Author: Ann Bleiker

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The 2023 Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping is shaping up to be the most competitive Finals yet with at least a third of the field entering this year’s finals with over $100,000 won. A year ago, only the No. 1 ranked cowgirl entered with over $100,000 won. Tickets are now on sale for this must-see championship event.

The NFBR, produced by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), will be held at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center, Dec. 5-6. The roping will begin daily at 2 p.m. (PST) with doors opening at 1 p.m.

The Top 15 breakaway ropers will compete for prize money of $250,000 during the two-day, 10-round performance. This is the second year in a row the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center will play host to the NFBR.

“The South Point is a great place for the National Finals Breakaway Roping,” said Jimmie Munroe, WPRA President. “Michael Gaughan and the South Point are so welcoming it is a great place to have it. With it being held during the PRCA convention, it gives so many PRCA rodeo committees from all over the U.S. the chance to attend the National Finals Breakaway Roping to watch the best breakaway ropers in the world compete for a world championship.

“The growth of breakaway roping has been so phenomenal and so well received by all these committees. So, it’s great that they will have the opportunity to come to the National Finals Breakaway Roping at the South Point.”

Breakaway roping has gone from being featured at 30 PRCA rodeos in 2019 to more than 450 in 2023.

“I’m pleased to see the success and growth of breakaway roping since the inaugural National Finals Breakaway Roping in 2020,” PRCA CEO Tom Glause said. “Breakaway roping has experienced rapid growth and it is now featured at more than 450 rodeos annually. It is amazing that the breakaway ropers now have an opportunity to compete for $250,000 at the NFBR.”

General admission tickets are $30 each day, with reserve admission tickets available for $45 per day. Tickets can be purchased online at southpointarena.com, ticketmaster.com, or by using this direct event link: https://am.ticketmaster.com/southpoint/buy?filterType=169, by phone at 866-796-7111 or at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa box office. Tickets are electronic unless purchased at the box office or specified otherwise online or over the phone. Parking at the South Point Hotel and Casino is FREE.

“Anytime you do an event the first time, normally you would have some challenges, but this is what we do,” said Ryan Growney, General Manager of the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa. “I thought the event was well produced and well run. We sold more than 1,000 tickets each day, which was our original goal and I think now that people know about it, hopefully we can grow the audience. We are honored to have this event at our property.”

The South Point Hotel, which is a hotspot for contestants and visitors during the Wrangler NFR, is thrilled to be the event venue for the 2023 Wrangler NFBR. The 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is Dec. 7-16 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

“We just want to create the awareness that the NFBR is a couple of days before the NFR,” said Steve Stallworth, General Manager of the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center. “We know the people who came last year are coming back. We are hoping to continue to grow that audience and get people to come to Vegas a couple of days early. I’m hoping for a big jump in year two.”

The 2020 National Finals Breakaway Roping took place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, in conjunction with the NFR and Jackie Crawford captured the world title. In 2021, the NFBR took place in Las Vegas at the Orleans Hotel and Casino and was won by Sawyer Gilbert.

Martha Angelone took home the title in 2022 and will be back to try and defend her title. She will be facing some stiff competition, one being her sister Sarah Angelone, who will be making her NFBR debut in 2023. In addition, she will face Shelby Boisjoli, who has qualified for every NFBR since its inception in 2020 as well as Hali Williams, who will be making her NFBR debut. Williams is the daughter of eight-time PRCA World Champion Team Roping Header Speed Williams and has been consistently ranked in the top two since March of 2023. She will be looking to add her own gold buckle to the family collection come December.

For more information visit www.wpra.com, www.prorodeo.com or www.southpointcasino.com.

Photos by Ric Andersen, Courtesy Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo

Nothing is sweeter than Gold in the world of rodeo whether it be a gold buckle for world champions at season end or gold medals at the Only Gold Medal Rodeo in the World in the heart of Salt Lake City.

For two-time world champion Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi she continues to add to her legacy and on Monday night, July 24 she added a Gold Medal to her collection and crossed the $3 million mark in career earnings as the cherry on top. Just this summer she has won Reno, Calgary and now the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo to extend her lead in the WPRA World Standings. She won a total of $17,688 in Salt Lake City that will not appear in the world standings until next week’s standings are released since the rodeo ended on Monday.

Pozzi Tonozzi of Lampasas, Texas was the last barrel racer on the cloverleaf pattern and stopped the clock in a quick 16.79 seconds to earn her first gold medal.

“There are no words to describe what I am feeling right now,” stated Pozzi Tonozzi just after coming off the medal stand. “This is definitely an exciting time for me. This win ranks right up there as this is a great rodeo and pays well. Plus, it is fun to win a gold medal. This summer has been incredible.”

She captured the title aboard Jets Top Gun “Benny” owned by Busby Quarter Horses. Sired by Blazin Jetolena, Benny, has carried Pozzi Tonozzi to all her major wins this summer and hopes to carry her to a third gold buckle.

“I am so thankful for this horse. I have never felt a horse like this before and how he goes around the barrels. I am thankful for the Busby’s, my husband and my daughter. This is so awesome,” stated Pozzi Tonozzi.

Jordon Briggs, who won Gold in 2022 finished silver in a time of 16.91 seconds and Rachelle Riggers landed on the medal stand for the first time with a 17.19.

Pozzi Tonozzi bought her WPRA card 20 years ago, but she is experiencing a whole new list of new wins (Reno, Calgary, Salt Lake City) in 2023.

“I didn’t realize I still had so many first left but it is fun.”

Pozzi Tonozzi now joins Sherry Cervi and Lisa Lockhart as the only WPRA members to cross $3 million in career earnings.

In the breakaway roping Justine Doka, who is married to PRCA team roper Derrick Begay, finished atop the medal stand in a time of 2.0 seconds. Doka kicked off the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo performances on July 19 winning the performance in a time of 1.8 seconds to easily advance to the Gold Medal Round. Doka advanced for a shot at gold landing eighth in the progressive round held the week before. Doka will add $12,840 to her season earnings from Salt Lake alone and will definitely make a big jump in the standings. She entered Salt Lake ranked 94^th with $7,591 so her gold medal performance should serve as a game changer for her career.

Zoie Bedke took silver in 2.3 seconds and Erin Johnson won bronze in 2.4 seconds in Salt Lake City.

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – Emily Beisel (pictured here at Prescott, WPRA photo by Fernando Sam-Sin)  and Shelby Boisjoli turned in A-plus performances over the Fourth of July known as Cowboy Christmas to lead their respective events in total money won at rodeos that were contested between June 26 and July 5.

This is the second time for Beisel to capture this accomplishment but first for Boisjoli. Beisel won a total of $25,277, while Boisjoli led all breakaway ropers with $15,397. Both had some major competition with Beisel edging Paige Jones by just over $500. Jones finished with $24,776 and Carlee Otero was third with $22,795. Boisjoli narrowly edged Beau Peterson who finished with $15,186 and Kelsie Domer with $13,980. Peterson won the Basin City (WA) Freedom Rodeo to close out the Fourth of July run and almost overtook Boisjoli, who also picked up one final check to push total over $15,000 and hold onto the top spot.

