Author: PRCA

Sept. 12-15

All-around cowboy: Trevor Brazile, $13,705, tie-down roping, team roping and steer roping.

Bareback riding: First round: 1. Blaine Kaufman, 85 points on Four Star Rodeo’s Cc Valley, $6,335; 2. Steven Peebles, 83.5, $4,857; 3. (tie) Ty Breuer and Tim O’Connell, 82, $2,956 each; 5. (tie) Jake Stemo and Blake Smith, 81.5, $1,267 each; 7. (tie) Nate McFadden and Wyatt Denny, 81, $739 each. Finals: 1. Orin Larsen, 88.5 points on Calgary Stampede’s Yipee Kibitz, $1,650; 2. Caleb Bennett, 86.5, $1,250; 3. (tie) Wyatt Denny and Kenny Haworth, 85.5, $750 each; 5. Ty Breuer, 85, $350; 6. Ty Taypotat, 84, $250. Average: 1. Orin Larsen , 168 points on two head, $6,335; 2. (tie) Ty Breuer and Caleb Bennett, 167, $4,223 each; 4. Wyatt Denny, 166.5, $2,323; 5. Kenny Haworth, 165, $1,478; 6. Ty Taypotat, 164.5, $1,056; 7. Blake Smith, 163, $845; 8. Trenten Montero, 161.5, $634.

Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Nick Guy, 4.4 seconds, $3,728; 2. Sterling Lambert, 5.6, $3,242; 3. (tie) Dirk Tavenner and Josh Garner, 6.0, $2,512 each; 5. Mike McGinn, 6.1, $1,783; 6. Rudy Switzer, 6.3, $1,297; 7. Blake Mindemann, 6.5, $810; 8. Tristan Martin, 6.7, $324. Second round: 1. Bear Pascoe, 4.1 seconds, $3,728; 2. Sterling Lambert, 5.1, $3,242; 3. Tom Lewis, 5.7, $2,756; 4. Jesse Brown, 5.8, $2,269; 5. Clayton Hass, 5.9, $1,783; 6. Rudy Switzer, 6.1, $1,297; 7. Taylor Gregg, 6.4, $810; 8. Kyle Whitaker, 6.7, $324. Finals: 1. Andy Weldon, 4.9 seconds, $1,117; 2. (tie) Jesse Brown and Nick Guy, 5.5, $828 each; 4. Sterling Lambert, 5.6, $539; 5. Blake Mindemann, 6.3, $347; 6. Clayton Morrison, 6.9, $193. Average: 1. Sterling Lambert , 16.3 seconds on three head, $5,592; 2. Jesse Brown, 18.1, $4,863; 3. Nick Guy, 19.7, $4,133; 4. Andy Weldon, 21.3, $3,404; 5. Rudy Switzer, 21.5, $2,675; 6. Blake Mindemann, 22.4, $1,945; 7. Clayton Morrison, 24.0, $1,216; 8. Levi Rudd, 24.6, $486.

Team roping: First round: 1. Shawn Bessette/Sid Sporer, 5.5 seconds, $4,566 each; 2. Blake Teixeira/Ross Ashford, 5.6, $3,970; 3. (tie) Jeff Flenniken/Jake Minor, Ty Blasingame/J.W. Borrego and Dex Maddock/Kurtis Barry, 5.8, $2,779 each; 6. (tie) Dustin Bird/Kyle Lockett and Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, 6.0, $1,290 each; 8. Dale Benevides/Buck McCay, 6.2, $397. Second round: 1. Trevor Brazile/Patrick Smith, 4.9 seconds, $4,566 each; 2. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 5.1, $3,970; 3. Rhen Richard/Quinn Kesler, 5.6, $3,375; 4. Dillon Holyfield/Robert Murphy, 6.0, $2,779; 5. (tie) Chaz Kananen/Tyler Whitlow, Dustin Bird/Kyle Lockett, Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher and Cody Barney/Daniel Holland, 6.3, $1,290 each. Finals: 1. Chad Masters/Tyler Worley, 5.0 seconds, $1,523 each; 2. (tie) Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher and Garrett Rogers/Cesar de la Cruz, 6.1, $1,129 each; 4. Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, 6.7, $735; 5. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 7.2, $473; 6. Shane Erickson/Brent Falon, 8.2, $263. Average: 1. Chad Masters/Tyler Worley, 18.1 seconds on three head, $6,849 each; 2. Lane Ivy/Buddy Hawkins II, 19.6, $5,955; 3. Garrett Rogers/Cesar de la Cruz, 19.9, $5,062; 4. Colton Campbell/Jordan Ketscher, 20.1, $4,169; 5. Shane Erickson/Brent Falon, 22.4, $3,275; 6. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 22.5, $2,382; 7. Jeff Flenniken/Jake Minor, 23.4, $1,489; 8. Ty Blasingame/J.W. Borrego, 24.6, $596.

Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Colt Gordon, 86.5 points on Calgary Stampede’s Y u R Friskey, $5,341; 2. Clay Elliott, 86, $4,095; 3. Jake Wright, 85, $3,027; 4. (tie) Wade Sundell and Isaac Diaz, 83.5, $1,602 each; 6. Jesse Wright, 83, $890; 7. (tie) Allen Boore and Zeke Thurston, 82, $623 each. Finals: 1. (tie) Ryder Wright, on Calgary Stampede’s Zaka Kibitz, and Jesse Wright, on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Robinson Bulls’ Marquee, 85 points, $1,450 each; 3. Allen Boore, 84.5, $900; 4. Isaac Diaz, 83.5, $600; 5. Wade Sundell, 81, $350; 6. Bradley Harter, 80, $250. Average: 1. Jesse Wright, 168 points on two head, $5,341; 2. Isaac Diaz, 167, $4,095; 3. (tie) Ryder Wright and Allen Boore, 166.5, $2,493 each; 5. Colt Gordon, 166, $1,246; 6. Wade Sundell, 164.5, $890; 7. Bradley Harter, 161, $712; 8. Zeke Thurston, 160.5, $534.Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Riley Pruitt, 8.8 seconds, $3,880; 2. Tuf Cooper, 8.9, $3,374; 3. Cyle Denison, 9.0, $2,868; 4. J.C. Malone, 9.2, $2,362; 5. Cooper Martin, 9.4, $1,856; 6. Dane Kissack, 9.5, $1,350; 7. Bo Pickett, 10.0, $844; 8. Tyler Prcin, 10.1, $337. Second round: 1. Jake Hannum, 8.7 seconds, $3,880; 2. (tie) Shane Hanchey and Ty Harris, 9.5, $3,121 each; 4. Ty Holly, 10.4, $2,362; 5. Tyler Prcin, 10.7, $1,856; 6. Bo Pickett, 10.9, $1,350; 7. Brad Goodrich, 11.1, $844; 8. Blane Cox, 11.3, $337. Finals: 1. J.C. Malone, 8.6 seconds, $1,059; 2. Dane Kissack, 10.2, $876; 3. Ty Harris, 10.4, $694; 4. Cooper Martin, 11.3, $511; 5. Shane Hanchey, 11.4, $329; 6. Cyle Denison, 12.0, $183. Average: 1. J.C. Malone, 31.3 seconds on three head, $5,820; 2. Shane Hanchey, 31.6, $5,061; 3. Ty Harris, 32.9, $4,302; 4. Tyler Prcin, 33.1, $3,543; 5. Cooper Martin, 34.0, $2,784; 6. Bo Pickett, 34.6, $2,025; 7. Dane Kissack, 34.7, $1,265; 8. Cyle Denison, 36.9, $506.

Korkow Rodeos bronc “Bad Onion” won the rank horse award in the short round at The famous Pendleton Round-Up today!! Clay Elliott didn’t ride him to the 8, but Troy said he would have been 9000 points if he did!! Below is Jim and TJ Korkow

Barrel racing: First round: 1. Jolene Douglas-Hoburg, 28.73 seconds, $5,007; 2. Cheyenne Allan, 28.76, $4,292; 3. Kacey Gartner, 28.93, $3,576; 4. Italy Sheehan, 29.05, $3,100; 5. Jessie Telford, 29.06, $2,384; 6. Mindy Goemmer, 29.09, $1,907; 7. Teri Bangart, 29.11, $1,431; 8. Katelyn Scott, 29.25, $954; 9. Cindy Woods, 29.29, $715; 10. Brenda Mays, 29.30, $477. Finals: 1. Kacey Gartner, 28.47 seconds, $2,119; 2. Cheyenne Allan, 28.62, $1,589; 3. Jolene Douglas-Hoburg, 28.76, $1,060; 4. Lexi Burgess, 28.82, $530. Average: 1. Cheyenne Allan, 57.38 seconds on two head, $5,007; 2. Kacey Gartner, 57.40, $4,292; 3. Jolene Douglas-Hoburg, 57.49, $3,576; 4. Teri Bangart, 57.99, $3,100; 5. Italy Sheehan, 58.15, $2,384; 6. Lexi Burgess, 58.32, $1,907; 7. Jessie Telford, 58.36, $1,431; 8. Katelyn Scott, 58.39, $954; 9. Mindy Goemmer, 58.43, $715; 10. Hayle Gibson, 58.64, $477.

Steer roping: First round: 1. Trevor Brazile, 11.2 seconds, $3,966; 2. Tom Sorey, 11.3, $3,449; 3. Jim Locke, 11.9, $2,931; 4. Shorty Garten, 13.0, $2,414; 5. (tie) Roger Branch and J. Tom Fisher, 14.6, $1,638 each; 7. Will McBride, 14.9, $862; 8. Dave Sedar, 16.3, $345. Second round: 1. Chet Herren, 11.4 seconds, $3,966; 2. Chris Glover, 12.4, $3,449; 3. Vin Fisher Jr., 13.0, $2,931; 4. (tie) Ryan Rochlitz and Howdy McGinn, 13.2, $2,155 each; 6. Scott Snedecor, 13.6, $1,379; 7. Tuf Cooper, 13.7, $862; 8. Bryce Davis, 13.9, $345. Finals: 1. Chet Herren, 14.9 seconds, $1,117; 2. Cody Lee, 16.7, $924; 3. Jarrett Blessing, 17.5, $732; 4. (tie) Will Gasperson and Chris Glover, 17.9, $443 each; 6. Tygh Campbell, 20.4, $193. Average: 1. Chris Glover, 47.5 seconds on three head, $5,949; 2. Trevor Brazile, 48.2, $5,173; 3. Jarrett Blessing, 50.8, $4,397; 4. Will Gasperson, 51.4, $3,621; 5. Cody Lee, 62.0, $2,845; 6. Tygh Campbell, 65.0, $2,069; 7. Kim Ziegelgruber, 72.9, $1,293; 8. Chet Herren, 26.3 on two head, $517.

Bull riding: First round: 1. (tie) Roscoe Jarboe, on Korkow Rodeos’ Teepee Creeper, and Koby Radley, on Korkow Rodeos’ Jambalaya, 85.5 points, $4,693 each; 3. (tie) Sage Kimzey and Gumby Wren, 83.5, $2,479 each; 5. Jordan Hansen, 82.5, $1,240; 6. Corey Maier, 82, $886; 7. Tyler Bingham, 81.5, $708; 8. Shane Proctor, 81, $531. * Finals: 1. Jordan Spears, 86 points on Brookman Rodeo’s Little Chubby, $5,000; no other qualified rides. Average: 1. Jordan Spears, 166 points on two head, $5,313; 2. (tie) Roscoe Jarboe and Koby Radley, 85.5 on one head, $3,542 each; 4. (tie) Gumby Wren and Sage Kimzey, 83.5, $1,594 each; 6. Jordan Hansen, 82.5, $886; 7. Corey Maier, 82, $708; 8. Tyler Bingham, 81.5, $531. *(all totals include ground money).

Total payoff: $523,688. Stock contractor: Calgary Stampede. Sub-contractors: Korkow Rodeos, Sankey Pro Rodeo & Robinson Bulls, Wayne Vold Rodeo, Outlawbuckers Rodeo, Four Star Rodeo, New West Rodeo Productions and Brookman Rodeo. Rodeo secretary: Haley J Bridwell. Officials: Bobby Davis, Terry Carlon, Allan Jordan Jr and Joe Bob Locke. Timers: Marlo Ward, Debra Northcott and Scott Tullis. Announcer: Wayne Brooks. Specialty acts: Haley Ganzel and Lindy Nealey. Bullfighters: Tim O’Connor and Dusty Tuckness. Clown/barrelman: Justin Rumford. Flankmen: Curtis Sawyer, Jonathan Kmita, Craig Wentz and Ken Rehill. Chute boss: Billy Ward. Pickup men: Matt Twitchell, Bobby Marriott, Dalton Ward, James Brown and Gary Rempel. Photographers: Kirt Steinke, Molly Morrow, Roseanna Sales, Jackie Jensen, Dan Hubbell, Roberta Barkley, Bob Click and Billie-Jean Duff. Music director: Chuck Lopeman.

LAS VEGAS – For the second year in a row, bull rider Sage Kimzey did what no one has done before. He actually did two things nobody has done before. Photos by Steve Gray

At the age of 23, Kimzey won his fourth consecutive world title in his fourth attempt, the first bull rider to ever do that. He won the fourth one in style, riding 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Girl Money to the tune of 88 points to win Round 10 and take home the gold buckle at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday in front of 16,954.

His fourth title has him halfway to tying Don Gay’s record of eight bull riding world titles.

“Each one of them is a step on the way up the mountain, and each is special because the road is so different each year,” Kimzey said. “The trials and tribulations are different, and this being the fourth one, I’m halfway up the mountain that Donnie Gay set. I usually have a healthy lead, but this year I was hurt and banged up and sore, but I got the ball rolling in the spring.”

In addition to the world title, Kimzey also won the average title with 601.5 points on seven head. Girl Money was the first bull Kimzey had ridden to the whistle since Round 7. It was his second outright round win of the Finals – he also shared the Round 3 victory – and he placed in two other rounds.

Kimzey became the only bull rider to break the $400,000 mark in a single season. The champion won $192,134 at the Finals to give him a PRCA-record for most money won in bull riding in a year at $436,479, smashing the record he set of $327,178 in 2015.

He’s not done winning yet.

