N. CAROLINA COWBOY WINS RODEO TITLE

Ricky Ratchford won the all-around cowboy title Sunday as the Longhorn World Championship Rodeo completed three days of competition at the Show Me Center.

Ratchford, of Bear Creek, N.C., finished second in the bull riding event and tied for fourth in the bareback bronc riding to capture the crown. Total prize money ~handed out at the rodeo was $30,700.

Jamie Davis of Fort Smith, Ark., was the top bull rider with 80 points, worth $1,072.92.

Tops in the bareback bronc riding was John Wilson of Dublin, Texas. The steer wrestling competition was won by Doc Nunneley of Caney, Kansas with a time of 3.7. seconds. He made off with $1,446.85.

The top saddle bronc rider was Rome Wager of Smnithville, Okla., and Jane Melby of Bakkus, Mont., won the cowgirls barrel racing event in a time of 11.741 seconds. She won $1,072.92.

The winner of the calf roping competition was Keith Kendrick of Colcord, Okla.

Local cowboys Kris Rudd and Danny and Jason Whitely of Poplar Bluff, Mike Watson and Steve Holecamp of Jackson, and Phil Clayton of Dutchtown did not place.

The rodeo was attended by 3,847 people on Friday, 3,716 people Saturday and 3,253 people Sunday. Capacity for each day was 6,300.