Beisel collected her biggest check North of the border at the Ponoka Stampede. She took the title aboard Chongo and added $16,835 to her 2023 earnings. She also picked up checks at the Cody (WY) Stampede – $4,019, Home of Champions (Livingston, MT) – $2,410 and the Molalla (OR) Buckaroo Rodeo – $2,013.

The timing of Beisel and Jones finishing 1-2, couldn’t have been better especially when looking at their horsepower and the ranch their mounts came from. As the 2003 WPRA World Champion Janae Ward Massey posted on her social media page:

“What a 4^th of July in the rodeo arena for Youree Ranch horses. Emily Beisel and Paige Jones banked over $50,000 between them on Bazinga, Pipewrench, Chongo and Beau. Way to go girls, can’t wait to see you in the bright lights of Vegas! You make the ranch proud.”

The Youree family has played a big part in the history of the WPRA and their horse breeding program continues to make headlines.

For Boisjoli her biggest check came at the World’s Oldest Rodeo in Prescott (AZ) where she won the title and $7,896. She also collected checks at the Greeley (CO) Independence Stampede – $1,106, the Black Hills Roundup (Belle Fourche, SD) – $1,961, the Mandan (ND) Rodeo Days – $3,917 and Basin City (WA) Freedom Rodeo – $517 to bring her 2023 Fourth of July to a close. Boisjoli has sure been on a hot streak as of late winning the Reno (NV) Rodeo the weekend prior to Cowboy Christmas getting underway.

Boisjoli’s No. 1 fan is no doubt her husband Haven Meged, who won the PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Title in 2019. He is now trying to help his wife do the same on the breakaway side.

Stay tuned to how all these ladies finish out their already spectacular 2023 rodeo season. Full coverage will be in the August issue of the WPRA News.

Cowboy Christmas – Top 10

Barrel Racing

1. Emily Beisel   $25,277
2. Paige Jones     $24,776
3. Carlee Otero   $22,795
4. Stevi Hillman $17,161
5. Tracy Nowlin  $16,484
6. Dona Kay Rule           $16,029
7. Ashley Castleberry     $14,352
8. Ilyssa Riley     $13,703
9. Hailey Kinsel  $12,893
10. Tarryn Lee      $12,234

Breakaway Roping

1. Shelby Boisjoli       $15,397
2. Beau Peterson         $15,186
3. Kelsie Domer          $13,980
4. Rickie Engesser      $13,010
5. Madalyn Richards  $11,144
6. Martha Angelone    $10,663
7. Taylor Munsell       $8,459
8. Cheyanne Guillory $8,101
9. Danielle Lowman   $7,518
10. Nicole Baggarley  $7,331

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – It was an NFR Million Dollar winner’s circle during the fifth round of the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. Hailey Kinsel, surpassed the $1 million in NFR earnings during the fourth round and joined Lisa Lockhart in that elite club. Tonight, they shared the round win and added to their figures both picking up $25,882.
“That is really cool but that is Sister’s record,” stated Kinsel about crossing the $1 million in NFR earnings. “I have had a lot of great horses to help but that is all her. To be able to do that in less than six years, I don’t know how to put that into words.
“I came into the ProRodeo world when it was booming. The American took off and the rounds started playing better here (NFR), other rodeos started paying more, ground got better…I am a lucky kid.”
Kinsel on Sister and Lockhart on Levee tonight and both jockeys stopped the clock in 13.52 seconds, to surpass Kassie Mowry who had a 13.57 second run as the second barrel racer on the pattern tonight.
“He has just been gaining confidence,” said Lockhart of the difference in Levee to get the win tonight. “The first round he was very hesitant, and I figured I should give him another chance. In round two he was definitely more confident and tonight he took the bit from me in the alley, and he went when he wanted to go. It wasn’t my plan, but I thought well I better hang on for the ride because I didn’t have much choice as he was going. He was just as strong as could be and our timing was good. It is so impeccable to nail the first barrel here and very hard to do. Once we did that tonight it was just trying to get him to the right spots and see what happened.”
This is Kinsel’s third round win of the 2022 NFR and Lockhart’s first but probably not her last. Lockhart leads the average in a time of 68.71 seconds, while Kinsel is eighth after a downed barrel in the first round.
Kinsel did move to No. 1 in the world, a spot Jordon Briggs has held since March after winning RodeoHouston. Kinsel is looking for her fourth world title. Briggs is second in the average with a time of 68.94 seconds on five runs. Kinsel has won $105,835 through five rounds and has $225,225 on the season. Briggs is second in $222,289.
The fifth round was pink night at the NFR and WPRA Rookie Bayleigh Choate and Hail To Be Famous “Dash” was decked out. Choate is in one of a handful of ladies in search of the 2022 Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed Award.
Fans can vote on the Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed award nightly for who they think looked the sharpest. The award is presented by the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Voting is at www.wpra.com

WNFR Results courtesy PRCA

Bareback rider R.C. Landingham’s Round 5 win has special meaning

LAS VEGAS – Competing during Round 5 Tough Enough to Wear Pink Night at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge had special meaning to bareback rider R.C. Landingham.

“It is pretty emotional,” said Landingham, 32. “My mom, Wendy Skiver, passed away of ovarian cancer (Feb. 3, 2017). This is her rodeo dream, and she is living it with me.”

Landingham’s mom would have been proud of her son’s performance on Monday night.

Landingham had a 90.5-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Top Notch for the win.

“I had been on that horse twice before once before here at the NFR and it didn’t go well because I was battling a shoulder injury,” Landingham said. “Then I had him again in Pecos (Texas) this year and was 87 on him. Tonight, that horse was everything I thought it would be. That’s a big strong horse and he had a great trip, and everything worked out. It is nice to get a round win like this because it pays so well.”

Landingham earned $28,914 for the victory and has earned $57,723 at the NFR. Landingham is third in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $188,247.

Steer wrestler Ty Erickson tops leaderboard

Ty Erickson, the 2019 PRCA Steer Wrestling World Champion, was in championship form in Round 5.

Erickson clocked a 3.9-second time to claim the round win.

“The steer was the one that Hunter Cure won Round 2 on, so I knew he was going to be good,” said Erickson, 32. “He kind of let up on me a little bit and I knew he was going to be a little slower, but I wasn’t really expecting him to let up like he did. I’m just glad they don’t say pretty run on the paycheck, because it wasn’t a pretty run, but we got him down and the win.”

Erickson is now fifth in the world standings with $158,823. He has earned $51,039 at this year’s NFR. The Helena, Mont., cowboy was quick to credit his horsepower.

“Crush is owned by my wife and myself and he really fits these set ups,” Erickson said. “(He) doesn’t score the best, but when you got to go fast, he’s the one you want to be riding.”

Saddle bronc rider Logan Hay captures first career NFR round win

Logan Hay is making his Wrangler NFR debut quite memorable.

Hay won Round 5 with an 89-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Larry Culpepper.

“Larry’s (Culpepper) a big horse,” Hay said. “He reminds me a lot of the horse I rode in Calgary this year and he felt similar, so I went with the same game plan. I went with a big spur out and tried to get ahead of him right there and I felt like I accomplished that.”

