Costa Extends World Standings Lead

LAS VEGAS

Courtesy of PRCA

Marcos Costa had a long journey to his current destination - both figuratively and literally.

A native of Paraná, Brazil, Costa left his home and his parents - father, Vladetim, and mother, Joana, at age 14 to be a horse trainer 1,000 miles away in San Paulo, Brazil. Costa came to America in 2014, and lives in a guest house on Stran Smith's property in Childress, Texas.

Friday night, during Round 2 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER, Costa became the first Brazilian ever to win a tie-down roping round at the WNFR.

"I'm living my dream, I don't know what words to say," Costa said. "I feel like I'm flying and I'm on top of the world. I always dreamed about coming to America and being a world champion. To come here, make the Finals and win the go-round is fabulous.

"If it was my wish, I would've wanted to win (a round) before, but this was my time and I give all glory to God. I feel blessed, because that's a long road (to get here)."

Aboard his horse, Pouraguaja, Costa now has a lead of nearly $40,000 over second-place Shane Hanchey, as he aims to become the first person from his homeland to win a gold buckle.

"My horse, she's amazing," Costa said. "All the people were asking how she was going to be at the Finals. I was saying, 'I don't know, we're going to find out when we get there.' She has been doing great."

The Wright family of bronc riders has a history of catching fire in the Thomas & Mack Center, and it appears it's Ryder Wright's turn.

Wright put together an 86-point ride on Northcott Macza's Get Smart, and the 18-year-old has won the first two rounds of his WNFR career. Wright is now firmly in the WNFR average and world title races, and is riding better than any saddle bronc rider on the planet.

"Winning two in a row is awesome," he said. "You have to have the mindset of going for first (place) every time you nod your head. Last night set my confidence up a bit, and tonight I went in like I had nothing to lose."

Wright has moved from 14th to fourth in the world in just 16 seconds of work, and is now looking like one of the favorites to upset defending World Champion Jacobs Crawley, who remains in first by $46,000 over the rest of the field.

"All year I had been fighting to get into the Top 15, and I came here and I'm fourth," Wright said. "That's awesome."

Tim O'Connell won his fourth WNFR go-round buckle Friday night, while the guy he split it with was riding in just his second round at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Clayton Biglow, the 2016 PRCA/Resistol Bareback Riding Rookie of the Year, posted an 85-point ride on Rafter G Rodeo's Ankle Biter to tie O'Connell, who had the same score on Pete Carr's Classic Pro Rodeo's Betty Boop.

O'Connell, who is No. 1 in the world and placed third in the first round, says having the bulls-eye of the top spot on his back suits him well.

"Yeah, I still like it," O'Connell said of being the hunted. "I've chased enough, and it hasn't worked, so I like being the guy everyone is chasing. I told myself that I had to set the bar high, set the pace and get it rolling right away. My goal is to hit the gas pedal until the end of this."

Biglow, a 20-year-old who placed second during his first-ever WNFR ride last night, is riding like a veteran of Rodeo's Super Bowl, and is now fifth in the world standings.

"I really drew two great horses so far," Biglow said. "All the bareback riders are really good buddies, so when you get back there, start pulling your riggin' down and joking with your buddies, it feels like another rodeo. Heck yes the bright lights get to you a little bit, but when I'm riding I'm not thinking about who's in the stands. I'm thinking about my horse and winning."

Rookie bull rider Roscoe Jarboe is not only battling Garrett Tribble for the Rookie of the Year title at the WNFR, he's also chasing world and average titles.

The 20-year-old from New Plymouth, Idaho, split third in the first round, and then won Round 2 with an 88.5-point ride on Wayne Vold Rodeo's Cooper's Comet.

"The guys told me about my bull, and said he was good and I had a shot at winning, so I focused on my skills and let my reactions take over when they needed to," Jarboe said. "You see a lot of everything, the crowd and the bull, but hopefully not the dirt."

He stayed off the dirt, and took a victory lap, which has him first in the average and third in the world. However, he isn't letting the pressure get to him, and is riding with the poise of a veteran.

"I really don't know how to take it other than just one bull at a time and hope to ride all 10 and make the record books," he said. "I just keep riding - we all made it here for a reason, and we all came to ride. I just stayed calm, cool and collected, and cheered for the other bull riders. As long as they are doing good, then I hope I'll be doing good."

Team ropers Luke Brown and Jake Long both entered the WNFR in third place. After two nights, they're the team to beat in the world championship race.

This is the first season the pair has roped together, and after their 4.0-second run Friday night, they couldn't be in a better position.

"I've never had a realistic shot at a gold buckle. It means a lot to me to have a year like we've had," Long said. "My job is as easy as it's ever been. Between Luke and my horse (2016 PRCA/AQHA Heel Horse of the Year Colonel), I don't have any excuse for anything."

This is Brown's ninth WNFR, and he's shown that he's one of the most consistent ropers in the sport, regardless of who he's partnered with.

Last season, Brown finished second in the world, and now has another great look at his first gold buckle. He knows earning checks while staying in the average race is the path to a title.

"If you don't get a time, you can't win," Brown said. "But you have to be aggressive, too. We'll rope every steer the best we can, and try to keep it simple."

Steer wrestler Jason Thomas isn't letting the big stage of his first WNFR affect his performance. A night after finishing out of the money, the Benton, Ark., rebounded with his first WNFR round win thanks to a time of 3.5 seconds.

"It's just another rodeo," Thomas said. "The start and the atmosphere are the only differences from everywhere else, and of course, it's 10 days.

"It's not a sprint, it's a long marathon. And you can't let one day depict what is going to happen the next day. Whether it's good or bad, wake up the next morning and go at 'em again. I don't know if you ever can slow your heartbeat down here. If you do that, you're not going to do very well."

The win, aboard Jake Rinehart's horse Rio moved Thomas up two spots to second in the world standings, as he trails leader Clayton Hass by less than $5,000.

Barrel racer Kimmie Wall is making her move toward the world title. After entering the WNFR fifth in the world, the Roosevelt, Utah, native finished in second place in Round 1, and then, for an encore, won Round 2.

Aboard her horse Foxy, Wall clocked a time of 13.79 seconds, and is now second in the world standings, and first in the WNFR average race.

"It's totally thrilling," Wall said. "Moving up two spots on the ground was helpful, but Foxy knows her job well and she really, really fired tonight. Today my son told me, 'Mom, I really want to go to the South Point tonight, so you had better step it up this round.'"

The 58th annual Wrangler NFR continues Saturday with the third round at the Thomas & Mack Center. The action will be televised live and in HD on CBS Sports Net (DirecTV channel 221 and DISH Network channel 158) from 7-10 p.m. PT.


Second Performance Results, Friday, Dec. 2, 2016
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

All-around world standings: 1. Dustin Bird, $161,155; 2. Russell Cardoza, $151,694; 3. Junior Nogueira, $147,324; 4. Clayton Hass, $146,454; 5. Josh Peek, $126,603; 6. Clay Smith, $125,809; 7. JoJo LeMond, $112,623; 8. Caleb Smidt, $110,969; 9. Ryan Jarrett, $101,897; 10. Ryle Smith, $99,862; 11. Shay Carroll, $94,076; 12. Rhen Richard, $81,497.

Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Tim O'Connell, Zwingle, Iowa, on Pete Carr's Classic Pro Rodeo's Betty Boop, and Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif., on Rafter G Rodeo's Ankle Biter, 85 points, $23,481 each; 3. (tie) Caleb Bennett, Tremonton, Utah, and Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D., 83, $13,327 each; 5. Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La., 82.5, $6,769; 6. Jake Brown, Hillsboro, Texas, 79.5, $4,231; 7. R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., 78; 8. (tie) Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas, and Jessy Davis, Power, Mont., 77.5; 10. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn., 77; 11. Evan Jayne, Marseille, France, 76.5; 12. J.R. Vezain, Cowley, Wyo., 73.5; 13. Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, 73; 14. Jake Vold, Ponoka, Alberta, 69.5; 15. Wyatt Denny, Minden, Nev., NS. Average standings: 1. Clayton Biglow, 169 points on two head; 2. Tim O'Connell, 168; 3. Caleb Bennett, 164; 4. (tie) Tanner Aus and Winn Ratliff, 162.5 each; 6. Ty Breuer, 161. World standings: 1. Tim O'Connell, $228,098; 2. Caleb Bennett, $159,488; 3. Tanner Aus, $148,915; 4. Orin Larsen, $148,296; 5. Clayton Biglow, $131,083; 6. R.C. Landingham, $114,678; 7. Winn Ratliff, $113,064; 8. Ty Breuer, $94,445; 9. Jake Brown, $94,052; 10. Evan Jayne, $91,581; 11. Jake Vold, $88,488; 12. Wyatt Denny, $87,798; 13. J.R. Vezain, $84,200; 14. Richmond Champion, $79,169; 15. Jessy Davis, $77,801.

Steer wrestling: 1. Jason Thomas, Benton, Ark., 3.5 seconds, $26,231; 2. Matt Reeves, Cross Plains, Texas, 3.8, $20,731; 3. Clayton Hass, Terrell, Texas, 4.1, $15,654; 4. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev., 4.6, $11,000; 5. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La., 4.7, $6,769; 6. Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis., 5.1, $4,231; 7. (tie) Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., and Baylor Roche, Tremonton, Utah, 5.3 each; 9. Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif., 5.7; 10. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont., 6.1; 11. (tie) J.D. Struxness, Appleton, Minn.; Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La.; Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla.; Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore.; Cody Cabral, Hilo, Hawaii, NT. Average standings: 1. Matt Reeves, 7.7 seconds on two head; 2. Clayton Hass, 7.9; 3. Jason Thomas, 8.3; 4. Tyler Waguespack, 8.5; 5. Baylor Roche, 9.6; 6. Nick Guy, 9.8. World standings: 1. Clayton Hass, $131,457; 2. Jason Thomas, $126,868; 3. Tyler Waguespack, $125,708; 4. Matt Reeves, $108,786; 5. Dakota Eldridge, $102,951; 6. Ty Erickson, $102,942; 7. J.D. Struxness, $99,935; 8. Baylor Roche, $89,405; 9. Nick Guy, $83,052; 10. Josh Peek, $81,397; 11. Jacob Talley, $81,033; 12. Billy Bugenig, $72,805; 13. Riley Duvall, $71,177; 14. Cody Cabral, $70,870; 15. Trevor Knowles, $68,653.

