Tim O’Connell slipped back a bit in the overall average at the National Finals Rodeo in Arlington, Texas.

According to Prorodeo.com, in Round 7, O’Connell, a three-time world champion, scored a 77 aboard “Network Gazer”. That was good enough for a tie for 10th in the bareback riding event.

The round was won by Orin Larsen, who scored a 90 on “Yippee Kibitz”. Winn Ratliff, aboard Black Leg,” scored an 87; followed by Missouri Valley College grad Jesse Pope and Tanner Aus tied for third with an 83.5 on “Bar Talk” and “MLW’s Irish Eyes”, respectively.

Kaycee Feild and Richmond Champion are tied for the lead in the overall average at the NFR with 594.0 through seven rounds. Pope has surged into third place with a 592.0; with O’Connell in fourth with a 590.0.

Round 8 is tonight. O’Connell, an MVC grad, Marshall resident and Zwingle, Iowa, native, is scheduled to ride “Mr. Harry”; and Pope “Xplosive Skies'”.

O’Connell’s lead in the 2020 overall money standings is now less than $18,000 over Feild after Wednesday night’s results- $191,452.86 to 173,994.17.

The final round of the NFR is Saturday night.