Hay was trying to digest the moment he was experiencing getting his first NFR round win.

“It’s amazing. I’m not sure it’s really set in yet but being able to take that victory lap was something else,” Hay said. “It’s definitely a moment I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Hay is fifth in the world standings with $203,226 and he has earned $63,786 at the NFR.

“I’m just going to keeping attacking with the same game plan I’ve had the whole week. I’m looking to take it one horse at a time, not try to overthink anything, and just let my riding do what it does.”

Bull rider Tristen Hutchings gets his second round win of NFR

As NFR debuts go, bull rider Tristen Hutchings is doing great so far.

The Monteview, Idaho, cowboy had a 90.5-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s County Jail to win Round 5. He also won Round 1 with a 90.5-point ride on Stockyards Pro Rodeo’s Party Animal.

“I’ve actually been getting leaned back a little bit,” said Hutchings, 22. “I knew if I stayed on the front end a little bit better, longer, and let my hips get deep that things would work out. I’ve been drawing the right bulls so every time I get them rode they are going to score me high. I might not be first in the average, but I have two go-round buckles, I’m happy to be here, and I’m happy to be healthy.”

Hutchings is glad to see his hard work pay off.

“I think almost everybody rides better when they are riding into their hand and I knew that I would struggle when I didn’t,” Hutchings said. “I practiced really hard and I’m glad that I did because the only bull I’ve ridden into my hand, I got bucked off. I’ve gotten two knocked down riding away from my hand and that’s not bad when you’re going against the best bucking stock in the world.”

Hutchings is fourth in the world standings with $198,842. He has earned $70,859 at the NFR.

“It’s been a tough stretch for the boys in that locker room,” Hutchings said. “We started with 16 and now we’re down to 14. I got off to a great start and then went through a bumpy patch, so I had my head real low. But I’m excited to get another one rode. It’s tough out here in Vegas. All I can hope for is to just keep getting them rode.”

Team ropers Tryan/Corkill and Proctor/Medlin share title

The team roping competition was a split victory.

Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin and Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill shared the win with identical 3.8-second runs.

“It was kind of a blur,” Proctor said. “I saw a pink rope wrap around the horn and my partner (Medlin) pulled him back on his two feet. It all happened in a hurry.”

Medlin was thrilled with the outcome.

“What’s crazy is I wasn’t really nervous,” he said. “I didn’t really think we might come out with a go-round win, but I wasn’t really nervous before we rode. I’m just glad I went out there and did my job.”

Tryan acknowledged nothing came easy on Monday.

“It was a tough night against this field of guys,” Tryan said. “The quick times got off to a hurry, so we knew it was going to be a night where we needed to be aggressive. We just made a solid run with a good start and a clean, solid finish.”

Corkill loves the opportunity to compete for big money at the Thomas & Mack Center.

“Just the chance to compete for $30,000 each night is what makes me excited,” Corkill said. “We have five more nights with a good chance to capture more money before it’s all said and done.”

Tie-down ropers Marty Yates, Kincade Henry share Round 5 crown

The veteran – Marty Yates – and newcomer Kincade Henry shared the spotlight in tie-down roping.

They had identical 7.3-second runs to claim the Round 5 win.

“Oh man, I don’t know, it’s so cool,” said Henry, 20. “This is my first time here and it just
happens so fast I am just happy I got her done.”

Henry has moved up to fifth in the world standings with $188,194. He has earned $86,248 at the NFR.

Yates, 28, is making his ninth-consecutive appearance at the NFR and won Round 4 with a 7.4-second run.

“Man, it’s awesome to finally get back on the right end of things,” Yates said. “I got a great start; my horse did great tonight. So, it’s nice to be on the winning side of things, always.”

Barrel racers Hailey Kinsel, Lisa Lockhart share Round 5 glory

Hailey Kinsel made it three round wins out of five, winning Round 5 with a 13.52-second run. Kinsel added the Round 5 victory to her Round 2 (13.61 seconds) and Round 3 (13.59 seconds) wins.

On Monday, Kinsel split the Round 5 win with Lockhart as each had 13.52 seconds.

“It’s special here. Las Vegas and the Thomas & Mack Arena have their own unique energy that you remember, and you want to get back to,” Kinsel said. “To come back and be able to do well again, it’s awesome. This rodeo is so tough. This field of barrel racers is one of the toughest you’ll see. I’m just thrilled to have the success that we are because nothing is guaranteed when you’re here.”

Kinsel took a moment to talk about the preparation she and her star horse Sister go through.

“When her and I were younger, there was definitely more practicing involved with the setup and trying to get the pattern down,” Kinsel said. “After we’ve been here a couple of times, I’ve decided not to overwork her now and really just trust the process of my horse and trust her skill. She seems happy and it appears to be working.”

Lockhart, a veteran of 16 NFRs, discussed the horsepower she is using.

“I’m riding a young horse and he’s gotten stronger every night. We broke the ice in Round 2 and have continued to place higher each night. My job was really to get him to his spot and once he did, I thought, ‘well, here we go,’ because that first barrel is crucial here. That really makes a difference.

“Every horse is a little different. Some take right to it while mine has been hesitant and a little bit scared of everything. There’s a lot of energy in the arena so I commend him for having the focus he’s had because there are a lot of distractions.”

