Author: PRCA

LAS VEGAS – Stetson Wright’s decorated career added even more accomplishments on Tuesday night before 17,053 spectators at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Milford, Utah, cowboy clinched his fourth all-around title and added the single-season PRCA earnings record at $722,824 to his resume. Wright initially set that record in 2021 at $686,513.

In Round 6, Wright earned $22,851 in saddle bronc riding with a second-place 87-point ride on Bar T Rodeo’s Jitterbug and $22,851 for his second-place 86.5-point bull ride on Four Star Rodeo’s Bit A Bad News. He has earned $209,405 at the 2022 NFR.

“When you break your own record, it means you did better than the year before, whenever you set it,” said Wright, 23. “The way I look at it is that I’m improving every year, and to improve just from last year is pretty special and I’m just happy with the way things are going.”

Wright has now won four career all-around titles in 2019-22. Wright also has won bull riding and saddle bronc riding world championships in 2020 and 2021, respectively.

Wright is also on the brink of surpassing the bull riding and all-around single-season earnings marks.

Wright has earned $451,850 in bull riding and $563,661 in all-around. Sage Kimzey owns the single-season bull riding earnings mark at $480,797, including ground money, which he set in 2019. A year ago, Wright established the all-around season earnings mark at $585,850.

“That’s when I say I just choose to have fun, and it is fun and I love rodeo,” Wright said. “And I feel like when you’re having fun it’s easier to break records, because you’re loving what you do and I’m literally loving everything about everything.”

Wright has a simple approach to the remaining four rounds of the NFR.

“Same thing – I’m just having fun,” Wright said. “I’m not worried about not a single gold buckle right now. I’m just worried about making 90-point rides.”

Tie-down roper Shad Mayfield matches arena record with Round 6 victory

Shad Mayfield, the 2020 PRCA World Champion Tie-Down Roper, was electric on Tuesday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The Clovis, N.M., cowboy stopped the clock in 6.5 seconds tying the arena record. ProRodeo Hall of Famers – Cody Ohl (6.5 seconds, Round 10, 2003) and Trevor Brazile (6.5 seconds, Round 8, 2015) also accomplished the feat.

“I feel so good, the energy of the fans after that,” he said. “That’s something I’ve always dreamed of, throwing my hat like Cody Ohl used to, being 6.5 I mean that’s just something I’ve dreamed about.”

That record run was something Mayfield was trying to digest.

“I can’t even explain it, I didn’t even flank the calf all the way, I mean, if I had a better flank no telling what could have been,” said Mayfield, 21. “But I feel like my horse made it so easy, and to have a good calf I just had to do my part. Once I heard them holler ‘you’re out’ I just let my rope go. Tonight, I had to take it back to just like I’m at home practicing or at any jackpot.”

Mayfield edged John Douch by a mere one-tenth of a second for the round win.

“Honestly it just pumped me up hearing the crowd and doing all that,” Mayfield said. “I love that feeling coming behind someone and being faster, and it’s not easy beating someone at 6.6, so I got it done so that’s what makes it even better.”

Saddle bronc rider Logan Hay wins back-to-back rounds

Logan Hay made it back-to-back victory laps.

After winning Round 5, Hay made it two in a row capturing the Round 6 win with an 87.5-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Yellowstone.

“Yeah, it was our hoppers out again today and Yellowstone didn’t go in Round 1, so I was happy to have one that was fresh,” said Hay, 25. “I knew it was a good draw and I just tried to do my job.”

Hay, who is making his NFR debut, is the son of saddle bronc rider Rod Hay, a 20-time NFR qualifier, and older brother to fellow NFR saddle bronc rider Dawson.

“I’ve been blessed that it’s been working out,” Logan said. “I’m just trying to take it one horse at a time and not let my nerves get the best of me. I’ve just felt at home here. I think it’s all the other Canadians and my dad here helping me in the chutes that’s made it feel this way. I love it.”

“I’m looking to just stick to my game plan. Take it one horse at a time. I don’t like to think about anything else. I’ve hardly looked at the world standings, to be honest. I look at it as me versus my horse, get up to see what (score) I got, and watch a few videos. That’s just what my game plan is.”

Bull rider Tristen Hutchings makes it three round wins at 2022 NFR

When cowboys make their NFR debuts they make memories for a lifetime.

That has definitely been the case for bull rider Tristen Hutchings.

The Monteview, Idaho, cowboy has won three of the first six rounds in his first career trip to the NFR.

Hutchings’ latest claim to glory came on Tuesday when he won Round 6 with an 88-point ride on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Caddyshack. Hutchings also was tops in Round 1 and Round 5.

“Yeah, I had a really good bull tonight,” Hutchings said. “It was a bull that I’d been wanting to get on for a while now and he had me loosen up a little bit and took me for a ride. Finally at the end I got a good seat. It was good, it was fun, and there’s no better place to win than here.”

Hutchings thought he could take victory laps at the NFR based on his late-season surge.

“At the end of the season, I got on a heater, and I think it’s carried into here,” he said. “I didn’t ever slow down getting on practice bulls or putting in the work at the gym. So, this is exactly what I’ve thought about and dreamed about. It’s definitely life-changing money and there are a ton of nerves but at the end of the day it’s about having fun. That’s when I think most bull riders are at their best.

“You definitely have to draw right to come in here and win three, especially in the first six nights. It’s something you think is possible, but I was just hoping to come in here and ride as many bulls as possible. That’s the only game plan I really had in my head.”

Rookie bareback rider Rocker Steiner captures Round 6 title

This wasn’t the script rookie Rocker Steiner had envisioned – until Tuesday.

Steiner had an 88.5-point ride aboard Wayne Vold Rodeo’s True Grit to win Round 6.

“It is always great to get a win, especially at the NFR,” said Steiner, 18. “My dad won here, and my mom won here, and it is great to win in the same place where your parents won.”

Steiner, who placed in just one of the first five rounds, splitting fifth in Round 5, took a moment to describe his winning ride.

“That was a real fast, snappy, droppy (horse), it is not easy to ride,” Steiner said. “You have to have the need for speed to ride that horse. That horse actually bucked me off in Strathmore (Alberta) and it is just not an easy horse to ride.”

The emotions of Steiner have been well-documented at this year’s NFR, but he is not about to change his ways.

“I think you all can tell I’m really competitive,” Steiner said. “I didn’t come here for second place. I didn’t come here to get a low score. I’m not going for third or fourth. I’m going to win. It is hard to hide my passion and my emotions. I just want to win.

“I’m going to go to South Point and get a buckle and hang out with my family. We are going have a big crew on stage. There have been a lot of people with me my whole career and hopefully I will get everybody on stage who has been part of it.”

Steiner, who bought his PRCA card Jan. 10, is following the rodeo footsteps of his grandfather Bobby Steiner, who won a PRCA Bull Riding World Championship in 1973 and his father, Sid, the 2002 PRCA Steer Wrestling World Champion.

Steer wrestler Tristan Martin scores Round 6 victory

Steer wrestler Tristan Martin experienced the highs and lows of rodeo in 24 hours. The Sulphur, La., cowboy had a no-time in Round 5 and then on Tuesday he won Round 6 with a 3.5-second time.

“They had missed him in the first round, but I had seen some videos on him, so I knew if I did my job, I had a good chance,” Martin said.

Martin’s run came after a 15-minute delay because of a power outage in the Thomas & Mack Center, which caused him to reel things in.

“Well, I was pretty amped up before the power went out, so I think it was just what I needed to help me calm back down and make a good run,” he said.

Team ropers Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison claim Round 6 crown

Team ropers Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison had not had much luck at the 2022 Wrangler NFR. Masters/Harrison split fourth in Round 3.

The duo’s fortunes changed on Tuesday. Masters/Harrison won Round 6 with a 4.0-second time.

“I’m so happy I just turned a decent steer for my partner,” Masters said. “He did a good job; he made the whole run come together.”

Harrison was excited about the end result.

“It was a good steer, man,” he said. “We talked about him beforehand, and we both really liked him. Chad did what he does, man, he put it on the horns and made the steer hit really nice where I could get me a good clean fast throw at him. And I’m not trying to be smart, but it’s supposed to work out like that.”

Barrel racers Pozzi Tonozzi, Beisel split Round 6 victory

Emily Beisel and Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi shared glory on Tuesday.

They clocked identical 13.57 times for the Round 6 win.

“It’s great to see my horse working like he’s working,” said Beisel, who also won Round 4. “The biggest thing is I’ve got to get him around them and he will take care of the rest. Last night, I had a little mishap on the backside of the second barrel and tonight I took slightly bigger circles with a tighter cinch. It’s awesome to be here, especially being 14th on the ground. It’s incredible.”

Pozzi Tonozzi was thrilled to be celebrating her first round win in 11 years.

“I actually forgot what it feels like and how good it feels to win a round,” she said. “I’ve actually qualified on several horses since the last time I’ve won including my big, yellow horse Duke. This one is so special because it’s a horse I’ve raised and trained, and she’s actually now owned by Teton Ridge. I’m just excited to be here and can’t wait for the next round.”

2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Results
Round 6, Dec. 6
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

Bareback Riding: Sixth round: 1. Rocker Steiner, 88.5 points on Wayne Vold Rodeo’s True Grit, $28,914; 2. Tanner Aus, 88, $22,851; 3. Leighton Berry, 87.5, $17,255; 4. Cole Franks, 87, $12,125; 5. (tie) Kaycee Feild and R.C. Landingham, 86.5, $6,063 each; 7. Cole Reiner, 85.5; 8. (tie) Jess Pope, Tilden Hooper, and Clayton Biglow, 85; 11. Ty Breuer, 84; 12. Garrett Shadbolt, 82; 13. Tim O’Connell, 81; 14. Caleb Bennett, 79; 15. Orin Larsen, Out. Average leaders: 1. Jess Pope, 517 points on six head; 2. R.C. Landingham, 513.5; 3. Cole Reiner, 508.5; 4. (tie) Kaycee Feild and Cole Franks, 507.5; 6. (tie) Tim O’Connell and Rocker Steiner, 505; 8. Clayton Biglow, 503.5; 9. Leighton Berry, 497; 10. Ty Breuer, 495; 11. Garrett Shadbolt, 484; 12. Caleb Bennett, 473.5; 13. Tilden Hooper, 424 points on five head; 14. Tanner Aus, 407; 15. Orin Larsen, 217.5 points on three head. World standings: 1. Jess Pope, $262,063; 2. Cole Reiner, $207,346; 3. Leighton Berry, $201,052; 4. R.C. Landingham, $194,309; 5. Kaycee Feild, $194,306; 6. Tanner Aus, $180,036; 7. Rocker Steiner, $179,304; 8. Tim O’Connell, $172,440; 9. Cole Franks, $172,284; 10. Tilden Hooper, $166,559; 11. Caleb Bennett, $163,353; 12. Clayton Biglow, $142,671; 13. Garrett Shadbolt, $134,002; 14. Orin Larsen, $133,784; 15. Ty Breuer, $115,749.
Steer Wrestling: Sixth round: 1. Tristan Martin, 3.5 seconds, $28,914; 2. Will Lummus, 3.8, $22,851; 3. (tie) Tanner Brunner and Nick Guy, 3.9, $14,690 each; 5. J.D. Struxness, 4.0, $7,462; 6. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Timmy Sparing, 4.1, $2,332 each; 8. Rowdy Parrott, 4.2; 9. (tie) Ty Erickson and Jesse Brown, 4.5; 11. Tyler Waguespack, 4.7; 12. (tie) Stetson Jorgensen, Hunter Cure, 4.8; 14. Kyle Irwin, 5.3; 15. Dirk Tavenner, 5.4. Average leaders: 1. Kyle Irwin, 27.9 seconds on six head; 2. Rowdy Parrott, 28.1; 3. Jesse Brown, 29.3; 4. Tyler Waguespack, 29.9; 5. Will Lummus, 34.6; 6. Stetson Jorgensen, 41.9; 7. Tanner Brunner, 51.3; 8. Tristan Martin, 21.6 seconds on five head; 9. Hunter Cure, 22.1; 10. Ty Erickson, 23.6; 11. Dakota Eldridge, 25.0; 12. J.D. Struxness, 25.3; 13. Timmy Sparing, 32.8; 14. Nick Guy, 33.3; 15. Dirk Tavenner, 36.8. World standings: 1. Stetson Jorgensen, $233,733; 2. Will Lummus, $205,330; 3. Hunter Cure, $177,357; 4. Tyler Waguespack, $175,844; 5. Tristan Martin, $166,318; 6. Ty Erickson, $158,823; 7. Kyle Irwin, $156,155; 8. J.D. Struxness, $148,572; 9. Dakota Eldridge, $140,913; 10. Nick Guy, $131,625; 11. Jesse Brown, $129,228; 12. Tanner Brunner, $120,961; 13. Rowdy Parrott, $119,578; 14. Dirk Tavenner, $94,532; 15. Timmy Sparing, $93,644.
Team Roping: Sixth round: 1. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 4.0 seconds, $28,914 each; 2. Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, 4.1, $22,851; 3. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.3, $17,255; 4. Jr. Dees/Levi Lord, 4.7, $12,125; 5. Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 8.6, $7,462; 6. Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 8.9, $4,664; 7. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 9.0; 8. Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, 9.1; 9. Jake Orman/Brye Crites, 9.2; 10. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 9.9; 11. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 14.4; 12. (tie) Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler and Clay Smith/Jake Long, NT. Average leaders: 1. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 31.6 seconds on six head; 2. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 31.8 seconds on five head; 3. Jr. Dees/Levi Lord, 32.2; 4. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 37.9; 5. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 44.5; 6. Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 20.6 seconds on four head; 7. Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 22.7; 8. Jake Orman/Brye Crites, 22.9; 9. Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 25.5; 10. Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, 26.5; 11. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 17.6 seconds on three head; 12. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 19.2; 13. Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, 23.2; 14. Clay Smith/Jake Long, 46.1; 15. Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler, 14.2 seconds on two head. World standings (headers): 1. Kaleb Driggers, $274,486; 2. Clay Tryan, $203,397; 3. Tanner Tomlinson, $197,814; 4. Andrew Ward, $177,056; 5. Jr. Dees, $169,857; 6. Dustin Egusquiza, $160,792; 7. Coleman Proctor, $159,321; 8. Tyler Wade, $144,948; 9. Lightning Aguilera, $137,963; 10. Chad Masters, $134,441; 11. Clay Smith, $127,765; 12. Rhen Richard, $126,533; 13. Jake Orman, $125,380; 14. Cody Snow, $113,968; 15. Riley Minor, $103,686.
World standings (heeler): 1. Junior Nogueira, $274,486; 2. Patrick Smith, $197,814; 3. Buddy Hawkins II, $175,514; 4. Levi Lord, $171,255; 5. Jade Corkill, $169,589; 6. Jake Long, $169,245; 7. Travis Graves, $161,506; 8. Logan Medlin, $159,321; 9. Trey Yates, $141,386; 10. Joseph Harrison, $139,112; 11. Jonathan Torres, $130,509; 12. Jeremy Buhler, $127,469; 13. Brye Crites, $126,722; 14. Wesley Thorp, $113,968; 15. Brady Minor, $103,686.
Saddle Bronc Riding: Sixth round: 1. Logan Hay, 87.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Yellowstone, $28,914; 2. Stetson Wright, 87, $22,851; 3. Zeke Thurston, 86, $17,255; 4. Layton Green, 85.5, $12,125; 5. Wyatt Casper, 85, $7,462; 6. Kolby Wanchuk, 84.5, $4,664; 7. Brody Cress, 84; 8. (tie) Sage Newman, Kole Ashbacher and Tanner Butner, 82.5; 11. Dawson Hay, 82; 12. Kade Bruno, 81.5; 13. (tie) Ryder Wright, Lefty Holman, and Chase Brooks, NS. Average leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 521 points on six head; 2. Stetson Wright, 519; 3. Logan Hay, 513.5; 4. Kolby Wanchuk, 511.5; 5. Wyatt Casper, 496.5; 6. Tanner Butner, 494; 7. Kole Ashbacher, 493; 8. Brody Cress, 485; 9. Lefty Holman, 434.5 points on five head; 10. Dawson Hay, 423; 11. Sage Newman, 421; 12. Kade Bruno, 417; 13. Chase Brooks, 339 points on four head; 14. Layton Green, 336; 15. Ryder Wright, 330. World standings: 1. Sage Newman, $308,349; 2. Stetson Wright, $270,974; 3. Lefty Holman, $249,052; 4. Zeke Thurston, $239,802; 5. Logan Hay, $232,140; 6. Brody Cress, $198,707; 7. Ryder Wright, $186,610; 8. Kolby Wanchuk, $181,631; 9. Layton Green, $175,808; 10. Chase Brooks, $161,533; 11. Kade Bruno, $153,789; 12. Dawson Hay, $147,833; 13. Wyatt Casper, $145,150; 14. Tanner Butner, $133,481; 15. Kole Ashbacher, $127,543.
Tie-Down Roping: Sixth round: 1. Shad Mayfield, 6.5 seconds, $28,914; 2. John Douch, 6.6, $22,851; 3. Caleb Smidt, 7.5, $17,255; 4. Riley Webb, 7.7, $12,125; 5. Macon Murphy, 7.8, $7,462; 6. Cory Solomon, 8.0, $4,664; 7. Zack Jongbloed, 8.5; 8. Marty Yates, 9.3; 9. Shane Hanchey, 9.4; 10. Hunter Herrin, 10.2; 11. Ty Harris, 11.3; 12. Tyler Milligan, 13.8; 13. Haven Meged, 18.0; 14. (tie) Tuf Cooper and Kincade Henry, NT. Average leaders: 1. Caleb Smidt, 45.7 seconds on six head; 2. Riley Webb, 55.3; 3. Cory Solomon, 56.3; 4. Zack Jongbloed, 57.2; 5. Haven Meged, 61.1; 6. Macon Murphy, 63.9; 7. Shad Mayfield, 65.2; 8. Shane Hanchey, 68.1; 9. Ty Harris, 68.4; 10. Tyler Milligan, 72.1; 11. Marty Yates, 43.9 seconds on five head; 12. Hunter Herrin, 56.4; 13. Kincade Henry, 31.2 seconds on four head; 14. John Douch, 21.8 seconds on three head; 15. Tuf Cooper, 26.1 seconds on two head. World standings: 1. Caleb Smidt, $276,337; 2. Shad Mayfield, $265,273; 3. John Douch, $237,121; 4. Haven Meged, $188,257; 5. Kincade Henry, $188,194; 6. Marty Yates, $187,068; 7. Riley Webb, $181,136; 8. Cory Solomon, $172,965; 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. Macon Murphy, $130,717; 15. Ty Harris, $128,937.
Barrel Racing: Sixth round: 1. (tie) Emily Beisel and Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 13.57 seconds, $25,882 each; 3. Bayleigh Choate, 13.63, $17,255; 4. Lisa Lockhart, 13.64, $12,125; 5. Jessica Routier, 13.65, $7,462; 6. Shelley Morgan, 13.70, $4,664; 7. Wenda Johnson, 13.76; 8. Dona Kay Rule, 13.78; 9. Sissy Winn, 13.85; 10. Leslie Smalygo, 18.54; 11. Jordon Briggs, 18.70; 12. Margo Crowther, 18.78; 13. (tie) Stevi Hillman and Hailey Kinsel, 18.83; 15. Kassie Mowry, 19.14. Average leaders: 1. Lisa Lockhart, 82.35 seconds on six runs; 2. Shelley Morgan, 82.94; 3. Wenda Johnson, 82.95; 4. Sissy Winn, 83.66; 5. Bayleigh Choate, 83.88; 6. Jordon Briggs, 87.64; 7. Margo Crowther, 87.77; 8. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 87.94; 9. Dona Kay Rule, 88.57; 10. Jessica Routier, 89.05; 11. Hailey Kinsel, 92.10; 12. Leslie Smalygo, 92.50; 13. Kassie Mowry, 92.92; 14. Emily Beisel, 96.38; 15. Stevi Hillman, 98.49. World standings: 1. Hailey Kinsel, $225,225; 2. Jordon Briggs, $222,289; 3. Lisa Lockhart, $182,312; 4. Wenda Johnson, $177,763; 5. Emily Beisel, $166,222; 6. Dona Kay Rule, $164,956; 7. Shelley Morgan, $151,706; 8. Margo Crowther, $149,775; 9. Kassie Mowry, $142,659; 10. Stevi Hillman, $138,064; 11. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $133,641; 12. Sissy Winn, $119,310; 13. Bayleigh Choate, $118,148; 14. Jessica Routier, $108,988; 15. Leslie Smalygo, $106,578.
Bull Riding: Sixth round: 1. Tristen Hutchings, 88 points on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Caddyshack, $28,914; 2. Stetson Wright, 86.5, $22,851; 3. (tie) Josh Frost and Trevor Kastner, 85.5, $14,690 each; 5. Garrett Smith, 84, $7,462; 6. (tie) Ky Hamilton and Creek Young, 82.5, $2,332 each . 8. Cole Fischer, 74; 9. (tie) Jeff Askey, Maverick Potter, Trey Kimzey, Jared Parsonage, Trey Holston, JR Stratford, Lukasey Morris, Reid Oftedahl, NS. Average leaders: 1. Stetson Wright, 436.5 points on five head; 2. Josh Frost, 434.5; 3. Trevor Kastner, 338.5 points on four head; 4. Ky Hamilton, 332; 5. Tristen Hutchings, 269 points on three head; 6. Trey Kimzey, 261; 7. Garrett Smith, 256.5; 8. Creek Young, 169 points on two head; 9. Cole Fischer, 159.5; 10. (tie) Jeff Askey and JR Stratford, 90 points on one head; 12. Jared Parsonage, 81.5; 13. (tie) Maverick Potter, Trey Holston, Lukasey Morris, Reid Oftedahl, NS.
World standings: 1. Stetson Wright, $451,850; 2. Josh Frost, $315,738; 3. Tristen Hutchings, $227,756; 4. Jeff Askey, $216,848; 5. Trevor Kastner, $192,999; 6. Ky Hamilton, $185,841; 7. Garrett Smith, $185,002; 8. Trey Kimzey, $168,189; 9. JR Stratford, $142,943; 10. Creek Young, $127,692; 11. Maverick Potter, $126,065; 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, $563,661; 2. Caleb Smidt, $274,565; 3. Josh Frost, $222,825; 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 Leaders: 1. Caleb Smidt, $126,821; 2. Stetson Wright, $107,467; 3. Hailey Kinsel, $105,835; 4. Jess Pope, $102,804; 5. (tie) Stetson Jorgensen and Lefty Holman, $99,073 each; 7. Lisa Lockhart, $97,441; 8. Tristen Hutchings, $96,741; 9. Zeke Thurston, $95,964; 10. Logan Hay, $92,699.

 

LAS VEGAS – The stage wasn’t too big for team ropers – newcomer Tanner Tomlinson and world champion Patrick Smith Saturday night.

The duo clocked a Round 3 record 3.6-second time for the win at the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge before 17,703 spectators at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Tomlinson, 22, is making his NFR debut, and Smith, 42, is returning for the 13th time and first since 2015.

“Yeah, it was awesome, the guys right before us (Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves) went 3.8,” Smith said. “There were a bunch of 4-second runs so it kind of takes the thinking out of it for us. All we know is we’ve gotta go fast.”

Smith has won world titles in 2005 and 2010.

Tomlinson acknowledged his history-making run was a blur.

“Oh, I have been really nervous the last couple of nights, since this is my first time. It’s just happened so fast when I’m going after them, After Dustin went, I was just seeing blood.”

Saddle bronc rider Lefty Holman makes it two in a row

It didn’t take Lefty Holman long to double his Wrangler NFR pleasure. A night after winning his first career NFR round – Round 2 with an 87-point ride on Four Star Rodeo’s Wall Street – Holman captured Round 3 with a 90.5-point ride on Kirsten Vold Rodeo Company’s Sun Glow.

“That’s my first 90 (point ride) in this building,” Holman said. “I’d known that this horse coming into the day had won a lot of rounds so I knew if I did my job things would work out. I wanted to focus on getting my spur out. I know a couple of guys have had trouble with that so once my feet came clean, it was game over.”

Holman said the Round 2 victory was a key to his Round 3 win, especially mentally.

“Today I was much looser than I was (Friday),” Holman said. “I wasn’t as fired up. After the go-round win yesterday, it’s more about proving to yourself that you belong here and you’re a winner. I was a lot calmer, had more focus and even some tunnel-vision. I just hope I keep doing that throughout the week.”

Holman wants to keep this momentum going as he eyes a gold buckle.

“The world championship is definitely in the back of my mind but right now I have seven horses left in front of me,” Holman said. “I’m just going to keep attacking it one horse at a time. Like I said last night, win the day, win your horse and at the end of the week see what happens.”

Cory Solomon wins tie-down roping with 6.9-second run

Veteran tie-down roper Cory Solomon is competing in his ninth NFR and his experience and horsepower paid off for him in Round 3.

Solomon clocked the fastest time so far in the 2022 NFR with a 6.9-second time.

“I went into tonight with my mind made up, I knew I drew a really good calf,” Solomon said. “The first two nights, I’m a pretty positive person, but I knew I didn’t have a good chance at winning top money, so my goal was to make a good run and hopefully get him by the hold. The first night it worked out. The second night it didn’t. So, tonight drawing a good calf, I knew I had to capitalize on that, going up against the best guys in the world. These chances don’t come very often. Whenever this comes you just have to take advantage of it, and you’ve got to make the best of it.”

Solomon was treating his Round 3 just like a run he does in practice.

“I was just ready to get things going tonight, I don’t think the nerves ever go away in a rodeo like this and fans like this. But I just have to control them. I treat this like my practice pen now, earlier in my career I felt like I had to show people stuff here and now it’s just like my practice pen so it’s good nerves now. I’m just so thankful to get out there and have a good horse now that God blessed me with. I am just so thankful to be doing this.”

Solomon also was quick to credit his horsepower as well.

“That’s my good horse, his name is Play. He’s from Brazil. I rode him in 2020 in Arlington, that was his first year in the U.S. and he had a little injury last year and I brought him here. I rode him one day before we left. He had been off about five months before this. I just thought I would take this opportunity to ride him as much as I can for as long as I can while he’s healthy.”

Pope rises to occasion with Round 3 victory

The last two years Jess Pope has been at his best at the Wrangler NFR winning consecutive average crowns.

The Waverly, Kan., cowboy was in top form Saturday capturing Round 3 with an 86.5-point ride on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Mr. Harry.

“I had never been on that horse. I’ve seen him go a lot and I’ve seen him buck a lot and I always thought that was a bucking son of gun,” said Pope, 24. “I was a little bit nervous when I saw my name next to him, but I sure am glad it worked out. He is one to run you off your riggin’ and he is hitting you in your back trying to bring your upper body forward. It is one of those deals you have to dig down deep and see how bad you want it and see how much you can take. It is the most out of control in control chaos you have been involved in.”

Pope has a simple approach to the remaining rounds. He’s atop the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $233,149.

“I’m just going to take it one horse at a time,” he said. “I can’t control anything other than what I do and if I show up and nod my head and know that I gave it my all every time after that I’m pleased with how everything ends.”

Steer wrestler Stetson Jorgensen muscles his way to Round 3 win

Steer wrestler Stetson Jorgensen came into the Wrangler NFR as the regular season leader and hasn’t taken his foot of the gas at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Jorgensen, a four-time qualifier for the NFR, leads the world standings with $213,630.

“I got a really good start at the barrier, steer went to the right, which is going to happen when you get a start like I did.,” Jorgensen said. “My hazer walled him off for me and I finished him on the ground.

“Oh, you always get nervous, but it’s a good nervous, when you’re at the NFR if you don’t have some nerves, then something is wrong.”

Jorgensen was riding standout horse, Mable.

“Mable did a great job, came from Garrett Henry and just is the type of horse that does what needs to be done.”

Bull riders Garrett Smith and JR Stratford split Round 3 win

Bull riders Garrett Smith and JR Stratford split the Round 3 victory with 90-point rides.

Smith’s ride came aboard Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Evil Intentions and Stratford was riding Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Curly Bill.

“That bull is incredible. He got rode for a 92 last year (Creek Young, Round 3) and I knew I had a good chance to win the round. He almost got my hand from me, but I was able to hold on and stay on.

“The whole mental side of bull riding is huge, and I don’t think a lot of people see it. It is physical but the mental part is huge because just like last night, you can go out and not do well and then you have to bounce right back the following night with another bucking bull.”

Stratford also was thrilled with his score.

“It’s a dream come true. It’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was a little boy,” Stratford said. “I will say, the nerves were pretty high the first two rounds and it’s a blessing to get one knocked down.

“My adrenaline really gets running. I’d say before the round there’s a lot of nerves going through me but when I sat in the bucking chutes all three nights, it all went away.”

Barrel racer Hailey Kinsel takes another victory lap in Round 3

Make it two in a row for barrel racer Hailey Kinsel. The Texas cowgirl, who won Round 3 with a 13.61-second time, was even quicker on Saturday with a 13.59-second winning time.

“She just worked and was outstanding,” Kinsel said of Sister. “I was top of the ground, first out. That’s something you want to take advantage of if you can, so I was glad we were able to put it together tonight.”

Kinsel said the order of who runs plays a key role in strategy.

“One, it helps the timing for when your horse needs to be ready and then of course there’s ruts,” Kinsel said. “When you don’t have to run through them as the first out, you create them. On a night like tonight, I can really focus on going out there and doing my job knowing she will have good footing.”

2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Results
Round 3, Dec. 3
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.
Bareback Riding: Third round: 1. Jess Pope, 86.5 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Mr. Harry, $28,914; 2. Clayton Biglow, 85.5, $22,851; 3. R.C. Landingham, 85, $17,255; 4. Kaycee Feild, 84, $12,125; 5. Cole Reiner, 83.5, $7,462; 6. Tim O’Connell, 82.5, $4,664; 7. Tilden Hooper, 81.5; 8. (tie) Rocker Steiner and Leighton Berry, 80; 10. Ty Breuer, 79.5; 11. Cole Franks, 78; 12. Garrett Shadbolt, 73; 13. Caleb Bennett, 70.5; 14. Tanner Aus, 66.5; 15. Orin Larsen, 63. Average leaders: 1. Jess Pope, 258.5 points on three head; 2. (tie) Tilden Hooper and Clayton Biglow, 253.5; 4. (tie) Tim O’Connell, and R.C. Landingham, 252; 6. Kaycee Feild, 251; 7. Cole Reiner, 250; 8. Ty Breuer, 248; 9. Cole Franks, 247; 10. Rocker Steiner, 246; 11. (tie) Leighton Berry and Garrett Shadbolt, 239; 13. Tanner Aus, 234; 14. Caleb Bennett, 223; 15. Orin Larsen, 149 points on two head. World standings: 1. Jess Pope, $233,149; 2. Kaycee Feild, $182,181; 3. Cole Reiner, $178,432; 4. Leighton Berry, $169,107; 5. Tilden Hooper, $160,496; 6. R.C. Landingham, $159,333; 7. Tim O’Connell, $157,750; 8. Caleb Bennett, $157,290; 9. Tanner Aus, $157,185; 10. Rocker Steiner, $144,328; 11. Clayton Biglow, $142,671; 12. Cole Franks, $134,043; 13. Orin Larsen, $133,784; 14. Ty Breuer, $115,749; 15. Garrett Shadbolt, $113,949.
Steer Wrestling: Third round: 1. Stetson Jorgensen, 3.5 seconds, $28,914; 2. Will Lummus, 3.8, $22,851; 3. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Kyle Irwin, 4.1, $14,690 each; 5. J.D. Struxness, 4.3, $7,462; 6. Tristan Martin, 4.5, $4,664; 7. Rowdy Parrott, 4.6; 8. Hunter Cure, 4.7; 9. Jesse Brown, 5.0; 10. Ty Erickson, 5.4; 11. Tyler Waguespack, 6.8; 12. Tanner Brunner, 13.6; 13. Timmy Sparing, 14.2; 14. (tie) Dirk Tavenner and Nick Guy, NT. Average leaders: 1. Stetson Jorgensen, 11.9 seconds on three head; 2. Kyle Irwin, 13.1; 3. Tristan Martin, 13.8; 4. (tie) Hunter Cure and Jesse Brown, 13.9; 6. Rowdy Parrott, 14.4; 7. Ty Erickson, 15.2; 8. J.D. Struxness, 16.3; 9. Dakota Eldridge, 16.8; 10. Tyler Waguespack, 17.1; 11. Will Lummus, 22.7; 12. Tanner Brunner, 35.4; 13. Dirk Tavenner, 12.7 seconds on two head; 14. Nick Guy, 18.4; 15. Timmy Sparing, 19.2. World standings: 1. Stetson Jorgensen; $213,680; 2. Will Lummus, $152,632; 3. Hunter Cure, $148,443; 4. Kyle Irwin, $146,362; 5. Tyler Waguespack, $145,998; 6. J.D. Struxness, $141,110; 7. Tristan Martin, $132,740; 8. Ty Erickson, $129,909; 9. Dakota Eldridge, $128,788; 10. Jesse Brown, $124,564; 11. Nick Guy, $116,935; 12. Tanner Brunner, $106,271; 13. Rowdy Parrott, $99,525; 14. Dirk Tavenner, $94,532; 15. Timmy Sparing, $91,312.
Team Roping: Third round: 1. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 3.6 seconds, $28,914 each; 2. Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 3.8, $22,851; 3. Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler, 4.1, $17,255; 4. (tie) Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, Jr. Dees/Levi Lord and Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 4.3, $8,083 each; 7. Jake Orman/Brye Crites, 4.4; 8. Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 4.8; 9. Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 5.9; 10. Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, 9.1; 11. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 10.1; 12. (tie) Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, Riley Minor/Brady Minor and Clay Smith/Jake Long, NT. Average leaders: 1. Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II,15.4 seconds on three head; 2. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 17.4; 3. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 18.8; 4. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 19.2; 5. Jr. Dees/Levi Lord, 8.6 seconds on two head; 6. Jake Orman/Brye Crites, 9.2; 7. (tie) Tyler Wade/Trey Yates and Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 10.2; 9. (tie) Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill and Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 13.6; 11. Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler, 14.2; 12. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 14.6; 13. Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 3.8 seconds on one head; 14. Clay Smith/Jake Long, 4.1; 15. Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, 14.4. World standings (headers): 1. Kaleb Driggers, $269,823; 2. Clay Tryan, $177,514; 3. Andrew Ward, $169,595; 4. Tanner Tomlinson, $160,972; 5. Jr. Dees, $143,042; 6. Dustin Egusquiza, $138,874; 7. Coleman Proctor, $133,438; 8. Clay Smith, $127,765; 9. Rhen Richard, $126,534; 10. Cody Snow, $113,968; 11. Tyler Wade, $108,573; 12. Chad Masters, $105,527; 13. Jake Orman, $102,529; 14. Lightning Aguilera, $100,421; 15. Riley Minor, $99,022. World standings (heeler): 1. Junior Nogueira, $269,823; 2. Jake Long, $169,245; 3. Buddy Hawkins II, $168,053; 4. Patrick Smith, $160,972; 5. Levi Lord, $144,440; 6. Jade Corkill, $143,706; 7. Travis Graves, $139,588; 8. Logan Medlin, $133,438; 9. Jeremy Buhler, $127,469; 10. Wesley Thorp, $113,968; 11. Joseph Harrison, $110,199; 12. Trey Yates, $105,011; 13. Brye Crites, $103,871; 14. Brady Minor, $99,022; 15. Jonathan Torres, $92,968.
Saddle Bronc Riding: Third round: 1. Lefty Holman, 90.5 points on Vold Rodeo Company’s Sun Glow, $28,914; 2. Stetson Wright, 88.5, $22,851; 3. (tie) Sage Newman and Chase Brooks, 88, $14,690 each; 5. Kolby Wanchuk, 87.5, $7,462; 6. (tie) Zeke Thurston and Tanner Butner, 87, $2,332; 8. Ryder Wright, 86; 9. (tie) Logan Hay and Kole Ashbacher, 85; 11. Dawson Hay, 84.5; 12. Kade Bruno, 82.5; 13. Layton Green, 82; 14. (tie) Brody Cress and Wyatt Casper, 79. Average leaders: 1. Lefty Holman, 264 points on three head; 2. Zeke Thurston, 260; 3. Sage Newman, 259; 4. Stetson Wright, 258.5; 5. Kolby Wanchuk, 256.5; 6. Dawson Hay, 253.5; 7. (tie) Logan Hay and Tanner Butner, 252.5; 9. Kole Ashbacher, 251; 10. Kade Bruno, 248; 11. Wyatt Casper, 244.5; 12. Brody Cress, 237.5; 13. Chase Brooks, 168.5 points on two head; 14. Ryder Wright, 163.5; 15. Layton Green, 162.5. World standings: 1. Sage Newman, $308,349; 2. Stetson Wright, $233,433; 3. Lefty Holman, $223,869; 4. Brody Cress, $198,707; 5. Zeke Thurston, $193,633; 6. Ryder Wright, $171,920; 7. Logan Hay, $166,851; 8. Kolby Wanchuk, $162,277; 9. Layton Green, $148,993; 10. Kade Bruno, $147,726; 11. Dawson Hay, $141,771; 12. Chase Brooks, $138,682; 13. Wyatt Casper, $135,356; 14. Tanner Butner, $133,481; 15. Kole Ashbacher, $127,543.
Tie-Down Roping: Third round: 1. Cory Solomon, 6.9 seconds, $28,914; 2. Kincade Henry, 7.4, $22,851; 3. (tie) John Douch and Caleb Smidt, 7.5, $14,690 each; 5. Macon Murphy, 7.6, $7,462; 6. (tie) Haven Meged and Tyler Milligan, 7.7, $2,332 each; 8. Tuf Cooper, 8.1; 9. Shane Hanchey, 8.3; 10. Shad Mayfield, 9.3; 11. (tie) Zack Jongbloed and Riley Webb, 11.1; 13. Ty Harris, 17.5; 14. Hunter Herrin, 18.4; 15. Marty Yates, NT. Average leaders: 1. Caleb Smidt, 22.2 seconds on three head; 2. Cory Solomon, 24.5; 3. Haven Meged, 24.9; 4. Shad Mayfield, 27.9; 5. Zack Jongbloed, 29.6; 6. Riley Webb, 31.6; 7. Macon Murphy, 32.0; 8. Hunter Herrin, 34.6; 9. Ty Harris, 35.5; 10. Shane Hanchey, 36.0; 11. Tyler Milligan, 40.3; 12. Kincade Henry, 15.5 seconds on two head; 13. Marty Yates, 19.9; 14. John Douch, 7.5 seconds on one head; 15. Tuf Cooper, 8.1. World standings: 1. Shad Mayfield, $236,359; 2. Caleb Smidt, $232,033; 3. John Douch, $191,419; 4. Haven Meged, $178,463; 5. Cory Solomon, $168,302; 6. Hunter Herrin, $159,280; 7. Kincade Henry, $157,648; 8. Shane Hanchey, $154,908; 9. Riley Webb, $139,631; 10. Zack Jongbloed, $139,293; 11. Tuf Cooper, $134,382; 12. Marty Yates, $132,272; 13. Tyler Milligan, $131,039; 14. Ty Harris, $128,937; 15. Macon Murphy, $123,255.
Barrel Racing: Third round: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 13.59 seconds, $28,914; 2. Dona Kay Rule, 13.74, $22,851; 3. Lisa Lockhart, 13.78, $17,255; 4. Shelley Morgan, 13.80, $12,125; 5. Jordon Briggs, 13.86, $7,462; 6. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 13.87, $4,664; 7. Sissy Winn, 13.91; 8. Leslie Smalygo, 13.93; 9. Kassie Mowry, 13.94; 10. (tie) Margo Crowther and Jessica Routier, 13.97; 12. Wenda Johnson, 13.98; 13. Stevi Hillman, 14.03; 14. Bayleigh Choate, 14.17; 15. Emily Beisel, 18.53. Average leaders: 1. Wenda Johnson, 41.30 seconds on three runs; 2. Jordon Briggs, 41.48; 3. Lisa Lockhart, 41.54; 4. Margo Crowther, 41.61; 5. Leslie Smalygo, 41.74; 6. Shelley Morgan, 41.75; 7. Sissy Winn, 41.98; 8. Bayleigh Choate, 42.09; 9. Hailey Kinsel, 46.09; 10. Kassie Mowry, 46.43; 11. Dona Kay Rule, 46.54; 12. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 46.89; 13. Stevi Hillman, 47.38; 14. Jessica Routier, 47.77; 15. Emily Beisel, 50.92. World standings: 1. Jordon Briggs, $212,496; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $187,217; 3. Wenda Johnson, $177,763; 4. Dona Kay Rule, $164,956; 5. Shelley Morgan, $137,250; 6. Stevi Hillman, $130,602; 7. Margo Crowther, $129,722; 8. Kassie Mowry, $125,404; 9. Lisa Lockhart, $124,251; 10. Sissy Winn, $119,310; 11. Emily Beisel, $111,426; 12. Leslie Smalygo, $106,578; 13. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $103,095; 14. Bayleigh Choate, $100,893; 15. Jessica Routier, $96,863.
Bull Riding: Third round: 1. (tie) Garrett Smith, on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Evil Intentions, and JR Stratford, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Curly Bill, 90 points, $25,882 each; 3. (tie) Josh Frost and Creek Young, 86.5, $14,690 each; 5. Ky Hamilton, 85.5, $7,462; 6. Trevor Kastner, 75, $4,664; 7. (tie) Stetson Wright, Jeff Askey, Tristen Hutchings, Maverick Potter, Trey Kimzey, Jared Parsonage, Trey Holston, Lukasey Morris, Cole Fischer, NS; 16. Reid Oftedahl, Out. Average leaders: 1. Josh Frost, 174.5 points on two head; 2. Garrett Smith, 172.5; 3. Stetson Wright, 171.5; 4. Trevor Kastner, 164; 5. Ky Hamilton, 163; 6. Tristen Hutchings, 90.5 points on one head; 7. (tie) Jeff Askey and JR Stratford, 90; 9. Creek Young, 86.5; 10. Trey Kimzey, 86; 11. Jared Parsonage, 81.5; 12. (tie) Maverick Potter, Trey Holston, Lukasey Morris and Cole Fischer, NS. 16. Reid Oftedahl, Out. World standings: 1. Stetson Wright, $384,929; 2. Josh Frost, $265,372; 3. Jeff Askey, $216,848; 4. Garrett Smith, $177,540; 5. Ky Hamilton, $173,717; 6. Tristen Hutchings, $166,897; 7. Trevor Kastner, $155,458; 8. JR Stratford, $142,943; 9. Trey Kimzey, $130,648; 10. Maverick Potter, $126,065; 11. Creek Young, $125,360; 12. Jared Parsonage, $122,314; 13. Trey Holston, $118,892; 14. Lukasey Morris, $110,667; 15. Reid Oftedahl, $107,944; 16. Cole Fischer, $106,330.
All-Around: 1. Stetson Wright, $462,230; 2. Caleb Smidt, $230,261; 3. Josh Frost, $175,491; 4. Haven Meged, $164,872; 5. Taylor Santos, $159,179; 6. Zack Jongbloed, $140,592; 7. Coleman Proctor, $138,605; 8. Marty Yates, $129,898; 9. Rhen Richard, $129,783; 10. Paul David Tierney, $118,792.
Top Gun Leader: 1. Caleb Smidt, $82,517; 2. Stetson Jorgensen, $79,020; 3. (tie) Jess Pope and Lefty Holman, $73,890 each; 5. Hailey Kinsel, $67,827; 6. Wenda Johnson, $56,169; 7. Kincade Henry, $55,702; 8. Sage Newman, $55,158; 9. (tie) Patrick Smith and Tanner Tomlinson, $53,604 each.

 

LAS VEGAS – Add another line to the ever-growing impressive resume of Stetson Wright.

Wright, with his 88-point winning bull ride on Dakota Rodeo’s Pookie Holler, became the youngest cowboy in PRCA history to surpass the $2 million dollar mark in career earnings.

Wright, who is 23 years-old and 240 days, upped his unofficial career earnings to $2,050,520.

“Every goal to me is just as important. To cross that $2 million dollar mark, it’s special,” Wright said. “I’m speechless. When I hear something like that, it makes me emotional. I’m the luckiest guy on the planet and I can’t be thankful enough for how these last four years have gone.”

Wright, who joined the PRCA in 2018, has won five world titles – three in all-around (2019-21) and one in bull riding (2020) and one in saddle bronc riding (2021).

Wright earned $49,666 with his bull riding victory and $7,462 by placing fifth in saddle bronc riding with his 85-point ride on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Cancun Moon.

“He’s a good bull, he’s an awkward build and bucking bull so you have to ride him really funky,” Wright said. “I’ve never had to ride a bull the way I rode him.”

“It gives you a lot of momentum and the confidence is everything. This was the eliminator pen for us. For Ky (Hamilton, who had a 77-point ride) and me to ride these top-ranked bulls, it gives you the thought that ‘you should be able to ride all of the bulls.’ Right now, I feel 10-feet tall and bulletproof. I’m sure Ky feels the same way.”

Tie-down roper Caleb Smidt makes it two in a row

Tie-down roper Caleb Smidt keeps on winning. After capturing Round 1 with a 7.5-second run he added the Round 2 victory with an even quicker 7.2-second run.

In two nights, Smidt has earned $57,827 and is second in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $217,343. He trails leader Shad Mayfield by $19,016.

“There’s truly no words to describe it, there’s no other feeling like it,” said Smidt about his winning ways.

After winning Round 1, Smidt was able to slow everything down.

“I just came back tonight and did my job, I tried not to think too much about it,” said Smidt, 33.

Smidt was to the point when talking about his game plan for the remainder of the NFR.

“I’m going to do the same thing I did the last two nights,” he said. “As long as I keep having fun and keep my steps simple, it’ll be a lot of fun here.”

Bareback rider Leighton Berry gets first career NFR round win

At the 2020 Wrangler NFR, Leighton Berry was on the cusp of a round win placing second three times.

Berry doesn’t have to wait any longer for NFR glory.

The Weatherford, Texas, cowboy had an 86.5-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Top Egyptian to win Round 2.

“Man, it feels like a weight lifted off my shoulders,” said Berry, 23. “I won second in Round 2, 3 and 4 in Arlington (Texas, at the 2020 Wrangler NFR) and I have just been craving to get one of those buckles and to finally have one means the world to me. It feels great to win (a round in Las Vegas). I have been dreaming of this since I was a little kid.”

Berry was no stranger to Top Egyptian.

“What’s funny is I was first out on the San Angelo (Texas) Chute-Out (in April) on that horse, and I thought I made an even better ride then and I was only 86,” Berry said. “That horse is phenomenal. Cullen Pickett, I can’t say enough about him, he raises such great bucking horses and takes time with them. Every time I have one by my name, I get full of jitters. I love getting on Cullen Pickett bucking horses.”

Veteran steer wrestler Hunter Cure grabs Round 2 victory

Steer wrestler Hunter Cure is no stranger to NFR success as he has walked away with PRCA World Championships in 2015 and 2018.

Cure, of Holliday, Texas, returned to the Wrangler NFR for the first time since 2019 and was taking a victory lap after Round 2 with a 3.7-second time.

“I got such an aggressive start, I felt like I broke out and at most rodeos, I would have,” said Cure, a six-time NFR qualifier in 2009, 2013, 2015, 2018-19. “The steer got out fast and really didn’t have a chance to build up a lot of speed, so he didn’t handle it as well as some of the others, but it worked and first is first and now on to the next one.”

Cure, a savvy veteran, believes he now has his emotions in check.

“The first round always seems to get to me, not sure what it is but otherwise, nerves aren’t an issue,” Cure said.

Saddle bronc rider Lefty Holman captures first career round win

The charismatic Lefty Holman couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.

The Visalia, Calif., cowboy was grinning ear-to-ear after winning Round 2 with an 87-point ride on Four Star Rodeo’s Wall Street.

“It truly is the best feeling in the world,” Holman said. “When you work so hard to get here and then you are able to succeed here, it’s the best. I’m blessed with a great support system and super grateful for it.”

Holman was riding Wall Street for the third time which helped his cause.

“Yeah, that’s a California buckin’ horse. It’s a cool deal that is going on and definitely a win I will never forget,” Holman said.

Holman made his NFR debut in 2022 in Arlington, Texas, and he was thrilled to be in the yellow bucking chutes in Vegas.

“Everything is just right on top of you. The energy in there is something that I’ve never felt,” Holman said. “My heart was pounding when I got off. I looked up and my parents were hollering. It just feels like there’s people breathing down your neck. It’s the craziest feeling in the world.”

Team ropers Smith/Long top Round 2

Team roping header Clay Smith broke his right leg on June 28, but he was bound and determined to qualify for the Wrangler NFR with his then recently acquired partner Jake Long.

That mission was accomplished and on Thursday the duo added a Round 2 win to their accolades.

“It’s good. Good to catch one. There’s enough money to where every round means something so it’s good to get it started,” Smith said.

Long is thrilled to be teamed up with Smith, a two-time world champ in 2018 and 2019.

“Well, I think a great header like him (Clay Smith) isn’t going to miss very often,” Long said. “I was as shocked as anybody when that first one (rope) didn’t stay on (in Round 1). I wasn’t very worried about it happening too often.”

After an injury-riddled regular season, Smith pointed out the reasons to his late-season surge.

“I had a horse that really helped and Jake that didn’t mess up so that was the key,” Smith said.

Long, a 12-time NFR qualifier, is excited to be roping in the Thomas & Mack Center.

“Well, I think it’s always fit me because I like to be aggressive,” he said. “As a heeler, it’s about getting out there and getting to your spot fast enough. To get into a spot where you can do it fast enough without affecting the steer, that’s the challenge.”

Smith has mapped out a strategy moving forward.

“That’s something we’ve talked about. I’m going to try my best to give him something to win on the 10th round because since I’ve been here, it’s always come down to the last steer,” Smith said. “We’re going to have to be pretty aggressive from here on out. I’m just hoping I set him up.”

Barrel racer Hailey Kinsel takes Round 2 victory

Barrel racer Hailey Kinsel flexed her muscles with a 13.61-second run to take the Round 2 crown.

“It’s always a great crowd on a Friday night at the Thomas & Mack. I just changed a couple of things about my approach into the first barrel and everything else stayed just about the same. We got in the flow, and it felt good.”

The margins in barrel racing are razor thin so she made adjustments for Round 2.

“It does just a tiny bit. It feels enough out-of-whack that you have to jump over an additional hump. Luckily, we smoothed that out tonight. My horse (Sister) is so fast and she allowed me not to make many mistakes. She pushes me to be better every night.

“It’s special, it’s tiny, and it’s a lot of energy packed into one little place. It’s a rush like you’d never feel anywhere else.”

Bull rider Reid Oftedahl suffers injury in Round 2

Bull rider Reid Oftedahl was injured during Round 2 while aboard Rafter H Rodeo Livestock’s Under the Influence. Oftedahl, who is from Raymond, Minn., was thrown forward and hit the bull’s head and tossed to the arena dirt.

Oftedahl, who was wearing a helmet, was diagnosed with a closed head injury by the Justin Sports Medicine Team and was transported for further evaluation.

