This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Las Vegas • Payson bull rider Steve Woolsey didn't enjoy the success he anticipated going into the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
But there is good news.
Woolsey was "doing good" with only "a scrape on the head" Sunday, less than 24 hours after a terrifying run-in with a bull named Palm Springs during the final performance of the NFR.
Woolsey finished third in Round 10 with a score of 87.5 and earned $10,450.
As he completed the eight-second ride, however, Woolsey was tossed to the ground and ended up underneath his rampaging bull.
How did he get into such a dire predicament?
"I wasn't really coherent," he said, "so I don't really know."
Woolsey "woke up" after being taken to the sports medicine room at the Thomas & Mack Center.
He says he will be "just fine."
At this point, Woolsey's plan is to rest and recuperate through Christmas and get ready for Denver's National Western Stock Show in January.
After a sensational regular season, Woolsey entered the NFR as one of the favorites in bull riding.
He suffered a separated shoulder in the second round, however, and ended up riding only three bulls.
Woolsey finished eighth in the world standings after earning $22,313 at the National Finals.
"It's really irritating," Woolsey said after Round 9 on Friday night. "I thought I was going to ride a lot more than I did. But that's just the way it goes. You can either let it get to you or keep going."
Meanwhile, Milford saddle bronc rider Cody Wright wrapped up his second world championship in three years during Round 10 of the NFR.
Wright started this season slowly, but an equipment change helped get him back on track.
When he struggled despite drawing some high-caliber horses at the Calgary Stampede, Wright ended an experiment with some new saddles.
He went back to the one he used during his run to the 2008 world championship.
"I said, 'You know what? I'm don't think the grass is greener on the other side of the fence,' " Wright recalled.
After the saddle switch, Wright's season quickly turned.
"I was just trying to find something to make me ride better," he said.
Laughing shortly after clinching another title, Wright added, "I'm not second-guessing my saddle anymore."
How did Utahns fare in the National Finals Rodeo?
KAYCEE FEILD, Payson
Event • Bareback
NFR earnings • $87,042
Total 2010 earnings • $161,190
His story • Finished fifth in the world … placed in eight of the 10 rounds … won the second and fourth rounds … finished second or third in five other rounds.
WESLEY SILCOX, Santaquin
Event • Bull riding
NFR earnings • $77,956
Total 2010 earnings • $215,348
His story • Finished second in the world … won the ninth round with a score of 90 … placed in four other rounds … finished third in the average.
KELLI TOLBERT, Hooper
Event • Barrel racing
NFR earnings • $59,879
2010 earnings • $132,240
Her story • Finished seventh in the world after her first NFR appearance … won the second round in 13.68 seconds … placed in five other rounds.
STEVE WOOLSEY, Payson
Event • Bull riding
NFR earnings • $22,313
Total 2010 earnings • $134,330
His story • Ended up eighth in the world … best finish was third in the final round … placed in two other rounds … separated his shoulder in Round 2.
JESSE WRIGHT, Milford
Event • Saddle bronc
NFR earnings • $92,926
2010 earnings • $149,834
His story • Finished fifth in the world after his first NFR … won the fifth round with an 89.5 … placed in six other rounds … broke his ankle in Round 1.
CODY WRIGHT, Milford
Event • Saddle bronc
NFR earnings • $148,287
Total 2010 earnings • $224,673
His story • Claimed second world title in three years … won the second, third and sixth rounds … set NFR records for aggregate (847) and earnings.