2nd wildcard a charm for bull rider Roy

But the 23-year-old made good on his chance Saturday, becoming one of two bull riders to come out of the wildcard round to advance to Super Sunday.

"It feels really good," Roy said. "I was in this position last year and I got the third place. That's a really bad feeling to get in your truck and go home instead of competing on Sunday.

"I can't wait. This is a chance I've been waiting for a long time."

Roy completes his victory lap Saturday.

Roy rode Seven Seconds to a second-place finish to earn his finals berth, behind Brazil's Edimundo Gomes, who also advances.

"I was telling my wife I really didn't want to make that drive home again," Roy said. "I'm really happy I don't have to."  

Other Canadians to make good on their wildcard attempts Saturday were tie-down roper Marty Becker of Edmonton, Alta., bareback rider Luke Creasy of Brownfield, Alta., and barrel racer Molly Powell, who was born in Alberta but now calls Texas home.

"This is awesome," Powell said shortly after registering the fastest time of the day. "It's a big surprise actually because I haven't been doing that well."

Her horse had been battling a foot injury but came out of nowhere to be the fastest of the day when it counted most.

"I have to say our confidence was really low," Powell said. "Today felt really good."

Also advancing were Americans Steven Peebles in bareback, Fed Whitfield in tie-down roping, Hunter Cure and Wade Sumpter in steer wrestling, Chet Johnson and Bradley Harter in saddle bronc, and PJ Burger in barrel racing.  

Whitfield put it best when asked about the feeling of securing the wildcard win: "Excited? Well, yeah. If you can't get excited about a chance to win $100,000, what the hell are you going to get excited about?"

Molly Powell was the fastest barrel racer of the day.

Wildcard winners Whitfield and Becker watch the bull riding.

Bradley Harter rides Spring Blues.

How 'bout them cowgirls.

This tiny performer was part of the show at intermission.

 

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