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LAS VEGAS – The 60th edition of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo proved to be historic. And not just because it marked 60 years of the Finals crowning world champions.

Trevor Brazile won his PRCA-record 14th All-Around gold buckle, adding to his ever-growing record of PRCA championships, this one No. 24, in front of 17,150 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Saturday, Dec. 15.

Meanwhile, Sage Kimzey became the first bull rider in the NFR era to win five consecutive world championships. ProRodeo Hall of Famer Jim Shoulders won six consecutive bull riding world titles, but that was before the NFR began.

“Anytime your name is by Jim Shoulders’ you are in a league you can’t put into words,” said Kimzey, 24. “He is one of the greatest cowboys of all time and it means the world to me.”

Kimzey’s fifth bull riding world title also puts him in precious company. Only four other bull riders have won at least five – Don Gay won eight, Shoulders seven, and Smokey Snyder and Harry Tompkins each won five.

Kimzey was banged up throughout the Finals, and that reflected in the fact that he rode four bulls. But Kimzey saved the best for last.

Hopping on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Record Rack’s Shootin’ Stars, Kimzey posted a 93-point ride. Making it more impressive was the fact that Kimzey was bruised and battered.

“This year was tough, it was just sheer grit and determination from the start of the year,” he said. “It started with a fractured pelvis, and it was a 365-day grind. Going into here with a big lead, then getting hurt in the first round – it was a brutal 10 days and it was hard to get out of bed.”

While Kimzey’s career continues to flourish, Brazile announced before the Finals started that the 2018 season marked the last time he would rodeo full time. Brazile is going to an abbreviated schedule in 2019 to spend more time with his family.

Then he went out and won his 14th All-Around title, and he did it by winning Round 10 of the tie-down roping in 7.2 seconds. It was his 71^st career go-round win at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – in tie-down roping and team roping – and National Finals Steer Roping. Yet another record.

“When I came into Round 10, I was honestly so thankful that I had another chance,” Brazile said. “It wasn’t maybe the best chance. I had to win the round and do some certain things, but it was at least a chance, and as a competitor that’s all you can ask for.”

Brazile entered Round 10 trailing his brother-in-law Tuf Cooper by a little more than $12,000. Cooper won the All-Around title in 2017.

“It’s a really unique situation because I love him so much, and I’m his biggest fan, too,” Brazile said of Cooper. “It’s a crazy dynamic that we’ve lived for so long, but I can’t wait to just set back and be able to watch him instead of competing against him.”

And while some say Brazile should keep going as hard as ever, especially after the win, that’s not his thinking.

“The first question everybody wants to ask is you can’t go out now,” he said. “But, the competitor in me, this is the only way to go out. It was hard to swallow the other scenarios. I hadn’t roped well this week, and I ended up with three round wins. But I also ended up with three two loops, and that’s the most I’ve ever had. It couldn’t have ended any better.”

The 10-day attendance for the Wrangler NFR was 169,171.

 

O’Connell battles to win third consecutive bareback riding title

Two-time defending bareback riding champion Tim O’Connell came into the 2018 Wrangler NFR with the slimmest margin in the world standings he’d had over the last three years.

He saw that lead of $14,822 vanish by Round 7 of the Finals, with Caleb Bennett moving into first.

But O’Connell wasn’t ready to relinquish his title of world champion just yet.

O’Connell split the aggregate with Steven Dent to propel the Zwingle, Iowa, cowboy to his third consecutive world championship with $319,801.

“It’s surreal,” said O’Connell, who didn’t move into first place in the world standings until August. “It was a battle from Day 1. The season started slow, it picked up. It was a fight through the end of the season. It came down to me leaving it all on the line when it came down to the 10th round.”

Only seven bareback riders have won four or more world championships.

O’Connell vowed to treat the last two rounds like it was the third period of a wrestling match. He went out and won Round 9. Then in Round 10, he posted an 87-point ride on J Bar J’s All Pink to split fifth and earn the tie in the aggregate. O’Connell got thrown off after the whistle and landed awkwardly. He eventually walked off under his own power though. Nothing was going to keep him from getting that third gold buckle.

“I knew when I nodded my head, I was going to leave it all out there,” said O’Connell, 27. “Obviously, the chaos at the end showed it. Luckily, God left me with some safety. I might be a little banged up. It feels so much different. I had to fight. You guys had to see me fight.”

 

Smith/Eaves claim first team roping world titles

Clay Smith and Paul Eaves went out in the best way possible together.

The duo who decided before the Wrangler Finals kicked off Dec. 6 to go their separate ways on the rodeo trail, put together a team roping championship run.

Team roping header Smith and team roping heeler Eaves stopped the clock in 4.4 seconds in Round 10 to clinch third in the aggregate and win their respective world championships with $289,921 each.

They each cashed in for $174,577 at the Finals. Their third-place aggregate finish was 34.5 seconds on eight head. Aaron Tsinigine and Trey Yates won the average with 69.6 seconds on 10 head.

“It’s everything we’ve worked for,” said Smith, 27.

“It’s what we’ve wanted since we were young,” said Eaves, 28. “It’s unbelievable.”

Smith and Eaves missed in Round 1, but rebounded immediately, winning Round 2. They placed in Round 3 and won Round 5. They placed in four of the last five rounds.

“We just stayed aggressive and tried to win something on every one of them,” said Smith, of Broken Bow, Okla.

The two have clicked together since they started together.

“It’s not just one thing, it’s a lot of things,” said Eaves, of Millsap, Texas. “The way he (Smith) ropes is aggressive and can catch. He’s got really good horses, and that’s a huge deal.”

But the two are parting ways for the 2019 season.

“It’s just time for a change,” Eaves said.

 

Powered by second average crown, Waguespack claims second world title

Tyler Waguespack opened the 2018 Wrangler NFR with a Round 1 victory. He closed it with a world title.

The 28-year-old, Gonzales, La., cowboy claimed his second world championship in three years with $260,013.

Waguespack spurred the victory with his aggregate win – 44.5 seconds on 10 head.

“This feels just like the first one,” he said. “We worked hard all year and it all paid off.”

Waguespack entered the Finals in 10^th place. He trailed regular-season leader Curtis Cassidy by $26,425 when the Finals opened.

He won Rounds 1 and 8 and placed in five others. Over the 10 days, Waguespack won $180,429.

After winning Round 9, Waguespack knew the world title was well within reach. He didn’t crunch numbers, but he did know it was just a matter of taking care of business.

“I knew after the ninth round if I could go in and win the average that the world title would take care of itself,” Waguespack said. “I was just making sure to go out there and make a good, solid run in the last round and get the job done.”

Having been there before, Waguespack understood what it took to win a world title. He also got some of the best advice from 24-time world champion Trevor Brazile.

“You know, man, I think Trevor Brazile said it the best, he described the NFR as a marathon and it’s a marathon you have to sprint 10 nights in a row,” Waguespack said.

Waguespack has plans for both of his world championship gold buckles.

“I’m going to keep my first one, I’m pretty sure,” he said, “and for sure I’m going to see if my dad will wear the second one.”

 

It’s buckle No. 2 for tie-down roper Caleb Smidt

For the second time in his career, Caleb Smidt is a world champion.

The tie-down roper from Bellville, Texas, won the 2018 gold buckle with $232,817, capping it off by winning the average with 83.7 seconds on 10 head. The average win cashed for $67,269.

Smidt’s previous world title (it also included the average title) came in 2015. Smidt’s newest title is the one he’s most proud of.

“This is awesome,” said Smidt, 29. “It has been a few years, but this one means a lot more to me than the first one. The first one I was young, and I was just roping. I came out here to rope and do it for my family. To have another world championship and average championship is awesome.”

Smidt’s only round win of the 2018 Finals came in Round 1. But that kicked off his Finals with a jumpstart. After that, he placed in four other rounds.

“I started off good, placed in the first three rounds and won the first round,” he said. “I got some money bottled up there. The second half (the final five rounds) I was just getting them turned around, tying them down, and that’s what won me the average.”

He also just kept catching.

“I wanted to do the same thing I’ve been doing all week,” Smidt said. “I got good starts and drew some really good calves. Tonight, I had one that was an OK calf and the horse was good. I’m just glad to be right here, right now.”

Smidt was riding Pockets.

“Pockets is 11 years old, and I have had him for four years,” Smidt said. “I won the world on him in 2015. He’s awesome. I didn’t ride him all summer. I rode a couple calves on him before I came out here (to the NFR), and he made it easy enough for me. We’ve got two gold buckles.”

 

Sundell wins first world title at 33

Wade Sundell qualified for the saddle bronc riding for the Wrangler Finals every year between 2007 and 2015.

He didn’t make the Finals again until 2018. And this year wasn’t easy, as the 33-year-old’s house burned down over the summer.

But Sundell won $177,327 at the Finals to propel him to his first gold buckle with $280,636.

“Words can’t explain it, it’s amazing,” he said. “I’ve been trying to do it since the first time here, but I’m glad it came and hope there’s more to come.”

Sundell focused on getting back to Las Vegas. He accomplished that, getting in with the eighth-most money won among saddle bronc riders. He trailed regular-season leader Jacobs Crawley by $64,792.

But Sundell chipped away at the leaders. He just kept riding. He placed in the first three rounds, won Round 5, placed in Round 6, split the win in Round 7 and placed in the last two rounds.

He claims he did nothing different from what he’s always done.

“Just go day by day and do what you’ve been doing your whole life – keep your chin down and have fun riding bucking horses.”

Sundell already has plans for all the money he won.

“Life will do that to you,” he said about his housefire. “But keep your chin up – there’s no sense in being a Sally. … (I will) rebuild the house.”

As for his immediate plans.

“Go home and relax,” he said.

 

Kinsel cruises to first world title

With her first gold buckle already in hand, barrel racer Hailey Kinsel switched to her backup horse and cruised in Round 10.

Kinsel won with a WPRA single-season record $350,700. She wrapped up the world championship following her Round 9 victory.

“We had (the world championship) won, and I could have run (Sister) to try for that Top Gun deal, but she owes me nothing,” Kinsel said. “We accomplished our main goal, and we are getting ready for 2019. So, she had the night off and I ran my backup horse, TJ. He proved that he deserves to be here, too.”

Kinsel finished seventh in the aggregate, winning four rounds along the way. She may have clinched a night early, but she didn’t get her gold buckle officially until after Round 10.

“I love it,” she said. “It’s outstanding. We’ve dreamed to have this, and it’s even more than I could have imagined.”

 

Dougherty wins RAM Top Gun Award

Bull rider Chase Dougherty, a newcomer to the Wrangler NFR, won the RAM Top Gun Award, given to the competitor who wins the most money in the Finals in one event.

Dougherty won $209,058 over the 10-nights of the Finals.

Steer wrestler Tyler Waguespack was second with $180,429.

As the winner, Dougherty was awarded a 2019 RAM 3500 Heavy Duty Truck. He also received A RAM Top Gun-branded gun from Commemorative Firearms, as well as a custom Top Gun buckle from Montana Silversmiths.

 

 

60th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

10th Performance Results, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

Bareback riding: 1. Tilden Hooper, 89.5 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Scarlett’s Web, $26,231; 2. (tie) Clayton Biglow and Richmond Champion, 88.5, $18,192 each; 4. Shane O’Connell, 87.5, $11,000; 5. (tie) Tim O’Connell and Kaycee Feild, 87, $5,500 each; 7. Mason Clements, 85.5; 8. Steven Dent, 84.5; 9. Orin Larsen, 83.5; 10. Wyatt Denny, 73; 11. (tie) Caleb Bennett, Jake Brown, NS; 13. Ty Breuer, Will Lowe and Bill Tutor, INJ. Average standings: 1. (tie) Tim O’Connell and Steven Dent, 849.5 points on 10 head, $60,923 each; 3. Tilden Hooper, 846.5, $43,154; 4. Kaycee Feild, 844, $31,731; 5. Richmond Champion, 842.5, $22,846; 6. Shane O’Connell, 839.5, $16,500; 7. Clayton Biglow, 772 points on nine head, $11,423; 8. Orin Larsen, 768, $6,346. World standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, $319,801; 2. Steven Dent, $254,733; 3. Tilden Hooper, $245,583; 4. Clayton Biglow, $245,435; 5. Richmond Champion, $243,345; 6. Caleb Bennett, $240,390; 7. Kaycee Feild, $231,445; 8. Orin Larsen, $222,732; 9. Mason Clements, $170,318; 10. Shane O’Connell, $161,451; 11. Bill Tutor, $154,162; 12. Ty Breuer, $127,789; 13. Jake Brown, $119,300; 14. Wyatt Denny, $117,958; 15. Will Lowe, $91,517.

 

Steer wrestling: 1. Nick Guy, 3.7 seconds, $26,231; 2. (tie) Hunter Cure, Bridger Chambers and Ty Erickson, 4.6, $15,795 each; 5. Tyler Pearson, 4.7, $6,769; 6. Jacob Talley, 4.8, $4,231; 7. (tie) Will Lummus and Blake Mindemann, 5; 9. Tyler Waguespack, 5.1; 10. Kyle Irwin, 5.3; 11. Scott Guenthner, 5.4; 12. Blake Knowles, 8.3; 13. Riley Duvall, 10.1; 14. Curtis Cassidy and Tanner Brunner, NT. Average standings: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 44.5 seconds on 10 head, $67,269; 2. Bridger Chambers, 57.2, $54,577; 3. Blake Knowles, 68.2, $43,154; 4. Riley Duvall, 77.1, $31,731; 5. Nick Guy, 85.5, $22,846; 6. Will Lummus, 38 seconds on nine head, $16,500; 7. Scott Guenthner, 38.9, 11,423; 8. Hunter Cure, 40.5, $6,346. World standings: 1.Tyler Waguespack, $260,013; 2. Bridger Chambers, $216,762; 3. Will Lummus, $195,182; 4. Curtis Cassidy, $188,355; 5. Scott Guenthner, $186,727; 6. Tyler Pearson, $172,991; 7. Ty Erickson, $170,880; 8. Hunter Cure, $167,890; 9. Blake Knowles, $162,669; 10. Nick Guy, $152,821; 11. Jacob Talley, $145,717; 12. Kyle Irwin, $139,416; 13. Riley Duvall, $128,258; 14. Blake Mindemann, $127,650; 15. Tanner Brunner, $98,193.

 

Team roping: 1. Tyler Wade/Cole Davison, 3.9 seconds, $26,231 each; 2. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.1, $20,731; 3. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 4.4, $15,654; 4. (tie) Bubba Buckaloo/Chase Tryan and Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 4.9, $8,885; 6. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 5, $4,231; 7. Clay Tryan/Travis Graves, 5.1; 8. Aaron Tsinigine/Trey Yates, 5.3; 9. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 9.3; 10. (tie) Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison and Derrick Begay/Cory Petska, 10.1; 12. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 13.8; 13. Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, Erich Rogers/Clint Summers and Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, NT. Average standings: 1. Aaron Tsinigine/Trey Yates, 69.6 seconds on 10 head, $67,269 each; 2. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 45.5, $54,577; 3. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 34.5 on eight, $43,154; 4. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 58.2, $31,731; 5. Derrick Begay/Cory Petska, 60, $22,846; 6. Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, 73.6, $16,500; 7. Erich Rogers/Clint Summers, 50.9 on seven, $11,423; 8. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 80.1, $6,346. World standings (headers): 1. Clay Smith, $289,921; 2. Kaleb Driggers, $272,464; 3. Aaron Tsinigine, $212,506; 4. Cody Snow, $196,773; 5. Bubba Buckaloo, $194,836; 6. Derrick Begay, $193,626; 7. Luke Brown, $154,237; 8. Dustin Egusquiza, $145,518; 9. Riley Minor, $143,592; 10. Chad Masters, $142,304; 11. Tyler Wade, $135,607; 12. Clay Tryan, $122,785; 13. Lane Ivy, $118,919; 14. Erich Rogers, $116,643; 15. Rhen Richard, $113,520. World standings (heelers): 1. Paul Eaves, $289,921; 2. Junior Nogueira, $273,448; 3. Trey Yates, $226,900; 4. Cory Petska, $200,082; 5. Wesley Thorp, $193,084; 6. Chase Tryan, $174,252; 7. Joseph Harrison, $161,477; 8. Jake Long, $154,237; 9. Kory Koontz, $145,518; 10. Brady Minor, $142,400; 11. Cole Davison, $128,713; 12. Clint Summers, $127,755; 13. Travis Graves, $118,928; 14. Buddy Hawkins II, $115,913; 15. Quinn Kesler, $109,637.

 

Saddle bronc riding: 1. CoBurn Bradshaw, 92 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Medicine Woman, $26,231; 2. (tie) Jake Wright and Isaac Diaz, 88.5, $18,192 each; 4. Wade Sundell, 87.5, $11,000; 5. Joey Sonnier III, 86.5, $6,769; 6. Cort Scheer, 86, $4,231; 7. Brody Cress, 85; 7. Sterling Crawley, 85; 9. Jacobs Crawley, 80; 10. Clay Elliott, Rusty Wright, Zeke Thurston, Taos Muncy, Chase Brooks and Ryder Wright, NS. Average standings: 1. CoBurn Bradshaw, 848.5 points on 10 head, $67,269; 2. Wade Sundell, 783.5 points on nine, $54,577; 3. Zeke Thurston, 693.5 on eight, $43,154; 4. Cort Scheer, 688, $31,731; 5. Rusty Wright, 687, $22,846; 6. Jacobs Crawley, 661, $16,500; 7. Clay Elliott, 511.5 on six, $11,423; 8. Isaac Diaz, 508.5, $6,346. World standings: 1. Wade Sundell, $280,636; 2. Rusty Wright, $262,434; 3. Zeke Thurston, $262,041; 4. CoBurn Bradshaw, $256,710; 5. Ryder Wright, $243,194; 6. Cort Scheer, $238,977; 7. Jacobs Crawley, $231,831; 8. Isaac Diaz, $201,163; 9. Chase Brooks, $168,641; 10. Clay Elliott, $148,868; 11. Jake Wright, $146,480; 12. Brody Cress, $121,588; 13. Sterling Crawley, $108,748; 14. Joey Sonnier III, $102,653; 15. Taos Muncy, $90,906.

 

Tie-down roping: 1. Trevor Brazile , 7.2 seconds, $26,231; 2. (tie) Cooper Martin and Jake Pratt, 7.4, $18,192 each; 4. Shane Hanchey, 7.6, $11,000; 5. Matt Shiozawa, 7.7, $6,769; 6. (tie) Caleb Smidt and Ryle Smith, 8.1, $2,115; 6. Caleb Smidt, 8.1, $2,115; 8. Tyson Durfey, 8.8; 9. Rhen Richard, 9.3; 10. Reese Riemer, 9.6; 11. Cory Solomon, 11.7; 12. Marty Yates, 17.3, 13. Sterling Smith, Ryan Jarrett and Tuf Cooper, NT. Average standings: 1. Caleb Smidt, 83.7 seconds on 10 head, $67,269; 2. Rhen Richard, 88.5, $54,577; 3. Matt Shiozawa, 94.4, $43,154; 4. Ryle Smith, 101, $31,731; 5. Reese Riemer, 106.3, $22,846; 6. Cooper Martin, 107.1, $16,500; 7. Trevor Brazile, 114.1, $11,423; 8. Tyson Durfey, 80.3 on nine, $6,346. World standings: 1. Caleb Smidt, $232,817; 2. Tuf Cooper, $205,268; 3. Trevor Brazile, $194,297; 4. Tyson Durfey, $194,056; 5. Matt Shiozawa, $193,576; 6. Ryle Smith, $186,903; 7. Reese Riemer, $182,300; 8. Shane Hanchey, $180,847; 9. Jake Pratt, $179,108; 10. Rhen Richard, $172,629; 11. Ryan Jarrett, $168,077; 12. Marty Yates, $166,502; 13. Cooper Martin, $162,861; 14. Sterling Smith, $158,609; 15. Cory Solomon, $115,502.

 

Barrel racing: 1. Kylie Weast, 13.37 seconds, $26,231; 2. Amberleigh Moore, 13.65, $20,731; 3. Carman Pozzobon, 13.68, $15,654; 4. Jessica Routier, 13.73, $11,000; 5. Taci Bettis, 13.74, $6,769; 6. Ivy Conrado, 13.79, $4,231; 7. Stevi Hillman, 13.86; 8. Jessie Telford, 13.92; 9. Hailey Kinsel, 13.95; 10. Kelly Bruner, 14.01; 11. Tammy Fischer, 14.12; 12. Tracy Nowlin, 18.66; 13. Nellie Miller, 18.85; 14. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 19.24; 15. Lisa Lockhart, 28.62. Average standings: 1. Carman Pozzobon, 139.46 seconds on 10 runs, $67,269; 2. Jessica Routier, 142.6, $54,577; 3. Jessie Telford, 143.13, $43,154; 4. Stevi Hillman, 143.84, $31,731; 5. Tammy Fischer, 144.64, $22,846; 6. Amberleigh Moore, 146.71, $16,500; 7. Hailey Kinsel, 147.61, $11,423; 8. Ivy Conrado, 148.30, $6,346. World standings: 1. Hailey Kinsel, $350,700; 2. Jessica Routier, $251,704; 3. Amberleigh Moore, $246,357; 4. Carman Pozzobon, $204,831; 5. Jessie Telford, $201,573; 6. Ivy Conrado, $196,385; 7. Taci Bettis, $191,538; 8. Nellie Miller, $188,134; 9. Stevi Hillman, $184,751; 10. Kylie Weast, $173,484; 11. Lisa Lockhart, $170,746; 12. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $162,920; 13. Tammy Fischer, $130,892; 14. Kelly Bruner, 129,708; 15. Tracy Nowlin, $116,150.