“I don’t see any reason not to win nine or 10 in a row,” Kimzey said. “I’ve got the talent and drive and ability, and the Lord has blessed me in ways I can’t imagine.”

Ryder Wright is youngest saddle bronc riding champ

All Ryder Wright had to do in Round 10 was ride a saddle bronc to the whistle and the 19-year-old could revel in his first world championship.

Wright actually missed the horse out, but held on to win the world title with $284,938 – breaking the record for most money won in a saddle bronc riding season. Wright took home the gold buckle by $2,651 and became the youngest saddle bronc riding world champion of all time.

“The world title is won by pennies,” said Wright, the fourth in his famed family to win a world title. “It’s crazy, I don’t even know what to say but it’s a dream come true. I could sit and stare at it (the buckle) all day.”

When Wright saw the judge’s flag fly his heart skipped a beat.

The mark out made me sick, I saw it out of the corner of my eye – they throw it right in your face – I know they don’t really, but it seems like they do,” Wright said.

Adding to the Wright family trophy case is something Ryder Wright will always cherish.

“Oh, it’s special, something I’ve dreamed of since I saw my dad (Cody Wright) win his and it’s awesome to follow in his footsteps.”

Wright won four rounds, including three of four at one point, and placed in eight. He took home $185,577 at the Finals.

Brody Cress won the average with 841.5 points on 10 head. Taos Muncy won Round 10 with 87.5 points on Bar T Rodeo’s Son of Sadie.

It’s title No. 2 for bareback rider O’Connell

As Tim O’Connell continued to place and sit in the top two of the bareback riding average and No. 1 in the world by more than $80,000, it remained nearly inevitable that the 26-year-old Iowan would win his second consecutive gold buckle.

O’Connell secured that world title Saturday night with an 85.5-point ride, which also locked up his second consecutive WNFR average title. O’Connell won the average with 853.5 points on 10 head to cash for $67,269 in the average.

“I can’t even put it into words,” O’Connell said. “To do it back-to-back, to have both these buckles sitting in my hands again going back to Iowa, what a blessing. It was harder this year, way harder this year than it was last year. The group of guys that are here are better than any of the guys that have set foot in this arena. This is the best set of 15 bareback riders that ever hit this arena.”

Over the course of 10 days in December, O’Connell won Round 3 and placed in six others, giving him checks in seven of the 10 rounds. O’Connell made $169,500 at the WNFR to make $371,416 over the course of the 2017 season.

“Consistency is key,” O’Connell said. “If you’re 85 (points) every time, you’re going to win a lot of money. That’s just plain as day. You don’t have to win every time, but if you can be consistent and you can show up and put the best spur ride you can every single time, then you’re going to win; it’s going to pay off in the long run just doing the same thing each and every day.”

Steven Dent and Mason Clements split the Round 10 win as each scored 88 points. Dent did it on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Scarlett’s Web, while Clements did it on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Top Flight.

Costa is first Brazilian tie-down roping champ

Marcos Costa was hoping he could land his first tie-down roping title. But he wanted to make sure there was no doubt about it.

So, the Brazilian cowboy went out and won the round in 7.8 seconds, clinching the average, the world title and the chance to say he’s the only tie-down roping world champion from Brazil.

“I didn’t have much growing up and Stran (Smith) went down to Brazil and found me down there and watched me and brought me here,” Costa said. “Stran taught me how to rope and he taught me almost everything about roping here (in the PRCA). I’m just happy to be here. God is great to me. I’m the happiest man in the world.”

In the process of winning $195,519 at the Finals, Costa also won the RAM Top Gun Award for taking home the most money at the WNFR in a single event.

“I don’t have words to say about the Top Gun Award,” said Costa, who received a RAM 3500 Heavy Duty Truck for the award. “This is just one more blessing I received this night.”

Costa won Round 10 and placed in another six rounds along the way. He finished in 81.3 seconds on 10 head for the average title. Heading into the final round, he knew what he needed to do.

“I was thinking about just go rope that calf and try and win the title,” he said. “When I was praying today, I was saying that I was going to give everything I got to try and win the world if I had a chance. God’s plan is different than ours, and if you trust in him in all of your heart, things will happen for you.”

Rogers/Petska score team roping world title

Team roping header Erich Rogers was just slightly more than $200 behind the world standings leader when the WNFR started.

His partner, team roping heeler Cory Petska, was less than a $1,000 behind the heeling leader.

Both of them made the most of their 10 days in Las Vegas, as they teamed to win $131,705 each at the Finals and capture their first gold buckles for their respective events – and set records in the process.

“Man, this is a great feeling to get a championship,” Rogers said. “I’ve been here several times and to finally get an opportunity to capitalize on it, and to have Cory behind me, especially to have him heeling for me, it’s a great feeling to have him there and the confidence that he has in both of us is just one of the greatest feelings a guy could have.”

Rogers set the record for most money won by a header in a year, while Petska did the same for heelers.

The fact that Rogers and Petska are such good friends only added to the pride in their title.

“It’s awesome, because he’s like my best friend and my brother,” Petska said. “We spend so much time together that you’d want to win it with someone you like, and you want to be around. We spend hours together and we’re really good friends, so to win it with one of your best friends is dang sure better than winning it with someone you don’t like.”

Rogers and Petska finished the 2017 season with $265,417 each. The pair placed in seven rounds, splitting the win in Round 5.

They tied for second in the Finals average, finishing behind only Chad Masters and Travis Graves, who won with 61.2 seconds on 10 head. Garrett Rogers and Jake Minor won Round 10 in 4.1 seconds.

Pearson wins first career steer wrestling title

As the Finals wore on, steer wrestler Tyler Pearson refused to look at the standings. He didn’t want to know where he was or what he needed to do.

Instead, in the 10th Round, Pearson went out and put up a 5.2-second time to take second in the average and win his first gold buckle with $265,457.

“I didn’t want to know (what the numbers were),” said Pearson, of Louisville, Miss. “That would just make me more nervous. I didn’t want to look and see what somebody else did and then see what I had to do. I just wanted to go throw my steer down and let the cards lay. After I finished my run, I didn’t know where that put me and then they came out and told me I won. I thought Ty (Erickson) won it and I was proud for him, and then they told me I won and that was awesome. I was ecstatic.”

Pearson placed in five rounds, but never won one. He didn’t need to, as his worst round was 6.3 seconds. He had two seconds, two thirds and split another second-place finish.

Now, he’s sporting a nice, new, shiny buckle.

“This is unreal,” he said. “This is always what I wanted to do, but this is going to take me a week or two to believe this happened. This is nuts. I’ve been around a bunch of world champions and hung out with a lot of them, and I’m just blessed to be a world champion, and now to always be known as a world champion is unbelievable.”

Dakota Eldridge won the average with 45.4 seconds on 10 head. Tyler Waguespack won Round 10 in 3.2 seconds, setting a round record.

Miller, Sister win barrel racing title

When the WNFR opened on Dec. 7, barrel racer Nellie Miller was third in the world standings by a margin of $119,841.

Ten days later, Miller left the Thomas & Mack Center with $177,961 to give her $308,498 on the year and a world title gold buckle.

“I just have no words,” said Miller, who was aboard Sister.

Miller won the average in 137.32 seconds on 10 runs. She won Round 1 to set her on the right track. Then she placed in six of the next nine rounds.

“This is just so great for my family,” Miller said. “Rodeo is what we do. I mean, this is the biggest event that you can win.”

Hailey Kinsel closed the barrel racing competition with her fourth go-round win. She set a Round 10 record by finishing in 13.17 seconds.

“When I was at the NFR in 2010 we struggled, so, to come back this year and have this type of year is just really amazing,” Miller said.

Cooper wins all-round title on final night

Thanks to placing second in the average in tie-down roping, Tuf Cooper locked up his first all-around cowboy title.

Cooper, who trailed his brother-in-law Trevor Brazile in the final days leading up to Round 10, scored $54,577 with the second-place finish in the average.

“This is the best title and the best buckle you can win in rodeo,” Cooper said. “Trevor really created this award by winning it all those times. I just grew up as a kid who wanted to rope calves like my dad and brother-in-law. They both have won the all-around, and now I have one, too. This one feels different than the three tie-down roping gold buckles I have because this one says, ‘Cowboy,’ on it.”

Cooper finished with $341,560 in earnings across tie-down roping and steer roping. Brazile was second and Dakota Eldridge third.

10th Performance Results, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017

Bareback riding: (tie) Steven Dent on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Scarlett’s Web and Mason Clements on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Utah Top Flight, 88 points, $23,481 each; 3. Bill Tutor, 87.5, $15,654; 4. (tie) Richmond Champion and Ty Breuer, 86.5, $8,885 each; 6. J.R. Vezain, 86, $4,231; 7. Tim O’Connell, 85.5; 8. Caleb Bennett, 84; 9. Tanner Aus, 82.5; 10. Clayton Biglow, 82; 11. Orin Larsen, 81.5; 12. Wyatt Denny, 81; 13. R.C. Landingham, 79.5; 14. Jake Vold, NS. Jake Vold (out for the last two rounds after dislocated knee). Average standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, 853.5 points on 10 head; 2. Richmond Champion, 847.5; 3. J.R. Vezain, 842; 4. Caleb Bennett, 835.5; 5. Tanner Aus, 829.5; 6. Steven Dent, 825; 7. Ty Breuer, 814.5; 8. Bill Tutor, 802.5. World standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, $371,416; 2. Richmond Champion, $268,511; 3. Tanner Aus, $235,715; 4. J.R. Vezain, $220,831; 5. Clayton Biglow, $200,557; 6. Caleb Bennett, $195,088; 7. Jake Vold, $185,706; 8. Orin Larsen, $171,009; 9. Steven Dent, $170,709; 10. Mason Clements, $166,486; 11. Bill Tutor, $166,398; 12. Jake Brown, $161,866; 13. Ty Breuer, $145,645; 14. Wyatt Denny, $140,084; 15. R.C. Landingham, $106,031.

Steer wrestling: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 3.2 seconds, $26,231; 2. Scott Guenthner, 3.6, $20,731; 3. J.D. Struxness, 4.2, $15,654; 4. Ty Erickson, 4.5, $11,000; 5. Jon Ragatz, 4.7, $6,769; 6. Kyle Irwin, 4.8, $4,231; 7. Olin Hannum, 4.9; 8. Chason Floyd, 5.1; 9. (tie) Tyler Pearson and Dakota Eldridge, 5.2 each; 11. Ryle Smith, Baylor Roche, Tanner Milan, Nick Guy and Rowdy Parrott, NT. Average standings: 1. Dakota Eldridge, 45.4 seconds on 10 head; 2. Tyler Pearson, 45.9; 3. Kyle Irwin, 46.6; 4. J.D. Struxness, 56.5; 5. Scott Guenthner, 58.3; 6. Ty Erickson, 66.0; 7. Rowdy Parrott, 41.4 on nine; 8. Olin Hannum, 43.5. World standings: 1. Tyler Pearson, $265,457; 2. Ty Erickson, $263,267; 3. Dakota Eldridge, $245,333; 4. Tyler Waguespack, $231,277; 5. Kyle Irwin, $194,819; 6. Scott Guenthner, $186,839; 7. J.D. Struxness, $185,921; 8. Tanner Milan, $156,266; 9. Olin Hannum, $145,631; 10. Baylor Roche, $144,455; 11. Chason Floyd, $143,018; 12. Rowdy Parrott, $142,704; 13. Jon Ragatz, $137,178; 14. Nick Guy, $110,878; 15. Ryle Smith, $103,463.

Team roping: 1. Garrett Rogers/Jake Minor, 4.1 seconds, $26,231; 2. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.7, $20,731; 3. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 4.8, $15,654; 4. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 5.4, $11,000; 5. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 8.3, $6,769; 6. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 9.6, $4,231; 7. Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 9.8; 8. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 10.0; 9. Luke Brown/Jake Long, Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, Dustin Bird/Russell Cardoza, Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, Tom Richards/Jeremy Buhler and Jr. Dees/Tyler McKnight, NT. Average standings: 1. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 61.2 seconds on 10 head; 2. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 53.9 on nine; 3. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 56.7; 4. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 61.6; 5. Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 43.0 on eight; 6. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 45.3; 7. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 58.9; 8. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 36.2 on seven. World standings: (headers) 1. Erich Rogers, $265,417; 2. Kaleb Driggers, $254,471; 3. Riley Minor, $220,183; 4. Luke Brown, $216,804; 5. Clay Smith, $197,556; 6. Chad Masters, $195,778; 7. Coleman Proctor, $184,398; 8. Dustin Egusquiza, $182,206; 9. Charly Crawford, $156,552; 10. Clay Tryan, $153,999; 11. Jr. Dees, $149,887; 12. Garrett Rogers, $133,069; 13. Dustin Bird, $114,519; 14. Cody Snow, $112,716; 15. Tom Richards, $111,511. (heelers) 1.Cory Petska, $265,417; 2. Junior Nogueira, $255,201; 3. Brady Minor, $220,183; 4. Jake Long, $208,275; 5. Travis Graves, $202,688; 6. Paul Eaves, $201,673; 7. Billie Jack Saebens, $197,295; 8. Kory Koontz, $179,421; 9. Joseph Harrison, $160,793; 10. Jade Corkill, $153,999; 11. Tyler McKnight, $150,297; 12. Russell Cardoza, $136,004; 13. Jake Minor, $133,069; 14. Wesley Thorp, $114,317; 15. Jeremy Buhler, $98,102.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Taos Muncy, 87.5 points on Bar T Rodeo’s Son of Sadie, $26,231; 2. (tie) CoBurn Bradshaw and Jake Wright, 86.5, $18,192 each. 4. Brody Cress, 86, $11,000; 5. Clay Elliott, 83.5, $6,769; 6. (tie) Cody DeMoss and Hardy Braden, 82, $2,115 each; 8. Zeke Thurston, 79.5; 9. Jacobs Crawley, Layton Green, Sterling Crawley, Ryder Wright, Heith DeMoss, Audy Reed and Jesse Wright, NT. Average standings: 1. Brody Cress, 841.5 points on 10 head; 2. Hardy Braden, 764 on nine; 3. CoBurn Bradshaw, 757.5; 4. Sterling Crawley, 742.5; 5. Audy Reed, 721.5; 6. Jake Wright, 718.5; 7. Ryder Wright, 702.5 on eight; 8. Jacobs Crawley, 649.5. World standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $284,938; 2. Brody Cress, $282,287; 3. CoBurn Bradshaw, $274,577; 4. Hardy Braden, $262,966; 5. Jacobs Crawley, $233,274; 6. Sterling Crawley, $215,530; 7. Zeke Thurston, $199,917; 8. Jake Wright, $168,450; 9. Layton Green, $156,292; 10. Cody DeMoss, $155,887; 11. Taos Muncy, $142,402; 12. Audy Reed, $133,033; 13. Heith DeMoss, $129,568; 14. Clay Elliott, $121,755; 15. Jesse Wright, $109,053.

