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Photo by Ben Bulkeley

Gabbi Steele tackles a goat Friday at the Moffat County Fairgrounds. Steele, of Craig, is one of 184 participants in this weekend's Moffat County Little Britches rodeo.

When asked who is the best cowboy among the three cousins of Dusty Taylor, Cutter Barnes and Trent Vernon, there's a jam near the top.

Especially because Barnes, 10, and Vernon, 11, believe they are tied, and Taylor is sure he's number one.

For the rest of the weekend, they'll have the chance to decide.

The Moffat County Little Britches Rodeo continues today after two days of rodeo action featuring 184 cowboys and cowgirls from more than 10 states.

For Barnes, his best chance to prove he's the best might be in breakaway roping, where he finished second for junior boys.

"Breakaway roping is my favorite," he said. "I just rope a lot, and I practice."

Vernon's best hope is flag racing, where he is a two-time world champion.

"Flag racing is my best event - I won it today," he said. "I just barely beat (Barnes) today."

Taylor can brag to be the only one of the three to have mounted a bull Friday.

"I did kind of bad today, though," he said. "I got a 'no time,' because I had to jump off.

"But I'm the best because I ride bulls."

Another Moffat County cowboy who could throw his hat into the ring is Kasen Brennise.

Although he didn't have a top-seven finish, he still had a good day in breakaway roping, dally roping, flag racing, goat tying and team roping, he said.

"I had a 4.7 in breakaway," he said. "I like breakaway roping and team roping because my dad (Scott) has done it since he was my age."

Kasen wasn't the only Brennise who had a good showing.

Kinlie Brennise won pole bending and had a second place finish in barrel racing and a fourth-place finish in goat tail untying.

Jaidyn Steele, of Craig, was the all-around leader for a second straight day, finishing with 198 total points.

Steele won barrel and goat tail untying and had a third place finish in pole bending.

At 9 a.m. today at the Moffat County Fairgrounds, 640 E. Victory Way, Kasen Brennise will have a chance to prove his name belongs with the best in every event.

"It took me a while to figure out goats," he said. "But now, I like all the events."

Ben Bulkeley can be reached at 875-1795, or bbulkeley@craigdailypress.com.