It was a night of records in the first event of the 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Richmond Champion scored a Round 1 record-breaking 91.5 on a re-ride to take home first on the night and make a jump from No. 5 to No. 4 in the bareback riding world standings.
“The re-ride was awesome. It was one of those where you black out for a few seconds off the start and next thing you know you’re in the middle of him with your feet over your head. It was a lot of fun,” Champion said.
Champion knew he had his work cut out for him going into his run as Caleb Bennett had already scored the first 90 in NFR bareback riding history earlier in the evening. That record was quickly bested by Clayton Biglow, who notched a 90.5 on the last ride before Champion’s re-ride.
Biglow’s second place finish in Round 1 help him extend his lead over Kaycee Feild (who scored 87 in Round 1) in the overall standings but he also stressed that its long 10 days in Las Vegas.
Tilden Hooper, who entered the day No. 4 in the standings, finished fourth in Round 1 behind by Champion, Biglow and Bennett with a score of 88.5, and Tim O’Connell rounded out the night’s Top 5 with an 88.
Champion said he expects the high scores to continue throughout the week.
“The guys are riding great and the horses are riding great,” the Texas native said.
Bareback Riding World Standings (NFR money in parentheses)
1. Claytown Biglow - $212,682 ($30,730)
2. Kaycee Feild - $186,205 ($10,000)
3. Orin Larsen - $185,557 ($12,115)
4. Richmond Champion - $167,059 ($36,230)
5. Tilden Hooper - $158,559 ($21,000)