A good Nebraska cowboy pulled a rare double in the bronc riding events in the opening performance of the Central States Fair Range Days Rodeo in Rapid City, SD on Thursday, August 23rd.
Steven Dent, highlighting the bronc riding skills that have earned the Mullen, Nebraska, man eight trips to the National Finals Rodeo, posted the top rides of the first performance in both bareback and saddle bronc.
An 82.5 trip aboard Brookman Rodeo’s Whiskey Nights in bareback kicked off the first of the double-up performance, and then Dent saddled up Burch Rodeo’s Lunatic Bait and spurred his dance partner to an event leading 80-point ride.
“He slipped a couple of time, but he was pretty good,” Dent said in explaining his bareback ride on a track made muddy by afternoon rains. “I’ve seen way worse conditions, though, so I don’t think it mattered much. And then I was fortunate to draw a good saddle bronc horse that showed off well for me, too.”
Dent tied for first in Bareback Riding and tied for 6th in Saddle Bronc Riding at the conclusion of the rodeo, and received All-around Cowboy honors for his performances in the two events.