Tie-down roping: 1. Marcos Costa, 7.8 seconds, $26,231; 2. Cory Solomon, 8.1, $20,731; 3. Tyson Durfey, 8.2, $15,654; 4. Caleb Smidt, 8.3, $11,000; 5. (tie) Marty Yates and Cade Swor, 8.9, $5,500 each; 7. Trevor Brazile, 9.9; 8. (tie) Ryan Jarrett and Cooper Martin, 10.1 each; 10. J.C. Malone, 10.9; 11. Tuf Cooper, 11.0; 12. Matt Shiozawa, 11.4; 13. Timber Moore, 11.5; 14. Randall Carlisle, 13.7; 15. Shane Hanchey, 14.1. Average standings: 1. Marcos Costa, 81.3 seconds on 10 head; 2. Tuf Cooper, 91.0; 3. Cory Solomon, 96.5; 4. Cade Swor, 103.7; 5. Shane Hanchey, 103.9; 6. Marty Yates, 84.5 on nine; 7. J.C. Malone, 86.2; 8. Timber Moore, 87.1. World standings: 1. Marcos Costa, $317,421; 2. Tuf Cooper, $301,983; 3. Marty Yates, $233,673; 4. Cade Swor, $210,748; 5. Caleb Smidt, $209,098; 6. Shane Hanchey, $203,460; 7. Cory Solomon, $202,460; 8. Trevor Brazile, $177,010; 9. Cooper Martin, $151,284; 10. Timber Moore, $148,423; 11. Ryan Jarrett, $144,979; 12. Tyson Durfey, $139,846; 13. Matt Shiozawa, $135,094; 14. J.C. Malone, $132,261; 15. Randall Carlisle, $130,681.

Barrel racing: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 13.17 seconds, $26,231; 2. Sydni Blanchard, 13.39, $20,731; 3. Amberleigh Moore, 13.42, $15,654; 4. Taci Bettis, 13.54, $11,000; 5. Ivy Conrado, 13.60, $6,769; 6. Lisa Lockhart, 13.76, $4,231; 7. Nellie Miller, 13.85; 8. Tiany Schuster, 13.92; 9. Kathy Grimes, 13.97; 10. Tillar Murray, 14.0; 11. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 14.08; 12. Kellie Collier, 14.25; 13. Stevi Hillman, 14.35; 14. Kassie Mowry, 18.49; 15. Kimmie Wall, 21.83. Average standings: 1. Nellie Miller, 137.32 seconds on 10 runs; 2. Ivy Conrado, 137.4; 3. Lisa Lockhart, 138.12; 4. Tillar Murray, 142.89; 5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 144.01; 6. Hailey Kinsel, 144.95; 7. Kathy Grimes, 149.55; 8. Kellie Collier, 153.08. World standings: 1. Nellie Miller, $308,498; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $288,092; 3. Tiany Schuster, $285,339; 4. Amberleigh Moore, $240,806; 5. Ivy Conrado, $232,521; 6. Tillar Murray, $203,904; 7. Lisa Lockhart, $203,550; 8. Stevi Hillman, $199,619; 9. Kassie Mowry, $189,047; 10. Taci Bettis, $162,446; 11. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $161,173; 12. Kathy Grimes, $150,978; 13. Sydni Blanchard, $144,516; 14. Kellie Collier, $108,146; 15. Kimmie Wall, $86,294.

Bull riding: 1. Sage Kimzey, 88 points on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Girl Money, $28,981; 2. Jordan Spears, 86, $23,481; 3. Joe Frost, 82.5, $18,404; 4. Ty Wallace, 80.5, $13,750; 5. Garrett Smith, Trey Benton III, Tim Bingham, Cole Melancon, Dustin Bowen, Jordan Hansen, Roscoe Jarboe, Trevor Reiste, Guthrie Murray, Brennon Eldred and Boudreaux Campbell, NS. Average standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, 601.5 points on seven head; 2. Joe Frost, 585; 3. Trey Benton III, 530.5 on six; 4. Ty Wallace, 500.5; 5. Cole Melancon, 340 on four; 6. Jordan Hansen, 338; 7. Jordan Spears, 254 on three; 8. Garrett Smith, 252.5. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $436,479; 2. Trey Benton III, $322,208; 3. Ty Wallace, $305,352; 4. Joe Frost, $304,566; 5. Garrett Smith, $260,143; 6. Cole Melancon, $200,350; 7. Jordan Spears, $197,057; 8. Jordan Hansen, $180,295; 9. Roscoe Jarboe, $156,855; 10. Boudreaux Campbell, $144,601; 11. Tim Bingham, $129,515; 12. Guthrie Murray, $124,576; 13. Trevor Reiste, $107,121; 14. Dustin Bowen, $104,668; 15. Brennon Eldred, $102,991.

All-around world standings: 1. Tuf Cooper, $341,560; 2. Trevor Brazile, $319,337; 3. Dakota Eldridge, $268,553; 4. Erich Rogers, $260,470; 5. Junior Nogueira, $256,923; 6. Marty Yates, $225,784; 7. Caleb Smidt, $218,894; 8. Ryle Smith, $150,876; 9. Russell Cardoza, $149,026.

LAS VEGAS – There’s just something about the bright lights of Las Vegas that Ryder Wright loves.

Wright won four straight rounds, and five total, during his inaugural trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER in 2016. In his last five saddle bronc rides at this year’s event, the 19-year-old has three first-place finishes.

The latest came in impressive fashion Thursday night in front of 16,810 rodeo fans at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Wright scored 92 points aboard Powder River Rodeo’s Show Me Again – his first PRCA ride of at least 90 points – to win his third go-round of the 2017 WNFR.

Just as importantly, it moved him into first place in the WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings with $247,285.

It also keeps him solidly in first place in the RAM Top Gun Award standings, given to the competitor who scores the most points in his event at the Finals.

“Hopefully they (the rest of his rides) are just like this,” said Wright, who has made $147,923 at this year’s Finals. “At this time last year, I was struggling a bit, but I’ve been riding good all week and it definitely helps when you’re riding consistently. This game is 98 percent mental.”

In posting 92 points, Wright set the Round 8 record.

“That’s awesome, any record you set is cool,” said the Utah cowboy. “That’s crazy, I really don’t know what to say. … Let’s go break some more.”

Jacobs Crawley is in second place in the world standings with $226,927.

Team ropers Brown/Long tie with Tryan/Corkill

Team ropers Luke Brown and Jake Long stopped the clock in 4.1 seconds to tie with Clay Tryan and Jade Corkill to win team roping in Round 8.

More importantly, the first-place tie bumped Brown into first place in the world standings among team roping headers, while Long moved into second place in the team roping heeling world standings.

The win marked the fifth time in the 2017 Finals that Brown and Long placed, and the second time they had won a go-round.

“It’s been a blessed week so far,” Brown said. “It sure has been our week.”

The pair are hoping to keep things rolling over the last two nights.

“It’s been a great week,” Long said. “We started off kind of bad but we rallied and put ourselves in a good spot to make a lot of money.”

For the second time in four days, Tryan and Corkill found themselves at the top of the clock.

“It feels pretty good, really, especially since I thought I broke the barrier,” Tryan said. “The steer wasn’t very good, he kind of came left, so it was good to win the round. We lucked out tonight.”

The win put another $23,481 in each of the four winners’ pockets.

“We came in here with around $50,000, so I’m thinking more about making a living, and so now whatever happens I’m able to make a good living financially,” Corkill said.

Heeler Cory Petska moved into second first place in heeler standings after he and header Erich Rogers tied for third place in Round 8.

Canadian Hansen notches historic bull riding win

On Canada night, Canadian Jordan Hansen rode Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Tequila for 86 points, the win and a check for $28,981 after only four bull riders rode until the whistle.

The ride marked the first time since 2000 – Kagen Sirett in Round 6 – that a Canadian bull rider won a round at the WNFR.

That bit of patriotism had Hansen feeling good after his first Finals go-round win.

“I don’t think I could have picked a better night, especially having family here and it being Canada Night meant that much more,” said Hansen, of Okotoks, Alberta.

The win marked the third consecutive ride that saw Hansen place in the money and gives him $67,538 at the 2017 Finals.

“I’m at the point in my life now to save up and buy a house,” he said. “I’m trying to be smart with my money for once, but I’ll go have some fun tonight.”

The win also has Hansen in seventh place in the world standings and sixth in the average with 338 points on four head.

“Oh, you know, it’s a ‘let’s keep things rolling’ kind of thing,” he said. “I swapped ropes and it’s feeling awesome and I’m just excited for tomorrow. My other one was worn out and wasn’t feeling great, so I figured it was time to switch. Last time I used a new rope it worked out for me, and luckily it is now.”

Three-time defending world champion Sage Kimzey continues to lead in both the average (513.5 points on six head) and the world standings with $340,229.

Champion grabs second go-round bareback win

Richmond Champion notched the highest score of Round 8 on Thursday to win his second round of the 2017 WNFR, his first outright victory after splitting Round 2.

Champion scored 88 points on Hi Lo ProRodeo’s Pretty Woman, a horse he knew nearly nothing about.

Champion was extremely excited by his ride and result, saying he hadn’t expected that much success on Pretty Woman.

“The E-Pen is one of those rounds where you’re never comfortable,” Champion said. “You can feel as good as you want to, but those creatures, those horses are humbling. You’re not so much worried about the average or the score at all. You’re just wanting to win that fight. As you saw tonight, it’s a dogfight.”

Champion entered the Finals in ninth place in the world standings. That has changed over the course of the WNFR.

After winning $103,853, Champion finds himself up to second in the world and second in the race for the average.

“It’s unreal,” said Champion, of The Woodlands, Texas. “Like I said, you looked at the matchups on that sheet and to have it go the way it did is unreal. I’m bummed there are only two more nights of this because I’m having a blast.”

Champion still trails defending World Champion Tim O’Connell by about $93,000.

Floyd wrestles first go-round victory

In his first trip to the WNFR, Chason Floyd has his first go-round victory.

Floyd, 29, won the steer wrestling in 3.7 seconds to earn $26,231.

“It was a dream come true to make it here,” Floyd said, “and then to win a round, words can’t express how happy I feel.”

The Buffalo, S.D., cowboy won by 0.1 seconds. It was the third time he’s placed through eight rounds, his previous best being second place in Round 4.

After the fifth round, Floyd opted to switch horses, and he’s stuck with it since Round 6.

“They were both Sean Mulligan’s horses, but I switched to the back-up horse, Miss Kitty, and she’s feeling good,” Floyd said. “She just felt great. I was using Sean’s horse Holly in the first five rounds, and I just wanted to change some stuff up. Jon Ragatz is still riding Holly here.”

Floyd had been trying to take in the entire experience of the WNFR and Las Vegas.

“Unless you’re here, it’s hard to describe, it’s unreal,” he said. “It’s so cool to be a part of the lights and the electricity and the atmosphere. I’m just going to try and score sharp the final two rounds.”

Ty Erickson entered the WNFR with a lead in excess of $50,000. That lead is now less than $25,000, but he is in first place in the aggregate with 34.7 seconds on eight head.

Smidt and Solomon split tie-down roping go-round

Caleb Smidt and Cory Solomon each stopped the tie-down roping clock in 7.6 seconds to split Round 8 and get their first go-round wins of the 2017 Finals.

Both tie-down ropers had experienced a tough go of it through the first seven rounds. Smidt had placed in two rounds previously, while Solomon had placed in one.

“This feels awesome to get this win,” said Smidt, from Bellville, Texas. “It has been a rough week and it just seems like little things here, and they were keeping me from winning. I’m glad we finally got it all worked out.”

Solomon echoed his counterpart.

“It has been long week,” said Solomon, of Prairie View, Texas. “You’re roping against the best guys in the world and you have to have a good calf if you want to win good in the round, and every night I’ve come here with the one I would not prefer to run. It’s tough to wait to the next night to try and win because everybody ropes so hard. Tonight, I didn’t necessarily want the draw I had, but it worked out good.”

Solomon tried to put the early results behind him and focus on the task ahead.

“It’s tough, but I try and stay positive no matter what, but the Finals, that’s tough because this is what everybody watches,” Solomon said. “We put our heart and soul in all year, and we go up and down the road. It’s a little late (in the WNFR), but things are coming together.”

Tuf Cooper continues to lead the world standings with $247,406.

Moore wins third barrel racing round of ’17

Barrel racer Amberleigh Moore notched the trifecta, winning her third go-round of the 2017 Finals in 13.54 seconds, putting her over the $100,000 mark in winnings at this year’s WNFR.

Aboard her horse, Paige, Moore won her third go-round in the last seven.

“With all three go-round buckles I’ve won here this year, they have all been really close in the 13.5’s,” Moore said. “So, this has been pretty consistent for Paige.”

Moore and Paige continued to dominate in Round 8.

“Yeah, this is Paige’s playpen, but we didn’t get here because we were perfect,” Moore said. “We don’t have consistency on the ground, and these horses have to adjust every single night we come out there. I am very proud of her.”

Moore has won $104,346 at this year’s WNFR, putting her in second place in the world standings.

World standings leader Tiany Schuster continues to top the barrel racing chart with $285,339, about $60,000 ahead of Moore.

Brazile adds to all-around total

Trevor Brazile tied for fifth place in tie-down roping to increase his all-around total to $319,337 in the race for the all-around title.

Tuf Cooper, Brazile’s brother-in-law, continues to sit in second.

Meanwhile, tie-down roper Caleb Smidt moved into third place with $207,894 after tying for first in Round 8.

