Havens, who has a biology degree from Montana State University, rode Spring Fling for 87.5 points Saturday night to win the bareback portion of the Chase Hawks Rodeo at MetraPark Arena.
"That's one of the horses you always want to get on,'' said Havens of Spring Fling, owned by the Big Bend Rodeo Company in Ritzville, Wash. Spring Fling was chosen as the PRCA bareback horse of the year in 1997 and saddle bronc horse of the year in 1999 and 2000.
This was Havens third time on the long-leaping Spring Fling. The first was at the Columbia River Circuit Finals in 2003 and the second was during Fourth of July run in Molalla, Ore.
"This is one of the most prestigious buckles of the year to win,'' said Hay, a four-time NFR qualifier and two-time Canadian champion. "You've got 20 good bronc riders on 20 good horses.
Geyser's Ryan Mapston was second in saddle bronc riding with an 81-point ride, while Mo Forbes, of Kaycee, Wyo., was third. Forbes won the event last year.
"I've been on the bull three times,'' said Curtis. "The first time he bucked me off and the second time I was 90 points. I was happy to have him. I knew he was going to be good.
NOTES: Mike Lee, the 2004 Professional Bull Riders world champion, was a late scratch because of travel difficulties. ? The saddle bronc horses were so tough Saturday night that they put down four cowboys who had recently competed at the NFR, including two world champions: Dan Mortensen, Josh Reynolds, Chet Johnson and Jeffery Willert. Mortensen, of Billings, is a six-time world saddle bronc champion, while Willert, of Belvidere, S.D., recently won the 2005 world title in Las Vegas. Willert also set the single-season earnings record for saddle bronc riding this year. ? Reynolds, of Corvallis, rode despite breaking a bone in his wrist during the fifth round of the NFR. Part of the reason he came to Billings was to consult with Dr. Tandy Freeman, who was in attendance, about upcoming surgery to repair the break.
Bareback - Jason Havens, Bend, Ore., 87.5, 4,785; Cimmaron Gerke, Fort Worth, Texas, 83.5, 3,630; Tyson Thompson, Templeton, Calif., 82.5, 2,145; Cody DeMers, Kimberly, Idaho, 82.5, 2,145; Andy Bolich, Belgrade, 81, 1,320; Marvin Garrett, Belle Fourche, S.D., 80.5, 990; Dusty LaValley, Debolt, AB, 80, 825; Troy Solomon, Havre, 78, 330; Alan Dacyk, Worsley, AB, 78, 330. Others: Scott Chesarek, Billings, 76.5; Andy Martinez, Pavillion, Wyo., 76.5; Scott Montague, Fruitdale, S.D., 76.5; Larry Sandvick, Worden, 75.5; Wade Sankey, Powell, Wyo., 75; Cleve Schmidt, Belle Fourche, S.D., 75; Heath Ford, Greeley, Colo., 74.5; Derry McLane, Bozeman, 73; Jesse Davis, Salem, Utah, 72; Weston Garrett, Belle Fourche, S.D., 69; Chris Timberman, Casper, Wyo., no score.
Saddle bronc - Denny Hay, Mayerthorpe, AB, 84.5, 4,785; Ryan Mapston, Geyser, 81, 3,630; Mo Forbes, Kaycee, Wyo., 80.5, 2,640; Justin Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif., 79.5, 1,650; Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, 79, 1,320; Marty Hebb, Eagle Butte, S.D., 77.5, 990; Bradley Harter, Weatherford, Texas, 75.5, 825; Shaun Stroh, Glendive, 71.5, 660. Others: Jeremy Meeks, Batesland, S.D., 69; Todd Herzog, Penhold, AB, no score; Jess Martin, Dillon; Ira Slagowski, Carlin, Nev., no score; Hugh Connolly, Golden Valley, N.D., no score; Charles Soileau, Stephenville, Texas, no score; Shane Moran, Kaycee, Wyo., no score; Jake Costello, Newell, S.D., no score; Josh Reynolds, Corvallis, no score; Dan Mortensen, Billings, no score; Chet Johnson, Gillette, Wyo., no score; Jeffery Willert, Belvidere, S.D., no score.
Bull riding - Brian Curtis, Belle Fourche, S.D., 86.5, 4,785; Wesley Silcox, Payson, Utah, 85.5, 3,630; Brett Crump, Lone Pine, 84, 2,640; Rick Wock, Jr., Harrison, 82.5, 1,650; Garth Oldfield, Milo, AB, 82, 1,320; Kyle Joslin, Caldwell, Idaho, 79, 990; Tyler Thomson, Black Diamond, AB, 77, 660. Others: Tanner Girletz, Cereal, AB, 75.5; Zen Lanham, Sweet, Idaho, 75.5; Beau Hill, East Glacier, 75.5; Scott Schiffner, Stettler, AB, 74.5; Jarrod Ford, Greeley, Colo., 72.5; Jess Matt, Bridger, no score; Mike Moore, Kankakee, Ill., no score; Tyler Johnston, Bridger, no score; Tyler Taillon, Great Falls, no score; Cody Buller, Glendive, no score; Will Farrell, Thermopolis, Wyo., no score; Steven Turner, Cochrane, AB, no score.
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