PRORODEO Sports News - October 4, 2024

The Cup Sellars wraps regular season with Cinch Playoffs title

HAVEN MEGED Justin introduced the ‘Roper’ in 1954 and it remains the Choice of Champions today!

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LONG LIVE COWGIRLS.

HAILEY KINSEL 4-TIME WORLD CHAMPION

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CONTENTS

OCTOBER 4, 2024 VOLUME 72, NO. 20

Saddle bronc rider Statler Wright shows

off his commemorative firearm and buckle after winning the North Dakota Roughrider Cup, Sept 22. Jackie Jensen photo

Locked & Loaded The North Dakota Roughrider Cup in Mandan offered contestants a lucrative last-minute payday with the PRORO DEO regular season winding down. 42

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INSIDE

6 Manager’s Message 8 Hot Takes 10 Grille 12 He Said, She Said 16 Social Media 20 World Standings 22 Short Round 58 Results

RODEOS

34 Sioux Falls, S.D. Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup 42 Mandan, N.D.

PRCA ProRodeo file photo Bareback rider R.C. Landingham will be making his fifth trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge this December. His last NFR qualification was in 2022. Preparing for Las Vegas The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge is 10 of the toughest days in rodeo. The work that goes into preparing for the NFR is just as important as the competition that goes on inside the Thomas & Mack Center. 44

COVER

The Cup Sellars wraps regular season with Cinch Playoffs title

ProRodeo Sports News PRCA CEO Tom Glause MANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA

PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS (ISSN 0161-5815; USPS 469-620) is published semimonthly by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, 101 Pro Rodeo Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80919-4301. PERIODICALS postage paid at Colorado Springs, Colo. , and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address changes to ProRodeo Sports News , P. O. Box 469025, Escondido, CA 92046. Subscription rate: $45 for one year, 12 issues. Disclaimer: The ProRodeo Sports News carries advertising as a service to PRCA members and PSN readers. However, publication of advertisements in the PSN does not in any way, whether expressed or implied, commit the PSN to guarantee or warrant any of the merchandise or livestock advertised.

TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE PSN OR FOR SUBSCRIPTION PROBLEMS, CALL: 800.RODEO.4U (800.763.3648) _______________ To advertise in the PSN , call: 719.528.4704 PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS 101 ProRodeo Drive

Bull rider Clayton Sellars clinched the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup win with an 88-point ride on Burch Rodeo Company’s Cookies & Cream in the Final Four round.

Tracy Renck PSN EDITOR & DIGITAL MEDIA SPECIALIST Tanner Barth PRCA ART DIRECTOR

Colorado Springs, CO 80919 ©2024, PRCA Properties Inc. , a

marketing service and subsidiary of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information retrieval system, without permission in writing from PRCA Properties Inc.

Stephen Olver MEDIA REPORTER Alex Dodd

– PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee

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MANAGER’S MESSAGE TRACY RENCK

Tie-down roper Hunter Herrin came up clutch at the Cinch Play offs Gover nor’s Cup. The PRORODEO veteran earned $28,000 in Sioux Falls to

cement his spot in the Top 15.

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee

Governor’s Cup delivered on its promise of drama T he date has come and gone. Ask any contestant in the PRCA what Sept. 30 means and they will know. That is the day the PRCA regular Herrin clocked a 7.6-second time to place third in Round 2 and he advanced in the average in eighth place with a 42.2-second time on two head.

Herrin kept his momentum rolling, finishing second in the finals and leaving Sioux Falls with $28,000 and moving up to 12th in the world standings with $123,999. “I wasn’t sure on the dollar amount I was behind, I just knew that if I could make the short round and place in a round that I would have a lot better shot (of moving up),” said Herrin, 40. Then, there was the improbable run by team ropers – Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn. VonAhn entered Sept. 28 on the outside of the NFR looking in as the No. 21 heeler in the world standings with $95,382. When the curtain dropped in Sioux Falls, Ward/VonAhn were celebrating. The duo won the final round with an electric 3.9-second time and collected $30,000 checks each. More importantly Ward finished sixth in the header world standings and heeler VonAhn was eighth. That was late-season drama at its finest. When the stakes were at their highest Ward and VonAhn delivered. There was plenty of talk about the $1.3 million Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup offering life-changing money – for some it was and for all it was season-changing money. There were 14 contestants who earned at least $30,000 in Sioux Falls. The top four money earners were Damian Brennan ($41,750); Hailey Kinsel ($41,000); Jess Pope ($39,625); and Shad Mayfield ($39,625). Rorey Lemmel, the Governor’s Cup general manager, and his entire staff should be applauded for producing a fantastic rodeo – a mini NFR – before the NFR. It doesn’t get any better than that.

season ends and when the final calculations begin to see who will earn a coveted spot in the Top 15 of the PRCA | RAM World Standings. What you see in the world standings on prorodeo.com is not official yet. Cowboys can still file grievances if they missed out of being in the Top 15 and believe they should be. So, sit still just to see who the 120 contestants will be competing at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge, Dec. 5-14 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Cowboys are definitely headed to Vegas and some as a result of the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, S.D., Sept. 26-28. The purpose of the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup was to create one huge payday on the last weekend of the PRCA regular season to help get cowboys on the bubble into the NFR. It did exactly that. Veteran tie-down roper Hunter Herrin took full On Sept. 26, Herrin arrived at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in the unenviable No. 16 spot in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, $3,340 behind Marcos Costa in the No. 15 spot. Couple that with the fact that with Herrin’s 34.6-second run in the first round on Sept. 26 and he had a mountain of pressure on his shoulders in Round 2. However, he wasn’t fazed at all. advantage of his opportunity.

Tracy Renck is the Manager of Communications and Media. He previously served three years as the editor of the ProRodeo Sports News , and before that he spent seven years as a media coordinator at the

PRCA. He has three decades of experience in sports journalism.

