The 97th annual Cody Stampede Rodeo featured some of the best competition in the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association over the Fourth of July weekend — also known as Cowboy Christmas, when rodeos are plentiful and prize money is high.

Riders flew in from all over the U.S., Canada, Mexico and France to compete, and for some it was their second rodeo of the day and just one of many rodeos in a row.

Saturday’s top bareback ride of the night came from Power, Montana’s, Jessy Davis who pulled down an 85-point ride at 35 years old.

“It is my life more than myself that pushes me,” Davis said. “I rodeo with good guys and they keep me young and that makes me step up.”

He said he knew he was in for a good ride based on the horse he drew that night.

“I feel great, been getting 80s everywhere I’ve been and this feels good,” Davis said. “I think that’s what keeps me young — I’ve been rodeoing a long time.”

Davis was bested by Joel Schlegel by two points and ultimately tied with Caleb Bennett. Schlegel left Cody with a $10,540 check, while Davis and Bennett each got paid $7,026 for their 8-second rides.

Over in the bull riding, the bulls were exceptionally rank — tossing many of their riders off as soon as the chutes opened. Out of the many bull riders who showed up, only the best were able to make qualified rides.

“I talked to some guys who had been on him (the bull) earlier and they said he went to the right; but they are animals and he went to the left and I like them that way. I like either way, but sometimes you work less when they go into your hand and you can catch up easier,” bull rider Jacob O’Mara said following his 83.5-point ride on Friday night. “This is middle of the road and I thought he’d buck.”

At the time, he was ranked fourth in the Stampede Rodeo — but rank stock and skilled riders knocked him down to sixth-place, good for a $1,451 payout.

“God willing it will hold up and I’ll get a check,” O’Mara said. “I thank God every day — it is a gift and talent, I firmly believe this is what I was meant to do.”

The following are the top riders at the Stampede Rodeo followed by how much money they won:

Bareback Riding

1. Joel Schlegel of Burns, Colorado, 87 points for $10,540.

2. (tie) Jessy Davis of Power, Montana; and Caleb Bennett of Tremonton, Utah, 85 points for $7,026 each.

4. (tie) R.C. Landingham of Hat Creek, California; and J.R. Vezain of Cowley, 84.5 points for $3,162 each.

6. Jake Vold of Ponoka, Alberta, 83 points for $1,757.

Steer Wrestling

1. Clayton Hass of Terrell, Texas, 3.4 seconds for $9,091.

2. (tie) Clayton Moore of Pouce Coupe, British Columbia; and Baylor Roche of Tremonton, Utah, 4.0 seconds for $7,655 each.

4. Shayde Tree Etherton of Borden, Indiana, 4.1 seconds for $6,220.

5. (tie) Riley Krassin of Lander; and Dan Mulkey, Dell, Montana, 4.2 seconds for $4,785 each.

Team Roping

1. Luke Brown of Stephenville, Texas, and Jake Long of Coffeyville, Kansas, 4.2 seconds for $9,426.

2. Jr. Dees and Matt Zancanella of Aurora, South Dakota, 4.4 seconds for $8,433.

3. (tie) Paul David Tierney of Oral, South Dakota, and Cesar de la Cruz of Tucson, Arizona; Riley Minor and Brady Minor of Ellensburg, Washington; Payden Emmett of Ponca, Arkansas, and Justin Pruitt of Victoria, Texas; and Max Kuttler of American Falls, Idaho, and Ike Folsum of Dillon, Montana, 4.5 seconds for $5,953 each.

Saddle Bronc Riding:

1. Jake Wright of Milford, Utah, 88 points for $8,585.

2. Cody Wright of Milford, Utah, 87.5 points for $6,659.

3. (tie) Jesse Wright and Rusty Wright of Milford, Utah, 86 points for $4,053 each.

5. Cody DeMoss of Heflin, Louisiana, 84.5 points for $2,027.

6. Joey Sonnier III of New Iberia, Louisiana, 83.5 points for $1,448.

Tie-Down Roping

1. Clint Nyegaard of Cuero, Texas, 8.0 seconds for $9,912.

2. Cimarron Boardman of Stephenville, Texas, 8.1 seconds for $8,869.

3. Matt Shiozawa of Chubbock, Idaho, 8.2 seconds for $7,825.

4. Justin Brinkerhoff of Corrine, Texas, 8.3 seconds for $6,782.

5. Shane Hanchey of Sulphur, Louisiana, 8.4 seconds for $5,739.

6. Marcos Costa of Childress, Texas, 8.5 seconds for $4,695.

Barrel Racing

1. Taylor Jacob of Carmine, Texas, 16.92 seconds for $10,583.

2. Sarah Rose McDonald of New Brunswick, Georgia, 17.04 seconds for $8,466.

3. Carley Richardson of Pampa, Texas, 17.05 seconds for $6,879.

4. Kathy Korrell Rach of Loveland, Colorado, 17.12 seconds for $5,291.

5. Rainy Pratt of Ellensburg, Washington, 17.21 seconds for $4,233.

6. (tie) Michele Mcleod of Whitesboro, Texas; and Vickie Carter of Richfield, Utah, 17.27 seconds for $2,910 each.

Bull Riding

1. Cody Rostockyj of Lorena, Texas, 86.5 points for $8,705.

2. Bryce Barrios of Bluff Dale, Texas, 86 points for $6,674.

3. Bart Miller of Pleasanton, Nebraska, 85 points for $4,933.

4. Shane Proctor of Grand Coulee, Washington, 84.5 points for $3,192.

5. Cody Teel of Kountze, Texas, 83.5 points for $2,031.

6. Jacob O’Mara of Baron Rouge, Louisiana, 82.5 points for $1,451.

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