Bareback rider Orin Larsen continues pursuit of lead at NFR

Las Vegas Review-Journal

5 years ago

Daylon Swearingen of Rochelle, Georgia, is taken down by Hot And Ready as bullfighters attempt ... — Daylon Swearingen of Rochelle, Georgia, is taken down by Hot And Ready as bullfighters attempt to assist during the third go-around of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Orin Larsen of Inglis, Manitoba, rides Illegal smile in Bareback Riding during the third go-around of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, in Las Vegas. (L.E. Baskow/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Left_Eye_Images

Bareback rider Orin Larsen didn’t quite set a go-round record Sunday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

But he almost did, and that was good enough for first place and $26,231.

Larsen opened the fourth go-round of the National Finals Rodeo by riding his horse to a score of 90. The 28-year-old from Inglis, Manitoba, in Canada moved into second place in the world standings with $211,788. Clayton Biglow leads with $219,452.17.

“Everyone I talked to in the dressing room was pretty pumped up that I had a good horse,” Larsen said. “That horse definitely didn’t fail. It fit my style and got in the air and was showy. He hangs in the air and is just a good bucking horse, and I was glad to have him.”

Larsen finished sixth Thursday, but missed out on the money Friday and Saturday. He has netted more than $38,000 at the NFR and is seeking his first championship belt buckle.

“I’m not really thinking about the end result,” Larsen said. “All 15 of us deserve to have a gold buckle by the end of the week. I’m just going to do my part and do a lot of praying, and if there’s a gold by my name, I will be stoked.”

Other go-round winners:

— Bridger Chambers, Stevensville, Montana, steer wrestling (3.6 seconds);

— Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tennessee, and Joseph Harrison, Marietta, Oklahoma, team roping (3.7 seconds);

— Rusty Wright, Milford, Utah, saddle bronc riding (89.5);

— Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, Louisiana, tie-down roping (7.5 seconds);

— Emily Miller, Weatherford, Oklahoma, barrel racing (13.64 seconds);

— Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah, bull riding (91).

More NFR: Visit reviewjournal.com/NFR.

Contact reporter Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on Twitter.