Huntsville cowboy Brody Beaver rode into first place Friday in the boys cutting horse event at the National High School Finals Rodeo, taking place through tonight in Farmington, N.M.
Beaver scored a 218 in the second go-round, which vaulted him into the top spot and earned him a place in tonight’s NHSFR final go-round. Beaver, son of pro barrel racer Jenna Beaver and eight-time world champion cowboy Joe Beaver, posted a score of 218 1/2 in Monday’s first go-round.
Beaver brings 436 1/2 points into today’s final round. The next closest competitor, Keith Neal of Naples, Texas, has 428. Troy Keaton of Sealy has 424 and two other riders have 423.
Beaver said before the rodeo began that he was feeling good about his chances after failing to advance to the final go-round last year.
“I’m a little more right upstairs,” said Beaver, who recently graduated from Texas Tech ISD High School after attending Huntsville High School for three years. “I’ve been working my horse out and getting him ready. ... In workouts, he has been really, really good. Hopefully, we’ll make it to the finals and see what happens.”
Beaver won’t be the only Huntsville cowboy competing in the finals tonight. Taylor Price earned a place in the bareback riding finals after two impressive rides earlier this week.
Price sits in a tie for sixth place heading into the final go-round.
Tonight’s final go-round begins at 7. Fans can listen to the action at www.horsecitywebcast.com and get results at www.nhsra.com.