2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Results
Round 5, Dec. 5
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.
Bareback Riding: Fifth round: 1. R.C. Landingham, 90.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo Co.’s Top Notch, $28,914; 2. Jess Pope, 88, $22,851; 3. (tie) Tim O’Connell and Leighton Berry, 87.5, $14,690 each; 5. (tie) Rocker Steiner and Cole Franks, 86.5, $6,063 each; 7. Caleb Bennett, 86; 8. Tanner Aus, 85; 9. (tie) Kaycee Feild and Clayton Biglow, 84.5; 11. Cole Reiner, 84; 12. Ty Breuer, 80.5; 13. Garrett Shadbolt, 76; 14. Tilden Hooper, NS; 15. Orin Larsen, Out. Average leaders: 1. Jess Pope, 432 points on five head; 2. R.C. Landingham, 427; 3. Tim O’Connell, 424; 4. Cole Reiner, 423; 5. Kaycee Feild, 421; 6. Cole Franks, 420.5; 7. Clayton Biglow, 418.5; 8. Rocker Steiner, 416.5; 9. Ty Breuer, 411; 10. Leighton Berry, 409.5; 11. Garrett Shadbolt, 402; 12. Caleb Bennett, 394.5; 13. Tilden Hooper, 339 points on four head; 14. Tanner Aus, 319; 15. Orin Larsen, 217.5 points on three head. World standings: 1. Jess Pope, $262,063; 2. Cole Reiner, $207,346; 3. R.C. Landingham, $188,247; 4. Kaycee Feild, $188,244; 5. Leighton Berry, $183,797; 6. Tim O’Connell, $172,440; 7. Tilden Hooper, $166,559; 8. Caleb Bennett, $163,353; 9. Cole Franks, $160,159; 10. Tanner Aus, $157,185; 11. Rocker Steiner, $150,390; 12. Clayton Biglow, $142,671; 13. Garrett Shadbolt, $134,002; 14. Orin Larsen, $133,784; 15. Ty Breuer, $115,749.
Steer Wrestling: Fifth round: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.9 seconds, $28,914; 2. (tie) Stetson Jorgensen and Will Lummus, 4.0, $20,053 each; 4. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Kyle Irwin, 4.3, $9,793 each; 6. Jesse Brown, 4.4, $4,664; 7. (tie) Tanner Brunner and Timmy Sparing, 4.6; 9. Dirk Tavenner, 4.9; 10. J.D. Struxness, 5.0; 11. Rowdy Parrott, 5.7; 12. Nick Guy, 6.6; 13. (tie) Hunter Cure, Dakota Eldridge and Tristan Martin, NT. Average leaders: 1. Kyle Irwin, 22.6 seconds on five head; 2. Rowdy Parrott, 23.9; 3. Jesse Brown, 24.8; 4. Tyler Waguespack, 25.2; 5. Will Lummus, 30.8; 6. Stetson Jorgensen, 37.1; 7. Tanner Brunner, 47.4; 8. Hunter Cure, 17.3 seconds on four head; 9. Tristan Martin, 18.1; 10. Ty Erickson, 19.1; 11. Dakota Eldridge, 20.9; 12. J.D. Struxness, 21.3; 13. Timmy Sparing, 28.7; 14. Nick Guy, 29.4; 15. Dirk Tavenner, 31.4. World standings: 1. Stetson Jorgensen, $233,733; 2. Will Lummus, $182,478; 3. Hunter Cure, $177,357; 4. Tyler Waguespack, $175,844; 5. Ty Erickson, $158,823; 6. Kyle Irwin, $156,155; 7. J.D. Struxness, $141,110; 8. Dakota Eldridge, $138,581; 9. Tristan Martin, $137,404; 10. Jesse Brown, $129,228; 11. Rowdy Parrott, $119,578; 12. Nick Guy, $116,935; 13. Tanner Brunner, $106,271; 14. Dirk Tavenner, $94,532; 15. Timmy Sparing, $91,312.
Team Roping: Fifth round: 1. (tie) Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill and Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 3.8 seconds, $25,882 each; 3. Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 3.9, $17,255; 4. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.9, $12,125; 5. Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 5.2, $7,462; 6. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 5.4, $4,664; 7. Clay Smith/Jake Long, 8.6; 8. Jr. Dees/Levi Lord, 14.2; 9. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler, Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison and Jake Orman/Brye Crites, NT. Average leaders: 1. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 27.3 seconds on five head; 2. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 31.8; 3. Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 20.6 seconds on four head; 4. Jr. Dees/Levi Lord, 27.5; 5. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 28.0; 6. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 30.1; 7. Jake Orman/Brye Crites, 13.7 seconds on three head; 8. Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 14.1; 9. Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 16.6; 10. Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, 17.4; 11. Clay Smith/Jake Long, 46.1; 12. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 10.2 seconds on two head; 13. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 13.6; 14. Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler, 14.2; 15. Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, 19.1. World standings (headers): 1. Kaleb Driggers, $274,486; 2. Clay Tryan, $203,397; 3. Tanner Tomlinson, $180,559; 4. Andrew Ward, $177,056; 5. Coleman Proctor, $159,321; 6. Jr. Dees, $157,732; 7. Dustin Egusquiza, $156,129; 8. Tyler Wade, $137,487; 9. Clay Smith, $127,765; 10. Rhen Richard, $126,534; 11. Jake Orman, $125,380; 12. Lightning Aguilera, $115,111; 13. Cody Snow, $113,968; 14. Chad Masters, $105,527; 15. Riley Minor, $103,686. World standings (heeler): 1. Junior Nogueira, $274,486; 2. Patrick Smith, $180,559; 3. Buddy Hawkins II, $175,514; 4. Jade Corkill, $169,589; 5. Jake Long, $169,245; 6. Logan Medlin, $159,321; 7. Levi Lord, $159,130; 8. Travis Graves, $156,843; 9. Trey Yates, $133,924; 10. Jeremy Buhler, $127,469; 11. Brye Crites, $126,722; 12. Wesley Thorp, $113,968; 13. Joseph Harrison, $110,199; 14. Jonathan Torres, $107,658; 15. Brady Minor, $103,686.
Saddle Bronc Riding: Fifth round: 1. Logan Hay, 89 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Larry Culpepper, $28,914; 2. Lefty Holman, 88.5, $22,851; 3. (tie) Ryder Wright and Layton Green, 88, $14,690 each; 5. (tie) Kade Bruno and Dawson Hay, 87.5, $6,063 each; 7. (tie) Stetson Wright and Brody Cress, 87; 9. Zeke Thurston, 86.5; 10. Wyatt Casper, 85; 11. Tanner Butner, 84.5; 12. Kolby Wanchuk, 84; 13. Chase Brooks, 82.5; 14. Kole Ashbacher, 82; 15. Sage Newman, 79.5. Average leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 435 points on five head; 2. Lefty Holman, 434.5; 3. Stetson Wright, 432; 4. Kolby Wanchuk, 427; 5. Logan Hay, 426; 6. (tie) Wyatt Casper and Tanner Butner, 411.5; 8. Kole Ashbacher, 410.5; 9. Brody Cress, 401; 10. Dawson Hay, 341 points on four head; 11. Chase Brooks, 339; 12. Sage Newman, 338.5; 13. Kade Bruno, 335.5; 14. Ryder Wright, 330; 15. Layton Green, 250.5 points on three head. World standings: 1.
1. Sage Newman, $308,349; 2. Lefty Holman, $249,052; 3. Stetson Wright, $248,123; 4. Zeke Thurston, $222,547; 5. Logan Hay, $203,226; 6. Brody Cress, $198,707; 7. Ryder Wright. $186,610; 8. Kolby Wanchuk, $176,967; 9. Layton Green, $163,683; 10. Chase Brooks, $161,533; 11. Kade Bruno, $153,789; 12. Dawson Hay, $147,833; 13. Wyatt Casper, $137,688; 14. Tanner Butner, $133,481; 15. Kole Ashbacher, $127,543.
Tie-Down Roping: Fifth round: 1. (tie) Marty Yates and Kincade Henry, 7.3 seconds, $25,882; 3. Caleb Smidt, 7.9, $17,255; 4. Riley Webb, 8.2, $12,125; 5. Zack Jongbloed, 8.5, $7,462; 6. Tyler Milligan, 8.6, $4,664; 7. Shane Hanchey, 9.5; 8. Haven Meged, 10.1; 9. Ty Harris, 10.3; 10. Macon Murphy, 12.7; 11. Cory Solomon, 13.1; 12. Shad Mayfield, 18.3; 13. (tie) John Douch and Tuf Cooper, NT. Average leaders: 1.Caleb Smidt, 38.2 seconds on five head; 2. Haven Meged, 43.1; 3. Riley Webb, 47.6; 4. Cory Solomon, 48.3; 5. Zack Jongbloed, 48.7; 6. Macon Murphy, 56.1; 7. Ty Harris, 57.1; 8. Tyler Milligan, 58.3; 9. (tie) Shad Mayfield and Shane Hanchey, 58.7; 11. Kincade Henry, 31.2 seconds on four head; 12. Marty Yates, 34.6; 13. Hunter Herrin, 46.2; 14. John Douch, 15.2 seconds on two head; 15. Tuf Cooper, 26.1. World standings: 1. Caleb Smidt, $259,082; 2. Shad Mayfield, $236,359; 3. John Douch, $214,270; 4. Haven Meged, $188,257; 5. Kincade Henry, $188,194; 6. Marty Yates, $187,068; 7. Riley Webb, $169,011; 8. Cory Solomon, $168,302; 9. Hunter Herrin, $159,280; 10. Shane Hanchey, $154,908; 11. Zack Jongbloed, $146,755; 12. Tyler Milligan, $135,703; 13. Tuf Cooper, $134,382; 14. Ty Harris, $128,937; 15. Macon Murphy, $123,255.
Barrel Racing: Fifth round: 1. (tie) Hailey Kinsel and Lisa Lockhart, 13.52 seconds, $25,882 each; 3. Kassie Mowry, 13.57, $17,255; 4. (tie) Jordon Briggs and Shelley Morgan, 13.69, $9,793 each; 6. Jessica Routier, 13.72, $4,664; 7. Margo Crowther, 13.73; 8. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 13.75; 9. Wenda Johnson, 13.84; 10. Sissy Winn, 13.87; 11. Bayleigh Choate, 13.93; 12. Dona Kay Rule, 13.96; 13. Emily Beisel, 18.29; 14. Leslie Smalygo, 18.47; 15. Stevi Hillman, 18.61. Average leaders: 1. Lisa Lockhart, 68.71 seconds on five runs; 2. Jordon Briggs, 68.94; 3. Margo Crowther, 68.99; 4. Wenda Johnson, 69.19; 5. Shelley Morgan, 69.24; 6. Sissy Winn, 69.81; 7. Bayleigh Choate, 70.25; 8. Hailey Kinsel, 73.27; 9. Kassie Mowry, 73.78; 10. Leslie Smalygo, 73.96; 11. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 74.37; 12. Dona Kay Rule, 74.79; 13. Jessica Routier, 75.40; 14. Stevi Hillman, 79.66; 15. Emily Beisel, 82.81. World standings: 1. Hailey Kinsel, $225,224; 2. Jordon Briggs, $222,289; 3. Wenda Johnson, $177,763; 4. Lisa Lockhart, $170,186; 5. Dona Kay Rule, $164,956; 6. Margo Crowther, $149,775; 7. Shelley Morgan, $147,043; 8. Kassie Mowry, $142,659; 9. Emily Beisel, $140,340; 10. Stevi Hillman, $138,064; 11. Sissy Winn, $119,310; 12. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $107,759; 13. Leslie Smalygo, $106,578; 14. Jessica Routier, $101,527; 15. Bayleigh Choate, $100,893.
Bull Riding: Fifth round: 1. Tristen Hutchings, 90.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s County Jail, $31,945; 2. Josh Frost, 88, $25,882; 3. Trey Kimzey, 87.5, $20,286; 4. Stetson Wright, 86.5, $15,156; 5. (tie) Jeff Askey, Garrett Smith, Trevor Kastner, Maverick Potter, Ky Hamilton, Jared Parsonage, Trey Holston, Cole Fischer, Creek Young and Lukasey Morris, NS; 15. Reid Oftedahl and JR Stratford, Out. Average leaders: 1. Stetson Wright, 350 points on four head; 2. Josh Frost, 349; 3. Trey Kimzey, 261 points on three head; 4. Trevor Kastner, 253; 5. Ky Hamilton, 249.5; 6. Tristen Hutchings, 181 points on two head; 7. Garrett Smith, 172.5; 8. (tie) Jeff Askey and JR Stratford, 90 points on one head; 10. Creek Young, 86.5; 11. Cole Fischer, 85.5; 12. Jared Parsonage, 81.5; 13. (tie) Maverick Potter, Trey Holston, Lukasey Morris, and Reid Oftedahl, NS. World standings: 1. Stetson Wright, $428,999; 2. Josh Frost, $301,048; 3. Jeff Askey, $216,848; 4. Tristen Hutchings, $198,842; 5. Ky Hamilton, $183,510; 6. Trevor Kastner, $178,309; 7. Garrett Smith, $177,540; 8. Trey Kimzey, $168,189; 9. JR Stratford, $142,943; 10. Maverick Potter, $126,065; 11. Creek Young, $125,360; 12. Jared Parsonage, $122,314; 13. Trey Holston, $118,892; 14. Cole Fischer, $110,994; 15. Lukasey Morris, $110,667; 16. Reid Oftedahl, $107,944.
All-Around: 1. Stetson Wright, $517,959; 2. Caleb Smidt, $257,310; 3. Josh Frost, $208,135; 4. Marty Yates, $184,694; 5. Haven Meged, $174,666; 6. Coleman Proctor, $164,487; 7. Taylor Santos, $159,179; 8. Zack Jongbloed, $148,053; 9. Rhen Richard, $129,783; 10. Paul David Tierney, $118,792.
Top Gun Leader: 1. Caleb Smidt, $109,566; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $105,835; 3. Jess Pope, $102,804; 4. (tie) Stetson Jorgensen and Lefty Holman, $99,073 each; 6. Kincade Henry, $86,248; 7. Lisa Lockhart, $85,316; 8. Stetson Wright, $84,616; 9. Zeke Thurston, $78,709; 10. (tie) Tanner Tomlinson and Patrick Smith, $73,190 each.