Eighth Performance Results, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017

Bareback riding: 1. Richmond Champion, 88 points on Hi Lo ProRodeo’s Pretty Woman; $26,231; 2. Clayton Biglow, 86.5, $20,731; 3. Jake Brown, 86, $15,654; 4. (tie) Tim O’Connell and J.R. Vezain, 85, $8,885 each; 6. Bill Tutor, 84.5, $4,231; 7. Steven Dent, 84; 8. (tie) Caleb Bennett and Ty Breuer, 81.5 each; 10. Mason Clements, 81; 11. Tanner, 78.5; 12. R.C. Landingham, 78; 13. Orin Larsen, 75.5; 14. Wyatt Denny and Jake Vold, NS. Average standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, 683 points on eight head; 2. Richmond Champion, 682.5; 3. J.R. Vezain, 671; 4. Caleb Bennett, 665; 5. Tanner Aus, 661; 6. Steven Dent, 650. World standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, $298,647; 2. Richmond Champion, $205,050; 3. Tanner Aus, $201,868; 4. Clayton Biglow, $200,557; 5. Jake Vold, $185,706; 6. Orin Larsen, $171,009; 7. J.R. Vezain, $167,946; 8. Caleb Bennett, $147,703; 9. Bill Tutor, $144,398; 10. Mason Clements, $143,005; 11. Wyatt Denny, $140,084; 12. Jake Brown, $135,636; 13. Ty Breuer, $125,337; 14. Steven Dent, $109,998; 15. R.C. Landingham, $106,031.

Steer wrestling: 1. Chason Floyd, 3.7 seconds, $26,231; 2. Rowdy Parrott, 3.8, $20,731; 3. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Jon Ragatz, 4.1, $13,327 each; 5. (tie) Ty Erickson and Tanner Milan, 4.4, $5,500 each; 7. J.D. Struxness, 4.7; 8. Olin Hannum, 5.2; 9. (tie) Tyler Pearson and Kyle Irwin, 5.5 each; 11. Scott Guenthner, 5.6; 12. Ryle Smith, Tyler Waguespack, Baylor Roche and Nick Guy, NT. Average standings: 1. Ty Erickson, 34.7 seconds on eight head; 2. Tyler Pearson, 36.2; 3. Dakota Eldridge, 36.7; 4. Rowdy Parrott, 36.8; 5. Kyle Irwin, 38.0; 6. J.D. Struxness, 48.6. World standings: 1. Ty Erickson, $235,767; 2. Tyler Pearson, $210,880; 3. Tyler Waguespack, $189,393; 4. Dakota Eldridge, $157,333; 5. Tanner Milan, $156,266; 6. Kyle Irwin, $147,434; 7. Baylor Roche, $144,455; 8. Chason Floyd, $135,684; 9. Olin Hannum, $131,951; 10. Rowdy Parrott, $131,281; 11. J.D. Struxness, $131,203; 12. Jon Ragatz, $130,409; 13. Scott Guenthner, $117,032; 14. Nick Guy, $110,878; 15. Ryle Smith, $103,463.

Team roping: 1. (tie) Luke Brown/Jake Long and Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, 4.1 seconds, $23,481 each; 3. (tie) Erich Rogers/Cory Petska and Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 4.2, $13,327 each; 5. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 4.3, $6,769; 6. Garrett Rogers/Jake Minor, 4.7, $4,231; 7. Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 5.5; 8. Dustin Bird/Russell Cardoza, 5.7; 9. Coleman Proctor/ Billie Jack Saebens, 9.0; 10. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 9.2; 11. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 11.6; 12. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, Tom Richards/Jeremy Buhler and Jr. Dees/Tyler McKnight, NT. Average standings: 1. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 45.6 seconds on eight head; 2. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 50.4; 3. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 36.2 on seven; 4. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 43.1; 5. Coleman Proctor/ Billie Jack Saebens, 52.9; 6. Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 28.2 on six. World standings: (headers) 1. Luke Brown, $210,457; 2. Erich Rogers, $204,071; 3. Kaleb Driggers, $196,086; 4. Clay Smith, $176,825; 5. Riley Minor, $161,798; 6. Dustin Egusquiza, $161,475; 7. Clay Tryan, $153,999; 8. Jr. Dees, $149,887; 9. Charly Crawford, $133,706; 10. Coleman Proctor, $121,360; 11. Chad Masters, $117,509; 12. Dustin Bird, $114,519; 13. Cody Snow, $112,716; 14. Garrett Rogers, $106,838; 15. Tom Richards, $104,742; (heelers) 1. Cory Petska, $204,071; 2. Jake Long, $201,929; 3. Junior Nogueira, $196,816; 4. Paul Eaves, $180,942; 5. Brady Minor, $161,798; 6. Kory Koontz, $158,690; 7. Jade Corkill, $153,999; 8. Tyler McKnight, $150,297; 9. Joseph Harrison, $137,947; 10. Russell Cardoza, $136,004; 11. Billie Jack Saebens, $134,257; 12. Travis Graves, $124,418; 13. Wesley Thorp, $114,317; 14. Jake Minor, $106,838; 15. Jeremy Buhler, $91,333.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Ryder Wright, 92 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Show Me Again, $26,231; 2. Jake Wright, 88, $20,731; 3. Clay Elliott, 87.5, $15,654; 4. CoBurn Bradshaw, 87, $11,000; 5. Hardy Braden, 84.5, $6,769; 6. Heith DeMoss, 84, $4,231; 7. Brody Cress, 83.5; 8. Audy Reed, 82; 9. Sterling Crawley, 79; 10. Cody DeMoss, 78.5; 11. Jacobs Crawley, 77.5; 12. Zeke Thurston, Layton Green, Taos Muncy and Jesse Wright, NS. Average standings: 1. CoBurn Bradshaw, 671 points on eight head; 2. Brody Cress, 670; 3. Sterling Crawley, 656; 4. Audy Reed, 641; 5. Ryder Wright, 615.5 on seven; 6. Hardy Braden, 596.5. World standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $247,285; 2. Jacobs Crawley, $226,927; 3. CoBurn Bradshaw, $213,231; 4. Zeke Thurston, $199,917; 5. Hardy Braden, $192,947; 6. Brody Cress, $190,690; 7. Sterling Crawley, $163,069; 8. Layton Green, $156,292; 9. Cody DeMoss, $153,772; 10. Heith DeMoss, $129,568; 11. Jake Wright, $128,257; 12. Taos Muncy, $116,171; 13. Clay Elliott, $114,986; 14. Jesse Wright, $109,053; 15. Audy Reed, $104,687.

Tie-down roping: 1. (tie) Caleb Smidt and Cory Solomon, 7.6 seconds, $23,481 each; 3. Marty Yates, 8.4, $15,654; 4. Marcos Costa, 8.5, $11,000; 5. (tie) Trevor Brazile and Cade Swor, 9.1, $5,500 each; 7. Randall Carlisle, 9.5; 8. Shane Hanchey, 9.8; 9. Tuf Cooper, 10.8; 10. Matt Shiozawa, 12.7; 11. Tyson Durfey, Ryan Jarrett, J.C. Malone, Timber Moore and Cooper Martin, NT. Average standings: 1. Marcos Costa, 65.1 seconds on eight head; 2. Tuf Cooper, 70.1; 3. Cade Swor, 77.9; 4. Cory Solomon, 81.0; 5. Shane Hanchey, 83.0; 6. Timber Moore, 64.5 on seven. World standings: 1. Tuf Cooper, $247,406; 2. Marcos Costa, $223,921; 3. Caleb Smidt, $198,098; 4. Marty Yates, $196,019; 5. Trevor Brazile, $177,010; 6. Cade Swor, $173,517; 7. Shane Hanchey, $154,383; 8. Cooper Martin, $142,400; 9. Timber Moore, $142,077; 10. Ryan Jarrett, $140,748; 11. Randall Carlisle, $130,681; 12. Cory Solomon, $129,691; 13. Tyson Durfey, $124,192; 14. J.C. Malone, $120,838; 15. Matt Shiozawa, $114,363.

Barrel racing: 1. Amberleigh Moore, 13.54 seconds, $26,231; 2. Tillar Murray, 13.73, $20,731; 3. Ivy Conrado, 13.86, $15,654; 4. Nellie Miller, 13.87, $11,000; 5. Lisa Lockhart, 13.93, $6,769; 6. Kellie Collier, 13.95, $4,231; 7. Kimmie Wall, 14.07; 8. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 14.16; 9. Taci Bettis, 18.43; 10. Hailey Kinsel, 18.57; 11. Kassie Mowry, 18.95; 12. Kathy Grimes, 18.97; 13. Sydni Blanchard, 18.98; 14. Stevi Hillman, 19.05; 15. Tiany Schuster, 23.56. Average standings: 1. Ivy Conrado, 109.93 seconds on eight runs; 2. Nellie Miller, 109.95; 3. Lisa Lockhart, 110.36; 4. Tillar Murray, 115.04; 5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 116.03; 6. Hailey Kinsel, 118.35. World standings: 1. Tiany Schuster, $285,339; 2. Amberleigh Moore, $225,153; 3. Nellie Miller, $220,498; 4. Hailey Kinsel, $219,128; 5. Stevi Hillman, $199,619; 6. Kassie Mowry, $173,394; 7. Ivy Conrado, $166,944; 8. Tillar Murray, $165,404; 9. Lisa Lockhart, $156,166; 10. Taci Bettis, $140,446; 11. Kathy Grimes, $139,555; 12. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $138,327; 13. Sydni Blanchard, $123,785; 14. Kellie Collier, $101,799; 15. Kimmie Wall, $86,294.

Bull riding: 1. Jordan Hansen, 86 points on Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Tequila, $28,981; 2. Ty Wallace, 84, $23,481; 3. Guthrie Murray, 82.5, $18,404; 4. Joe Frost, 81, $13,750; 5. Sage Kimzey, Garrett Smith, Trey Benton III, Tim Bingham, Cole Melancon, Jordan Spears, Dustin Bowen, Roscoe Jarboe, Trevor Reiste, Jordan Spears, Dustin Bowen, Brennon Eldred and Boudreaux Campbell, NS. Average standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, 513.5 points on six head; 2. Joe Frost, 502.5; 3. Trey Benton III, 442.5 on five; 4. Ty Wallace, 420; 5. Cole Melancon, 340 on four; 6. Jordan Hansen, 338. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $340,229; 2. Ty Wallace, $259,872; 3. Garrett Smith, $253,797; 4. Trey Benton III, $236,747; 5. Joe Frost, $231,585; 6. Cole Melancon, $177,504; 7. Jordan Hansen, $163,795; 8. Jordan Spears, $162,154; 9. Roscoe Jarboe, $156,855; 10. Tim Bingham, $129,515; 11. Guthrie Murray, $124,576; 12. Trevor Reiste, $107,121; 13. Dustin Bowen, $104,668; 14. Brennon Eldred, $102,991; 15. Boudreaux Campbell, $102,294.

All around world standings: 1. Trevor Brazile, $319,337; 2. Tuf Cooper, $286,983; 3. Caleb Smidt, $207,894; 4. Erich Rogers, $199,123; 5. Junior Nogueira, $198,539; 6. Marty Yates, $188,130; 7. Dakota Eldridge, 180,553; 8. Ryle Smith, $150,876; 9. Russell Cardoza, $149,026.

LAS VEGAS – Hardy Braden is making the most of his first trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER.

Coming into the 2017 Finals, Braden was just hoping to compete and maybe place a few times.

On Wednesday, Dec. 13, Braden won his second go-round at the Thomas & Mack Center, scoring 88 points on Hi Lo ProRodeo’s Garden City Gal for the Round 7 win.

“That’s pretty unbelievable,” Braden said. “I came in with the mindset of being happy to place in some rounds, let alone win two of them. Two out of seven is good compared to what I said I’d be happy with. I treat it like any rodeo, and show up with a level head and do the best with what you got and block out the pressure of so much money in a perf.”

Braden had never been on Garden City Gal before, but rode her like she was old hat.

“I had never actually seen her,” Braden said, “but Jacobs (Crawley) had been on her before and some of my friends too, and they all said she had some moves and tricks, and to try to stay back on her – and that’s what I did, and she had an outstanding trip today.”

Crawley is still leading the WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings with $226,927. Crawley placed fifth in Round 7.

Aus notches second win of 2017 WNFR

After tying for first in the second round, bareback rider Tanner Aus hit a cold spell, placing just once over the next three rounds. But a night after breaking that streak with a tie for fifth, Aus scored 87 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s Jr. Bonner.

“It’s nice,” Aus said. “That’s just part of the competition being so tough here, sometimes you’re going to split round wins. To be able to head out there tonight on my own, this is basically the culmination of a long season and a lot of preparation. It’s a dream come true to be on that stage again, and I’m very thankful that I get to go out there.”

Aus had to wait for a re-ride from Orin Larsen before he could truly celebrate his win.

“Well, I knew that Orin (Larsen) had a good shot (on his re-ride) – Orin’s been riding great all week, he had a great horse, this is a tough pen,” said Aus, from Minnesota. “I was just waiting with bated breath, I guess, but thankful to have the round win for sure.”

World standings leader Tim O’Connell tied for second in the go-round and heads into Round 8 with $289,762, more than $80,000 ahead of Aus, his closest competitor.

Eldridge goes 3.3 seconds to win steer wrestling

Dakota Eldridge posted the fastest time of the 2017 WNFR in the steer wrestling competition when he stopped the clock at 3.3 seconds. That was plenty fast to win Round 7 and take home $26,231.

Eldridge entered the seventh round with the fourth best average time. His time in Round 7 kept him in fourth and has him in seventh place in the world standings with $144,006.

The quick victory had Eldridge pumped.

“The feeling when you win is something you never want to get rid of,” said Eldridge, a 26-year-old Nevadan. “The crowd goes crazy and it’s incredible. They had not done anything on that steer, but you have to have a good attitude no matter what and stay positive.

Eldridge changed his approach and watched it work.

“I finally got close to the barrier tonight,” he said. “I’ve been giving them a head start. I’m done being nice, I’m going to get greedy.”

Being from Elko, Nev., gave Eldridge a special feeling to win in his home state.

“I have a bunch of people down here today and it’s just unbelievable to have this rodeo in your home state, six hours from my house,” Eldridge said. “You get down here, and sometimes you get caught up and get tired, and man, you just have to crave it and realize how much money you’re running for. It doesn’t get any better than having your home state crowd cheering for you. That really pumps you up.”