 

Bull riding: 1. Sage Kimzey, 93 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Record Rack’s Shootin’ Stars, $33,564; 2. Cole Melancon, 91, $28,064; 3. Chase Dougherty, 82.5, $22,987; 4. Parker Breding, Jeff Askey, Tyler Bingham, Dustin Bouquet, Roscoe Jarboe, Boudreaux Campbell, Garrett Tribble, Joe Frost, Eli Vastbinder, Koby Radley, Trevor Kastner, Trey Benton III, NS. Average standings: 1. Chase Dougherty, 603.5 points on seven head, $232,750; 2. Joe Frost, 436.5 on five, $155,891; 3. Jeff Askey, 424, $118,237; 4. Roscoe Jarboe, 404, $104,064; 5. Sage Kimzey, 347 on four, $118,237; 6. Parker Breding, 330.5, $56,256; 7. Dustin Bouquet, 262.5 on three, $82,346; 8. Garrett Tribble, 262, $78,256. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $415,263; 2. Chase Dougherty, $342,099; 3. Joe Frost, $252,054; 4. Parker Breding, $241,732; 5. Jeff Askey, $225,624; 6. Roscoe Jarboe, $213,801; 7. Dustin Bouquet, $196,934; 8. Garrett Tribble, $180,482; 9. Eli Vastbinder, $173,371; 10. Koby Radley, $160,072; 11. Tyler Bingham, $146,910; 12. Trey Benton III, $141,393; 13. Cole Melancon, $138,038; 14. Boudreaux Campbell, $135,469; 15. Trevor Kastner, $104,396.

All-around world standings: 1. Trevor Brazile, $335,680; 2. Tuf Cooper, $310,357; 3. Rhen Richard, $274,724; 4. Steven Dent; $254,321; 5. Ryle Smith, $203,409; 6. Curtis Cassidy, $175,583.

 

RAM Top Gun standings: 1. Chase Dougherty, $209,058; 2. Tyler Waguespack, $180,429; 3. Wade Sundell, $177,327; 4. (tie) Paul Eaves and Clay Smith, $174,577; 6. CoBurn Bradshaw, $167,385; 7. Hailey Kinsel, $157,865; 8. (tie) Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira, $157,513; 10. Amberleigh Moore, $157,231.

LAS VEGAS – As the two-time defending bareback riding world champion, Tim O’Connell has always thrived on pressure.

He likes having a target on his back. That target has never been more sought after than this season, and O’Connell knows that.

The 27-year-old from Zwingle, Iowa, tied a Round 9 record with a 90-point ride on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Vitalix Ain’t No Angel to win the round in front of 17,018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Friday, Dec. 14, regaining the lead in the bareback riding 2018 PRCA | RAM World Standings.

“I needed this round, I needed to get this going again,” O’Connell said. “I’m not going to sit here and lie to you and say it hasn’t been frustrating and it hasn’t been a tough week, that I haven’t questioned what I’ve bene doing here, because I have.”

Caleb Bennett held the lead in the world standings the previous two nights but failed to place Friday. O’Connell is back on top with $253,378. Bennett is second, $12,988 behind.

“I’m not used to it,” said O’Connell, who has entered the last two Wrangler NFRs with sizable leads. “I wouldn’t exactly call it fun. But I have a lot of my greatest mentors from high school and college and my trainer – they’re all wrestlers – and they kept telling me this is the third period and it’s scoreless. You’ve got to be the one to make the move to win. We’ve trained for moments like this. We knew this was going to be a 10-round fight, and I’m ready for a 10-round fight.”

O’Connell is trying to keep an even keel heading to the 10th and final round Saturday night.

“I don’t think it’s going to be done until I hear the whistle tomorrow night,” he said. “It’s been a very testing time these last 10 days, I’m not going to deny that. Do I like the pressure? No. Do I mind it? No. This is what world championships are made of.”

 

Erickson earns first go-round on 49th Finals round

Ty Erickson is no stranger to making the Wrangler NFR. The steer wrestler is in his fifth trip to Las Vegas for the Finals.

On Friday night, Erickson finally got his first outright round victory.

Erickson, while riding Scooter, stopped the clock in 3.5 seconds to earn $26,231 and move to sixth in the world standings.

“I’m ecstatic right now,” said the Helena, Mont., cowboy. “I’ve made 49 runs in this arena now and this is my first outright win. I couldn’t be more excited, especially as slow as my week has been. I just never felt like I got things going, but I drew one I really liked tonight, and I made the best run I could.”

Erickson got things going from the get-go Friday. And that was a key reason for his success.

“The start has been tricky this year,” Erickson said. “There have been way more (broken barriers) this year than I have ever seen. You just keep going at it and hopefully you get out, that’s what you have to do.”

Scooter, the back-to-back PRCA | AQHA Horse of the Year for steer wrestling, has been cleaning up for the steer wrestlers who are riding him. The win marked Scooter’s fifth go-round win in nine rounds.

“He’s one of the best horses I have ever been able to ride,” Erickson said. “That horse does everything well. He scores, he runs, and he gives you a great go every time. He’s just very consistent.”

Kyle Irwin and Tyler Pearson own Scooter.

Tyler Waguespack continues to lead the steer wrestling world standings. He’s up to $192,744 and leads in the aggregate with 39.4 seconds on nine head.

 

Begay/Petska make it round win No. 3

Maybe Derrick Begay and Cory Petska should take it easy every season.

The team roping duo who hadn’t planned on rodeoing hard notched their third go-round win of the 2018 Wrangler NFR.

Team roping header Begay and heeler Petska clocked a 3.8-second time to win Round 9. They also won Round 3 and split the win in Round 7.

“It’s been awesome,” said Petska, 39. “We’ve only drawn three checks, but the three checks have been first, so that’s a dream come true. Your goal when you come here is to win as many rounds as you can. Winning three in the toughest setup, with 14 of the best team ropers in the world this year, it’s awesome having this much success.”

With their success, Begay is looking for more of the same.

“Just like we’ve been doing all year – you have to trust your ability, trust the horse you’re riding and your partner,” said Begay, 35. “We’ve been making the same run all year. When you get here you don’t have to change anything, just do your job.”

The duo has won $85,942 apiece at the 2018 Finals. They are fifth in the aggregate.

Begay has $170,779 in the team roping heading standings, putting him fourth in the world. Petska is third in the world with $177,236. Begay’s pride isn’t limited to the Finals he and Petska are having.

“More like the year we had,” Begay said. “We weren’t planning on rodeoing, and we did pretty good throughout the summer. We had no intentions of being here, and then us being able to qualify, and then doing so good. The whole year has been a big memory.”

Header Clay Smith and heeler Paul Eaves are leading their respective standings with $231,114 each.

 

Thurston wins saddle bronc riding with 90-point ride

Former saddle bronc riding world champion Zeke Thurston is coming on late at the Wrangler NFR.

Thurston posted a 90-point ride on Andrews Rodeo’s Brutus to win Round 9 and cash in for $26,231.

The win has Thurston up to third place in the world standings with $218,887. He trails leader Ryder Wright, the defending saddle bronc riding world champion, by $24,307.

“It’s shaking up to be similar (to when Thurston won the title in 2016), and there is one more bronc to go that will determine everything,” Thurston said. “Everyone will go at them, and there will be big scores tomorrow. The average will determine the world champion.”

Thurston is third in the average. Wade Sundell is second in the average and in fifth place overall. CoBurn Bradshaw is first in the aggregate and ninth in the world standings. Wright is 10th in the aggregate.

Thurston pointed to Brutus as a key reason they made a 90-point ride.

“A lot of the points came from the horse,” said Thurston, of Big Valley, Alberta. “He leaves there like a house on fire, and it was a knife fight after that, but I kept my feet moving and that’s all you can do with a horse like that. He bucks off more guys than what rides him, but that’s the kind you want to draw.”

Thurston has enjoyed the ride in and out of the arena.

“It’s been a blast, I had family down here and got a new baby with us,” Thurston said. “It’s fun having her (Lucy, 4 months old) around. The whole thing has been great.”

 

Sterling Smith gets first round win since 2015

Tie-down roper Sterling Smith wasn’t happy with how his run in Round 1 went. It put him behind in the average, which he’d been gunning for.

On Friday, Smith got a little solace when he stopped the clock in 7.4 seconds to win Round 9.

“I shot myself for the week when I didn’t get a time (in Round 1 for the average),” said Smith, of Stephenville, Texas. “I should not have put a wrap and hooey on her. I had a real good, honest calf tonight. The second time we ran that calf she strained. Tonight, I just made sure and slowed down and gathered her slow and hoped she would not kick. I was able to get the job done. Now, I hope I can win (Round 10).”

Smith is ninth in the world standings with $158,609. He’s won $79,526 at the Finals but is 15th in the aggregate.

Tuf Cooper continues to lead the tie-down roping world standings. After splitting for third in Round 9, Cooper is up to $205,268. Cooper is eighth in the aggregate. Tyson Durfey is second in the world standings with $187,710.

Smith’s round win was his first since 2015, the last time he qualified for the Finals.

“I’m riding the horse I’ve been riding all year, it is my girlfriend’s horse,” Smith said. “The horse is named Pepto, and he is 11. This is the first time this horse has been to the NFR. He scores really, really good, and he’s just consistent all the time.”

The horse belongs to Cassidy Boggs.

 

Hailey Kinsel clinches barrel racing world title

With one round to spare, Hailey Kinsel is already a world champion.

And Kinsel won the gold buckle in style.

Kinsel won Round 9 in a round-record 13.40 seconds, clinching the barrel racing world championship. In the process she also set a WPRA, single-season barrel racing record with $339,277 and still has one round to go.

“Oh, man, I can’t even put into words what that sounds like,” Kinsel said about winning the title. “That’s pretty neat.”

The go-round win was Kinsel’s fourth of the Finals. She’s made $146,442 at the 2018 Finals.

Even coming into the Finals with a sizable lead, Kinsel wasn’t counting on that lead holding up.

“Coming into this knowing that it’s anybody’s game with as much money as there is here, so, I had no expectations,” she said. “We just went for it every night just like everybody is here. So, it’s awesome to get some results to add to it.”

Kinsel has a chance to extend her record in Round 10. She’s seventh in the aggregate.

“It’s a little bit of everything,” she said about her emotions. “I won’t be able to make sense of this for a while. It’s a lot of emotions, and they are all good.”

 

Vastbinder wins second go-round

Bull rider Eli Vastbinder has had a rough week. He’s had pneumonia and broken his wrist.

Somehow, he’s managed to win two rounds at the 2018 Finals, including posting a 91.5-point ride on D&H Cattle’s SweetPro’s Bruiser on Friday to win the round.

“This one is more special than the first one (Round 5) after everything I went through this week,” Vastbinder said. “I hurt my hand in the second round, then I got pneumonia, and then I broke my wrist in the seventh round. But you can’t give up, so this definitely means the most to me. This is the buckle I’ll wear. … I just got sick and thought it was a head cold and kept not sleeping enough and was feeling down a couple nights. My lungs were full of mucus, so I spent rounds six through eight hacking up stuff, but I felt like a new man this morning.”

Drawing Bruiser had Vastbinder excited heading into the ninth round.

“That bull is famous, and he was the Bull of the Year in 2017,” said Vastbinder, of Union Grove, N.C. “He’s been around a long time, and when they ride him, they are 90 or more – everyone wanted him.”

Vastbinder is ninth in the world standings with $173,371, with $78,256 coming at the Finals. It’s been a great ride for him.

“Just being out here is an experience,” Vastbinder said. “If you want to see Vegas, you better get up early. If you sleep until 10 a.m., it will be dark before you know it. I watched the NFR on TV my whole life, and to come here, compete and win two rounds and have my parents here has been an experience. It’s everything I expected and more.”

Four-time defending world champion Sage Kimzey continues to lead the world standings with $358,853. Chase Dougherty is second (first in the aggregate) with $251,843. With ground money a factor, Kimzey could theoretically lose his lead in the world title to Dougherty or Parker Breding, who’s ranked third in the world standings.

 

Cooper into first place in All-Around

Tuf Cooper made a significant move in the All-Around gold buckle race.

The reigning All-Around world champion split third place in tie-down roping in Round 9 to climb over his brother-in-law Trevor Brazile and move into first place in the hunt for the All-Around world title.

Cooper has $310,357 in All-Around, while Brazile has $298,026. Rhen Richard is a distant third with $203,647. Richard is competing in tie-down roping and team roping, so there’s still a chance Richard could pass both cowboys if Round 10 goes well for him.

 

Kinsel extends lead for RAM Top Gun Award

In addition to winning the barrel racing gold buckle in Round 9, Hailey Kinsel grew her lead in the RAM Top Gun Award, given to the Wrangler NFR competitor that wins the most money in one event at the Finals.

Kinsel upped her total at the Finals to $146,442.

Bull rider Chase Dougherty has come on late. He is in second with $126,135.

 

 

60th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

Ninth Performance Results, Friday, Dec. 14, 2018

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

Bareback riding: 1. Tim O’Connell, 90 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Vitalix Ain’t No Angel, $26,231; 2. (tie) Kaycee Feild and Richmond Champion, 87.5, $18,192 each; 4. (tie) Clayton Biglow and Orin Larsen, 86.5, $8,885 each; 6. Wyatt Denny, 85.5, $4,231; 7. (tie) Shane O’Connell and Steven Dent, 84; 9. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Caleb Bennett, 83.5; 11. (tie) Mason Clements and Jake Brown, 82; 13. Ty Breuer, NS; 14. Will Lowe and Bill Tutor, INJ. Average standings: 1. Steven Dent, 765 points on nine head; 2. Tim O’Connell, 762.5; 3. Kaycee Feild, 757; 3. Tilden Hooper, 757; 5. Richmond Champion, 754; 6. Shane O’Connell, 752; 7. Caleb Bennett, 735; 8. Orin Larsen, 684.5 on eight. World standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, $253,378; 2. Caleb Bennett, $240,390; 3. Orin Larsen, $216,386; 4. Clayton Biglow, $215,820; 5. Richmond Champion, $202,306; 6. Kaycee Feild, $194,215; 7. Steven Dent, $193,811; 8. Tilden Hooper, $176,199; 9. Mason Clements, $170,318; 10. Bill Tutor, $154,162; 11. Shane O’Connell, $133,951; 12. Ty Breuer, $127,789; 13. Jake Brown, $119,300; 14. Wyatt Denny, $117,958; 15. Will Lowe, $91,517.

 

Steer wrestling: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.5 seconds, $26,231; 2. Blake Mindemann, 3.7, $20,731; 3. Jacob Talley, 4.0, $15,654; 4. Tyler Pearson, 4.1, $8,885; 4. Scott Guenthner, 4.1, $8,885; 6. Nick Guy, 4.2, $4,231; 7. Curtis Cassidy, 4.7; 8. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Hunter Cure, 5.1; 10. Blake Knowles, 5.3; 11. Bridger Chambers, 5.6; 12. Tanner Brunner, 6.0; 13. Kyle Irwin, 6.1, 14. Riley Duvall, 13.6; 15. Will Lummus, NT. Average standings: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 39.4 seconds on nine head; 2. Bridger Chambers, 52.6; 3. Blake Knowles, 59.9; 4. Riley Duvall, 67; 5. Nick Guy, 81.8; 6. Tanner Brunner, 95.5; 7. Will Lummus, 33 on eight; 8. Scott Guenthner, 33.5. World standings: 1. Tyler Waguespack, $192,744; 2. Curtis Cassidy, $188,355; 3. Will Lummus, $178,682; 4. Scott Guenthner, $175,304; 5. Tyler Pearson, $166,221; 6. Ty Erickson, $155,085; 7. Bridger Chambers, $146,390; 8. Hunter Cure, $145,749; 9. Jacob Talley, $141,487; 10. Kyle Irwin, $139,416; 11. Blake Mindemann, $127,650; 12. Blake Knowles, $119,515; 13. Nick Guy, $103,744; 14. Tanner Brunner, $98,193; 15. Riley Duvall, $96,528.

 

Team roping: 1. Derrick Begay/Cory Petska, 3.8 seconds, $26,231; 2. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 4.1, $18,192 each; 4. Bubba Buckaloo/Chase Tryan, 4.3, $11,000; 5. Aaron Tsinigine/Trey Yates, 4.9, $6,769; 6. Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, 9.2, $4,231; 7. Erich Rogers/Clint Summers, 10.6; 8. Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, 19.1; 9. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 19.3; 10. Tyler Wade/Cole Davison, 33.6; 11. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, Clay Tryan/Travis Graves, Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, Riley Minor/Brady Minor and Luke Brown/Jake Long, NT. Average standings: 1. Aaron Tsinigine/Trey Yates, 64.3 seconds on nine head; 2. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 41.4 on eight; 3. Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, 73.6; 4. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 30.1 on seven; 5. Derrick Begay/Cory Petska, 49.9; 6. Erich Rogers/Clint Summers, 50.9; 7. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 53.3; 8. Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, 54.6 on six. World standings (headers): 1. Clay Smith, $231,114; 2. Kaleb Driggers, $197,157; 3. Bubba Buckaloo, $185,951; 4. Derrick Begay, $170,779; 5. Cody Snow, $156,158; 6. Luke Brown, $154,237; 7. Dustin Egusquiza, $145,518; 8. Aaron Tsinigine, $145,237; 9. Riley Minor, $139,361; 10. Chad Masters, $135,958; 11. Clay Tryan, $122,785; 12. Lane Ivy, $118,919; 13. Tyler Wade, $109,376; 14. Erich Rogers, $105,220; 15. Rhen Richard, $97,020. World standings (heelers): 1. Paul Eaves, $231,114; 2. Junior Nogueira, $198,141; 3. Cory Petska, $177,236; 4. Chase Tryan, $165,367; 5. Trey Yates, $159,631; 6. Joseph Harrison, $155,130; 7. Jake Long, $154,237; 8. Wesley Thorp, $152,468; 9. Kory Koontz, $145,518; 10. Brady Minor, $138,169; 11. Travis Graves, $118,928; 12. Clint Summers, $116,332; 13. Buddy Hawkins II, $115,913; 14. Cole Davison, $102,482; 15. Quinn Kesler, $93,137.

 

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Zeke Thurston, 90 points on Andrews Rodeo’s Brutus, $26,231; 2. Wade Sundell, 88, $20,731; 3. Isaac Diaz, 85.5, $15,654; 4. Jacobs Crawley, 82.5, $11,000; 5. Rusty Wright, 82, $6,769; 6. CoBurn Bradshaw, 79; $4,231; 7. Joey Sonnier III, 78; 8. (tie) Brody Cress, Sterling Crawley, Cort Scheer, Jake Wright, Clay Elliott, Taos Muncy, Chase Brooks and Ryder Wright, NS. Average standings: 1. CoBurn Bradshaw, 756.5 points on nine head; 2. Wade Sundell, 696 on eight; 3. Zeke Thurston, 693.5; 4. Rusty Wright, 687; 5. Cort Scheer, 602 on seven; 6. Jacobs Crawley, 581; 7. Clay Elliott, 511.5 on six; 8. Chase Brooks, 444 on five. World standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $243,194; 2. Rusty Wright, $239,588; 3. Zeke Thurston, $218,887; 4. Jacobs Crawley, $215,331; 5. Wade Sundell, $215,059; 6. Cort Scheer, $203,016; 7. Isaac Diaz, $176,624; 8. Chase Brooks, $168,641; 9. CoBurn Bradshaw, $163,210; 10. Clay Elliott, $137,445; 11. Jake Wright, $128,287; 12. Brody Cress, $121,588; 13. Sterling Crawley, $108,748; 14. Joey Sonnier III, $95,883; 15. Taos Muncy, $90,906.

 

Tie-down roping: 1. Sterling Smith, 7.4 seconds, $26,231; 2. Matt Shiozawa, 7.7, $20,731; 3. (tie) Jake Pratt and Tuf Cooper, 7.9, $13,327 each; 5. Tyson Durfey, 8.1, $6,769; 6. Ryan Jarrett, 8.7, $4,231; 7. Shane Hanchey, 9; 8. Cooper Martin, 9.1; 9. Rhen Richard, 9.3l; 9. Caleb Smidt, 9.3; 11. Marty Yates, 11.6; 12. Reese Riemer, 12.3; 13. Trevor Brazile, 18; 14. Ryle Smith, 18.6; 15. Cory Solomon, NT. Average standings: 1. Caleb Smidt. 75.6 seconds on nine head; 2. Rhen Richard, 79.2; 3. Matt Shiozawa, 86.7; 4. Ryle Smith, 92.9; 5. Reese Riemer, 96.7; 6. Cooper Martin, 99.7; 7. Trevor Brazile, 106.9; 8. Tuf Cooper, 107.8. World standings: 1. Tuf Cooper, $205,268; 2. Tyson Durfey, $187,710; 3. Shane Hanchey, $169,847; 4. Ryan Jarrett, $168,077; 5. Marty Yates, $166,502; 6. Caleb Smidt, $163,432; 7. Jake Pratt, $160,915; 8. Reese Riemer, $159,454; 9. Sterling Smith, $158,609; 10. Trevor Brazile, $156,643; 11. Ryle Smith, $153,056; 12. Matt Shiozawa, $143,653; 13. Cooper Martin, $128,169; 14. Rhen Richard, $118,053; 15. Cory Solomon, $115,502.

 

Barrel racing: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 13.40 seconds, $26,231; 2. Taci Bettis, 13.62, $18,192; 2. Nellie Miller, 13.62, $18,192; 4. Lisa Lockhart, 13.63, $11,000; 5. Jessica Routier, 13.64, $6,769; 6. Jessie Telford, 13.71, $4,230; 7. Kylie Weast, 13.72; 8. Amberleigh Moore, 13.80; 9. Stevi Hillman, 13.88; 10. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 13.93; 11. Tammy Fischer, 13.95; 12. Kelly Bruner, 13.99; 13. Carman Pozzobon, 14.17; 14. Ivy Conrado, 18.62; 15. Tracy Nowlin, 18.82. Average standings: 1. Carman Pozzobon, 125.78 seconds on nine runs; 2. Jessica Routier, 128.87; 3. Jessie Telford, 129.21; 4. Stevi Hillman, 129.98; 5. Tammy Fischer, 130.52; 6. Amberleigh Moore, 133.06; 7. Hailey Kinsel, 133.66; 8. Lisa Lockhart, 134.48. World standings: 1. Hailey Kinsel, $339,277; 2. Amberleigh Moore, $209,127; 3. Nellie Miller, $188,134; 4. Jessica Routier, $186,127; 5. Ivy Conrado, $185,809; 6. Taci Bettis, $184,769; 7. Lisa Lockhart, $170,746; 8. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $162,920; 9. Jessie Telford, $158,419; 10. Stevi Hillman, $153,020; 11. Kylie Weast, $147,253; 12. Kelly Bruner, $129,708; 13. Carman Pozzobon, $121,908; 14. Tracy Nowlin, $116,150; 15. Tammy Fischer, $108,046.

