DENVER (January 13, 2017) --- Friday night at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo was one that saddle bronc rider Will Smith won't soon forget.

Smith, who lives in Marshall, Mo., rode Calgary Stampede's horse named Stampede Warrior for 88 points to take the lead in the first round of competition. The native of South Carolina left his home state to attend school at Missouri Valley College in Marshall and never left. While there he qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) all four years and earned his bachelor's degree in religion and philosophy.

Now he is making a living riding bucking horses and is hoping a good start here will give him his best season yet and get him to Las Vegas next December to compete at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Smith has his second ride here at the Saturday morning performance and will be a favorite to take the overall lead.

Friday night also saw a high score in the bareback riding. Logan Corbett rode Calgary Stampede's Xplosive Skies for 87 points. Corbett has deep ties to college rodeo as well. He got his bachelor's degree in animal science from Kentucky's Murray State University where he competed in bareback riding, bull riding and team roping. He qualified for the CNFR twice in bareback riding.

Corbett now lives in Las Cruces, N.M., where he is the rodeo coach for New Mexico State University. He is using his experiences in and out of the arena to inspire college rodeo athletes. Another good ride here in Denver and his students will be bragging about him.

Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association action continues here on Saturday with performances at 11 a.m., 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.

-Information Curtesy of Susan Kanode