World champs shine at Denver's National Western

Mote of Redmond, Ore., scored 251 points on three head to win the bareback riding title at the first major rodeo of the 2003 season. The victory gave him $10,382 and an early lead atop the Jack Daniel's World Standings.

Five-time world saddle bronc riding champion Dan Mortensen in 2002 narrowly missed tying Casey Tibbs for the most titles in that event's history, but he's off to another fast start. Mortensen of Billings, Mont., rode three broncs for 255 points, good for the average title and $15,097, the most of any cowboy in the rodeo.

Janet Stover, the 2001 world barrel racing champion, took most of the competition off to help her horse, Llave, recover from a serious leg injury. Stover of Rusk, Texas, and Llave completed three runs in 44.94 seconds, giving her the average title and $10,882.

Other winners from Denver included Jason Lahr (Emporia, Kan.), steer wrestling, 18.3 seconds on four head, $7,005; Howdy Cloud (Beaumont, Texas), bull riding, 251 points on three head, 8,213; and Johnny Emmons (Grandview, Texas), tie-down roping, 36.0 seconds on four head, 8,312.

Recently, the PRCA Board of Directors voted to change the name of calf roping event to tie-down roping.