 

Bull riding: 1. Eli Vastbinder, 91.5 points on D&H Cattle’s SweetPro’s Bruiser, $33,564; 2. Chase Dougherty, 87, $28,064; 3. Roscoe Jarboe, 85.5, $22,987; 4. Sage Kimzey, Parker Breding, Jeff Askey, Tyler Bingham, Dustin Boquet, Boudreaux Campbell, Garrett Tribble, Cole Melancon, Joe Frost, Koby Radley, Trevor Kastner, Trey Benton III, NS. Average standings: 1. Chase Dougherty, 521 points on six head; 2. Joe Frost, 436.5 on five; 2. Jeff Askey, 424; 4. Roscoe Jarboe, 404; 5. Parker Breding, 330.5 on four; 6. Dustin Boquet, 262.5 on three; 7. Garrett Tribble, 262; 8. Koby Radley, 259. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $358,853; 2. Chase Dougherty, $251,843; 3. Parker Breding, $225,232; 4. Joe Frost, $197,477; 5. Dustin Boquet, $185,511; 6. Jeff Askey, $182,470; 7. Roscoe Jarboe, $182,071; 8. Garrett Tribble, $174,136; 9. Eli Vastbinder, $173,371; 10. Koby Radley, $160,072; 11. Tyler Bingham, $146,910; 12. Trey Benton III, $141,393; 13. Boudreaux Campbell, $135,469; 14. Cole Melancon, $109,973; 15. Trevor Kastner, $104,396.

 

All-around world standings: 1. Tuf Cooper, $310,357; 2. Trevor Brazile, $298,026; 3. Rhen Richard, $203,647; 4. Steven Dent, $193,397; 5. Curtis Cassidy, $175,583; 6. Ryle Smith, $169,562.

 

RAM Top Gun standings: 1. Hailey Kinsel, $146,442; 2. Chase Dougherty, $126,134; 3. Amberleigh Moore, $120,000; 4. Rusty Wright, $115,981; 5. (tie) Clay Smith and Paul Eaves, $115,769 each; 7. Tyler Waguespack, $113,160; 8. Wade Sundell, $111,750; 9. Zeke Thurston, $106,250; 10. Cort Scheer, $101,173.

LAS VEGAS – Tyler Waguespack knows what it takes to win the steer wrestling world title.

He proved that in 2016. He’s showing it again at the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Waguespack stopped the clock in 3.7 seconds to earn his second round victory of the Finals in front of 16,929 fans during Round 8 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Thursday, Dec. 13. The win also moved Waguespack into first place in the 2018 PRCA | RAM World Standings.

“We’re going to keep taking it one steer at a time and do the best we can on whatever we draw,” said Waguespack, of Gonzales, La.

Waguespack is riding Scooter, the 2017 and 2018 PRCA | AQHA Horse of the Year for steer wrestling. The horse owned by Tyler Pearson and Kyle Irwin is a key reason for Waguespack’s success, he said.

“Every time you back in the box, you always feel like you have a good chance because you know you’re riding the best one there is,” Waguespack said.

Waguespack is up to $192,744, with $113,160 of that coming from the Wrangler NFR. In addition to being first in the world standings, he’s second in the aggregate in 34.3 seconds on eight head. Curtis Cassidy is second in the world standings with $188,356. Will Lummus is third in the world standings with $178,682. He’s first in the average with 33.0 seconds on eight head.

But Waguespack isn’t counting on anything yet.

“I try not to get nervous, but in the back of your mind it’s always going to be there,” he said. “It absolutely helps that I have been through this before and won (the world championship). It takes some of the pressure off, but still, it is the world title, so you’re going to have pressure on you the whole time.”

When Waguespack saw which steer he had drawn, he knew he could be in the money.

“Tyler Pearson had that steer in the second round and won the round (with a 3.8-second time),” Waguespack said. “I was very pleased with the draw. That steer I didn’t think was going to leave as sharp as the rest of them in the herd, and it is impressive on Scooter’s part because we have been taking really, really sharp starts all week long. He (Scooter) let me back off it just enough to get a decent start on that steer and make a great run on him.”

 

Shane O’Connell wins first Wrangler NFR go-round

Shane O’Connell knew not to get discouraged through the first seven rounds of his debut trip to the Wrangler NFR.

He knew he was doing what he needed to do. Eventually it would pay off.

That pay off came Thursday night, as O’Connell rode Powder River Rodeo’s Black Leg for 89 points and the Round 8 victory.

“I’ve been wanting that real bad,” said O’Connell, 23. “I’ve been making great rides all week, and to finally get into some good money it goes to show that if you keep persevering and keep doing things the same it’s going to pay off in the end. You just got to keep riding and keep doing your best.”

O’Connell placed in the money twice and finished seventh – one spot out of the money – three times. He had faith his skills would eventually lead him to the South Point for the buckle presentation.

“I’d get a little frustrated, but then I just had to tell myself that I’m here for a reason and that I belong here, and that if I keep riding the way I am, they’re going to pay me,” said the South Dakota cowboy. “I’ve ridden pretty good the whole time. I finished seventh three times, one place out of the money. Those were all great rides. I mean, 84.5, 85.5, 86.5 didn’t even get me money at some perfs this weekend. That shows the caliber of guys who are in there.”

The win has O’Connell in 11th place in the world standings with $133,951. Caleb Bennett continues to lead the bareback riding world standings with $240,390. Tim O’Connell, the two-time, defending champion – and no relation to Shane – is second, $13,243 behind.

 

New partners Buckaloo/Tryan stop clock in 3.6 seconds

Back in September, team roping header Bubba Buckaloo and team roping heeler Chase Tryan met up at the Justin Finale at the PRCA | Wrangler ProRodeo Tour in Puyallup, Wash.

With Buckaloo and Tryan in good position at the time to qualify for the Wrangler NFR but their respective partners not, both ropers talked about what might happen if they qualified but their partners didn’t.

They decided they’d rope together.

On Thursday, that newly formed partnership looked like old teammates, as Buckaloo and Tryan clocked a 3.6-second run to win Round 8 with the fastest time of the 2018 Finals.

The win was the first of their career at the Finals for both ropers.

“It means everything,” said Tryan, who is fourth in the heeling world standings with $154,367. “We’ve been working at this forever. It’s feels so good.”

Tryan roped with header Brenton Hall this season, while Buckaloo headed for Tyler Worley.

Buckaloo is enjoying his first trip to Vegas for the Finals, especially after Thursday night.

“It started out really good, and then I went on a cold streak for the third, fourth and fifth rounds,” said Buckaloo, who is third in the team roping heading standings with $174,951. “Then we got money in Round 6 and I got my confidence back. I just felt like tonight we had the best steer and we made a good run.”

The duo have jelled pretty quickly, considering Round 8 was their eighth performance together.

“We’d practiced together and both of us have the same type of goals, the same game plan every night,” Tryan said.

Their confidence is up, and part of that came from some advice via Buckaloo’s dad.

“After I missed the first one, it got to me a little more, and then I missed the third one,” Buckaloo said. “I called my dad and he said, ‘You know what, you shouldn’t worry about it. You’re there for a reason. You’re one of the best.’ That was the biggest motivation for me.’”

Team roping header Clay Smith and partner heeler Paul Eaves continue to lead the world standings for their respective events. They split second on the evening, which helped them extend their lead. Each of them has $212,921 on the year.

 

Ryan Jarrett heating up in tie-down roping

A slow start for tie-down roper Ryan Jarrett has turned into a hot roll.

Jarrett notched the Round 8 win in 7.3 seconds, his second win in the last four rounds. For him, the momentum is building.

“This feels good for sure that things are going my way a little better,” said Jarrett, 34. (He turns 35 Dec. 28.)

Riding Snoopy, Jarrett cashed in for $26,231. It helped him climb to fifth in the world standings with $163,847. Jarrett has won $86,295, most among tie-down ropers.

Snoopy, 8, is right at home competing in the Thomas & Mack Center.

“I brought him last year to the NFR,” said Jarrett, of Comanche, Okla. “All this year he’s been my No. 1 horse and my No. 2 – he got lots of runs. I was probably a little too hard on him at times, but he’s been good. Sometimes I think he could be better, but he probably says the same about me. It doesn’t bother him one bit to be in this building.”

Tuf Cooper and Tyson Durfey split for second in the round in 7.4 seconds each. They are first and second, respectively, in the tie-down roping world standings. Cooper leads the way with $191,941, while Durfey is second at $180,941.

Jarrett is hoping to gain some more ground.

“I want to cash more checks for sure, that’s all we’re after,” Jarrett said.

 

Bettis notches first Finals win

Barrel racer Taci Bettis has her first go-round win of her Wrangler NFR career.

Bettis and her horse Bogie is a Smash, “Smash,” raced to stop the clock in 13.57 seconds for the win.

“Man, this is good,” Bettis said. “This is my second time out here, so this is 18 times down the alley and still that feeling is so surreal. To finally get a round win is icing on the cake for me.”

Bettis struggled through the first four rounds, hitting barrels on three of those four runs. The last four rounds she’s cashed checks, amounting her second Wrangler NFR trip to $62,885.

“My hauling partner (Tammy Fischer) told me to clear my head and quit over-thinking it,” Bettis said. “I kind of schooled on my horse a little bit and got him feeling right. I got my mind right. After hitting those barrels like that, it kind of knocked me down. So, I’ve been trying to get my mental game back up. So, tonight I finally pulled one out.”

Bettis also had a little fun practice a day earlier.

“A couple of days ago at the convention center, we were riding the little bike horses and I practiced a victory lap, and I said, ‘I’m going to do it,’” she joked. “Finally, I get to do it and I get goosebumps.”

After winning back-to-back rounds, world standings leader Hailey Kinsel did not place in Round 8. But she still has a comfortable lead with $313,046 won. Her lead exceeds $100,000.

 

Brooks, Rusty Wright tie in saddle bronc riding

Before the Wrangler NFR, Finals newcomer Chase Brooks had never made a 90-point ride. Now, he’s got two.

Meanwhile, Rusty Wright’s 90-point ride has him creeping up on his brother and defending Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion Ryder Wright in the hunt for the 2018 saddle bronc riding gold buckle.

Brooks and Wright tied with 90-point rides Thursday to split the Round 8 win. Brooks made his ride on Dakota Rodeo’s Bartender, while Rusty Wright made his on Rosser Rodeo’s Floodtide.

“I couldn’t even imagine something this cool,” said Brooks, 24. “These are the only two 90-point rides I’ve ever had, and it’s crazy to do it two nights in a row. You can’t put into words what a 90 feels like.”

Rusty Wright won Round 8 in 2015.

“I didn’t think about it since I try to win every round,” he said. “Next year, when I get to Round 8, I’ll feel like I have an advantage since I’ve won two of them.”

Both of them knew they had strong horses that could perform.

“I drew awesome tonight,” Brooks said. “I’ve seen him quite a few times before and he is showy – I can vouch for that, he is a ton of fun.”

Rusty Wright was equally excited.

“Boy, I drew an awesome horse,” said Rusty Wright, who is competing with broken ribs. “I honestly think that’s one of the best horses going down the road. I actually did an interview a week before the Finals and I said I wanted Floodtide.”

Ryder Wright is still in the lead with $243,194 but won no money Thursday. Rusty Wright is second, $10,375 behind.

 

Dougherty, Frost split bull riding; climb in average

Chase Dougherty and Joe Frost have their sights set on winning the bull riding average. Their chances got better after Round 8.

Dougherty and Frost tied with 89.5-point rides to split the win Thursday.

Dougherty made his ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Dirty Dan, while Frost was on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Lumberjack.

“I got my hand stuck and scared myself into staying on,” joked Dougherty after winning his second consecutive round. “I had no choice but to hang on and ride. It doesn’t matter what I get on, I got here for a reason, and there’s no reason not to ride what’s under me.”

Frost had three rides a day earlier, his first ride and two re-rides.

“I got banged up last night on three rides,” Frost said. “Bull riding’s about not letting it affect you. We had our best pen out today, so I had to focus on the task at hand. Nobody wants to be 58 points at the NFR, but that would have won me $10,000 (in Round 7), but you have to try to improve when you can and take advantage of re-rides when you get them.”

Entering Round 8, Frost was second in the average and Dougherty was third. After their rides, Frost is first and Dougherty is second.

.

60th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

Eighth Performance Results, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

Bareback riding: 1. Shane O’Connell, 89 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Black Leg, $26,231; 2. Mason Clements, 88.5, $20,7301; 3. Orin Larsen, 87, $15,654; 4. Richmond Champion, 86, $11,000; 5. (tie) Kaycee Feild and Clayton Biglow, 85.5, $5,500 each; 7. Tim O’Connell, 84.5; 8. Steven Dent, 84; 9. Tilden Hooper, 79; 10. Caleb Bennett, 78; 11. Ty Breuer, 77.5; 12. Jake Brown, Wyatt Denny and Will Lowe, NS; 15. Bill Tutor, INJ. Average standings: 1. Steven Dent, 681 points on eight head: 2. Tilden Hooper, 673.5; 3. Tim O’Connell, 672.5; 4. Kaycee Feild, 669.5; 5. Shane O’Connell, 668; 6. Richmond Champion, 666.5; 7. Caleb Bennett, 651.5; 8. Orin Larsen, 598 on seven. World standings: 1. Caleb Bennett, $240,390; 2. Tim O’Connell, $227,147; 3. Orin Larsen, $207.501; 4. Clayton Biglow, $206,935; 5. Steven Dent, $193,811; 6. Richmond Champion, $184,114; 7. Tilden Hooper, $176,199; 8. Kaycee Feild, $176,022; 9. Mason Clements; $170,318; 10. Bill Tutor, $154,162; 11. Shane O’Connell, $133,951; 12. Ty Breuer, $127,789; 13. Jake Brown, $119,300; 14.Wyatt Denny, $113,728; 15. Will Lowe, $91,517.

 

Steer wrestling: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 3.7 seconds, $26,231; 2. Bridger Chambers, 3.8, $20,731; 3. Scott Guenthner, 4.0, $15,654; 4. (tie) Will Lummus, Jacob Talley, 4.1, $8,885 each; 6. Curtis Cassidy, 4.2, $4,231; 7. Kyle Irwin, 4.3; 8. (tie) Ty Erickson, Riley Duvall and Tyler Pearson, 4.5; 11. Hunter Cure, 4.6; 12. Blake Knowles, 5.1; 13. Tanner Brunner, 8.2; 14. Nick Guy, 10.7; 15. Blake Mindemann, NT. Average standings: 1. Will Lummus, 33.0 seconds on eight head; 2. Tyler Waguespack, 34.3; 3. Bridger Chambers, 47.0; 4. Riley Duvall, 53.4; 5. Blake Knowles, 54.6; 6. Nick Guy, 77.6; 7. Tanner Brunner, 89.5; 8. Scott Guenthner, 29.4 on seven. World standings: 1. Tyler Waguespack, $192,744; 2. Curtis Cassidy, $188,355; 3. Will Lummus, $178,682; 4. Scott Guenthner, $166,419; 5. Tyler Pearson, $157,337; 6. Bridger Chambers, $146,390; 7. Hunter Cure, $145,749; 8. Kyle Irwin, $139,416; 9. Ty Erickson, $128,854; 10. Jacob Talley, $125,832; 11. Blake Knowles, $119,515; 12. Blake Mindemann, $106,919; 13. Nick Guy, $99,514; 14. Tanner Brunner, $98,193; 15. Riley Duvall, $96,528.

 

Team roping: 1. Bubba Buckaloo/Chase Tryan, 3.6 seconds, $26,231 each; 2. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp and Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 4.1, $15,795 each; 5. Erich Rogers/Clint Summers, 4.2, $6,769; 6. Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, 4.6, $4,231; 7. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 5.2; 8. Aaron Tsinigine/Trey Yates, 6.1; 9. Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, 14.6; 10. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 33.9; 11. Clay Tryan/Travis Graves, Riley Minor/Brady Minor, Derrick Begay/Cory Petska, Luke Brown/Jake Long and Tyler Wade/Cole Davison, NT. Average standings: 1. Aaron Tsinigine/Trey Yates, 59.4 seconds on eight head; 2. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Noguiera, 37.3 on seven; 3. Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, 54.5; 4. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 26.0 on six; 5. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 34.0; 6. Erich Rogers/Clint Summers, 40.3; 7. Derrick Begay/Cory Petska, 46.1; 8. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 70.0. World standings (headers): 1. Clay Smith, $212,921; 2. Kaleb Driggers, $178,964; 3. Bubba Buckaloo, $174,951; 4. Cody Snow, $156,158; 5. Luke Brown, $154,237; 6. Dustin Egusquiza, $145,518; 7. Derrick Begay, $144,549; 8. Riley Minor, $139,361; 9. Aaron Tsinigine, $138,468; 10. Chad Masters, $135,958; 11. Clay Tryan, $122,785; 12. Lane Ivy, $114,688; 13. Tyler Wade, $109,376; 14. Erich Rogers, $105,220; 15. Rhen Richard, $97,020. World standings (heelers): 1. Paul Eaves, $212,921; 2. Junior Nogueira, $179,948; 3. Joseph Harrison, $155,130; 4. Chase Tryan, $154,367; 5. Jake Long, $154,237; 6. Trey Yates, $152,862; 7. Wesley Thorp, $152,468; 8. Cory Petska, $151,006; 9. Kory Koontz, $145,518; 10. Brady Minor, $138,169; 11. Travis Graves, $118,928; 12. Clint Summers, $116,332; 13. Buddy Hawkins II, $111,682; 14. Cole Davison, $102,482; 15. Quinn Kesler, $93,137.

 

Saddle bronc riding: 1. (tie) Rusty Wright, 90 points on Rosser Rodeo’s Floodtide, Chase Brooks, 90 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Bartender, $23,481 each; 3. CoBurn Bradshaw, 89, $15,654; 4. Clay Elliott, 87.5, $11,000; 5. Zeke Thurston, 86.5, $6,769; 6. Cort Scheer, 86, $4,231; 7. Wade Sundell, 85.5; 8. Sterling Crawley, 83.5; 9. Jacobs Crawley, Joey Sonnier III, Ryder Wright, Isaac Diaz, Brody Cress, Jake Wright and Taos Muncy, NS. Average standings: 1. CoBurn Bradshaw, 677.5 points on eight head; 2. Wade Sundell, 608 on seven; 3. Rusty Wright, 605; 4. Zeke Thurston, 603.5; 5. Cort Scheer, 602; 6. Clay Elliott, 511.5 on six; 7. Jacobs Crawley, 498.5; 8. Chase Brooks, 444 on five. World standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $243,194; 2. Rusty Wright, $232,819; 3. Jacobs Crawley, $204,331; 4. Cort Scheer, $203,016; 5. Wade Sundell, $194,330; 6. Zeke Thurston, $192,656; 7. Chase Brooks, $168,641; 8. Isaac Diaz, $160,970; 9. CoBurn Bradshaw, $158,979; 10. Clay Elliott, $137,445; 11. Jake Wright, $128,287; 12. Brody Cress, $121,588; 13. Sterling Crawley, $108,748; 14. Joey Sonnier III, $95,883; 15. Taos Muncy, $90,906.

 

Tie-down roping: 1. Ryan Jarrett, 7.3 seconds, $26,231; 2. (tie) Tyson Durfey and Tuf Cooper, 7.4, $18,192 each: 4. (tie) Jake Pratt, Caleb Smidt, Cory Solomon, and Shane Hanchey, 7.6, $5,500 each; 8. Ryle Smith, 7.7; 9. Reese Riemer, 8.1; 10. Trevor Brazile, 8.3; 11. Matt Shiozawa, 9.1; 12. Rhen Richard, 9.2; 13. Cooper Martin, 17.5; 14. Sterling Smith and Marty Yates, NT. Average standings: 1. Caleb Smidt, 66.3 seconds on eight head; 2. Rhen Richard, 69.9; 3. Ryle Smith, 74.3; 4. Matt Shiozawa, 79.0; 5. Reese Riemer, 84.4; 6. Trevor Brazile, 88.9; 7. Cooper Martin, 90.6; 8. Tuf Cooper, 99.9. World standings: 1. Tuf Cooper, $191,941; 2. Tyson Durfey, $180,941; 3. Shane Hanchey, $169,847; 4. Marty Yates, $166,502; 5. Ryan Jarrett, $163,847; 6. Caleb Smidt, $163,432; 7. Reese Riemer, $159,454; 8. Trevor Brazile, $156,643; 9. Ryle Smith, $153,056; 10. Jake Pratt, $147,588; 11. Sterling Smith, $132,378; 12. Cooper Martin, $128,169; 13. Matt Shiozawa, $122,923; 14. Rhen Richard, $118,053; 15. Cory Solomon, $115,502.

 

Barrel racing: 1. Taci Bettis, 13.57 seconds, $26,231; 2. Carman Pozzobon, 13.70, $20,731; 3. Amberleigh Moore, 13.71, $15,654; 4. Stevi Hillman, 13.72, $11,000; 5. Tammy Fischer, 13.81, $6,769; 6. (tie) Nellie Miller and Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 13.84, $2,115 each; 8. (tie) Lisa Lockhart and Ivy Conrado, 13.87; 10. Jessie Telford, 13.89; 11. Jessica Routier, 18.71; 12. Kylie Weast, 18.73; 13. Hailey Kinsel, 19.50; 14. Tracy Nowlin and Kelly Brunner, NT. Average standings: 1. Carman Pozzobon, 111.61 seconds on eight head; 2. Jessica Routier, 115.23; 3. Jessie Telford, 115.5; 4. Ivy Conrado, 115.89; 5. Stevi Hillman, 116.1; 6. Tammy Fischer, 116.57; 7. Amberleigh Moore, 119.26; 8. Hailey Kinsel, 120.26. World standings: 1. Hailey Kinsel, $313,046; 2. Amberleigh Moore, $209,127; 3. Ivy Conrado, $185,809; 4. Jessica Routier, $179,358; 5. Nellie Miller, $169,941; 6. Taci Bettis, $166,577; 7. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $162,920; 8. Lisa Lockhart, $159,746; 9. Jessie Telford, $154,188; 10. Stevi Hillman, $153,020; 11. Kylie Weast, $147,253; 12. Kelly Bruner, $129,708; 13. Carman Pozzobon, $121,908; 14. Tracy Nowlin, $116,150; 15. Tammy Fischer, $108,046.

