PRORODEO Sports News - August 8, 2025

NFR OPEN

NICK PELKE STAYS RED-HOT

By Alex Dodd

Nick Pelke stayed hot as he took home the NFR Open bareback title. PRCA photo by Mallory Beinborn

N ick Pelke stayed red-hot during the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo. The 25-year-old bareback rider from Mondovi, Wis., needed a boost to his already impressive summer run and found it at Norris Penrose Event Center. After advancing to the NFR Open Championship Round out of Pool B, Pelke benefited from a dream draw with a championship on the line. The Great Lakes Circuit bareback rider paired up with a Great Lakes Circuit bucking horse in Championship Pro Rodeo's Captain Hook. Pelke matched the horse for an 86-point ride to top the field and earn his first national championship win.

“That horse has been great to me,” Pelke told the PRORO DEO Sports News. “Some guys have had some heck with it, but we seem to fit. I couldn’t be more blessed for it to happen here and get the win.” Pelke earned $13,000 in the NFR Open Championship Round to move into the top 10 of the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings as of July 14. “I’m riding a high right now. There’s nothing down about it,” Pelke said. “I’ve been pretty blessed. I had a dang good Fourth of July, and now with this, I couldn’t be more blessed for the opportunities and everything God has given me.”

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