Fourth annual Marvin Garrett Roughstock Series ends with high marked rides

Posted Tuesday, October 30, 2007

BELLE FOURCHE, S.D. – The 2007 Fourth Annual Marvin Garrett Roughstock Series came to a close this past weekend (October 26-27) at the Pennington County Events Center, in Rapid City, S.D. The event brought together a “Who’s Who” of rodeo cowboys and NFR stock for two top notch Roughstock performances.

Friday night’s “Wild Card” round saw 2006 Wrangler NFR qualifier, Andy Martinez of Pavillion, Wyo., score 83 points on Wilson Rodeo’s Bragging Rights to win the bareback riding event. Chris Timberman of Columbus, Mont., was one point off the mark with an 82 on Brookman Rodeo’s Red Top. Chris’s brother, 2004 World Champion Kelly Timberman and Steven Dent split the third place honors just ahead of a strong pack that included NFR notables, Heath Ford, Scott Montague, Larry Sandvick and Justin McDaniel.

In a round not unlike any you might see at Las Vegas, the cowboys of the “classic” event of saddle bronc riding battled for a shot to move to the Saturday Championship round. Among the Cowboys stretching out the leather were 2006 NFR average champion, JJ Elshere, six-time Indian National Finals Champion, Marty Hebb; and 2006 PRCA World Champion, Chad Ferley.

The Champions were bested by another South Dakota Elshere. JJ’s brother, Ryan kicked out an 85 on Leismeister Rodeo bronc, Crown Cloud for the win. Ferley was second with an 80 on Bud Longbrake’s Schmitty, and Hastings, Minn., cowboy, Tyler Corrington, took third with a 79. A pair of two event Roughstock contestants, Jesse Bail and Steven Dent split fourth and fifth.

Wild Card round bull riding was led by Sturgis cowboy, Dewey, O’Dea with an 86 on Wilson Rodeo’s Chosen One. 2007 Badlands Circuit Champion, Jason Hunsacker was second with an 82. Brian Curtis of Belle Fourche, S.D., was third at 81; and Timber Lake, S.D.’s Rorey Maier finished out the top four with an 80 point ride.

The top six from the “Wild Card” Round and the top six from the 2007 Series standings filled the roster for the Saturday night Finals.

Bareback rider Scott Montague, saddle bronc rider JJ Elshere, and bull rider Brian Curtis showcased the skills that brought them into the two day closeout of the Marvin Garrett Roughstock Series as season leaders.

The NFR bound Montague (11th –PRCA World Standings) rode Bud Longbrake’s, Cruella Deville for 83 points, which was good enough to tie Andy Martinez’s 83 on Leismeister’s Chislom. Justin McDaniel of Porum, Okla., (2nd in the PRCA World Standings), set to make his first, but certainly not last, trip to Las Vegas for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo warmed up for Vegas with an 82-point ride on Brookman’s Sport News. Mullen, Neb., cowboy, Steven Dent (12th-PRCA Standings) who is also making his debut at the NFR split fourth and fifth with perennial NFR qualifier Larry Sandvick of Worden, Mont. NFR qualifiers, Kelly Timberman (6th in the world) and Heath Ford, Greely, Colorado (15th in the world) finished just behind the money winners.

JJ Elshere packed more points onto his strong season lead with an 84 to win the saddle bronc buckle and the Final’s first place money. Second place was picked up by 2006 World Champion, Chad Ferley of Oelrichs, S.D. Ferley currently fifth in the 2007 PRCA Standings is heading back to Las Vegas in December to battle for a second PRCA World Saddle Bronc riding title. The rest of the money winners in the saddle bronc riding went to 2006 Badlands Circuit Champ Jake Costello, Newell, S.D., Ryan Elshere, Elm Springs, S.D., and 2006 College Finals saddle bronc champion, Steven Dent with rides of 79 point each.

Every great rodeo event should end on a high note and the Marvin Garrett Roughstock Series made no exception. Brian Curtis crawled down onto Nixon Rodeo Company’s bull, Whiplash, as the final contestant for the event. Whiplash hadn’t allowed a qualified ride during the entire series. Curtis had just watched back to back to back qualified rides on very strong Chad Berger Bucking Bulls.

Dewey O’dea marked 82 points on War Wagon, to be outdone by Garrett Vig with 83 on Rock On; and as Curtis is pulling his rope Jesse Bail scores 84 points on Berger’s Bull Dog Disco.

Curtis, the 2001 Badland’s Circuit champion, ignited the crowd taking Whiplash on an 87-point ride. The ride gave him the Finals title, his third Marvin Garrett Roughstock Series championship; and a chance to ride the Pioneer Bank Bounty Bull.

Stock contractor, Chad Berger of Mandan, N.D., had brought Texas Jack to the Series as a bounty bull opportunity. The PBR bucking bull had only seated three qualified rides in a long, strong career.

Curtis, still breathing a bit hard from the 87-point ride and the champion’s interview, tied his rope around Texas Jack. The fans hadn’t moved from their seats as he got ready to ride and no one was disappointed as Curtis placed a 92 point, 8-second, qualified ride to master a tough as nails Texas Jack and claim the bounty cash.

For post event audio clips with results and contestant interviews from the Friday and Saturday performances visit www.marvingarrett.com and click on media player for results.