 

Bull riding: 1. (tie) Chase Dougherty, 89.5 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Record Rack’s Dirty Dan, Joe Frost, 89.5 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Lumberjack, $24,327 each; 3. Roscoe Jarboe, 71.5, $16,500; 4. Tyler Bingham, 67.5, $11,846; 5. Eli Vastbinder, 60.5, $7,615; 6. Sage Kimzey, Parker Breding, Jeff Askey, Dustin Boquet, Boudreaux Campbell, Garrett Tribble, Cole Melancon, Koby Radley, Trevor Kastner, Trey Benton III, NS. Average standings: 1. Joe Frost, 436.5 points on five head; 2. Chase Dougherty, 434; 3. Jeff Askey, 424; 4. Parker Breding, 330.5 on four; 5. Roscoe Jarboe, 318.5; 6. Dustin Bouquet, 262.5 on three; 7. Garrett Tribble, 262; 8. Koby Radley, 259. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $358,853; 2. Parker Breding, $225,232; 3. Chase Dougherty, $223,779; 4. Joe Frost, $197,477; 5. Dustin Boquet, $185,511; 6. Jeff Askey, $182,470; 7. Garrett Tribble, $174,136; 8. Koby Radley, $160,072; 9. Roscoe Jarboe, $159,084; 10. Tyler Bingham, $146,910; 11. Trey Benton III, $141,393; 12. Eli Vastbinder, $139,807; 13. Boudreaux Campbell, $135,469; 14. Cole Melancon, $109,973; 15. Trevor Kastner, $104,396.

 

All-around world standings: 1. Trevor Brazile, $298,026; 2. Tuf Cooper, $297,030; 3. Rhen Richard, $203,647; 4. Steven Dent, $193,397; 5. Curtis Cassidy, $175,583; 6, Ryle Smith, $153,056.

 

RAM Top Gun standings: 1. Hailey Kinsel, $120,212; 2. Amberleigh Moore, $120,000; 3. Tyler Waguespack, $113,160; 4. Rusty Wright, $109,212; 5. Chase Dougherty, $105,403; 6. Cort Scheer, $101,173; 7. (tie) Paul Eaves and Clay Smith, 97,577; 9. Joe Frost, $93,135; 10. Chase Brooks, $92,500.

LAS VEGAS – Bull rider Chase Dougherty is enjoying his first trip to the Wrangler NFR. The competition is as stiff as he’ll see at any rodeo.

But it isn’t the bull riding or the competing that has been his favorite part.

It’s been the opening ceremonies, although notching his first go-round Finals victory Wednesday isn’t bad either.

Dougherty rode Frontier Rodeo’s Lookin Up for 87.5 points and the win before 16,770 during Round 7 of the 60^th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on Military Night in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Dec. 12.

“It means a lot,” said Dougherty, 20. “I’ve always wanted to make the NFR, and to get a round win out of it is going to put the icing on the cake.”

Dougherty, who won $27,077 including ground money, has climbed to third in the average after seven rounds, with 344.5 points on four head. Only one bull rider – Jeff Askey – has covered five head. Dougherty has won $90,103 at the Finals, upping his season total to $199,452, third most in the world standings.

He’s not planning on doing much different.

“Same as usual, just stay loose and cool and treat it like the practice pen, since it’s the practice pen of the best of the best,” said the Canby, Ore., cowboy.

Dougherty expected his bull to be good, but he wasn’t sure what Lookin Up would do, and that’s how he likes it.

“I knew he was red and would buck pretty good,” Dougherty said. “I guess (Dustin) Boquet rode him good this week, too. But, I don’t study my bulls too much since you have to get on them one way or another, so I’d rather not know.”

Like so many other competitors at the Finals, Dougherty is wearing down but trying to keep at it.

“Honestly, I’m sore but good,” he said. “It’s a good kind of sore. I definitely do not want to do a lot of partying and just get some sleep tonight, but I’m excited for the next round.”

As for his favorite part of the 10-day rodeo. That’s easy.

“The grand entry and getting to carry the flag for Oregon,” he said. “I wish we could go a heck of a lot faster and it was a bigger arena, so it would last longer, but it’s awesome.”

Sage Kimzey continues to lead the bull riding world standings with $358,853. Parker Breding is second with $225,232.

 

Durfey rides to first round win since 2016

Riding on a horse who had ridden in only 14 rodeos before the Wrangler NFR, former tie-down roping world champion Tyson Durfey wasn’t sure what would happen.

Durfey also hadn’t won a Finals round since winning his world championship in 2016.

But Wednesday night, Durfey’s horse Mitch looked like a veteran and Durfey took care of the rest, as the duo stopped the clock in 7.2 seconds to win Round 7.

“This feels absolutely amazing,” said Durfey, of Weatherford, Texas. “I went from not placing in any go-round on my young horse Mitch to winning this round. Before we came here, he had been to 14 rodeos in his life. He’s 14, but he was a working cow horse before he was a calf horse. I haven’t roped on him very much, and I’m thankful to get a win on him.”

Durfey’s horse Nikko, whom Durfey won the world title on, died Nov. 23. Winning aboard Mitch brought back some memories to Durfey, who cashed in for $26,231.

“When you win a round, you jump off your horse and they rush you to a TV interview,” Durfey said. “It is surreal to get the go-round win because there were a lot of times I got to take that victory lap on Nikko. He was my rock for so many years. I don’t know if there are any more tears to cry. When I think of the moment I won the world and all the things he’s given me, it’s hard not to get emotional.”

Tuf Cooper took over the lead in the tie-down roping world standings after placing third in the round. Cooper is up to $173,749. Marty Yates is second with $166,502.

 

Kinsel continues torrid run, notches third round win

Hailey Kinsel is dominating the Wrangler NFR the way she dominated the regular season.

Kinsel wrapped up her third round win of the 2018 Finals – and second in a row – by stopping the clock in 13.61 seconds Wednesday.

“No, it doesn’t,” she said when asked if winning a round ever gets old. “You see new faces every time too, and I always get to look up to where my family is sitting and wave at them, so it’s fun.”

The victory gives her $120,212 won at the Finals alone. She continues to lead the barrel racing world standings with $313,046. Her next closest competitor (Amberleigh Moore) has yet to break the $200,000 barrier.

Kinsel entered the Finals with a lead of $46,0008.

“It’s nice (having a big lead in the standings),” Kinsel said. “I mean, it’s good to have a shot at it. I think that everybody who comes here has a shot at it because of the money here, so it’s great. You have to have a good NFR. I’m glad it’s been going good so far. We have three more rounds, so we’ll see how it goes.”

Kinsel was again riding DM Sissy Hayday, “Sister,” the 2018 PRCA | AQHA Horse of the Year for barrel racing.

“The run felt really good,” Kinsel said. “She (Sister) was honest and nice tonight.”

 

Larsen pushes pain aside to win bareback riding round

Orin Larsen underwent knee surgery in late November, putting his fourth consecutive Wrangler National Finals Rodeo appearance in doubt.

But Larsen opted to ride, and in Round 7 he showed he could handle the pain.

Larsen won Round 7 with an 89-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Tip Off, notching his first Finals go-round win since Round 8 of 2016.

“Man, I’ve been wanting to do that for quite a while,” said Larsen, of Inglis, Manitoba. “It’s beyond words – I get to go to the media room and do all the South Point stuff. I’m pretty grateful.”

With the win, Larsen, 27, is fifth in the world standings with $191,847. After failing to cash a check in either of the first two rounds, Larsen placed second in the third round, sixth in the fourth round and sixth in the sixth round.

He’s dealing with the pain and trying to ignore it every time he climbs aboard.

“I guess so,” he said when asked if it feels like he’s getting stronger as the rounds have gone along. “Justin Sportsmedicine has kept me gathered up pretty well, and that’s been really helping, as has drawing the right horses at the right time. It’s hard to win when you’re healthy, let alone when you’re hurt. There are a lot of great horses and the best athletes in the world here.”

Larsen had never been on Tip Off, but he knew what to expect.

“Clayton Biglow got along with it really well the last time out, and he said it was going to be up and down and really strong and really turn it on at the end,” Larsen said. “That’s exactly what it did. I just tried to do my part and executed it as well as I could.”

The bareback riding got a new leader in the world standings. Caleb Bennett’s 88-point ride on Rafter G Rodeo’s Ankle Biter put him in second place in the round. That earned him $20,731 and bumped him up from second to first in the world standings, supplanting two-time defending world champion Tim O’Connell with three rounds left in the 10-day rodeo. They are separated by $13,243.

 

Cure, Pearson tie in steer wrestling

A pair of world champion steer wrestlers split first in Round 7 with 3.6-second runs.

Defending champion Tyler Pearson and two-time champion Hunter Cure shared the round-winning honors, each cashing in for $23,481.

Pearson is trying to defend his title. He won Round 2, which moved him into first place in the world standings. But he failed to record a time on his next four steers until Wednesday night.

“This is really cool,” said Pearson, who is riding Scooter, the two-time PRCA | AQHA Horse of the Year in steer wrestling. “I missed four steers in a row. It was nice to finally get a time and get back in the groove of things. I also won some money which was great. If you back off at all here, it is going to cost you more. I’ve been trying to go for first, and it paid off tonight.”

Cure’s horse is starting to get comfortable in the arena, and it’s paying off for the 2013 and 2015 champion.

“I’m riding a 9-year-old horse I trained named Zooming Up Front,” said Cure, of Holliday, Texas. “This is his first time to the NFR, and he’s the youngest horse in the field. I really feel like this horse is just now starting to show me the potential he has. We were maybe a little bit slower going early in the week, but I feel like we have some momentum headed our way.”

Canadian Curtis Cassidy continues to lead the steer wrestling world standings with $184,125. Will Lummus, who leads the average in steer wrestling, is second to Cassidy by $14,327.

 

Two sets of team ropers post 3.9-second runs

Luke Brown and Jake Long made their first victory lap of the 2018 Wrangler NFR.

Derrick Begay and Cory Petska took their second.

Both sets of team ropers stopped the clock in 3.9 seconds to split the round, as all four ropers walked away with $23,481.

Team roping heeler Long liked his effort throughout the Finals, until Tuesday night. He got over that feeling quickly Wednesday.

“I felt really good until last night,” Long said. “I was pretty frustrated all day. It never feels good to drop the ball. It feels good to bounce back tonight, come through and finish the round.”

Team roping header Brown said he made an adjustment to help the team.

“My horse is a little bit too quick,” he said. “So, I asked Jake to haze him a little bit. That gets you off on the left fence and you lose momentum sometimes. But it’s a safer bet on making the steer heel, so we went with that and it worked out.”

Begay and Petska got to enjoy their second win. The two have won $71,135 each through seven days of the rodeo.

“We had an amazing steer and my partner did an amazing job tonight,” said heeler Petska. “I’m just excited to have this opportunity again.”

Header Begay is trying to make sure he and Petska continue to do what’s working.

“I’ve been roping my whole life, so you just have to trust what you do every day, not really think about it too much, and go through the motions,” Begay said. “It’s about muscle memory and using your brain.”

Clay Smith and Paul Eaves continue to lead the tie-down roping world standings with $197,127.

 

Sundell, Brooks tie in saddle bronc riding

At 24 years of age, Chase Brooks is in his first trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

At 33, Wade Sundell is enjoying his eighth.

On Wednesday, the two split the Round 7 win with a pair of 90-point rides.

Brooks rode Corey and Lange Rodeo’s Diamond Fever to notch his 90 and get his first go-round win. Sundell did it aboard Lancaster & Jones Pro Rodeo’s Total Equines Angel Fire. They tied the round record set by Billy Etbauer in 2009.

Brooks knew what to expect from Diamond Fever.

“I had won St. Paul, Ore., (with an 87.5-point ride) this summer on mine,” said the Belgrade, Mont., cowboy. “I knew when she got out she would buck, and she felt awesome today.”

Sundell had never ridden Angel Fire, but he had a feeling what the bronc might do.

“I’d seen her before and knew she would have some moves, and there were a few more than I thought,” he said. “She lived up to every bit of it.”

Sundell also won Round 5. He’s up to fifth in the world standings with $194,329. Brooks is at $145,161, putting him in eighth place.

Brooks is trying to soak up his first trip.

“Everything here is awesome,” he said. “I’d never been to the Thomas & Mack before, and practicing for the grand entry was just surreal. It’s everything I hoped for and more.”

Sundell loves qualifying for the Finals in Vegas.

“Just being here is the coolest thing you ever get to do,” he said. “Every day is like the first time. It doesn’t matter where you go or what you do, I’m just glad to be here.”

Reigning, defending world champion Ryder Wright continues to lead the saddle bronc riding world standings with $243,194. Ryder’s brother Rusty has made it a family affair by climbing into second place in the standings after winning $15,654 Wednesday. Ryder Wright leads by $33,856.

 

Brazile still ahead in All-Around

Trevor Brazile continues to lead in the hunt for the All-Around cowboy race.

But both second-place Tuf Cooper and first-time Wrangler NFR qualifier Rhen Richard, who sits in third, cut into the lead a bit.

Brazile, who holds a PRCA-record 23 world titles, is first in the all-around with $298,026. Second is Cooper, Brazile’s brother-in-law, with $278,838. Richard is third with $199,416.

Cooper won $15,654 in tie-down roping Wednesday. Richard won $34,327 combined in tie-down roping and team roping. Richard is also fourth in the aggregate in team roping and second in the aggregate for tie-down roping.

 

Kinsel grabs RAM Top Gun Award lead

After notching her third round win of the 2018 Wrangler NFR, Hailey Kinsel climbed into the lead for the RAM Top Gun Award, given to the Finals competitor who wins the most money over the 10 days in one event.

Kinsel has won $120,212. Amberleigh Moore is second to Kinsel in the Top Gun race (she’s also second to Kinsel in the barrel racing world standings) with $104,346.

Saddle bronc rider Cort Scheer is third with $96,942.

 

60th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

Seventh Performance Results, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

Bareback riding: 1. Orin Larsen, 89 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Tip Off, $26,231; 2. Caleb Bennett, 88, $20,731; 3. Tilden Hooper, 87, $15,654; 4. (tie) Clayton Biglow and Steven Dent, 86.5, $8,885 each; 6. Jake Brown, 85.5, $4,231; 7. Shane O’Connell, 84.5; 8.Ty Breuer, 84; 9. Tim O’Connell, 83; 10. Richmond Champion, 79; 11. Kaycee Feild, 74; 12. Mason Clements, 73; 13. Wyatt Denny, 71; 14. Will Lowe, NS; 15. Bill Tutor, INJ. Average standings: 1. Steven Dent, 597 points on seven head; 2. Tilden Hooper, 594.5; 3. Tim O’Connell, 588; 4. Kaycee Feild, 584; 5. Richmond Champion, 580.5; 6. Shane O’Connell, 579; 7. Caleb Bennett, 573.5; 8. Clayton Biglow, 511.5 on six. World standings: 1. Caleb Bennett, $240,390; 2. Tim O’Connell, $227,147; 3. Clayton Biglow, $201,435; 4. Steven Dent, $193,811; 5. Orin Larsen, $191,847; 6. Tilden Hooper, $176,199; 7. Richmond Champion, $173,114; 8. Kaycee Feild, $170,522; 9. Bill Tutor, $154,162; 10. Mason Clements, $149,587; 11. Ty Breuer, $127,789; 12. Jake Brown, $119,300; 13. Wyatt Denny, $113,728; 14. Shane O’Connell, $107,720; 15. Will Lowe, $91,517.

 

Steer wrestling: 1. (tie) Hunter Cure and Tyler Pearson. 3.6 seconds, $23,481 each; 3. Will Lummus, 3.7, $13,327 each; 3. Tyler Waguespack, 3.7, $13,327; 5. (tie) Bridger Chambers and Jacob Talley, 3.8, $5,500 each; 7. Scott Guenthner, 4.3; 8. Riley Duvall, 4.6; 9. Tanner Brunner, 5.1; 10. Curtis Cassidy, 6.1; 11. Blake Knowles, 13.7; 12. Nick Guy, 13.9; 13. Ty Erickson, 16.8; 14. Blake Mindemann, 17.9; 15. Kyle Irwin, NT. Average standings: 1. Will Lummus, 28.9 seconds on seven head: 2. Tyler Waguespack, 30.6; 3. Bridger Chambers, 43.2; 4. Riley Duvall, 48.9; 5. Blake Knowles, 49.5; 6. Nick Guy, 66.9; 7. Tanner Brunner, 81.3; 8. Scott Guenthner, 25.4 on six World standings: 1. Curtis Cassidy, $184,125; 2. Will Lummus, $169,798; 3. Tyler Waguespack, $166,513; 4. Tyler Pearson, $157,337; 5. Scott Guenthner, $150,765; 6. Hunter Cure, $145,749; 7. Kyle Irwin, $139,416; 8. Ty Erickson, $128,854; 9. Bridger Chambers, $125,659; 10. Blake Knowles, $119,515; 11. Jacob Talley, $116,948; 12. Blake Mindemann, $106,919; 13. Nick Guy, $99,514; 14. Tanner Brunner, $98,193; 15. Riley Duvall, $96,528.

 

Team roping: 1. (tie) Luke Brown/Jake Long and Derrick Begay/Cory Petska, 3.9 seconds, $23,480 each; 3. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 4.0, $15,654; 4. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.3, $11,000; 5. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 4.8, $6,769; 6. Aaron Tsinigine/Trey Yates, 4.9, $4,231; 7. Erich Rogers/Clint Summers, 5.1; 8. Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, 6.7; 9. Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, 9.1; 10. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, Clay Tryan/Travis Graves, Bubba Buckaloo/Chase Tryan, Riley Minor/Brady Minor and Tyler Wade/Cole Davison, NT. Average standings: 1. Aaron Tsinigine/Trey Yates, 53.3 seconds on seven head; 2. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 32.1; 3. Derrick Begay/Cory Petska, 46.1; 4. Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, 49.9; 5. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 21.9; 6. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp 29.9; 7 (tie) Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison and Erich Rogers/Clint Summers, 36.1. World standings (headers): 1. Clay Smith, $197,127; 2. Kaleb Driggers, $178,964; 3. Luke Brown, $154,237; 4. Bubba Buckaloo, $148,721; 5. Derrick Begay, $144,549; 6. Cody Snow, $140,363; 7. Riley Minor, $139,361; 8. Aaron Tsinigine, $138,468; 9. Chad Masters, $135,958; 10. Dustin Egusquiza, $129,723; 11. Clay Tryan, $122,785; 12. Lane Ivy, $114,688; 13. Tyler Wade, $109,376; 14. Erich Rogers, $98,450; 15. Rhen Richard, $92,790; World standings (heelers): 1. Paul Eaves, $197,127; 2. Junior Nogueira, $179,948; 3. Joseph Harrison, $155,130; 4. Jake Long, $154,237; 5. Trey Yates, $152,862; 6. Cory Petska, $151,006; 7. Brady Minor, $138,169; 8. Wesley Thorp, $136,673; 9. Kory Koontz, $129,723; 10. Chase Tryan, $128,136; 11. Travis Graves, $118,928; 12. Buddy Hawkins II, $111,682; 13. Clint Summers, $109,563; 14. Cole Davison, $102,482; 15. Quinn Kesler, $88,906.

 

Saddle bronc riding: 1 (tie) Wade Sundell, on Lancaster & Jones Pro Rodeo’s Total Equines Angel Fire, 90 points, and Chase Brooks, on Corey & Lange’s Diamond Fever, 90 points, $23,481 each: 3. Rusty Wright, 88, $15,654; 4. CoBurn Bradshaw, 85.5, $11,000; 5. Zeke Thurston, 84.5, $6,769; 6. Cort Scheer, 84, $4,231; 7. Jake Wright, 82; 8. Jacobs Crawley, 81.5; 9. Brody Cress, 79.5; 10. Ryder Wright, Isaac Diaz, Sterling Crawley, Joey Sonnier III, Clay Elliott and Taos Muncy, NS. Average standings: 1. CoBurn Bradshaw, 588.5 points on seven head; 2. Wade Sundell, 522.5; 3. Zeke Thurston, 517 on six; 4. Cort Scheer, 516; 5. Rusty Wright, 515; 6. Clay Elliott, 424 on five; 7. Jacobs Crawley, 415.5; 8. Chase Brooks, 354 on four. World standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $243,194; 2. Rusty Wright, $209,338; 3. Jacobs Crawley, $204,331; 4. Cort Scheer, $198,785; 5. Wade Sundell, $194,329; 6. Zeke Thurston, $185,887; 7. Isaac Diaz, $160,970; 8. Chase Brooks, $145,161; 9. CoBurn Bradshaw, $143,325; 10. Jake Wright, $128,287; 11. Clay Elliott, $126,445; 12. Brody Cress, $121,588; 13. Sterling Crawley, $108,748; 14. Joey Sonnier III, $95,883; 15. Taos Muncy, $90,906.

 

Tie-down roping: 1. Tyson Durfey, 7.2 seconds, $26,231; 2. Sterling Smith, 7.3, $20,731; 3. Tuf Cooper, 7.5, $15,654; 4. Ryan Jarrett, 7.8, $11,000; 5. Rhen Richard, 8.1, $6,769; 6. Marty Yates, 8.2, $4,231; 7. Cooper Martin, 8.6; 8. Jake Pratt, 8.7; 9. Caleb Smidt, 9.2; 10. Shane Hanchey, 9.4; 11. Matt Shiozawa, 9.7; 12. Trevor Brazile, 16.8; 13. Ryle Smith, 17.6; 14. Reese Riemer, 19.0; 15. Cory Solomon, NT. Average leaders: 1. Caleb Smidt, 58.7 seconds on seven head; 2. Rhen Richard, 60.7; 3. Ryle Smith, 66.6; 4. Matt Shiozawa, 69.9; 5. Cooper Martin, 73.1; 6. Reese Riemer, 76.3; 7. Trevor Brazile, 80.6; 8. Tuf Cooper, 92.5. World standings: 1. Tuf Cooper, $173,749; 2. Marty Yates, $166,502; 3. Shane Hanchey, $164,347; 4. Tyson Durfey, $162,749; 5. Reese Riemer, $159,454; 6. Caleb Smidt, $157,932; 7. Trevor Brazile, $156,643; 8. Ryle Smith, $153,056; 9. Jake Pratt, $142,088; 10. Ryan Jarrett, $137,616; 11. Sterling Smith, $132,378; 12. Cooper Martin      ; $128,169; 13. Matt Shiozawa, $122,923; 14. Rhen Richard, $118,052; 15. Cory Solomon, $110,002.

