and Jeanne Anderson, White City, Kan., $1,971 each; 8. Carrie Thompson, Morton, Miss., $985.
Bull riding:
Semifinal round: 1. Poncho Limas, Weatherford, Okla., 89 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Mortachi, $3,908, ; 2. Tyler Johnston, 83, $2,931; 3. Spencer Slaughter, 81, $1,954; 4. (tie) Jerry Shepherd, Nephi, Utah; Luke Haught, Weatherford, Texas; Colin McTaggart, Las Vegas, Nev.; Brandon Manning, Birdsboro, Pa., and Nathan Klassen, Wagoner, Okla., NS (Shepherd advances to final on basis of two-head average).
Wrangler round: 1. (tie) Poncho Limas, Weatherford, Okla., Tyler Johnston, Bridger, Mont., Jerry Shepherd, Nephi, Utah, and Spencer Slaughter, Jackson, La., NS.
Total event earnings: 1. (tie) Jerry Shepherd, Nephi, Utah, and Poncho Limas, Weatherford, Okla., $7,815 each; 3. Nathan Klassen, Wagoner, Okla., $7,327; 4. Tyler Johnston, Bridger, Mont., $5,862; 5. Brandon Manning, Birdsboro, Pa., $4,396; 6. Spencer Slaughter, Jackson, La., $1,954; 7. Colin McTaggart, Las Vegas, Nev., $1,465; 8. Thor Smith, Buckeye, Ariz., $977; 9. Jay Dunford, Menoken, N.D., $488.
Team standings: 1. Wilderness, $98,344; 2. California, $59,570; 3. Texas, $38,793; 4. Prairie, $35,305; 5. Columbia River, $34,423; 6. Turquoise $28,553; 7. Montana, $23,472; 8. Badlands, $20,784; 9. Southeastern, $18,666; 10. Mountain States, $8,714; 11. Great Lakes, $4,920; 12. First Frontier, $4,396.
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