National Finals Rodeo: Utah's Bennett wins bareback event

Las Vegas • Caleb Bennett of Morgan, Utah, isn't performing like a rookie.

Bennett posted a score of 85 and won the bareback event during Round 7 of the $6.1 million Wrangler Nationals Finals Rodeo on Wednesday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

He earned $18,257.

After qualifying for the first NFR of his career, Bennett has placed in four of the seven rounds. He is sixth in the average standings and has pocketed $46,819 with three rounds remaining.

Also in bareback, Payson's Kaycee Feild posted a 79 and finished sixth. He maintained his lead in the average and earned another $2,944, pushing his NFR total to $62,371.

Feild is the reigning world champion.

Meanwhile, in saddle bronc, the Wright brothers of Milford had another big night.

Jesse Wright won Round 7 with a score of 84.5, Cody Wright finished fourth with an 81.5, and Jake Wright did not score.

Jesse Wright earned $18,257 with the victory and moved into fifth place in the all-around standings. He has earned $75,175 so far.

Cody Wright, a two-time world champion, pocketed $7,656 and bumped his NFR total to $43,579.

In other events:

• Tag Elliott of Thatcher tied for second in bull riding with a score of 86.5. He earned $12,662 after the best National Finals performance of his career.

• Kelli Tolbert of Hooper placed sixth in barrel racing with a time of 13.91 seconds. She pocketed $2,944 and has made $34,462 at the NFR.

• Clint Robinson of Spanish Fork was timed in 9.1 seconds in the tie-down roping, but it was not good enough for him to finish among the top six.

• Tom Lewis of Lehi failed to score in the steer wrestling. —

Schedule

P Nightly through Saturday

Where • Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas