ProRodeo Sports News 2022 Wrangler NFR Preview Issue

An official publication of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association

$203,508

SHOW ME THE MONEY Cowboys set records with pre-NFR cash

$378,340

Shad Mayfield

$227,878

Stetson Wright

$253,191

Kaleb Driggers

$227,878

Sage Newman

Junior Nogueira

INSIDE • J. Tom Fisher wins first-ever NFSR championship

©2021 COORS BREWING CO., GOLDEN, CO • BEER CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY ®

GRAB THE REINS IT’S BANQUET SEASON

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WRIGHT BACK ON TOp

STETSON WRIGHT 3X ALL-AROUND WORLD CHAMPION

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MATCH DAD COLLECTION

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CONTENTS

NOVEMBER 18, 2022 VOLUME 70, NO. 23

Tie-down roper Shad Mayfield shows off the hardware he won at the Greeley (Colo.) Stampede in July. Mayfield had a record-setting season and heads into the 2022 Wran gler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge as the season leader. Rod Connor photo

NFR Ready The world’s best will be competing for gold buckle glory at the Wrangler Nationals Finals Rodeo, Dec. 1-10 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. 29

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20 2022 PRCA World STANDINGS COVER 10 Editor’s Letter 12 He Said-She Said 14 Social Media 22 Short Round 68 Results 78 PRCA Notes INSIDE RODEOS 66 Mulvane, Kan. National Finals Steer Roping

$203,508

SHOW ME THE MONEY Cowboys set records with pre-NFR cash

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Rod Connor J. Tom Fisher competes during Round 9 of the National Finals Steer Roping in Mulvane, Kan., Nov. 4-5. Fisher finished third in the average to catapult himself to winning the gold buckle. Gold Rush at NFSR in Mulvane J. Tom Fisher won the gold buckle at the National Finals Steer Roping, Nov. 4-5 at the Kansas Star in Mulvane, Kan., finishing the season with $123,477. The Top 15 steer ropers in the PRCA were vying for their share of the record $500,000 purse. 66

Shad Mayfield

$378,340

$227,878

Stetson Wright

Kaleb Driggers

$253,191

$227,878

Sage Newman

Junior Nogueira

INSIDE • J. Tom Fisher wins first-ever NFSR championship

It was a record breaking regular season for Stetson Wright in all-around and bull riding; saddle bronc rider Sage Newman; tie-down roper Shad Mayfield and team ropers Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira.

ProRodeo Sports News

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

Photo illustration

PRCA CEO Tom Glause DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA Becky Hillier PSN EDITOR Tracy Renck PRCA ART DIRECTOR Stephen Olver STAFF WRITER Tanner Barth

Don’t miss a moment from this season or last. Go to prorodeo.com to check out past issues of ProRodeo Sports News.

Colorado Springs, CO 80919 ©2022, 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.

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EDITOR’S LETTER TRACY RENCK

J. Tom Fisher’s improbable journey to steer roping champ

T here was a time – just more than 18 years ago – when becoming a PRCAWorld Champion Steer Roper was the last thing on J. Tom Fisher’s mind. That’s because of a horrific accident that happened to him steer roping at an unsanctioned PRCA event on Nov. 13, 2004, in Graham, Texas. “I roped the steer and got my trip and my horse’s back leg went over the rope and then my horse went to bucking and I got thrown off the right side of horse,” Fisher said. “When I hit the ground the way I fell it just snapped my leg. My leg was turned backwards, and my toe was touching my knee. Then I got drug all over the arena, which felt like for an eternity, and it was probably for 30 to 40 seconds.” The damage was severe. Fisher wrecked his knee, tore his achilles tendon, and broke his tibia and fibula, resulting in four surgeries over three years. He had 13 screws, two plates and two rods put in his leg, which are still there. “I was on crutches for 30 out of 36 months,” Fisher said. “I also had two years of physical therapy to be able to walk again. No one could explain how I didn’t lose my leg because of how bad the injuries were. “It was kind of touch and go for a week, whether I was going to lose my leg. It came very close to them having to amputate my leg.” Fast-forward to Nov. 5, 2022, and Fisher was celebrating with his first career PRCA gold buckle at the Kansas Star in

Mulvane, Kan.

