CALGARY -- Four-time Canadian champion Dusty LaValley was best among Tuesday's bareback riders at the Calgary Stampede.
The Bezanson, Alta., rider scored 89.5 on Raggedy Ann to finish first.
LaValley says he feels loose at the competition, despite finishing second last year in a ride-off.
"My feeling was, you know what? I've taken it very seriously before, and I didn't win. So why take it so seriously? I'm just here having fun, and whatever happens doesn't matter," he said.
"When I nod my head, I'm still gonna try my guts out and ride 110 per cent, but up till then, it's going to work out how it's going to work out, so you might as well not fret over it. Just have fun while you're here. So that's what we're doing."
In bull riding, it was Brazil's Valdiron de Oliveira, now from Texas, who tamed Everything Cowboy for 86.5 points and a $5,500 prize.
"The bull is very hard for a ride. I never see this bull before," said de Oliveira. "I ask the guys, they say the bull sometimes great, sometimes bad. But today, I tell the bull, today is my turn, not your turn. I was very happy today because it gives me the first place."
Minnesota's Tyler Corrington took first in the saddle bronc riding with an 86 point ride on Jarrett for $5,500.
Meanwhile, Canadian Champion Tanner Milan of Cochrane, Alta., pinned his steer down in 3.4 seconds to capture the winner's cheque, while Fallon Taylor smoked through a 17.57 second run for the first place in barrel racing.
In tie-down roping, Texan Adam Gray won $5,500 for tying his calf in just 6.9 seconds.
