Francis takes MegaBucks title with one ride

Posted by Quentin Jodie | Jun 16, 2016 | Rodeo |

Navajo Times | Ravonelle Yazzie
Bull rider Donnie Francis covered one of two bulls and won the $10,000 cash prize at this year’s MegaBucks Bullriding in Window Rock on Saturday. Francis finished with a top score of 87 points.

WINDOW ROCK

A new group of cowboys were introduced on Saturday night but there was a sense of déjà vu that settled in.

In a repeat of last year’s MegaBucks Bullriding, the cowboys that made the short round had a tough time covering their second bull.

With that Donnie Francis was crowned the 2016 champion with the 87-point ride he posted in Saturday night’s long go performance. Incidentally the Dilkon, Ariz., cowboy was the only bull rider to make the short go round on Saturday.

“The quality of the bulls we had was pretty stack,” event coordinator Tye Arviso said. “We had five that rode out of 90 bull riders so we had the best bulls that could buck.”

Francis received the top prize of $10,000 and an invitation to the upcoming 23rd annual Wild Thing Championship Bull Riding, which will take place on July 8-9 at Red Rock Park.

Francis finished two points ahead of Lane Granger as the Tuba City bull rider pocketed $4,000. Professional bull rider Travis Briscoe took home $3,000 with the 84-point ride he turned in on Friday night. Tyson Tsiniginie (83) and Dakota Ogden (81.5) rounded out the money winners as they received $2,000 and $1,000, respectively.

With both nights being about three-quarters full at the Dean C. Jackson Memorial Arena, Arviso said he was pleased with the turnout.

“This is probably the most successful MegaBucks we had in the 10 years,” he said. “This is our second year here in Window Rock and I want to thank all the Navajo Nation fans for supporting us.”