MOSES LAKE — The 74th annual Moses Lake Roundup promised world-class talent on world-class bucking stock and Thursday night’s action lived up to the hype.

Wyatt Denny is ranked No. 3 in the Weather Guard PRCA World standings for a reason and he matched Clayton Biglow and David Peebles stride-for-stride to open the night in the bareback competition. Biglow, who sits fourth in the standings, posted a 81.5 on National Finals Rodeo horse “Big Easy” to set the tone. But world class is world class and both animal and rider responded. Wyatt put up an 83.5 on “Paradise Moon,” and Peebles came back with an 81.5 on the first of three nights.

“I’d been on him before. It felt alright, but it wasn’t the most desirable ride I’ve had,” said Wyatt “It was a great bucking horse and I could have done my part a little bit better.”

With the NFR looming down the road, cowboys are scrambling for one more run during September. Both Wyatt and Biglow are assured of qualifying, but they want to go in with a momentum to carry over.

“This was the first time I’ve been on Big Easy, but it’s an NFR horse and I knew I had a chance put up a good ride,” Biglow said. “All you can do is cover, do what you do and keep having fun.”

The saddle broncs riders were up for the task. Jordan Valley, Ore., cowboy Ryan Mackenzie topped a pair of 79s with an 80-point ride on “Classic Fox.” Call Marr of Twin Butte, Alberta, and Andy Clarys of Riverton, Wyo., 79.5 Call Marr, 79, settled into second and third respectively.

The bull riding featured three riders ranked in the top 20 in Cole Melancon (6), Jordan Spears (10) and Shane Proctor (20). The cream rose to the top with the world-class bucking stock leading the way.

Tyler Bingham of Honeyville, Utah, posted the best score with an 85. Tanner Girletz of Red Deer County, Alberta, put up an 83.5 and Chase Dougherty from Canby, Ore. sits third at 79.5.

“I’ve been splitting my time between the PRCA and the PBR, but there’s still plenty of season left for me to get back to the NFR,” Grand Coulee cowboy Shane Proctor said. “The (Moses Lake Roundup) committee has done a great job with the added money, because that’s what attracts the top cowboys. It’s always good to get back here.”

The Moses Lake Roundup opened the three-day event with an unofficial attendance record. The final figure was not available, but it was a capacity audience as the roundup recognized Bob Russell as the Moses Lake Roundup man of the year for all his work in the Columbia Basin.

Thursday night standings

Bareback riding leaders: 1. Wyatt Denny, 83.5 points on Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Paradise Moon; 2. (tie) Clayton Biglow and David Peebles, 81.5 each; 4. Austin Foss, 74; 5. Kyle Bounds, 73.5; 6. Kirk St. Clair, 59.

Steer wrestling leaders: 1. Rowdy Thames, 17.1 seconds; no other qualified runs.

Team roping leaders: 1. Dustin Bird/Russell Cardoza, 6.2 seconds; 2. Aaron Tsinigine/Ty Romo, 10.8; no other qualified runs.

Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Ryan Mackenzie, 80 points on Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Classic Fox; 2. Andy Clarys, 79.5; 3. Call Marr, 79; 4. Calvin Shaffer, 77; 5. Layton Green, 75; 6. Johnny Espeland, 73.5.

Tie-down roping leaders: 1. Mesquite Mahaffey, 9.1 seconds; 2. Ace Slone, 9.2; 3. Scott Kormos, 10.1; 4. Caleb Smidt, 11.1; 5. Shay Carroll, 11.7; 6. Ty Baker, 19.6.

Barrel racing leaders: 1. Jana Bean, 17.14 seconds; 2. Samantha Lane, 17.85; 3. Pamela Capper, 18.45; 4. Melissa Thiessen, 18.66; 5. Lexi Burgess, 22.45; 6. Cranna Roberts, 22.83.

Bull riding leaders: 1. Tyler Bingham, 85 points on Corey & Lange Rodeo’s No. 5a; 2. Tanner Girletz, 83.5; 3. Chase Dougherty, 79.5; 4. Shane Proctor, 77.5; no other qualified rides.

Total payoff: $114,680. Stock contractor: Corey & Lange Rodeo. Rodeo secretary: Edie Longfellow. Officials: Tim Engelhart, George Gibbs and Matt Nauman.