 

Barrel racing: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 13.61 seconds, $26,231; 2. Jessie Telford, 13.64, $20,731; 3. Ivy Conrado, 13.72, $15,654; 4. (tie) Taci Bettis and Kylie Weast, 13.74, $8,885 each; 6. Stevi Hillman, 13.77, $4,231; 7. Jessica Routier, 13.81; 8. Lisa Lockhart, 13.87; 9. Kelly Bruner, 13.94; 10. Carman Pozzobon, 14.07; 11. Amberleigh Moore, 18.64; 12. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 18.84; 13. Tammy Fischer, 18.94; 13. Tracy Nowlin, 18.94; 15. Nellie Miller. 24.44. Average standings: 1. Jessica Routier, 96.52 seconds on seven head; 2. Carman Pozzobon, 97.91; 3. Hailey Kinsel, 100.76; 4. Jessie Telford, 101.61; 5. Ivy Conrado, 102.02; 6. Stevi Hillman, 102.38; 7. Tammy Fischer, 102.76; 8. Amberleigh Moore, 105.55. World standings: 1. Hailey Kinsel, $313,046; 2. Amberleigh Moore, $193,473; 3. Ivy Conrado, $185,809; 4. Jessica Routier, $179,358; 5. Nellie Miller, $167,825; 6. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $160,805; 7. Lisa Lockhart, $159,746; 8. Jessie Telford, $154,188; 9. Kylie Weast, $147,253; 10. Stevi Hillman, $142,020; 11. Taci Bettis, $140,346; 12. Kelly Bruner, $129,708; 13. Tracy Nowlin, $116,150; 14. Tammy Fischer, $101,277; 15. Carman Pozzobon, $101,177.

 

Bull riding: 1. Chase Dougherty, 87.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Lookin Up, $27,077; 2. (tie) Dustin Boquet           and Boudreaux Campbell, 87, $19,038 each; 4. Roscoe Jarboe, 84.5, $11,846; 5. Jeff Askey, 84, $7,615; 6. Sage Kimzey, Parker Breding, Tyler Bingham, Garrett Tribble, Cole Melancon, Joe Frost, Eli Vastbinder, Koby Radley and Trey Benton III, NS. 15. Trevor Kastner, INJ. Average standings: 1. Jeff Askey, 424 points on five head; 2. Joe Frost, 347 on four; 3. Chase Dougherty, 344.5; 4. Parker Breding, 330.5; 5. Dustin Boquet, 262.5 on three; 6. Garrett Tribble, 262; 7. Koby Radley, 259; 8. Sage Kimzey, 254. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $358,853; 2. Parker Breding, $225,232; 3. Chase Dougherty, $199,452; 4. Dustin Bouquet, $185,511; 5. Jeff Askey, $182,470; 6. Garrett Tribble, $174,136; 7. Joe Frost, $173,150; 8. Koby Radley, $160,072; 9. Roscoe Jarboe, $142,584; 10. Trey Benton III, $141,393; 11. Boudreaux Campbell, $135,469; 12. Tyler Bingham, $135,064; 13. Eli Vastbinder, $132,191; 14. Cole Melancon, $109,973; 15. Trevor Kastner, $104,396.

 

All-around world standings: 1. Trevor Brazile, $298,026; 2. Tuf Cooper, $278,838; 3. Rhen Richard, $199,416; 4. Steven Dent, $193,397; 5. Curtis Cassidy, $171,352; 6. Ryle Smith, $169,562.

 

RAM Top Gun standings: 1. Hailey Kinsel, $120,211; 2. Amberleigh Moore, $104,346; 3. Cort Scheer, $96,942; 4. Wade Sundell, $91,019; 5. Ivy Conrado, $87,423; 6. Tyler Waguespack, $86,929; 7. Rusty Wright, $85,731; 8. Steven Dent, $84,391; 9. Will Lummus, $82,840; 10. Chase Dougherty, $81,923.

LAS VEGAS – Cort Scheer and Zeke Thurston have been cashing in for plenty of money during the 60th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

They each added another $23,481 to their world standings when they split Round 6 and set the round record with rides of 89.5 points at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Dec. 11.

Scheer did his on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Sue City Sue, while Thurston was aboard Powder River Rodeo’s Miss Chestnut.

“The horses are so awesome now and everyone rides so good that you can’t count on the rest of the field to make mistakes,” said Thurston, the 2016 Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion. “You have to just worry about what you have control of.”

Scheer has been in control plenty. He won two rounds outright before adding the split in Round 6.

“I had drawn a great horse and had a good spur out, and she got better and better,” he said. “I was 90 at Houston on her earlier this year.”

Scheer has won $92,712 at the Finals through six rounds (averaging $15,452 in winnings per night). He’s also third in the 2018 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $194,554. Reigning world champion Ryder Wright continues to lead the standings with $243,194.

Thurston and Scheer were excited to share the record and the win.

“It’s a lot of fun, and with the best 15 guys and the best 15 horses, you have to do something to set yourself apart,” Thurston said. “And Cort has won like all the rounds so far, so I had to at least be co-winner.”

Scheer jumped in and joked: “I don’t want to be greedy – oh wait, yes, I do.”

“I think it’s awesome to win a round and split it with your buddy,” Scheer continued. “Zeke is a world champion, so it’s fun to win it with him.”

Scheer, of Elsmere, Neb., knows he must continue pressing if he wants to climb to the top of the chart.

“The goal is to win the round and keep your momentum going,” he said. “Don’t think about the past or future, just lift your rein and spur out and go at them.”

 

Cassidy notches second go-round win of 2018 Finals

Since dipping out of the pole position in the steer wrestling world standings following Round 2, Curtis Cassidy has looked determined to capture his first world title.

Cassidy won Round 6, his second go-round victory of these 2018 Finals.

“This feels awesome,” said Cassidy, 40. “I had a good steer. It was the one (Scott Guenthner) won Round 3 on. He’s a great steer, and I was happy to get a good start and make a good run. They let me win first.”

Since reigning world champion Tyler Pearson moved into first place following the second round, Cassidy, who then dropped to fourth, has won two rounds and added a third-place finish. He’s climbed back into first with $184,125 and extended his lead to $27,654.

But Cassidy isn’t banking on anything yet. With four rounds left and him sitting 13th in the average, Cassidy knows he’s a long way from a title.

“I know I’m not in the average,” said Cassidy, who has two no-times out of six goes. “My goal is to have $60,000 more won than the next-place guy going into Round 10 because I’m not in the average.”

Cassidy has made it a family affair in the arena, using his younger brother, Cody, as his hazer.

“He has hazed for me the whole time here,” Curtis Cassidy said. “It is awesome to have him here. He’s good support to have in my corner. He watches the cattle and knows them good, and he has been doing a good job hazing.”

 

Kinsel captures second win of 2018 Finals

Hailey Kinsel continued to show why she’s the season leader in barrel racing.

Kinsel stopped the clock in 13.63 seconds to notch her second win of the Wrangler NFR and again extend her lead in the world standings.

Kinsel has $286,815 in the standings, putting her $93,342 ahead of second-place Amberleigh Moore.

“This win is sure good for my confidence,” Kinsel said. “I still have four more runs to make, so that won’t change anything for the next few days, but (I’ll) just go at it every night and try to do my best.”

Kinsel was aboard Sissy Hayday, “Sister,” the 2018 PRCA | AQHA Horse of the Year for barrel racing. They continue to work and progress throughout the Finals.

“You learn something new every night here,” Kinsel said. “But, Lisa (Lockhart) can tell you that this is still a new rodeo each and every day. You apply what you learn, but you still change as it goes.”

Unlike when she’s on the road throughout the rodeo season, Kinsel has plenty of family with her in Las Vegas, and it’s helping the Cotulla, Texas, cowgirl.

“Having my family here with me makes a big difference,” Kinsel said. “Most of the year I have one person with me at best, and when you come somewhere like this where it’s a big deal and your whole family gets to come, it just puts you in a good comfort zone. It’s fun.”

 

Boquet on the hunt after first go-round win

Not every cowboy at the Wrangler NFR knows how he’s going to spend his winnings.

But Dustin Boquet isn’t every cowboy.

The Bourg, La., bull rider, in his first trip to the Finals, notched his first round win, riding Hi Lo ProRodeo Company’s Divinity for 91 points in Round 6.

“It’s just been great lately,” Boquet said. “The NFR didn’t start out the way I wanted, but it’s like football, and you need to have time and start somewhere.”

Boquet hadn’t been on Divinity before, but his fellow Louisianan Koby Radley had.

“I had seen my buddy Koby ride him, and I knew I would get some points,” said Boquet, 24. “I’d seen him (the bull) a few times before that and he does the same thing all the time.”

Boquet upped his Finals earnings to $51,885, which increased his season earnings to $166,472. He’s in seventh place in the world standings and eighth in the average race.

“After tonight, I’m feeling really good,” Boquet said. “I don’t have much of a plan, just take it a bull at a time and let the good Lord put me where I need to be.”

While there are still four more rounds of the 60th edition, Boquet has his first win and is looking forward to spending some of that cash.

“It means everything,” he said of the win. “I had some goals to get some round wins and I hope to get a couple more. It’s awesome to come in and win a round. … I’ll do a bunch of duck hunting after this with the money I won.”

 

Wade/Davison cash in with 3.9-second run

Team roping header Tyler Wade and his partner, heeler Cole Davison, were one spot out of the money in Rounds 1 and 5.

The three rounds in between also were fruitless.

But Tuesday night, the duo clocked a 3.9-second run to win the round and take home $26,231 apiece.

“Awesome,” Wade said. “Glad to get the ball rolling finally.”

Wade, 26, is in his second trip to Las Vegas for the $10 million rodeo.

Davison, 29, now has his first go-round win in his first trip to the Finals. Despite the drought before Round 6, Davison was feeling pressure. But he did say he needed to relax, and that worked.

“I’m not a very pressure-filled person,” Davison said. “I finally quit trying so hard tonight and just let it happen.”

Nine team roping pairs missed in the round. Wade and Davison didn’t worry about that, they were focused on their steer.

“We stay in our own lane and do our own deal,” Wade said. “We’ve been playing tag a little bit – he’s missed one, I’ve missed one. But we’re on the same page and glad to be here. We’re just going to keep roping and hopefully it will pay out.”

Team roping heading leader Clay Smith and heeling leader Paul Eaves did not miss. They added $15,654 to their bank accounts when they placed third in Round 6. Each of them has $197,127 won on the year. They each have nearly $30,000 leads on their next closest competitors.

Wade and Davison have been keeping busy with their families on the trip with them.

“Yeah, I’ve got two little girls, my wife, her parents and my parents are here,” said Davison, of Stephenville, Texas. “Everybody is out here.”

Wade has his family in town, too.

“Oh, yeah, I’ve got a kid,” said Wade, of Terrell, Texas. “We went to the dolphin habitat about nine times. We’ve also been busy signing autographs. It kind of fills up the whole day.”

 

Cooper Martin stops clock in 7.6 seconds.

In his second trip to the Wrangler NFR, tie-down roper Cooper Martin nailed down his second career round victory.

Martin stopped the clock in 7.6 seconds, the same time he clocked in Round 4 of the 2017 Finals.

It was the first money he’s won through the first six rounds.

“It has been a rough week and a round win always helps,” Martin said. “I was just looking for any kind of check and to get things turned around.”

Martin has been riding Cade Swor’s horse, Shooter, who helped him get the job done.

“My good horse, Waterboy, got injured in October,” said Martin, 21. “I called Cade up and this horse, Shooter, is the one I have been riding all week. I rode (Shooter) about eight times and won eight checks on him before I came here. This is a great start to the second half (of the Wrangler NFR).”

The Alma, Kan., cowboy knew what to expect from his calf, and he wasn’t disappointed. He was focused on making a good run.

“These calves were the bigger set, and they have been pretty good all week,” he said. “Sometimes stuff doesn’t go right and the guys make mistakes. I’ve made mistakes all week, so I don’t have anything to talk about. It is hard to put runs together out here in this building.”

Shane Hanchey continued to hold on to first place in the world standings for tie-down roping. Hanchey has $164,347 this season. Marty Yates is close behind, trailing by $2,076.

 

Breuer stays focused to win Round 6

Through the first five rounds, bareback rider Ty Breuer had yet to place. Not finishing in the top six was starting to get to him.

But the 28-year-old, North Dakota cowboy put those rounds behind him and rode Calgary Stampede’s Tootsie Roll for 88 points and the Round 6 win.

“Oh, that was big time for me,” Breuer said. “You know, when you go the first five rounds and you don’t win a check you start wondering if you don’t belong here. But tonight, it felt good, really good.”

Breuer knew he had a good chance when he drew Tootsie Roll. The two knew each other and had won a round at the Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up.

“Really excited, especially because usually the second time they buck her she’s even better,” Breuer said. “She was out the first round, so this round I knew she was going to be good. I just had to do my part.”

After leaving the arena $26,231 richer, Breuer climbed the bareback riding world standings to 11th with $127,789.

Breuer knew not to lose faith in his skills.

“You’ve just got to believe,” said Breuer, who won Round 4 at the Finals last year. “You have to believe, trust the Lord and keep spurring.”

Two-time defending world champion Tim O’Connell continues to lead the race to the coveted gold buckle. O’Connell has won $227,147. He’s leading Caleb Bennett by $7,488.

 

Brazile extends lead in all-around race

Trevor Brazile continued his pace toward winning the all-around world title and his PRCA-record 24th world championship.

Brazile placed fifth in the tie-down roping in Round 6 with an 8.3-second run, earning $6,769.

Brazile is up to $298,026 in all-around money. He holds a $34,842 lead over his brother-in-law, Tuf Cooper.

Rhen Richard is third in the all-around race with $192,647. While Cooper and Brazile are competing in tie-down roping at the Finals, Richard is in tie-down roping and team roping.

 

Kinsel gains ground in Top Gun chase

Barrel racer Hailey Kinsel closed the gap on fellow barrel racer Amberleigh Moore in the race for the Top Gun Award, given to the Wrangler NFR competitor who wins the most money during the Finals.

Moore leads the way with $104,346. Kinsel, after winning the barrel racing Tuesday, is $10,365 behind.

Saddle bronc rider Cort Scheer, who split the Round 6 win with Zeke Thurston, is $11,634 behind Moore.

 

 

60th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

Sixth Performance Results, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2018

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

Bareback riding: 1. Ty Breuer, 88 points on Calgary Stampede’s Tootsie Roll, $26,232; 2. (tie) Steven Dent, Richmond Champion and Tilden Hooper, 87.5, $15,795 each: 5. (tie) Caleb Bennett and Will Lowe, 87, $5,500 each; 7. Tim O’Connell, 86.5; 8. Kaycee Feild, 85; 9. (tie) Clayton Biglow and Mason Clements, 84.5; 11. Jake Brown, 84; 12. Orin Larsen, 82.5; 13. Shane O’Connell, 78.5; 14. Wyatt Denny, NS, 15. Bill Tutor, INJ. Average standings: 1. Steven Dent, 510.5 points on six head; 2. Kaycee Field, 510; 3. Tilden Hooper, 507.5; 4. Tim O’Connell, 505; 5. (tie) Will Lowe and Richmond Champion, 501.5; 7. Shane O’Connell, 494.5; 8. Caleb Bennett, 485.5. World standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, $227,147; 2. Caleb Bennett, $219,659; 3. Clayton Biglow, $192,551; 4. Steven Dent, $184,926; 5. Richmond Champion, $173,114; 6. Kaycee Feild, $170,522; 7. Orin Larsen, $165,617; 8. Tilden Hooper, $160,545; 9. Bill Tutor, $154,162; 10. Mason Clements, $149,587; 11. Ty Breuer, $127,789; 12. Jake Brown, $115,069; 13. Wyatt Denny, $113,728; 14. Shane O’Connell, $107,720; 15. Will Lowe, $91,517.

 

Steer wrestling: 1. Curtis Cassidy, 3.6 seconds, $26,231; 2. Jacob Talley, 3.7, $20,731; 3. (tie) Tyler Waguespack, Kyle Irwin and Nick Guy, 4.1, $11,141 each; 6. (tie) Scott Guenthner and Will Lummus, 4.5, $2,115; 8. Blake Mindemann, 4.8; 9. Hunter Cure, 5.1; 10. Riley Duvall, 5.5; 11. Bridger Chambers, 6.1; 12. Tanner Brunner, 6.7; 13. Blake Knowles, 10.9; 14. Tyler Pearson and Ty Erickson, NT. Average standings: 1. Will Lummus, 25.2 seconds on six head; 2. Tyler Waguespack, 26.9; 3. Blake Knowles, 35.8; 4. Bridger Chambers, 39.4; 5. Riley Duvall, 44.3; 6. Nick Guy, 53; 7. Tanner Brunner, 76.2; 8. Kyle Irwin, 20.2 on five. World standings: 1. Curtis Cassidy, $184,125; 2. Will Lummus, $156,471; 3. Tyler Waguespack, $153,186; 4. Scott Guenthner, $150,765; 5. Kyle Irwin, $139,416; 6. Tyler Pearson, $133,856; 7. Ty Erickson, $128,854; 8. Hunter Cure, $122,268; 9. Bridger Chambers, $120,159; 10. Blake Knowles, $119,515; 11. Jacob Talley, $111,448; 12. Blake Mindemann, $106,919; 13. Nick Guy, $99,514; 14. Tanner Brunner, $98,193; 15. Riley Duvall, $96,528.

 

Team roping: 1. Tyler Wade/Cole Davison, 3.9 seconds, $26,231 each; 2. Bubba Buckaloo/Chase Tryan, 4.4, $20,731; 3. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 4.5, $15,654; 4. Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkings II, 8.7, $11,000; 5. Aaron Tsinigine/Trey Yates, 19.5, $6,769; 6. Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, Clay Tryan/Travis Graves, Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, Riley Minor/Brady Minor, Derrick Begay/Cory Petska, Luke Brown/Jake Long and Erich Rogers/Clint Summers, NT. Average standings: 1. Aaron Tsinigine/Trey Yates, 48.4 seconds on six head; 2. Clay Smith/ Paul Eaves, 21.9 on five; 3. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 27.8; 4. Derrick Begay/Cory Petska, 42.2; 5. Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, 43.2; 6. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 22.0 on four; 7. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 25.1; 8. Erich Rogers/Clint Summers, 31. World standings (headers): 1. Clay Smith, $197,127; 2. Kaleb Driggers, $167,964; 3. Bubba Buckaloo, $148,721; 4. Riley Minor, $139,361; 5. Aaron Tsinigine, $134,237; 6. Cody Snow, $133,594; 7. Luke Brown, $130,756; 8. Dustin Egusquiza, $129,723; 9. Clay Tryan, $122,785; 10. Derrick Begay, $121,068; 11. Chad Masters, $120,304; 12. Lane Ivy, $114,688; 13. Tyler Wade, $109,376; 14. Erich Rogers, $98,450; 15. Rhen Richard, $92,790. World standings (heelers): 1. Paul Eaves, $197,127; 2. Junior Nogueira, $168,948; 3. Trey Yates, $148,631; 4. Joseph Harrison, $139,477; 5. Brady Minor, $138,169; 6. Jake Long, $130,756; 7. Wesley Thorp, $129,904; 8. Kory Koontz, $129,723; 9. Chase Tryan, $128,136; 10. Cory Petska, $127,525; 11. Travis Graves, $118,928; 12. Buddy Hawkins II, $111,682; 13. Clint Summers, $109,563; 14. Cole Davison, $102,482; 15. Quinn Kesler, $88,906.

 

Saddle bronc riding: 1. (tie) Zeke Thurston, on Powder River Rodeo’s Miss Chestnut and Cort Scheer on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Elsmere, 89.5 points, $23,481 each; 3. Chase Brooks, 89, $15,654; 4. Ryder Wright, 87.5, $11,000; 5. Joey Sonnier III, 86, $6,770; 6. (tie) Taos Muncy and Wade Sundell, 85.5, $2,115 each; 8. Clay Elliott, 85; 9. (tie) Rusty Wright and CoBurn Bradshaw, 82; 11. Isaac Diaz, 79.5; 12. Sterling Crawley, 76.5, 13. Jacobs Crawley, Brody Cress and Jake Wright, NS. Average standings: 1. CoBurn Bradshaw, 503 points on six head; 2. (tie) Wade Sundell and Zeke Thurston, 432.5 on five; 4. Cort Scheer, 432; 5. Rusty Wright, 427; 6. Clay Elliott, 424; 7. Ryder Wright, 351.5 on four; 8. Isaac Diaz, 334.5. World standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $243,194; 2. Jacobs Crawley, $204,331; 3. Cort Scheer, $194,554; 4. Rusty Wright, $193,684; 5. Zeke Thurston, $179,118; 6. Wade Sundell, $170,848; 7. Isaac Diaz, $160,970; 8. CoBurn Bradshaw, $132,325; 9. Jake Wright $128,287; 10. Clay Elliott, $126,445; 11. Chase Brooks, $121,680; 12. Brody Cress, $121,587; 13. Sterling Crawley, $108,748; 14. Joey Sonnier III, $95,883; 15. Taos Muncy, $90,906.

 

Tie-down roping: 1. Cooper Martin, 7.6 seconds, $26,231; 2. Ryan Jarrett and Reese Riemer, 7.8, $18,192 each: 4. Jake Pratt, 8.1, $11,000; 5. Trevor Brazile, 8.3, $6,769; 6. Ryle Smith, 8.8, $4,231; 7. Caleb Smidt, 9.0; 8. Rhen Richard, 9.1; 9. Cory Solomon, 9.7; 10. (tie) Shane Hanchey, 10.0; 12. Tyson Durfey, 11.5; 13. Tuf Cooper, 17.2; 14. (tie) Sterling Smith and Marty Yates, NT. Average standings: 1. Ryle Smith, 49.0 seconds on six head; 2. Caleb Smidt, 49.5; 3. Rhen Richard, 52.6; 4. Reese Riemer, 57.3; 5. Matt Shiozawa, 60.2; 6. Trevor Brazile, 63.8; 7. Cooper Martin, 64.5; 8. Cory Solomon, 67.8. World standings: 1. Shane Hanchey, $164,347; 2. Marty Yates, $162,271; 3. Reese Riemer, $159,454; 4. Tuf Cooper, $158,095; 5. Caleb Smidt, $157,932; 6. Trevor Brazile, $156,643; 7. Ryle Smith, $153,056; 8. Jake Pratt, $142,088; 9. Tyson Durfey, $136,518; 10. Cooper Martin, $128,169; 11. Ryan Jarrett, $126,616; 12. Matt Shiozawa, $122,923; 13. Sterling Smith, $111,647; 14. Rhen Richard, $111,283; 15. Cory Solomon, $110,002.