Angelone takes home the gold

LAS VEGAS, Nevada (November 30, 2022) – The third annual Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping presented by Teton Ridge came to a close on Wednesday with fast-paced emotional action.

Taylor Munsell, the 2019 college champion from Alva, Oklahoma, set the pace in round six at 2.1 seconds for her second win in the 10-head competition. Munsell also tied with J.J. Hampton for the win in round 10. It was the first time in 2022 that Hampton got to make the victory lap, but the third final round win for the veteran roper from Stephenville, Texas resident. She also won round 10 in 2020 and 2021.

Round seven saw Joey Williams break the 2.0 second mark. Williams, from Volborg, Montana, stopped the clock in 1.9 seconds for the win. Round eight got even faster as world standings leader Martha Angelone got the win at 1.8. That added $5,080 to her impressive earnings and put the seal on her 2022 world championship. It also earned her the Betty Gayle Copper Fast Time Award from the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. She finished the season with $130,303 and earned her first world title.

“This is awesome,” Angelone said. “I left Virginia with nothing. When they started adding breakaway roping to the pro rodeos, I set a goal to go to as many as I could, win as much as I could and get a world title.”

Cadee Williams from Weatherford, Texas, won the event championship by roping 10 calves in 31.9 seconds to get the second most prestigious title in rodeo. Williams grew up in Montana as Cadee Tew, married a Texan and now she and her family spend summers in Montana and compete at rodeos there.

“We all knew that Martha was going to win it (the world title) so going for the average was the next goal.” Williams said. “My mare is just seven years old, so this was a real test. We do this as a family, so it’s a win for the whole family.”

The big money winner in the South Point Arena was Cheyanne Guillory, from Kingston, Oklahoma who collected $27,037.

