PRORODEO Sports News - October 3, 2025

DUEL AT THE DUNES DELIVERED BUBBLE DRAMA ON LAST DAY OF REGULAR SEASON By Alex Dodd

E very year, cowboys find themselves on the bubble to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The bubble situation of a few roughstock cowboys was exaggerated on Tuesday, Sept. 30, the final day of the 2025 PRORODEO regular season, during the first-ever Duel at the Dunes in the backyard of the Cervi Ranch in Roggen, Colo. The event hosted 20 of the best bareback, saddle bronc and bull riders – including several in dire need of one

going to jump in the boat and today proved that.” Luke ‘Colorado Kid’ Mackey showed up at his home state event needing to play some defense at No. 15 in the bull riding standings. “It sounds kind of simple, but I just had to keep to myself and just ride (these bulls) like every other bull,” Mackey said. Mackey did that and more with an 81-point ride in the opening performance to reach the three-man short round. He bucked off in

more substantial payday. Saddle bronc rider Lefty Holman entered the final event of the 2025 campaign sitting 16th in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Stand ings. He needed to leave with a couple of checks and to finish above No. 15 Wyatt Casper to reach his fifth NFR. “I prayed the hardest I’ve ever prayed,” Holman said of his mindset coming into the event. “God’s been giv ing me these little tiny signs all week, little tiny signs that I know came from him. He just let me know that it’s all going to be all right.”

the final but did enough to unofficially clinch his spot in Las Vegas, pending an official audit. The 19-year-old Resis tol Rookie from Ignacio, Colo., also relished the opportunity to seal his fate in his home state. “I was really pumped that the last rodeo of the year was in my home state,” Mackey said. “Now I’m a little bit closer to go ing back home and resting up for a few days.”

Saddle bronc rider Lefty Holman needed one more payday to secure a trip to his fifth Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, pending an official audit. (PRCA photo by Mallory Beinborn)

The bubble took its toll on Mackey over the last several weeks, but shoring up his spot – pending the audit – made the experience worth the stress. “It was really stressful just trying to get inside of that bubble,” Mackey said. “Today it came right down to it. I was going to pop that bubble or stay in it. I stayed in it, and it feels good.” Mackey said he’ll get on a few practice bulls and recover before he makes his way to Las Vegas from Dec. 4-13 for his first National Finals Rodeo. Mason Clements arrived for the bareback riding trail ing No. 15 R.C. Landingham by $1,500. He unofficially did just enough to work his way inside the Top 15 at the Duel at the Dunes. Clements matched Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Blue Ridge Babe for an 85.5-point ride in the long round to finish in the money, despite missing the three-man showdown. Landingham finished outside the money. Until the official audit wraps up in the middle of October, the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings are unofficial. But when it concludes, back numbers will be released on prorodeo.com and the field will be set for the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Holman matched Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Tar get Practice in the opening round to reach the short go, and Casper missed out on the final. In the championship round, Holman recorded an 84.5-point ride on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Steak Sauce to finish second and unofficially put himself in position for the season’s culminating event. “I had to give myself a chance here,” Holman said. “It’s not just rodeo and wanting to make the NFR. I have a family to feed. I have a reputation to keep up. I have an expensive lifestyle. So not making the NFR doesn’t just kill my ego, but financially it’s horrible as well. So to be a businessman in this game, you’ve got to win, and you’ve got to keep winning.” Holman battled injuries throughout the season, as well as the mental toll of the PRORODEO season’s ups and downs. “It’s been a dogfight,” Holman said. “It’s been non stop and so stressful taking a toll on my mind and my body. I’ve been going to rodeos and not winning any thing, getting on horses I normally wouldn’t and just dogging it out because you have to try. The fish aren’t

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