(Editor’s note: Story by Susan Kanode/PRCA)
CODY, Wyo. — The 100th Cody Stampede kicked off on Monday with some fast times and high-marked rides.
The highlight of Monday night’s rodeo was watching bull rider Parker Breding have an outstanding night. Breding rode Summit Pro Rodeo’s bull named Turnabout for 92.5 points, close to the arena record of 94 set by Wesley Silcox in 2011.
And, he wasn’t the only Breding in town. His dad, Scott Breding is being honored as one of the rodeo legends here. The Bredings make their home at Edgar, Montana just over an hour from here. Father and son have both participated in the Cody Nite Rodeo to improve their skills. That has lead to successful careers in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association that includes eight Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifications – five for Scott Breding and three for Parker Breding.
Parker Breding is currently third in the PRCA world standings and is likely headed to his fourth NFR. He hopes to bring home a gold buckle that has of yet eluded his family. A big check here will certainly help him in his quest and with over $350,000 up for grabs, he will get a nice amount for his eight-second ride.
Winning this rodeo has sentimental value for him as well. His father was the champion here in 1995 when Parker was just three years old. Even though it is during the busiest week of rodeo, it has been a place they get to spend some time together for as long as Parker can remember.
“This rodeo has always been one I wanted to win,” Parker said. “It pays really well and knowing that my dad was the champion here makes me want to win it even more.”
The newly partnered Clay Smith and Jade Corkill went into a tie for first place in the team roping Monday night. Brooks Dahozy from Window Rock, Arizona and Walt Woodard, from Stephenville, Texas, stopped the clock in 4.8 seconds during slack Monday morning. Then Smith, of Broken Bow, Oklahoma and Corkill of Fallon, Nevada matched that during the performance.
Smith is the reigning world champion header. Corkill has three gold buckles and Woodard has two in the heeling. While there are six world championships among these men, none of them has won the Cody Stampede yet.
In order to accommodate the number of contestants entered at this year’s rodeo, many of the ropers, steer wrestlers and barrel racers are competing outside of the rodeo performances in what is known as slack.
The second rodeo performance of the Cody Stampede starts Tuesday at 8 p.m.
Unofficial results: 100th annual Cody Stampede – First Performance
Bareback Riding: 1, Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La., 85 points on Burch Rodeo’s Pip Squeak. 2, (tie) Mark Kreder, Collinsville, Okla., and Jamie Howlett, Rapid City, S.D., 81.5 each. 4, Tanner Phipps, Dalton, Ga., 80.
Steer Wrestling: 1, Heath Thompson, Enola, Ark., 6.1 seconds. 2, Chancy Winsor, Kaycee, Wyo., 7.9. 3, Chet Boren, Vernal, Utah, 8.6. 4, Bart Slaney, Whitefish, Mont., 9.5.
Team Roping: 1, Clay Smith, Broekn Bow, Okla., and Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev., 4.8 seconds. 2, Denver Johnson, Strathmore, Alberta and Tristen Woolsey, Nanton, Alberta, 5.9. 3, Braden Pirrung, Hartford, S.D., and Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D., 10.0. 4, Jesse Popescui, Glentworth, Saskatchewan and Trent Elmer Tunke, Canada, 10.7.
Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Colt Gordon, Comanche, Okla., 85.5 points on Burch Rodeo’s Lunatic from Hell. 2, (tie) Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa and Jade Blackwell, Rapid City, S.D., 8.5 each. 4, Tegan Smith, Winterset, Iowa, 79.