2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Results
Round 2, Dec. 2
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.
Bareback Riding: Second round: 1. Leighton Berry, 86.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo Company’s Top Egyptian, $28,914; 2. (tie) Tanner Aus and Tilden Hooper, 85.5, $20,053 each; 4. Jess Pope, 85, $12,125; 5. Tim O’Connell, 84, $7,462; 6. (tie) R.C. Landingham, Cole Franks, Ty Breuer, 83.5, $1,555 each; 9. (tie) Cole Reiner and Clayton Biglow, 83; 11. Garrett Shadbolt, 82.5; 12. Rocker Steiner, 81; 13. Kaycee Feild, 79.5; 14. Caleb Bennett, 73.5; 15. Orin Larsen, NS. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Jess Pope and Tilden Hooper, 172 points on two head; 3. Tim O’Connell, 169.5; 4. Cole Franks, 169; 5. Ty Breuer, 168.5; 6. Clayton Biglow, 168; 7. Tanner Aus, 167.5; 8. (tie) Kaycee Feild and R.C. Landingham, 167; 10. Cole Reiner, 166.5; 11. (tie) Rocker Steiner and Garrett Shadbolt, 166; 13. Leighton Berry, 159; 14. Caleb Bennett, 152.5; 15. Orin Larsen, 86 points on one head. World standings: 1. Jess Pope, $204,235; 2. Cole Reiner, $170,971; 3. Kaycee Feild, $170,056; 4. Leighton Berry, $169,107; 5. Tilden Hooper, $160,496; 6. Caleb Bennett, $157,290; 7. Tanner Aus, $157,185; 8. Tim O’Connell, $153,087; 9. Rocker Steiner, $144,328; 10. R.C. Landingham, $142,078; 11. Cole Franks, $134,043; 12. Orin Larsen, $133,784; 13. Clayton Biglow, $119,820; 14. Ty Breuer, $115,749; 15. Garrett Shadbolt, $113,949.
Steer Wrestling: Second round: 1. Hunter Cure, 3.7 seconds, $28,914; 2. Stetson Jorgensen, 4.2, $22,851; 3. Kyle Irwin, 4.3, $17,255; 4. Tyler Waguespack, 4.4, $12,125; 5. Tristan Martin, 4.6, $7,462; 6. Rowdy Parrott, 4.7, $4,664; 7. Jesse Brown, 4.9; 8. (tie) Will Lummus and Timmy Sparing, 5.0; 10. J.D. Struxness, 5.2; 11. Ty Erickson, 5.3; 12. Dirk Tavenner, 5.7; 13. Dakota Eldridge, 6.7; 14. Tanner Brunner, 10.2; 15. Nick Guy, 14.6. Average leaders: 1. Stetson Jorgensen, 8.4 seconds on two head; 2. Jesse Brown, 8.9; 3. Kyle Irwin, 9.0; 4. Hunter Cure, 9.2; 5. Tristan Martin, 9.3; 6. (tie) Ty Erickson and Rowdy Parrott, 9.8; 8. Tyler Waguespack, 10.3; 9. J.D. Struxness, 12.0; 10. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Dirk Tavenner, 12.7; 12. Nick Guy, 18.4; 13. Will Lummus, 18.9; 14. Tanner Brunner, 21.8; 15. Timmy Sparing, 5.0 seconds on one head. World standings: 1. Stetson Jorgensen, $184,767; 2. Hunter Cure, $148,443; 3. Tyler Waguespack, $145,998; 4. J.D. Struxness, $133,649; 5. Kyle Irwin, $131,672; 6. Ty Erickson, $129,909; 7. Will Lummus, $129,781; 8. Tristan Martin, $128,077; 9. Jesse Brown, $124,564; 10. Nick Guy, $116,935; 11. Dakota Eldridge, $114,098; 12. Tanner Brunner, $106,271; 13. Rowdy Parrott, $99,525; 14. Dirk Tavenner, $94,532; 15. Timmy Sparing, $91,312.
Team Roping: Second round: 1. Clay Smith/Jake Long, 4.1 seconds, $28,914 each; 2. Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 4.3, $22,851; 3. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.4, $14,690 each; 5. Jake Orman/Brye Crites, 4.8, $7,462; 6. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 4.9, $4,664; 7. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 5.1; 8. Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 5.4; 9. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 8.9; 10. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 9.3; 11. Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler, 10.1; 12. (tie) Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, Jr. Dees/Levi Lord and Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, NT. Average leaders: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 9.1 seconds on two head; 2. Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 9.5; 3. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 10.2; 4. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 13.8; 5. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 14.5; 6. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 14.6; 7. Clay Smith/Jake Long, 4.1 seconds on one head; 8. Jr. Dees/Levi Lord, 4.3; 9. Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, 4.5; 10. Jake Orman/Brye Crites, 4.8; 11. Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 5.4; 12. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 9.3; 13. Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler, 10.1; 14. Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, 14.4; 15. Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, NT. World standings (headers): 1. Kaleb Driggers, $269,823; 2. Clay Tryan, $177,514; 3. Andrew Ward, $169,595; 4. Jr. Dees, $134,959; 5. Tanner Tomlinson, $132,058; 6. Clay Smith, $127,765; 7. Coleman Proctor, $125,355; 8. Dustin Egusquiza, $116,022; 9. Cody Snow, $113,968; 10. Rhen Richard, $109,279; 11. Tyler Wade, $108,573; 12. Jake Orman, $102,529; 13. Lightning Aguilera, $100,421; 14. Riley Minor, $99,022; 15. Chad Masters, $97,444. World standings (heeler): 1. Junior Nogueira, $269,823; 2. Jake Long, $169,245; 3. Buddy Hawkins II, $168,053; 4. Jade Corkill, $143,706; 5. Levi Lord, $136,357; 6. Patrick Smith, $132,058; 7. Logan Medlin, $125,355; 8. Travis Graves, $116,737; 9. Wesley Thorp, $113,968; 10. Jeremy Buhler, $110,214; 11. Trey Yates, $105,011; 12. Brye Crites, $103,871; 13. Joseph Harrison, $102,115; 14. Brady Minor, $99,022; 15. Jonathan Torres, $92,968.
Saddle Bronc Riding: Second round: 1. Lefty Holman, 87 points on Four Star Rodeo’s Wall Street, $28,914; 2. (tie) Zeke Thurston, Logan Hay and Tanner Butner, 85.5, $17,410 each; 5. Stetson Wright, 85, $7,462; 6. (tie) Sage Newman, Kolby Wanchuk and Wyatt Casper, 82, $1,555 each; 9. Dawson Hay, 81.5; 10. (tie) Kade Bruno and Kole Ashbacher, 81; 12. Chase Brooks, 80.5; 13. Brody Cress, 72; 14. (tie) Ryder Wright and Layton Green, NS. Average leaders: 1. Lefty Holman, 173.5 points on two head; 2. Zeke Thurston, 173; 3. Sage Newman, 171; 4. Stetson Wright, 170; 5. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk and Dawson Hay, 169; 7. Logan Hay, 167.5; 8. Kole Ashbacher, 166; 9. (tie) Kade Bruno, Wyatt Casper and Tanner Butner, 165.5; 12. Brody Cress, 158.5; 13. (tie) Layton Green and Chase Brooks, 80.5 points on one head; 15. Ryder Wright, 77.5. World standings: 1. Sage Newman, $293,659; 2. Stetson Wright, $210,581; 3. Brody Cress, $198,707; 4. Lefty Holman, $194,956; 5. Zeke Thurston, $191,301; 6. Ryder Wright, $171,920; 7. Logan Hay, $166,851; 8. Kolby Wanchuk, $154,816; 9. Layton Green, $148,993; 10. Kade Bruno, $147,726; 11. Dawson Hay, $141,771; 12. Wyatt Casper, $135,356; 13. Tanner Butner, $131,150; 14. Kole Ashbacher, $127,543; 15. Chase Brooks, $123,992.
Tie-Down Roping: Second round: 1. Caleb Smidt, 7.2 seconds, $28,914; 2. Shad Mayfield, 7.4, $22,851; 3. Hunter Herrin, 7.7, $17,255; 4. Shane Hanchey, 7.8, $12,125; 5. (tie) Haven Meged, Zack Jongbloed and Ty Harris, 8.4, $4,042 each. 8. Cory Solomon, 8.8; 9. Marty Yates, 9.8; 10. Riley Webb, 11.8; 11. Macon Murphy, 12.0; 12. Tyler Milligan, 15.5; 13. (tie) John Douch, Tuf Cooper and Kincade Henry, NT. Average leaders: 1. Caleb Smidt, 14.7 seconds on two head; 2. Hunter Herrin, 16.2; 3. Haven Meged, 17.2; 4. Cory Solomon, 17.6; 5. Ty Harris, 18.0; 6. Zack Jongbloed, 18.5; 7. Shad Mayfield, 18.6; 8. Marty Yates, 19.9; 9. Riley Webb, 20.5; 10. Macon Murphy, 24.4; 11. Shane Hanchey, 27.7; 12. Tyler Milligan, 32.6; 13. Kincade Henry, 8.1 seconds on one head; 14. (tie) John Douch and Tuf Cooper, N.T. World standings: 1. Shad Mayfield, $236,359; 2. Caleb Smidt, $217,343; 3. John Douch, $176,729; 4. Haven Meged, $176,132; 5. Hunter Herrin, $159,280; 6. Shane Hanchey, $154,908; 7. Riley Webb, $139,631; 8. Cory Solomon, $139,388; 9. Zack Jongbloed, $139,293; 10. Kincade Henry, $134,797; 11. Tuf Cooper, $134,382; 12. Marty Yates, $132,272; 13. Ty Harris, $128,937; 14. Tyler Milligan, $128,708; 15. Macon Murphy, $115,793.
Barrel Racing: Second round: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 13.61 seconds, $28,914; 2. Margo Crowther, 13.72, $22,851; 3. Wenda Johnson, 13.75, $17,255; 4. Lisa Lockhart, 13.78, $12,125; 5. Sissy Winn, 13.88, $7,462; 6. Shelley Morgan, 13.91, $4,664; 7. Jordon Briggs, 13.92; 8. Bayleigh Choate, 13.95; 9. Leslie Smalygo, 14.01; 10. Emily Beisel, 18.57; 11. Kassie Mowry, 18.84; 12. Dona Kay Rule, 18.89; 13. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 18.93; 14. Stevi Hillman, 19.18; 15. Jessica Routier, 19.40. Average leaders: 1. Wenda Johnson, 27.32 seconds on two runs; 2. Jordon Briggs, 27.62; 3. Margo Crowther, 27.64; 4. Lisa Lockhart, 27.76; 5. Leslie Smalygo, 27.81; 6. Bayleigh Choate, 27.92; 7. Shelley Morgan, 27.95; 8. Sissy Winn, 28.07; 9. Emily Beisel, 32.39; 10. Kassie Mowry, 32.49; 11. Hailey Kinsel, 32.50; 12. Dona Kay Rule, 32.80; 13. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 33.02; 14. Stevi Hillman, 33.35; 15. Jessica Routier, 33.80. World standings: 1. Jordon Briggs, $205,034; 2. Wenda Johnson, $177,763; 3. Hailey Kinsel, $158,303; 4. Dona Kay Rule, $142,105; 5. Stevi Hillman, $130,602; 6. Margo Crowther, $129,722; 7. Kassie Mowry, $125,404; 8. Shelley Morgan, $125,124; 9. Sissy Winn, $119,310; 10. Emily Beisel, $111,426; 11. Lisa Lockhart, $106,996; 12. Leslie Smalygo, $106,578; 13. Bayleigh Choate, $100,893; 14. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $98,433; 15. Jessica Routier, $96,863.
Bull Riding: Second round: 1. Stetson Wright, 88 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Pookie Holler, $49,666; 2. Ky Hamilton, 77.5, $43,604; 3. (tie) Josh Frost, Jeff Askey, Garrett Smith, Tristen Hutchings, Trevor Kastner, Maverick Potter, Trey Kimzey, Jared Parsonage, Trey Holston, JR Stratford, Creek Young, Lukasey Morris, Reid Oftedahl, Cole Fischer, NS. Average leaders: 1. Stetson Wright, 171.5 points on two head; 2. Tristen Hutchings, 90.5 points on one head; 3. Jeff Askey, 90; 4. Trevor Kastner, 89; 5. Josh Frost, 88; 6. Trey Kimzey, 86; 7. Garrett Smith, 82.5; 8. Jared Parsonage, 81.5; 9. Ky Hamilton, 77.5; 10. (tie) Maverick Potter, Trey Holston, JR Stratford, Creek Young, Lukasey Morris, Reid Oftedahl and Cole Fischer, NS. World standings: 1. Stetson Wright, $384,929; 2. Josh Frost, $250,682; 3. Jeff Askey, $216,848; 4. Tristen Hutchings, $166,897; 5. Ky Hamilton, $166,255; 6. Garrett Smith, $151,658; 7. Trevor Kastner, $150,795; 8. Trey Kimzey, $130,648; 9. Maverick Potter, $126,065; 10. Jared Parsonage, $122,314; 11. Trey Holston, $118,892; 12. JR Stratford, $117,061; 13. Creek Young, $110,670; 14. Lukasey Morris, $110,667; 15. Reid Oftedahl, $107,943; 16. Cole Fischer, $106,330.
All-Around: 1. Stetson Wright, $460,131; 2. Caleb Smidt, $215,571; 3. Haven Meged, $162,541; 4. Josh Frost, $160,801; 5. Taylor Santos, $159,179; 6. Zack Jongbloed, $140,592; 7. Coleman Proctor, $130,521; 8. Marty Yates, $129,898; 9. Paul David Tierney, $118,792; 10. Rhen Richard, $112,528.

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo – The PRCA Linderman Award is one of the most prestigious awards in ProRodeo. It recognizes a cowboy who won at least $1,000 in three events, and those events must include at least one roughstock and one timed-event.

The 2022 Linderman Award winner is Randlett, Utah, cowboy Josh Frost. This past season Frost earned $228,557 in bull riding, $4,037 in tie-down roping, and another $1,091 in the steer wrestling. He said qualifying for the award is at the top of his list each season when writing out his goals for the year.

“It’s a great honor. It was one of my goals starting out the 2022 season,” said Frost, a three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “Being as committed as I am to winning a gold buckle in bull riding it really adds some challenges, but I take a lot of pride in the award. It’s always bittersweet when I know I get my qualifications for it.”

He said it’s the cowboy legacy the award encompasses that keeps him competing for it year after year. Frost is the second member of his family to capture the distinguished Linderman Award, his older brother, Joe, 27, captured the award in 2014.

“The cowboy legacy that goes with it is what really drew me in. The Linderman Award is very prestigious and like I said I enter all three events for that reason,” he said. “If they didn’t have the Linderman I probably wouldn’t enter the steer wrestling.

“That third event really adds a challenge to it. I take a lot of pride in that award to have my name on the list with all the other great cowboys that have won it.”

He believes it’s an award that’s gaining more popularity across the ProRodeo ranks. Frost thinks the competition will be even stiffer in the years to come.

“There’s several other guys who I think are starting to try and compete for it,” Frost said. “I think I might have a little more competition in the years ahead. It’s dang sure something I have my eyes set on and I would like to get my name on that list a few more times.”

Frost has now won three straight Linderman awards. His first came back in 2019, followed up by 2021 and 2022. He hopes to be remembered as not just a bull rider, but a cowboy. He’s gained even more respect for the other events along the way. The Linderman Award was not awarded in 2020.

“I grew up doing all the events and have spent a lot of time on them throughout my life,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for all the other events because I have competed on both ends and know what it’s like.

“I know how much time and effort it takes to be successful in the bull riding and I know the time and effort I’ve put into the timed-events and I’m not even nearly as competitive as the top guys in the world. At the end of the day I want to be remembered as a cowboy and not just a bull rider.”

Kyle Whitaker holds the PRCA record for most Linderman Awards won with 10 in his ProRodeo career.

“First of all, I never knew I was nominated,” Veneklasen said. “They called me up and said I was PRCA Vet of the Year. I was kind of shocked and it is an honor. I was nominated in 2010 by Trevor Brazile, Speed Williams, and Travis Tryan. I got a little bronze and I never thought about it ever again. Brenda Binion Michael, who passed away in July, and who was my best friend, I’m going to accept with her. We are sharing it together. She told me I was never going to be Vet of the Year. She was very blunt. They are never going to be ready for a guy who wears Hawaiian shirts every day. I wear Hawaiian shirts every day and I always have.

