The Great Debate: Saddle Bronc or Bareback?

SAN ANGELO, TX — It's a question as old as time. In the rodeo, which is better? Bareback Riding or Saddle Bronc Riding. At the 9th Performance of the 91st Annual San Angelo Rodeo, this question may have been answered. 

In the Saddle Bronc Riding, two Cowboys placed in the Top 12 heading into the finals this weekend. First, Ian McGivney from Kaycee, Wyoming, took "Blessed Day" for a ride and scored an 85.0. On the very next ride, Canadian Cowboy Dawson Hay scored a spectacular 90.5 on "South Point Gambler." He became the first Cowboy in the 91st San Angelo Rodeo to break into the 90s and claimed first place overall in the Saddle Bronc Riding.

On the opposite side of the rough stock competition, two more Cowboys pulled off another set of exhilarating rides in the Bareback Riding. Rookie Cowboy from Montana, Sam Peterson scored an 82.0 on the back of "Faded Night." While that score might have pushed him into the finals at any other rodeo, the competition in San Angelo is fierce. He missed the cut by a mere half of a point, but the rookie will be back in the future.

Finally, Utah native Bronc Marriott made his best case for Bareback Riders everywhere on "Queezy Roller." Bronc beat his bronc over the eight seconds to score in the Top 6 with an 85.5. San Angelo LIVE!'s Matt Trammell asked Bronc after his ride for his answer to the question. What is better? Bareback or Saddle Bronc Riding? Either way, it's the Bronc Riding, presented by Indeco Industrial Electric.