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By now, you’ve likely heard the unlikely news that Wyoming’s Johnson brothers—Kellan, 19, and Carson, 17—took the team roping title and gold medals at the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo, which ran July 19-21 and 23-24 in Salt Lake City. But you’re probably not aware of just how long the odds were against these two teen-aged brothers taking center stage to have those gold medals placed around their necks while being handed life-changing checks for more than $50 grand a man. To sum up this Salt Lake stunner in a word, “miracle” is more like it.

There isn’t a hotter barrel racer in the land right now than Hailey Kinsel and she continued her torrid run in Salt Lake City on Monday night. Kinsel of Cotulla, Texas, and her great horse DM Sissy Hayday “Sister” stopped the clock in 17.22 seconds. In 2017, the duo won the Gold Medal and $50,000 that propelled her to her first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, where she set an arena record and finished as reserve world champion.

The loudest cheer of the night came for one of their own and reigning world champion saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright. Wright of Milford, Utah, rode Powder River Rodeo’s Look Again to top the leaderboard and advance to the finals with a shot at $50,000 and a Gold Medal. Wright is coming off a big win on Sunday when he collected $100,000 and the Calgary Stampede title. His uncles, Alex and Jake, will try to join the young gun when they take their shot on Monday night.

Salt Lake City, Utah – The score 86 points was the magical score in Salt Lake City on Saturday night, Feb. 2, at the Days of ’47 Lewis Feild Bulls and Broncs Event at the Maverik Center.

            Wyatt Denny of Minden, Nev., might want to change his address to Salt Lake City as he has won a truckload of money at the Days of ’47 Events and he doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. Denny took home the bareback riding title with an 86-point ride on Bar T Rodeo’s Ruby’s Girl, a Wrangler NFR horse. Denny outscored Shane O’Connell, who finished with a 79.5-point ride on Bar T Rodeo’s Moma Mia.

            “It was really cool to be able to compete in this event that honors Lewis Feild and put the win under my belt,” said Denny following the victory. “He (Feild) was one of the best bareback riders and so to have an event that honors him like this and be a part of it is very special.”

            With the win, Denny automatically qualifies for the $1 million Days of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo, July 19-24 in Salt Lake City. Denny has won that event and the gold medal that goes to the winner the last two years and he is hoping to make it three.

            “I have already won it twice so might as well make it three. As they say, the third time is the charm and I hope to have the same luck I have been having in Salt Lake,” said Denny about qualifying for the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo in July. “My philosophy is show up with a good attitude and hope for the best. That is how I treat all my rodeos.”

            Tonight’s event honored the late ProRodeo Hall of Fame Utah cowboy Lewis Feild. Feild was Utah’s own two-time PRCA World Champion Bareback Rider and three-time All-Around Champion, who continues to be an icon in the sport of rodeo and the state of Utah. His son, Kaycee Feild carries on his legacy having won four PRCA world titles in the bareback riding.

            Bull rider Coleman Entze of Golden Valley, N.D., was the only bull rider on the night to ride two bulls. Entze finished second in the long round with a 76 on Bar T Rodeo’s Purple Haze, while Jesse Petri of Palestine, Texas, scored 80.5 on Bar T Rodeo’s Goofy. Entze turned up the heat in the final round scoring 86 points on Bar T Rodeo’s Exit Strategy. Petri bucked off before the eight-second whistle and finished with a no score. Entze left Salt Lake City with $9,500 and is now qualified for the Gold Medal Rodeo – the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo in July where he hopes to take home the grand prize of $50,000.

            It was a showdown in the saddle bronc riding with Ross Griffin of Tularosa, N.M., and Cort Scheer of Elsmere, Neb., tying in the final round with 84 point rides. Griffin rode Bar T Rodeo’s Lady Vain, while Scheer was matched with Higher Standard. The tie-breaker and title went to Griffin based on the spur ride score in the final round. Griffin advances to the July Days of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo and will compete for a share of the $1 million purse up for grabs. This was a big win for Griffin as he was a rookie last year in the professional ranks.

            The top two from the Lewis Feild Bulls and Broncs event will automatically qualify for the WCRA Semifinal Event in Guthrie, Okla., on May 15-19.

            For more information on the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo visit www.daysof47cowboygames.com and for more information on World Champions Rodeo Alliance (WCRA) visit www.wcra.com.

Results:

Bareback riding: 1. Shane O’Connell, Rapid City, S.D., 86 points on Bar T Rodeo’s Echo Bay, $4,000; 2. Wyatt Denny, Minden, Nev., 84, $3,000; 3. Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, Mont., 83.5, 2,000; 4. George Gillespie, Darby, Mont., 83, $1,000. Final round: 1. Wyatt Denny, 86 points on Bar T Rodeo’s Ruby’s Girl, $3,000; 2. Shane O’Connell, 79.5, $2,000. Champion: Wyatt Denny. Total money: O’Connell $6,000; Denny, $6,000; Bennett, $2,000; Gillespie, $1,000.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb., 84 points on Bar T Rodeo’s Bitter Dan, $4,000; 2. Ross Griffin, Tularosa, N.M., 82, $3,000; 3. Nick LaDuke, Livermore, Calif., 79, $2,000; 4. Kole Ashbacher, Arrowwood, Alberta, 75.5, $1,000. Final round: 1. (tie) Ross Griffin on Bar T Rodeo’s Lady Vain and Cort Scheer on Bar T Rodeo’s Higher Standard, 84 points, $2,500 each. Champion: Ross Griffin. Total money: Scheer, $6,500; Griffin, $5,500; LaDuke, $2,000; Ashbacher, $1,000.

The night started off similar to 2017 with bareback rider Wyatt Denny atop the medal podium after turning in an 88-point ride aboard Sankey Rodeo’s Sozo. Denny of Minden, Nev., added a second gold medal to his collection and another $50,000 to his bank account.

Reigning PBR World Champion Jess Lockwood of Volborg, Mont., tied with Brazilian Allison De Souza with 85 point rides. Lockwood conquered Broken Arrow’s Cooper Comet, while De Souza matched Broken Arrow’s Nailed to advance to the finals. Lockwood will join his aunt, Lisa Lockhart, in the Gold Medal round on Tuesday after she topped the leaderboard in the barrel racing during performance two on Friday night.

Two-event cowboy Ryle Smith won the steer wrestling in 2017 and will be back on Tuesday to defend his title in that event. Smith of Oakdale, Calif., finished second on Thursday night with a 5.0 second run. Jace Melvin finished atop the leaderboard with a 4.7 second run. Melvin of Bluff Dale, Texas, won the bronze medal in 2017 but is hoping to be a little higher on the podium in 2018.