“That’s probably the craziest thing about all of this is how bad that wreck was, and I was able to come back and win a gold buckle,” Fisher said. “I still can’t believe it. It is incredible.” The Fishers have a storied roping history. It started with J. Tom’s grandfather M.M. Fisher Jr., who was a standout calf roper and horse trainer in the 1940s and 1950s and then it went to J. Tom’s dad, Dan, and J. Tom’s brother, Vin Jr. to J. Tom. Dan (16), Vin Jr. (19) and J. Tom (10) have 45 NFSR qualifications. “We’ve been around this a long time and our family now has a gold buckle and that’s something we will be remembered by forever,” J. Tom said. “Vin, I’m sure will get a gold buckle and people might even forget who won it between he and I, but we have one right now and it means the world to me. I also can’t thank everybody enough for all the support, especially my mom, Dr. Pam Fisher for hauling Vin and I to junior rodeos for years.” It didn’t take J. Tom long to say where he’ll put his fresh, new gold buckle. “On my belt,” he said. “I will be wearing that the first day I get it and my name is on it and it is in my possession. It will go on and I will be wearing it maybe every day the rest of my life.”

Tracy Renck is the editor of the ProRodeo

Sports News . He previously served more than seven years as a media coordinator at the PRCA. He has three decades of experience in sports journalism with the last several consumed by ProRodeo.

Who could blame him?

Navigating Insurance Can Be a Bumpy Ride.

Join the Rodeo Historical Society today for $50! ANNUAL BENEFITS INCLUDE: Two issues of The Ketchpen magazine Year-round admission for two to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum Vote for Rodeo Hall of Fame inductees and RHS Board members Invitations to RHS-sponsored events

But it doesn’t have to be. For a comprehensive review of your coverage and exposure,

call 913.432.4400 or visit hwins.com/Ride

Tax-deductible membership For more information visit nationalcowboymuseum.org/rhs.

Specialty Program Insurors/Haas & Wilkerson Insurance is proud to support the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association

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V I S I T U S I N L A S V E G A S , D OW N T OW N S U M M E R L I N & O U R B O O T H A T T H E C OW B O Y C H A N N E L C OW B O Y C H R I S T M A S

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10 QUESTIONS

2021 RAM Circuit Finals saddle bronc rider Jake Finlay recently married Cowboy Channel reporter Janie Johnson. As we bring back by popular demand He Said | She Said, sponsored by Single to Saddled, we wanted to see who knows Jake better – his traveling partner Tegan Smith or his new bride Janie.

A Dating App Designed by Country Singles, for Country Singles.

He Said/She Said

Jake

Janie

Tegan

TEGAN

JAKE

JANIE

WHO IS HIS RODEO IDOL?

Clint Johnson

Billy Etbauer

Billy Etbauer

WHICH IS HIS FAVORITE HORSE TO RIDE?

Lunatic from Hell

Lunatic from Hell

Lunatic from Hell

WHAT IS HIS FAVORITE NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE?

Gatorade

Coke

Orange Juice

WHO WEARS THE PANTS IN THE FAMILY?

Janie

Me

Me

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE RESTAURANT?

Outback

Drunken Oyster

B & B Butcher

WHAT NON-NFR RODEO DOES HE MOST WANT TO WIN?

Pendleton

Calgary

Reno

AT WHAT RODEO DID HE EARN THE MOST THIS YEAR?

Puyallup

Clovis

Clovis

IS HE A PHONE CALL OR TEXT GUY?

Phone Call

Phone Call

Phone Call

WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE COLOR?