First round: 1, Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla., 2.3 seconds, $5,080. 2, Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas, 2.6, $4,204. 3, Erin Johnson, Fowler, Colo., 2.8, $3,328. 4, Cadee Williams, Weatherford, Texas, 2.9, $2,452.  5, Jordi Edens, Gatesville, Texas, 3.0, $1,577.  6, Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan., 3.1, $876.

Second round: 1, Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D., 2.0 seconds, $5,080.  2, (tie) Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas; Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla.; Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas; and Josie Connor, Iowa, La.; 2.2 and $2,890.  6, Joey Williams, Volberg, Mont., 2.3, $876.

Third round: 1, Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D., 2.1 seconds, $5,080. 2, Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas, 2.2, $4,204. 3, (tie) Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas, and Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D., 2.3, $2,890 each. 5, Joey Williams, Volborg, Mont., 2.4, $1,577. 6, Cheyanne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., 2.5, $876.

Fourth round: 1, Cheyanne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., 2.0 seconds, $5,080. 2, Joey Williams, Volborg, Mont., 2.1, $4,204. 3, (tie) Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan.; J.J. Hampton, Stephenville, Texas; and Josie Conner, Iowa, La., 2.3, $2,452 each. 6, (tie) Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla. And Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 2.4, $438.

Fifth round: 1, Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D., 2.1 seconds, $5,080. 2, (tie) Jordi Edens, Gatesville, Texas, and Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas, 2.2, $3,766 each. 4, Cadee Williams, Weatherford, Texas, 2.4, $2,452. 5, (tie) Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas, and Josie Connor, Iowa, La., 2.6, $1,226.

Round 6: 1, Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla., 2.1 seconds, $5,080. 2, Erin Johnson, Fowler, Colo., 2.4, $4,204. 3, Cheyenne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., $3,328. 4, Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas, , 2.9, $2,452.  5, Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan., 2.9, $1,577.  6, Cadee Williams, Weatherford, Texas, 3.4, $876.

Round 7: 1, Joey Williams, Volborg, Mont., 1.9 seconds, $5,080.  2, Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 2.2, $4,204. 3, (tie) Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas, and Erin Johnson, Fowler, Colo., 2.3, $2,890 each. 5, Cheyanne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., 2.5, $1,577.  6, Taylor Hanchey, Carmine, Texas, 2.8, $876.

Round 8: 1, Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 1.8, $5,080. 2, Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D., 1.9, $4,204. 3, Cheyanne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., 2.0, $3,328. 4, (tie) Jordi Edens, Gatesville, Texas, and Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla., 2.1, $2,015 each. 6, (tie) Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D., and Taylor Hanchey, Carmine, Texas, 2.2, $438 each.

Round 9: 1, (tie) Taylor Hanchey, Carmine, Texas, and Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 2.1, $4,624. 3, J.J. Hampton, Stephenville, Texas, 2.2, $3,328. 4, Cheyanne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., 2.4, $2,452. 5, (tie) Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas, and Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D., 2.9, $1,226.

Round 10: 1, (tie) J.J. Hampton, Stephenville, Texas, and Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla., 2.2, $4,624 each. 3, Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D., 2.3, $3,328. 4, Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, $2,452. 5, Josie Conner, Iowa, La., 2.8, $1,577. 6, Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan., 3.0, $675.

Overall winners: (total on 10) 1, Cadee Williams, Weatherford, Texas, 31.90, $13,866. 2, Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas, 40.1, $11,250. (on nine) 3, Cheyenne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., $8,895. 4, Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan., 36.3, $6,541. 5, Erin Johnson, Fowler, Colo., 43.40, $4,709. 6, Joey Williams, Volborg, Mont., 50.5, $3,401. 7, Josie Conner, Iowa, La., 51.7, $2,355. 8, (on eight) Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla., 19.9, $1,308.

WPRA WORLD FINALS RODEO
NOVEMBER 12, 2022
WACO, TEXAS

WORLD CHAMPION ALL AROUND: Sarah Angelone, $8059.92
RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION ALL AROUND: Martha Angelone, $7569.84
FINALS ALL AROUND CHAMPION: Sarah Angelone, $8059.92
RESERVE FINALS ALL AROUND CHAMPION: Martha Angelone, $7569.84

Tie Down Roping: WORLD CHAMPION: Tanegai Zilverberg, $4155.33
RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION: Kari Nixon, $2876.69

Breakaway Roping: NATIONAL CHAMPION: Josie Conner, $54,432.61
RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION: Martha Angelone, $41,862.02

Team Roping:  HEADERS
WORLD CHAMPION: Hope Thompson, $21,671.22
RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION: Bailey Gubert, $18,626.28
TEAM ROPING – HEELERS
WORLD CHAMPION: Lorraine Moreno, $17,994.28
RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION: Rylie Smith, $12,245.22

WACO, TEXAS – The Angelone sisters are quickly making names for themselves and their Virginia family in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.

Martha Angelone (pronounced – Ang-a-lone-e) has dominated the WPRA ProRodeo Breakaway standings this year and will be looking for her first world title the end of the month in Las Vegas, but it was her younger sister, Sarah who captured the family’s first WPRA World Title this weekend in Waco, Texas.

Sarah won the WPRA All-Around World Title with Martha finishing as reserve world champion. Sarah finished the year with $8,060, while Martha won $7,590 at WPRA approved events that had more than one roping discipline being contested at the same time. The sisters won all their all-around money at this weekend’s WPRA World Finals at Extraco Event Center. Sarah competed in breakaway roping and team roping, while Martha competed in all events offered – breakaway, team roping, tie-down and all-around barrels.

Sarah headed for Martha in the team roping and heeled for Jessica Remsburg, a former WPRA world champion as well.

The Angelone sisters, originally from Cross Junction, Virginia, and now are both living in Texas, look to be a force for years to come. Martha is currently the traveler in the family, while Sarah elects to stay closer to home making the WPRA World Finals a perfect fit for her. She is now looking forward to Martha adding another gold buckle to the family trophy case on Nov. 30 at the conclusion of the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping, presented by Teton Ridge at the South Point Arena.

Joining Sarah Angelone in the world champions circle was Hope Thompson and Lorraine Moreno in the team roping and Tanegai Zilverberg in the tie-down roping.

Thompson captured her third WPRA team roping world title and fourth WPRA world title over all. Thompson finished the year with $21,671 to reserve world champion Bailey Gubert’s $18,626.

Moreno captured her first WPRA world title finishing the year with $17,994, while Rylie Smith finished reserve champion with $12,245.

Two ladies that have spent time as college rodeo coaches teamed up together to win the average in Waco. Linsay Rosser-Sumpter and Taylor Munsell roped three steers in an event best 24.3 seconds to take the title. Danielle Lowman and Jordi Edens were second in a time of 30.6. Lowman qualified for the NFBR in 2021 and Edens will make her first appearance in just a few weeks.

Taking home the tie-down roping world title for the first time in her career was Tanegai Zilverberg. She finished the year with $4,155 to take the title from the reigning world titlist Kari Nixon, who finished second with $2,877.

Zilverberg placed third in the first round and won the second round en route to the average championship as well with a time of 52.9 seconds on three.

