Harper Takes Saddle Bronc Title at Columbia River Circuit Finals

Joe Harper won two rounds in saddle bronc riding, including the best single-ride of the competition, as he took the title.

Joe Harper was on a roll as he won two rounds and claimed the Saddle Bronc riding title at the Columbia River Circuit Finals in Redmond, Ore., on Saturday.

Harper, out of Paradise Valley, Nev., failed to place in the first round. But he made up for that in the second and third rounds to claim a payout of $2,152 in each round and a payout of $3228 for winning the average.

In the second round he rode Corey & Lange Rodeo's Duck Butter to an 81.5-point finish to claim that round and the average lead for the three-round event.

Then, in Saturday’s final round, he claimed the victory again, this time with an event-best 86-point ride on King Rodeo and Wentz Bucking Bulls' Popeye.

In the average, Harper finished with a three-head score of 240.5 points. That was well ahead of Jack Bentz, who finished in second place with 223.5 points and Ryan Verling, who finished third at 214 points.

Verling was consistent, as he finished in the money all three rounds.

The only other round winners was Tate Owens, who on the first round with an 81.5-point ride on Corey & Lange Rodeo's Bay Wolf.

Columbia River Circuit Finals

Redmond, Ore., Oct. 19-21

First round: 1. Tate Owens, 81.5 points on Corey & Lange Rodeo's Bay Wolf, $2,152; 2. Sam Harper, 77, $1,614; 3. (tie) Cole Biggers and Ryan Verling, 74, $807 each. Second round: 1. Joe Harper, 81.5 points on Corey & Lange Rodeo's Duck Butter, $2,152; 2. Jack Bentz, 78.5, $1,614; 3. (tie) Jesse James Kirby and Ryan Verling, 77, $807 each. Third round: 1. Joe Harper, 86 points on King Rodeo and Wentz Bucking Bulls' Popeye, $2,152; 2. Nick Joyce, 79.5, $1,614; 3. Jack Bentz, 73, $1,076; 4. Ryan Verling, 63, $538. Average: 1. Joe Harper, 240.5 points on three head, $3,228; 2. Jack Bentz, 223.5, $2,421; 3. Ryan Verling, 214, $1,614; 4. Nick Joyce, 149.5 on two head, $807.