Category: Rodeo Life Today

FORT WORTH, Texas (Feb. 9, 2018) The judges for the annual Jerry Ann Taylor Best-Dressed Cowgirl Award at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo had a tough decision to make as several of the top 12 barrel racers expended extra effort in their arena presentation.

The award includes a $5,000 cash prize along with permanent recognition on a plaque at the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame which co-sponsors the award with the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.

Stevi Hillman from Weatherford, Texas, a three-time National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier, was named the winner. Hillman, who earned a degree in radiology from Weatherford College and has worked as an x-ray technician, came into the finals in fifth place. She was riding Guys R A Mystery, a palomino that she calls Sherlock.

Kendra Dickson, a two-time winner of the award from Aubrey, Texas, who has helped four other winners with their finals’ outfits reached out to Hillman early last week about helping her. Dickson and her TruColors custom clothing line offered to provide an outfit for Simpson.

“I’m glad Kendra called me,” Hillman said. “I’m normally kind of low-key,” she said, “but it was for a good cause, so I decided why not. But I didn’t want an outfit that was crazy, over-the-top.”

Hillman said, “I knew they gave the award at Fort Worth every year, but I didn’t know a lot about it. Kendra filled me in on the background. That’s a really cool award.”

Hillman and Dickson got together on Friday to plan her outfit.

“We both were up in the slack at Belton on Friday morning, so I parked about three trailers from her.” Dickson said. I had several outfits for her to look at, but we both decided the red would really pop on her palomino horse.”

“She handed me her jeans and shirt and I went to work,” Dickson said. She had taken her sewing machine with her and spent much of the day at Belton in her trailer working on the outfit.

“It was snowing and sleeting, and I spent some of the time in the back of the trailer with a manger door that would not close, using butcher paper and spray adhesive,” Dickson said. “If people only knew what goes on behind the scenes,“ she added with a laugh.

The two cowgirls agreed to share the prize money if Hillman won the award, with Dickson’s share going to her Rodeo For A Reason charity that raises money for childhood cancer.  Hillman will donate to Rockin’ W Rodeo Ministry, whose founders Ted and Linda Weise provide food and fellowship at rodeos across the country through their Cowboy Bistro.

Hillman said she had fun and while she’ll likely donate the breast collar and horse boots to a good cause, she plans to keep the outfit.

“When I make the NFR again, I’ll wear the red on Canada night,” she said, a nod to her friend from Canada who owns Sherlock.

Dickson also helped two other finalists – Dona Kay Rule of Minco, Oklahoma, and Tiany Schuster of Krum, Texas – with their outfits.

“I was very happy that more women participated this year,” Dickson said. “I strongly believe this is not only an opportunity to pay tribute to Jerry Ann Taylor who did so much for all of us, but a chance to add to the audience’s enjoyment.”

The Jerry Ann Taylor Award is only given at the National Finals Rodeo and at the finals of the World’s Original Indoor Rodeo in Fort Worth. Taylor, a 1986 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame honoree, was a flamboyant trick rider and roper who was known for her sense of style.

Pam Minick of Fort Worth, a National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame board member and honoree and former WPRA vice president, said the award is to encourage women in professional rodeo to carry on the tradition of wearing colorful western attire in the rodeo arena.

Barrel racing has a long history with the World’s Original Indoor Rodeo®. The Fort Worth rodeo began holding an invitational ranch girls barrel race in 1955, not long after barrel racing competition started.

 

FORT WORTH, Texas (February 9, 2019) — As the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo closed out its 76^th and final year in Will Rogers Coliseum, it was only fitting that Texas cowboys turned in record-setting performances.

Justin Shaffer of Hallsville qualified for the championship finals round in 12^th place, so he was the first steer wrestler to compete. He promptly set the pace with a 3.1-second run. That was not only the fastest time at the 2019 rodeo. It was the fastest since record-keeping began in 1950 by one-tenth of a second.

Shaffer held the steer wrestling overall lead with 12.9 seconds until the final two men took their turns. Josh Clark of Belgrade, Montana, used a 4.2-second run to take the overall lead with 12.5. Moments later Stephen Culling of Fort Saint John, British Columbia, who held the number one spot when the finals began, matched Clark’s overall time. They tied for the championship, the first tie at the Fort Worth rodeo since bareback riding world champs Kaycee Feild and Will Lowe tied in 2012.

Clark credited “the little gray horse I ride and Jule Hazen, a great hazer to have on the other side” for his win. Culling said his mare was a bit nervous in the box. “She’s young and this is a big crowd for her. I just wanted to get a good start.” The Canadian steer wrestler also said that winning this rodeo and the $5,000 cash bonus each winner receives was a dream come true.

For the second consecutive year a cowboy named Crawley won the saddle bronc riding title and this year he did it in record-breaking fashion. Sterling Crawley of Stephenville, whose older brother Jacobs won the championship last year, was tied with former world champion Zeke Thurston for the lead coming into the finals. After Thurston tallied 255 total points with an 87-point ride, Crawley needed to match that score to share the title.

He did one better, scoring 88 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Delta Dawn and tallying 256 total points. He also set a new Fort Worth record, besting Jake Wright’s 255.5 set in 2017.

Crawley and Culling were the only rodeo athletes to hold their first-place positions and win 2019 championships.

Sterling Crawley of Stephenville, Texas, set a new Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo record for highest three-ride total with this ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Delta Dawn. His 256 points is the highest of any saddle bronc rider since record-keeping began at the World’s Original Indoor Rodeo in 1950. FWSSR photo by James Phifer

Bareback rider Ty Breuer was fourth overall when the night began, despite not earning prize money in the first two rounds. He came close to tying the record for highest single-round score of 90 points, when he rode Championship Pro Rodeo’s horse River Bugs for 89.5. That gave him a total of 336.5 and the championship.

Tie-down roper Marty Yates of Stephenville, Texas, also came into the finals in fourth place. He and last year’s Fort Worth champion Shane Hanchey of Sulphur, La., both stopped the clock in 8.9 seconds to tie for first in the finals. Yates overall time of 26.6 gave him the championship and the largest paycheck of any cowboy this year – $15,919 plus the $5,000 cash bonus.

The biggest winner of the rodeo was 2018 World Champion Barrel Racer Haley Kinsel of Cotulla, Texas. Kinsel did not place in the first round, but won the second round, and came into the finals in third. She and her palomino mare, DM Sissy Hayday that she calls Sister won the finals with a time of 16.36. Sydni Blanchard of Pueblo, Colo., the overall leader when the night began, was the last cowgirl to ride. Her horse Famous Heartbreaker stumbled on the first turn taking her out of contention.

Kinsel’s total time of 49.37 earned her the championship, $16,771 in prize money and the $5,000 cash bonus.

Only two bull riders were able to stick on the backs of their bulls for the full eight seconds. J.T. Moore of Alvin, Texas, was the first qualified ride, scoring 88 points on J Bar J’s bull named Nixon. The next to ride was Foster McCraw of Grimes, Texas. McCraw, who was third overall coming into the finals, rode Rafter G Rodeo’s Chosin One for 90 points to secure the championship.

Adam Rose of Willard, Missouri, and Jett Hillman of McAlester, Okla., earned the team roping championship. Their 5.9-second run in the finals was only good enough for fourth, but their total of 16.3 was fastest overall by two-tenths of a second. They moved into first place after ranking second when the night began.

A highlight of the final performance was a video tribute covering the 76-year history of rodeo in Will Rogers Coliseum.

