Lane McGehee rides Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Painted Colors for 83 points to take the early bareback riding lead at the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo.
(PHOTO BY ROBBY FREEMAN)

 

BIG SPRING, Texas – Bareback rider Lane McGehee just had a feeling about his Thursday night match-up at the Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo

“That horse is 012 Rodeo Colors; what a cool name,” said McGehee, 28, of Victoria, Texas. “The name just gives you a reason to want to go and give it a try. As long as you’re having fun and you believe in your ability, it don’t matter if they’re young horses or old campaigners, you just go get on and see what happens.

“Really, all it is about is do your job and have fun.”

Whatever the reasons behind the ride, it worked. McGehee and the Pete Carr Pro Rodeo paint gelding worked in rhythm and in unison, marking 83 points to take the bareback riding lead at the historic Surge Energy Rodeo Bowl. It was the first time in a couple years that the south Texas cowboy had made his way to Howard County. Injuries were just part of what kept McGehee on the sidelines.

“I tore my ACL last April, so I’ve only been riding for three months this year,” he said. “Every year that I’m not hurt, I’ve been here. Big Spring has always been one rodeo that’s on my tour.”

The chance to dance with Painted Colors certainly offered some incentive, but so was the opportunity to win West Texas cash. The volunteer committee increased the community’s portion of the purse by $27,000. Those dollars are mixed with contestants’ entry fees to make up the total prize money.

“It wasn’t that long ago when this was a $5,000-added rodeo,” McGehee said, referring to the dollar amount “added” into each event. “It was still a good rodeo, and I was trying to win some money, so I wanted to put my name in the hat.

“When I saw they increased that to $8,000 (per event), I thought, ‘Dang right, I’m going to come and get on.’ ”

He is nine years removed from winning the intercollegiate national championship while competing at Sam Houston State University, and he’s still climbing the charts. A healthy McGehee might just make the run in rodeo he’s always dreamed about.

“I’m never satisfied with myself, and I think that’s what it takes to be great,” he said. “I’m always trying to overachieve. Coming back from ACL and MCL surgery, I think I’m riding the best I’ve ever rode my entire career. That’s all that matters. My mind will do more than my body.

“I feel like I’m riding great. I feel like I’m riding where I need to be for the summer.”

Big Spring Cowboy Reunion and Rodeo
June 4-6
Bareback riding: 1. Lane McGehee, 83 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Rodeo Colors; 2. Kash Loyd, 79; 3. Cole Hollen, 74.5; no other qualified rides.

Steer wrestling: 1. Mitch Hutto, 13.9 seconds; 2. Grady Payne, 15.5; 3. Don Payne, 16.7; no other qualified runs.

Tie-down roping: 1. Dean Holyan, 8.6 seconds; 2. Colten Wallis, 10.0; 3. Clint Singleton, 10.4; 4. Hayden Ford, 12.0; 5. Kyle Lucas, 12.9; no other qualified runs.

Breakaway roping: 1. Claire Dale, 3.9 seconds; 2. Megan Powell, 12.0; 3. Cate Cooper, 12.8; no other qualified runs.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Carson Neal, 78 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Medusa; 2. (tie) Hunter Greathouse and Roper Kiesner, 76; 4. (tie) Regan Lyons and Will Pollock, 75 each; 6. Brayden Betsworth, 74.5.

Team roping: 1. Conley Kleinhans/Kyler Kanady, 5.4 seconds; 2. (tie) Shay Dixon Carroll/Jace Helton and Clay Ullery/B.J. Dugger, 5.5 each; 4. J7 Bland/Truman Magnus, 10.8; 5. Walker Smith/Will Smith, 20.1; 6. Jantsen Morris/Jayden Morris, 22.9.

Barrel racing: 1. Jackie Ganter, 15.62 seconds; 2. Jana Bean, 15.82; 3. Taylor Baize, 15.91; 4. Bristan McCarley, 15.97; 5. Erica Klein, 16.04; 6. Julie Plourde, 16.14.

Bull riding: 1. Jax Mills, 83 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Lil Bill; 2. Hayden Welsh, 79; 3. Hudson Bolton, 62; no other qualified rides.