DENVER -- One year ago, Riley Pruitt from Gering, Nebraska, had the National Western Stock Show Rodeo fans on the edge of their seats during the tie-down roping.

He stopped the clock in 6.9 seconds to set a new arena record if the calf stayed tied for the required six seconds. It did and what may have been the longest six second of Pruitt's life turned into a big win that helped him secure his first trip to Las Vegas to compete at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

He is competing at National Western Stock Show Rodeo again, and while his run in the Denver Coliseum on Wednesday was a full second slower than his record-setting one of a year ago, he is still placing in the first round with another opportunity on Tuesday. Pruitt is currently third in the first round and with another fast time will be back on Sunday, Jan. 22, for the U.S. Bank Championship Finals.

Two bull riders are already planning for their trips back for the finals. Trey Benton III, from Rock Island, Texas, and Wyatt Rogers, from Tahlequah, Oklahoma, joined the field of eight men that have ridden both of their bulls so far.

Benton is second overall with a total of 171 after identical scores of 85.5 points. Rogers is tied for fourth place with Trevor Reiste from Linden, Iowa. They each have a total of 163 points. Canada's Jordan Hansen is in the lead with 173.

There are two rodeos on Thursday in the Denver Coliseum at 10:30 AM and 7:30 PM.

-Information Courtesy of Susan Kanode