Author: PRCA

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – It’s common for rodeo athletes and fans to use the hashtags “grateful” or “blessed.” Each year, that gratefulness is expressed at the annual PRCA Awards Banquet in Las Vegas before the start of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

The final online ballot process will be open Oct. 1-11 for applicable voting PRCA members. Eligible voters will need to keep an eye on their email inbox for voting information on Oct. 1. If no email is received for voting, contact Nate Vodehnal in Rodeo Administration for more information.

The winners for each category will be announced at the PRCA Awards Banquet at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Dec. 4.

The following men, women and committees are among the bunch of highly skilled and enthusiastic nominees:

Announcer of the Year 

Andy Stewart

Bob Tallman

Randy Corley

Wayne Brooks

Will Rasmussen

Dress Act of the Year 

Bobby Kerr – Mustangs riding in car

Haley Ganzel – The Cowgirl Sweethearts – Roman & Trick Riding

Madison MacDonald – Magic in Motion – Trick Riding

Rider Kiesner – Trick roping, gun spinning, whips

Tomas Garcilazo – Horsemanship & Rope Artistry

Clown of the Year

Cody Sosebee

JJ Harrison

John Harrison

Justin Rumford

Keith Isley

Bullfighter of the Year 

Cody Emerson

Cody Webster

Clay Heger

Dusty Tuckness

Nathan Jestes

Wacey Munsell

(Please note that there are 6 nominees rather than 5 due to a tie. They will all be on the final ballot.)

Comedy Act of the Year

Cody Sosebee

Gizmo McCracken

John Harrison

Justin Rumford

Keith Isley

Music Director of the Year

Brandy Edmonds

Chuck Lopeman

Jill Loden Franzen

Josh Hambone Hilton

Randy Stretch Mayer

 

Photographer of the Year 

Dale Miller

Dan Hubbell

James Phifer

Matt Cohen

Robby Freeman

 

Stock Contracting Firm of the Year 

Cervi Championship Rodeo

Frontier Rodeo

Pete Carr Pro Rodeo

Powder River Rodeo

Stace Smith Pro Rodeos

Secretary of the Year 

Amanda Sanders

Brenda Crowder

Eva Chadwick

Haley Bridwell

Sandy Gwatney

Timer of the Year 

Allison France

Amy Muller

Jayme Pemberton

Shawna Ray

Toby Dunlavy

Pick Up Man of the Year

Jason Bottoms

Matt Twitchell

Shandon Stalls

Shawn Too Tall Calhoun

Tyler Robertson

Will O’Connell

(Please note that there are 6 nominees rather than 5 due to a tie. They will all be on the final ballot.)

 

Small Rodeo of the Year

Blackfoot, Idaho

Claremore, Okla.

Coulee City, Wash.

Huntsville, Texas

Yuma, Colo.

Medium Rodeo of the Year 

Amarillo, Texas

Belle Fourche, S.D.

Coleman, Texas

Estes Park, Colo.

Stephenville, Texas

Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year 

Denver, Colo.

Fort Worth, Texas

Houston, Texas

Nampa, Idaho

San Antonio, Texas

Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year 

Caldwell, Idaho

Cheyenne, Wyo.

Deadwood, S.D.

Dodge City, Kan.

Pendleton, Ore.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The contract personnel for the Dec. 5-14 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo were announced Wednesday by the PRCA.

They are as follows:

NFR Contract Personnel

Assistant General Manger

Bennie Beutler

Announcer

Randy Corley

Announcer

Wayne Brooks

Announcer

Andy Stewart

Secretary

Sunni Deb Backstrom

Assistant Secretary

Debi Davis

Office Manager

Vickie Shireman

Timer

Jayme Pemberton

Timer

Kim Sutton

Timer

Courtney Morehead

RE Chute Boss

Tom Neuens

Assistant RE Chute Boss

Brent Sutton

TE Chute Boss

Tony Amaral

Assistant TE Chute Boss

John Wagley

Music Director

Benje Bendele

Specialty Act

Madison MacDonald

Specialty Act

Niki Flundra

Livestock Superintendent

John Barnes

Asst. Livestock Super

Ryan Brown

* Photographers, barrelmen, bullfighters and pickup men will be announced at a later date.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Rural Media Group (RMG) announced a multi-year agreement which will see the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) move to The Cowboy Channel (TCC) and RFD-TV beginning in 2020. The ultimate annual rodeo event will now be seen by millions of people live simultaneously on two national TV networks. Also included in the deal is a wide variety of other PRCA programming, including expanded live coverage of the PRORODEO TOUR and the PRCA’s Xtreme Bulls Tour events which will result in a huge increase in the amount, availability and quality of PRCA PRORODEO coverage on The Cowboy Channel, including:

