Little thing like broken leg can't deter determined rider

Three months after breaking his leg, Josh Johnson is back riding bulls. On Wednesday, in the opening round of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo at World Arena, Johnson took the lead in the bull riding competition with a ride worth 77 points.

"It was a slow start for me but I'm starting to come together now," Johnson said of recovering from his injury.

Johnson said a bull stepped on his leg after he fell off of it at a rodeo in San Francisco. He will need his score to remain in the top 12 for three more nights in order to make it to Sunday's finals.

On Wednesday, Johnson drew Gentleman Jack, a bull he was hoping to draw.

"They got another one named Freight Train," Johnson said. "I've seen this one (Gentleman Jack) before, he's the one you want to ride because he spins all the time."

Contestants earn more points based on how hard the bull is to ride.

Former champs locked

Glen O'Neill and Tom Reeves are former world champions in saddle bronc riding and are tied for the lead in the event with 80 points.

O'Neill won the title in 2002 and Reeves won in 2001.

On the road again

Close to three-quarters of the cowboys competing on the opening night of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo will be heading to the Farm City Pro Rodeo in Hermiston, Ore., approximately 20 hours away.

The Farm City Pro Rodeo is attractive to many cowboys because of the amount of money that can be won and the variety of animals because there are three stock contractors.

The finals in Hermiston are Saturday night, so if contestants make it to Sunday's finals at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, they could compete in both finals in two days.

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