Thompson Takes Over Bareback Riding Lead at Pendleton

Dean Thompson took over the lead in bareback riding during the Thursday matinee performance of the Pendleton Round-Up on Thursday.

Thompson rode Great Nation of Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics to an 87-point ride.

He entered Pendleton ranked No. 14 overall in bareback riding and with five PRCA titles this season. The 21-year-old is in just his second full season.

He took over a lead held by Jacek Frost, who claimed the lead during Wednesday’s matinee with an 84-point ride.

Frost, the No. 21-ranked saddle bronc rider in the world, brought five titles into the event. But he dropped to fourth in the event standings, thanks to a pair of 84.5-point rides that took over second place.

Austin Foss and Jayco Roper took over second place. Foss, the four-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier and a two-time champion this year, is unranked in the event this season.

Roper is ranked No. 9 overall in bareback riding and entered Pendleton seeking his seventh outright title of the season.

With Frost in fourth place, Jess Pope pushed out other riders who were behind Frost after Wednesday’s matinee. Pope scored a 83 on his ride on Thursday.

Pope was No. 10 in bareback riding coming into the event and he’s coming off an NFR world title last season. He recently cracked $1 million in career earnings.

Behind Pope in a tie for sixth place were Kody Lamb and Jacob Lees, who each finished with an 81.5-point ride.

Lamb entered Pendleton ranked No. 20 in bareback riding and seeking his first title in the U.S. this season. Lees entered the event No. 18 in the world.

The event continues on Friday.