• All 10 nights of the NFR live, and a new East Coast Prime Time encore airing the next day
• Live coverage of at least 18 PRORODEO TOUR final performances each year plus a taped highlight show for encore airings on both The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV
• TV coverage of 10 episodes of PRCA’s Xtreme Bulls, including the Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale with encore airings on both TCC and RFD-TV.
• Extended pre- and post-coverage of the NFR each night (RODEO LAS VEGAS)
• A new weekly pro rodeo studio show, PRORODEO Tonight
• Heightened event production across all events, including the use of Sky Cam
• Enhanced fan experiences through programming that highlights the uniqueness of local rodeo communities, their organizing committees, and the charities they support, plus special access to the PRCA athletes and other PRCA members whose contributions are key to the sport of PRORODEO
• New national coverage of PRCA PRORODEO on one of the major broadcast networks will be announced at a later date

“This is a huge milestone in the growth of the PRCA,” PRCA CEO George Taylor said. “Never before has PRORODEO assumed the prime placement and coverage that will be seen under this deal. Our hats are off to Patrick Gottsch and his family, the owners of Rural Media Group, for their enthusiastic interest, support and devotion to our sport.”

“We are so proud and excited to partner with the PRCA, the rodeo committees, and of course all the PRCA cowboys & cowgirls to aggressively produce and distribute original programming that will support rodeo 365 days-a-year, on networks that are totally dedicated to serving and expanding the western sports community,” stated Patrick Gottsch, Founder & President of Rural Media Group, Inc. “There is a Golf Channel, the NFL Network, a baseball network, a tennis channel, and so on. Now rodeo has its own channel(s). RMG plans to do everything for rodeo and the PRCA that these other media partnerships have done for their sports.”

The deal will begin early in 2020 and will be preceded with the launch of the weekly PRORODEO Tonight show on The Cowboy Channel. The PRCA regular-season coverage on The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV is planned to begin in January. The finals of each televised PRORODEO TOUR event will be shown live on The Cowboy Channel and will be seen in taped highlight form later in the week in prime time and weekend afternoons on RFD-TV. Regular-season coverage also will include 10 episodes of the PRCA’s Xtreme Bulls series, each with multiple runs across dayparts. The coverage will be a co-production of PRCA and RMG.

NFR programming for 2020 will start with a 24-hour marathon of prior NFR finals, leading up to a red-carpet pre-event show, and the live NFR simulcast on both RFD-TV and The Cowboy Channel for 10 straight nights. Each episode of NFR coverage will conclude with a one-hour post-event show. Replays of each episode of the NFR will take place the next day on both networks, including in East Coast and West Coast Prime Time.

“Our new state-of-the-art studio in the Fort Worth Stockyards will serve as the base for producing the daily PRCA programming, leading up to and culminating each year with the National Finals Rodeo,” added The Cowboy Channel CEO Raquel Gottsch. “The massive volume of programming expected to be generated from this 6-year agreement will serve to populate both The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV with original, unduplicated ‘live’ sports-related content which is very much desired by all cable, satellite, and distribution companies. We expect our distribution to grow substantially as a result.”

The networks are seen in a combined 94 million US TV homes. One or both are distributed by DISH, DIRECTV, Comcast, Spectrum, Cox, Sling, Verizon, AT&T, Mediacom, Suddenlink, AT&T Now and Roku.

“We expect a significant increase in the viewing of PRCA programming as a result of this groundbreaking new deal,” Taylor said. “This is one of the most exciting moments during my time leading the PRCA.”

You can see the media interview that happened yesterday on the Cowboy Channel on Facebook with RMG Founder and President Patrick Gottsch and PRCA CEO George Taylor, from the new Fort Worth Stockyards studio.  Media Inquires can be directed to Meghan Addessi Miele, mmiele@hstrategies.com or 212.776.1163.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Stars converged at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as the Hall enshrined its 12-member class of 2019 Saturday.