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Clutch

“I wasn’t sure on the dollar amount I was behind, but I just knew that if I could make the short round and place in a round that I would have a lot better shot (of moving up). This really helps and puts me in a great spot with the regular season coming to an end.”

The purpose of the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup was to create one huge payday on the last weekend of the PRCA regular season to help get cowboys on the bubble into the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. Veteran tie-down roper Hunter Herrin took full advantage, finishing second and earning $28,000 toward the PRCA | RAM World Standings, cementing his spot in the Top 15.

NEXT ON TAP WALLER COUNTY FAIR & RODEO Where: Hempstead, Texas When: Oct. 3-5 Broadcast Schedule: The Waller County Fair & Rodeo will be broadcast on The Cowboy Channel and stream live on the PRCA on The Cowboy Channel Plus App, Oct. 3-5. RAM TEXAS CIRCUIT FINALS Where: Waco, Texas When: Oct. 8-11 Broadcast Schedule: The RAM Texas Circuit Finals will stream live on the PRCA on The Cowboy

HOT TAKES

Crunch Time Tucker Allen has been fighting tooth and nail down the stretch of the PRORODEO regular season in search of his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge qualification. He picked up a key win on the last weekend of the season at the Poway (Calif.) Rodeo. Allen clocked a 3.9-second run to clinch the victory. As of Sept. 29, he was just inside the Top 15 of the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Reed Settle photo Tucker Allen captured the win at the Poway Rodeo with a 3.9-second run, Sept. 27-28. The victory added $2,119 to his 2024 ledger.

Channel Plus App, Oct. 8-11. RAM COLUMBIA RIVER CIRCUIT FINALS Where: Redmond, Ore. When: Oct. 17-19

Broadcast Schedule: The RAM Columbia River Circuit Finals will stream live on the PRCA on The Cowboy Channel Plus App, Oct. 17-19. For complete broadcast schedule visit https://bitly.ws/3hK9m

821 $63,015,748 MONEY WON BY COWBOYS IN THE 2024 SEASON NUMBER OF PRCA-SANCTIONED RODEOS IN THE 2024 SEASON AS OF SEPT. 30

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COWBOY GRILLE WITH TANNER BARTH

Saddle bronc rider Kyle Wanchuk, 22, is forging his own path in the sport of rodeo. Kyle, the younger brother of three-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier Kolby Wanchuk, just wrapped up his Resistol Rookie season inside the top 50 of the PRCA | RAM World Standings. The Sherwood Park, Alberta, cowboy finished the month of September strong, picking up a pair of checks in Omaha, Neb., and St. George, Utah. He wrapped up the 2024 season second in the race for the Resistol Rookie of the Year title.

KYLE WANCHUK

How’d you get your start in rodeo? Kyle: I really just grew up with it. My dad is a professional rodeo clown, and my mom was a professional barrel racer. By the time I was 2 or 3 my dad had me out there in makeup clowning. I did that until I was about 16. Then I got my driver’s license and amateur rodeoed for three years then I went on to the pros. When did you know you could make a career out of rodeo? Kyle: A big part for me was watching my brother go out and make the NFR. I figured I could do it as well if I kept getting better every time I get on. Then I started having some success this summer. I was 89 points at the Gleichen broncs match and that was my highest score in PRORODEO. So, that gave me a lot of confidence. Why did you decide saddle bronc riding would be your event? Kyle: To be honest with you, I had always just thought I was going to be a roper. As far as the bronc

riding goes, I went down to the states to help my brother drive when I was 17 at some of those big bronc matches and rodeos. I thought it was the coolest thing. I went back to my high school rodeos and helped my buddies get on some horses. I thought you know what I might actually want to do this. So, I went to my first broncs school and went on from there. Did you do any other rodeo events growing up? Kyle: I calf roped through junior high and high school rodeos and into college as well. Then I’ve been team roping since I could walk. Team roping was actually the main reason that I went pro at first. Why did you decide to get your PRCA card this season? Kyle: At the end of the season last year, I placed in like eight out of the last 10 rodeos I went to in the bronc riding. It seemed like it wasn’t so hard and wasn’t so bad. Also, I’m not getting any younger, so I thought I might as well go try for it. What have you learned during your Resistol Rookie season? Kyle: I learned that you need sponsors whether you’re winning or not because it starts to get expensive on the road. You also have to stay humble with the sport. You are getting on bucking horses and you’re not going to win every time. Who’s someone you look up to in the rodeo business right now?

Kyle: I for sure look up to my older brother Kolby. Every time I have a serious question about rodeo he has an answer for me. I look up to Zeke (Thurston) as well of course. Mel Hyland is another guy that has helped me out too. Him and I will talk on the phone every once in a while and talk about bronc riding and training colts. He’s a huge supporter of mine. What’s one rodeo you want to win before your career is over? Kyle: I would really like to win an event at the Ponoka Stampede. Winning the bronc match in Pollockville (Alberta) would really be cool as well. What’s your favorite movie? Kyle: Step Brothers is a pretty great movie. What’s your go-to restaurant before or after a rodeo? Kyle: My traveling partner and I went to Olive Garden a lot this year. What’s the first vehicle you drove? Kyle: I had a 1999 Chevy Monte Carlo. I had it for about four months before I blew the engine out on it. Do you have a favorite candy? Kyle: I really like those Livewire candy ropes. You can’t always find them, but they are good. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not rodeoing? Kyle: I enjoy training colts and hunting quite a bit. What’s your favorite holiday? Kyle: It would probably have to be Christmas because you get to see the whole family every year, it’s awesome. What type of music do you like listening to? Kyle: I like to listen to just about everything. I like old country, new country and some rap.