Next year the World’s Original Indoor Rodeo moves into the new Dickies Arena on the south edge of the complex and Will Rogers Coliseum will host other equine and livestock events

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Bareback Riding – Ty Breuer, Mandan, N. D., 336.5 points, $8,829

Steer Wrestling – Josh Clark, Belgrade, Montana, 12.5, $14,590

and Stephen Culling, Fort Saint John, British Columbia, 12.5, $14,525

Team Roping – Adam Rose, Willard, Mo., and

Jett Hillman, McAlester, Okla., 16.3 seconds, $8,646 each

      Saddle Bronc Riding – Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, 256 points, $12,989

Tie-Down Roping – Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas, 26.6 seconds. $15,919

Barrel Racing – Haley Kinzel, Cotulla, Texas, 49.37 seconds, $16,771

Bull Riding – Foster McCraw, Grimes, Texas, 254 points, $14,910

 

 

 

FORT WORTH, Texas (February 9, 2019) — The following are unofficial final results from the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

Bareback Riding: Final Round – 1, Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D., 89.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Bugs, $1,650. 2, Craig Wisehart, Kersey, Colo., 88.5, $1,250. 3, Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., 86.5, $900. 4, Trenten Montero, Winnemucca, Nev., 86, $600. 5, R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., 85, $350. 6, Kaycee Feild, Genola, Utah, 84.5, $250.

(total on four) 1, Breuer, 336.5 points, $6,585. 2, Peebles, 334, $5,059 3, Seth Hardwick, Ranchester, Wyo., 333.5, $3,732. 4, Wisehart, 331.5, $2,415. 5, Landingham, 330, $1,537. 6 (tie), Feild and Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, Mont., 329.5, $988 each. 8, Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas, 328.5. $659.

Steer Wrestling: Final Round—1, Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas, 3.1 seconds, $2,059. 2, Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla., 4.1, $1,790. 3, Josh Clark, Belgrade, Mont., 4.2, $1,522. 4, Bubba Boots, St. Anthony, Idaho, 4.3, $1,253. 5, Marcus Theriot, Poplarville, Miss., 4.4, $985. 6, Stephen Culling, Fort Saint John, British Columbia, 4.7, $716. 7 (tie), Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah, and Jace Melvin, Fort Pierre, S.D., 4.8, $313 each.

(total on three) 1 (tie), Clark and Culling, 12.5 seconds, $8,066 each. 3, Shaffer, 12.9, $6,378. 4, Theriot, 13.0, $5,252. 5, Melvin, 13.4, $4,127. 6, Boots, 13.6, $3,001. 7, Brenan Laye, Consort, Alberta, 13.7, $1,876. 8, Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla., 13.8, $750.

Team Roping: Final Round – 1, Kal Fuller, Bozeman, Mont., and Travis Woodard, Huckabay, Texas, 5.2 seconds, $1,595 each. 2, Steven Duby, Hereford, Ore., and Jason Duby, Klamath Falls, Ore., 5.5, $1,320 each. 3, Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn., and Joseph Harrison, Overbrook, Okla., 5.6, $1,045 each. 4, Adam Rose, Willard, Mo., and Jett Hillman, McAlester, Okla., 5.9, $770 each. 5, Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.D., and Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo., 6.0, $495. 6, Kelsey Parchman, Cumberland City, Tenn., and Matt Kasner, Cody, Neb., 6.2, $275 each.

(total on three) 1, Rose and Hillman, 16.3 seconds, $7,496 each. 2, Fuller and Woodard, 16.5, $6,518 each. 3, Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C., and Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M., 17.0, $5,540 each. 4, Parchman and Kasner, 17.4, $4,563 each. 5. Steven and Jason Duby, 17.6, $3,585 each. 6, Brown and Eaves, 18.1, $2,607 each. 7, Masters and Harrison, 18.2, $1,630 each. 8, Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz., and Tyler Worley, Berryville, Ark., 18.3, $652 each.

Saddle Bronc Riding: Final Performance- 1, Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 89 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Cover Girl, $1,650. 2, Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, 88, $1,250. 3, Mitch Pollock, Winnemucca, Nev., 87.5, $900. 4, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, 87, $600. 5, Colt Gordon, Comanche, Okla., 84, $350. 6, Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 83, $250.

(total on three) 1, Crawley, 256 points, $7,044. 2, Thurston, 255, $5,400. 3, Hay, 253, $3,991. 4 (tie), Pollock and Gordon, 250, $2,113 each. 6, Jesse Wright, 248, $1,174. 7, Colton Carter, Nephi, Utah, 237, $939. 8, Jake Wright, Milford, Utah, 236.5, $704.

Tie-Down Roping: Final Round- 1 (tie), Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., and Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas, 8.9 seconds, $1,978 each. 3, Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla., 9.3, $1,564. 4, Clif Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 10.0, $1,288. 5, Ross Tucker, Archer City, Texas, 11.3, $1,012. 6, Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 12.3, $736. 7, Kyle Lucas, Carstairs, Alberta, 12.5, $460. 8, Alex Caudle, Livingston, Ala., 13.2, $184.

(total on three) 1, Yates, 26.6 seconds, $9,619. 2, Clif Cooper, 26.9, $8,364. 3, Hanchey, 27.6, $7,110. 4, Jarrett, 28.1, $5,855. 5, Tuf Cooper, 29.4, $4,500. 6, Lucas, 30.2, $3,346. 7, Ross Tucker, Archer City, Texas 30.5, $2,091. 8, Tyson Durfey, Brock, Texas, 31.5, $836.

Barrel Racing: Final Round – 1, Haley Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 16.36 seconds, $3,833. 2, Jimmie Smith, McDade, Texas, 16.45, $2,875. 3, Ivy Conrado, Nowata, Okla., 16.51, $1,917. 4, Michelle Alley, Madisonville, Texas, 16.56, $958.

(total on three) 1, Kinsel, 49.37 seconds, $7,762. 3, Jennifer Sharp, Montgomery, Texas, 49.42, $6,654. 3, Smith, 49.64, $5,544. 4, Conrado, 49.70, $4,805. 5, Alley, 49.76, $3,696. 6, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Victoria, Texas, 49.79, $2,957. 7, Taylor Langdon, Aubrey, Texas, 49.93, $2,218. 8, Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas, 50.04, $1,479. 9, Alex Lang, Harper, Texas, 50.14, $1,109. 10, Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas, 51.46, $739.

Bull Riding: Final Round— (two rides) 1, Foster McCraw, Grimes, Texas, 90 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Chosin One, $2,700. 2, J.T. Moore, Alvin, Texas, 88, $2,300.

(total on three) 1, McCraw, 254, $8,564.  2, J.T. Moore, Alvin, Texas, 250.5, $6,566. (on two) 3, Garrett Wickett, Battle Creek, Neb., 168.5, $4,853. 4, Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah, 165, $1,998. 5, Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla., 161.5, $1,998. 6 (tie), Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas, and Brody Yeary, Morgan Mill, Texas, 160, $1,285. 8, Dalan Duncan, Ballard, Utah, 158, $856.

 

 

SAN ANTONIO (Feb. 8, 2019) – J.W. Harris may be in the twilight of his bull riding career, but he’s not thinking about that at this year’s San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo.

Harris, from Goldthwaite, Texas, joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association 14 years ago. He has won four gold buckles for being the world champion, has nearly $2 million in association earnings and has made the trip to Las Vegas to compete at rodeo’s championships, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, nine times. However, he still has bulls to ride, rodeos to win and he has proven at San Antonio that he is still working towards his goals.

He is among the bull riders in Bracket 1 that kicked off this year’s rodeo. Harris finished second on opening night of the rodeo, then followed that up with an 88.5-point ride on Beutler and Sons Rodeo’s Crazy Child on Friday night. That was good for the win and $2,500. Combined with the $2,250 he won on Thursday, he has won the most money of all Bracket 1 contestants at $4,750.

In 2009, Harris tied for the win with Spud Jones in the AT&T Center. He has had several high marked rides but being the only guy at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the rodeo has eluded him.