 

The class was headlined by four-time world champion team roping heeler Allen Bach (1979, 1990, 1995 and 2006).

“I’ve just been reflecting on how cool our sport has been,” Bach said. “Everything about my life is based around rodeo. The team roping schools I do, the business that I do. Had it not been for rodeo, I would not have anything. I’ve just been doing a lot of reflection on how cool it was to live this kind of life.”

 

Bach holds the PRCA record for most qualifications (including invitations) by a team roper to the National Finals Rodeo with 30 (1978-96, 1998-2008).

 

“I’m not the most talented, but I loved what I did,” Bach said. “I probably outworked most of the people I roped against. A lot of talented guys didn’t make it as far as guys like us just because we loved it and we didn’t mind working hard at it. My deal was the work ethic I learned, not just in the arena, but driving all night and persevering through dry spells in July and August. Everybody likes to hear about the winning, but you have to learn to accept losing to get to the winning.”

 

The rest of the 2019 ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductees included Commotion, one of the greatest bucking horses of all time; stock contractors Elra Beutler and his son, Jiggs, posthumously; two-time world champion steer wrestler Dean Gorsuch (2006, 2010); world champion bull rider Doug “Droopy” Brown (1969); world champion bareback rider Larry Peabody (1984); notable Jerome Robinson; the Cody (Wyo.) Stampede Rodeo; contract personnel Tommy Lucia, posthumously; and three Women’s Professional Rodeo Association inductees – barrel racers Jimmie Gibbs Munroe and Sammy Thurman Brackenberry and notable Florence Youree.

 

In addition to the inductees, Guy Elliott, a former arena director for the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and a number of others, received the Ken Stemler Pioneer Award, which honors individuals in recognition of their groundbreaking, innovative ideas and forward thinking.

 

Bach also won NFR average titles in 1979 and 2006, roping with Jesse James and Chad Masters, respectively. In 1990 and ’95, Bach paired with Doyle Gellerman and Bobby Hurley.

In 2007, Bach became the 11th rodeo competitor to surpass $2 million in career earnings. Bach joined the PRCA in 1978.

 

Bach rallied from 15th to world champion with his 1990 victory in Las Vegas, becoming the first timed-event cowboy to go from 15 to 1 at the NFR. The first year that the PRCA crowned both world champion header and world champion heeler saw Bach and partner Bobby Hurley take the top spots.

 

Commotion – Bareback Horse

Commotion won three Bareback Riding Horse of the Year awards (1998-2000) when he was part of the Beutler and Gaylord Rodeo Company string.

 

The 1,300-pound, bay stallion, who stood at 16.1 hands, was voted the top bareback horse at his first Wrangler NFR in 1997.

 

He made 10 consecutive trips (1997-2006) to the Wrangler NFR before retiring in his prime at the 2006 Finals at the age of 15. Two rounds were won on him at the Wrangler NFR.

 

Commotion has sired more than 70 horses who have gone on to compete at the Wrangler NFR. His daughter Killer Bee was named the Top Saddle Bronc at the Wrangler NFR in 2013 and 2014 and was runner-up for Saddle Bronc of the Year in 2015. Another daughter of his is Wound Up, the 2016 Top Saddle Bronc at the Wrangler NFR and the 2017 Saddle Bronc of the Year.

 

“The thing about him is we raised Commotion,” stock contractor Bennie Beutler said. “What made Commotion so special was his disposition and he knew it. When you saw himself carrying himself around the arena, he knew he was something special. A lot of guys break them and halter break them, I wanted him to be was wild. We never broke him. I think what Commotion’s legacy will be is all the horses he has sired.”

 

In August 2013, artist T.D. Kelsey’s larger-than-life-statue of Commotion was dedicated at the National Route 66 Museum Complex in Elk City, Okla. He passed away Sept. 7, 2016, at the Beutler & Son ranch near Elk City, Okla., at 25. He was buried next to the statue.

 

Elra Beutler & Jiggs Beutler – Stock Contractor

Elra and his son, John Arthur “Jiggs,” Beutler formed Beutler and Son Rodeo Company in 1956.