Ty Erickson, who leads the aggregate, is on top of the world standings with $230,267 heading into the final three rounds of the WNFR.

Egusquiza/Koontz pair up for another round win

Dustin Egusquiza might be in the middle of his first trip to the WNFR, but he’s not roping like it.

Egusquiza, a team roping header, paired with Kory Koontz to win their second go-round in the Finals, clocking a time of 3.5 seconds, the fastest time of the 2017 Finals.

“It makes me feel good to be able to get him going in his career and to be the first guy to rope with him at the NFR,” said Koontz, in his 21st trip to the WNFR. “When I get old and I’m in my rocking chair, I can sit back and watch him do great things. I get a really good feeling in seeing guys that I was able to help move forward in their career and get them going.”

Egusquiza was ecstatic with his first win. Wednesday’s win felt just as good.

“I don’t think there could have been a greater feeling than winning the first round, but 3.5 (seconds) in the seventh go-round heading for Kory Koontz, it’s pretty crazy,” said Egusquiza, 22.

The time also tied for the second fastest in Round 7 history. Egusquiza’s confidence continues to grow.

“Man, I know that I can turn him wherever,” Egusquiza said. “When the gate opens, I can turn him and he (Koontz) is always going to be ready. I’m not ever going to catch him off guard.”

Egusquiza and Koontz have pocketed $70,712 each.

Team ropers Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira have moved back into first place in the world standings in their respective events, where they started when the Finals opened. Driggers has $196,086, while Nogueira has $196,816.

Frost capitalizes on Heavens Basement to win bull riding

Joe Frost knew he was getting a good bull. Wayne Vold Rodeo’s Heavens Basement had bucked off Tim Bingham in Round 2 of the Finals.

He didn’t buck off Frost.

Frost rode Heavens Basement for 87 points and the win in Round 7.

“Well, I talked to my dad and brother when they found what I had, and last time they watched when Bingham had him and they said he was to the right,” Frost said. “But I put that out of my mind. If I know, I will get ahead of myself, and I would rather ride in the center; and if they turn, I can catch up and play defense – that’s the best way to do it.”

It was the fifth time Frost has placed in the Finals this year, giving him $88,692 for the rodeo and $217,835 in season earnings.

“It always helps anytime you win a round,” Frost said. “It’s been two years since I won a round (at the Wrangler NFR). It’s the most fun thing – you are the star of the show and it pays well, too.”

With $340,229, Sage Kimzey continues to dominate the world standings. He’s also first in the aggregate with 513.5 points on six head.

Carlisle snaps streak to win tie-down roping round

It had been a long time since Randall Carlisle had won a round at the WNFR. That streak is over.

Carlisle won the Round 7 tie-down roping in 7.5 seconds to get his first go-round win at the Finals since his last appearance in 2013, when he won Round 2.

“I’m just thankful that things are turning around,” Carlisle said. “I started off bad and I’m trying to overcome everything.”

Carlisle said the encouragement he received from family and friends earlier in the day gave him a jolt heading into the round.

“I had text messages all day today saying that tonight was going to be my night, and I broke the ice,” he said. “Now, there are three rounds left and I’m going to keep going after it each night.”

Carlisle switched horses after the first two rounds, getting on Fletch for Round 3, and was riding him again for Wednesday’s win.

“He’s been very good,” Carlisle said. “I started using him in Round 3 and he has done the same thing every night. I used my horse, Cat, the first two rounds, and he’s a great horse that’s real strong and he was a little too strong here, so I decided to switch to (Fletch) because he’s smaller and easier (to handle).”

Regular-season leader Tuf Cooper continues to be at the top of the world standings, stretching his lead after a second-place finish Wednesday. He has $247,406.

Murray wins first go-round at WNFR

WNFR newcomer Tillar Murray rode out last in the barrel racing on Wednesday.

She finished first.

Murray finished in 13.40 seconds, the second fastest time for any Round 7.

Murray is in her first trip to the Finals. Through her first six rounds she had placed twice. Then came the win.

“I can’t believe that I won a go-round,” she said. “I am just so happy to be here. I’ve wanted to be at the NFR ever since I was a little kid. Just being here is cool. I really had no expectation of winning a round. There is just no way to describe it. It is the coolest feeling.”

Her horse, Commander, is adjusting to the arena.

“I am so excited,” she said. “I was nervous being last out on the ground, but Commander really handled it well. I couldn’t have asked him to work any better. He exceeded all expectations and I am so proud of him.”

Tiany Schuster has $285,339 in season earnings to continue to lead the way toward the barrel racing world championship.

Cooper gains ground in all-around race

Trevor Brazile continues to lead in the race for the coveted all-around gold buckle, but his brother-in-law, Tuf Cooper, gained some ground in Round 7.

Brazile did not place in the money in the tie-down roping, while Cooper took second to win $20,731. Brazile leads the all-around race with $313,837. Cooper is second with $286,983.

Ryder Wright atop RAM Top Gun race

In his second trip to the WNFR, 19-year-old Ryder Wright is leading the RAM Top Gun Award standings.

Wright finished second in the saddle bronc riding go-round Wednesday and earned $20,731 to move into first place in the Top Gun chase with $121,692.

He passed barrel racer Hailey Kinsel, who is second with $120,423.

Seventh Performance Results, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017

Bareback riding: 1. Tanner Aus, 87 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s Jr Bonner, $26,231; 2. (tie) Tim O’Connell and Clayton Biglow, 85.5, $18,192 each; 4. (tie) Jake Vold, Bill Tutor and Mason Clements, 83.5, $7,333 each; 7. J.R. Vezain, 83; 8. R.C. Landingham, 82; 9. Richmond Champion, 80.5; 10. Steven Dent, 78; 11. Caleb Bennett, 76; 12. Wyatt Denny, 74.5; 13. Ty Breuer, 73; 14. Orin Larsen, 66.5; 15. Jake Brown, NS. Average standings: 1. Jake Vold, 598.5 points on seven head; 2. Tim O’Connell, 598; 3. Richmond Champion, 594.5; 4. J.R. Vezain, 586; 5. Caleb Bennett, 583.5; 6. Tanner Aus, 582.5. World standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, $289,762; 2. Tanner Aus, $201,868; 3. Jake Vold, $185,706; 4. Clayton Biglow, $179,826; 5. Richmond Champion, $178,819; 6. Orin Larsen, $171,009; 7. J.R. Vezain, $159,062; 8. Caleb Bennett, $147,703; 9. Mason Clements, $143,005; 10. Bill Tutor, $140,167; 11. Wyatt Denny, $140,084; 12. Ty Breuer, $125,337; 13. Jake Brown, $119,982; 14. Steven Dent, $109,998; 15. R.C. Landingham, $106,031.

Steer wrestling: 1. Dakota Eldridge, 3.3 seconds, $26,231; 2. (tie) Tyler Pearson and Kyle Irwin, 3.6, $18,192 each; 4. Rowdy Parrott, 3.8, $11,000; 5. Olin Hannum, 3.9, $6,769; 6. Tyler Waguespack, 4.0, $4,231; 7. J.D. Struxness, 4.2; 8. (tie) Ty Erickson and Ryle Smith, 4.4 each; 10. Scott Guenthner, 4.8; 11. Baylor Roche, 5.0; 12. Chason Floyd, 5.0; 13. Nick Guy, 5.1; 14. Jon Ragatz, 13.0; 15. Tanner Milan, NT. Average standings: 1. Ty Erickson, 30.3 seconds on seven head; 2. Tyler Pearson, 30.7; 3. Kyle Irwin, 32.5; 4. Dakota Eldridge, 32.6; 5. Rowdy Parrott, 33.0; 6. Nick Guy, 34.0. World standings: 1. Ty Erickson, $230,267; 2. Tyler Pearson, $210,880; 3. Tyler Waguespack, $189,393; 4. Tanner Milan, $150,766; 5. Kyle Irwin, $147,434; 6. Baylor Roche, $144,455; 7. Dakota Eldridge, $144,006; 8. Olin Hannum, $131,951; 9. J.D. Struxness, $131,203; 10. Jon Ragatz, $117,082; 11. Scott Guenthner, $117,032; 12. Nick Guy, $110,878; 13. Rowdy Parrott, $110,550; 14. Chason Floyd, $109,453; 15. Ryle Smith, $103,463.

Team roping: 1. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 3.5 seconds, $26,231 each; 2. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 3.8, $20,731; 3. Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 4.4, $15,654; 4. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Luke Brown/Jake Long, 4.7, $8,885 each; 6. Jr. Dees/Tyler McKnight, 5.0, $4,231; 7. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 5.2; 8. Dustin Bird/Russell Cardoza, 9.5; 9. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 9.7; 10. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 14.2; 11. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 15.3; 12. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, Tom Richards/Jeremy Buhler and Garrett Rogers/Jake Minor, NT. Average standings: 1. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 41.4 seconds on seven head; 2. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 43.1; 3. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 46.1; 4. Jr. Dees/Tyler McKnight, 31.8 on six; 5. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 32.1; 6. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 43.9. World standings: (headers) 1. Kaleb Driggers, $196,086; 2. Erich Rogers, $190,744; 3. Luke Brown, $186,977; 4. Clay Smith, $176,825; 5. Riley Minor, $161,798; 6. Jr. Dees, $149,887; 7. Dustin Egusquiza, $148,148; 8. Charly Crawford, $133,706; 9. Clay Tryan, $130,518; 10. Coleman Proctor, $121,360; 11. Dustin Bird, $114,519; 12. Cody Snow, $112,716; 13. Chad Masters, $110,739; 14. Tom Richards, $104,742; 15. Garrett Rogers, $102,607. (heelers) 1. Junior Nogueira, $196,816; 2. Cory Petska, $190,744; 3. Paul Eaves, $180,942; 4. Jake Long, $178,448; 5. Brady Minor, $161,798; 6. Tyler McKnight, $150,297; 7. Kory Koontz, $145,364; 8. Joseph Harrison, $137,947; 9. Russell Cardoza, $136,004; 10. Billie Jack Saebens, $134,257; 11. Jade Corkill, $130,518; 12. Travis Graves, $117,649; 13. Wesley Thorp, $114,317; 14. Jake Minor, $102,607; 15. Jeremy Buhler, $91,333.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Hardy Braden, 88 points on Hi Lo ProRodeo’s Garden City Gal, $26,231; 2. Ryder Wright, 86.5, $20,731; 3. CoBurn Bradshaw, 85.5, $15,654; 4. Layton Green, 83, $11,000; 5. Jacobs Crawley, 81, $6,769; 6. (tie) Cody DeMoss and Brody Cress, 80, $2,115 each; 8. Taos Muncy, 79.5; 9. (tie) Audy Reed and Jesse Wright, 79 each; 11. Zeke Thurston, 75.5; 12. Sterling Crawley, 75; 13. Jake Wright, 66.5; 14. Heith DeMoss and Clay Elliott, NS. Average standings: 1. Brody Cress, 586.5 points on seven head; 2. CoBurn Bradshaw, 584; 3. Sterling Crawley, 577; 4. Audy Reed, 559; 5. Ryder Wright, 523.5 on six; 6. Hardy Braden, 512. World standings: 1. Jacobs Crawley, $226,927; 2. Ryder Wright, $221,054; 3. CoBurn Bradshaw, $202,231; 4. Zeke Thurston, $199,917; 5. Brody Cress, $190,690; 6. Hardy Braden, $186,177; 7. Sterling Crawley, $163,069; 8. Layton Green, $156,292; 9. Cody DeMoss, $153,772; 10. Heith DeMoss, $125,338; 11. Taos Muncy, $116,171; 12. Jesse Wright, $109,053; 13. Jake Wright, $107,527; 14. Audy Reed, $104,687; 15. Clay Elliott, $99,332.

Tie-down roping: 1. Randall Carlisle, 7.5 seconds, $26,231; 2. Tuf Cooper, 8.0, $20,731; 3. Marcos Costa, 8.3, $15,654; 4. Cade Swor, 9.6, $11,000; 5. J.C. Malone, 9.7, $6,769; 6. Timber Moore, 11.3, $4,231; 7. Ryan Jarrett, 11.5; 8. Matt Shiozawa, 13.4; 9. Tyson Durfey, 14.3; 10. Shane Hanchey, 16.7; 11. Cory Solomon, 17.9; 12. Trevor Brazile, Caleb Smidt, Marty Yates and Cooper Martin, NT. Average standings: 1. Marcos Costa, 56.6 seconds on seven head; 2. Tuf Cooper, 59.3; 3. Timber Moore, 64.5; 4. J.C. Malone, 67.0; 5. Cade Swor, 68.8; 6. Shane Hanchey, 73.2. World standings: 1. Tuf Cooper, $247,406; 2. Marcos Costa, $212,921; 3. Marty Yates, $180,366; 4. Caleb Smidt, $174,617; 5. Trevor Brazile, $171,510; 6. Cade Swor, $168,017; 7. Shane Hanchey, $154,383; 8. Cooper Martin, $142,400; 9. Timber Moore, $142,077; 10. Ryan Jarrett, $140,748; 11. Randall Carlisle, $130,681; 12. Tyson Durfey, $124,192; 13. J.C. Malone, $120,838; 14. Matt Shiozawa, $114,363; 15. Cory Solomon, $106,210.

Barrel racing: 1. Tillar Murray, 13.4 seconds, $26,231; 2. Nellie Miller, 13.52, $20,731; 3. Sydni Blanchard, 13.62, $15,654; 4. Lisa Lockhart, 13.63, $11,000; 5. Kassie Mowry, 13.68, $6,769; 6. Tiany Schuster, 13.7, $4,231; 7. Amberleigh Moore, 13.75; 8. (tie) Taci Bettis and Ivy Conrado, 13.78 each; 10. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 13.79; 11. Kellie Collier, 13.85; 12. Stevi Hillman, 15.18; 13. Hailey Kinsel, 18.54; 14. Kimmie Wall, 18.91; 15. Kathy Grimes, 19.17. Average standings: 1. Ivy Conrado, 96.07 seconds on seven runs; 2. Nellie Miller, 96.08; 3. Lisa Lockhart, 96.43; 4. Tiany Schuster, 97.83; 5. Hailey Kinsel, 99.78; 6. Tillar Murray, 101.31. World standings: 1. Tiany Schuster, $285,339; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $219,130; 3. Nellie Miller, $209,498; 4. Stevi Hillman, $199,619; 5. Amberleigh Moore, $198,922; 6. Kassie Mowry, $173,394; 7. Ivy Conrado, $151,290; 8. Lisa Lockhart, $149,397; 9. Tillar Murray, $144,674; 10. Taci Bettis, $140,446; 11. Kathy Grimes, $139,555; 12. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $138,327; 13. Sydni Blanchard, $123,785; 14. Kellie Collier, $97,569; 15. Kimmie Wall, $86,294.

