Saddle bronc world standings leader Jeffery Willert of Belvidere, S.D., rides Domino Theory to a score of 87.5 points to win the first round of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center on Friday. Photo by John Locher. Defending saddle bronc world champion Billy Etbauer, of Edmond, Okla., rides No Dice to a score of 83.5 points in the first round of the National Finals Rodeo. He fell to seventh in the world standings. Photo by K.M. Cannon.

Billy Etbauer was exuberant after the opening round of saddle bronc riding in the 47th edition of the National Finals Rodeo on Friday night.

And the reigning world champion didn't make a dime.

Etbauer also wasn't as excited that later in the night he was to be a guest on "Late Show with David Letterman" via videotape.

What made him smile the most was the winning performance of 23-year-old Jeffery Willert.

Willert, of Belvidere, S.D., scored 87.5 points on Sankey Rodeo's Domino Theory to earn $15,738 and lift his season winnings to $175,277, padding his lead in the world standings to about $25,000 over Cody DeMoss of Crowville, La.

Etbauer, 42, a native of South Dakota living in Edmond, Okla., never even considered that Willert's success was making it harder for him to win a sixth world title.

"The kids are doing good and riding awesome," said Etbauer, who dropped to seventh in the season standings, nearly $70,000 behind Willert. "We just have to keep up with 'em.

"There are some kids here that are outstanding. And when you see them jump out the way they rode tonight ... makes it all the better."

Willert was the youngest rider to place in the top six. He and Bryce Miller, 25, were the only saddle bronc riders under 30 to finish in the top six.

As big as Willert's grin was after he won, it appeared to widen after he was told of Etbauer's compliments.

"Billy's been my hero ever since I was this tall," he said, holding his hand about three feet off the floor. "I try to ride like him.

"Billy hasn't slowed down at all. He's riding as good or better than he ever has. He's awesome."

But opening night belonged to Willert.

"It went pretty good," he said. "I hope I got nine more rounds like that in me.

"I never rode that horse before. I saw him a couple of years ago when one of my traveling partners had him and he was awesome.

"The ride felt great. My mark out was a little slow on the right side, but I'll take that horse every night."

Willert is competing in his third NFR and already surpassed how much he won last year when he earned a spot as an alternate after Dan Mortensen broke his leg in the regular-season finale.

The luck of the draw determines what stock the cowboys are paired with, and Willert said he made the mistake last year of worrying about the quality of horse he drew.

"You have to go at it like you can win every night. That was my biggest problem last year," he said. "When I saw I didn't draw very good, I just rode like crap.

"I'm turning it around by thinking I can win on every horse. So far it's working ... but one night's not much to brag about."

It was a good night for South Dakota's native sons, first with Willert's stellar effort on an national ESPN2 broadcast and then Etbauer's scheduled appearance on the Letterman show.

Etbauer flew to New York on Monday afternoon to tape the segment before heading to Las Vegas on Tuesday.

"We had a good time and it was a fun deal," Etbauer said. "It was an honor, but I was scared to death. (Letterman) was real nice to me. We got along real good.

"I've gotten to do so many things like that because of rodeo."

Not to mention serving a role model for young riders like Willert.