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Bareback riders and traveling partners Kelly Wardell of Bellevue,
Idaho and Lan LaJeunesse of Morgan, Utah had a remarkable run last
week. At Cheyenne Frontier Days 1999 world champion, LaJeunesse
claimed the average title, while Wardell came in third.
LaJeunesse also took top honors at the Deadwood Days of '76 Rodeo
in Deadwood, S.D., while Wardell came in third. The duo have been
traveling partners for a number of years.
The past two years have seen the combo along with their third
traveling partner Rocky Steagall of Clovis, California, exchange
places in the win column and at the pay window. It is a good bet
that one of the three will be in the money at every rodeo that they
attend.
Tables turned at That Famous Preston Night Rodeo in Preston, Idaho,
where Wardell, the 2001 Copenhagen Cup Finale bareback riding champion,
claimed first with LaJeunesse on his heels in second.
At the San Rafael Pro Rodeo in Castle Dale, Utah, Wardell repeated
as winner with LaJeunesse in second again.
Wardell further contributed to his total by winning the bareback
riding in Ogden, Utah, and placing second in Salt Lake City.
For the two-week run near their home circuit (Wilderness Circuit)
LaJeunesse won $18,776 while Wardell won $17,785. LaJeunesse and
Wardell are second and first in the Jack Daniel's World Standings,
respectively.
LaJeunesse is hoping to claim the title at either the Wrangler
Pro Tour summer series in Dallas later this year or win another
world championship at NFR in order to join his traveling partners
and qualfiy for a spot on the United States team for the Olympic
Rodeo to be held in his own backyard in Utah in Feb. during the
2002 Winter Olympics.
Steagall was the first to qualify with a win at the Dodge National
Circuit Finals in March and then Wardell earned a spot on the Olympic
squad during the Wrangler Pro Tour winter series finals.
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