Bull riding: 1. Joe Frost, 87 points on Wayne Vold Rodeo’s Heavens Basement, $26,231; 2. Ty Wallace, 86.5, $20,731; 3. Roscoe Jarboe, 84, $15,654; 4. (tie) Jordan Hansen and Guthrie Murray, 83, $8,885 each; 6. Jordan Spears, 82.5, $4,231; 7. Sage Kimzey, 81.5; 8. Garrett Smith, 80; 9. Trey Benton III, Tim Bingham, Cole Melancon, Dustin Bowen and Trevor Reiste, Brennon Eldred, Boudreaux Campbell, NS. Average standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, 513.5 points on six head; 2. Trey Benton III, 442.5 on five; 3. Joe Frost, 421.5; 4. Cole Melancon, 340 on four; 5. Ty Wallace, 336; 6. Garrett Smith, 252.5 on three. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $340,229; 2. Garrett Smith, $253,797; 3. Trey Benton III, $236,747; 4. Ty Wallace, $236,391; 5. Joe Frost, $217,835; 6. Cole Melancon, $177,504; 7. Jordan Spears, $162,154; 8. Roscoe Jarboe, $156,855; 9. Jordan Hansen, $134,814; 10. Tim Bingham, $129,515; 11. Trevor Reiste, $107,121; 12. Guthrie Murray, $106,172; 13. Dustin Bowen, $104,668; 14. Brennon Eldred, $102,991; 15. Boudreaux Campbell, $102,294.

All-around world standings: 1. Trevor Brazile, $313,837; 2. Tuf Cooper, $286,983; 3. Junior Nogueira, $198,537; 4. Erich Rogers, $185,796; 5. Caleb Smidt, $184,414; 6. Marty Yates, $172,476; 7. Dakota Eldridge, $167,226; 8. Ryle Smith, $150,876; 9. Russell Cardoza, $149,026.

LAS VEGAS – Trey Benton III continues to be the talk of the bull riding competition.

Benton became the first competitor across any event to win three rounds at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER in 2017 after scoring 92.5 points on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Bomb Pop at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

The win gives him $115,346 won at the 2017 WNFR, the second most of any competitor.

He’s first in the bull riding average with 442.5 points on five head and third in the WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings with $236,747.

Benton trails three-time defending World Champion Sage Kimzey, who placed second on Tuesday and has $340,229.

“I have a plan in my head, and I hope to go out there and show it,” Benton said. “I’m planning on winning every round the rest of the way, and if I do that, my plan will work. I know what needs to be done.”

Benton also won Rounds 1 and 4. He has covered every bull except the one he faced in the fifth round. He has also placed third in one round and fourth in the other.

Benton had not ridden Bomb Pop, but was familiar with the bull. He watched good friend Cody Teel ride the bull for 89 points at Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days in July.

“Cody and I were actually up in the same set that day in Cheyenne, so I pulled his bull rope and watched the ride up close,” Benton said. “I remember that ride like it was yesterday, and it was awesome. Cody rode the mess out of that bull, and seeing my buddy get on him that day really helped me be prepared for my ride tonight.”

Ryder Wright notches second round win in saddle bronc riding

At age 19, Ryder Wright will be back plenty of times to the WNFR. And at the pace he’s on, he likely to set plenty of records.

Wright won the saddle bronc riding for the second time at the 2017 WNFR with a score of 89 points on The Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s 2 Cookies, giving him his seventh career round win in 16 rounds at the WNFR, a winning percentage of 43.8 percent.

“Just lucky I guess, I draw pretty good and I don’t know that I’ve ever drawn bad here,” Wright said. “I try to just do my own thing and let the other riders do theirs.”

The win gives Wright his second round win in his last three rides and puts him over the $100,000 mark for the 2017 Finals. It also has him in second place in the world standings.

“It definitely helps and gets you fired up and there’s no way to explain the feeling,” Wright said. “There’s nothing better than winning at the Thomas and Mack. I’ve wanted to ride at this rodeo my whole life, and to be here and fortunate to draw good horses and ride good is just awesome.”

Wright got the win on a re-ride. Waiting to get on 2 Cookies, he used his time to prepare mentally.

“You don’t want to think about it too much and psych yourself out,” Wright said. “I wanted to keep my cool and I had every move and jump figured out before I nodded my head.”

Jacobs Crawley continues to reign at the top of the world standings, perched atop the chart with $220,158. Wright is behind by less than $20,000.

Yates making run at average with back-to-back round wins

Marty Yates is making a run.

A night after winning in 7.0 seconds, Yates was even better, winning the tie-down roping by tying a Round 6 record in 6.9 seconds.

After coming into this year’s WNFR in seventh place in the world standings, Yates has climbed to third place with $83,192 won at the Finals for a total of $180,366.

“When I found out the calf I had tonight, I knew it was going to be good,” Yates said. “I just stuck to my game plan and I didn’t back off and kept going forward. I got an amazing start. Sometimes when you’re here and you come through that barrier you don’t know whether you are for sure out or not and that’s when you make the fastest runs. Everything came together tonight, and it felt awesome. I knew if I just did my job, I was going to win the round.”

Yates tied the round record he set in 2014 with Matt Shiozawa that same year.

“When you make those kinds of runs, everything has to go perfect and it did just that tonight. I don’t care if you’re 6.5 or 6.9, everything has to go perfect,” the Texas cowboy said. “When you’re out here doing good, there’s not a better feeling in the world, and I’m just looking forward to the remaining rounds and hoping that everything goes my way.”

Tuf Cooper is still at the top of the tie-down roping standings with $226,675.

Vezain, Biglow split bareback riding win

It was a pair of firsts for co-winners J.R. Vezain and Clayton Biglow in the bareback riding competition.

Vezain scored 88 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Scarlet Belle, while Biglow scored 88 on Frontier Rodeo’s Night Fist.

For Vezain, it was just his second win in five trips to the WNFR. But it was his first victory lap he’d ever taken, since his first win came in the 10th round of the 2012 WNFR.

“I’ve been here five times and I’ve only won one round so far in five years,” Vezain said. “And the round I did win was the 10th round, and the average winner gets to take the victory lap that time. So, I had never gotten to take the victory lap yet. It’s amazing, it’s awesome.”

Biglow, who entered the WNFR in third place in the world standings, had yet to place through the first five rounds.

“No, I wasn’t upset with my riding,” Biglow said. “I just couldn’t get the ball rolling. I was never upset with myself and you never want to do that because you start fighting with your head, and that’s bad to do here. I just put all the nights behind me and come in with a fresh mind like it’s the first round. Do your job.”

Tim O’Connell, the world standings leader, is atop the competition with $271,570.

Horse change helps Roche win steer wrestling

The first five rounds hadn’t gone according to plan for steer wrestler Baylor Roche.

But Roche changed that script by switching horses to ride Maverick, resulting in winning Round 6 in 3.6 seconds on Tuesday night.

“This week had been slow,” said Roche, who is in fifth place in the world standings. “Now by getting this win, there’s some pressure off me. I’ve been here three times and I don’t feel like I’ve done what I was supposed to do. So, this feels good to get something rolling and I still have four rounds left. I’m just going to keep the pressure up and try and win all the remaining rounds.”

Roche changed horses and it seemed to pay dividends immediately.

“I was riding Tom Lewis’ horse, Maverick,” Roche said. “This is Maverick’s first time to the Thomas & Mack and he sure shined. I was riding Hunter Cure’s horse, Charlie, and that’s an amazing horse and he just wasn’t working for me here, so I just needed to try something else.”

Tanner Milan rode Maverick to wins in Rounds 2 and 5 this year.

World standings leader Ty Erickson took second place on Tuesday to pad his lead and up his season earnings to $230,267.

Split for first in team roping with Minor/Minor, Snow/Thorp

Team ropers Riley Minor and Brady Minor tied with Cody Snow and Wesley Thorp to stop the clock in 3.7 seconds and tie for the second-fastest Round 6 time ever.

For the Minors, it’s another consistent performance. They’ve caught all six steers through the first six rounds to sit second in the race for the average title. They are sixth in the world standings in their respective events.

“It’s a longshot, but we have to win the go-rounds for a chance at the end, but we’re here to win as much money as possible, and there are still quite a few rounds,” heeler Brady Minor said. “The average plays a part, but there’s big money at the end if we can knock a few more down.”

Header Riley Minor isn’t trying to push too hard.

“I’m trying to be smart and take a good shot,” Riley Minor said. “Horses feel pretty good, and when it gets fast, sometimes you try to go too fast and make mistakes, so I try to tell myself to just slow down and be fast.”

For Snow and Thorp, the win marked their first placing of the WNFR.

“It feels good to win some money, and especially to win the round,” said Snow, the header. “It feels pretty awesome.”

Heeler Thorp said they are staying on task.

“We had a couple fluke deals that happened the first few rounds,” Thorp said. “We had to try to look over it. I mean, as frustrating as it was, we just want to stick to the game plan. It made us loosen up a little bit because we had nothing to lose.”

Erich Rogers leads the team roping heading standings with $190,744, while Cory Petska leads the team roping heeling standings with $190,744. They tied with Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira and the team of Garrett Rogers and Jake Minor for a three-way split of fifth and six place.

Kinsel gains more ground in world title chase

In six rounds, barrel racer Hailey Kinsel has yet to finish worse than fourth.

On Tuesday, Kinsel notched her second round win of the Finals, finishing in 13.49 seconds and adding to her already impressive total of the 2017 WNFR.

“There are a lot of good runs out there,” Kinsel said. “I didn’t have a lot of expectation coming into the NFR and our game plan is to take one run at a time. This is just like 10 separate rodeos for me.”

Kinsel has won two of the last four rounds, placed third three times and took fourth in Round 4. She has won $120,423, putting her on top of the RAM Top Gun Award standings. She’s also second in the world standings with $219,130.

“I don’t keep track of numbers at all,” Kinsel said. “As far as I’m concerned, those last six runs haven’t happened, and I just have four more runs left to go this week.”

Tiany Schuster continues to lead the world standings with $281,108.

Brazile remains in lead for all-around buckle

Trevor Brazile continues to lead all cowboys in the race for the all-around title.

Brazile is on top with $313,837, while his brother-in-law, Tuf Cooper, is second with $266,253.

Sixth Performance Results, Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2017

Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Clayton Biglow on Frontier Rodeo’s Night Fist and J.R. Vezain on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Scarlet Belle, 88 points, $23,481 each; 3. Orin Larsen, 85.5, $15,654; 4. Jake Vold, 85, $11,000; 5. Tanner Aus, 84, $5,500; 6. Richmond Champion, 84, $5,500; 7. (tie) Tim O’Connell and Caleb Bennett, 81.5 each; 9. (tie) R.C. Landingham and Ty Breuer, 77 each; 11. Steven Dent, 73.5; 12. Wyatt Denny, 72.5; 13. (tie) Bill Tutor and Mason Clements, 70.0 each; 15. Jake Brown, NS. Average standings: 1. Jake Vold, 515 points on six head; 2. Richmond Champion, 514; 3. Tim O’Connell, 512.5; 4. Caleb Bennett, 507.5; 5. Orin Larsen, 503.5; 6. J.R. Vezain, 503. World standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, $271,570; 2. Richmond Champion, $178,819; 3. Jake Vold, $178,372; 4. Tanner Aus, $175,638; 5. Orin Larsen, $171,009; 6. Clayton Biglow, $161,634; 7. J.R. Vezain, $159,062; 8. Caleb Bennett, $147,703; 9. Wyatt Denny, $140,084; 10. Mason Clements, $135,672; 11. Bill Tutor, $132,834; 12. Ty Breuer, $125,337; 13. Jake Brown, $119,982; 14. Steven Dent, $109,998; 15. R.C. Landingham, $106,031.

Steer wrestling: 1. Baylor Roche, 3.6 seconds, $26,231; 2. Ty Erickson, 3.8, $20,731; 3. (tie) Dakota Eldridge, Tyler Waguespack and Nick Guy, 3.9, $11,141 each; 6. Tanner Milan, 4.0, $4,231; 7. Jon Ragatz, 4.1; 8. J.D. Struxness, 4.3; 9. Olin Hannum, 4.4; 10. Rowdy Parrott, 5.2; 11. Kyle Irwin, 6.2; 12. Tyler Pearson, 6.3; 13. Chason Floyd, 9.5; 14. Scott Guenthner, 13.8; 15. Ryle Smith, NT. Average standings: 1. Ty Erickson, 25.9 seconds on six head; 2. Tyler Pearson, 27.1; 3. Tanner Milan, 27.2; 4. (tie) Nick Guy and Kyle Irwin, 28.9 each; 6. Rowdy Parrott, 29.2. World standings: 1. Ty Erickson, $230,267; 2. Tyler Pearson, $192,688; 3. Tyler Waguespack, $185,162; 4. Tanner Milan, $150,766; 5. Baylor Roche, $144,455; 6. J.D. Struxness, $131,203; 7. Kyle Irwin, $129,242; 8. Olin Hannum, $125,182; 9. Dakota Eldridge, $117,775; 10. Jon Ragatz, $117,082; 11. Scott Guenthner, $117,032; 12. Nick Guy, $110,878; 13. Chason Floyd, 109,453; 14. Ryle Smith, $103,463; 15. Rowdy Parrott, $99,550.

