Veteran Takes the Lead

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Veteran Takes the Lead - August 21, 2012

Young cowboys, daughters motivate Oklahoma cowboy

Bobby Griswold may be the “elder” cowboy behind the chutes, but it doesn’t stop him from making great rides.

The saddle bronc rider from Geary, Okla., turned in an 82 point ride on Friday night at the Inter-State Fair and Rodeo in Coffeyville, Kan., to take over the lead in the saddle bronc riding. He rode Beutler and Son Rodeo’s Golden Chances, and was complimentary to the horse. “He’s awful nice to ride. He lets you show off and do your job.”

He may be 44 years old, but that’s not stopping him from riding well. His secret to a long career? “I just love riding bucking horses.” He travels with three younger saddle bronc riders: Casey Sisk, Shank Stephens, and Jesse James Kirby, and they’re helping energize him. “They’re pushing me to work out,” he said, “and it’s keeping everybody motivated. At my stage of the game, it’s pretty easy to get ho-hum about things. But those young guys keep me generated.”

And his daughters also keep him motivated. When he brought home a championship buckle from his win at Woodward, Okla. in July, “they thought that was cool, and one of the girls put it on,” he said. “Then I win Manhattan (Kan.) and they’re like, ‘dad, go win us another buckle. Bring us another one home.’ Their enthusiasm helps me a lot.”

Griswold has had a stellar career, competing at a circuit finals rodeo nearly every year of his 25 year career, and making the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo four times (1999, 2004, 2006 and 2008.) He’s close to calling it quits. “My wife has been after me for ten years to retire. This year, my goals are to win the Prairie Circuit (year-end title) or at least win the circuit finals, and go to Oklahoma City to the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo. At that point, I can hang my saddle up and be dad.” His daughters, ages 12, seven and four, are beginning their rodeo competition. “My girls have a junior rodeo finals and my oldest is fixing to win her first all-around saddle. She said, ‘Dad, I really need you there.’ I want to be with my girls, be dad.”

In other events, leaders from Friday night are Matthew Smith, bareback riding (81), Tyler Judd Harris, steer wrestling (3.9), Bryson Sechrist, tie-down roping (9.8), Jordan Sanders and JD Holland, team roping (10.4), and Christy Honsberger, barrel racing (18.15). There were no qualified runs in the steer roping and no bull rider made the eight second buzzer in the bull riding.

The final night of rodeo takes place Saturday, August 18 in Coffeyville, where a custom made Bohlin watch worth $3,500 will be awarded to the all-around winner. The junior market livestock sale takes place on Saturday night at 4:30 pm.

Results, 3rd performance, Inter-State Rodeo, Coffeyville, Kan.

August 17, 2012

Bareback Riding

Matthew Smith, Leesville, La. 81 points on 860 Show Biz
no other qualified rides

Steer Wrestling
2nd go round

Tyler Judd Harris, Cole Camp, Mo. 3.9
Rodney Burks, Benton, Ark. 5.6
Grant Hart, Conway, Ark. 7.1
Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan. 8.6

Tie Down Roping
1st go round

Bryson Sechrist, Apache, Okla. 9.8
Roger Branch, Perkins, Okla. 12.2
Joe Macoubrie, Alva, Okla. 17.3
no other qualified runs

Saddle Bronc Riding

Bobby Griswold, Geary, Okla., 82 points on 553 Golden Chances
Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah, 72
Shank Stephens, Hinton, Okla. 49
no other qualified rides

Team Roping
2nd go round

Jordan Sanders, Odessa, Mo. and JD Holland, Manhattan, Kan. 10.4
Ethan Ryan McDowell, Mooreland, Okla. and Chase Johnson, Alva, Kan. 11.4
AJ Horton, Stigler, Okla. and Kyle Horton, Stigler, Okla. 15.7
no other qualified runs

Steer Roping
2nd go round

No qualified runs

Women’s Barrel Racing

Christy Honsberger, Jacksonville, Fla. 18.15
Mikella Mims, Holdenville, Okla., 18.40
Tie with 4th - Candie Miner, Guthrie, Okla. 18.55
tie with 3rd - Jewels DeNapoli, Callahan, Fla. 18.55

Bull Riding

No qualified rides

** All results are unofficial.

Veteran Takes the Lead

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