 

Bull riding: 1. Dustin Boquet, 91 points on Hi Lo ProRodeo Company’s Divinity, $26,231; 2. Chase Dougherty, 88.5, $20,731; 3. Koby Radley, 88, $15,654; 4. Joe Frost, 87, $11,000; 5. Parker Breding, 86.5, $6,769; 6. Jeff Askey, 85.5, $4,231; 7. Sage Kimzey, Tyler Bingham, Roscoe Jarboe, Boudreaux Campbell, Garrett Tribble, Cole Melancon, Eli Vastbinder, Trevor Kastner and Trey Benton III, NS. Average standings: 1. Joe Frost, 347 points on four head; 2. Jeff Askey, 340; 3. Parker Breding, 330.5; 4. Garrett Tribble, 262 points on three head; 5. Koby Radley, 259; 6. Chase Dougherty, 257; 7. Sage Kimzey, 254; 8. Dustin Boquet, 175.5 points on two. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $358,852; 2. Parker Breding, $225,232; 3. Jeff Askey, $174,855; 4. Garrett Tribble, $174,136; 5. Joe Frost, $173,150; 6. Chase Dougherty, $172,375; 7. Dustin Boquet, $166,472; 8. Koby Radley, $160,072; 9. Trey Benton III, $141,393; 10. Tyler Bingham, $135,064; 11. Eli Vastbinder, $132,191; 12. Roscoe Jarboe, $130,737; 13. Boudreaux Campbell, $116,431; 14. Cole Melancon, $109,973; 15. Trevor Kastner, $104,396.

 

All-around world standings: 1. Trevor Brazile, $298,026; 2. Tuf Cooper, $263,184; 3. Rhen Richard, $192,647; 4. Steven Dent, $184,513; 5. Curtis Cassidy, $171,352; 6. Ryle Smith, $169,562.

 

RAM Top Gun standings: 1. Amberleigh Moore, $104,346; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $93,981; 3. Cort Scheer, $92,712; 4. (tie) Paul Eaves and Clay Smith, 81,782; 5. Jessica Routier, $80,854; 6. (tie) Curtis Cassidy and Ryder Wright, $78,116; 8. Marty Yates, $75,789; 9. Steven Dent, $75,506; 10. Tyler Waguespack, $73,603.

LAS VEGAS – Bareback rider Clayton Biglow had never been on C5 Rodeo’s Virgil.

Biglow was in the Thomas & Mack Center and competing in Round 3 in 2017 at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo when Tim O’Connell tied an arena record on the horse.

On Monday night, Dec. 10, Biglow finally got his chance to climb aboard. He didn’t waste the opportunity.

Biglow notched an arena-record, 93-point ride on Virgil, receiving a standing ovation from the 16,877 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas during Round 5 of the 60th edition of the Wrangler NFR.

Biglow was understandably excited when he saw his name paired with Virgil, the two-time Bareback Horse of the Year.

“Oh, outstanding,” said Biglow, eight days shy of his 23rd birthday. “I’ve been wanting to get on him since the first time I saw him. Before the NFR even started I thought to myself, ‘Well, if there’s a place to draw him it’d be here, that’s for dang sure.’ Last night, when I got the draw and I saw his name next to mine I couldn’t sleep at all. I sat there as happy as could be. I couldn’t shut up about it to my girlfriend.”

Only 10 other cowboys have ever been 93 points or better in the history of the PRCA – six have scored 93, the other four 94.

Biglow and Virgil now stand among the best rides in PRCA history.

“It’s awesome and humbling,” Biglow said. “I’m just happy my name’s up there right now with all the other greats – a lot of people have been 90 points. A bunch of guys in that locker room have also been 90 and set records. To be in that group of guys it’s what I’ve always dreamed of.”

The Clements, Calif., cowboy loved every bit of the ride. He knew it felt good. He knew he’d be in the money. He thought he had a chance to win.

He did more than that, obliterating the arena record by 1.5 points.

“Well, in my mind, I was thinking 89, 90, but I did not think it was going to be 93,” Biglow said.

The victory helped Biglow climb into third place in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $192,551.

“It gives me that boost of confidence that I can ride against those guys and win,” Biglow said.

O’Connell, the two-time defending world champion, is still in first place with $227,147.

 

Sundell’s 92-point ride earns Round 5 win

Wade Sundell had a good feeling about Round 5.

He’d won the round in 2013 and 2014. And then he drew Frontier Rodeo’s Medicine Woman, a four-time Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year.

Sundell, 33, passed his feeling along ahead of his ride.

“I told (flankman) Heith Stewart earlier that they (the crowd) were needing to be wowed and that he was about to see something he hadn’t seen in a while,” Sundell said.

Then the Boxholm, Iowa, cowboy went out and rode Medicine Woman for 92 points and yet another Round 5 victory.

“It’s been alright to me, huh?” Sundell laughed. “I was stoked to have that one, and it’s the best she has ever been with me, so I bared down and had fun.”

Sundell and Medicine Woman are familiar with each other. Sundell had another 92-point ride on her in the final round of the 2014 Dodge City (Kan.) Roundup Rodeo. She was more of the same at the Thomas & Mack.

“Yeah, it was everything I figured it would be,” he said. “She wanted to stall out, so I kept gassing on her.”

Sundell is second in the average and up to fifth in the world standings with $168,732 in earnings.

“It’s about time I got back to the old stage and rode a great horse against all the great guys here,” he said.

Defending Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion Ryder Wright continues to lead the world standings. After placing second Monday, Wright has $232,194 in earnings.

 

Lummus notches first go-round win in 3.3 seconds

In his first trip to the Wrangler NFR, Will Lummus has his first go-round victory.

The big steer wrestler from West Point, Miss., stopped the clock in 3.3 seconds to win Round 5 and cash in for $26,231.

“It feels great to win, and I bet it feels just as good for Grinder (the horse Lummus rode),” said Lummus, 6-foot-2, 250 pounds. “This is his first trip, as well. We’re just going along and learning and trying to make good runs.”

Grinder belongs to nine-time Wrangler NFR qualifier K.C. Jones, who was also hazing for Lummus during the win.

The pair made a great run Monday night, helping Lummus climb from second to first in the average midway through the 10-day rodeo. Lummus’ time in the average is 20.7 seconds on five head.

The win also has him second in the world standings with $154,355. Curtis Cassidy is first with $157,894.

“This is a dream come true for me,” said Lummus, 26. “It has been great to be out here with a legend like K.C. Jones and being able to rodeo with him and ride his great horses has been a pleasure.”

Lummus’ start was exactly what he needed to grab the win.

“I finally feel like I got the start tonight,” he said. “I’ve been getting decent starts, but I haven’t really got the start and I felt like I got it tonight. Being able to draw a steer like that and have him pick his head up, it was awesome.”

 

Vastbinder’s 91-point ride earns him first Finals round win

Bull rider Eli Vastbinder is making his first Wrangler NFR appearance this year.

After Monday’s round win, he can say he’s thoroughly enjoying it.

Vastbinder rode Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Record Rack’s Shootin’ Stars for 91 points and his first Wrangler NFR go-round victory.

“It means everything to me,” said Vastbinder, 27. “After the last couple of days, it’s a huge relief. It feels like a weight has been lifted off me.”

Through four rounds Vastbinder had failed to last on a bull. He also had taken his fair share of poundings from the bulls. In Round 5, he got a little revenge.

“Sore for sure, but this helps a lot, and it’s all refreshed me,” Vastbinder said. “I’m ready for five more rounds. In the second round, I came off and put my hand up, and it jammed from my wrist to my shoulder. I have some fractures in my wrist and old ones they found too. But Justin Sportsmedicine has been great to me, hats off to them for doing what they do and helping us out. We couldn’t do it without them.”

The win revitalized Vastbinder.

“I’m ready,” said Vastbinder, of Athens, Texas. “It refreshed me and lifted the weight off me. I’m excited for tomorrow and the day after that. Everyone wants to do well, and there’s a lot of pressure here. We have worked for it our whole lives, at least I have, so when you get here you feel like you have something to prove and that hinders your ability.”

Four-time defending world champion Sage Kimzey added a little money to his pocket with a fifth-place finish. He has $358,853 this season.

 

Smith/Eaves reclaim top spot in team roping heading, heeling

After watching team roping header Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira move into first place in their respective events, Clay Smith and Paul Eaves answered.

The duo stopped the clock in 3.8 seconds, the top time of this year’s Finals.

Eaves pointed to the steer as a big reason for the quick win.

“The steer was really good, one of the better steers we’ve drawn,” Eaves said. “Everything came together.”

Smith is first in team roping heading with $181,473, while Eaves is first in heeling with the same amount. Driggers and Nogueira are first in the average, while Smith and Eaves are fifth.

“It doesn’t really matter,” Smith said. “We’ve got to keep going at them and seeing how much we can win. It’s only halfway (through the Wrangler NFR), so it doesn’t really matter right now.”

Smith and Eaves have teamed together long enough, they know how to read off each other.

“We’ve roped together long enough it’s not like you’ve got to really talk about it,” Eaves said. “It’s about not trying to press too hard but still be able to win something.”

Despite how much money is available, the duo try not to treat the Finals any differently than they would other rodeos.

“The same as we would at a regular rodeo,” Smith said. “We make sure the horses are warmed up and that’s really it, we just focus on what we need to do. There’s no difference between here and when we go to Odessa (Texas). It’s just the same routine.”

 

Three-way tie in tie-down roping

Trevor Brazile, Reese Riemer and Ryan Jarrett each stopped the clock in 7.5 seconds to force a three-way split for first in tie-down roping in the fifth round, Monday.

Brazile again extended his PRCA record for go-round wins at the Wrangler NFR – in tie-down roping and team roping – and the National Finals Steer Roping. A night after winning Round 4, Brazile tied for the win in Round 5, giving him 70 go-round victories between the two finals.

“This feels good,” said Brazile, 42. “It was a good calf, and so many things happened right there. I didn’t think (that time would hold on). I was the second roper out, and so many of those guys were making great runs. I was happy to be tying them and not getting beat.”

Jarrett hasn’t had the easiest time of it at the 60th Finals. Monday was the second time he’d roped his calf.

“It feels really good, and I’m glad to break the ice,” said Jarrett, who was riding Snoopy. “It has been a rough week. I have not had any luck. I’m glad to get this win and get a good check.”

Riemer, 28, is on his third trip to the Finals. But Monday night marked his first go-round win at the Wrangler NFR.

“Words can’t express how good this feels,” he said. “I was just telling these guys, this was the 25th calf I’ve ever run in this building and this was my first victory lap. It was exciting.”

The earnings for Brazile (the three each took home $20,872) helped him extend his lead in the all-around cowboy race. He has won $291,257 in all-around. His lead over brother-in-law Tuf Cooper is $28,073.

 

Conrado keeps cashing checks

For the third time in five rounds, barrel racer Ivy Conrado pocketed a check.

But this time it was a first-place check.

Conrado rode JLo and stopped the clock in 13.49 seconds to win Round 5 and make $26,231.

“It does (take the pressure off), especially after (hitting a barrel) last night,” Conrado said. “I think it’s best just not to let that stuff get in your head and bring you down. Every night is a new night here and you never know what’s going to happen here in Vegas. So, if you get the chance to try and go fast, it’s fun, and if you can be in the average that’s even more fun.”

Conrado is ninth in the average and seventh in the world standings with $154,501. Hailey Kinsel continues to lead with $260,584.

A year ago, Conrado split Round 5 with Lisa Lockhart. This time she’s going to the South Point to take the stage on her own.

“I’m really excited,” said Conrado, of Hudson, Colo. “Kenny Nichols and James Barron own my yellow mare JLo – I say she’s mine, but they own her. I was really excited that they let me have her, and this win means so much to them. They don’t know it yet, but I got Montana Silversmiths to make a copy of the go-round buckle that we won last year and put JLo’s name on it. I’m going to give it to them tonight.”

 

Moore continues to lead RAM Top Gun race

Barrel racer Amberleigh Moore, of Salem, Ore., is still at the forefront for the RAM Top Gun standings.

Halfway through the 60th edition of the Wrangler NFR, Moore is at the top of the standings with $93,346.

Tie-down roper Marty Yates is second with $75,788.

 

60th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

Fifth Performance Results, Monday, Dec. 10, 2018

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

Bareback riding: 1. Clayton Biglow, 93 points on C5 Rodeo’s Virgil, $26,231; 2. Richmond Champion; 88.5, $20,731; 3. (tie) Steven Dent and Bill Tutor; 88, $13,327 each; 5. Mason Clements, 87.5, $6,769; 6. Orin Larsen, 87, $4,231; 7. (tie) Ty Breuer and Shane O’Connell, 86.5; 9. (tie) Tim O’Connell, Kaycee Feild, and Will Lowe, 86; 12. Tilden Hooper, 84.5; 13. Caleb Bennett, 78.5; 14. Jake Brown, 77.5; 15. Wyatt Denny, NS. Average standings: 1. Kaycee Feild, 425 points on five head; 2. Steven Dent, 423; 3. Tilden Hooper, 420; 4. Tim O’Connell, 418.5; 5. Shane O’Connell, 416; 6. Will Lowe, 414.5; 7. Richmond Champion, 414; 8. Bill Tutor, 411.5. World standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, $227,147; 2. Caleb Bennett, $214,159; 3. Clayton Biglow, $192,551; 4. Kaycee Feild; $170,522; 5. Steven Dent, $169,131; 6. Orin Larsen, $165,617; 7. Richmond Champion, $157,319; 8. Bill Tutor, $154,162; 9. Mason Clements, $149,587; 10. Tilden Hooper, $144,750; 11. Jake Brown, $115,069; 12. Wyatt Denny, $113,728; 13. Shane O’Connell, $107,720; 14. Ty Breuer, $101,558; 15. Will Lowe, $86,017.

 

Steer wrestling: 1. Will Lummus, 3.3 seconds, $26,231; 2. Tyler Waguespack, 3.5, $20,731; 3. Bridger Chambers, 3.7, $15,654; 4. Riley Duvall, 3.9, $8,885; 4. Kyle Irwin, 3.9, $8,885; 6. Hunter Cure, 4.0, $4,231; 7. (tie) Blake Mindemann and Jacob Talley, 4.2; 9. Scott Guenthner, 5.1; 10. Nick Guy, 7.4; 11. Blake Knowles, 8.1; 12. Ty Erickson, 15.6; 13. Tanner Brunner, 16.3; 14. (tie) Curtis Cassidy and Tyler Pearson, NT. Average standings: 1. Will Lummus, 20.7 seconds on five head; 2. Tyler Waguespack,       22.8; 3. Blake Knowles, 24.9; 4. Bridger Chambers, 33.3; 5. Riley Duvall, 38.8; 6. Nick Guy, 48.9; 7. Ty Erickson, 58.2; 8. Tanner Brunner, 69.5. World standings: 1. Curtis Cassidy, $157,894; 2. Will Lummus, $154,355; 3. Scott Guenthner, $148,650; 4. Tyler Waguespack, $142,045; 5. Tyler Pearson, $133,856; 6. Ty Erickson, $128,854; 7. Kyle Irwin, $128,275; 8. Hunter Cure, $122,268; 9. Bridger Chambers, $120,159; 10. Blake Knowles, $119,515; 11. Blake Mindemann, $106,919; 12. Tanner Brunner, $98,193; 13. Riley Duvall, $96,528; 14. Jacob Talley, $90,717; 15. Nick Guy, $88,373.

 

Team roping: 1. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 3.8 seconds, $26,231; 2. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 3.9, $20,73; 3. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz and Erich Rogers/Clint Summers, 4.0, $13,327 each; 5. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 4.1, $6,769; 6. Aaron Tsinigine/Trey Yates, 5.2, $4,231; 7. Tyler Wade/Cole Davison, 8.6; 8. (tie) Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II and Derrick Begay/Cory Petska, 8.9; 10. Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, 9.5; 11. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 10.1; 12. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 10.3; 13. (tie) Bubba Buckaloo/Chase Tryan, Luke Brown/Jake Long and Clay Tryan, NT. Average standings: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 27.8 seconds on five head; 2. Aaron Tsinigine/Trey Yates, 28.9; 3. Derrick Begay/Cory Petska, 42.2; 4. Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, 43.2; 5. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 17.4 seconds on four head; 6. Riley Minor      /Brady Minor, 22; 7. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 25.1; 8. Erich Rogers/Clint Summers, 31. World standings (headers): 1. Clay Smith, $181,473; 2. Kaleb Driggers, $167,964; 3. Riley Minor, $139,361; 4. Cody Snow, $133,594; 5. Luke Brown, $130,756; 6. Dustin Egusquiza, $129,723; 7. Bubba Buckaloo, $127,990; 8. Aaron Tsinigine, $127,468; 9. Clay Tryan, $122,785; 10. Derrick Begay, $121,068; 11. Chad Masters, $120,304; 12. Lane Ivy, $103,688; 13. Erich Rogers. $98,450; 14. Rhen Richard, $92,790; 15. Tyler Wade, $83,145. World standings (heelers): 1. Paul Eaves, $181,473; 2. Junior Nogueira, $168,948; 3. Trey Yates, $141,862; 4. Joseph Harrison, $139,477; 5. Brady Minor, $138,169; 6. Jake Long, $130,756; 7. Wesley Thorp, $129,904; 8. Kory Koontz, $129,723; 9. Cory Petska, $127,525; 10. Travis Graves, $118,928; 11. Clint Summers, $109,563; 12. Chase Tryan, $107,406; 13. Buddy Hawkins II, $100,682; 14. Quinn Kesler, $88,906; 15. Cole Davison, $76,252.

 

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Wade Sundell, 92 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Medicine Woman, $26,231; 2. Ryder Wright, 91, $20,731; 3. Rusty Wright, 90.5, $15,654; 4.      Zeke Thurston, 90, $11,000; 5. Clay Elliott, 89.5, $6,769; 6. Chase Brooks, 88, $4,231; 7. Sterling Crawley, 87.5; 7. CoBurn Bradshaw, 87.5; 9. Isaac Diaz, 86.5; 10. Jacobs Crawley, 84.5; 11. Brody Cress, 83.5; 12. (tie) Jake Wright, Joey Sonnier III, Taos Muncy and Cort Scheer, NS. Average standings: 1. CoBurn Bradshaw, 421 points on five head; 2. Wade Sundell, 347; 3. Rusty Wright, 345; 4. Zeke Thurston, 343; 5. Cort Scheer, 342.5; 6. Clay Elliott, 339; 7. Jacobs Crawley, 334; 8. Ryder Wright, 264. World standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $232,194; 2. Jacobs Crawley, $204,331; 3. Rusty Wright, $193,684; 4. Cort Scheer, $171,073; 5. Wade Sundell, $168,732; 6. Isaac Diaz, $160,970; 7. Zeke Thurston, $155,637; 8. CoBurn Bradshaw, $132,325; 9. Jake Wright, $128,287; 10. Clay Elliott, $126,445; 11. Brody Cress, $121,588; 12. Sterling Crawley, $108,748; 13. Chase Brooks, $106,026; 14. Joey Sonnier III, $89,114l; 15. Taos Muncy, $88,790.

 

Tie-down roping: 1. (tie) Reese Riemer, Ryan Jarrett and Trevor Brazile, 7.5, $20,872 each;

4. Matt Shiozawa, 8.1, $11,000; 5. Caleb Smidt, 8.5, $6,769; 6. Ryle Smith, 8.9, $4,231; 7. Tuf Cooper, 9.2; 8. Rhen Richard, 9.5; 9. Cory Solomon, 10.2; 10. Marty Yates, 14.6; 11. Cooper Martin, 18.0; 12. Jake Pratt, 19.4; 13. (tie) Tyson Durfey, Sterling Smith and Shane Hanchey, NT. Average standings: 1. Ryle Smith, 40.2 seconds on five head: 2. Caleb Smidt, 40.5; 3. Rhen Richard, 43.5; 4. Marty Yates, 45.9; 5. Reese Riemer, 49.5; 6. Matt Shiozawa, 50.2; 7. Trevor Brazile, 55.5; 8. Cooper Martin, 56.9. World standings: 1. Shane Hanchey, $164,347; 2. Marty Yates, $162,271; 3. Tuf Cooper, $158,095; 4. Caleb Smidt, $157,932; 5. Trevor Brazile, $149,874; 6. Ryle Smith, $148,826; 7. Reese Riemer, $141,262; 8. Tyson Durfey, $136,518; 9. Jake Pratt, $131,088; 10. Matt Shiozawa, $122,923; 11. Sterling Smith, $111,647; 12. Rhen Richard, $111,283; 13. Cory Solomon, $110,002; 14. Ryan Jarrett, $108,424; 15. Cooper Martin, $101,938.

 

Barrel racing: 1. Ivy Conrado, 13.49 seconds, $26,231; 2. (tie) Hailey Kinsel and Kelly Bruner, 13.59, $18,192 each; 4. Taci Bettis, 13.65, $11,000; 5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 13.81, $6,769; 6. Jessica Routier, 13.85, $4,231; 7. Lisa Lockhart, 13.91; 8. Nellie Miller, 13.96; 9. Tammy Fischer, 14.03; 10. (tie) Stevi Hillman and Carman Pozzobon, 14.06; 12. Amberleigh Moore, 18.59; 13. Tracy Nowlin, 18.76; 14. Jessie Telford, 18.99; 15. Kylie Weast, 24.20. Average standings: 1. Jessica Routier, 68.98 seconds on five runs; 2. Nellie Miller, 69.64; 3. Carman Pozzobon, 69.74; 4. Tammy Fischer, 69.84; 5. Amberleigh Moore, 73.14; 6. Hailey Kinsel, 73.52; 7. Jessie Telford, 74.05; 8. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 74.27. World standings: 1. Hailey Kinsel, $260,584; 2. Amberleigh Moore, $182,473; 3. Nellie Miller, $167,826; 4. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $160,805; 5. Lisa Lockhart, $159,746; 6. Jessica Routier, $158,627; 7. Ivy Conrado, $154,501; 8. Kylie Weast, $138,369; 9. Stevi Hillman, $133,559; 10. Jessie Telford, $133,457; 11. Kelly Bruner, $129,708; 12. Taci Bettis, $124,692; 13. Tracy Nowlin, $116,150; 14. Tammy Fischer, $101,277; 15. Carman Pozzobon, $101,177.