Team roping: 1. Luke Brown, Stephenville, Texas/Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan., 4.0 seconds, $26,231; 2. Dustin Bird, Cut Bank, Mont./Russell Cardoza, Terrebonne, Ore., 4.2, $20,731; 3. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz./Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz., 4.3, $15,654; 4. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla./Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo., 4.4, $11,000; 5. Kaleb Driggers, Albany, Ga./Junior Nogueira, Burleson, Texas, 4.8, $6,769; 6. Levi Simpson, Ponoka, Alberta/Jeremy Buhler, Arrowwood, Alberta, 4.9, $4,231; 7. Zac Small, Welch, Okla./Wesley Thorp, Stephenville, Texas, 5.7; 8. Colby Lovell, Madisonville, Texas/Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 6.7; 9. Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz./Quinn Kesler, Holden, Utah, 9.1; 10. Garrett Rogers, Baker City, Ore./Jake Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 9.2; 11. Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif./Dugan Kelly, Paso Robles, Calif., 9.7; 12. Kolton Schmidt, Barrhead, Alberta/Shay Carroll, Prineville, Ore., 10.9; 13. (tie) Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash./Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash.; Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla./Billie Jack Saebens, Nowata, Okla.; Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas/Dakota Kirchenschlager, Morgan Mill, Texas, NT. Average standings: 1. Dustin Bird/Russell Cardoza, 8.8 seconds on two head; 2. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 8.9; 3. Levi Simpson/Jeremy Buhler, 9.3; 4. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 9.9; 5. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 15.1; 6. Zac Small/Wesley Thorp, 15.6. World standings (headers): 1. Luke Brown, $154,397; 2. Dustin Bird, $147,077; 3. Kaleb Driggers, $145,880; 4. Clay Smith, $128,496; 5. Kolton Schmidt, $106,147; 6. Riley Minor, $105,301; 7. Colby Lovell, $104,476; 8. Levi Simpson, $103,595; 9. Erich Rogers, $98,646; 10. Garrett Rogers, $82,937; 11. Zac Small, $79,268; 12. Matt Sherwood, $78,849; 13. Cody Snow, $78,295; 14. Tyler Wade, $76,876; 15. Coleman Proctor, $76,254. World standings (heelers): 1. Jake Long, $151,053; 2. Junior Nogueira, $145,880; 3. Russell Cardoza, $140,416; 4. Paul Eaves, $129,785; 5. Jeremy Buhler, $112,773; 6. Brady Minor, $103,793; 7. Cory Petska, $99,873; 8. Travis Graves, $88,681; 9. Shay Carroll, $84,737; 10. Dugan Kelly, $84,087; 11. Dakota Kirchenschlager, $83,102; 12. Billie Jack Saebens, $83,039; 13. Jake Minor, $82,358; 14. Quinn Kesler, $78,818; 15. Wesley Thorp, $73,702.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah, 86 points on Northcott Macza Rodeo's Get Smart, $26,231; 2. Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, 84, $20,731; 3. Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La., 83.5, $15,654; 4. Jake Watson, Hudson's Hope, British Columbia, 83, $11,000; 5. Jake Wright, Milford, Utah, 80.5, $6,769; 6. Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas, 80, $4,231; 7. Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La., 76; 8. (tie) Clay Elliott, Nanton, Alberta, and Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah, 75.5 each; 10. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, 72; 11. (tie) CoBurn Bradshaw, Beaver, Utah; Rusty Wright, Milford, Utah; Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta; Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah; Chuck Schmidt, Keldron, S.D., NS. Average standings: 1. Ryder Wright, 173.5 points on two head; 2. (tie) Jake Wright and Sterling Crawley, 166 each; 4. Jacobs Crawley, 161; 5. (tie) Allen Boore and Jake Watson, 160.5 each. World standings: 1. Jacobs Crawley, $186,535; 2. CoBurn Bradshaw, $140,752; 3. Rusty Wright, $134,712; 4. Ryder Wright, $133,066; 5. Jake Wright, $123,947; 6. Zeke Thurston, $115,046; 7. Heith DeMoss, $110,987; 8. Sterling Crawley, $109,953; 9. Cody Wright, $106,177; 10. Allen Boore, $98,289; 11. Cody DeMoss, $94,768; 12. Clay Elliott, $90,048; 13. Jake Watson, $89,095; 14. Jesse Wright, $86,116; 15. Chuck Schmidt, $81,129.

Tie-down roping: 1. Marcos Costa, Childress, Texas, 7.6 seconds, $26,231; 2. Cade Swor, Winnie, Texas, 7.7, $20,731; 3. Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif., 7.8, $15,654; 4. Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas, 8.0, $11,000; 5. (tie) Reese Riemer, Stinnett, Texas, and Tyson Durfey, Weatherford, Texas, 8.3, $5,500 each; 7. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., 8.4; 8. Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb., 8.7; 9. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, 9.4; 10. Timber Moore, Aubrey, Texas, 9.9; 11. Blane Cox, Cameron, Texas, 10.4; 12. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., 10.9; 13. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas, 13.5; 14. Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla., 19.3; 15. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas, NT. Average standings: 1. Shane Hanchey, 15.5 seconds on two head; 2. Ryle Smith, 16.1; 3. Riley Pruitt, 16.3; 4. Reese Riemer, 16.6; 5. Tyson Durfey, 17.1; 6. Cade Swor, 17.2. World standings: 1. Marcos Costa, $161,754; 2. Shane Hanchey, $122,163; 3. Hunter Herrin, $119,054; 4. Timber Moore, $118,539; 5. Cade Swor, $112,470; 6. Caleb Smidt, $97,469; 7. Cory Solomon, $97,392; 8. Riley Pruitt, $95,547; 9. Reese Riemer, $95,410; 10. Marty Yates, $94,578; 11. Ryle Smith, $94,386; 12. Ryan Jarrett, $90,169; 13. Matt Shiozawa, $83,012; 14. Tyson Durfey, $80,234; 15. Blane Cox, $80,127.