“This rodeo and Cheyenne Frontier Days are two that I’ve always wanted to win,” Harris said. “I feel good right now and I’m having a blast. I’m not worrying about my career, I’m just worrying about riding one bull at a time.”

The third round of Bracket 1 starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Harris will be hoping to add even more money to his bank account then, but with what he has already won enough money to make plans to be back here for the Semifinals. Some other contestants that are planning that trip are team ropers Paul David Tierney from Oklahoma City and Tanner Braden from Dewey, Oklahoma, and bareback rider Tyler Nelson from Victor, Idaho. They have each won $4,500 here so far.

Nelson is a former champion in the AT&T Center and knows what it feels like to make the victory lap in the back of a Ford Truck and collect the buckle for being the best. He earned nearly $26,000 here in 2017 after scoring 91.5 points and beating world champion Tim O’Connell by a half-point.

Contestants in Bracket 1 will be finishing their competition on Saturday afternoon, then Bracket 2 will begin. Ten more contestants in each event will be trying to earn their piece of the $1.7 million in prize money Saturday night at the fourth rodeo performance which begins at 7:30 p.m.

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SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 8, 2019) — The following are results after the second performance of the San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo, the 14-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year.

 

Bracket 1, round 2 followed by money leaders —

 

Bareback Riding: 1, Tyler Nelson, Victor, Idaho, 85 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s All Pink, $2,500. 2, Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La., 84.5, $2,000. 3, Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La., 84, $1,240. 4, (tie) Shane O’Connell, Rapid City, S.D.; Tristan Hansen, Dillon, Mont.; and Jamie Howlett, Rapid City, S.D.; 81 and $250 each. (total money) 1, Nelson, $4,500. 2, Howlett, $2,750. 3, Broussard, $2,000. 4, (tie) Ratliff, O’Connell and Hansen, $1,250 each.

 

Steer Wrestling: 1, Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont., 3.9 seconds, $2,500. 2, Josh Garner, Live Oak, Calif., 4.2, $2,000. 3, Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore., 4.3, $1,250. 4, J.D. Struxness, Milan, Minn., 4.5, $750. (total money) 1, Knowles, $2,350. 2, Erickson, $2,875. 3, Jacob Talley, Katchie, La., $2,500. 4, Garner, $2,000.

 

Team Roping: 1, Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City and Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla., 4.7 seconds, $2,500. 2, Riley and Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 5.8, $2,000. 3, Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C., and Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M., 6.8, $1,250. 4, Jeff Flenniken, Caldwell, Idaho and Jake Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 7.9, $750. (total money) 1, Tierney and Braden, $4,500. 2, Riley and Brady Minor, $2,750. 3, Garrett Tonozzi, Fruita, Colo., and Dustin Davis, Terrell, Texas, $2,500. 4, (tie) Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C., and Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo.; and Kidd and Medlin, $1,250.

 

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Ross Griffin, Tularosa, N.M., 84.5 points on Beutler and Son Rodeo’s No Show Jones, $2,500. 2, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, 84, $2,000. 3, Dean Wadsworth, Buffalo Gap, Texas, 82, $1,250. 4, Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas, 81, $750. (total money) 1, Thurston, $2,750. 2, (tie) Griffin and Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., $2,500 each. 4, Clay Elliott, Nanton, Alberta, $2,000.

 

               Tie-Down Roping: 1, Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas, 7.5 seconds, $2,500. 2, Tyson Durfey, Brock, Texas, 8.2, $2,000. 3, Cody Quaney, Fort Worth, Texas, 8.6, $1,250. 4, Tanner Green, Cotulla, Texas, 8.9, $750. (total money) 1, Durfey, $3,000. 2, (tie) Gray and Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M., $2,500 each. 4, Quaney, $2,250.

 

Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Tillar Murray, Fort Worth, Texas, 14.06, $2,500. 2, Ericka Nelson, Century, Fla., 14.09, $2,000. 3, Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas, 14.14, $1,250. 4, Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas, 14.22, $750. (total money) 1, Nelson, $4,000. 2, Murray, $3,750. 3, Kelly Bruner, Millsap, Texas, $2,500. 4, Ganter, $1,250.

 

Bull Riding: 1, J.W. Harris, Goldthwaite, Texas, 88.5 points on Beutler and Son Rodeo’s Crazy Child, $2,500. 2, Brady Portenier, Caldwell, Idaho, 85.5, $2,000. 3, Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas, 85, $1,250. 4, Dallee Mason, Weiser, Idaho, 79, $750. (total money) 1, Harris, $5,000. 2, Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho, $2,750. 3, Portenier, $2,000, 4, Tim Bingham, Honeyville, Utah, $1,500.

 

About the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo:
Established in 1949, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, winner of the PRCA Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year for an unprecedented 14 consecutive times, has grown to be one of the largest and most prestigious single events in the city, with over 2 million visitors entering the grounds each year. The success of the organization is attributed to over 6,000 volunteers who give countless hours to the organization. With community, donor and volunteer support, the organization has donated over $198 million to the youth of Texas through scholarships, grants, endowments, auctions, a calf scramble program and show premiums. For more information, visit sarodeo.com.

 

FORT WORTH, Texas (February 3, 2019)— Prior to his first trip to compete at the 123^rd edition of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, bull rider Garrett Wickett favorite rodeo moment happened at the RAM Prairie Circuit Finals.

He had the highest marked ride of his career at the event in Duncan, Oklahoma in 2018 scoring 86 points. That highlight could very well change for the Battle Creek, Nebraska, native. In his very first outing in the Will Rogers Coliseum he scored 84.5 points on Saturday night. He came back at the Sunday matinee and made a second ride for 84 points. Now, he is at the top of the overall leaderboard with 168.5 points on two rides and will be making plans to return here next weekend to ride in the championship finals.

Wickett is a second-generation bull rider who grew up watching his father and uncles compete. He learned what he could from them, then continued his education at Mid Plains Community College in North Platte, Nebraska, where Dustin Elliott, the 2004 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion bull rider is the coach.

While Wickett has been pursuing his studies in ag business and welding, he has also been competing in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association where he qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo twice. J.T. Moore from Alvin, Texas, is now in second place overall with 162.5 points on two bulls.

The first round of team roping saw big changes here on Sunday night. Cory Kidd V, from Statesville, North Carolina, and Logan Medlin, from Tatum, New Mexico, are at the top of the leaderboard with a 4.8 second run. Right behind them are brothers Chase and Tyson Thompson from Munday, Texas with a 4.9.

The World’s Original Indoor Rodeo® continues on Military Monday with performances at 2 and 7:30 p.m. All active or retired personnel can get a free rodeo ticket by showing their military ID.

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FORT WORTH. — The following are unofficial results from Sunday’s performances of the World’s Oldest Indoor Rodeo® at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, February 3, 2019.

Sixteenth Performance

Bareback Riding: 1, Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., 88 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Willie Lounge. 2, R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., 87. 3, Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas, 85. 4 (tie), Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., and Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, Mont., 80 each.

Steer Wrestling: 1, Taylor Gregg, Walla Walla, Wash., 3.9 seconds. 2, John Green, La Grande, Ore., 4.5. 3, Levi Rudd, Chelsea, Okla., 5.0. 4, Tyke Kipp, Lordsburg, N.M., 5.4.

Team Roping: 1 (tie), Jr. Dees, Aurora, S.D., and Cody Cowden, Atwater, Calif.; and Cory Smothers, Henryville, Ind., and Blake Bentley, Burleson, Texas, 5.5 seconds each. 3, Chris Francis, Las Vegas, N.M., and Cade Passig, Las Vegas, N.M., 11.1. 4, Shain Sproul, Las Cruces, N.M., and Lane Siggins, Coolidge, Ariz., 15.8.

