SPRINGDALE -- Not even a little rain could dampen Will Lowe's spirit Thursday evening at the 71st Annual Rodeo of the Ozarks.
Lowe, a three-time world champion bareback rider, recorded the top score of the night of 86 points and surpassed R.C. Landingham's 84 on Wednesday.
At A Glance
71st Rodeo Of The Ozarks
When: Today-Saturday
Where: Parsons Stadium, Springdale
Tickets: $7-$38; $7 for children ages 2-12
Information: 877-927-6336; www.rodeooftheozark…
Nightly Schedule
6 p.m.: Gates open
6:30 p.m.: Mutton Bustin’
7:30 p.m.: Rodeo
At A Glance
71st Rodeo of the Ozarks Results
Thursday
Bareback Riding
1, Will Lowe^86
2, Steven Anding^83
3, Wes Stevenson^82
3, Jared Smith^82
Steer Wrestling
1, Corey Kurck^4.4
1, Joey Bell^4.4
3, Toby Johnson^4.5
4, Jeff Miller^4.6
5, Moe Fleming^4.9
6, Stewart Gulager^6.2
7, Cody Brecheisen^10.8
Team Roping
1, Graham/Ward^6.8.
2, Chandler/French^7.0
3, Chapman/Bratton^7.6
Bull Riding
1, Eli Vastbinder^89
2, Craig Jackson^79
Tie-Down Roping
1, Zeb Chapman^13.5
2, Seth Rodriquez^20.1
Sadddle Bronc Riding
1, Kobyn Williams^77
1, Chase Miller^77
3, James Greeson^74
Barrel Racing
1, Ashlie Withrow^16.81
2, Rosie Bradley^16.95
3, Kasidi Smart^17.02
4, LeAnn Stockton^17.70
5, Lindsey Hall^22.10
6, Angela Hudson^22.31
7, Renea Bolling^22.73
8, Jyme Beth Powell^22.82.
4,
The 32-year-old from Olathe, Kan., has already been to events in Greeley, Colo. and Prescott, Ariz., prior to his stop in Springdale this week. He'll head for South Dakota and back to Greeley on Friday, then to Cody, Wyo. on the Fourth of July.
Despite the full schedule on the week of the Fourth of July, Lowe makes Springdale a must-stop. His love for the Rodeo of the Ozarks goes back to his youth.
"I used to come to the junior rodeo they had here," Lowe said. "It was really good when I was growing up."
It's the same now in his professional days. It was even a little cooler than normal Thursday.
"I love it here," Lowe said. "Everyone had a good horse. On paper, it's as good as you get. It was a little overcast, real nice. A little rain never hurt anybody."
Lowe got pushed the bareback riding at an early age since his parents wouldn't let him ride bulls.
"They don't make a lot of saddles for kids as young as I was, so we went with bareback and took off with hit," Lowe said.
Lowe's friend and traveling partner Wes Stevenson tallied an 82 and likes the direction he's going, after getting a late start this season, which he was recovering from surgery.
The 35-year-old Stevenson has also qualified for the National Finals on multiple occasions and likes competing against the likes of Lowe and Jared Smith.
"These guys are some of the toughest in the business," Stevenson said. "I ride against them every single day. If I can beat them, I can beat anybody."
Eli Vastbinder of Casstown, Ohio was one of two cowboys to stay on the bull for a full eight seconds. Vastbinder had a score of 89, while Craig Jackson of Houston scored a 79.
The Rodeo of the Ozarks continues tonight and concludes Saturday with a traditional fireworks show and the crowning of the Miss Rodeo of the Ozarks. Tickets to the rodeo are available at the Rodeo of the Ozarks office at Parsons Stadium by calling the ticket office at 756-0464 or online at rodeooftheozarks.org.
Sports on 07/03/2015