Shaun Stroh likes to ride in front of the hometown fans.
He also knows the fans want to see a good show.
That made the Dickinson-based saddle bronc rider's performance during the opening night of the 40th annual Roughrider Days Rodeo tough. Especially as he came into the rodeo ranked third in the world with nearly $50,000 in earnings this year, meaning the fans knew what kind of ride Stroh can pull off.
"It's definitely awesome to come to your hometown and ride," Stroh said. "It's also added pressure because you are at your hometown."
The pressure didn't seem to affect his performance, though, in scoring a 78-point ride Friday night at the Dickinson State University outdoor arena. He sits in second place.
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Stroh and fellow Dickinson saddle bronc rider Dusty Hausauer made sure not to miss the rodeo after driving all night from New Mexico.
"I knew we had a good horse coming here," Stroh said. "That's why we drove all night getting here. "
Hausauer's performance didn't go as well as he hoped as he scored 70 points that puts him in sixth.
Despite not getting a great score, it's a rodeo Hausauer doesn't want to miss.
"It's always a good rodeo, and with Korkow's (Rodeo Company) bringing the stock, it's always good," Hausauer said.
The duo didn't have a long homecoming as they hit the road for two rodeos outside of Calgary, Alberta starting today.
Troy Crowser of Whitewood, S.D., leads the saddle bronc riding with an 81-point ride. He was the first one out of the chute.
Rollie Wilson of Buffalo, S.D., ranked No. 10 in the Badlands Circuit all-around standings, was bucked off midway through his ride as his horse raced straight out of the chute to the far fence.
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Wilson also missed out on qualifying in the steer wrestling as he missed his steer.
Other Badlands Circuit cowboys who had a tough night were Jess Tierney and Paul David Tierney, who received a no-score in the team roping.
Jeff Johnston of Seneca, Neb., and Quincy Opela of Stapleton, Neb., turned in the only qualifying time with a run of 5.8 seconds.
Paul David Tierney missed his chance at roping the steer as the heeler. He also received a no-score in the tie-down roping after he missed one of his calf's legs.
Billy Olson of Mud Butte, S.D., leads the tie-down roping with a time of 13.5.
The best score of the night came from Dustin Reeves of Owanka, S.D., in the bareback riding. Reeves had an 83-point ride that will be tough to beat.
"That's a nice horse," Reeves said.
He said one of the reasons he likes coming to Dickinson is because of Korkow providing the stock.
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"It's maybe the fourth time I've won up here,"
He won't know if he'll win for sure until after the final performance Sunday, with Mohall's Sam Nordick, the Badlands Circuit's bareback riding leader, still to have a go.
Another hometown performer, Grassy Butte's Jody Hintz, turned out the fastest time the in barrel racing with a run of 16.34.
In the steer wrestling, T.J. Steele of Newell had a time of 4.8 that will be tough to beat.
Thunder Boomer of Interior, S.D., leads the bull riding with a score of 79.
Slack for the tie-down roping, barrel racing and steer wrestling starts today at 9:30 a.m.
The main performance for the second day of the rodeo gets underway this evening at 5:30 p.m.
Roughrider Days Rodeo
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At Dickinson State University
Bareback riding: 1, Dustin Reeves, Owanka, S.D., 83. 2, Joe Gunderson, Agar, S.D., 79. 3, Cleve Schmidt, Piedmont, S.D., 78. 4, (tie) Travis Bechen, Rapid City, S.D., 70; Troy Vaira, Richey, Mont., 70. 6, Jake Smith, Whitewood, S.D., 63.
Tie-down roping: 1, Billy Olson, Mud Butte, S.D., 13.75. 2, Lee Hetelved, Bismarck, 14.5. 3, Jase Clark, Wessington, S.D., 17.3. 4, Dane Kissack, Spearfish, S.D., 19.1. 5, Terry Graff, Long Pine, Neb., 20.4.
Saddle bronc: 1, Troy Crowser, Whitewood, S.D., 81. 2, Shaun Stroh, Dickinson, 78. 3, Brett Crowser, Whitewood, S.D., 76. 4, (tie) Jeremy Meeks, Belle Fourche, S.D., 75; Chancy Miller, Faith, S.D., 75. 6, Dusty Hausauer, Dickinson, 70. 7, Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D., 65.
Steer wrestling: 1, T.J. Steele, Newell, S.D., 4.8. 2, Tyler Haugen, Sturgis, S.D., 5.5. 3, Brad Johnson, Reva, S.D., 6.3. 4, Tee Burress, Piedmont, S.D., 15.4.
Team roping: 1, Jeff Johnston, Seneca, Neb., and Quincy Opela, Stapleton, Neb., 5.8.
Barrel racing: 1, Jody Hintz, Grassy Butte, 16.34. 3, Tera Moody, Letcher, S.D., 16.48. 3, Kris Bartholowmew, Colstrip, Mont., 16.91. 4, Coly Blake, Wessington, S.D., 17.04. 5, Becky Halverson, Plentywood, Mont., 17.07. 6, Libi Susag, Letcher, S.D., 17.14. 7, Carrie Murnion, Jordan, Mont., 17.94. 8, Teresa Wolf, Circle, Mont., 21.84. 9, Reann Crane, Whitewood, S.D., 21.94. 10, Sarah Tjelde, Sidney, Mont., 22.50.
Bull riding: 1, Thunder Boomer, Interior, S.D., 79. 2, Ty Tescher, Sidney, Mont., 63.
