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Bareback Rider Orin Larsen Healthy and Rolling

By Scott Kaniewski

ARLINGTON, Texas – After the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, bareback rider Orin Larsen took a respite from competing for more than a month to rest his knee.

Larsen underwent knee surgery in November. He wasn’t sure he’d make the Finals.

Now, as of March 3, Larsen is already about as close to qualifying for the 2019 Wrangler NFR as a competitor can be this early in the season.

A week after winning the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, Larsen won The American with an arena record 91-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Top Notch in the shootout round at the AT&T Center in Arlington, Texas.

“It’s been pretty awesome,” Larsen said. “Staying healthy is half the battle. And drawing good horses and staying strong to your faith and keep praying, it’s amazing what will happen to you.”

Of the $100,000 that Larsen won in Arlington, $50,000 will count toward the PRCA | RAM World Standings.

Heading into the weekend, Larsen was fourth in the standings with $30,257. Last year, Wyatt Denny went into the Wrangler NFR as No. 15 in the bareback riding with $77,497.

Larsen had never been on Top Notch.

“It was like a really big boxing match going south,” he laughed. “It was pretty much touch and go. That was a powerful horse, very underrated. I was fortunate to get him here.”

Larsen won $29,500 in San Antonio.

Other winners at The American were: All-Around Rhen Richard; steer wrestler Ty Erickson (4.2 seconds); team ropers Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes (4.24 seconds); saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright (88.5 points on Calgary Stampede’s Wild Cherry); tie-down roper Caleb Smidt (6.97 seconds); barrel racer Hailey Kinsel (14.217 seconds); bull rider Joao Ricardo Vieira (87 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Soup in a Group).

For more coverage of The American check out the March 8 issue of the ProRodeo Sports News.

Courtesy of PRCA

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