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La., 79 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s First Dance. 2 (tie), Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas, and Will Pollock, Stephenville, Texas, 78.5 each. 4, Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., 76.5.

Tie-Down Roping: (three times) 1, Clint Robinson, Spanish Fork, Utah, 8.6 seconds. 2, Bobby Abernathy, Athens, Ala., 12.1. 3, Cody Lawrence, Pleasanton, Texas, 16.0.

Barrel Racing: 1, Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas, 16.62 seconds. 2, Tami Semas, Brock, Texas, 16.91. 3, Angela Ganter, Abilene, Texas, 17.10. 4, Kynzie McNeill, Stillwater, Okla., 17.23.

Bull Riding: (three rides) 1, Garrett Wickett, Battle Creek, Neb., 84 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Sully. 2, Cody Strite, Albuquerque, N.M., 77.5. 3, Colten Fritzlan, Snyder, Texas, 76.5.

 

Seventeenth Performance

Bareback Riding: 1, Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., 83 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Texan. 2, Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, Mont., 79.5. 3, R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Colo., 78. 4, Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas, 76.

Steer Wrestling: 1, Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La., 3.8 seconds. 2, Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla., 4.8. 3, Brady Buum, Fort Lupton, Colo., 5.1. 4, Denver Berry, Checotah, Okla., 8.9.

Team Roping: 1, Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C., and Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M., 4.8 seconds. 2, Chace and Tyson Thompson, Munday, Texas, 4.9. 3, Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla., and Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas, 5.9. 4, Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D., and J.W. Beck, Moville, Iowa, 10.0.

 

Saddle Bronc Riding:  1, Alex Wright, Milford, Utah, 87.5 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Lost Highway. 2, Jake Wright, Milford, Utah, 83. 3, Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 81.5.  4, Treyson Antonick, Overton, Texas, 79.

Tie-Down Roping: 1, Clayton Smith, Eckville, Alberta, 8.4 seconds. 2, Ace Slone, Cuero, Texas, 8.6. 3, Jason Timmerman, Humble, Texas, 9.4. 4, Blair Smith, Wimborne, Alberta, 10.1.

Barrel Racing: 1, Sadye Simpson, Stephenville, Texas, 16.62. 2, Emily Miller, Weatherford, Okla., 16.65. 3, Katelyn Scott, Odessa, Texas, 16.76. 4, Jacque Woolman, Llano, Texas, 16.91.

Bull Riding: (one ride) 1, Tristan Mize, Bryan, Texas, 85 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Johnny Thunder.

 

Current Leaders

Bareback Riding: (first round) 1 Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., 88 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Willie Lounge. 2, Kaycee Feild, Genola, Utah, 87.5. 3, R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., 87. 4, Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., 85.5. 5, Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas, 85. 6, Tyler Johnson, Burneyville, Okla., 79.5. (second round) 1 (tie), Pascal Isabelle, Okotoks, Alberta, on Silver Creek Rodeo’s Plastic Fantastic and Luke Creasy, Hobbs, N.M., on Frontier Rodeo’s Sweet Medicine, 84 points each. 3 (tie), Feild and Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas, 83.5 each. 5, Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., 83. 6, Tristan Hansen, Dillon, Mont., 82.5. (third round) 1, Colletti, 84 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Sunrise. 2, Tyler Berghuis, Atwater, Minn., 82.5. 3, Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore., 82. 4, Waylon Guy Bourgeois, Church Point, La., 81.5. 5, Chad Rutherford, Lake Charles, La., 81. 6, Tristan Hansen, Dillon, Mont., 78.5. (total on three) 1, Feild, 245 points. 2, Rutherford, 238.5. 3, Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La., 235. 4 (tie), Foss and Lane McGeHee, Victoria, Texas, 233.5 each. 6, Berghuis, 232.5.

Steer Wrestling: (second round) 1, Baxtor Roche, Tremonton, Utah, 3.5 seconds. 2 (tie), Tyler Pearson, Louisville, Miss., and Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas, 3.6 each. 4, Ryan Lewis, Hineston, La., and Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La., 3.8 each. 6, Taylor Gregg, Walla Walla, Wash., 3.9. (total on two) 1 (tie), Jace Melvin, Fort Pierre, S.D., and Marcus Theriot, Poplarville, Miss., 8.6 seconds each.  3, Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore., 9.0. 4. Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah, 9.2. 5, Bubba Boots, St. Anthony, Idaho, 9.3. 6, Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla., 9.6.

 

 

Team Roping: (first round) 1, Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C., and Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M., 4.8 seconds. 2, Chace and Tyson Thompson, Munday, Texas, 4.9. 3, Jeff Flenniken, Caldwell, Idaho, and Jake Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 5.0. 4, Steven Duby, Hereford, Ore., and Jason Duby, Klamath Falls, Ore., 5.3. 5 (tie), Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz., and Tyler Worley, Berryville, Ark.; and Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas, and Will Woodfin, Marshall, Texas, 5.4 each. (second round) 1 (tie), Marcus Theriot, Poplarville, Miss., and Coleby Payne, Lipan, Texas; and Casey Tew, Billings, Mont., and Boogie Ray, Mabank, Texas, 4.7 seconds each. 3, Joshua and Jonathan Torres, Ocala, Fla., 4.8. 4, Aaron Macy, Post, Texas, and Jason Johe, San Luis Obispo, Calif., 4.9. 5, Nick Sartain, Yukon, Okla., and Austin Rogers, Crescent, Okla., 5.0. 6, Riley and Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 5.1. (total on two) 1, Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz., and Tyler Worley, Berryville, Ark.,10.6 seconds. 2, Kal Fuller, Bozeman, Mont., and Travis Woodard, Huckabay, Texas, 11.3. 3, Riley and Brady Minor, 11.4. 4 (tie), Levi Simpson, Ponoka, Alberta, and Cole Davison, Stephenville, Texas; and Steven Duby, Hereford, Ore., and Jason Duby, Klamath Falls, Ore., 12.1 each. 6, Ty Bach, Millsap, Texas, and Trey Johnson, Weatherford, Texas, 13.3.

 

Saddle Bronc Riding: (first round) 1, Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas, 88 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Cowboy Town. 2, Alex Wright, Milford, Utah, 87.5. 3 (tie), Kole Ashbacher, Arrowwood, Alberta, and Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D., 84.5 each. 5, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, 84. 6, Colt Gordon, Comanche, Okla., 83.5. (second round) 1, Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, 86.5 points on Andrews Rodeo’s Rock Bottle. 2, Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah, 84.5. 3, Thurston, 84. 4 (tie), Bradley Harter, Loranger, La.; Wyatt Casper, Pampa, Texas, and Colt Gordon, Comanche, Okla., 82.5. (total on two) 1 (tie), Crawley and Thurston, 168 points each. 3, Diaz, 166.5. 4, Gordon, 166. 5, Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 164. 6 (tie), Joey Sonnier III, New Iberia, La., and Casper, 160.5.

Tie-Down Roping: (second round leaders) 1, Sterling Smith, Stephenville, Texas, 7.5 seconds. 2, Alex Caudle, Livingston, Ala., 8.3. 3 (tie), Kyle Lucas, Carstairs, B.C., and Clayton Smith, Eckville, Alberta, 8.4 each. 5 (tie), Clint Robinson, Spanish Fork, Utah, and Ace Slone, Cuero, Texas, 8.6 each. (total on two) 1, Clif Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 16.9 seconds. 2, Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 17.1. 3 (tie), Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas, and Lucas, 17.1. 5, Robinson, 18.4. 6, Caudle, 19.1.

