Downing leads steer wrestling at NW Montana Fair PRCA Rodeo

Suddenly, the rodeo season looks a lot brighter for Shawn Downing of Silver Star.

The 25-year-old bulldogger took the overall lead in steer wrestling Friday with a lightning quick time of 3.4 seconds during the second performance of the Northwest Montana Fair PRCA Rodeo at the Flathead County Fairgrounds.

Downing watched Tyler Holland of Bozeman and Josh Granell of Havre go before him, both checking in with times of 3.8 seconds.

"That put the pressure on a little bit," Downing said.

"I seem to do a little better under pressure rather than when it's just a gimme."

Downing has been a regular at this rodeo the past five seasons, never cashing in.

"Bad luck, bad bulldogging," he said.

"I don't know what it is … it just hasn't gone good."

That all changed, however, on Friday.

He said he never wavered on entering this rodeo, "because you always have a chance."

Downing said he had a good steer and a great start.

"And that's half the battle."

His bulldogging skills did the rest.

Downing was one of three cowboys Friday to take over event leads.

Jake Hayworth of St. Anthony, Idaho, scored 83 on Uptown Alley to move into first place in the saddle bronc.

And Clayton Bunney of Cessford, Alberta, turned in an 86-point ride on Street Dance to top the bareback.

Hayworth, 31, won the saddle bronc here last year.

"I was a little intimidated (to ride him again)," Hayworth said of Uptown Alley.

"Just a couple of weeks ago in Helena he knocked me out. He threw me off and I landed on my head."

Hayworth did go the full eight seconds on Uptown Alley in the Capital City, getting a score of 76.

Hayworth has now drawn that horse three times and covered him each go.

"A lot wilder (tonight)," Hayworth said of Uptown Alley. "A lot more exotic than before."

Which was good news for Hayworth.

"A horse like that will jump 12 to 13 times in eight seconds," he said. "Changing directions all the time. It was on his mind that he was gonna toss me. I kept sitting down."

Hayworth is currently ninth in the PRCA standings, leads the Montana Circuit and ranks high on the Canadian Circuit. He says he would like to make the finals in all three.

Friday's Results

Bareback - 1. Clayton Bunney, Cessford, Alberta, 86 on Street Dance (only ride).

Saddle bronc - 1. Jake Hayworth, St. Anthony, Idaho, 83 on Uptown Alley; 2. Jesse Kruse, Great Falls, 81; 3. Rod Ray, Wildwood, Alberta, 77; 4. Tyrell Smith, Vaugh, 71.

Steer wrestling - 1. Shawn Downing, Silver Star, 3.4; 2. (tie) Tyler Holland, Bozeman, and Josh Granell, Havre, 3.8 each; 4. Jesse Peterson, Dillon, 4.3; 5. Klate Greany, Helena, 5.1; 6. Jeremy Marn, Belt, 13.9; 7. Ken Holland, Dillon, 16.0.

Team roping - 1. Cleve Fuller, Augusta/Jordan Handy, Chinook, 6.4; 2. Mark Salmond, Choteau/Sam Levine, Wolf Creek, 6.8.

Tie-down roping - 1. Tim Bagnell, Polson, 11.4; 2. Tyler Holland, Bozeman, 14.9.

Barrel racing - 1. Bobbie Reeves, St. Igntius, 17.91; 2. Deena Moeykens, Three Forks, 17.95; 3. Rayna Rice, Sidney, 18.00; 4. TJ Barnett, Havre, 18.01; 5. Julie Lenoir, Helena, 18.20; 6. Kaycee Ladd, Sulphur Springs, Texas, 18.28; 7. Jana Perryh, Cut Bank, 18.58; 8. Jill Lane, Fairfield, 18.83.

Bull riding - 1. Lem Short, Stevensville, 80 on 119; 2. James Warfield, East Helena, 77.

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Leaders after two performances

Wild Pony Rides

Bareback - Clayton Bunney, Cessford, Alberta, 86 on Street Dance

Saddle bronc - Jake Hayworth, St. Anthony, Idaho, 83 on Uptown Alley

Steer wrestling - Shawn Downing, Silverstar, 3.4

Team roping - (tie) Chris Lawson, Gonzales, Texas/Kyle Crick, Lipan, Texas, and Nolan Conway, Browning/Terry Tatsey, Browning, 6.2 each

Tie-down roping - Josh Graff, Bozeman, 8.5

Barrel racing - Mercedes Knudson, Great Falls, 17.63

Bull riding - Cody Buller, Glendive, 84

Wild Pony Rides

Friday

1. Kesler's (Kurtis Kesler, Chase Kesler, Alexander Skanderup), 5.04 seconds; 2. Pony Express (Bryce Gardner, Justin Wallace, Arik Lybeck), 8.19; 3. Rough Riders (Kaden Siderius, Katy Burk, Aaron Siderius), 9.47; 4. Gardner Auction & RV Center (Alex May, Justin Gardner, Chase Gardner), 10.53.

Thursday

1. Kesler's, 5.36; 2. Rough Riders, 7.73; 3. Gardner Auction and RV C