Monday, Dec. 6, 1999 | 11:05 a.m.
The records continue to fall at the $4.4 million National Finals Rodeo.
For the second consecutive night, a Thomas & Mack arena record was established when saddle bronc rider Billy Etbauer scored 90 points atop Skoal's Rio Bravo and won the go-round. Etbauer's ride broke the existing arena record record of 88 points, which was held by six cowboys, including Etbauer.
"I don't know what to say," Etbauer said. "It's an honor and I guess we'll just keep trying to beat that (score). Records are there to be broken, so that's what we'll just try to do.
"It was just a good horse. It's just what a guy wants -- he's pretty flashy -- and I was just lucky to keep everything together."
Etbauer, a two-time world saddle bronc champion, said he did not know what kind of score to expect once his ride was over.
"I don't anticipate," Etbauer said with a laugh. "I just try to take care of my end and try and ride as good as I can and I'll just take whatever they give me.
Etbauer's record was the second in three go-rounds at the NFR; bull rider Mike White tied a 23-year-old record Saturday when he scored 95 points on Skoals Yellow Jacket.
Other third go-round winners:
* Lan LaJeunesse scored 85 points to win $12,908.71 in bareback riding. Jason Wylie was second with 84 points and Clint Corey and Chad Klein tied for third with 81 points.
* Chad Hagen and Ricky Huddleston tied for first in steer wrestling with identical times of 3.50 and each earned $11,555.37. Mickey Gee was third with a time of 3.60.
* Richard Eiguren and Bucky Campbell won the team roping competition with a time of 4.50. The team of Charles Pogue and Britt Bockius tied for second with the Matt Tyler/Kory Koontz pairing at 4.60.
* Cody Ohl won his second go-round with a 7.20 clocking in calf roping. Justin Maass was second at 7.50 and Jeff Chapman took third at 7.60.
* Greg Potter was one of only two riders to post qualifying rides Sunday and won the bull riding competition with a score of 86. Josh O'Byrne was second with a score of 83.
* Sherry Cervi, who leads the barrel racing world standings, won her first go-round with a time of 13.98. Kay Blandford was second at 14.17 and Ruth Haislip took third at 14.20.
* All-AROUND LEADER: Fred Whitfield continues to lead the All-Around Cowboy world standings, but saw his lead over Cody Ohl narrow after Ohl captured his second go-round Sunday night.
Whitfield, who is attempting to win his first all-around world title, has won $19,467.16 at the NFR to push his season total to $171,805.34. Ohl, who trailed Whitfield by more than $20,000 coming into the Finals, has earned $34,039.36 through three go-rounds and is second with $159,289.65 -- a deficit of only $12,515.69.
* MORE RODEO? Local rodeo fans who have found National Finals tickets hard to come by should keep their fingers crossed that a second championship-type event finds a home in Las Vegas.
PRCA officials have confirmed a new winter tour that would start in January and end in June with a championship rodeo that could be headed for Las Vegas. Details regarding the new series are expected to be announced this weekend.
The formation of the new series is said to be tied to a 25-event television package which would provide rodeo with additional exposure. It also would give the Thomas & Mack Center or another suitable venue a potentially big summertime event during a time of the year when business is usually slow.
But Thomas & Mack director Pat Christenson said he has not been approached by PRCA officials about hosting the summertime event.
"I've heard about it but we haven't gotten anything going," Christenson said about negotiations. "And if you're looking at Las Vegas and haven't talked to us ... "
At the same time, Christenson said that doesn't mean the Mack couldn't wind up hosting the event.
"Not at all," he said. "(June) is still a long way away."
One other possibility for a big time rodeo event would be the MGM Grand, which used to host the Pro Bull Riders championship before that event switched to the Thomas & Mack.
* INJURY REPORT: Bareback rider Eric Swenson will miss today's go-round after sustaining a split pelvis during a ride Saturday night. ... Bull rider Mike Moore suffered a left groin strain Sunday and is listed a "probable" for today's fourth go-round. ... Bareback rider Chris Harris suffered a lower back strain Sunday and was transported to University Medical Center's Trauma Center for x-rays. Harris also is listed as "probable" for today.
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