It doesn't happen often, but every once in a while you know you're watching something special.

The bareback riding - the riders and the broncs - was some of the best the Last Chance Stampede has ever seen and it's seen a lot.

With two-time world champion Bobby Mote and three-time NFR finalists Jason Havens and Ryan Gray on hand, along with broncs like Painted Smile, Street Dance, Alley Trail and Shootin' Stars, the stage was set.

Bronson Burbach of Paradise came out with an early run of 81 points and it looked like it might last, but Mote, Havens, Gray and Brian Bain were stilling in the wings.

All but Bain made the eight seconds and two riders - Gray and Mote - passed up Burbach. Bain came close with a 79 and Havens might have had the top score of the night, but missed out on his horse coming out of the chute and took a no score.

In the end it was Gray of Cheney, Wash., that had the top ride with 84 points, thanks in part to Alley Trail.

"It helps," Gray said of having been on Alley Trail two weeks ago in Calgary. "But you have to do the same thing every time. Every event is different, so you can't make a game plan. You still have to focus on riding her."

Gray came up with the top score in the go-round on Alley Trail.

The riders are always sure to point out the stock - provided by Kesler Championship Rodeo - is as good as it gets. And Gray is no different.

"I'd rather have a chance to ride one of Kesler's horses. I'll take less money all day to get on horses like this," he said. "There's a reason they call them '90-or-nothing.' They're known for having the rankest horses in the country."

The saddle bronc was no different in terms of horse quality, but the riders had to take a back seat to the bareback cowboys on this night.

For the second straight night only one saddle bronc rider made the eight-second whistle. Shane Moran pulled off a 73 to move into second place overall.

Ladies barrel racing produced just one contestant under 17 seconds, as Deanna Levine blistered the barrels in 16.86 seconds to move into sixth place overall.

Several cowgirls tipped barrels, including favorite Terri Kaye Kirkland of Billings. Lauren Watson of Geyser and Morgan Knudsen of Great Falls also say good times go by the boards by knocking barrels over.

The bull riding was its usual self as solid riders got on the scoreboard, but the rest scored points with the crowd.

Tyler Dellen of Bozeman thrilled the sold-out arena by getting thrown off and spending too much time on the ground as the bull stomped all around him. Dellen appeared to come away unscathed.

Shaun Halko of Goodwell, Okla., and Brett Crump of Lewistown both scored 81 to take shares of the lead.

Josh Boka had the best time in steer wrestling, but was only third overall through the Thursday session, slack and Friday session. Jermey Marn had a 5.0 in the slack.

Shane Schwenke of Harlem and Cole Bigbee of Stephenville, Tex. had a 5.7 in team roping. Clint Arave of Blackfoot, Idaho, had a 10.0. Tyson Durfey had an 8.9 in the slack.

Last Chance Stampede

Friday results

Steer wrestling - 1, Josh Boka, Dillon, 5.1. 2, Beau Franzen, Sidney, 7.2.

Bareback - 1, Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash., 84. 2, Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore., 83. 3, Bronson Burbach, Paradise, 81.

Team roping - 1, Shane Schwenke, Harlem and Cole Bigbee, Stephenville, Tex., 5.7. 2, Ryan Siemsen, Huntley and Chase Gauger, Bozeman, 7.0.

Saddle bronc -1, Shane Moran, Roundup, 73.

Tie-down roping - 1, Clint Arave, Blackfoot, Id., 10.0. 2, Hank Hollenbeck, Billings, 11.5.

Barrel racing - 1, Deanna Levine, Dillon, 16.86. 2, Mikell Hougen, Melstone, 17.26. 3, Maria Gee, Stanford, 17.66.

Bull riding - 1, tie, Shaun Halko, Goodwell, Okla. and Brett Crump, Lewistown, 81.

Muttin bustin' - 1, Tyler Coddington, Helena, 69. 2, Pilar Petroski, Helena, 64. 3, Tel Arthur, Helena, 62.

Steer riding - 1, Lawrence Lesofski, Helena, 80. 2, Austin Dunlop, Helena, 77.

Reporter Tom Stuber: 447-4070 or irsports@helenair.com