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Stars to watch ata Rodeo Austin
Rodeo Austin begins tonight with Xtreme Bull Riding and continues for 14 more days of competition and concerts at the Travis County Expo Center.
The event always attracts some of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association's brightest stars. Here are five to watch:
Chance Smart
Bull riding
The 24-year-old Mississippi native — he shares a birthplace (Tupelo) with Elvis Presley — is coming off a $67,807 payday last month in San Antonio, where he won the bull riding title and was in the money in two bull riding shows. Leads the rodeo tour in bull riding this season and was third last year.
Cody Wright
Saddle bronc riding
30-year-old from Utah is coming off a National Finals Rodeo appearance and a No. 4 world ranking last year. With $31,000 this season, he ranks second among saddle bronc riders.
Jessy Davis
Bareback, saddle bronc riding
Utah resident was second in bareback riding at the National Finals Rodeo in 2007, a year after making his NFR debut. He's No. 1 on the circuit so far in 2008. He'll turn 27 on March 14, the day before the finals in Austin.
Hunter Herrin
Tie-down roping
The 23-year-old from Apache, Okla., has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo for past two years. At $26,669, he leads all tie-down ropers this season after finishing eighth a year ago.
Taos Muncy
Saddle bronc riding
Just 20, this New Mexican already has a world title and a National Finals Rodeo runner-up finish to his credit. He comes from a rodeo family — both parents competed, as does his sister. Is only the third cowboy to win pro and college events in the same year.
Rodeo schedule
Today through March 15 at Travis County Expo Center. Events begin nightly at 7, except on Sundays, when they start at 3 p.m.
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