PRORODEO Sports News - August 8, 2025

NFR OPEN

BRODY CRESS WINS SADDLE BRONC TITLE FOR TEXAS

PRUITT JUMPS INTO TOP 10 WITH NFR OPEN WIN By Zach Alvira

By Alex Dodd

Cress put on for Texas as he took home the saddle bronc title at the NFR Open. PRCA photo by Mallory Beinborn

Tie-down roper Riley Pruitt shined in the final round to with the NFR Open. PRCA photo by Mallory Beinborn

B rody Cress fought his way into the NFR Open from the Texas Circuit and made the most of his opportunity at Norris Penrose Event Center. In the short round, Cress drew Kirsten Vold Rodeo’s Captain Hook - a horse he knew gave him more than a fighter’s chance to secure a championship. The 29-year-old cowboy capitalized with an 87-point ride to earn a national championship. “I think it was just focusing on doing my job,” Cress said. “I’ve seen that horse a lot and seen her take a lot of guys to the pay window. I know if I showed up, did my job and helped her out we’d have a chance.” Cress, a Wyoming native, left no doubt in the saddle bronc riding. He cruised to a top finish in Pool A at 169.5 points on two head to bring in $6,000. “It’s awesome. I’ve never gotten the chance to be able to win this,” Cress said. “It’s not just for the amount of money towards the world standings you get out of this, but this is a prestigious deal. “This is a great place to have it. It’s the home of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and it’s in front of a great crowd.”

R iley Pruitt grew up watching his father, Troy, accomplish great feats as a tie-down roper in PRORODEO. Troy won the PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Championship in 1990 and won the average at the National Finals Rodeo in 1993. He qualified for the NFR eight times throughout his career and passed on his skills to his son for him to chase his own success in the sport. Pruitt, a 33-year-old cowboy from Gering, Neb., who represents the Mountain States Circuit, has found his own success throughout his career with two NFR qualifications. To date, he is still chasing a world title. But he can officially check off obtaining a national championship from his list of career goals after winning the NFR Open tie-down roping title with an 8.6-second run in the final round. "I messed up my tie a little bit but kept hustling and kept moving through it," Pruitt said. "Luckily it paid off."

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