Team roping: 1. (tie) Riley Minor/Brady Minor and Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 3.7 seconds, $23,481 each; 3. Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, 3.8, $15,654; 4. Jr. Dees/Tyler McKnight, 3.9, $11,000; 5. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, Erich Rogers/Cory Petska and Garrett Rogers/ Jake Minor, 4.1, $3,667 each; 8. Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 4.3; 9. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 4.7; 10. Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, 4.9; 11. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 5.0; 12. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 6.2; 13. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 12.5; 14. Dustin Bird/Russell Cardoza,  NT; 14. Tom Richards/Jeremy Buhler, NT. Average standings: 1. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 31.7 seconds on six head; 2. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 39.3; 3. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 40.9; 4. Jr. Dees/Tyler McKnight, 26.8 on five head; 5. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 27.4; 6. Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens, 28.6. World standings: (headers) 1. Erich Rogers, $190,744; 2. Kaleb Driggers, $187,202; 3. Luke Brown, $178,092; 4. Clay Smith, $176,825; 5. Jr. Dees, $145,656; 6. Riley Minor, $141,068; 7. Clay Tryan, $130,518; 8. Dustin Egusquiza, $121,918; 9. Coleman Proctor, $121,360; 10. Charly Crawford, $118,052; 11. Dustin Bird, $114,519; 12. Cody Snow, $112,716; 13. Chad Masters, $110,739; 14. Tom Richards, $104,742; 15. Garrett Rogers, $102,607. (heelers) 1. Cory Petska, $190,744; 2. Junior Nogueira, $187,931; 3. Paul Eaves, $180,942; 4. Jake Long, $169,563; 5. Tyler McKnight, $146,066; 6. Brady Minor, $141,068; 7. Russell Cardoza, $136,004; 8. Billie Jack Saebens, $134,257; 9. Jade Corkill, $130,518; 10. Joseph Harrison, $122,293; 11. Kory Koontz, $119,133; 12. Travis Graves, $117,649; 13. Wesley Thorp, $114,317; 14. Jake Minor, $102,607; 15. Jeremy Buhler, $91,332.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Ryder Wright, 89 points on The Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s 2 Cookies, $26,231; 2. Brody Cress, 88.5, $20,731; 3. Jesse Wright, 86, $15,654; 4. (tie) Layton Green and Sterling Crawley, 85.5, $8,885 each; 6. Heith DeMoss, 84.5, $4,231; 7. (tie) Jacobs Crawley, Zeke Thurston and Clay Elliot, 83.5 each; 10. (tie) Hardy Braden and Taos Muncy, 81.5 each; 12. Cody DeMoss, 78; 13. CoBurn Bradshaw, 77; 14. Jake Wright, 75.5; 15. Audy Reed, 72. Average standings: 1. Brody Cress, 506.5 points on six head; 2. Sterling Crawley, 502; 3. CoBurn Bradshaw, 498.5; 4. Audy Reed, 480; 5. Ryder Wright, 437 on five; 6. Hardy Braden, 424. World standings: 1. Jacobs Crawley, $220,158; 2. Ryder Wright, $200,323; 3. Zeke Thurston, $199,917; 4. Brody Cress, $188,575; 5. CoBurn Bradshaw, $186,577; 6. Sterling Crawley, $163,069; 7. Hardy Braden, $159,947; 8. Cody DeMoss, $151,657; 9. Layton Green, $145,292; 10. Heith DeMoss, $125,338; 11. Taos Muncy, $116,171; 12. Jesse Wright, $109,053; 13. Jake Wright, $107,527; 14. Audy Reed, $104,687; 15. Clay Elliott, $99,332.

Tie-down roping: 1. Marty Yates, 6.9 seconds, $26,231; 2. (tie) Caleb Smidt and Marcos Costa,7.4, $18,192 each; 4. Cade Swor, 7.7, $11,000; 5. Timber Moore, 7.9, $6,769; 6. Ryan Jarrett, 8.0, $4,231; 7. Cory Solomon, 8.2; 8. Tuf Cooper, 8.4; 9. Randall Carlisle, 8.6; 10. J.C. Malone, 9.8; 11. Cooper Martin, 10.1; 12. Shane Hanchey, 10.3; 13. Trevor Brazile, Tyson Durfey and Matt Shiozawa, NT. Average standings: 1. Marcos Costa, 48.3 seconds on six head; 2. Tuf Cooper, 51.3; 3. Timber Moore, 53.2; 4. Cory Solomon, 55.5; 5. Shane Hanchey, 56.5; 6. J.C. Malone, 57.3. World standings: 1. Tuf Cooper, $226,675; 2. Marcos Costa, $197,267; 3. Marty Yates, $180,366; 4. Caleb Smidt, $174,617; 5. Trevor Brazile, $171,510; 6. Cade Swor, $157,017; 7. Shane Hanchey, $154,383; 8. Cooper Martin, $142,400; 9. Ryan Jarrett, $140,748; 10. Timber Moore, $137,846; 11. Tyson Durfey, $124,192; 12. Matt Shiozawa, $114,363; 13. $114,068; 14. Cory Solomon, $106,210; 15. Randall Carlisle, $104,451.

Barrel racing: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 13.49 seconds, $26,231; 2. Tiany Schuster, 13.52, $20,731; 3. Tillar Murray, 13.63, $15,654; 4. Taci Bettis, 13.72, $11,000; 5. (tie) Stevi Hillman, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi and Ivy Conrado, 13.74, $3,667 each; 8. Sydni Blanchard, 13.77; 9. Lisa Lockhart, 13.84; 10. Nellie Miller, 13.93; 11. Kassie Mowry, 13.96; 12. Kathy Grimes, 14.15; 13. Amberleigh, 18.73; 14. Kimmie Wall, 19.10; 15. Kellie Collier , 19.50. Average standings: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 81.24 seconds on six runs; 2. Ivy Conrado, 82.29; 3. Nellie Miller, 82.56; 4. Lisa Lockhart, 82.80; 5. Kathy Grimes, 83.39; 6. Tiany Schuster, 84.13. World standings: 1. Tiany Schuster, $281,108; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $219,130; 3. Stevi Hillman, $199,619; 4. Amberleigh Moore, $198,922; 5. Nellie Miller, $188,768; 6. Kassie Mowry, $166,624; 7. Ivy Conrado, $151,290; 8. Taci Bettis, $140,446; 9. Kathy Grimes, $139,555; 10. Lisa Lockhart, $138,397; 11. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $138,327; 12. Tillar Murray, $118,443; 13. Sydni Blanchard, $108,131; 14. Kellie Collier, $97,569; 15. Kimmie Wall, $86,294.

Bull riding: 1. Trey Benton III, 92.5 points on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Bomb Pop, $27,077; 2. Sage Kimzey, 86, $21,577; 3. Jordan Hansen, 84.5, $16,500; 4. Cole Melancon, 83.5, $11,846; 5. Roscoe Jarboe, 71, $7,615; 6. (tie) Garrett Smith, Joe Frost, Ty Wallace, Tim Bingham, Jordan Spears, Dustin Bowen, Trevor Reiste, Guthrie Murray and Boudreaux Campbell, NS, *Brennon Eldred (sidelined with a concussion). Average standings: 1. Trey Benton III, 442.5 points on five head; 2. Sage Kimzey, 432; 3. Cole Melancon, 340 on four; 4. Joe Frost, 334.5; 5. Ty Wallace, 249.5 points on three head; 6. Garrett Smith, 172.5 points on two. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $340,229; 2. Garrett Smith, $253,797; 3. Trey Benton III, $236,747; 4. Ty Wallace, $215,660; 5. Joe Frost, $191,604; 6. Cole Melancon, $177,504; 7. Jordan Spears, $157,923; 8. Roscoe Jarboe, $141,201; 9. Tim Bingham, $129,515; 10. Jordan Hansen, $125,929; 11. Trevor Reiste, $107,121; 12. Dustin Bowen, $104,668; 13. Brennon Eldred, $102,991; 14. Boudreaux Campbell, $102,294; 15. Guthrie Murray, $97,288.

All-around world standings: 1. Trevor Brazile, $313,837; 2. Tuf Cooper, $266,253; 3. Junior Nogueira, $189,654; 4. Erich Rogers, $185,796; 5. Caleb Smidt, $184,414; 6. Marty Yates, $172,476; 7. Ryle Smith, $150,876; 8. Russell Cardoza, $149,026; 9. Dakota Eldridge, $140,995.

LAS VEGAS – Team ropers Erich Rogers and Cory Petska tried to remain consistent throughout the first four rounds of the Wrangler Nationals Final Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER.

On Monday night, they punctuated that consistent run by tying for first place in the team roping competition with Clay Tryan and Jade Corkill in 3.9 seconds at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The win moved Rogers into first place in the team roping header standings and Petska into the same spot in the team roping heeler standings, the first changing of leaders in the WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings at the 2017 WNFR.

“Good horses and drawing good steers,” Rogers said. “That’s what we do. That’s what Cory and my run is. We make good runs and we try to make sure we don’t make any mistakes, so that’s how we like to do it.”

For Tryan and Corkill, it was their first time placing this WNFR.

“It always feels good to get off the schneid,” Tryan said. “When you win here, if you can win first, it adds up, so I feel pretty good now. My roping feels a little bit better, I was a little off at the beginning of the week, but the last two I turned ’em good.”

Tryan and Corkill knew to push their slow start aside and refocus.

“Everything happens so fast here,” Corkill said. “You’re kind of in that mode either way. Whether you win the average or not, there’s too much money here not to try to win something.”

Rogers and Petska are trying to keep roping like they do at any rodeo.

“We make that run all the time,” Petska said. “Here, anywhere else we go, we pretty much have our run and we stick to it no matter where we’re at or what the setting is. We’re comfortable doing it and it makes it what’s easiest for us.”

Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira, who entered the WNFR in first, are both second place in their respective events.

Sterling Crawley notches first WNFR round win

In four-plus trips to the WNFR, Sterling Crawley had yet to win a round.

He snapped that streak in Round 5 on Monday night.

Crawley scored 89 points on four-time Saddle Bronc of the Year award-winner Frontier Rodeo’s Medicine Woman.

The score was Crawley’s highest of his 35 rides at the WNFR.

“I drew really good and stuck to the basics and kept it simple – just let my mark-out come instead of hanging and then lifting on my rein,” he said, “and she wants your feet in the seat so it’s all the stuff you go over the first couple days of rodeo school.”

For Crawley, the win carried a little extra meaning.

“It’s just awesome, but it’s even cooler that my brother (Jacobs) won this round on this horse last year,” Sterling Crawley said. “We agreed on what it was, and to not make it complicated out here.”

Sterling Crawley is sitting third in the average and seventh in the world standings.

“I was just happy the way it went with the history we had (with Medicine Woman), and tomorrow will be another horse and another story, and I’ll try to do my best on each one.”

Jacobs Crawley continues to lead the field in the world standings with $220,158.

Kimzey cashes in with 89-point bull ride

After seeing just three bull riders cover a night earlier and earn some big checks, three-time defending World Champion Sage Kimzey got right back into the action.

Kimzey, on the final bull ride of the night, scored 89 points on Beutler and Son Rodeo’s Record Rack’s Shootin’ Stars.

“Each year is different because there’s the same trials and tribulations,” Kimzey said. “Round 4 was rough, but getting the win tonight stretches the lead a bit and maybe I’ll get some sleep tonight. It’s great bulls, great guys and a ton of money up for grabs – so you’ve got to do your job when you put your hand in your rope.”

Kimzey netted $27,077 after only five riders placed. The win gives him $318,652 and has him in the lead of his closest competitor (Garrett Smith) by more than $60,000.

Kimzey watched Cole Melancon ride Rafter G Rodeo’s Johnny Cash for 86.5 points on the second ride of the round. It looked like it might hold up until Kimzey climbed on board.

“Cole (Melancon) was 86.5, and coming down to the last few guys the pressure starts building, but you have to block it out because you are getting on an 1,800-pound athlete,” Kimzey said. “There’s no gimmes in bull riding, so just block it out and compete to the best of your ability.”

Kimzey knows he’s not out of the woods yet.

“I’m feeling good, but I feel bad that Garrett (Smith) got hurt,” Kimzey said. “I know he’s not at 100 percent, it’s not good for him or the sport of bull riding, but there’s a bunch of dark horses behind him like Trey (Benton III) and Ty (Wallace) and they are all riding good and will keep riding good.”

WNFR rookie Mason Clements wins first round win

Bareback rider Mason Clements is at the WNFR for the first time. The 25-year-old Utah cowboy who grew up in Las Vegas had dreamed of competing in the Thomas & Mack.

Not only has that dream become reality, but now Clements has his first round victory.

Clements rode Korkow Rodeos’ Onion Ring for 88.5 points, winning Round 5 and a check for $26,231.

“Man, I’ve been dreaming of that, replaying every scenario over in my head just to be at the Thomas & Mack and making sure I’ve got everything perfect – exactly the way I want to ride, exactly the way I need to ride,” Clements said. “There’s a lot going on. You can’t let your nerves and your fears get you when you get to this point. … Seriously, when I asked my buddies and friends, ‘What’s it like to get to the NFR – from world champions to multiple qualifiers – they said, ‘It’s indescribable.’ I have that indescribable feeling now. It’s the coolest feeling right now.”

With the win, Clements has upped his season earnings to $135,672, putting him ninth in the world standings.

World standings leader Tim O’Connell is atop the standings with $271,570.

Steer wrestler Milan nabs second round win of 2017

After not winning a round in 2015 – the last time he reached the WNFR – Tanner Milan doubled his steer wrestling round wins in Round 5.

Milan won the steer wrestling competition in the fifth round in 3.8 seconds, giving him $62,462 at the 2017 WNFR.

“In 2015, I didn’t win a round when I was here at the NFR, so this feels absolutely awesome,” said the Canadian cowboy. “I’ve won a crazy amount of money here, and I can’t have a better feeling than I’m feeling right now.”

Milan came into the WNFR in eighth place, but has climbed to fourth in the world standings with $146,535.

“I can’t back off at all,” Milan said. “I have to keep taking a real good start at the barrier and try and catch up as fast as I can and throw them down as fast as I can.”

After the draw was posted Monday morning, Milan knew he would have a chance to win a check because the steer he drew was the same one Tyler Pearson had wrestled in 4.0 seconds in Round 2.

“I was really happy with that draw,” Milan said. “Tyler Pearson made a really good run on that steer and the steer didn’t run quite as hard as some of them in the pen, and I knew if I could get the start I would catch up quick and give myself some time to get one thrown down.”