Bull riding: 1. Eli Vastbinder, 91 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Record Rack’s Shootin’ Stars, $27,077; 2. Garrett Tribble, 89.5, $21,577; 3 (tie) Jeff Askey and Koby Radley, 87, $14,173 each; 5. Sage Kimzey, 78, $7,615; 6. Parker Breding, Chase Dougherty, Tyler Bingham, Dustin Bouquet, Roscoe Jarboe, Boudreaux Campbell, Cole Melancon, Joe Frost, Trevor Kastner, Trey Benton III, NS. Average standings: 1. Garrett Tribble, 262 on three head; 2. Joe Frost, 260; 3. Jeff Askey, 254.5; 4. Sage Kimzey, 254; 5. Parker Breding, 244; 6. Koby Radley, 171 on two head; 7. Trey Benton III, 170; 8. Chase Dougherty, 168.5. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $358,853; 2. Parker Breding, $218,463; 3. Garrett Tribble, $174,136; 4. Jeff Askey, $170,624; 5. Joe Frost, $162,150; 6. Chase Dougherty, $151,644; 7. Koby Radley, $144,418; 8. Trey Benton III, $141,393; 9. Dustin Boquet, $140,241; 10. Tyler Bingham, $135,064; 11. Eli Vastbinder, $132,191; 12. Roscoe Jarboe, $130,737; 13. Boudreaux Campbell, $116,431; 14. Cole Melancon, $109,973; 15. Trevor Kastner, $104,396.

All-around standings: 1. Trevor Brazile, $291,257; 2. Tuf Cooper, $263,184; 3. Rhen Richard, $192,647; 4. Steven Dent, $168,718; 5. Ryle Smith, $165,332; 6. Curtis Cassidy, $145,122.

 

RAM Top Gun standings: 1. Amberleigh Moore, $93,346; 2. Marty Yates, $75,788; 3. Rusty Wright, $70,077; 4. Cort Scheer, $69,231; 5. Caleb Smidt, $67,962; 6. Hailey Kinsel, $67,750; 7. Will Lummis, $67,398; 8. Ryder Wright, $67,116; 9. (tie) Paul Eaves and Clay Smith, $66,128 each.

LAS VEGAS – Before the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo began, 23-time world champion Trevor Brazile announced he would be cutting his rodeo count down, not planning on going full time on the road any more.

This, the 60th edition of the Wrangler NFR would likely be his last. At 42 years old, he’s looking forward to spending more time with family.

But Sunday night, Dec. 9, in front of 16,917 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Brazile looked as young as ever, stopping the clock in 6.8 seconds to win tie-down roping. Even more significant, Brazile took over the lead in the coveted All-Around Cowboy competition from his brother-in-law Tuf Cooper.

Brazile, who now has won a PRCA-record 69 career rounds between the Wrangler NFR and the National Finals Steer Roping, has felt locked in the last couple rounds.

“I felt like I was on the cusp of the same run the last two nights,” he said. “Obviously, I just didn’t do my job (Saturday night) and (Friday night) – I may have underestimated the calf just a little. It is just those little things. They don’t pay you for your bio here. You have to compete, and you have to finish the course every night and I didn’t do that (Saturday night). I should’ve done well, and I didn’t. Tonight, I tried not to take anything for granted and complete the course.”

Sunday, aboard Deputy, Brazile went under seven seconds, always a great sign.

“It’s fun, and I’ve never had a 6-second run I didn’t like, but they always feel better in the Thomas & Mack with this crowd,” he said.

Brazile is eighth in the world standings in tie-down roping with $129,002. He also he upped his all-around cowboy earnings to $270,385, climbing over Cooper by $7,201. Brazile isn’t worried about that just yet.

“There are things I can control and things I can’t,” he said. “I started off just too aggressive. I knew it was my last time out here, and I wanted to make every run count. Looking back, I was probably a touch too aggressive, but I came in here so many times protecting leads and just being conservative, and I just wanted to do it my way this year.”

Meanwhile, Shane Hanchey, who entered the Finals as the leader in the world standings, climbed back into first place in the tie-down roping. He has $164,347 on the season.

 

Curtis Cassidy regains steer wrestling lead

After watching his lead in the steer wrestling world standings dissipate and then vanish, regular-season leader Curtis Cassidy tried not to concern himself.

In Round 4, he went out and did what he needed to, stopping the clock in 3.6 seconds to win the round and retake the lead in the world standings.

He knew the steer he drew was going to give him a good chance at the round win, his first since splitting the win in Round 7 in 2014 and his first outright round win since Round 5 of that year.

“Will Lummus made a good run on that steer (4.3 seconds) in Round 1, and that steer left and ran good. He was everything you could want for a steer.”

Cassidy, 40, missed his first steer of the 10-day rodeo, as did fellow Canadian Scott Guenthner. Both of them were riding Tyson, Cassidy’s horse. Since, Guenthner won Round 3 and Cassidy took Round 4.

“I don’t know if my horse (Tyson) got sick the first night, but Scott and I didn’t catch either one of our steers and the horse had a bad night,” Cassidy said. “I had a lot of anxiety over it that first night because five of us rode that horse at the Canadian Finals (Rodeo in November) and he was clutch every night. That first night here, something was wrong with him, and I don’t know what it was. I just had faith in him and faith in my program and my horses. The second night was good, and the last two nights have been awesome.”

The Bashaw, Alberta, cowboy has made $51,885 at the Wrangler NFR, helping him regain the top spot in the world standings with $157,894. Cassidy is in his first return trip to the Finals since 2014.

“No, I’m not worrying about the standings right now,” Cassidy said. “It’s 10 one-headers here, and you have to win as much money as you can every night because you don’t know what’s going to happen the next night.”

 

Tribble clears more than $30,000 with Round 4 win

Garrett Tribble picked a heck of a time to rein in his first outright round win.

The bull rider from Bristow, Okla., posted an 87.0-point ride on Lancaster & Jones Pro Rodeo’s Black Hammer to win the round.

He had a three-way split of first a year ago. This time, the win was all his.

“Well, I just stayed on my bull, we had a tough pen of bulls, and it sure was tough to stay on,” said Tribble, 21. “I had maybe one of the better picks and he made me ride, and it worked out. This is a good win for me because it’s the middle of the week and I had one ridden before. This helped me get my confidence back to where it should be to get rolling for the rest of the week.”

Adding to that win, Tribble was one of just three bull riders to make the whistle. His efforts earned him $33,564, as he, Jeff Askey and Parker Breding split the extra ground money.

“Man, it’s really something because we don’t have many chances to win this much money,” Tribble said. “It’s even better when you do it with bulls you’ve seen all year and are excited to draw them here or anywhere, really.”

Tribble knew what to expect from Black Hammer, helping with the win.

“I knew he bucks hard and tries to pull down hard, and not many guys ride him far, but if I got around the corner I would be setting just right,” said Tribble, fifth in the world standings with $154,559.

 

 

After pushing for Just Peachy, Bennett rides for 86.5 points

Caleb Bennett knew plenty about Three Hills Rodeo’s Just Peachy. In fact, he was the bareback rider pushing for the Three Hills Rodeo horse to make an appearance at the 2018 Wrangler NFR.

Then came the draw, and Bennett ended up aboard Just Peachy for Round 4. He made it count.

Bennett posted an 86.5-point ride on the horse, answering a night after two-time defending champ and 2018 standings leader Tim O’Connell won Round 3.

“Shoot, there’s always pressure here, whether you’re 15^th or first, especially if you’re here to win and here to do good,” said Bennett, of Tremonton, Utah. “I told myself after last night I let one slip, I should have placed on that horse. I told myself, come back and match him (O’Connell), win the go-round and throw the pressure back on his turf.”

Bennett is still in second place in the world standings with $214,159. He’s closed the gap with O’Connell to $12,988. (O’Connell picked up $3,666 after splitting fifth and sixth with Jake Brown and Mason Clements.)

Knowing what Peachy was capable of, Bennett was stoked to draw the horse.

“That horse has been around for a little while now,” said Bennett, 30. “She used to be probably 50 pounds heavier. She’s trimmed down. She’s gotten really good this year, really electric. I had her in San Antonio to be 86. A handful of guys knew her, and a handful didn’t. They weren’t really sure about bringing her here. I pushed for her to get here and thought she should be here. I was grinning from ear to ear, I was glad I did that.”

 

Ivy/Hawkins win team roping in 4.1 seconds

Lane Ivy is making his debut at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Buddy Hawkins II is in his second trip, first since 2013.

The team roping partners looked like a pair of seasoned Wrangler NFR veterans when they stopped the clock in a Round 4-best time of 4.1 seconds.

Team roping heeler Hawkins has tried to impart a bit of wisdom on his heading partner, Ivy, 26.

“It takes everything to do good, every single thing,” said Hawkins, 32. “If there’s any advice I gave Lane coming out here it was to not be afraid of the barrier. If you break the barrier that’s fine, but if you miss the barrier it’s not fine, and that’s just the beginning of the run. You can nail the barrier and then there’s so many things that can go wrong or right and everything seemed like it went right tonight. This was the easiest run I’ve ever made here.”

Ivy is settling in to his first trip to the Finals. A little help from mom also never hurts.

“The first few nights I did absolutely terrible,” Ivy said. “I broke the barrier on one. Tonight, my mom said, ‘Hey, just take a deep breath, it’s just another rodeo.’ And that’s true, it pays a lot more, but that’s all it comes down to – being sharp and doing your job. This is what we prepared for, and I’m just excited to get the opportunity.”

The victory has Ivy and Hawkins sitting in 12^th place in the world standings in their respective events. Ivy has $103,688 in the heading standings, while Hawkins has $100,682.

 

Rusty Wright wins again in Round 4

The first time Rusty Wright won a round in saddle bronc riding it was the fourth round.

He did that again Sunday night, riding Korkow Rodeo’s Meat Cracker for 87 points and the Round 4 victory.

“I love the fourth round,” Wright said. “It was my first round win at my first NFR in 2015. I’ve been on that horse before in Calgary, and I knew what he would do. I thought I would just stick to the basics, stay back and lift my rein and let the judges take care of the rest.”

The funny thing is Wright wasn’t envisioning himself winning, he was more worried about his brother, defending Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion Rusty Wright.

“I knew I would place high, and my brother (Ryder Wright) had Tiger Warrior,” said Rusty Wright, 23. “I wanted him to win the round. I mean, I wanted to win, of course, but if I had to be second, I wanted it to be to him – that horse isn’t easy to ride.”

Since getting to the Finals last week, Rusty Wright has been trying to get into a rhythm both in and outside the arena.

“We get up and sign autographs and then eat and then go to the rodeo, that’s the routine,” he said. “It’s hard to get in a routine, and you try to keep it simple. I haven’t really had a full meal since getting here, just peanut butter and jelly, and apples.”

Rusty Wright is in third place in the world standings with $178,030. Ryder is still in the lead with $211,463.

 

Finals rookie Telford notches first round win

Wrangler NFR rookie Jessie Telford is adjusting to her first trip to the Finals. So is her horse Cool Whip.

When the pair first arrived in Vegas and tried to get settled in, Cool Whip wasn’t exactly comfortable with his surroundings.

He looked perfectly at home in Round 4, as Telford and Cool Whip clocked a 13.49-second run to win the round, Telford’s first go-round victory.

“This win feels amazing,” said Telford, of Caldwell, Idaho. “My really good horse, Cool Whip, at the first practice (on Tuesday) felt like a colt – really green and spooking at everything. My other mare, Shu Fire, felt phenomenal, so I kind of went with my gut, which said run her at first until I could get him (Cool Whip) back in the pen. At the second practice that we got him back in, he felt awesome. He felt like himself – confident – that was (Saturday) morning, so he got the call.”

Telford has had a strong first four days of the Finals. She’s cashed in for $45,115, helping her to ninth place in the world standings with $133,457.

 

Barrel racer leads RAM Top Gun race

Through four rounds of the Wrangler NFR, Amberleigh Moore is atop the RAM Top Gun Standings, given to the competitor who wins the most money at the Finals.

Moore has won $93,346, so far. In second is tie-down roper Marty Yates with $75,788, followed by saddle bronc rider Cort Scheer ($69,231).

 

 

 

60th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

Fourth Performance Results, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

Bareback riding: 1. Caleb Bennett, 86.5 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s Just Peachy, $26,231; 2. Kaycee Feild, 86, $20,731; 3. (tie) Shane O’Connell and Tilden Hooper, 85.5, $13,327 each; 5. (tie) Tim O’Connell, Jake Brown and Mason Clements, 84.5, $3,667 each; 8. (tie) Bill Tutor and Steven Dent, 84; 10. Orin Larsen, 83; 11. Will Lowe, 82; 12. Richmond Champion, 81.5; 12. Ty Breuer, 81.5; 14. Clayton Biglow, 77; 15. Wyatt Denny, NS. Average standings: 1. Kaycee Feild, 339 points on four head; 2. Tilden Hooper, 335.5; 3. Steven Dent, 335; 4. Tim O’Connell, 332.5; 5. Shane O’Connell, 329.5; 6. Will Lowe, 328.5; 7. Richmond Champion, 325.5; 8. Bill Tutor, 323.5. World standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, $227,147; 2. Caleb Bennett, $214,159; 3. Kaycee Feild, $170,522; 4. Clayton Biglow, $166,320; 5. Orin Larsen, $161,386; 6. Steven Dent, $155,805; 7. Tilden Hooper, $144,750; 8. Mason Clements, $142,818; 9. Bill Tutor, $140,835; 10. Richmond Champion, $136,588; 11. Jake Brown, $115,069; 12. Wyatt Denny, $113,728; 13. Shane O’Connell, $107,720; 14. Ty Breuer, $101,558; 15. Will Lowe, $86,017.

 

Steer wrestling: 1. Curtis Cassidy, 3.6 seconds, $26,231; 2. Kyle Irwin, 3.7, $20,731; 3. (tie) Blake Mindemann and Blake Knowles, 3.8, $13,327 each: 5. Scott Guenthner, 4.1, $6,769; 6. Ty Erickson, 4.2, $4,231; 7. Will Lummus, 4.5; 8. Nick Guy, 4.6; 9. Riley Duvall, 4.8, 10. Tyler Waguespack, 5.4; 11. Bridger Chambers, 6.0; 12. Tanner Brunner, 15.0; 13. (tie) Tyler Pearson, Jacob Talley, and Hunter Cure, NT. Average standings: 1. Blake Knowles, 16.8 seconds on four head; 2. Will Lummus, 17.4; 3. Tyler Waguespack, 19.3, 4. Bridger Chambers, 29.6; 5. Riley Duvall, 34.9; 6. Nick Guy, 41.5; 7. Ty Erickson, 42.6; 8. Tanner Brunner, 53. World standings: 1. Curtis Cassidy, $157,894; 2. Scott Guenthner, $148,650; 3. Tyler Pearson, $133,856; 4. Ty Erickson, $128,854; 5. Will Lummus, $128,125; 6. Tyler Waguespack, $121,315; 7. Blake Knowles, $119,515; 8. Kyle Irwin, $119,391; 9. Hunter Cure, $118,037; 10. Blake Mindemann, $106,919; 11. Bridger Chambers, $104,505; 12. Tanner Brunner, $98,193; 13. Jacob Talley, $90,717; 14. Nick Guy, $88,373; 15. Riley Duvall, $87,643.

 

Team roping: 1. Lane Ivy/ Buddy Hawkins II, 4.1 seconds, $26,231; 2. (tie) Luke Brown/Jake Long and Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 4.2, $18,192 each; 4. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 4.3, $8,885 each; 6. Aaron Tsinigine/Trey Yates, 4.8, $4,231; 7. Derrick Begay/Cory Petska, 5.0; 8. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 5.3; 9. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 6.5; 10.           Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, 14.2; 11. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, Clay Tryan/Travis Graves, Bubba Buckaloo/Chase Tryan, Tyler Wade/Cole Davison and Erich Roger/Clint Summer, NT. Average standings: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 17.7 seconds on four head; 2. Aaron Tsinigine/Trey Yates, 23.7; 3. Derrick Begay/Cory Petska, 33.3; 4. Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, 33.7; 5. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 13.1; 6. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 13.6; 7. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 14.8; 8. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 18.1. World standings (headers): 1. Kaleb Driggers, $167,964; 2. Clay Smith, $155,242; 3. Cody Snow, $133,594; 4. Luke Brown, $130,756; 5. Bubba Buckaloo, $127,990; 6. Aaron Tsinigine, $123,237; 7. Clay Tryan, $122,785; 8. Derrick Begay, $121,068; 9. Riley Minor, $118,631; 10. Dustin Egusquiza, $116,396; 11. Chad Masters, $113,534; 12. Lane Ivy, $103,688; 13. Rhen Richard, $92,790; 14. Erich Rogers, $85,123; 15. Tyler Wade, $83,145. World standings (heelers): 1. Junior Nogueira, $168,948; 2. Paul Eaves, $155,242; 3. Trey Yates, $137,631; 4. Joseph Harrison, $132,707; 5. Jake Long, $130,756; 6. Wesley Thorp, $129,904; 7. Cory Petska, $127,525; 8. Travis Graves, $118,928; 9. Brady Minor, $117,438; 10. Kory Koontz, $116,396; 11. Chase Tryan, $107,406; 12. Buddy Hawkins II, $100,682; 13. Clint Summers, $96,236; 14. Quinn Kesler, $88,906; 15. Cole Davison, $76,252.

 

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Rusty Wright, 87 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Meat Cracker, $26,231; 2. Jacobs Crawley, 86.5, $20,731; 3. Ryder Wright, 85, $15,654; 4. CoBurn Bradshaw, 80.5, $11,000; 5. Cort Scheer, 78.5, $6,769; 6. Isaac Diaz, Brody Cress, Zeke Thurston, Wade Sundell, Jake Wright, Joey Sonnier III, Clay Elliott, Taos Muncy and Chase Brooks, NS. Average standings: 1. Cort Scheer, 342.5 points on four head, 2. CoBurn Bradshaw, 333.5; 3. Wade Sundell, 255 points on three head; 4. Rusty Wright, 254.5; 5. Jake Wright, 254; 6. Zeke Thurston, 253; 7. (tie) Jacobs Crawley and Clay Elliott, 249.5. World standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $211,463; 2. Jacobs Crawley, $204,331; 3. Rusty Wright, $178,030; 4. Cort Scheer, $171,073; 5. Isaac Diaz, $160,970; 6. Zeke Thurston, $144,637; 7. Wade Sundell, $142,502; 8. CoBurn Bradshaw, $132,325; 9. Jake Wright, $128,287; 10. Brody Cress, $121,587; 11. Clay Elliott, $119,676; 12. Sterling Crawley, $108,748; 13. Chase Brooks, $101,795; 14. Joey Sonnier III, $89,114; 15. Taos Muncy, $88,790.

 

Tie-down roping: 1. Trevor Brazile, 6.8 seconds, $26,231; 2. Ryle Smith, 7.1, $20,731; 3. Matt Shiozawa, 7.3, $15,654; 4. Shane Hanchey, 7.4, $11,000; 5. Sterling Smith         , 7.6, $6,769; 6. Jake Pratt, 7.7, $4,231; 7. Cory Solomon, 8.1; 8. Reese Riemer, 8.2; 9. (tie) Rhen Richard, Caleb Smidt and Marty Yates, 8.7; 12. Cooper Martin, 9.1; 13. Ryan Jarrett, 9.3; 14. Tyson Durfey, 9.9; 15. Tuf Cooper, 13.4. Average standings: 1. (tie) Marty Yates and Ryle Smith, 31.3 seconds on four head; 3. Caleb Smidt, 32.0; 4. Rhen Richard, 34.0; 5. Tyson Durfey, 37.3; 6. Cooper Martin, 38.9; 7. Reese Riemer, 42.0; 8. (tie) Matt Shiozawa and Shane Hanchey, 42.1. World standings: 1. Shane Hanchey, $164,347; 2. Marty Yates, $162,271; 3. Tuf Cooper, $158,095; 4. Caleb Smidt, $151,163; 5. Ryle Smith, $144,595; 6. Tyson Durfey, $136,518; 7. Jake Pratt, $131,088; 8. Trevor Brazile, $129,002; 9. Reese Riemer, $120,390; 10. Matt Shiozawa, $111,923; 11. Sterling Smith, $111,647; 12. Rhen Richard, $111,283; 13. Cory Solomon, $110,002; 14. Cooper Martin, $101,938; 15. Ryan Jarrett, $87,552.

 

Barrel racing: 1. Jessie Telford, 13.49 seconds, $26,231; 2. Jessica Routier, 13.58, $20,731; 3. Amberleigh Moore, 13.64, $15,654; 4. Kelly Bruner, 13.71, $11,000; 5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 13.74, $6,769; 6. Carman Pozzobon, 13.76, $4,231; 7. Nellie Miller, 13.78; 8. Tammy Fischer, 13.83; 9. Tracy Nowlin, 13.93; 10. Stevi Hillman, 14.06; 11. Lisa Lockhart, 14.07; 12. Kylie Weast, 18.70; 13. Hailey Kinsel, 18.78; 14. Taci Bettis, 18.81; 15. Ivy Conrado, 19.66. Average standings: 1. Amberleigh Moore, 54.55 seconds on four head; 2. Jessie Telford, 55.06; 3. Jessica Routier, 55.13; 4. Nellie Miller and Carman Pozzobon, 55.68; 6. Tammy Fischer, 55.81; 7. Hailey Kinsel, 59.93; 8. Kylie Weast, 59.96. World standings: 1. Hailey Kinsel, $242,392; 2. Amberleigh Moore, $182,473; 3. Nellie Miller, $167,826; 4. Lisa Lockhart, $159,746; 5. Jessica Routier, $154,397; 6. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $154,036; 7. Kylie Weast, $138,369; 8. Stevi Hillman; $133,559; 9. Jessie Telford; $133,457; 10. Ivy Conrado, $128,270; 11. Tracy Nowlin, $116,150; 12. Taci Bettis, $113,692; 13. Kelly Bruner, $111,515; 14. Tammy Fischer, $101,277; 15. Carman Pozzobon, $101,177.