          The WPRA Boot Barn Card Holder race came to an end on Sunday morning with Jackie Ganter of Abilene, Texas, taking the title. Ganter turned in the fastest time on Sunday morning stopping the clock in 15.682 seconds to win the round. Ganter was aboard Howes A Tycoon and won the average in a total time of 47.565 on three runs.

All money won in the card holder race will count toward 2023 ProRodeo World Standings and the race also served as a qualifier for RodeoHouston. Ganter last qualified for the NFR in 2016, but 2023 might be the year she returns to the Thomas and Mack if this weekend was any indication.

Reigning world champion Jordon Briggs looked to be in championship form finishing second in the average with 47.675. Briggs and Rollo finished second in the final round in a time of 15.854 seconds. She will be looking to add another world title to her resume in Las Vegas, Dec. 1-10.

Brooklyn Balch took home the permit only race title finishing with a total time of 48.327 seconds on three runs. Balch and Quickaintfair entered the final round in the driver’s seat and remained atop the leaderboard following the short round. Balch won the second round of the permit only race in a time of 15.911 and was third in the final round in a time of 16.129 seconds. Rylee Leach won the short round in a time of 16.062 seconds and finished second in the average with 48.635. Look for both ladies on the rodeo trail in 2023 during their rookie season.

Full results of all competition from the weekend can be found at www.wpra.com.

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – The WPRA is pleased to announce their contract award winners that work tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all happen and keeps the Association alive and well. Each winner will be officially recognized during the WPRA Star Celebration at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Thursday, December 1.

Honored this year with the WPRA Lifetime Family Heritage Award is the Peterson Family – Kristie Peterson, Jordon (Peterson) Briggs and the late Chuck Peterson. In 2021, the Peterson family made history in the WPRA with Kristie and Jordon becoming the first mother-daughter duo to win a world title. Jordon enters this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo ranked No. 1 and looking to add to that legacy. She will have an extra angel riding with her this year after her dad passed away the end of August. Without Chuck’s encouragement the rodeo world might never have been treated to watching the great Bozo and Kristie and now his daughter, Jordon and Rollo. Time will only tell if Jordon’s daughter, Bexley, will continue the family legacy.

A lady that has covered both these world champions along with hundreds more is Kendra Santos, who will be receiving the WPRA Media Award this year. Santos has spent her entire life in the western industry and has used her talents to bring the stories of rodeo athletes to life. She previously was honored with this award in 1997.

Another individual who helps bring rodeo athlete stories to life and informs the audience about the sport of rodeo is rodeo announcer Steve Kenyon. Kenyon has used his voice to inform rodeo fans through live rodeo performances, radio and now TV. Kenyon joins an elite group of announcers to have been honored with the WPRA Announcer of the Year award at least twice. Kenyon first won the award in 2010. He joins Bob Tallman (1998, 2020), Boyd Polhamus (2000, 2003, 2005), Hadley Barrett (2001, 2011) and Alan Moorhead (2008-09) as a repeat honoree in this category.

In celebration of their 75 years in the business, Wrangler Jeans and Shirts will be honored with the WPRA Distinguished Partnership Award. Wrangler has been a cornerstone in the sport of rodeo and through their continued support rodeo dreams really can come true at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping.

Rodeo committees have long been the backbone of the rodeo industry and without the hardworking rodeo committees, the industry would have a hard time existing. Winning the WPRA Large Rodeo of the Year award in 2022 is the Ogden (UT) Pioneer Days Rodeo. The Woodward (OK) Elks Rodeo will be honored as the Medium Rodeo of the Year and the Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo in Vinita, Oklahoma, will take home the Small Rodeo of the Year.

 The WPRA would like to congratulate each of the award recipients as well as those that were nominated for these prestigious awards.

 Below is a full list of those that will be recognized by the WPRA in 2022.

Announcer of the Year

Steve Kenyon

Stock Contractor of the Year

Andrews Rodeo Company – Sammy Andrews

Judge of the Year

Sam Minnick

Mildred Farris Secretary of the Year

Marlene Dreesen

Small Rodeo of the Year (added money of $5,000 or less)

Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo (Vinita, OK)

Medium Rodeo of the Year (added money of $5,001 – $9,999)

Woodward (OK) Elks Rodeo

Large Rodeo of the Year (added money over $10,000)

Ogden (UT) Pioneer Days Rodeo

Corporate Partner of the Year                                

               SUCCEED                                                                     

Media Award

Kendra Santos

Lenora Reimers’ Heritage Award

Jerri Mann

Outstanding Individual of the Year

               Janet Cropper

Outstanding Service & Dedication Award

               George Gibbs

Distinguished Partnership

Wrangler Jeans and Shirts

Lifetime Family Heritage Award

               Peterson Family – Kristie and Chuck Peterson and Jordon (Peterson) Briggs

Outstanding Rodeo Committee Partner

               Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo (NFR Open) – Colorado Springs, CO

Innovative Rodeo of the Year

               Cowboy Channel Rookie Roundup presented by Resistol

Breakaway Trailblazer

               Farm-City Pro Rodeo – Hermiston, OR

SALT LAKE CITY (July 25, 2022) – The 2022 edition of the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo came to a close on Monday night, July 25, with gold, silver and bronze medals handed out. The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo is the Only Gold Medal Rodeo in the World and featured a total of 288 competitors, that competed for share of the $562,500 in prize money.

The women’s breakaway roping is the fastest growing event in rodeo right now and it was by far the quickest event on the night. Josie Conner of Iowa, LA, won the gold medal in record fashion. Conner broke Jackie Crawford’s arena record, set on opening night, stopping the clock in 1.85 seconds to win her first gold medal. She had competed at this rodeo each year breakaway has been offered but this is the first time she stood on the medal platform.

“I love this rodeo and last year when I missed it lit a fire under me and totally changed my roping,” said Conner following her win. “I look up to Jackie but was so glad to get the record tonight. It was long time coming.”

Third time was definitely the charm. Crawford, who has also competed all three years in Salt Lake City, captured her third silver medal after stopping the clock in 2.36 seconds. Taylor Hanchey, who made history being the first WPRA member to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo as a barrel racer and breakaway roper, won the bronze with a time of 2.42 seconds.

Hanchey’s husband Shane won the gold medal in the tie-down roping in a time of 8.65 seconds. Nate Baldwin of Blackfoot, ID, took the silver in 9.12 seconds.

The full field of 32 competitors in each of the events of bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing and bull riding were divided into four groups of eight each and competed in one of the first four performances (July 20-23). The one (1) highest score/fastest time from each discipline of each performance advanced to the Gold Medal Round along with the three (3) highest scores/fastest times overall, from all four combined Semi-Final performances that have not yet advanced. In addition, the #1 ranked athlete in each discipline (for team roping it is highest ranked team after pairing) of the final audited standings of the WCRA Days of ’47 Rodeo Leaderboard automatically qualified for the Gold Medal Round making a total of eight (8) contestants in each discipline that competed in the Gold Medal Round. Scores/times from the Semi-Final performances did NOT carry forward to the Gold Medal Round (only to break ties). The 8 competitors in each event in the Gold Medal Round competed in a sudden-death format with the winner collecting a Gold Medal and $25,000 cash.

