Sandvick opens NFR with bareback victory

Friday, Dec. 4, 1998 | 11:23 a.m.

Sandvick, of Kaycee, Wyo., earned $13,004 to raise his season total to $77,842. Clint Corey of Culver, Ore., is the leader with $85,466.

"I didn't know much about the horse," said Sandvick, fifth in the world last year. "I heard it would circle to left and jump high. They were pretty much right, although it circled a little tighter than I thought it would."

Corey tied for fifth in the go-round with a 78-point ride.

"A 78's a good solid ride," Corey said. "If I can get a 78 or higher all week long, I'll do pretty well."

Three Texas cowboys, Chris Harris of Arlington, Pete Hawkins of Weatherford, and Denny McClanahan of Canadian, tied for second at 81s.

"You always want to get that first ride out of the way and do well," Sandvick said. "Your confidence level goes way up by starting out good."

Cody Custer of Wickenburg, Ariz., topped the bull riding competition with an 86 on Classic Pro Rodeo's Copenhagen Dirty White. Blu Bryant of Nacogdoches, Texas, was second with an 84, and world leader Ty Murray of Stephenville, Texas, was third at 83.

Derek Clark of Colcord, Okla., won the saddle bronc with an 80, with Red Lemmell of Mud Butte, S.D., and Todd Hipsag of Lincoln, Neb., tying for second with 78s.

In steer wrestling, Rod Lyman of Victor, Mont., and Herbert Theriot of Poplarville, Miss., tied for first with 3.7-second performances.

World calf roping leader Cody Ohl of Stephenville, Texas, won the go-round with a 7.8 second run; Kevin Stewart of Glen Rose, Texas, and Martin Lucero of Stephenville, Texas, topped the team roping go-round with a 4.8-second run; and Ruth Haislip of Acampo, Calif., was the top barrel racer at 14.07 seconds.