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Pendleton® and Pendleton® Midnight Blended Canadian Whisky. 40 % - 45% ALC./VOL. ©2024 Pendleton Distillers, Lawrenceburg, IN. Please drink responsibly. LET’ER BUCK and the bucking horse logo are registered trademarks of

10 QUESTIONS WITH KYNNLEY HERRINGTON

He Said – She Said

Who knows National Finals Steer Roping qualifier Troy Tillard better? His wife, barrel racer Heidi Tillard, or his traveling partner, Wade Shoemaker?

TROY

HEIDI

WADE

WADE

TROY

HEIDI

WHO IS HIS FAVORITE RODEO ATHLETE?

J.D. Yates

Scott Snedecor

Hunter Herrin

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA?

Facebook

Facebook

Facebook

WHAT CELEBRITY WOULD HE MOST LIKE TO MEET?

Donald Trump

Tiger Woods

Donald Trump

WHAT IS HIS GO-TO KARAOKE SONG?

Facebook “Rodeo Man” by Jake Hooker

Any George Strait song “Fast Car” by Tracy Chapman

Xxxxxx “Dirt Road Anthem” by Jason Aldean

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY?

Heidi

Me

Me

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE FOOD?

Anything Lee Lee makes

Mexican

Mexican

WHAT MOVIE WOULD HE LIKED TO HAVE BEEN IN?

Caddyshack

Tin Cup

Wedding Crashers

WHAT (NON-NFR) RODEO WOULD HE MOST LIKE TO WIN?

Pendleton

Pendleton Round-Up

Pendleton

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE?

Diet Coke

Diet Pepsi

Diet Pepsi

IS HE AN INTROVERT OR AN EXTROVERT?

Extrovert

Extrovert

Extrovert

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WORD SEARCH TRY YOUR LUCK

ANSWERS ON PAGE 70

Find the winners from the RAM Texas Circuit Finals in Waco and the RAM Badlands Circuit Finals in Minot, N.D., in 2023. Cowboys or cowgirls who won more than one event at both rodeos appear once for each win. Names may be forward, backward, horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. Circuit Season 1. Find the winners from Waco, Texas: BB: Kade Berry SW: Justin Shaffer TR: Manny Egusquiza. Jr./Evan Arnold SB: Sterling Crawley TD: John Douch GB: Ashley Castleberry SR: Slade Wood BR: Cody Teel

XEOGI FYMZAI YOESTAKPDY ZUOGGAPUANTTRTMSTL I BG SELOKCWVOSVQERHYJ J LLS HAVFLIASHIORRLEDJOWGY T JMAEGLQJMLNEBVBCHBOZ DLNINI TWRI LYMLTCENAQE MREMWAAUNOCNCOWCBDUET RHEHOKRGIAOARXOVPOAJ T UMSMUTCNSS JMOUSDWUJKR SAGAAR J TOOLRAJ LZYCTBA CVVPARLQNLTOUWAT JHLOH OEKWYEKPUTDMCODYTEELK ZMLFBFENKEXNXGENDB JNC NEPENTKKEMKOHLWVUOURO YURDELAI FBVRQXOOYDCKL MRORXLMCOOAELDOVUBUBA YPSLDFEFXTWMIXDDOZWAS GOXAJBQREFFAHSNITSUJ I NHT IMSEARTYCCAEDNIOGL TRUBLRUHNITSUAJRZCZZN MANNYEGUSQUI ZAJ REVHOV

2. Find the winners from Minot, N.D.: BB: Ben Kramer SW: Cameron Morman TR: Jon Peterson/Trae Smith SB: Cash Wilson

TD: Austin Hurlburt GB: Lisa Lockhart BR: Mason Moody

Dynamic Duo

Bull rider Ky Hamilton shines at NFR & Stetson Wright wins fifth all-around title

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SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

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SOCIAL MEDIA SPOTLIGHT

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2024 PRCA RAM WORLD STANDINGS

Unofficial as of Oct. 3, 2024. For the 2024 season (Oct. 1, 2023-Sept. 30, 2024), official rodeo limits are as follows: all-around, 70; bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 80; team roping, 80; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 80; barrel racing, 100; breakaway roping,100; and bull riding, 125. Bull riders can count Xtreme Bulls events toward the PRCA World Standings, but not toward the all-around standings.

