Stampede Rodeo: Forestburg’s Zoss shines on the bulls

• Murphy

(Chris Huber/Republic) Seth Murphy, of South Heart, wrestles a steer to the ground Thursday night at the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo at the Horseman’s Sports Arena.

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It was a great night for comebacks.

Three cowboys coming off of recent injuries delivered winning performances on Thursday’s go-round at the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo at Horseman’s Sports Arena in front of a crowd of 1,412.

Charles Zoss delivered on the final ride of the night in the bull riding event with a score of 86 on Crank That.

It marks the third time he’s rode a bull named “Crank That” for a win, with an 86 at the Crystal Spring Rodeo last year in Clear Lake. He also posted an 84 at the Badlands circuit finals in Minot, N.D., in 2011.

Zoss, a Forestburg resident, recently recovered from a neck injury suffered in March. His ride topped a pair of 82 scores by Dylan Madsen and John Andersen.

“I was pretty excited about having (Crank That). I just tweaked it, and I’m glad to be back in the action,” Zoss, 32, said.

Continuing the comeback theme, Plankinton’s Owen Fagerhaug won the tie-down roping competition with a time of 9 seconds in the event’s final ride. The 35-year-old returned from a broken arm, which sidelined him since June until receiving the doctor’s go-ahead on Tuesday, allowing him to return to action close to home. He took home top Thursday honors in the event for the second straight year.

“Nine-flat and she was a real good calf. She took the tie and that’s what it’s all about. It’s nice to be able to get back on and do well at a good rodeo like this one,” said Fauerhaug, who will participate in amateur rodeos in Huron and Burke before returning the Stampede Rodeo Sunday.

Jeremy Meeks won the saddle bronc performance with a score of 76, edging Kaden Deal’s 75-point ride and a 74 posted by Jade Blackwell. Meeks’ win on Reba came sight unseen but he asked around with the other riders who had rode her before for a scouting report.

“I asked around and found out she was a good little horse. She did her part and I did mine,” said the Belle Fouche native, who has been coming to the Mitchell rodeo since 1999.

Meeks said Thursday was his fifth rodeo performance since a car wreck six months ago.

“I just hurt my back and spent time with my family. I just took the time off to realize what life is about,” the 31-year-old Meeks said.

Five-time national finals rodeo qualifier Lisa Lockhart, of Oelrichs, delivered the gold standard performance in barrel racing with a time of 15.75 seconds.

The Gillette, Wyo., pair of Tyson Holden and Clay Johnson claimed the night’s team roping crown with a time of 11.5 seconds, although the event was plagued by penalties and no score efforts. Jeff Johnston of Thedford, Neb., won the steer wrestling performance, clocking in at 5.4 seconds.

Dustin Luper took home the first win of the rodeo with a 79 in the bareback riding event. The 30-year-old Luper’s small stature — he generously says he’s about 5-foot-6 — was not a detriment riding Black Cat and the Provo native said he was praying the ride would go well.

“When I get on, I just rely on the Holy Ghost and pray it goes well,” he said with a little laugh.

Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo Chairman Jim Miskimins was happy with the first night of the rodeo.

“We had a lovely evening and with the cloud cover, it was nice to have it cool off. I was very pleased with the crowd and they were rewarded with 86-point bull ride to close it out for great entertainment,” Miskimins said.

NOTES: Zoss won’t be the only big name to appear at the rodeo this weekend. In a release from the Corn Palace Stampede Rodeo, the following riders will be involved with the action over the final three days.

- In the bareback riding event, National Finals Rodeo qualifier Joe Gunderson of Agar, has drawn Dinner Bell, a horse that has participated in the National Circuit Finals Rodeo (NCFR).

- In the tie-down roping and steer wrestling events, Clay Cowan of Highmore will participate. Cowan is the reigning all-around champion of the NCFR.

The saddle bronc events will feature National Finals Rodeo qualifier Chuck Schmidt of Keldron. He drew Disco Stick, which has made an appearance at the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo (BCFR). Former National High School champion Dawson Jandreau of Kennebec will ride the mare Campfire, who participated in the NFR.

- For the team roping event, 1991 PRCA World Champion Bobby Harris will be roping with his son, Ryan.

Team Roping — 1. Tyson Holden, Gillette, Wyo./Clay Johnston, Gillette, Wyo. 11.5; 2. Clay Carlson, Powers Lake, N.D./Seth Murphy, South Heart, N.D. 12.2; 3. Dana Sippel, Pierpont/Travis Johnson, Sisseton 12.7; 4. J.D. Johnson, Dupree/Allan Olson, White River 13.3; 4. Tyrell Moody, Letcher/Elliott Gourneau, Kennebec 15.4; 5. Clint Whipple, St. Francis/Kelan Gesinger, Eagle Butte 24.9.

WPRA Barrel Racing — 1. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs 15.75; 2. Rachel Tiedeman, Rapid City 15.96; 3. Deena Grieves, Upton Wyo. 16.01; 4. D’Ann Gehlsen, Mission 16.01; 5. Samantha Flannery, Mission 16.13; 6. Mary Mitzel, Belle Fourche 16.14; 7. Mackenzie Weber, New Rockford, N.D. 16.26; 8. Gabriel Gregg, Fort Pierre 16.54; 9. Sonya Walz, Ainsworth, Neb. 16.56; 10. Melodi Christensen, Kennebec 21.45; 11. Pamela Hannum, Fort Pierre 21.52; 12. Tamra Musick, Virgil 22.36.

Bull Riding — 1. Charles Zoss, Forestburg on Crank That 86; 2. John Andersen, Viborg on Captain America 82; 2. Dylan Madsen, Rapid City on Hard Drive 82; 4. Tater Hins, Huron on King Kong 73; 5. Justin Spotted Bear, Mandaree, N.D., on Cracker Jack 64.

Bareback Riding — 1. Dustin Luper, Provo on Black Cat 79; 2. Rollie Wilson, Buffalo on Bertha 75; 3. Marvin Alderman Jr., Idabel, Okla., on Caramel Apple 74; 4. Mark Kenyon, Hayti on Surprise Party 64.

Steer Wrestling — 1. Jeff Johnston, Thedford, Neb. 5.4; 2. Tee Hale, White Owl 5.7; 2. Trevor Haake, Grand Island, Neb. 5.7; 2. Tait Kvistad, Grover, Colo. 5.7; 5. Allen Good, Long Valley 6.4; 6. Jarrett Rasmussen, Valentine, Neb. 6.9; 7. Seth Murphy, South Heart, N.D. 7.3; 8. Ty Talsma, Verdigre, Neb. 8.3; 9. Reed Petersek, Colome 9.3; 10. Tee Burress, Piedmont 14.4.

Saddle Bronc Riding — 1. Jeremy Meeks, Belle Fourche on Reba 76; 2. Jade Blackwell, Rapid City on Salt & Pepper 74; 3. Rollie Wilson, Buffalo on Rambo 72; 3. Jace Blackwell, White River on General Lee 72; 5. Kaden Deal, Cherry Creek on Cadillac Jack 68; 6. Hugh Connolly, Golden Valley N.D., on Deadwood 64; 6. Wyatt Kammerer, Philip on Robin Hood 64.

Tie Down Roping — 1. Owen Fagerhaug, Plankinton 9.0; 2. Trey Young, Dupree 9.6; 3. Jerrad Hofstetter, Portales, N.M. 11.6; 4. Doug Lawrence, White Horse 17.4; 5. Jess Woodward, Dupree 20.3; 6. Deon Dorsey, Isabel 20.6

Tags: sports, rodeo, plankinton, forestburg, colome