RAPID CITY, S.D., Feb. 2, 2010 --- For fans of professional rodeo’s
classic event, saddle bronc riding, it doesn’t get much better than the
roster of superstars that’s scheduled to compete Thursday night.

In the first performance of this year’s Black Hills Stock Show Rodeo, that
event boasts 2007 world champion Taos Muncy and his NFR-qualifying
traveling partner Isaac Diaz, along with 2007 NFR average champion Rod Hay
and South Dakota’s own NFR bronc-riding stars, Bryce Miller of Buffalo and
J.J. Elshere of Quinn.

They’ll be matched up with a rank pen of broncs that includes the likes of
Burch Rodeo Company’s Lyin Eyes – a wild bucker that combined with Tilden
Hooper last month for 88 points to win the first round of the National
Western Stock Show Rodeo in Denver. Nathan Graves of Kaycee, Wyo., is the
lucky man with that draw.

The bareback riding will also feature a stellar lineup that includes NFR
qualifiers Tilden Hooper, Jared Smith, Steven Peebles, Kaycee Field and
Jason Havens.

Defending world champion team ropers Nick Sartain and Kollin VonAhn are up
in their signature event, along with NFR ropers Blaine Linaweaver, Matt
Funk, Jake Stanley, Justin Davis, and 2007 Rookie of the Year Broc Cresta.

In the tie-down roping, world-class hands Clint Robinson and Ryan Jarrett
– the 2005 world all-around champ – are scheduled to compete in both steer
wrestling and tie-down roping on Thursday night, along with NFR tie-down
ropers Mike Johnson and Hunter Herrin.

In barrel racing, look for 2007 NFR average winner Jill Moody from
Letcher, S.D., and NFR barrel racer June Holeman from Nebraska, as well as
South Dakota’s former collegiate national champ, Nikki Steffes of Vale.

The annual Black Hills Stock Show Rodeo is the first event of the
Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Silver Million-Dollar Tour, and
can be a major stepping stone to rodeo’s Super Bowl for competitors.

Performances are at 7 p.m. on Thursday and at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily on
Feb. 5-6. Tickets are available at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center ticket
window or by calling (800) GOT-MINE.