SAN ANGELO, Texas -- The moment Painted River burst out of the chute Friday night, Chad Rutherford knew something special was happening. 

"She was outstanding," Rutherford said of the 8-year-old Pete Carr Pro Rodeo mare. "I felt like I could be in the high 80s with that ride, but I never imagined it would be that high." 

Rutherford and Painted River matched up for 91.5 points Friday night during the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo's championship round and propelled the Lake Charles, La., cowboy to the top spot in bareback riding. He finished with 176 points on two rides and jumped from seventh to first with the highest marked ride of the rodeo. 

"I felt like I was in charge," he said. "It was a great feeling the whole ride. I was just as aggressive as she was." 

That ride was not only the highest marked ride of Rutherford's career, but it stands as the highest marked bareback ride so far in the 2017 season. There are three cowboys that have posted 90s. With 91.5 points, it was also the highest marked of all roughstock rides early in the season. In all, he pocketed $6,953 and pushes his season earnings past the $24,000 mark.

"This fires me up and pushes me to want to go on to the next one and just do just as good," said Rutherford, who was fifth in the world standings heading into this week. "I know I can't be 90 every time, it definitely builds your confidence up." 

His confidence is sky high, and part of that is because he's riding really well. He considers his style to be aggressive, and he thinks that's been a big help to his season. He finished the 2016 campaign 24th in the world standings and hopes remain among the top 15 at season's end to earn his first qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. 

"I think one of the things that's helped me is that I have great traveling partners this year," Rutherford said of Bill Tutor, who has been on the verge of the NFR the past few years, and Evan Jayne, a two-time qualifier. "I'm staying very true to my nutrition and staying healthy. I'm just focused this year. 

"I feed off them, and they feed off me. I've always been a loner when it comes to traveling. Bill asked me last April if I wanted to haul with him. Getting in the van with him was probably the best thing I've done in my career." 

The traveling posse makes a difference. Not only do they split expenses that come with the rodeo trail, but they also are each other's biggest cheerleaders. It helps keep morale up even through the trying times that come with the sport. Of course, a big boost is getting on good horses. 

"I really didn't know anything about Painted River," said Rutherford, 25. "Bill had been on her at the Texas Circuit Finals (in January), and he said, 'She's a great horse, so just do what you do.' It worked out great.

"I have an aggressive riding style. I believe that's a big key to why I'm doing as good as I am. It doesn't matter what they run under me, I'm going to go after them aggressively." 

That approach has paid off in San Angelo.

By Ted Harbin