Crawley, Champion off to early leads at California Rodeo Salinas

Richmond Champion FEATURE — Dubliner Richmond Champion dominated Pool A bareback riding at the Calgary Stampede Friday through Monday. || Stock photo courtesy DUDLEY BARKER/dudleydoright.com

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(July 17, 2015) – Sterling Crawley covered Rafter G Rodeo’s ‘Sundance’ for 84 points to take the lead in the ongoing first round of saddle bronc riding at California Rodeo Salinas Thursday. He’s one of two local cowboys to lead his event early on.

California Rodeo Salinas is one of the most prestigious stops on the PRCA tour, with a total payout north of $400,000, drawing the bulk of the world class competitors to Salinas, Calif. Thursday through Sunday.

Former Tarleton rodeo competitor Richmond Champion is tied atop the first-round bareback standings after scoring 79 points on Bar T Rodeo’s ‘Red Lady,’ a lead that is not likely to stand through Friday.

Three Stephenville heelers earned money in the first of five rounds (four rounds plus the finals) in the team roping. Header Jake Cooper of Stephenville tied for second and earned $1,701 in 8.0 seconds, while Chad Williams, a Stephenville heeler, partnered with Aaron Macy to split fourth and fifth in 8.1 seconds for $1,149 each. Stephenville heeler Travis Graves tied for eighth in 8.7 seconds, earning $92.

Many local stars will also be competing in Cheyenne, Wyo. in the famous Cheyenne Frontier Days that has a total payout of more than $800,000.

Stephenville steer roper Martin Poindexter has already earned $4,342 at Cheyenne, placing third in the first round of steer roping in 14.7 seconds.

Continue to follow The Flash for more on our local competitors at Salinas and Cheyenne.