Barrel Racing: (first round) 1, Sydni Blanchard, Pueblo, Colo., 16.22 seconds. 2, Taylor Langdon, Aubrey, Texas, 16.43. 3, Jennifer Sharp, Montgomery, Texas, 16.48. 4, Jill Wilson, Snyder, Texas, 16.49. 5, Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas, 16.53. 6 (tie), Ilyssa Glass, Tatum, N.M., and Ivy Conrado, Nowata, Okla., 16.58 each. 8 (tie), Sidney Forrest, Lipan, Texas, and Amberleigh Moore, Salem, Ore., 16.60 each.

Bull Riding: (first round) 1, Dallee Mason, Weiser, Idaho, 89 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s King Herod. 2, Tristan Mize, Bryan, Texas, 85. 3 (tie), Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah, and Garrett Wickett, Battle Creek, Neb., 84.5 each. 5, Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas, 83. 6, Dalan Duncan, Ballard, Utah, 82.5. (second round) 1, Boudreaux Campbell, Crockett, Texas, 87.5 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Johnny Cash. 2, Tyler Taylor, Stephenville, Texas, 84.5. 3, Garrett Wickett, Battle Creek, Neb., 84. 4 (tie), Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla., and Dustin Bowen, Fredericksburg, Pa., 83 each. 5, Moore, 82 (total on two) 1, Wickett, 168.5. 2, Bryan, Texas, 162.5. 3, Askey, 160. 4, Duncan, 158. 5, Aaron Williams, Pismo Beach, Calif., 156.5, 6, Bowen, 155.

 

 

 

Cutline for attached photo: Idaho bull rider Dallee Mason leads after the first night of the PRCA Xtreme Bulls event at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. FWSSR photo by James Pfifer

 

 

FORT WORTH, Texas (Jan. 22, 2019) Dallee Mason of Weiser, Idaho, made the most of his opportunities during the opening performance of Bulls’ Night Out at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

Mason, who was not part of the initial 80-rider field for the bull riding event, caught a ride to Fort Worth from Denver on the chance he would get to replace an original entrant who was unable to compete.

He got the call letting him know he’d get to ride a bull here while traveling from Denver. “That was a good start,” he said. By the time Mason nodded his head to start his ride on Andrews Rodeo’s bull Western Rebel in the second section, other riders had put some high scores on the board.

National Finals Rodeo cowboy Trevor Reiste made the first qualified ride and scored 87. There had already been scores of 86, 85.5 and 85 plus four others above 80. Mason promptly scored 86.5 points to rank third in the first round, behind Reiste and three-time PBR champion Silvana Alves, after 40 cowboys competed.

The top 10 scores in the first round qualified for the short round and the chance to ride another bull. The cowboys rode in reverse order with 10^th-place qualifier Jeff Askey of Athens, Texas, competing first and riding 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s bull Ferdinand for 87.5. The next six riders hit the dirt, then Mason rode Hurst Pro Rodeo’s bull Yellow Hair and matched Askey’s score. That gave the Idaho bull rider a total of 174 points and the lead after opening night. He also received a $1,000 gift card from the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

Forty more bull riders will compete Wednesday night. The championship will be awarded to the rider with the highest total score. Bulls’ Night Out at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Xtreme Bulls Tour.

When he was told that last year’s Bulls’ Night Out champion won more than $16,000, Mason said, “That’d be great. I don’t have anything right now.”

He will travel to Iowa for a rodeo this weekend and return to Fort Worth to compete at the World’s Original Indoor Rodeo on Monday and Tuesday.

permit last week at Lafayette, La., scored 88 points on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Last Cigarette to lead the short round and sit second overall with the highest one-bull score.

In the junior bull riding for youngsters 10 to 15, Hagen Braswell of Telegraph, Texas, was the winner for the night with a score of 83 points.

The final Bulls’ Night Out performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 23, with a new field of bull riders and junior bull riders.

Thursday night at 7:30 p.m., the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo hosts its annual extreme team competition – Rodeo X presented by Schaefer Outfitters. This unique tournament-style rodeo features winners from eight of North America’s biggest rodeos competing in five events for bragging rights and $100,000 in one night.

The World’s Original Indoor Rodeo takes the arena at Will Rogers Coliseum beginning Friday, January 25, and continues for 29 performances over 16 days.

 

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FORT WORTH, Texas — The following are results from Tuesday night’s performance of Bulls’ Night Out at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, January 22, 2019.

First Performance: 1 (tie), Trevor Reiste, Linden, Iowa, on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Relentless, and Silvano Alves, Decatur, Texas, on Andrews Rodeo’s Plano Bar Bandit, 87 points each. 3, Dallee Mason, Weiser, Idaho, 86.5. 4, (tie) Jordan Wacey Spears, Redding, Calif., and Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont., 86. 6, J.W. Harris, Goldthwaite, Texas, 85.5.

 

Short Round: (two rides) 1, Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas, on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Ferdinand, and Dallee Mason on Hurst Pro Rodeo’s Yellow Hair, 87.5 points each.

 

Total on Two:  1, Mason, 174 points. 2, Askey, 169. (on one) 3 (tie), Reiste and Alves, 87. 5 (tie), Spears and Breding, 86.

 

Jr. Bull Riding: 1, Hagen Braswell, Telegraph, Texas, 83 points. 2, Brant Cooksten, Trinidad, Texas, 74. 3, Jack Mitchell, Weatherford, Texas, 73. 4, Carter High, Weatherford, Texas, 67.

 

DENVER, Colo. (Jan.21, 2019) — Three years ago, bareback rider Clayton Biglow from Clements, California had yet to compete at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo.

The talented athlete came close to a win here last year. He finished as the reserve champion in Denver and won over $8,000 giving him a jump start on his 2018 rodeo season. It was his first time to ever compete in the Denver Coliseum. That money helped him qualify for his third Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. He finished fourth for the year and is hoping to improve on that in 2019.

When Biglow started this rodeo, he was 16^th in the world standings with $8,618 won. He has the potential to change that with an 87.5-point ride in the Denver Coliseum on Monday afternoon. That ride on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Major Party puts him in second place in the first round. He will ride his second horse at the Tuesday evening performance and if he gets another great score he will be a favorite to be riding for the National Western Stock Show championship next Sunday.

“I’ve had okay winters in the past, but never a great one,” Biglow said. “It would be a great start to my year to win Denver. It’s one of the old prestigious rodeos that I’ve hoped to win since I started competing.”

Bubba Boots, from St. Anthony, Idaho has made a name for himself in college rodeo having qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo three times in the steer wrestling and team roping. He came through the National Western’s qualifier to compete at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association portion of the rodeo in the steer wrestling.

Boots, who competed for Northwest College at Powell, Wyoming, stopped the clock here in 3.9 seconds. While that is unlikely to be among the top eight competitors who get a check in the first round, it puts him in great shape to qualify for Sunday’s finals if he can have a repeat performance on Tuesday. The best 12 contestants in each of the events with the highest total scores and fastest total times on two runs will advance to the final round hoping to win a National Western title.

The PRCA and WPRA portion of the National Western will continue Tuesdasy night at 7 p.m.

 

DENVER, Colo. (Jan. 21, 2019) – The following are results from the National Western Stock Show Rodeo.

Ninth Performance —

Bareback Riding: 1, Clayton Biglow, Clements, Colo., 87.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Major Party. 2, Dantan Bertsch, Eastend, Saskatchewan, 80.5. 3, George Gillespie IV, Darby, Mont., 71. 4, Grant Denny, Minden, Nev., 70.5.

Steer Wrestling: 1, Bubba Boots, St. Anthony, Idaho, 3.9 seconds. 2, Baylor Roche, Tremonton, Utah, 4.3. 3, Austin Schneider, Beetown, Wis., 5.7. 4, Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla., 9.3.