 

Elra had previously worked with his brothers, Jake and Lynn, to form the Beutler Brothers Rodeo Company. The new company started with seven rodeos its first year. That steadily increased until the Beutlers were putting on about 30 each year across six states.

 

The Beutler name has been part of professional rodeo for decades, from the onset of Beutler Brothers Rodeo Company in 1929 to the collaboration of Beutler & Son Rodeo Company.

 

Beutler & Son became synonymous with top livestock and a quality rodeo production.

 

Focusing on quality over quantity, they chose rodeos based on the traveling needs of their stock. They sent livestock to the NFR every year between 1959-1962 and from 1964-1988.

 

Elra and Jiggs were among the foremost rodeo promoters in the business.

 

“I always thought Jiggs and Elra should have been in the (ProRodeo Hall of Fame) before me,” said Bennie Beutler, who was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2010. “Elra taught me all about the stock and being a horseman and Jiggs taught me how to run the rodeos. They were good at what they did, and they lived and bled rodeo. It doesn’t get any better than this to get Commotion and Jiggs and Elra in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.”

 

Jiggs was Bennie’s father and Elra was Bennie’s grandfather. Bennie’s sisters, rodeo secretaries Vickie Shireman and Dollie Riddle, gave the acceptance speech for Elra and Jiggs.

 

Fast-forward to the present, and Bennie and his son, Rhett, operate Beutler & Son Rodeo Company.

 

“This is kind of unreal,” said Shireman about Jiggs and Elra being inducted. “It is just a tremendous honor to get this kind of award. This is what it is all about.”

 

Elra passed away in 1987 at the age of 90. Jiggs died in a tractor accident in 1980 at the age of 55.

 

Lynn Beutler, Elra’s brother, was inducted into the inaugural ProRodeo Hall of Fame class in 1979.

 

Elra and Jiggs owned Old Spec, the curiously spotted, cross-bred Brahma bull that in 350 attempts, over a seven-year bucking career, allowed only seven riders to make qualified rides. Old Spec was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979. Elra and Jiggs also owned the 1973 Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year, Sam Bass.

 

“This is a special day,” Riddle said. “… Today is the highlight for me with our dad and granddad being recognized for the work they did.”

 

Dean Gorsuch – Steer Wrestler

Gorsuch, a steer wrestler with two world titles, eight qualifications to the Wrangler NFR, two Tour titles and $1.3 million in career earnings has certainly earned his spot in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

 

“Oh, gosh, it’s still a dream come true,” Gorsuch said. “I’m very humbled and can’t tell you how awesome it is, it’s something you want when you start your career, but you never know if you will be part of it. It’s very, very amazing. When I got a call (announcing his induction into the Hall of Fame) I thought they were joking, but I teared up and started crying because it’s a huge honor to be here.”

 

Gorsuch said it takes complete dedication to compete and be successful in ProRodeo. When his sons (Taydon, Trell and Teagan) got older, his priorities shifted from rodeo to fatherhood.

 

“Rodeo has been God’s plan, and I couldn’t have thought it out or dreamed it would be like this,” Gorsuch said.

 

The Nebraska cowboy started his PRCA career in 2002 and rapidly rose to ProRodeo stardom as he made his first Wrangler NFR qualification in 2005 and won his first world title in 2006. He went on to qualify again ever year from 2008 through 2013, picking up his second world title in 2010.

 

Gorsuch competed at the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in 2005 and 2010 and was named Tour champion in 2006 and 2008.

 

Doug “Droopy” Brown – Bull Rider

Whether he believes it or not, Brown will soon be surrounded by the legends he’s admired.

 

Brown won the 1969 bull riding world championship with $27,610. It was one of 13 total NFR qualifications – five in bull riding and eight in saddle bronc riding (though one year he did not compete due to injury).

 

All that success landed Brown a Hall of Fame selection.

 

“It’s pretty humbling when you go through (the Hall of Fame) displays of all the predecessors who are in here and to think that you’re in with this group,” Brown said. “You wonder how many world champions are in here. You’re just another one coming in. I’m very thankful.

 

“I think every cowboy going down the road wants his career to end this way. It’s a great way to check out.”

 

Larry Peabody – Bareback Rider

Peabody, a Montana native, made a steady climb in rodeo to his 1984 bareback riding world title.

