OKLAHOMA CITY – Jade Taton returned to that familiar Oklahoma red dirt, and he felt right at home during Saturday’s second performance of the Oklahoma City ProRodeo presented by Tractor Supply Co.

An alumnus of the Oklahoma Panhandle State University rodeo team, Taton rides bucking horses as a second job. He handled his business, matching moves with McCoy Rodeo’s Rachel for 82.5 points to take the bareback riding lead with one day remaining in OG&E Coliseum at OKC Fair Park. Tickets for the 2 p.m. Sunday show are available at McCoyRodeo.com.

“That horse came from (National Finals Rodeo qualifier) Rod Hay, and (his son) Devon talked to me about her and showed me some videos,” said Taton, 27, originally from Kersey, Colorado, but now living near Weatherford, Texas. “She looked really good, so I was pretty excited to have her.

“I haven’t really been anywhere for a while, so to show up and do that feels pretty good.”

He is well-traveled. While he was in college, Taton competed in the Prairie Circuit, which is made up of rodeos and contestants primarily in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. After college, he tried his hand in the Texas Circuit before returning to the Mountain States Circuit, which consists of Colorado and Wyoming. He’s made the regional championship in all three circuits and even represented his home state at the national circuit finals rodeo, now known as the NFR Open, this past July.

He’d like to get back, and being matched with horses like Rachel can go a long way toward that qualification. Of course, he’ll have to do it at rodeos closer to his family’s ranch, but he’ll take the momentum he gained in Oklahoma City.

“She felt really good, but she was kind of weird leaving (the chute),” he said. “She tucked her head in the gate, so it felt a little goofy right out of there. Once she got going, she felt really good. She was just bailing in the air and stacking up underneath me, so that made it a lot of fun.”

That wasn’t his only duty on a cold Saturday, one that featured windchills whipping through Oklahoma at negative-9 degrees. He also competed in saddle bronc riding, where he was matched with Generations Pro Rodeo’s Red Hot Rod; together they marked 71 points. Taton has done well at McCoy Rodeo-produced events, so finding a bit of success in Oklahoma City is a nice step forward.

“I entered a few of those McCoy Rodeos last year, but then I tore my groin and wasn’t able to go,” Taton said. “I’ve had some pretty good luck at some of his.

“This new building is nice, and I think it can get pretty loud if they pack people into it. It has a really cool feel to it, and it’s pretty nice. It sure makes it fun to ride here.”

Oklahoma City ProRodeo

Oklahoma City
Jan. 23-25
Bareback riding: 1. Jade Taton, 82.5 points on Cian Daly, 74; 2. Koltdyn Heath, 73; no other qualified rides.

Steer wrestling: 1. Chris Bechthold, 4.6 seconds; 2. Colton Swearingen, 4.7; 3. Laramie Warren, 4.9; 4. Stetson Thompson, 5.5; 5. Hadley Skaggs, 6.9; 6. Cooper Orr, 13.5; no other qualified runs.

Team roping: 1. Jhett Vander Hamm/Shannon Frascht, 7.0 seconds; Britton Grinstead/Clint Heller, 7.1; no other qualified runs.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Justin England, 85 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Timex; 2. Christopher Nelson, 84; 3. Dylan Suhr, 73; 4. (tie) Clay Greenslade and Trygg Madsen, 77; 6. Brady Irvine, 75.5; 7. (tie) Blain Pengelly and Quirt Carroll, 73.

Tie-down roping: 1. McKade Wickett, 10.5 seconds; 2. Ryler Allred, 13.4; no other qualified runs.

Barrel racing: 1. Kallie Gates, 16.00; 2. Emily Griffin, 16.24; 3. Rachel Werkmen, 16.40; 4. Robbie Stearns, 16.51; 5. Crystal Glidden, 16.55; 6. (tie) Darla Hoover and Suzanne Van Ness, 16.63; 8. Katie Chism, 16.69; 9. Elena Bowling, 16.88; 10. Lakota Elkins, 17.15.

Bull riding: No qualified rides