Standings leader Ty Erickson is still out front after his fifth-place finish. He’s holding the lead for the world title with $209,537.

It’s lucky No. 7 for Yates

Marty Yates won six rounds over the course of his first three WNFR trips, but had yet to win through the first four rounds of the 2017 WNFR.

He thought his luck might change on Monday. His premonition was right.

Yates won Round 5 of the tie-down roping in 7.0 seconds.

“You come to Vegas and you can have some bad luck, but if you stick to what you know how to do, it will all turn out good,” Yates said. “I was a little down about it (not winning a round before Monday night), but I knew I had a really good calf tonight that he (Trevor Brazile) won Round 2 with, and things turned around for me.”

Yates turned to a familiar horse to ride at this WNFR.

“I’m riding Buster,” the Texas cowboy said. “This is the horse I rode here last year, and he worked great tonight. The best part about my run was the start that I got. They won a round on that calf, but she was known to jump at you when you got to her, and I got a great start at her and got her to come around, and she was a little easier for me to flank when I got to her.”

He also tried something a little different in Round 5.

“I wanted to come out here this year and get a check in the average, and I backed off the first couple of nights and I came out tonight and I knew I made a good run,” Yates said. “I got a great start, and when you get a good start, it ends up good for you.”

As he’s been since the end of the regular season, Tuf Cooper is still at the top of the tie-down roping standings, increasing his 2017 total to $226,675 after placing second Monday.

Conrado, Lockhart split barrel racing title

Ivy Conrado shared the spotlight on Monday. She was ecstatic to do that with one of her barrel racing heroes.

Conrado and Lisa Lockhart split the Round 5 win, as both finished in 16.59 seconds.

“I never would have dreamed I’d be back here (as a round winner) with Lisa Lockhart,” Conrado said. “She’s everybody’s hero. I don’t even know what to say, I’m so excited.”

Lockhart and Conrado each took home $23,481. Both of them are in the top five in the aggregate standings, with Conrado sitting second and Lockhart fourth.

“We were definitely trying to capitalize that we were on the top of the ground,” Lockhart said. “Louie has gotten stronger and stronger all week, and that is what he has done in the past. So, I was trying not to panic earlier in the week, so we just stuck with it and had faith that it was going to get stronger, and he finally has.”

Tiany Schuster is still sitting at the top of the standings with $260,378.

Hailey Kinsel finished third to cash a check for $15,654. The money moved Kinsel into first place in the race for the RAM Top Gun Award.

Cooper cuts into Brazile’s all-around lead

The battle between brothers-in-law continues.

By taking second place in tie-down roping, Tuf Cooper earned $20,731 to inch closer to Trevor Brazile in the race to become the 2017 all-around cowboy.

Brazile is still in the lead with $313,837. Cooper is second with $266,253.

Fifth Performance Results, Monday, Dec. 11, 2017

Bareback riding: 1.Mason Clements, 88.5 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Onion Ring, $26,231; 2. (tie) Caleb Bennett on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Good Time, Richmond Champion on Dirty Jacket and Bill Tutor on Scarlett’s Web, 88, $15,795 each; 5. (tie) J.R. Vezain and Orin Larsen, 87.5, $5,500 each; 7. Clayton Biglow, 86.5; 8. (tie) Tanner Aus and Jake Brown, 86 each; 10. Steven Dent, 85.5; 11. Jake Vold, 85; 12. Tim O’Connell, 83; 13. Ty Breuer, 81.5; 14. Wyatt Denny, 78; 15. R.C. Landingham, NS. Average standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, 431 points on five head, 2. Jake Vold, 430; 2. (tie) Jake Vold and Richmond Champion, 430 each; 4. Caleb Bennett, 426; 5. Orin Larsen, 418; 6. J.R. Vezain, 415. World standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, $271,570; 2. Richmond Champion, $173,319; 3. Tanner Aus, $170,138; 4. Jake Vold, $167,372; 5. Orin Larsen, $155,355; 6. Caleb Bennett, $147,703; 7. Wyatt Denny, $140,084; 8. Clayton Biglow, $138,153; 9. Mason Clements, $135,672; 10. J.R. Vezain, $135,581; 11. Bill Tutor, $132,834; 12. Ty Breuer, $125,337; 13. Jake Brown, $119,982; 14. Steven Dent, $109,998; 15. R.C. Landingham, $106,031.

Steer wrestling: 1. Tanner Milan, 3.8 seconds, $26,231; 2. Tyler Waguespack, 3.9, $20,731; 3. Tyler Pearson, 4.0, $15,654; 4. J.D. Struxness, 4.1; 5. Ty Erickson, 4.3, $6,769; 6. Olin Hannum, 4.6, $4,231; 7. Chason Floyd, 4.7; 8. Rowdy Parrott, 4.8; 9. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Nick Guy, 4.9 each; 11. Baylor Roche, 5.0; 12. Kyle Irwin, 6.0; 13. Scott Guenthner, 6.6; 14. Ryle Smith and Jon Ragatz, NT. Average standings: 1. Tyler Pearson, 20.8 seconds on five head; 2. Ty Erickson, 22.1; 3. Kyle Irwin, 22.7; 4. Tanner Milan, 23.2; 5. Rowdy Parrott, 24.0. 6. Nick Guy, 25.0. World standings: 1. Ty Erickson, $209,537; 2. Tyler Pearson, $192,688; 3. Tyler Waguespack, $174,021; 4. Tanner Milan, $146,535; 5. J.D. Struxness, $131,203; 6. Kyle Irwin, $129,242; 7. Olin Hannum, $125,182; 8. Baylor Roche, $118,224; 9. Jon Ragatz, $117,082; 10. Scott Guenthner, $117,032; 11. Chason Floyd, $109,453; 12. Dakota Eldridge, $106,634; 13. Ryle Smith, $103,463; 14. Nick Guy, $99,737; 15. Rowdy Parrott, $99,550.

Team roping: 1. (tie) Erich Rogers/Cory Petska and Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, 3.9 seconds, $23,481 each; 3. (tie) Coleman Proctor/Billie Jack Saebens and Tom Richards/Jeremy Buhler, 4.0, $13,327 each; 5. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 4.6, $6,769; 6. Charly Crawford/Joseph Harrison, 4.7, $4,231; 7. Garrett Rogers/Jake Minor, 9.0; 8. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 9.2, 9. Dustin Bird/Russell Cardoza, 9.4; 10. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 9.6; 11. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, Jr. Dees/Tyler McKnight, Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz, NT. Average standings: 1. Erich Rogers/Cory Petska, 27.6 seconds on five head; 2. Chad Masters/Travis Graves, 34.7; 3. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 35.6; 4. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 18.4 on four head; 5. Luke Brown/Jake Long, 22.4; 6. Jr. Dees/Tyler McKnight, 22.9. World standings: (headers) 1. Erich Rogers, $187,077; 2. Kaleb Driggers, $183,535; 3. Luke Brown, $178,092; 4. Clay Smith, $176,825; 5. Jr. Dees, $134,656; 6. Dustin Egusquiza, $121,918; 7. Coleman Proctor, $121,360; 8. Charly Crawford, $118,052; 9. Riley Minor, $117,587; 10. Clay Tryan, $114,864; 11. Dustin Bird, $114,519; 12. Chad Masters, $110,739; 13. Tom Richards, $104,742; 14. Garrett Rogers, $98,940. 15. Cody Snow, $89,236; (heelers) 1. Cory Petska, $187,077; 2. Junior Nogueira, $184,265; 3. Paul Eaves, $180,942; 4. Jake Long, $169,563; 5. Russell Cardoza, $136,004; 6. Tyler McKnight, $135,066; 7. Billie Jack Saebens, $134,257; 8. Joseph Harrison, $122,293; 9. Kory Koontz, $119,133; 10. Travis Graves, $117,649; 11. Brady Minor, $117,587; 12. Jade Corkill, $114,864; 13. Jake Minor, $98,940; 14. Jeremy Buhler, $91,333; 15. Wesley Thorp, $90,836.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Sterling Crawley, 89 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Medicine Woman, $26,231; 2. (tie) Zeke Thurston, Brody Cress and Layton Green, 87.5, $15,795 each; 5. Jesse Wright, 86.5, $6,769; 6. (tie) Hardy Braden and Ryder Wright, 85.5, $2,115 each; 8. Heith DeMoss, 85; 9. (tie) Jacobs Crawley and CoBurn Bradshaw, 84 each; 11. Audy Reed, 83; 12. Clay Elliott, 80.5; 13. Cody DeMoss, Jake Wright and Taos Muncy, NS. Average standings: 1. CoBurn Bradshaw, 421.5 points on five head; 2. Brody Cress, 418; 3. Sterling Crawley, 416.5; 4. Audy Reed, 408; 5. Ryder Wright, 348 points on four head, 6. Hardy Braden, 342.5. World standings: 1. Jacobs Crawley, $220,158; 2. Zeke Thurston, $199,917; 3. CoBurn Bradshaw, $186,577; 4. Ryder Wright, $174,092; 5. Brody Cress, $167,844; 6. Hardy Braden, $159,947; 7. Sterling Crawley, $154,184; 8. Cody DeMoss, $151,657; 9. Layton Green, $136,407; 10. Heith DeMoss, $121,107; 11. Taos Muncy, $116,171; 12. Jake Wright, $107,527; 13. Audy Reed, $104,687; 14. Clay Elliott, $99,331; 15. Jesse Wright, $93,400.

Tie-down roping: 1. Marty Yates, 7.0 seconds, $26,231; 2. Tuf Cooper, 7.1, $20,731; 3. (tie) Marcos Costa and Cade Swor, 7.5, $13,327 each; 5. J.C. Malone, 7.8, $6,769; 6. Ryan Jarrett, 8.1, $4,231; 7. Cory Solomon, 8.3; 8. Caleb Smidt, 8.5; 9. (tie) Shane Hanchey and Timber Moore, 9.3 each; 11. Trevor Brazile, 10.4; 12. Tyson Durfey, 11.7; 13. Matt Shiozawa, Randall Carlisle and Cooper Martin, NT. Average standings: 1. Marcos Costa, 40.9 seconds on five head; 2. Trevor Brazile, 42.4; 3. Tuf Cooper, 42.9; 4. Timber Moore, 45.3; 5. Shane Hanchey, 46.2; 6. Cory Solomon, 47.3. World standings: 1. Tuf Cooper, $226,675; 2. Marcos Costa, $179,075; 3. Trevor Brazile, $171,510; 4. Caleb Smidt, $156,425; 5. Shane Hanchey, $154,383; 6. Marty Yates, $154,135; 7. Cade Swor, $146,017; 8. Cooper Martin, $142,340; 9. Ryan Jarrett, $136,517; 10. Timber Moore, $131,077; 11. Tyson Durfey, $124,192; 12. Matt Shiozawa, $114,363; 13. J.C. Malone, $114,068; 14. Cory Solomon, $106,210; 15. Randall Carlisle, $104,451.

Barrel racing: 1. (tie) Lisa Lockhart and Ivy Conrado, 13.59 seconds, $23,481 each; 3. Hailey Kinsel, 13.67, $15,654; 4. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 13.68, $11,000; 5. Taci Bettis, 13.74, $6,769; 6. Nellie Miller, 13.75, $4,231; 7. Tillar Murray, 13.88; 8. (tie) Tiany Schuster and Kellie Collier, 13.90 each; 10. Kassie Mowry, 13.93; 11. Stevi Hillman, 14.0; 12. Kathy Grimes, 14.06; 13. Sydni Blanchard, 18.72; 14. Amberleigh Moore, 18.74; 15. Kimmie Wall, 19.04. Average standings: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 67.75 seconds on five runs; 2. Ivy Conrado, 68.55; 3. Nellie Miller, 68.63; 4. Lisa Lockhart, 68.96; 5. Kathy Grimes, 69.24; 6. Tiany Schuster, 70.61. World standings: 1. Tiany Schuster, $260,378; 2. Amberleigh Moore, $198,922; 3. Stevi Hillman, $195,952; 4. Hailey Kinsel, $192,899; 5. Nellie Miller, $188,768; 6. Kassie Mowry, $166,624; 7. Ivy Conrado, $147,623; 8. Kathy Grimes, $139,555; 9. Lisa Lockhart, $138,397; 10. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $134,660; 11. Taci Bettis, $129,446; 12. Sydni Blanchard, $108,131; 13. Tillar Murray, $102,789; 14. Kellie Collier, $97,569; 15. Kimmie Wall, $86,294.

Bull riding: 1. Sage Kimzey, 89 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Record Rack’s Shootin’ Stars, $27,077; 2. Cole Melancon, 86.5, $21,577; 3. Jordan Spears, 85.5, $16,500; 4. Ty Wallace, 82.5, $11,846; 5. Joe Frost, 81, $7,615; 6. Garrett Smith, Trey Benton III, Tim Bingham, Dustin Bowen, Jordan Hansen, Roscoe Jarboe, Trevor Reiste, Guthrie Murray, Brennon Eldred and Boudreaux Campbell, NS. Average standings: 1. Trey Benton III, 350 points on four head; 2. Sage Kimzey, 346; 3. Joe Frost, 334.5; 4. Cole Melancon, 256.5 on three head; 5. Ty Wallace, 249.5; 6. Garrett Smith, 172.5 on two head. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $318,652; 2. Garrett Smith, $253,797; 3. Ty Wallace, $215,660; 4. Trey Benton III, $209,670; 5. Joe Frost, $191,604; 6. Cole Melancon, $165,658; 7. Jordan Spears, $157,923; 8. Roscoe Jarboe, $133,586; 9. Tim Bingham, $129,515; 10. Jordan Hansen, $109,429; 11. Trevor Reiste, $107,121; 12. Dustin Bowen, $104,668; 13. Brennon Eldred, $102,991; 14. Boudreaux Campbell, $102,294; 15. Guthrie Murray, $97,288.

All-around standings: 1. Trevor Brazile, $313,837; 2. Tuf Cooper, $266,253; 3. Junior Nogueira, $185,987; 4. Erich Rogers, $182,130; 5. Caleb Smidt, $166,221; 6. Ryle Smith, $150,876; 7. Russell Cardoza, $149,026; 8. Marty Yates, $146,245; 9. Dakota Eldridge, $129,854.