 

Within three years of becoming a member, Peabody had qualified for his first National Finals Rodeo. He went on to make five total, all consecutive, and crowned it with the 1984 bareback riding championship.

 

Saturday he was still trying to come to grips that he is now a ProRodeo Hall of Famer.

 

“Yes, it did (catch me off-guard),” said Peabody about his induction. “You get emotional, you get to wondering why you got chosen. Sleepless nights (since getting here for the ceremonies). It’s been a very enjoyable deal, but it’s almost like it’s too overwhelming.”

 

Peabody also won the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association bareback riding title in 1981. He won the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit bareback riding year-end title four times, the circuit team roping title once and the all-around once.

 

In 1981, that first NFR trip, he set a then-NFR record with an 89-point ride on Growney’s Dreamboat Annie. He also split the NFR average in 1983 and finished the season in third place.

 

He edged fellow Hall of Famer Lewis Feild for the 1984 title by $2,000. The race was so close it came down to the final round of the NFR. Even after he’d been declared the champ, it took a while for Peabody to truly believe it.

 

“It (the world title) meant I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish,” Peabody said. “That’s why I slowed down after that. I never had the drive to rodeo and pursue another world championship.”

 

Jerome Robinson – Notable

Robinson was a cowboy with many hats – a contestant, contractor, event producer, contract personnel and member of the PRCA Board of Directors. With so many titles on his résumé, Robinson is being inducted to the HOF as a Notable, a word that summarizes his career.

 

“It’s pretty humbling, very humbling, when you think of all those who preceded you and are more deserving,” Robinson said. “It’s very humbling to be recognized for accomplishments, and you almost feel guilty because you know there are others who did as much as you did. I’m thankful and appreciative to the PRCA for everything they contributed to my life.”

 

Robinson competed with the PRCA for 16 years, starting in 1967, and made 11 trips to the NFR (1970-75, ’77 and ’81). He mentored several PRCA world champion bull riders and many others involved with rodeo production.

 

Robinson was instrumental in creating PROCOM in 1975, a system still in use today for entering rodeos. This task, along with starting the Winston Tour, are what he considers to be his most difficult achievements.

 

“I was a bull rider, but I was afforded the opportunity to get on the board,” Robinson said. “It was an educational experience where I learned a lot and was fortunate enough to be around when Ken Stemler took over. He was a linear thinker who could explain things.”

 

Cody Stampede Rodeo – Committee

Cody, Wyo., is often called the “Rodeo Capitol of the World” – and for good reason, as it’s home to the Cody Stampede Rodeo, which has attracted countless tourists to the small town just east of Yellowstone National Park since 1919.

 

Now in its centennial year, the Cody Stampede was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

 

“It is still really overwhelming, and to be part of this impressive class of inductees means the world to us,” said Marc Thompson, a co-president of the Cody Stampede with Mike Darby.

 

Darby also was thrilled about the ultimate recognition given to the Cody Stampede on the year of its 100th anniversary.

 

“It’s the icing on the cake, and that’s an understatement,” said Darby. “It’s a dream come true and a whirlwind of happenings and an honor to be here. We try to put on the best possible rodeo every year with the best athletes and best stock and showcase the very best the sport has to offer.”

 

Thompson knows the Hall of Fame induction is something that was years in the making.

 

“I feel blessed with this honor because it honors our 100-year history,” Thompson said. “We know how much time, effort and energy they put into making this the lasting legacy and getting Hall of Fame status is an honor to the past directors and the Cody community.”

 

The Cody Stampede won the PRCA’s Best Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year in 1998 and 1999.

 

Tommy Lucia – Contract Personnel

Lucia was a Wrangler NFR Barrelman (1973), three-time Wrangler NFR Specialty Act (1997, 1999 and 2004) and three-time PRCA Specialty Act of the Year (2003-05).

 

For more than 50 years he worked as a barrelman and specialty act, entertaining at rodeos across the U.S. In 2010, he was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and in 2016, he was inducted into the National Cowboy Rodeo Hall of Fame.

 

Lucia passed away June 1, 2016, on his 75th birthday.

 

His son, Anthony, a ProRodeo announcer, trick rider and team roper, knew first-hand the passion his father had for rodeo and success.

