Small Squeaks By to Saddle Bronc Crown at Mountain States Circuit Finals

Bailey Small and Ira Dickinson were neck-and-neck the entire even, with Small's final ride giving him the victory.

Bailey Small’s last ride helped him take the Saddle Bronc riding title at the Mountain States Circuit Finals in Loveland, Colo., on Saturday.

It was a close race to the end with Small and Ira Dickinson separated by one point in the average at the conclusion of the three-round event.

Small ended up with 243 points on three head to finish with $3101 in the average, while Dickinson finished with 242 points and 2,326.

Ben Kukowski finished third with 222 points.

Small’s last victory came at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo in Abilene, Texas, in September.

Dickinson took the lead after the first round after he finished with an 80.5-point ride on Summit Pro Rodeo's Cowboy Logic, which tied him for the lead with Cauy Pennington, who rode to the same score on Rocky Mountain Rodeo's Sand Burr. Small was right behind the pair with a 79-point ride.

Dickinson tied for the lead again in the second round with an 81.5-point ride on Kirsten Vold Rodeo Company's Pine Valley. Small tied him in that round with a ride on Kirsten Vold Rodeo Company's Jerry's Justice.

In the final round, Small pulled ahead. His 82.5-point ride came on Summit Pro Rodeo's Hero. Dickinson finished second with an 80-point ride, and that 2.5-point gap was just enough to help Small to the title.

Mountain States Circuit Finals

Loveland, Colo., Oct. 20-21

First round: 1. (tie) Ira Dickinson, on Summit Pro Rodeo's Cowboy Logic, and Cauy Pennington, on Rocky Mountain Rodeo's Sand Burr, 80.5 points, $1,809 each; 3. Bailey Small, 79, $1,034; 4. Sage Miller, 78, $517. Second round: 1. (tie) Ira Dickinson, on Kirsten Vold Rodeo Company's Pine Valley, and Bailey Small, on Kirsten Vold Rodeo Company's Jerry's Justice, 81.5 points, $1,809 each; 3. Ben Kukowski, 79.5, $1,034; 4. Walker Rezzonico, 79, $517. Third round: 1. Bailey Small, 82.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo's Hero, $2,068; 2. (tie) Ira Dickinson and Brady Love, 80, $1,292 each; 4. Kasey Rosendahl, 74, $517. Average: 1. Bailey Small, 243 points on three head, $3,101; 2. Ira Dickinson, 242, $2,326; 3. Ben Kukowski, 222, $1,551; 4. Coleman Shallbetter, 220, $775.