Utah had several cowboys to cheer on and they cheered two to gold medal performances. Cash Robb of Altonah won the steer wrestling gold medal in a time of 4.38 seconds. Saddle bronc rider Allen Boore also brough home the gold for the Beehive State with an 86.5-point ride aboard Sankey Rodeo’s Big Bay. Boore hails from Axtell and this was his first medal.

The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo presented by Zions Bank, is taking place at the $17.5 million state-of-the-art Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark, custom designed and built for rodeo. The venue—an outdoor arena located in the heart of Salt Lake City—features over 10,000 stadium-style seats.

Jordon Briggs won her first gold buckle in December and now she has a gold medal to add to her collection. Briggs of Tolar, Texas, rode her world champion horse Rollo to the win stopping the clock in 17.195 seconds, to outrun Stevi Hillman with a 17.220 and last year’s gold medalist Wenda Johnson with a 17.266.

Another set of world champions took home the gold medal in the team roping. Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogeira stopped the clock in 4.06 seconds to take home the gold. Andrew Ward and Buddy Hawkins was silver in 4.36.

RC Landingham is one step closer to becoming a millionaire. Landingham of Hat Creek, California, won the bareback riding with a 90.5-point ride aboard Championship Pro Rodeo’s Frontier Coffee’s Hooey Rocks. This was Landingham’s second consecutive win in the WCRA, so if he is able to win one more time, he will become their first million-dollar Triple Crown bonus winner. World Champion Tim O’Connell won silver with an 88.5 aboard Sankey Rodeo’s Silver Screen.

Cole Fisher closed out the night and this year’s event with a 90-point ride on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Geronimo. Fisher was the bull rider out and set the bar high on a previously unridden bull. Dekland Garland took silver with an 89.5 on Macza’s OLS Tubs Ugly Wish.

For only the seventh time in the history of rodeo, riders had the opportunity to compete for Gold, Silver or Bronze Medals. The first two times were in conjunction with the Olympic Winter Games in Calgary (1988) and Salt Lake City (2002), when rodeo was part of the Cultural Olympiad and the other four times being the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo 2017-2021. 2022 marks an official name change of the event to Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo. This was the third time for breakaway ropers as their event was added to the roster in 2019. The medals that were awarded at the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo were produced by OC Tanner, the same company that made the Olympic medals for the champions of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

CBS will air the Gold Medal Round of the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo on July 31 at 11 a.m. MT.

# # # 

Results: – Performance 5 – July 25, 2022 

Bareback riding: 1. RC Landingham, Hat Creek, CA, 90.5 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Frontier Coffee’s Hooey Rocks, $25,000; 2. Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, IA, 88.5 on Sankey Rodeo’s Silver Screen, $12,500; 3. Dean Thompson, Altamont, UT, 85.5 on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Pow Wow Nights, $6,000; 4. George Gillespie, Darby, MT, 76.5 on C5 Pro Rodeo’s Black Moon, $3,000

Gold Medal medalist: RC Landingham

Silver medalist: Tim O’Connell

Bronze medalist: Dean Thompson

Steer wrestling: 1. Cash Robb, Altonah, UT, 4.38 seconds, $25,000; 2. Mason Couch, Cassville, MO, 4.43, $12,500; 3. Sam Powers, Sonora, TX, 4.76, $6,000; 4. Tristan Martin, Sulphur, TX, 4.81, $3,000

Gold Medal medalist: Cash Robb

Silver medalist: Mason Couch

Bronze medalist: Sam Powers

Team roping: 1. Kaleb Driggers, Hobken, GA/Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prudente, Brazil, 4.06 seconds, $25,000 each; 2. Andrew Ward, Edmond, OK/Buddy Hawkins, Stephenville, TX, 4.36, $12, 500; 3. Brady Tryan, Huntley, MT/Jake Long, Coffeyville, KS, 4.66, $6,000; 4. Cody Tew, Belgrade, MT/Coy Brittain, Rockwall, TX, 4.79, $3,000

Gold Medal medalist: Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira

Silver medalist: Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins

Bronze medalist: Brady Tryan/Jake Long

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Allen Boore, Axtell, UT, 86.5 points on Sankey Rodeo’s Big Bay, $25,000; 2. Jarrod Hammon, Stephenville, TX, 75.5 on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Twisted Cinches, $12,500; 3. Cameron Messier, Herald, CA, 74.5 on Sankey Rodeo’s Robin Hood; no other qualified rides

Gold Medal medalist: Allen Boore

Silver medalist: Jarrod Hammons

Bronze medalist: Cameron Messier

Tie-down roping: 1. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, LA, 8.65 seconds, $25,000; 2. Nate Baldwin, Blackfoot, ID, 9.12, $12,500; 3. Ace Sloe, Cuero, TX, 10.93, $6,000; no other qualified times

Gold Medal medalist:  Shane Hanchey

Silver medalist: Nate Baldwin

Bronze medalist: Ace Slone

Breakaway roping: 1. Josie Conner, Iowa, LA, 1.85 seconds, $25,000; 2. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, TX, 2.36, $12,50; 3. Taylor Hanchey, Carmine, TX, 2.42, $6,000; no other qualified times

Gold Medal medalist: Josie Conner

Silver medalist: Jackie Crawford

Bronze medalist: Taylor Hanchey

Barrel racing: 1. Jordon Briggs, Tolar, TX, 17.195 seconds, $25,000; 2. Stevi Hillman, Granbury, TX, 17.220, $12,500; 3. Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, OK, 17.266, $6,000; 4. Jana Guthrie, Canton, TX, 17.311, $3,000.

Gold Medal medalist: Jordon Briggs

Silver medalist: Stevi Hillman

Bronze medalist: Wenda Johnson

Bull riding: 1. Cole Fisher, Jefferson City, MO, 90 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Geronimo, $25,000; 2. Dekland Garland, Marlow, OK, 89.5 on Macza’s OLS Tubs Ugly Wish, $12,500; no other qualified rides

Gold Medal medalist: Cole Fischer

Silver medalist: Dekland Garland

Bronze medalist: Dalton Rudman*

*based off semifinal performance since no other qualified rides

About Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo 

The event takes place at the $17.5 million, state-of-the-art Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark each July. The venue—an outdoor arena located in the heart of Salt Lake City—features over 10,000 stadium-style seats. The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo is one of Utah’s longest-standing traditions – celebrating Utah’s heritage since 1847. The rodeo, and other Days of ’47 events, commemorate the day – July 24, 1847 – when a determined company of Mormon pioneers realized their dreams upon entering the Great Salt Valley. The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo is a private, non-profit, volunteer, charitable organization. Our mission is to honor Utah’s pioneer heritage and educate Utah’s kids. Please visit utahdaysof47rodeo.com for more information.

About WCRA 

WCRA is a professional sport and entertainment entity, created to develop and advance the sport of rodeo by aligning all levels of competition. In association with the PBR, WCRA produces major rodeo events, developing additional opportunities for rodeo-industry competitors, stakeholders, and fans. To learn more, visit wcrarodeo.com. For athletes interested in learning more about the WCRA Virtual Rodeo Qualifier (VRQ) system, visit app.wcrarodeo.com.