 

Bull riding: 1. Garrett Tribble, 87 points on Lancaster & Jones Pro Rodeo’s Black Hammer, $33,564; 2. Jeff Askey, 84, $28,064; 3. Parker Breding, 81, $22,987; 4. Sage Kimzey, Chase Dougherty, Tyler Bingham, Dustin Bouquet, Roscoe Jarboe, Boudreaux Campbell, Cole Melancon, Joe Frost, Eli Vastbinder, Koby Radley, Trevor Kastner and Trey Benton III, NS. Average standings: 1. Joe Frost, 260 points on three head; 2. Parker Breding, 244, $32,987; 3. Sage Kimzey, 176 on two head, $54,212; 4. Garrett Tribble, 172.5, $50,333; 5. Trey Benton III, 170, $40,462; 6. Chase Dougherty, 168.5, $42,295; 7. Jeff Askey, 167.5, $49,064; 8. Roscoe Jarboe, 162.5, $21,000. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $351,237; 2. Parker Breding, $218,463; 3. Joe Frost, $162,150; 4. Jeff Askey, $156,451; 5. Garrett Tribble, $152,559; 6. Chase Dougherty, $151,644; 7. Trey Benton III, $141,393; 8. Dustin Bouquet, $140,241; 9. Tyler Bingham, $135,064; 10. Roscoe Jarboe, $130,737; 11. Koby Radley, $130,245; 12. Boudreaux Campbell, $116,431; 13. Cole Melancon, $109,973; 14. Eli Vastbinder, $105,114; 15. Trevor Kastner, $104,396.

 

All-around world standings: 1. Trevor Brazile, $270,385; 2. Tuf Cooper, $263,184; 3. Rhen Richard, $192,647; 4. Ryle Smith, $161,101; 5. Steven Dent, $155,391; 6. Curtis Cassidy, $145,122; 7. Paul Tierney, $82,868; 8. Jordan Ketscher, $71,659; 9. Marcus Theriot, $64,759; 10. Dakota Eldridge, $60,005.

RAM Top Gun standings: 1. Amberleigh Moore, $93,346; 2. Marty Yates, $75,788; 3. Cort Scheer, $69,231; 4. Caleb Smidt, $61,192; 5. Kaycee Feild, 59,500.

LAS VEGAS – Two days ago, before the 60th edition of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo opened, saddle bronc rider Cort Scheer was sitting in ninth place and ready to make his first Finals appearance since 2015.

Over the next two days, Scheer has won back-to-back rounds, posted a round record, won $62,462 and climbed all the way to third in the 2018 PRCA | RAM World Standings.

Scheer won his second consecutive round Friday, Dec. 7, taking Round 2 with a 92-point ride on Hi Lo ProRodeo’s Larry Culpepper in front of 16,893 fans at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Scheer’s 92-point ride broke the previous Round 2 record of 90 points, set by Dan Mortensen in 2003.

“Oh, man, it was all horse again tonight, and that horse was half of it or more,” Scheer said. “My spur-out was good tonight, and I wanted to work on that, and I was having a lot of fun.”

Scheer won Round 1 with an 86.5-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Y U R Frisky.

No surprise, Scheer is rather enjoying all this winning.

“It’s the goal,” said Scheer, of Elsmere, Neb. “You want to win every round and keep building off it, and then take that momentum and just have fun tomorrow.”

Scheer had not been aboard Larry Culpepper before Friday. But he did a little research.

“I heard Bradley Harter got him in Albuquerque, and he could have been 90 on him,” Scheer said. “Jake Wright showed me a video, and I knew I had to stay under my rein.”

Scheer’s earnings in 2018 have grown to $164,304. He’s about $31,000 behind defending world champion Ryder Wright, who climbed into the lead Friday.

Scheer is hoping to just keep chipping away at those in front of him.

“It’s just building off it,” he said. “I’m drawing good and the chips are falling for me, so I’m praising God for it, and I know he has a lot more blessings left in him.”

 

Hooper notches first Finals go-round win since 2008

Tilden Hooper hadn’t been to the Wrangler NFR since 2014. And the last time the bareback rider won a round it was during the 10th round in 2008. So that victory didn’t catch as much attention while the world champions were honored that night.

Hooper enjoyed his victory Friday night after posting an 87.5-point ride on Rafter G Rodeo’s Ankle Biter.

“Obviously, any time you get a round win out here it’s exciting,” said Hooper, of Carthage, Texas. “But just to be back out here after four years is awesome. I’ve had some injuries. I’ve been extremely blessed to have a great family and wife and a whole team of guys behind me that keep me healthy and get me back to this point.”

Hooper’s win helped him climb to eighth place in the 2018 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $131,423.

Though Hooper missed out on qualifying for the previous three Wrangler NFRs, he never lost doubt he’d be back.

“It doesn’t feel like it’s been four years since I’ve been here,” he said. “The process of getting back here and the day-to-day process of me staying healthy, I get so involved with that. It’s kind of like this is the fruit of that labor. I enjoy the labor, so time flies when you’re having fun.”

The last time Hooper was on Ankle Biter was also 2008. So, he knew he had a great draw.

“I got on that horse about 10 years ago when they first bought him,” the 30-year-old laughed. “I knew that horse was going to get way in the air and be showy and be a little bit more fun to ride than some of those other horses. If I could get him picked up and get in time with him, he’d give me a chance to show off. I felt like that’s what I did, and, man, that was fun.”

 

Frost clears 90 points on re-ride to win bull riding

Joe Frost had just gotten off his first bull, when he was already getting ready to get on the next.

Frost, who was granted a re-ride, rode Powder River Rodeo’s Misfire for 90 points and the win in Round 2 Friday.

Frost barely had time to consider what was going on. And he was just fine with that.

“When things happen that fast, there were only five guys left to ride, and they were running the bull in by the time I got the sweat off my forehead,” said Frost, 26. “There was no time to think, so it was all reactions, and I like it that way. I stayed warm through the second bull.”

The news got even better for Frost. Because of ground money, Frost won $33,564 because he was one of only three riders to make the whistle.

“Shoot, that’s what it all boils down to, and it’s why we are here, to make a living,” he said. “The better you ride, the better living you make.”

Frost posted an 87-point ride in the opening round. He’s one of only two bull riders to cover both of their bulls through the early stages of the 10-day rodeo. He’s earned $59,218 in two days and climbed to third in the world standings with $155,381.

He kept his approach the same from Thursday to Friday.

“I’ve had the same routine since I was a junior in high school,” he said. “There are so many variables in bull riding, and for me I like to keep my routine throughout my day – eat right, have a clear mind and positive attitude in all those things throughout the day. If you have a positive mindset, it makes it easier.”

 

Defending champ Pearson wins first Finals go-round

Steer wrestler Tyler Pearson didn’t need to win a round at the 2017 Wrangler NFR to capture the world title last year.

If Pearson goes on to win the 2018 world title that won’t be the same scenario.

After Friday night, the Louisville, Miss., bulldogger has his first go-round victory at the Finals.

Pearson won in 3.8 seconds to cash in for $26,231 and up his season earnings to $133,856, grabbing the season lead from Curtis Cassidy, who entered the Finals as the regular-season leader.

Winning the world last year has Pearson more relaxed this season.

“It took the pressure off me just because that was my lifelong dream to win a gold buckle,” said Pearson, 33. “I got that, and now I can just back in there and go have fun. Hopefully, I can get another one, that would be great, but I just want to have a good time in the process.”

Pearson won while riding Scooter, the PRCA | AQHA Horse of the Year for steer wrestling in 2017 and 2018. Scooter led Tyler Waguespack to the Round 1 victory.

“He (Scooter) is just easy,” Pearson said. “He has a flat leave, and he gets off the corner really hard and hauls butt all the way through there. He gives you a chance to get your feet on the ground for first every time. He’s the reason for my success, I owe it all to him.”

Pearson already had crossed off a world title from his to-do list. Now he can cross off a go-round win.

“It wasn’t my prettiest run, but feels great because it is my first (career) win,” he said. “It’s nice to check that off my list and I’ll take it (the $26,231, first-place check) for sure.”

 

Lockhart’s decision to stick with Rosa pays off

 A night after wavering on whether to stick with riding Rosa or switching to Louie, barrel racer Lisa Lockhart’s decision to stay aboard Rosa paid off in spades.

Lockhart and Rosa teamed up to post a Round 2-winning time of 13.65 seconds.

“It (winning rounds) never gets old,” Lockhart said. “And then when you throw in a change (of horses) like this. Because, you know, Louie has made 80 runs in this building, so it was a very hard change for me and a very tough decision to make to even allow Rosa the opportunity. But, she has been an integral part of my team this year. So, I definitely figured she deserved a chance.”

That decision was made harder when the duo tipped a barrel in Round 1. But instead of switching to the veteran Louie, Lockhart stuck by Rosa.

“This is pretty special tonight, definitely,” Lockhart said. “I know she is far from consistent like Louie, so there are going to be the highs and the lows. I hope there are more highs than lows. You just know in the back of your mind when they’re not the seasoned veterans – and there are just those types of horse, too – that are just not as consistent, but I know what her abilities are to win first. That’s why we are doing what we’re doing.”

Lockhart is in second place in the 2018 world standings with $159,746. Hailey Kinsel continues to lead with $229,065.

 

Yates cashes in on aggressive run

 Tie-down roper Marty Yates likes to go fast. He made it work in Round 2.

Yates posted a 7.6-second run aboard Buster to win the round, putting him in fifth place in the 2018 PRCA | RAM World Standings with $136,040.

“I went at it tonight just like I do every time,” said Yates, of Stephenville, Texas. “I’m kind of known as the gunslinger, and I’m going to keep going at them. I’ve won money in the first two rounds, and I came out to win as much money as I could each night and to win the average. Those are my main goals right now and I’m going to stick to those goals.”

After two rounds, Yates has pulled down nearly $50,000 in Wrangler NFR money. He’s planning to keep going at it the same way.

“Any time you start a rodeo off like this it is awesome,” Yates said. “It is what you set out to do when you left home. I felt like I could’ve won a little more (in Round 1), but I’m not going to be greedy. I’m just going to keep going at them and try and tie them as fast as I can each night.”

The victory was Yates’ 10^th round win at the Finals.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “Any time you come out here to Vegas and you win rounds it means you’re winning money and you belong out here with the best guys in the world.”

Yates is riding Buster for the third time at the Finals and pointed to his horse as a big reason for the win.

“He’s one of those horses you can ride in any setup, from go-rounds here at the National Finals to big, long scores at Cheyenne (Wyo,),” Yates said.

 

Smith/Eaves respond with 4.0-second run

A night after watching Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira pull into the lead, team ropers Clay Smith and Paul Eaves answered.

Smith and Eaves kept pace with Driggers and Nogueira by posting a 4.0-second run Friday to win Round 2 of the Wrangler NFR.

The victory pulled Smith within $3,838 of Driggers in the team roping heading and Eaves within $4,822 of Nogueira in team roping heeling.

But with only two rounds down and eight to go, the race for the team roping buckles is far from over.

“It’s a long week still, far from being over, but it’s sure nice,” Eaves said.

Smith is hoping they can do it again.

“We’re going to keep going at them and see what happens,” Smith said, “that’s all we can do, keep making the best round we can make.”

After recording a no time in the first round, Round 2 was a bit of redemption for Smith and Eaves.

“I missed the first round, so it sure helped to get some money the second round,” Smith said.

That money made a big difference.

“For me, I’m just in it to win it, it’s good money and good to be here,” Eaves said.

After two rounds, Smith is up to $151,575 in heading earnings, while Eaves has the same amount in heeling money.

 

 

60th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

First Performance Results, Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

Bareback riding: 1. Tilden Hooper, 87.5 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Ankle Biter, $26,231; 2. Steven Dent, 87, $20,731; 3 Clayton Biglow, 86.5, $15,654; 4. (tie) Mason Clements and Kaycee Field, 85.5, $8,885 each; 6. Shane O’Connell, 84, $4,231; 7. Richmond Champion, 82; 8. (tie) Bill Tutor and Jake Brown, 81.5; 10. Will Lowe, 80.5; 11. Tim O’Connell, 80; 12. Caleb Bennett, 75.5; 13. Ty Breuer, 71; 14. (tie) Orin Larsen and Wyatt Denny, NT. Average standings: 1. Mason Clements,172 points on two head; 2. Kaycee Feild,171.5; 3.Clayton Biglow, 170.5; 4. Tilden Hooper, 170.5; 5. Shane O’Connell, 167. World standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, $197,250; 2. Caleb Bennett, $187,928; 3. Clayton Biglow, $166,320; 4. Kaycee Field; $145,561; 5. Orin Larsen, $140,655; 6. Steven Dent, $140,151; 7. Mason Clements, $139,151; 8. Tilden Hooper, $131,423; 9. Bill Tutor, $129,835; 10. Richmond Champion, $129,819; 11. Wyatt Denny, $113,728; 12. Jake Brown, $111,403; 13. Ty Breuer, $101,558; 14. Shane O’Connell, $94,393; 15. Will Lowe, $86,017.

 

Steer wrestling: 1. Tyler Pearson, 3.8 seconds, $26,231; 2. Will Lummus, 4.0, $20,731; 3. (tie) Scott Guenthner and Hunter Cure, 4.1, $13,327 each; 5. (tie) Blake Mindemann and Tyler Waguespack, 4.2, $5,500 each; 7. (tie) Curtis Cassidy, Bridger Chambers and Riley Duvall, 4.3; 10. Blake Knowles, 4.4; 11. Kyle Irwin, 4.5; 12. Nick Guy, 5.1; 13. Jacob Talley, 13.8; 14. Tanner Brunner, 18.2; 15. Ty Erickson, 29.7. Average standings: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 7.8 seconds on two head; 2. Blake Knowles, 8.2; 3. (tie) Will Lummus and Bridger Chambers, 8.3 seconds; 5. Kyle Irwin, 8.5. World standings: 1. Tyler Pearson, $133,856; 2. Will Lummus, $124,458; 3. Tyler Waguespack, $121,315; 4. Curtis Cassidy, $116,009; 5. Scott Guenthner, $115,650; 6. Hunter Cure, $107,037; 7. Blake Knowles, $106,188; 8. Bridger Chambers, $104,505; 9. Ty Erickson, $103,893; 10. Kyle Irwin, $98,660; 11. Tanner Brunner, $94,527; 12. Blake Mindemann, $93,592; 13. Jacob Talley, $90,717; 14. Riley Duvall, $87,643; 15. Nick Guy, $84,706.

 

Team roping:1. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 4.0 seconds, $26,231; Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 4.1, $20,731; 3. Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, 4.6, $13,327; 3. Bubba Buckaloo/Chase Tryan, 4.6, $13,327; 5. Aaron Tsinigine/Trey Yates, 4.8, $6,769; 6. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.9, $4,231; 7. Erich Rogers/Clint Summers, 5.4; 8. Derrick Begay/Cory Petska, 9.4; 9. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 9.7; 10. Clay Tryan/Travis Graves, 14.6; 11. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, Luke Brown/Jake Long and Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, NT. Average standings: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 9.1 seconds on two head; 2. Bubba Buckaloo/Chase Tryan, 9.2; 3. Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, 10.3; 4. Erich Rogers/Clint Summers, 10.4; 5. Aaron Tsinigine/Trey Yates, 14.8. World standings (headers): 1. Kaleb Driggers, $155,413; 2. Clay Smith, $151,575; 3. Bubba Buckaloo, $127,990; 4. Clay Tryan, $122,785; 5. Cody Snow, $122,594; 6. Dustin Egusquiza, $116,396; 7. Luke Brown, $108,897; 8. Aaron Tsinigine, $100,814; 9. Chad Masters, $95,342; 10. Derrick Begay, $94,837; 11. Rhen Richard, $92,790; 12. Riley Minor, $91,554; 13. Erich Rogers, $85,123; 14. Tyler Wade, $83,145; 15. Lane Ivy, $77,458. World standings (heelers): 1. Junior Nogueira, $156,397; 2. Paul Eaves, $151,575; 3. Travis Graves, $118,928; 4. Wesley Thorp, $118,904; 5. Kory Koontz, $116,396; 6. Trey Yates, $115,208; 7. Joseph Harrison, $114,515; 8. Jake Long, $108,897; 9. Chase Tryan, $107,406; 10. Cory Petska, $101,294; 11. Clint Summers, $96,236; 12. Brady Minor, $90,361;13. Quinn Kesler, $88,906;14. Cole Davison, $76,252;15. Buddy Hawkins II, $74,451.

Saddle Bronc riding: 1. Cort Scheer, 92 points on Hi Lo ProRodeo’s Larry Culpepper, $26,231; 2. Ryder Wright, 88, $20,731; 3. Jake Wright, 87.5, $15,654; 4. Zeke Thurston, 85, $11,000; 5. (tie) Wade Sundell and Clay Elliott, 84.5, $5,500 each; 7. CoBurn Bradshaw, 83.5; 8. Jacobs Crawley, 81; 9. (tie) Isaac Diaz, Rusty Wright, Brody Cress, Sterling Crawley, Joey Sonnier, Taos Muncy and Chase Brooks, NS. Average standings: 1. Cort Scheer, 178.5 points on two head; 2. Wade Sundell, 169; 3. Zeke Thurston, 167; 4. CoBurn Bradshaw, 166.5; 5. Clay Elliott, 165; 6. Jake Wright, 164.5; 7. Jacobs Crawley, 163; 8. Ryder Wright, 88 on one head; 9. Rusty Wright, 84.5; 10. Joey Sonnier, 80.5; 11. Isaac Diaz, 78.5; 12. Taos Muncy, 78. World standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $195,809; 2. Jacobs Crawley, $183,601; 3. Cort Scheer, $164,304; 4. Rusty Wright, $151,800; 5. Zeke Thurston, $139,137; 6. Wade Sundell, $137,002; 7. Isaac Diaz, $134,740; 8. Brody Cress, $121,588; 9. Clay Elliott, $119,676; 10. CoBurn Bradshaw, $110,325; 11. Sterling Crawley, $108,748; 12. Jake Wright, $107,556; 13.Joey Sonnier, $89,114; 14. Taos Muncy, $88,790; 15. Chase Brooks. $86,141.

Tie-down roping: 1. Marty Yates, 7.6 seconds, $26,231; 2. Caleb Smidt, 7.8, $20,731; 3. (tie) Tuf Cooper and Ryle Smith, 8.0, $13,327 each; 5. Shane Hanchey, 8.1, $6,769; 6. Reese Riemer, 8.2, $4,231; 7. Tyson Durfey, 8.9; 8. Cooper Martin, 9.0; 9. Rhen Richard, 9.5; 10. Trevor Brazile, 9.7; 11. Sterling Smith, 10.8; 12. Cory Solomon, 14.5; 13. Matt Shiozawa, 18.2; 14. Jake Pratt and Ryan Jarrett, NT. Average standings: 1. Caleb Smidt, 15.4 on two head; 2. Marty Yates, 15.6; 3. Reese Riemer, 16.0; 4. Ryle Smith, 16.7; 5. Cooper Martin, 17.9 World standings: 1. Tuf Cooper, $158,095; 2. Shane Hanchey, $153,347; 3. Caleb Smidt, $146,932; 4. Tyson Durfey, $136,518; 5. Marty Yates, $136,040; 6. Reese Riemer, $120,390; 7. Ryle Smith, $117,095; 8. Jake Pratt, $111,063; 9. Cory Solomon, $110,002; 10. Trevor Brazile, $102,772; 11. Cooper Martin, $101,938; 12. Matt Shiozawa, $96,269; 13. Rhen Richard, $95,488; 14. Sterling Smith, $89,083; 15. Ryan Jarrett, $87,552.

Barrel racing: 1. Lisa Lockhart, 13.65 seconds, $26,231; 2. Amberleigh Moore, 13.67, $20,731; 3. Kylie Weast, 13.70, $15,654; 4. (tie) Tracy Nowlin and Jessie Telford, 13.74, $8,885 each; 6. Jessica Routier, 13.76, $4,231; 7. Tammy Fischer, 13.78; 8. Carman Pozzobon, 13.81; 9. Taci Bettis, 13.84; 10. Ivy Conrado, 13.88; 11. Hailey Kinsel, 13.97; 12. Nellie Miller, 14.06; 13. Stevi Hillman, 18.74; 14. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 18.79; 15. Kelly Bruner, 28.66. Average standings: 1. Amberleigh Moore, 27.32 seconds on two runs; 2. Hailey Kinsel, 27.48; 3. Kylie Weast, 27.56; 4. Tracy Nowlin, 27.57; 5. Ivy Conrado, 27.66 World standings: 1. Hailey Kinsel, $229,065; 2. Nellie Miller, $167,826; 3. Lisa Lockhart, $159,746; 4. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $147,267; 5. Amberleigh Moore, $140,588; 6. Kylie Weast, $131,600; 7. Ivy Conrado, $124,039; 8. Stevi Hillman, $120,232; 9. Tracy Nowlin, $116,150; 10. Taci Bettis, 113,692; 11. Jessica Routier, $112,935; 12. Jessie Telford, $107,227; 13. Tammy Fischer, $101,277; 14. Kelly Bruner, $100,515; 15. Carman Pozzobon, $96,947.

Bull riding: 1. Joe Frost, 90 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Misfire, $33,564; 2. Chase Dougherty, 84.5, $28,064; 3. Koby Radley, 84, $22,987; 4. Sage Kimzey, Parker Breding, Jeff Askey, Tyler Bingham, Dustin Bouquet, Roscoe Jarboe, Boudreaux Campbell, Garrett Tribble, Cole Melancon, Eli Vastbinder, Trevor Kastner and Trey Benton III, NS. Average standings: 1. Joe Frost, 177 points on two head; 2. Chase Dougherty, 168.5; 3. Trey Benton III, 88.5 on one; 4. Sage Kimzey, 88; 5. Roscoe Jarboe, 86. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $327,756; 2. Parker Breding, $195,476; 3. Joe Frost, $155,381; 4. Chase Dougherty, $151,644; 5. Trey Benton III, $137,162; 6. Roscoe Jarboe, $130,737; 7. Koby Radley, $130,245; 8. Dustin Bouquet, $124,588; 9. Garrett Tribble, $118,995; 10. Jeff Askey, $117,387; 11. Boudreaux Campbell, $116,431; 12. Tyler Bingham, $111,583; 13. Cole Melancon, $109,973; 14. Eli Vastbinder, $105,114; 15. Trevor Kastner, $104,396.

All-around world standings: 1. Tuf Cooper, $263,184; 2. Trevor Brazile, $244,154; 3. Rhen Richard, $176,852; 4. Ryle Smith, $120,274; 5. Steven Dent, $119,006; 6. Curtis Cassidy, $103,237, 7. Paul Tierney, $82,868; 8. Jordan Ketscher, $71,659; 9. Marcus Theriot, $64,759; 10. Dakota Eldridge, $60,005.