ALL-AROUND 1. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. .......................... $224,413 2. Junior Nogueira, Pres. Prudente, Brazil .......... 190,401 3. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla. ........................ 185,703 4. Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, Okla. ....................... 167,953 5. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas ............................. 133,016 6. Paden Bray, Stephenville, Texas ...................... 107,547 7. Jake Cooper Clay, Sapulpa, Okla. .................... 101,966 8. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz. ....................... 99,769 9. Tyler Pearson, Atoka, Okla. ............................... 93,375 10. Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, S.D. .......................... 92,365 11. Brushton Minton, Witter Springs, Calif. ......... 88,425 12. Zane Kilgus, Pryor, Okla. ................................ 79,161 13. Marcus Theriot, Lumberton, Miss. .................. 78,875 14. Chet Weitz, London, Texas .............................. 75,545 15. Seth Hall, Albuquerque, N.M. .......................... 61,913 16. Riley Wakefield, O’Neill, Neb. .......................... 60,787 17. Chance Oftedahl, Pemberton, Minn. ................ 56,220 18. Cole Walker, Sparta, Tenn. .............................. 55,038 19. Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla. ......... 53,877 20. Slade Wood, New Ulm, Texas .......................... 53,375 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Rocker Steiner, Weatherford, Texas .............. $233,319 2. Keenan Hayes, Hayden, Colo. ......................... 219,083 3. Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas ................ 172,955 4. Dean Thompson, Altamont, Utah .................... 172,197 5. R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif. ................. 171,420 6. Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan. ................................ 168,154 7. Weston Timberman, Columbus, Mont. ........... 154,100 8. Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas ......................... 139,556 9. Cooper Cooke, Victor, Idaho ........................... 139,067 10. Jacob Lees, Caldwell, Idaho .......................... 138,363 11. Bradlee Miller, Huntsville, Texas .................... 137,365 12. Cole Reiner, Buffalo, Wyo. ............................ 137,128 13. Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb. ................. 137,096 14. Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La. ............... 129,499 15. Richmond Champion, Stevensville, Mont. ..... 128,965 16. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn. .................... 128,747 17. Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba ........................ 127,994 18. Waylon Bourgeois, Church Point, La. ............ 123,039 19. Nick Pelke, Mondovi, Wis. ............................ 103,228 20. Sam Petersen, Helena, Mont. .......................... 97,405 STEER WRESTLING 1. Dalton Massey, Hermiston, Ore. .................... $199,263 2. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev. .............................. 169,401 3. Stetson Jorgensen, Blackfoot, Idaho ............... 153,752 4. Will Lummus, Byhalia, Miss. .......................... 148,837 5. J.D. Struxness, Milan, Minn. .......................... 147,266 6. Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore. ......................... 135,266 7. Don Payne, Stephenville, Texas ...................... 116,916 8. Cash Robb, Altamont, Utah ............................. 110,557 9. Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La. ........................... 108,611 10. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont. .............................. 99,657 11. Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas ........................ 96,382 12. Tyler Pearson, Atoka, Okla. ............................. 94,575 13. Tucker Allen, Ventura, Calif. ............................ 93,437 14. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La. .................... 92,656 15. Scott Guenthner, Consort, Alberta .................. 91,348 16. Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La. ............................. 90,690 17. Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan. ........................ 90,180 18. Jacob Edler, Alva, Okla. ................................... 79,560 19. Stephen Culling, Fort St. John, B.C. ............... 79,275 20. Trisyn H. Kalawaia, Hilo, Hawaii ...................... 76,865 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla. .................. $201,008 2. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas ............................... 191,738 3. Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga. ........................ 177,361 4. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla. ........................ 155,790 5. Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla. ........................ 143,146 6. Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla. ......................... 136,581 7. Jake Smith, Broken Bow, Okla. ....................... 129,366 8. J.C. Yeahquo, Mandaree, N.D. ........................ 126,296 9. Brenten Hall, Jay, Okla. ................................... 125,663 10. Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C. .......................... 117,418 11. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla. ...................... 113,083 12. Cyle Denison, Iowa, La. ................................. 108,812 13. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz. ................... 108,313 14. Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif. ....................... 108,269

15. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz. ................... 105,069 16. Nelson Wyatt, Clanton, Ala. .......................... 101,988 17. Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash. ...................... 100,100 18. Jr. Dees, Aurora, S.D. ...................................... 98,047 19. Tanner Tomlinson, Mineral Wells, Texas .......... 97,992 20. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn. ...................... 96,722 TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. Levi Lord, Sturgis, S.D. ................................. $201,008 2. Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas ............... 191,738 3. Junior Nogueira, Pres. Prudente, Brazil .......... 188,486 4. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan. ............................ 146,584 5. Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M. ............................. 142,557 6. Douglas Rich, Herrick, Ill. ............................... 129,366 7. Kaden Profili, Jacksonville, Texas .................... 126,836 8. Kollin VonAhn, Blanchard, Okla. ...................... 125,382 9. Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla. ........................... 124,959 10. Coleby Payne, Stephenville, Texas ................. 122,197 11. Jonathan Torres, Ocala, Fla. .......................... 117,705 12. Buddy Hawkins II, Stephenville, Texas ........... 114,789 13. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla. ............................... 112,042 14. Hunter Koch, Vernon, Texas .......................... 110,280 15. Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo. ............................. 108,912 16. Colter Todd, Willcox, Ariz. ............................. 105,069 17. J.C. Flake, Milsap, Texas ................................ 101,216 18. Wyatt Cox, Arroyo Grande, Calif. ................... 100,344 19. Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash. ...................... 98,420 20. Patrick Smith, Lipan, Texas ............................. 97,992 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Damian Brennan, Injune, Australia ................ $280,019 2. Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah ............................. 251,257 3. Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho .............................. 227,123 4. Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas ............................ 219,784 5. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo. .......................... 213,988 6. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta .................. 211,385 7. Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif. ............................ 207,735 8. Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont. ...................... 187,940 9. Statler Wright, Beaver, Utah ............................ 172,796 10. Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta ................... 147,837 11. Kolby Wanchuk, Sherwood Park, Alberta ...... 139,743 12. Brody Wells, Powell, Wyo. ............................ 135,798 13. Zac Dallas, Las Cruces, N.M. ......................... 129,157 14. Ben Andersen, Eckville, Alberta ..................... 127,285 15. Logan Hay, Wildwood, Alberta ....................... 127,250 16. Ryder Sanford, Sulphur, La. .......................... 125,307 17. Logan Cook, Alto, Texas ................................ 122,081 18. Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah ................................ 103,339 19. Layton Green, Millarville, Alberta .................... 94,177 20. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas ........................ 90,980 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. ......................... $286,347 2. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont. ..................... 221,309 3. Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas ........................... 219,172 4. Riley Mason Webb, Denton, Texas .................. 216,907 5. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La. ........................... 157,845 6. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas ...................... 155,868 7. John Douch, Huntsville, Texas ........................ 155,804 8. Kincade Henry, Mount Pleasant, Texas ............ 140,958 9. Dylan Hancock, San Angelo, Texas .................. 134,896 10. Zack Jongbloed, Iowa, La. ............................ 134,380 11. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas ............................ 127,444 12. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla. ........................ 123,999 13. Joel Braden Harris, San Angelo, Texas .......... 116,810 14. Cole Clemons, Perrin, Texas ......................... 103,417 15. Quade Hiatt, Canyon, Texas .......................... 101,980 16. Marcos Costa, Iretama, Brazil ........................ 99,339 17. Bryce Derrer, Portales, N.M. ............................ 98,988 18. Brushton Minton, Witter Springs, Calif. .......... 94,999 19. Macon Murphy, Keatchie, La. .......................... 90,671 20. Luke Potter, Maple City, Kan. .......................... 89,373 STEER ROPING 1. Cole Patterson, Pawnee, Okla. ........................ $96,403 2. Slade Wood, New Ulm, Texas ........................... 77,887 3. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas .......................... 70,335 4. Trenton Johnson, Blue Mound, Kan. ................ 70,028 5. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas ............................... 69,667 6. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas .............. 66,462

7. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla. ........................... 63,490 8. Clay Long, Stephenville, Texas .......................... 63,474 9. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D. ............................. 62,093 10. John Bland, Okarche, Okla. ............................. 57,880 11. Brodie Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla. ..................... 56,429 12. J. Tom Fisher, Andrews, Texas ........................ 50,576 13. Thomas Smith, Barnsdall, Okla. ...................... 49,012 14. Dalton Walker, Clyde, Texas ............................. 48,314 15. Blake Deckard, Eufaula, Okla. .......................... 47,903 16. Billy Good, Wynnewood, Okla. ........................ 46,769 17. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla. ......................... 42,727 18. Logan Currie, Wharton, Texas ......................... 40,196 19. Tuff Hardman, Atoka, Okla. .............................. 38,771 20. Kelton McMillen, Weatherford, Okla. ............... 37,833 BULL RIDING 1. T.J. Gray, Dairy, Ore. ...................................... $244,815 2. Hayes Weight, Goshen, Utah .......................... 236,010 3. Jace Trosclair, Chauvin, La. ............................ 212,965 4. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah .............................. 211,064 5. Clayton Sellars, Wildwood, Fla. ....................... 207,366 6. Jeter Lawrence, Council Hill, Okla. .................. 206,134 7. Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, Okla. ........................ 194,096 8. Chase Dougherty, Canby, Ore. ......................... 165,013 9. Trevor Reiste, Linden, Iowa ............................. 160,670 10. Cooper James, Erda, Utah ............................. 158,998 11. Creek Walker Young, Rogersville, Mo. .......... 158,847 12. Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho ............ 150,456 13. Jordan Spears, Redding, Calif. ...................... 129,997 14. Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla. ...................... 128,455 15. Tyler Bingham, Howell, Utah ........................ 125,616 16. Dustin Donovan Boquet, Bourg, La. .............. 121,352 17. Jake Gardner, Fort St. John, B.C ................... 120,443 18. Luke Mast, Hutchinson, Kan. ........................ 114,773 19. JR Stratford, Byers, Kan. .............................. 112,392 20. Brody Yeary, Morgan Mill, Texas ................... 111,900 BARREL RACING 1. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas ......................... $204,103 2. Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla. ...................... 195,907 3. Ashley Castleberry, Montgomery, Texas .......... 170,235 4. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas ........................... 162,283 5. Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Texas .................... 154,005 6. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D. .......................... 140,888 7. Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas .......................... 132,495 8. LaTricia Duke, Zephyr, Texas ............................ 129,148 9. Halyn Lide, China Spring, Texas ...................... 121,966 10. Dona Kay Rule, Minco, Okla. ......................... 121,481 11. Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla. ................. 117,970 12. Andrea Busby, Millsap, Texas ........................ 115,838 13. Abby Phillips, Marshall, Texas ....................... 115,510 14. Carlee Otero, Lipan, Texas ............................. 112,910 15. Shelley Morgan, Eustace, Texas ..................... 111,189 16. Tayla Moeykens, Three Forks, Mont. .............. 104,740 17. Jordon Briggs, Tolar, Texas ............................ 103,193 18. Paige Jones, Wayne, Okla. ............................ 102,362 19. Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D. ........................ 93,451 20. Sara Winkelman, Big Lake, Minn. .................... 88,073 BREAKAWAY ROPING 1. Shelby Boisjoli-Meged, Miles City, Mont. ...... $146,665 2. Josie Conner, Iowa, La. ................................... 139,098 3. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, Texas ............... 135,498 4. Kelsie Domer, Dublin, Texas ............................ 133,037 5. Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla. .............................. 132,998 6. Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas ............. 131,099 7. Maddy Deerman, Hope, N.M. .......................... 112,897 8. Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, Ariz. ......................... 97,999 9. Rickie Fanning, Spearfish, S.D. ....................... 97,008 10. Macy Young, Wittmann, Ariz. .......................... 89,531 11. Kendal Pierson, Wardlow, Alberta .................... 87,559 12. Hali Williams, Comanche, Texas ...................... 84,791 13. TiAda Gray, Portales, N.M. ............................... 82,447 14. Rylee A. George, Oakdale, Calif. ...................... 81,957 15. Jordan Jo Hollabaugh, Springtown, Texas ....... 77,757 16. Sarah Angelone, Lipan, Texas .......................... 72,983 17. Bradi Good, Abilene, Texas .............................. 69,604 18. Bailey Bates, Tohatchi, N.M. ............................ 66,374 19. Joey Williams, Volborg, Mont. ........................ 63,023 20. Braylee Shepherd, Fitzhugh, Okla. ................... 60,184

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SHORT ROUND Out to Pasture Cole Patterson’s standout horse Tigger has retired

C ole Patterson, the 2021 and retired his prized horse Tigger. Tigger, 19, the 2021 PRCA Steer Roping Horse of the Year, retired after the Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo, which ended May 5. “I owe that horse for everything I have,” Patterson said. “I don’t know how much I have won in the last four full years, but I would say 75 to 80 percent of it all goes back to him. I don’t know what made that horse so special. He is big and powerful to begin with, so he never really got pulled around by the steers, he was always in control. “He could haul butt across the line and 2023 PRCA Steer Roping World Champion, confirmed to the ProRodeo Sports News that he has

PRCA ProRodeo file photo Cole Patterson, a two-time PRCA World Champion, has retired his standout horse Tigger. The horse was named the 2021 PRCA Steer Roping Horse of the Year.

