A good night for Canadian's on "Canada Night" at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas Thursday, December 8.

Nanton's Clay Elliot finished a solid second in saddle bronc, earning a fat $20,731 paycheque.

He says he drew the right horse at the right time.

"I had the horse to do it on. That was actually the last trip that horse is going to have at a PRCA rodeo, it's that "Lunatic Finge" of Burch's. He's a good feeling son of a gun and it was the very first time I got on him. So it was a very special night."

Clay Elliot talks to reporters after his ride Thursday at the NFR. Photo courtesy Arnie Jackson.

Big Valley's Zeke Thurston was right behind in third.

Hudson Hope BC's Jake Watson was sixth Thursday night, but has a solid lead on the rest of the pack in the average as he's number one overall, with Thurston in second spot, and third in the World Standings with $184,853 in earnings.

Over in bareback, Inglis, Manitoba's Orin Larson took the top day money as he enters the weekend at number two in the world.

Airdrie's Jake Vold was 13th on the night and out of the money but remains fifth in the average.

In team roping, it was an off night for the pair of Ponoka's Levi Simpson and Arrowwood's Jeremy Buhler who had a no time.

However the duo remain third in the average heading into the last couple of nights of action.