Reno Rodeo Notebook: Smith takes bareback lead

BY DARRELL MOODY

Appeal Sports Writer

RENO " Jared Smith's first trip to the Reno Rodeo is turning out nicely.

The 20-year-old Smith scored an 89 aboard Shady Lady for a two-ride total of 170, which was good enough for the bareback lead at the 89th annual Reno Rodeo Monday night at the Reno Livestock Events Center.

Chris Harris and Tim Shirley are tied for second at 164 and Steve Dent is at 162.

Shady Lady, a colt, turned out to be a dream horse. It came out strong, kicking hard and getting more than three feet in the air.

"They (the horses) usually don't keep it going, especially young horses, " Smith said. "I've never seen that before.

"I found out when I got here that he was a colt. I like colts. Some of them are very good like that one."

Smith hopes this can turn his season around.

"It's been so slow this year," Smith said. "I have made 3 or 4,000. At this time last year, I'd made $10,000."

Smith will go to Santa Fe, N.M., before returning for Saturday's championship round.

"I would think it will hold up," Smith said.

Harris, meanwhile, was happy with his second consecutive 82.

"I thought it was a pretty good run," he said. "I felt like the horse (Rio's edge) was getting a little droopy. It was a good horse."

Harris joked that he would have loved to have had Smith's horse.

A LATE START

The Monday performance got off to a late start when two riders on the rodeo's drill team collided at full speed.

Rhonda Barnes was riding Shorty, a big sorrel gelding, while Sherry Davis was riding Love, a dun mare. Davis' horse was immobilized and given medicine inside the arena in an effort to keep her calm and prevent any other injury. She was transported to the Comstock Large Animal Hospital for evaluation.

Shorty left the arena under its own power and was evaluated on the grounds. According to reports, he has minor bumps.

"These girls are tough," said Shannon Bohach, flag team chairman for the Reno Rodeo. "I've been in a similar wreck and it turned out OK. We are very hopeful that everyone involved will be fine."

A BIG MISS

For the second time, Mark Schlatter was unable to parachute into the rodeo arena with the American flag.

Wind was the problem Monday. Schlatter landed near the media parking lot. Onlookers said several people came over and yanked the flag so it spent just seconds on the ground.

An attempt last Thursday also failed.

BOETTCHER SHINES

Bull rider Fred Boettcher, who barely missed qualifying for the short round in Xtreme Bulls, scored a 90 on Monday to win the performance.

Jeff Willert scored an 87 in saddle bronc riding, while Tammy Key-Fischer was timed in 17.19 to win the night in barrel racing. Jason Miller ripped off a 3.5 in steer wrestling while Allen Bach and Speed Williams were timed in 5.50 in team roping.