Contract Personnel Tradeshow booth holders in 2024 in Las Vegas were provided a unique opportunity. Tradeshow booth holders were provided an exclusive opportunity to perform during the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Dec. 3-4. This is the first time that the NFBR will have specialty act performers. First performance Specialty Acts on Tuesday, Dec. 3: Kelly Clark, Bella Da Costa & The Griffith Gang and Austin Singley. Second performance Specialty Acts on Wednesday, Dec. 4: Liberty Cunningham, David Whitmoyer and Cortney catch up faster than any other horse and he had the perfect move right there in the corner and he could just bring any steer right to you and then stop on a dime and hold his head good and let you finish. “I hope I can find another one like him, but I don’t know. I got a lot of big-time compliments from old guys who have been around forever and several of them have told me don’t expect to ever find another like that.” Patterson bought Tigger in March of his rookie year in 2019. “I hauled him around as my back-up horse in 2019 and then

we got on the same page during the COVID-19 break (in the rodeo schedule in 2020) and from then until the end of 2021 he was as good as a horse as there was going,” Patterson said. “He was main horse from 2020 to 2023.” Patterson’s best year on Tigger was 2021. He finished that season with $190,242, a single-season steer roping earnings mark. That year he also earned a National Finals Steer Roping record $85,726.

Specialty act performers named for 2024 NFBR

Clabaugh & Kate & Tera Flitton. The Top 15 WPRA breakaway ropers will compete for prize money of $300,000 in 2024 an increase of $50,000 from a year ago, during the two-day, 10-round performance. General admission tickets are $30 each day, with reserve admission tickets available for $45. Tickets can be purchased online at southpointarena.com or ticketmaster.com, by phone at 866-796-7111 or at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa box office. Tickets are electronic unless purchased at the box office or specified otherwise online or over the phone. The event will begin daily at 2 p.m. (PST) with doors opening at 1 p.m. Parking at the South Point Hotel is free.

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BY THE NUMBERS 14 The number of contestants who earned at least $30,000 competing at the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, S.D., Sept. 26-28. The top four money earners were Damian Brennan ($41,750); Hailey Kinsel ($41,000); Jess Pope ($39,625); and Shad Mayfield ($39,625). $14K The amount of money ($14,572) earned by steer wrestler Tyler Waguespack by winning the North Dakota Roughrider Cup in Mandan, N.D. It put him in the mix to make the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge for the 10th time in his career. $1.3M The payout ($1.3 million) of the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, S.D., making it the richest rodeo in South Dakota history.

San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo unveils more concerts for 2025 Luke Mackey, 18, picked up one of the biggest wins of his career at the Poway (Calif.) Rodeo. He clinched the victory with an 87.5-point ride on Salt River Rodeo’s Prince Albert. Poway Power Reed Settle photo

The San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo recently released more concerts that will take place during the 2025 edition of the rodeo, Feb. 6-23. The updated concert list includes the following below and all times listed are Central. • Scotty McCreery, Thursday, Feb. 6 | 7 p.m. • Koe Wetzel, Friday, Feb. 7 | 7 p.m. • Muscadine Bloodline, Thursday, Feb. 13 | 7 p.m. • Tyler Hubbard, Friday, Feb. 14 | 7 p.m.

• Sammy Hagar, Thursday, Feb. 20 | 7 p.m. • Nate Smith, Saturday, Feb. 22 | 12 p.m. Tickets start at $35 and include a rodeo performance, concert and admission to the Fairgrounds. To purchase tickets and see the announced concert lineup so far visit: https://www.sarodeo. com/p/rodeo/rodeoconcerts?brand=sarodeo&camefr om=CFC_SA_RODEO_EMAIL

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HAUL IN A DAY’S WORK

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SNAPSHOT

True Grit Steer wrestler Win Mardis tries to hold on during a run at the Flagler County Pro Rodeo in Bunnell, Fla. Mardis received a no time despite his effort. – Alex Menendez photo

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KEEP UP WITH THE HERD!

To subscribe to the ProRodeo Sports News call 800.763.3648 or go to ProRodeo.com

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The Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup took place Sept. 26-28 at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. Contestants competed for their share of the $1.3 million purse, the richest rodeo in South Dakota history. PAGES 36-41 Playoff Pressure

SIOUX FALLS

Header Cyle Denison prepares for a run with heeler Tanner Braden at the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup. The duo each pocketed $22,861 in Sioux Falls, S.D. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D.

