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Show iruce Ford is world champ end Vernal crown winner Bruce Ford, who tied for first place in the bareback bronc riding event in the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo in Vernal last vear, snapped on his second world bareback bronc riding buck e las December after winning the National Rodeo Finals title for the second time in a row. In 1979 Ford just about had the title cinched before he went to the National Finals. Last year though, he had to come from behind to win it. Ford beat one of his best friends, Mickey Young, Wellington, Utah, in the finals. The 3lst annual Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo is set for Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. in Vernal. Ford won $3000 in Cheyenne and nabbed $4700 and a pickup at a San Francisco rodeo in 1980 and also won first place in various other rodeos such as a first place tie in the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo. Last December marked his seventh consecutive trip to the National Finals and his career earnings are building to the $300,000 bracket. Big-name sponsors spon-sors and their financial support have also increased Ford's satisfaction with the pro-rodeo business. Ford has become more inclined to stay close to his home in Kersey, Colorado. Ford and his wife Suzie make their home at Kersey where they have an indoor arena on 40 acres next to their home. Between competition and PRCA board of director's meetings. Ford travels 45.000 ground miles and uses $12,000 worth of airline tickets during a year. Colorado's Ford captured the 1980 bareback bronc title with $69,392 and his friend. Young, placed second at $66,617. J. C Trujillo. Steamboat Springs, placed third at $63,757 and Bob Logue. Greeley, Colo., nabbed fourth at $44,136. Joe Alexander, Marysville. Calif., placed fifth at $33,568 and Gary Hemsted. Anderson. Calif., placed sixth at $28,216. Paul Tiemey, Rapid City. S. D . nabbed the all-around crow n at $105,568 and Roy Cooper. Durant. Okla , placed second' at $88,902. Lyle Sankey. Branson. Mo., placed third at $30,745 Dave Brock, Pueblo. Colo, placed seventh at $63,169 and former champ Leo Camarillo. Lockeford. Calif , nabbed eighth at $62,556 Former champ Tom Ferguson. Miami, Okla . nabbed 12th place at $56,328 Also nabbing first place titles were Clint Johnson. Spearfish. S D . saddle bronc. $44,710. Don Gay. Mesquite. Texas, bull riding. $60,639; Coopvr. calf roping, $77,026; Butch Myers. Welda. Kan, steer wrestling. $447iS. Tiv , i n Texas team roping, Woolman, Llan .Texas. $49,983 and Guy Al1' Texas, steer roping, W&J. Since he brought his superlative contender for tne w ,",. WsSrd conserve ftaU,n 3rd place with $32,211. A .year-old native of Spearfish, South Dakota. 5-8. 165-pound Johnson began rodeoing in 4 H and h , contests and won the state championship; he also to 'j wrestling championship jn class. While rodeoing ' qualified for the college natkr three years in both saddle bareback bronc riding. He jiy'; on the NIRA national brJinj tfv tors. In his relatively short prrjft, rodeo career, Johnson his . ' banked $118,862 including ' takings. At NFR 80, Johnson placet! s " the 10 go-rounds, including t0., ' Christensen Brothers' H Bar i Void's Sarcee Sorrel. His effort in the final round rea:y 82-point ride on Void's Kiclur'-'i win 2nd. That ride moved kit place in the NFR average fa f giving him total winnings on t. H4.710.62 and his first world . ' pionship. 'I- . '- 7 I 1 ; 31st i.- w- ?,," Annual I V-- PfO'cssionnl I j. Dinosaur i ' ; i ij Roundup . ! RODEO S " (J'.-th i i 1 IT'S RODEO WEEK decides Mayor So-ne! Sryzer a-d Sn Harrison of the Dincsjr Rourd-s Rc3eo Co; ::tee. R. events yi be Thursflav. Fnday and Sat-rjy t-s |