 

“We’re proud of the way that he was, and we’re proud of how hard he worked to achieve the things that he did,” Anthony said. “When it came down to it, he wasn’t doing it for glory he was doing it to survive and to provide for his family. He gave his heart and his soul to professional rodeo, his animals and everybody around him so that he could provide for his family. When it came down to it, that’s who my dad was.”

 

Dominic Lucia, Anthony’s older brother, echoed his brother’s sentiments.

 

“Our dad’s legacy, as time has moved on, I think we’ve all realized the importance of that and I think at the end of his life he realized the importance of that,” Dominic said. “So, it’s something like this that will be there for our kids, our kids’ kids and generations to come to see what he did. What he contributed not only to rodeo, but also society is something that is very meaningful to us as a family.”

 

Jimmie Gibbs Munroe – Barrel Racer

While Gibbs Munroe initially made a name for herself in the rodeo arena, winning a world title in 1975, her love and commitment to the association cemented her legacy in the sport.

 

“It’s just a tremendous honor to be included in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame because it’s the only hall that’s solely dedicated to the sport of professional rodeo and I’m just so excited that women have a place now and can be included in the Hall thanks to the PRCA,” Munroe said.

 

Munroe was an 11-time NFR qualifier and WPRA president from 1978-93.

 

“I spent a lot of years in the sport of professional rodeo and it was certainly good to me,” Munroe said. “I was very fortunate in what I was able to do and achieve in the sport.

 

“It’s exciting to be able to join my husband who was inducted as competitor in the Hall (Dan “Bud” Monroe, a 12-time NFR qualifier, 1986 PRCA World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider and 2007 inductee), that’s really something and means a lot.”

 

Sammy Thurman Brackenbury – Barrel Racer

Brackenbury was also an all-around talent, even roping and winning money in PRCA rodeos. Brackenbury qualified for the NFR 11 consecutive times, winning the world title in 1965.

 

During her career she served as the California Circuit Director, All-Events Director, vice president of the Association and in 1975 served as the president of the Girl’s Rodeo Association.

 

“I’m very proud to be honored, and I’m glad to be here,” Brackenbury said. “Everyone has been really good, and I’m proud to be inducted with the other barrel racers.

 

“My dad rodeoed, and my grandfather even rodeoed. It was a way of life for me. I grew up going to rodeos with my dad and mom – it was my life, it always has been my life, and I was very proud to win the world.”

 

Florence (Price) Youree – Notable

Youree is the first notable inducted under the WPRA umbrella into the Hall of Fame.

 

Youree was among the Top 15 six times and won the WPRA all-around title in 1966. But it was her services to the GRA/WPRA in an administrative capacity that landed her induction.

 

Youree served the association as a director, then president from 1960-64 and then secretary-treasurer, where she made the biggest impact. It was during that time that Youree worked to get the barrel racing included at the NFR as it is today.

 

“This is the biggest honor I could ever receive,” Youree said. “I couldn’t believe it (when they told me I was going to be inducted). When you do things that you really enjoy doing, you really don’t think you’re doing anything. I’ve had fun since I joined what was then the Girls Rodeo Association in 1951.”

 

And, Youree truly appreciated when the NFR added barrel racing.

 

“We were very grateful. It was like a dream come true,” she said “… I met with Mr. Stanley Draper that day and convinced him that they (the NFR) needed the girls, they needed some color.”

 

The WPRA contributed to this report.

TUCSON, Ariz. – Daylon Swearingen didn’t have time to stick around La Fiesta de los Vaqueros after his bull ride Feb. 24. He had a plane to catch back to Texas.

Then his phone died, so he couldn’t get updates on results from Tucson, Ariz. It wasn’t until he boarded the plane that he could charge his phone. And by then he didn’t have cell service.

Once he powered it on upon landing, the 19-year-old noticed multiple text messages. All of them said essentially the same thing: Congrats on winning Tucson.

Swearingen rode Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Fat Pat for 87.5 points in the finals at Tucson to give him a two-head average of 174.5 points and the win at La Fiesta de los Vaqueros.

“I didn’t stay for the whole thing, I had a flight to catch,” Swearingen said. “I packed up my stuff. I watched most of them (the bull riders). I didn’t want to miss the flight. I knew 100 percent that I had won just a couple minutes ago when I turned my phone on and saw my parents had texted me.