Team Roping: (three times), Jeff Johnston, Thedford, Neb., and Dustin Harris, O’Neill, Neb., 5.6. 2, Reece Weber, Valentine, Neb., and Ty Talsma, Avon, S.D., 6.0. 3, Peter John Bennett, Kaycee, Wyo.,, and Jaden Burnett, Eden, Wyo., 6.1.

Saddle Bronc Riding:  1, Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas, 80 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Stage Stop. 2, Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., 79. 3, Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., 72. 4, Jake Barnes, Stephenville, Texas, 69.

Tie-Down Roping: (three times) 1, Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla., 9.6 seconds. 2, Caddo Lewallen, Morrison, Okla., 10.6. 3, Cody McCartney, Ottawa, Lake, Mich., 21.6.

Barrel Racing: 1, Shali Lord, Lamar, Colo., 15.40 seconds. 2, K.L. Spratt, Lysite, Wyo., 15.55. 3, Andrea Busby, Brock, Texas, 15.62. 4, C.J. Vondette, Rifle, Colo., 15.68.

Bull Riding: (two rides) 1, Nathan Hatchel, Weatherford, Okla., 81 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Dark Horse. 2, Ty Wallace, Collbran, Colo., 80.

Current Leaders – 

               Bareback Riding: (first round) 1, Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas, 88 points on Calgary Stampede’s Added Money. 2, Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif., 87.5. 3, Shane O’Connell, Rapid City, S.D., 85. 4, Kash Wilson, Gooding, Idaho, 84.5. 4, Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb., and Kody Lamb, Sherwood Park, Alberta, 83.5. (second round) 1, Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., 86.5 points on Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s High Rollin Sidney. 2, Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Min., 84.5. 3, (tie) Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb., and Blaine Kaufman, Pretty Prairie, Kan., 84. (total on two) 1, Shadbolt, 168. 2, Colletti, 167. 3, Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La., 165. 4, Kaufman, 164.

Steer Wrestling: (first round) 1, Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla., 3.5 seconds. 2, (tie) Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont., and Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan., 3.6 each. 4, (tie) Cole McNamee, Pine Bluffs, Wyo., and Dru Melvin, Hebron, Neb., 3.8. (second round) 1, (tie) Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala.; Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La.; and Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla.; 3.7 each. 4, Cole Edge, Duncan, Okla., 3.8. (total on two) 1, Duvall, 7.2. 2, Irwin, 8.0. 3, Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont., 8.1. 4, Dru Melvin, 8.2.

Team Roping: (first round) 1, (tie) Coleman Proctor, Yukon, Okla., and Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas; and Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont., and Travis Graves, Jay, Okla.; 4.1 each. 3, Riley and Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 4.3. 4, Dustin Bird, Cut Bank, Mont., and Russell Cardoza, Terrebonne, Ore., 4.7.  (second round) 1, Casey Tew, Billings, Mont., and Jerren Johnson, Casper, Wyo., 3.8 seconds. 2, Brenten Hall, Stephenville, Texas, and Chase Tryan, Helena, Mont., 3.9. 3, Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif., and Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas, 4.1. 4, Jake Orman, Prairie, Miss., and Walt Woodard, Stephenville, Texas, 4.4. (total on two) 1, Clay Tryan and Travis Graves, 9.3. 2, Smith and Long, 9.5. 3, J.B. James, Jr., Bennett, Colo., and Brock Hanson, Bennett, Colo., 13.0. 4, Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C., and Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M., 14.9.

Saddle Bronc Riding: (first round) 1, Zeke Thrston, big Valley, alberta, Canada, 83 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Fringe Benefit. 2, Wyatt Casper, Pampa, Texas, 82. 3, Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah, 81.5. 4, Rusty Wright, Milford, Utah, 81. (second round) 1, (tie) Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah, on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Goodnight Trail, and Hawkins Boyce, Malad, Idaho, on Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Redial, 85 points each. 3, Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah, 84.5. 4, (tie) Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, and Hardy Braden, Welch, Okla., 81.5. (total on two) 1, Spencer Wright, 166. 2, Boyce, 163. 3, Wyatt Casper, 162.5. 4, Rusty Wright, 162.

Tie-Down Roping: (first round) 1, Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas, 7.7 seconds. 2, Brandon Neugebauer, La Junta, Colo., 8.3. 3, Cooper Matt Kyle Dickens, Loveland, Colo., 9.1. 2, Trenton Smith, Bigfoot, Texas, 9.2. 3, Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas, 10.1. 4, Treg Schaack, Stinnett, Texas, 10.6. (second round) 1, Cole Bailey, Okmulgee, Okla., 7.9. 2, Cooper Martin, Alma, Kan., 8.1. 3, Joey Dickens, Loveland, Colo., 8.5. 4, Bo Pickett, Caldwell, Idaho, 8.7. (total on two) 1, Martin, 16.7. 2, Brody Stallard, Fort Sumner, N.M., 18.6. 3, Cade Swor, Winnie, Texas, 18.8. 4, Joey Dickens, 19.3.

Barrel Racing: 1, Jennifer Sharp, Montgomery, Texas, 15.26 seconds. 2, (tie) Shelley Morgan, Canton, Texas, and Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 15.30. 4, Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas, 15.39. (second round) 1, Emily Miller, Weatherford, Texas, 15.23. 2, Chris Gibson, Windsor, Colo., 15.35. 3, Jennifer Sharp, 15.37. 4, Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 15.38.  (total on two) 1, Sharp, 30.63. 2, Miller, 30.76. 3, TLockhart, 30.82. 4, iany Schuster, Krum, Texas, 30.92.

Bull Riding: (first round) 1, Nevada Newman, Melstone, Mont., 86.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Turnabout. 2, Aaron Williams, Pismo Beach, Calif., 85 points on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s HtTR. 3, Stetson Wright, Beaver, Utah, 84.5. 4, Jordan Hansen, Ponoka, Alberta, 83.5. (second round) 1, Dillon James Tyner, Eaton, Colo., 89 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Grey Denim. 2, Bart Miller, Pleasanton, Neb., 85. 3, Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont., 84. 4, Tyler Hessman, Beaver, Okla., 82. (overall – on one) 1, Tyner, 89. 2, Miller and Williams, 85. 4, Stetson Wright, 84.5

DENVER –  Cody Nance (Paris, Tennessee) earned his first-ever win at the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Denver Chute Out Velocity Tour (VT) event during the National Western Stock Show Wednesday night after being the only rider to go a perfect 3-for-3 at the three-day bull riding.

Nance immediately dedicated the victory to fallen bull rider Mason Lowe (Exeter, Missouri) at the conclusion of the event. Lowe passed away on Tuesday night at Denver Health as a result of injuries sustained in competition when a bull stepped on his chest at the Denver Coliseum at the National Western Complex.

“I’m just thankful that God gave us the ability to do what we love to do,” Nance said while tearing up. “Mason and I shared a passion for bull riding, and we got to do it together for a long time. I saw him ride lot of good bulls and I never saw him quit. I think he’d be glad that we came out and gave it our all tonight. This win means the world not only because it’s the best I’ve ever done in Denver, but doing it in Mason’s memory makes it even more special.”

Prior to Wednesday night’s performance, Nance led the group of 30 bull riders competing, in a very heartfelt and moving prayer. Patches that say “Mason Lowe, PBR Cowboy 1993-2019” were distributed to each cowboy to wear on their vest, hats or shirts.

A video tribute dedicated to Lowe, one of the most popular and successful riders in the PBR, was shown on the big screen before the introductions of the riders.

National Western Stock Show, a 501c-3 non-profit entity, in conjunction with PBR conducted a special in-arena fundraiser for the Lowe family during the event. Donations can be made either online or by mail. All funds received will be sent to Lowe’s family. Donations and information can be found by clicking here.

