BELT, Mont. — From what Brad Narducci and Dave Whitmoyer talked about during last night’s Legends Challenge at the 10th Annual Dusty Gliko Memorial Bull Riding, Richard Bird may not have been their first pick to win.
As the second man out though, the 1994 Indian National Finals Rodeo Champion stuck to his bull for an 80-point score, the first of the day and what would be the only one in the challenge.
Bird earned $2,100 for the win and a buckle that some might say was even nicer than that of Cody Ford’s, who won the Touring Pro Division event and almost double the prize money. The Cut Bank, Montana, man said this is the last buckle he would win bull riding, unless they have this deal again next year.
That’ll likely be up to Jeff Marn. By the shape Marn’s in, it could very well happen. He wasn’t even out of breath after his bull ride when he joined Narducci in the announcer’s stand to finish his hometown event.
Ford won the Touring Pro Division event and earned 60 points toward the world standings with an 84-point and an 87.5-point bull ride on War Party to edge 2013 National Finals Rodeo qualifier Parker Breding by a half point.
Breding’s father, Scott, also attempted a bull earlier in the Legends Challenge at 53 years of age.
Parker earned an 82.5-point ride in the long round, but put up a huge 88.5 points on Pandemic in the championship round for the top ride of the night. The Edgar, Montana, bull rider earned just over $3,000 for his efforts and 30 points towards the PBR’s World Standings.
Zac Peterson placed third courtesy of his long-round best 87.5 points on Eye of the Tiger. Peterson came into the event 80th in the world standings and the 20 points helps him inch closer back towards the Built Ford Tough Series. The $2,000 helps his cause too.
Taryl Smith and Dylan Madsen rounded out the Top-5 due to their matching long-round performances of 86 points.
Ford came up short of the whistle on the infamous Buck Wild in a $1,000 bounty bull showdown.
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