“It feels good. I was happy to draw two good bulls.”

Swearingen, a rookie who also competes in bareback riding, won the first round with 87 points on Salt River Rodeo’s Rocky Road. That, coupled with finishing second in the finals and winning the average, had Swearingen earning $7,758.

His earnings had him on the bubble at 16th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $16,598. Making the Top 15 and booking a trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December is Swearingen’s ultimate goal.

“Right now, I’m trying to find somebody to travel with and go with,” said Swearingen, who entered Sunday eighth in the world standings in All-Around. “I want to try and make the NFR.”

Swearingen is in his first year at Panola College in Carthage, Texas. He competes in bareback riding, bull riding and saddle bronc riding for the Ponies. And while he’s committed to college rodeo, he’s also committed to ProRodeo.

He will compete in The American Semifinals with the goal of qualifying for The American Finals. Last year he was at The American Semifinals in one event. This year, he’s qualified in bareback riding and bull riding.

“It was pretty exciting to know that this could take me to AT&T Stadium where I could win a million dollars and The American,” he said about 2018. “That’s even better (that the money at The American counts toward the world standings this year). I love riding bulls and I get to go in both events. Being there in both events makes it a little more exciting too.”

He’s also headed to Kissimmee, Fla., for the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo (March 21-24) for the second consecutive season.

If he does well in Arlington and in Kissimmee, Swearingen could be headed to Vegas.

“Rookie of the Year is one of my goals,” he said. “But if I make the NFR – and that’s the main goal – then Rookie of the Year should fall the right way, and it will have meant I have done my job.”

Other winners at the $316,320 rodeo were All-Around winner Rhen Richard ($7,909 in tie-down roping and team roping); bareback rider Ty Breuer (170.5 points on two head); steer wrestler Wade Steffen (11.6 seconds on two head); team ropers JoJo LeMond/Trey Yates (18.8 seconds on three head); saddle bronc rider Jesse Kruse (172.5 points on two head); tie-down roper Richard (32.6 seconds on three head); and barrel racer Lisa Anderson (35.97 seconds on two runs).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

O’Connell battles to win third consecutive bareback riding title

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Smith/Eaves claim first team roping world titles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The two have clicked together since they started together.

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

But the two are parting ways for the 2019 season.

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

 

Powered by second average crown, Waguespack claims second world title

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He also just kept catching.

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

Smidt was riding Pockets.

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

 

Sundell wins first world title at 33

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sundell already has plans for all the money he won.

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

As for his immediate plans.

“Go home and relax,” he said.

 

Kinsel cruises to first world title

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

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

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

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

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

 

Dougherty wins RAM Top Gun Award

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

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

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

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

 

 

60th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

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

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Erickson earns first go-round on 49th Finals round

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kyle Irwin and Tyler Pearson own Scooter.

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

 

Begay/Petska make it round win No. 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Thurston wins saddle bronc riding with 90-point ride

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sterling Smith gets first round win since 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The horse belongs to Cassidy Boggs.

 

Hailey Kinsel clinches barrel racing world title

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

And Kinsel won the gold buckle in style.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Vastbinder wins second go-round

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

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

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

Drawing Bruiser had Vastbinder excited heading into the ninth round.

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

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

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

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

 

Cooper into first place in All-Around

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

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

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

 

Kinsel extends lead for RAM Top Gun Award

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

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

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

 

 

60th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

Ninth Performance Results, Friday, Dec. 14, 2018

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But Waguespack isn’t counting on anything yet.

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

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

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

 

Shane O’Connell wins first Wrangler NFR go-round

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

New partners Buckaloo/Tryan stop clock in 3.6 seconds

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

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

They decided they’d rope together.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Ryan Jarrett heating up in tie-down roping

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jarrett is hoping to gain some more ground.

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

 

Bettis notches first Finals win

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

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

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

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

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

Bettis also had a little fun practice a day earlier.

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

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

 

Brooks, Rusty Wright tie in saddle bronc riding

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

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

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

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

Rusty Wright won Round 8 in 2015.

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

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

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

Rusty Wright was equally excited.

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

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

 

Dougherty, Frost split bull riding; climb in average

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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60th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

Eighth Performance Results, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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