Nance picked up his first ride of the event on Tuesday night with an 80.5-point ride aboard Rooster Cogburn (Flying V Bucking Bulls). He began Round 2 on Wednesday night by covering Bug Eyes (Big Rafter Rodeo LLC) for 88 points.

The Tennessee cowboy was the only rider to go 8 seconds in the final round of the event as he took Lorena’s Pet (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Clay Struve/Heald Pro Bulls) for 86 points.

Nance, the No. 9 bull rider in the world earned 175 points towards the PBR world standings along with $26,307.25.

Finishing in second place was Brazilian Danilo Carlos Sobrinho (Tupa, Brazil) with a 2-for-3 effort. He covered Bad Decisions (Bland Bucking Bulls) for 89 points on Tuesday night and followed that up with 89.5 points aboard Stone Cold Crazy (Flying S Bucking Bulls) on Wednesday night. Good Night Robicheaux (6M/Riley Samford) won the matchup with the 32-year old cowboy in the championship round.

For his efforts, Sobrinho earned 152.5 world points and collected a paycheck of $17,183.35

Third place went to 2016 PBR World Champion Jess Lockwood (Volborg, Montana), who continued his hot streak by riding two of his three bulls in Denver. Lockwood started his event in Denver with 89.5 points aboard Hooky (Cervi Championship Rodeo) on Tuesday night and then followed that up with 86 points on Skin And Bones (Hodges/Shuler) on Wednesday.

Lockwood was unable to make the whistle during the championship round as Smooth Wreck (Owens/Smith) sent him to the ground in 2.12 seconds.

The No. 1 bull rider in the world picked up 105 points towards the world standings and earned $9,960.26. Lockwood now leads No. 2 Chase Outlaw (Hamburg, Arkansas) by 1,092.5 points.

Luis Blanco (Iacanga, Brazil) and Paulo Lima (Bezerros, Brazil) rounded out the Top 5, both with 2-for-3 efforts.

Blanco first rode Flash Bang (Ty Rinaldo TZ Bucking Bulls) for 80.5 points on Monday night. He then rode Tequila Slinger (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Clay Struve) for 89.5 points on Wednesday, tying with Sobrinho for the Round 2. He later bucked off Terror Struck (Talbert Bucking Bulls) during the final round.

Lima advanced to Wednesday night’s long round with 86.5 points on Red Rocker (Bland Bucking Bulls). He then covered Accelerator (TNT Rodeo Co.) for 88 points before failing to ride Wicked Stick (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Clay Struve/H&C Bucking Bulls) during the championship round.

Blanco earned 42.5 world points and $7,4561.19, while Lima picked up 25 world points along with a paycheck of $4,866.08.

The PBR VT tour will next head to the Carolina Classic in Columbia, South Carolina and the Portland Classic in Portland, Oregon on Jan. 19.

DENVER, Colo. (Jan. 12, 2019) — It’s become a tradition to start the National Western Stock Show Rodeo with competition between teams representing rodeos from Colorado and from across the rest of North America.

The history of the event goes back eight years, but in that amount of time, its popularity has grown for both fans and contestants. A near capacity crowd saw competitors in bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding as well as steer wrestling and barrel racing compete for a pair of championship spurs as well as part of the $90,000 purse.

The day started with an 11 a.m. performance featuring all of the contestants on the Cinch Jeans World Team. What started with 10 contestants in each event was quickly narrowed to the best four advancing to Saturday night’s Showdown.

A matinee performance featuring contestants from the Ram Rodeo Colorado Team started at 3:30 p.m. with the same format. Then at 8 p.m. the four contestants that advanced from each team went head-to-head to narrow the field once again in the semifinals. The top score in each event from the two teams advanced again to a winner-take-all final round.

To be part of the World team, contestants were invited to represent rodeos in North Platte, Nebraska.; Guymon, Oklahoma; Rapid City, South Dakota; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Austin, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; Calgary, Alberta; Dodge City, Kansas; San Angelo, Texas; and Houston, Texas.

For the Colorado team, three contestants represented the National Western Stock Show Rodeo in each event. Additionally, the following rodeos participated: Loveland; Pueblo, Greeley; Estes Park; Elizabeth; and Colorado Springs. To complete the 10-person roster, a contestant was invited as a wildcard.

There was only one contestant from the Colorado Team that won a championship, and even though his home is in Nanton, Alberta, the cheers from the stands were the loudest when they announced Clay Elliott as the saddle bronc riding champion.

Elliott watched as Ryder Wright rode Vold Rodeo’s Sun Glow for 90 points and knew if he wanted to win, he had his work cut out for him. It was a six-year-old horse named Amazon Hills from Calgary Stampede that Elliott chose to ride. They both did their jobs and when it was all said and done, Elliott also had 90-points beside his name. Because he had the high score in the semifinals, Elliott earned the spurs and the $8,000 check that went to the champion.

Barrel racing couldn’t have been any more exciting or any closer. It was a match-up between Amy Jo Reisdorfer from Cheyenne, Wyoming who was representing her home-town rodeo for the world team and Ari-Anna Flynn who was representing the Roof Top Rodeo at Estes Park for the Colorado Team.

Reisdorfer won the World performance with a time of 15.543 seconds. That was worth $1,000. She earned another $1,000 for her finish in the semifinals where she stopped the clock in 15.553 seconds. She was the first of the two barrel racers to run in the finals and had her fastest run of the day at 15.539.

Flynn also had the fastest of her three runs in the final round stopping the clock in 15.540 seconds. Reisdorfer won the title and the $8,000 by just one thousandth of a second on a horse that they call Blue Duck.

“When I got up this morning, I just wanted to come in here and have consistent, smooth runs,” she said. “My oldest son was coaching me after my second run. I have three boys here with me and they all love Blue Duck. They all rodeo and are part of the team that it takes. I think he runs better when they are here.”

Reisdorfer and her husband have six children between them, and between all of them, Blue Duck gets plenty of treats and attention. After winning the championship here on Saturday, they were planning some extra pampering for the black gelding.

Clayton Sellars made a big statement when he won the bull riding for the World Team. He was the most successful of the 20 competitors by far as the only one to have two qualified rides. He advanced to the semifinals based on the time that he rode during the morning performance, then got an 83-point score Saturday night.

Coy Pollmeier from the Colorado Team also rode in the semifinals scoring 81 points. Sellars got first pick of the bulls in the finals because of his high score. He chose HTTR, a bull owned by 4L and Diamond S Rodeo.

That choice proved fruitful with an 87.5-point ride. Sellars was the only man to ride two bulls in the Denver Coliseum on Saturday.

“I’ve been riding good and have been confident,” Sellars said. He was crowned the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rookie of the Year in the bull riding for the 2018 season. “I’ve been fired up and couldn’t wait to get on here. Now, I’m excited to get back here for the rodeo.” Sellars will compete again at the PRCA rodeo next Saturday.

Other winners were World Team members, Seth Hardwick in the bareback riding and Josh Garner in the steer wrestling.

The 113^th National Western Stock show will see a cross-cultural event in the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza in the Denver Coliseum on Sunday. Performances are at 2 and 6:30 p.m.

 

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DENVER, Colo. — The following are results from Super Saturday, Colorado Versus the World rodeo, Jan. 12, 2019.

 

Cinch Jeans World Team Performance – contestant, hometown, rodeo represented

 

Bareback Riding: 1, (tie) Kash Wilson, Gooding, Idaho, (Rapid City, S.D.) and R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., (Calgary), 86 points and $850 each. 3, Seth Hardwick, Ranchester, Wyo., (Dodge City, Kansas), 85, $600. 4, Tyler Nelson, Victor, Idaho, (Austin) 82.5, $500.

