Azzy Lara wins 2nd bareback ride at Columbia Falls finals

Lara’s ride came a day after he fashioned a 75 to finish with top honors in the first go-round. The Montana state champion took the lead in the average with a 149 with three days of competition remaining. Sean Mahoney of Bend, Oregon, who also had a 75 in the first go-round, has yet to compete a second time. 

Another Montanan in solid position in the average after two go-rounds is Miles City saddle bronc rider Caiden Gray, who was second in the evening session with a 74 and has a total of 144 on two head. Gray tied for 13th in the first go-round with his 70.

As the second go-round unfolded Wednesday night, Martinsdale’s Walker Story shined in rein cow horse, winning his second session with a 292.5 to move into second in the go-round. Story tied for 20th in the first go-round with a 288.

Bozeman’s Sally Robb had a strong performance in goat tying, finishing third of 30 competitors in the session with a time of 7.65 seconds. Robb was 92nd in the first go-round with a time of 9.94.

Also Wednesday night, Lewistown’s Kate Wiening was sixth in reined cow horse with a 288.5 and stands eighth overall in the go-round. Weining was 40th in the first go-round with a 284. 

In breakaway roping, Dillon’s Josie Robbins was ninth with a time of 5.8 seconds. Robbins was 83rd in the first go-round in 12.2 seconds. 

Fort Shaw barrel racer Abigail DeVos landed 15th with her time of 17.818. DeVos was 53rd in the opening go-round in 17.991.

In girls cutting, Belgrade’s Mesa Radue was 20th with a score of 63. Radue did not have a score in the first go-round. 

The second go-round of bull riding began Wednesday night, with only one rider managing a score. Browning’s Tahj Wells had the second-best mark of the opening round with an 82, four points behind Sutton Schrunk of Valentine, Nebraska.