Barrel racing: 1. Kimmie Wall, Roosevelt, Utah, 13.79 seconds, $26,231; 2. (tie) Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., and Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., 13.80, $18,192 each; 4. Amberleigh Moore, Keizer, Ore., 13.81, $11,000; 5. Sarah Rose McDonald, Brunswick, Ga., 13.88, $6,769; 6. Ivy Conrado, Hudson, Colo., 13.90, $4,231; 7. (tie) Michele McLeod, Whitesboro, Texas, and Jana Bean, Fort Hancock, Texas, 13.91; 9. Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas, 13.98; 10. Carley Richardson, Pampa, Texas, 14.01; 11. Pamela Capper, Cheney, Wash., 14.02; 12. Mary Walker, Ennis, Texas, 14.04; 13. Mary Burger, Pauls Valley, Okla., 19.00; 14. Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas, 19.38; 15. Cayla (Melby) Small, Burneyville, Okla., 23.78. Average standings: 1. Kimmie Wall, 27.69 seconds on two runs; 2. Sherry Cervi, 27.76; 3. Pamela Capper, 27.77; 4. Amberleigh Moore, 27.83; 5. Jana Bean, 27.84; 6. Lisa Lockhart, 27.91. World standings: 1. Mary Burger, $205,207; 2. Kimmie Wall, $164,757; 3. Lisa Lockhart, $128,437; 4. Jackie Ganter, $126,387; 5. Ivy Conrado, $125,391; 6. Pamela Capper, $123,736; 7. Sherry Cervi, $122,871; 8. Mary Walker, $122,816; 9. Stevi Hillman, $114,643; 10. Amberleigh Moore, $106,837; 11. Sarah Rose McDonald, $106,134; 12. Jana Bean, $105,989; 13. Michele McLeod, $97,745; 14. Cayla (Melby) Small, $97,737; 15. Carley Richardson, $90,875.

Bull riding: 1. Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho, 88.5 points on Wayne Vold Rodeo's Cooper's Comet, $26,231; 2. (tie) Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah, and Garrett Smith, Rexburg, Idaho, 87, $18,192 each; 4. Shane Proctor, Grand Coulee, Wash., 85.5, $11,000; 5. (tie) Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla.; Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas; Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas; Brennon Eldred, Sulphur, Okla.; Jordan Spears, Redding, Calif.; Scottie Knapp, Albuquerque, N.M.; Cody Rostockyj, Lorena, Texas; Tyler Smith, Fruita, Colo.; Tim Bingham, Honeyville, Utah; Rorey Maier, Timber Lake, S.D.; Garrett Tribble, Bristow, Okla.; NS. Average standings: 1. Roscoe Jarboe, 171.5 points on two head; 2. Joe Frost, 169.5; 3. Shane Proctor, 169; 4. Garrett Smith, 87 on one; 5. Sage Kimzey, 86.5; 6. Brennon Eldred, 83. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $208,220; 2. Joe Frost, $151,456; 3. Roscoe Jarboe, $149,765; 4. Brennon Eldred, $127,034; 5. Garrett Smith, $122,621; 6. Shane Proctor, $122,031; 7. Jeff Askey, $119,339; 8. Jordan Spears, $114,148; 9. Cody Teel, $112,194; 10. Rorey Maier, $109,402; 11. Scottie Knapp, $108,099; 12. Cody Rostockyj, $102,800; 13. Garrett Tribble, $92,592; 14. Tim Bingham, $91,321; 15. Tyler Smith, $90,814.