CINCH PLAYOFFS GOVERNOR’S CUP

Breaking Through

Dalton Massey breaks season-earnings record BY TANNER BARTH D alton Massey knows a thing or two about having a strong PRORODEO regular season. A year ago, he went into the NFR as the No. 1 ranked man in the world after breaking the PRCA regular season earnings record. 2024 was nearly a carbon copy for the Hermiston, Ore., steer wrestler. He capped it off with a memorable run at the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup Sept. 26-28 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Massey barely squeezed into the eight-man semifinals after clocking a 5.8-second run in the second round. He was able to advance with his two-head time of 10.4 seconds in the No. 8 spot. It was a clean slate on Championship Saturday. Massey made the most of the opportunity. He tied for the round win in the semifinals with a 4.1-second time. That set the stage for the Final-Four shootout round. Stetson Jorgensen set the pace with a strong 4.0-second run. Massey followed suit, putting together a nearly identical run. The duo was tied atop the leaderboard when all was said and done. Massey and Jorgensen split the first-place check of $26,250, but Massey was crowned the Governor’s Cup champion due to a faster time in the semifinals. “It’s an awesome feeling to come out with this win,” said Massey, 31. “What a great rodeo and what a great setup. It really gives guys on the bubble a huge opportunity and guys like me a chance to put some money away here at the end of the year. It’s pretty special.” The substantial late-season payday did more for Massey than cement his spot as the season leader. It pushed his 2024 total to $195,513, which breaks his own regular season earnings record of $193,430 from a year ago. “I got to ride great horses all year long and drew the right steers at the right rodeos,” Massey said. “The key was to capitalize when I had them, and I think I was able to do that.” He will return to Las Vegas in the No. 1 spot for the second straight season. Last year, he just missed out on a world title in Round 10, finishing second in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. He’s put that disappointment behind him and has his eyes squarely on a gold buckle this December. “Last year was my first NFR and I had a few hiccups out there. I was able to get over that and set a new goal to get back there and do it again,” Massey said. “I’m going to be ready to go when I get out there to Vegas this year.”

TOP MONEY EARNER TOP SCORES

Damian Brennan ($41,750, saddle bronc riding) BAREBACK RIDING

Brennan

1. Jess Pope .......................... 88.5 pts. 2. Rocker Steiner ............................. 88 3. Waylon Bourgeois ........................ 85 STEER WRESTLING 1. Dalton Massey ..................... 4.0 sec. 2. Stetson Jorgensen ...................... 4.0 3. Cash Robb .................................. 4.2 TEAM ROPING 1. A. Ward/K. VonAhn .............. 3.9 sec. 2. C. Summers/J. Long ................... 4.1 3. T. Wade/W. Thorp ..................... 14.0 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Ryder Wright ........................ 88 pts. 2. Damian Brennan ....................... 85.5 3. Logan Cook ................................. 85 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Shad Mayfield ...................... 6.9 sec. 2. Hunter Herrin .............................. 7.1 3. Zack Jongbloed ........................ 20.4 BARREL RACING 1. Hailey Kinsel .................... 13.52 sec. 2. Ashley Castleberry .................. 13.78 3. LaTricia Duke .......................... 13.86 BULL RIDING 1. Clayton Sellars ...................... 88 pts. 2. Hayes Weight ............................ 86.5 3. Jeter Lawrence ............................ 85

Complete results/Page 62

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee

Dalton Massey clocked a 4.0-second run in the Final-Four round to walk away with the victory at the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup.

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CINCH PLAYOFFS GOVERNOR’S CUP

Shad Mayfield repeats in tie-down roping Hailey Rae photo Shad Mayfield wrapped up a record-breaking season in Sioux Falls, S.D. He put together a 6.9-second run in the finals to capture the win and a $30,000 payday.

With pressure at a paramount he lived up to his nickname. Shad “Money” Mayfield clocked an electric 6.9-second time to win the Final Four sudden-death round at the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup for the second year in a row at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. “There was a lot on my mind right there, Hunter (Herrin) went 7.1 seconds, which was awesome, and the rest of the field was wide open,” said Mayfield, 23. “I kind of got stuck going for second for the ($22,500) or going for (the win). I know I rope better going for it and I didn’t back off. My horse (Lollipop) makes up for a lot of it. She makes a lot of stuff happen. I have ridden Lollipop all year long and she’s pretty special.” Mayfield won the eight-man semifinal round with a 7.1-second run earlier in the night to put himself in position to go back-to-back. The Clovis, N.M., native earned $39,625 at the rodeo – $30,000 for winning the finals – and $9,625 for claiming the second round title.

With his huge payday in Sioux Falls, Mayfield also set the single season PRCA earnings record in tie-down roping – before the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge – with $287,722. He eclipsed the previous record of $280,405 established by Riley Webb last year. “I said at Fort Worth I had the record two years ago and Riley took it last year and I said at Fort Worth that was my goal this year, I held off (hip surgery) and everything to get that record. I had a slow end to the summer kind of and breaking that record looked like it might be in jeopardy, but I knew I could do it with the money won here. It is crazy because I was looking at everyone else who could have won some money and pass me, so I said ‘Shoot, I might as well win it.’ “I set goals for myself and that helps a lot, and I set out to achieve those goals.”

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D.

BY ALEX DODD & TANNER BARTH Ward/VonAhn push past loaded field

Team roping header Andrew Ward and team roping heeler Kollin VonAhn entered the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup on the bubble. The duo needed a big weekend in Sioux Falls to make a late surge into the Top 15 of the PRCA | RAM World Standings. They did that and more, besting a stellar team roping field and cementing their spots in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. “That was the goal at the first of the year,” Ward said of qualifying for the NFR. “It’d have been nice if we weren’t in that spot (on the bubble). But when we were, it was great to finish like this.” Ward and VonAhn finished eighth in Round 1 and Round 2, tying for seventh in the average to advance to the semifinals. In the round of eight, they put together a 4.0-second run to finish second and reach the short round. They capped the weekend with a 3.9-second run to best Clint Summers and Jake Long by one-tenth of a second to win the top prize of $30,000 each. “It’s awesome. It’s what we wanted to do, but it’s a tall hill to climb,”

VonAhn said. The duo started roping together after Ward graduated from college, but they’ve competed with various partners over the past decade. Ward, 34, has been to three NFRs. VonAhn, 41, is a five-time NFR qualifier and won the world in 2009 and 2015. “He’s kind of who taught me to be really good at this,” Ward said. “He was a world champ, and when I went to his house, I was nobody. So, to get to go rope with him, a two-time world champ (at the NFR), I’ve always dreamed of it. And it’s going to be fun.” VonAhn said the season was a roller coaster but that they’re right where they want to be as the focus shifts toward Las Vegas. “The disappointing thing for me was even being in the position of being on the bubble,” VonAhn said. “That was a little disappointing, knowing our year should’ve been a little better in some places. But I don’t script it. This is the way it was meant to be. So, it’s been a heck of a ride.”

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee Team roping heeler Kollin VonAhn throws his rope after partner Andrew Ward made the head catch. The duo picked up the victory with a 3.9-second effort in the finals.

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CINCH PLAYOFFS GOVERNOR’S CUP

Pope stays hot with win

Jess Pope didn’t have the best start at the Cinch Playoff Governor’s Cup. The 25-year-old bareback rider opened the weekend on Sept. 26 with a 79.5-point ride to finish 11th in the first round. But instead of looking out of the rearview mirror, he turned his attention to the windshield and got on his next horse. Pope won the second round, finished fourth in the semifinals and went on to win $30,000 and the top spot in the finals. “It’s really easy this time of year to get to looking at numbers and crunching numbers really hard to become a freaking nutcase,” Pope said. “I definitely was one, but I knew the right people to talk to, and it kept me looking out of the windshield and not the rearview. And it sure worked out.” Pope tied for the top spot in Round 2 with Rocker Steiner. Pope paired with Burch Rodeo Company’s Hells Fire for 86.5 points and $9,625.

In the finals, Pope matched Brookman Rodeo’s Lunatic Heaven for an 88.5-point ride. “I’ve seen people win a lot of money on (Lunatic Heaven) and didn’t really know what to expect,” he said of his draw for the finals. “But it dang sure caught me there at the end. I was trying as hard as I could to win. If I had to ride for three more seconds, I was probably going to be messed up bad.” Pope’s $39,625 weekend put him squarely in the chase for a world title, entering the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. “It’s truly a blessing,” he said. “This has been one of the hardest years of rodeo that I’ve ever had. Starting off, I just couldn’t draw the ones that I needed to, and there are so many good guys riding. “July was really discouraging, and everything really turned around once I got to August. “This is by far the best fall that I’ve ever had.”

2022 PRCA World

Champion Jess Pope is back in the Top 15 after winning the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup with this 88.5-point ride on Brookman Rodeo’s Lunatic Heaven. Hailey Rae photo

Win caps Sellars’ season

Ryder Wright has made a living making high-pressure rides in his nine-year PRORODEO career. The two-time PRCA World Champion was up for the task yet again at the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, S.D., to end the regular season. Wright advanced to the eight-man round on Championship Saturday after posting 166 points on two head in the first two go-rounds. With his ninth trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge already locked up, Wright let it all hang out on the final day. Wright leaves mark on Cinch Playoffs

It’s been nearly four years since bull rider Clayton Sellars last competed inside the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. That hiatus is coming to an end thanks in part to his success at the Cinch Playoff Governor’s Cup at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls, S.D. The Wildwood, Fla., native rode three out of the four bulls he matched up against at the event. The highlight of his weekend came during the Final-Four championship round. Sellars went head-to-head with Burch Rodeo’s Cookies and Cream for 88.5 points. It was a bull he didn’t have much intel on headed into the ride. “I have never been on that bull before,” said Sellars, a three time NFR qualifier. “But a cute little muley in the four-man for $30,000, c’mon it doesn’t get a whole lot better than that.” In 2023, Sellars didn’t have much success at the Governor’s Cup, getting bucked off both bulls he climbed on. The 26-year old flipped the narrative this time around. “Last year I didn’t do very well here in Sioux Falls, but now I love this place,” Sellars laughed. His three rides resulted in a $30,000 payout, bumping him up to fifth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. He will now turn his focus to preparing for the NFR. Sellars said he will have a different approach to the 10 nights in Las Vegas this time around. “I’m super excited to go back. I feel like this is the first time I’m going to the NFR as an adult, and I know what I’m doing,” Sellars said. “I’m ready to see what I can do in Las Vegas at my best and what I can do with a plan in place. “This year, I’m really going to focus on practice. In the past, I didn’t really do much to prepare because I was young and didn’t really have a plan. We have some good practice bulls, so we are going to do a lot of riding on them leading up to the NFR.”

Hailey Rae photo Ryder Wright put together a picture perfect 88-point ride on Sutton Rodeos’ South Point to win the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup.

In Sioux Falls, Wright added $38,250 to 2024 season earnings, bumping him up to second in the PRCA | RAM World Standings headed into Las Vegas. Wright said the money will help cover expensive during the rodeo break, but it’s more about riding the momentum into the Thomas & Mack Center in December. “This is an awesome event. We are going to be out of work here for a couple months,” Wright said. “So, this will be a nice payday to have as we end the regular season. I plan to keep things rolling. We will go to New Town, N.D., in early October for the first bronc match of the year. So, I’ll hopefully just keep the ball rolling until the Finals. Then we will see what happens in Vegas.”

He advanced out of the semifinals in the No. 2 spot after an 87.5-point trip on Powder River Rodeo’s Double Take. That set the stage for the Final Four showdown with a $30,000 payday on the line. Wright and Sutton Rodeos’ South Point tangoed for an 88.5-point ride to take the top spot and the win. He knew the opportunity was right there for the taking once he saw the draw next to his name. “I was super pumped to have that horse,” said Wright, 26. “They won it on her here last year. That horse is always a contender for first place. If you just go out and do your part, it usually ends up good. So, I was super stoked to have her name next to mine in the finals.”

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Clay Guardipee Clayton Sellars capped off his 2024 season by picking up the victory in Sioux Falls. Sellars had an 88-point ride on Buch Rodeo Company’s Cookie & Cream in the Final-Four round.

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ProRodeo Sports News 10/4/2024

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