Red

Blue

Blue

12 WHAT’S HIS FAVORITE SPORT?

Boxing/UFC

Rugby

– Courtesy of Ted Harbin Rugby

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SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS

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Proud sponsor of NFR Playo Series, National Finals Rodeo, and Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale

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PRORODEO HISTORY

Marybeth Temples photo ProRodeo Hall of Famer Cody Ohl is all smiles after winning the all-around trophy at the Pend leton (Ore.) Round-Up on Sept. 15, 2001. Ohl went on to win the all-around world champion ship that same season.

Jim Fain photo Bullfighter Miles Hare, who was hangin’ with the dummy, tried to distract Kerby’s “Grey Bramer” on July 24, 2001, in Salt Lake City. Hare was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2014.

ProRodeo in the Spotlight

Jeff Belden photo ProRodeo Hall of Fame stock contractor Harry Vold takes part in the pre rodeo festivities prior to the Colorado State Fair Rodeo in Pueblo, Colo., in 2001. Vold, known as the Duke of the Chutes, passed away in 2017.

Dan Hubbell photo ProRodeo Hall of Famer Roy Cooper competes in tie-down roping at the 1995 National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Cooper won eight world titles – six in tie-down roping.

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11-18-22 DIGITAL Pages 1-27.indd 16

11/17/2022 2:05:10 PM

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ProRodeo Sports News December 2022

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Nutrena ® Athlete and Wrangler NFR ® Barrel Racer, Stevi Hillman

Rebound, restore, reclaim.

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“We absolutely love the probiotics that are in ProForce feed. I think any time you can take a probiotic to help your gut, that’s great. All of our horses love the ProForce line. I haven’t had one horse not eat a ProForce product.” -Stevi Hillman

Visit nutrenaworld.com/rider/stevi-hillman to FIND out how Stevi does it.

© 2022 Cargill, Incorporated. All rights reserved.

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2022 PRCA RAM WORLD STANDINGS