“I would not be where I am today without Brenda (Binion) Michael. She introduced me to Clint Johnson and Mindy Johnson, who are my dearest friends, 30 years. I have done this because of Brenda.”

A practicing veterinarian for the last 40 years, Veneklasen has worked with the Frontier Rodeo Company for 15 years. He cares for many of their top bucking horses, ensuring they are healthy and able to compete at a top level. He has also cloned some of their award-winning bucking horses in an effort to keep the genetics viable for years to come.

Veneklasen is known to many contestants and stock contractors as Dr. Rodeo and is given credit for single-handedly revolutionizing the bucking horse industry.

The careers of some the greatest bucking horses were in danger of being cut short because of injuries or other ailments but Dr. Veneklasen dedicated his career and practice to helping these equine athletes through injections, supplements, nutrition, and rehabilitation. He received his DVM from Colorado State University and owns and operates Timber Creek Veterinary Hospital in Canyon, Texas.

“I saw some of my letters that were written and obviously I have done a lot of timed-events and the first nomination (in 2010) was with timed-event people and this nomination is all with stock contractors,” Veneklasen said. “I still do timed events, but I think it is pretty cool that the PRCA is recognizing maybe these bucking horses are pretty cool after all.

“I have had a great life and a great journey prior to rodeo, and Brenda Michael and Michael and Paula Gaughan are my mentors, and I would have never had them without Brenda. I’m excited every day to get to do what I do.”

Veterinarians play an integral role in ProRodeo. This award, created in 2010, honors veterinarians who have dedicated their lives in support of the health and welfare of our ProRodeo livestock.

Veterinarians are nominated by PRCA membership and must exhibit an extraordinary commitment to the health and welfare of our livestock. A review and selection committee made up of advocates and industry experts carefully consider the merits of each nominee and their contributions to the sport of rodeo. The nominees are also judged on the number of years they’ve been involved in rodeo, as well as their community involvement.

Veneklasen will be recognized at the PRCA Awards Banquet at the South Point Hotel, Casino, and Spa in Las Vegas on Nov. 30.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 13) – The ProRodeo Hall of Fame is proud to announce the completion of its Panoramic and Oversized Photograph Restoration Project.

This project started in 2019 when the Hall received a Save America’s Treasures Grant from the National Parks Service administered by the Institute for Museum and Library Services. The grant was to help with the humidifying, flattening, cleaning, repairing, and digitizing of 120 panoramic and oversized photographs that dated from 1912 to 1959. The Hall was awarded $95,500 in grant funds that had to be matched, dollar for dollar, by the Hall of Fame.

After an extension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hall and the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts were able to complete the project this September. The three-year long project is now finished, and the Hall wishes to thank the many individuals, businesses, corporations, and rodeo committees that helped match the grant funds through their generous donations.

“It was customary back in those days to take a group photograph of everyone involved in the rodeo,” said Kent Sturman, Director of the Hall. “These groups include not only the contestants, but the producers, officials, clowns, personnel, workers, and in some cases, even the rodeo band and local Native American groups. As a result, when these images were printed, they were quite large and panoramic in nature. Some of the committees whose photos are in the collection, donated to this project.”

Many of the photographs were taken in the arena with several on horseback, while others were taken just as groups in front of places such as city hall or the local courthouse. Many of the Madison Square Garden group photographs in New York City were taken in the basement of that historic building.

All final paperwork, reports, and budgets have been filed and the original photographs are being shipped back to the Hall from the lab in Philadelphia this week.

 

“We are so happy that this project is now complete, and the images will be forever preserved for future generations,” Sturman said. “Our fund-raising efforts were derailed almost a year with the pandemic, but we were granted an extension from the IMLS to raise the funds and complete the restoration of these incredibly historic photographs.”

 

The 120 photographs, which had not been thoroughly studied since their arrival at the Hall, received top treatment and are now available for viewing on the Hall of Fame’s digital database, where they can be viewed and enjoyed by anyone.

To showcase the completed photographs, an exhibit in the Hall’s 101 Gallery opened Sept. 28, and will remain in the gallery until later in the spring of 2023. The exhibit features many of the restored images and items from collections that tie-in with the rodeos featured in the photographs. One of the images was enlarged to five feet wide to encourage visitors to identify the cowboys and cowgirls at the 1953 Madison Square Garden Rodeo.

 

Another wall of the exhibit showcases the process that the images went through at the conservation center during the humidification and digitization stages. Before and after images tell the story of how well the photographs were restored and repaired. Even the most damaged images look new again.

 

Still another wall showcases the changes in the Madison Square Garden contestants from 1923 to 1959. Visitors are encouraged to examine the photographs and note the changes and similarities in western wear styles of both the audiences and the rodeo participants.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Cinch Playoffs will play a bigger role than ever before in deciding who makes it to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with a payout of more than $1 million on the final weekend of the 2023 season.   On Monday afternoon, the PRCA, the State of South Dakota, Experience Sioux Falls and Cinch announced the Cinch Playoffs will have athletes competing for the Governor’s Cup and vying for the more than $1 million purse Sept. 28-30, 2023, at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. It will be the richest rodeo in South Dakota history.   “The event rodeo fans will see in 2023 in September is like the AFC, NFC championship games in football or the pennant race in baseball,” said Rorey Lemmel, the general manager of the Cinch Playoffs in Sioux Falls. “It will change the landscape for who is the world champion.”   The Cinch Playoffs provides one last opportunity for ProRodeo athletes to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The contestants will include the top four finishers from each event at the Cinch Playoffs in Puyallup, Wash. earlier in September, and the top eight out of the standings of the Playoff Series presented by Pendleton Whisky.   “Rodeo tradition runs deep in South Dakota, some of our biggest legends in the sport are from South Dakota and some of our oldest rodeos are in South Dakota,” PRCA CEO Tom Glause said. “But we are super excited to bring the biggest rodeo in terms of payout to Sioux Falls in September of 2023.”   South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is thrilled to have the event in Sioux Falls.   “Freedom and rodeo go hand in hand, and that’s why South Dakota is becoming a destination for major rodeo competition,” Noem said. “I’m excited to celebrate our state sport with the final qualifying competition before the National Finals Rodeo.”   In addition to bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding, breakaway roping will be held at the Cinch Playoffs.   The 2023 ProRodeo season concludes Sept. 30. The Top 15 athletes in the PRCA | RAM World Standings in each event will qualify for the Wrangler NFR.   The Cinch Playoffs will air on The Cowboy Channel and stream on the PRCA on Cowboy Channel Plus App. For more information, visit cowboychannelplus.com.

Kolby Wanchuk’s ProRodeo.com profile lists his favorite rodeo as the storied Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up.

After spurring Sankey ProRodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Black Tie for 90 points during the short round of the 2022 Round-Up to clinch the championship, Wanchuk’s profile could add a couple of exclamation points to that statement.

“It’s a dream to get to compete here,” Wanchuk, 26, said. “It’s unbelievable to get to win it.”

Wanchuk’s march to the title began with a long round match-up with Brookman Rodeo’s Pretty Woman.

“I didn’t know much at all about that horse,” Wanchuk noted. “He came out and acted like he was going to just be good.”

“Then he hit that grass and really got to bucking. He did some cool stuff,” Wanchuk laughed. The Round-Up is famous for being held on a football field, complete with grass and cowboys littering the field to watch the action. “I was thankful to get back to the short round.”

Wanchuk’s 84.5 point first go effort tied him for fourth in the round and set up the match-up with the legendary Black Tie.

“That’s one I’ve been waiting to see next to my name for a long time,” Wanchuk said. “I watched my hauling partner Tanner Butner win Sheridan on that horse, so I was pretty excited.

“It was a bit different from his usual trip. He took some different jumps and then just got to hanging in the air. He was about all a guy could ask for.”

One tradition of Pendleton is that champion’s climb aboard their brand-new championship saddles and take a victory lap around the Pendleton track.

“It was unreal,” Wanchuk said. “They said there were 16,000 people there (Saturday) and they just about got the wave going when we did our victory laps.”

Wanchuk scored 174.5 points on his two rides, slipping past his other traveling partner, Sage Newman, the PRCA | RAM World Standings leader who won the long round. The earnings were crucial for Wanchuk, who came to Pendleton ranked 11th as he seeks a second consecutive Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification.

“It sure makes you feel a little easier about it,” Wanchuk said of the standings bump.

 

He’ll finish his 2022 season next week at the Edmonton Pro Rodeo close to his Sherwood Park, Alberta home.

“I get to end the season at my hometown rodeo,” he said.

With the Wrangler NFR made, Wanchuk will take a little break and do some hunting to refresh before starting the 2023 season with Newtown, N.D., next month.

“I like to take a little break, head out to the bush,” Wanchuk said.

Wanchuk will compete at the Canadian Finals Rodeo (Nov. 2-6) prior to the Wrangler NFR and is looking forward to an exciting trip to Vegas.

“It’s nice, I was close for a couple of years and didn’t quite get in, so it was a bit of a sigh of relief last year,” he said. “It’s shaping up that our whole crew, Sage Newman, Chase Brooks, Tanner Butner and myself might be there and there’s also six Canadian bronc riders in there.”

“The NFR should be a lot of fun,” he said. Asked what he’s taking from his first experience a year ago, he said, “I think I’ll be more relaxed. Just go do my job and not get too worked up about things.”

Other winners at the $587,575 rodeo were all-around cowboy Marty Yates ($6,541, tie-down roping and team roping); bareback rider Kaycee Feild (175.5 on two head); steer wrestler Riley Wakefield (17.3 seconds on three head); team ropers Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres (19.1 seconds on three head); tie-down roper Trevor Hall (29.0 seconds on three head); breakaway roper Jacey Fortier (6.0 seconds on two head); barrel racer Kacey Gartner (57.11 seconds on two runs); steer roper Logan Currie (37.4 seconds on three head); and bull rider Bubba Greig (88.5 points).