 

Steer Wrestling: 1, Bridger Anderson, Alva, Okla., (Dodge City, Kansas) 5.69 seconds, $1,000. 2, Tee Burress, Piedmont, S.D., (Austin) 6.93, $700. 3, Kody Woodward, Alva, Okla., (San Angelo) 7.85, $600. 4, Josh Garner, Live Oak, Calif., (Austin) 9.61, $500.

 

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah, (Calgary) 87.5 points, $1,000. 2, (tie) Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, (Fort Worth) and Ross Griffin, Tularosa, N.M., (Guymon, Oklahoma) 84.5 and $650 each. 4, (tie) Chuck Schmidt, Keldron, S.D., (San Angelo, Texas) and Jade Blackwell, Piedmont, S.D., (North Platte, Nebraska) 82, $350 each. Schmidt advanced based on tie-breaker.

 

Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Amy Jo Reisdorfer, Cheyenne, Wyoming, (Cheyenne) 15.543 seconds, $1,000. 2, Ashley Day, Volberg, Mont., (Guymon, Okla.) 15.862, $700.3, Kailee Webb, Isabel, S.D., (Calgary) 15.876, $600. 4, Lake Mehalic, Fort Collins, Colo., (North Platte, Neb.) 15.903, $500.

 

Bull Riding: (no qualified rides – contestants advanced on time ridden) 1, Shane Proctor, Delaware, Okla., (Houston); Clayton Sellars, Stephenville, Texas, (Fort Worth); Jeston Mead, Holcomb, Kan., (North Platte); and Jesse Petri, Palestine, Texas, (Dodge City, Kan.).

 

RAM Rodeo Colorado Team Performance – contestant, hometown, Colorado rodeo represented

 

Bareback Riding: 1, Justin Polmiller, Weatherford, Okla. (Pueblo, 85 points, $1,000. 2, Logan Patterson, Kim, Colo., (Loveland) 83.5, $700. 3, (tie) Hunter Brasfield, Delta, Colo., (Elizabeth) and Grant Denny, Minden, Nev., (Denver) 83, $550 each.

 

Steer Wrestling: 1, Dru Melvin, Hebron, Neb., (Pueblo) 4.50 seconds, $1,000. 2, Trell Etabuer, Gruver, Texas, (Loveland) 4.95, $700. 3, Tyler Pearson, Atoka, Okla., (Denver) 5.39, $600. 4, Aaron Vosler, Cheyenne, Wyoming, (Colorado Springs) 5.80, $500.

 

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Clay Elliott, Nanton, Alberta, (Denver) 85 points, $1,000. 2, Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah, (Greeley) 84.5, $700. 3, Nat Stratton, Santa Rosa, Calif., (Colorado Springs) 83, $600. 4, Colt Gordon, Comanche, Okla., (Denver) 82.5, $500.

 

Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Sally Conway, Arvada, Wyo., (Elizabeth) 15.380 seconds, $1,000. 2, Ari-Anna Flynn, Charleston, Ark., (Estes Park) 15.520, $700. 3, Tracy Nowlin, Nowata, Okla., (Greeley) 15.763, $600. 4, Lori Todd, Wilcox, Ariz., (Colorado Springs) 15.812, $500.

 

Bull Riding: (no qualified rides – contestants advanced on time ridden) 1, Riker Carter, Stone, Idaho, (Wild Card); Coy Pollmeier, Fort Scott, Kan., (Denver); Kyle Zeigler, Atwood, Kan. (Colorado Springs); Laramie Mosley, Santana, Kan., (Elizabeth).

 

Showdown – Colorado Vs. The World – Contestant, followed by team, score and money.

 

Bareback Riding: (semifinals) 1, Seth Hardwick, World, 88 points, $1,000. 2, Logan Patterson, Colorado, 85. (Final) 1, Hardwick, 87.5, $8,000. 2, Patterson, 84.

 

Steer Wrestling: (semifinals) 1, Tyler Pearson, Colorado, 4.06, $1,000. 2, Josh Garner, World, 5.12, $1,000. (Final) 1, Garner, 4.15, $8,000. 2, Pearson, 4.94.

 

Saddle Bronc Riding: (semifinals) 1, Clay Elliott, Colorado, 88, $1,000. 2, Ryder Wright, 0, $1,000. (final) 1, Elliott, 90, $8,000. 2, Wright, 90. (Elliott won based on tie-breaker)

 

Women’s Barrel Race: (semifinals) 1, Amy Jo Reisdorfer, World, 15.553, $1,000. 2, Ari-Anna Flynn, Colorado, 16.190, $1,000. (final) 1, Reisdorfer, 15.539, $8,000. 2, Flynn, 15.540.

 

Bull Riding: (semifinals) 1, Clayton Sellars, World, 83, $1,000. 2, Coy Pollmeier,

81, $1,000. (final) 1, Sellars, 87.5, $8,000. 2, Pollmeier, 0.

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

O’Connell battles to win third consecutive bareback riding title

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Smith/Eaves claim first team roping world titles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The two have clicked together since they started together.

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

But the two are parting ways for the 2019 season.

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

 

Powered by second average crown, Waguespack claims second world title

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He also just kept catching.

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

Smidt was riding Pockets.

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

 

Sundell wins first world title at 33

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sundell already has plans for all the money he won.

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

As for his immediate plans.

“Go home and relax,” he said.

 

Kinsel cruises to first world title

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

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

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

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

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

 

Dougherty wins RAM Top Gun Award

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

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

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

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

 

 

60th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

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

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Erickson earns first go-round on 49th Finals round

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kyle Irwin and Tyler Pearson own Scooter.

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

 

Begay/Petska make it round win No. 3

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Thurston wins saddle bronc riding with 90-point ride

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sterling Smith gets first round win since 2015

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The horse belongs to Cassidy Boggs.

 

Hailey Kinsel clinches barrel racing world title

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

And Kinsel won the gold buckle in style.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Vastbinder wins second go-round

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

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

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

Drawing Bruiser had Vastbinder excited heading into the ninth round.

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

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

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

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

 

Cooper into first place in All-Around

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

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

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

 

Kinsel extends lead for RAM Top Gun Award

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

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

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

 

 

60th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

Ninth Performance Results, Friday, Dec. 14, 2018

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But Waguespack isn’t counting on anything yet.

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

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

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

 

Shane O’Connell wins first Wrangler NFR go-round

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

New partners Buckaloo/Tryan stop clock in 3.6 seconds

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

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

They decided they’d rope together.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Ryan Jarrett heating up in tie-down roping

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jarrett is hoping to gain some more ground.

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

 

Bettis notches first Finals win

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

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

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

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

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

Bettis also had a little fun practice a day earlier.

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

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

 

Brooks, Rusty Wright tie in saddle bronc riding

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

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

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

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

Rusty Wright won Round 8 in 2015.

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

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

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

Rusty Wright was equally excited.

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

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

 

Dougherty, Frost split bull riding; climb in average

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

.

60th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

Eighth Performance Results, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He’s not planning on doing much different.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Durfey rides to first round win since 2016

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Kinsel continues torrid run, notches third round win

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Larsen pushes pain aside to win bareback riding round

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Cure, Pearson tie in steer wrestling

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Two sets of team ropers post 3.9-second runs

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

Derrick Begay and Cory Petska took their second.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sundell, Brooks tie in saddle bronc riding

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

At 33, Wade Sundell is enjoying his eighth.

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

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

Brooks knew what to expect from Diamond Fever.

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

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

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

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

Brooks is trying to soak up his first trip.

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

Sundell loves qualifying for the Finals in Vegas.

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

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

 

Brazile still ahead in All-Around

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

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

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

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

 

Kinsel grabs RAM Top Gun Award lead

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

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

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

 

60th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

Seventh Performance Results, Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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