Unofficial as of Nov. 16, 2022. For the 2022 season (Oct. 1, 2021-Sept. 30, 2022), official rodeo limits are as follows: all-around, 70; bareback riding, 100; steer wrestling, 75; team roping, 75; saddle bronc riding, 100; tie-down roping, 75; barrel racing, 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. Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah.......................... $378,340 2. Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas. ............................. 147,744 3. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont.. ....................... 142,436 4. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah. ................................ 138,675 5. Zack Jongbloed, Iowa, La.................................. 126,550 6. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas........................ 119,898 7. Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla............ 118,792 8. Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif.............................. 118,055 9. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla............................. 115,858 10. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah.......................... 102,528 11. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz........................... 79,085 12. Brush Minton, Witter Springs, Calif.. ................... 61,522 13. Stan Branco, Chowchilla, Calif............................. 59,150 14. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta.......................... 57,230 15. Hudson Wallace, George West, Texas.................. 52,007 16. Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas. ...................... 51,806 17. Riley Wakefield, O’Neill, Neb................................ 48,540 18. Seth Hall, Albuquerque, N.M................................ 42,376 19. Chance Oftedahl, Pemberton, Minn.. ................... 41,440 20. Connor Murnion, Jordan, Mont.. ......................... 41,241 BAREBACK RIDING 1. Cole Reiner, Buffalo, Wyo................................ $160,971 2. Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan.................................... 159,259 3. Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, Mont........................... 147,290 4. Rocker Steiner, Weatherford, Texas................... 134,328 5. Kaycee Feild, Genola, Utah................................. 131,143 6. R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif..................... 130,524 7. Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas................... 130,194 8. Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa. ........................... 129,563 9. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn.. ....................... 127,132 10. Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas........................... 116,426 11. Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas.......................... 113,188 12. Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba............................. 111,659 13. Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif.. ....................... 109,820 14. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D..................................... 104,195 15. Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb....................... 103,949 16. Wyatt Denny, Minden, Nev................................... 98,525 17. Mason Clements, Spanish Fork, Utah. ................. 95,767 18. Chad Rutherford, Hillsboro, Texas....................... 90,281 19. Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla................................... 65,763 20. Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas.................................. 65,724 STEER WRESTLING 1. Stetson Jorgensen, Blackfoot, Idaho. .............. $134,661 2. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La........................ 123,873 3. J.D. Struxness, Milan, Minn............................... 123,649 4. Will Lummus, Byhalia, Miss.. ............................ 119,781 5. Hunter Cure, Holliday, Texas.............................. 109,529 6. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont.. ............................... 107,784 7. Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La.. .............................. 104,553 8. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev................................. 104,098 9. Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala................................. 98,354 10. Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan.. ........................... 96,271 11. Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore............................... 91,713 12. Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La.................................. 84,861 13. Dirk Tavenner, Rigby, Idaho................................. 84,532 14. Timmy Sparing, Helena, Mont.. ........................... 81,312 15. Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis.......................................... 78,021 16. Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla.. ............................. 71,501 17. Dalton Massey, Hermiston, Ore.. ......................... 67,349 18. Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D....................... 66,357 19. Bridger Chambers, Stevensville, Mont................. 66,192 20. Mike McGinn, Haines, Ore.. ................................. 63,558 TEAM ROPING (HEADER) 1. Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga........................... $227,878 2. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont.................................. 144,663 3. Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla............................. 124,619 4. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla............................. 110,691 5. Tanner Tomlinson, Angleton, Texas.................... 107,368 6. Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla........................ 106,022 7. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah............................ 99,279 8. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas. ................................... 98,573 9. Jr. Dees, Aurora, S.D.. ......................................... 96,045 10. Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif............................... 91,843 11. Lightning Aguilera, Athens, Texas........................ 90,421 12. Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash............................. 89,022 13. Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla.............................. 88,852 14. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn............................ 87,444 15. Jake Orman, Prairie, Miss.................................... 85,067

16. Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C................................ 84,054 17. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz.. ........................ 82,627 18. Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Ariz............................ 80,696 19. Jake Cooper Clay, Sapulpa, Okla.......................... 80,332 20. Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla.............. 78,642 TEAM ROPING (HEELER) 1. Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prudente, Brazil .. $227,878 2. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan................................ 130,332 3. Buddy Hawkins II, Stephenville, Texas............... 123,076 4. Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev..................................... 110,855 5. Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M................................. 110,691 6. Patrick Smith, Lipan, Texas................................ 107,368 7. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla..................................... 106,737 8. Jeremy Buhler, Arrowwood, Alberta................... 100,214 9. Levi Lord, Sturgis, S.D.. ...................................... 97,443 10. Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo...................................... 95,011 11. Joseph Harrison, Marietta, Okla........................... 92,115 12. Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas.................... 91,843 13. Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash............................ 89,022 14. Brye Crites, Welch, Okla.. .................................... 86,410 15. Jonathan Torres, Ocala, Fla.................................. 82,968 16. Lane Mitchell, Bolivar, Tenn................................. 82,818 17. Paden Bray, Stephenville, Texas........................... 82,680 18. Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo..................................... 81,713 19. Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla.. .............................. 78,642 20. Billie Jack Saebens, Nowata, Okla........................ 76,465 SADDLE BRONC RIDING 1. Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont....................... $253,191 2. Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah............................ 193,120 3. Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo............................... 182,645 4. Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah................................ 161,920 5. Lefty Marvel Holman, Visalia, Calif.. .................. 149,979 6. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta...................... 143,838 7. Logan James Hay, Wildwood, Alberta................ 139,440 8. Layton Green, Millarville, Alberta....................... 138,993 9. Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho................................. 137,726 10. Kolby Wanchuk, Sherwood Park, Alberta........... 131,136 11. Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas............................... 123,802 12. Kole Ashbacher, Arrowwood, Alberta................. 117,543 13. Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont.. .................... 113,992 14. Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta........................ 111,718 15. Tanner Butner, Daniel, Wyo................................ 103,739 16. Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas................. 100,923 17. Damian Brennan, Injune, Australia ...................... 90,138 18. Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D........................... 84,921 19. Ross Griffin, Tularosa, N.M.................................. 79,979 20. Statler Wright, Beaver, Utah................................. 79,448 TIE-DOWN ROPING 1. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M.............................. $203,508 2. John Douch, Huntsville, Texas........................... 166,729 3. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont.. ....................... 156,027 4. Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas. ............................. 149,516 5. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La.. ............................ 132,782 6. Zack Jongbloed, Iowa, La.................................. 125,251 7. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas................................. 124,382 8. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas. ................... 123,326 9. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas........................ 122,272 10. Tyler Milligan, Pawhuska, Okla.. ........................ 118,708 11. Riley Mason Webb, Denton, Texas..................... 117,505 12. Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas. ............................ 114,895 13. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla.. ............................ 114,771 14. Macon Murphy, Keatchie, La.............................. 105,793 15. Kincade Henry, Mount Pleasant, Texas. ............. 101,946 16. Cooper Martin, Alma, Kan.................................. 101,392 17. Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif................................ 96,753 18. Westyn Hughes, Caldwell, Texas.......................... 95,319 19. Lane Livingston, Seymour, Texas......................... 82,575 20. Blane Cox, Cameron, Texas.................................. 81,526 STEER ROPING 1. J. Tom Fisher, Andrews, Texas......................... $123,477 2. Cole Patterson, Pratt, Kan.................................. 117,036 3. Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas................................ 113,096 4. Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas. ............. 109,286 5. Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D................................. 98,090 6. Clay Long, Stephenville, Texas............................. 96,560 7. Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif................................ 85,694 8. Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas............................. 84,297 9. Ora Taton, Rapid City, S.D.................................... 76,624

10. Cash Myers, Kaufman, Texas............................... 68,684 11. Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla............................... 67,436 12. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas.................... 66,130 13. Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla................................ 65,155 14. Garrett Hale, Snyder, Texas.................................. 61,707 15. Bryce Davis, Ovalo, Texas.................................... 59,667 16. Slade Wood, New Ulm, Texas. ............................. 38,419 17. John E. Bland, Turkey, Texas................................ 38,322 18. Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan................................. 37,060 19. Ryan Willberg, Lott, Texas................................... 36,153 20. Reo Lohse, Kaycee, Wyo.. ................................... 32,442 BULL RIDING 1. Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah.......................... $320,599 2. Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah. ................................ 228,557 3. Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas................................... 183,996 4. Garrett Smith, Rexburg, Idaho........................... 141,658 5. Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho................. 127,983 6. Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla.................................. 123,540 7. Maverick Potter, Waxahachie, Texas. ................. 116,065 8. Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla.. ......................... 113,186 9. Ky John Hamilton, Mackay, Australia................. 112,651 10. Jared Parsonage, Maple Creek, Saskatchewan. . 112,314 11. Trey Holston, Fort Scott, Kan............................. 108,892 12. J.R. Stratford, Byers, Kan.................................. 107,061 13. Creek Young, Rogersville, Mo............................ 100,670 14. Lukasey Morris, Union City, Okla....................... 100,667 15. Reid Oftedahl, Raymond, Minn............................ 97,944 16. Cole Fischer, Jefferson City, Mo........................... 96,330 17. Sage Kimzey, Salado, Texas................................. 88,937 18. Hayes Thayne Weight, Goshen, Utah................... 86,560 19. Shane Proctor, Grand Coulee, Wash.................... 85,630 20. Ernie Courson Jr., Okeechobee, Fla...................... 83,647 BARREL RACING Barrel racing and breakaway roping standings, provided by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), are unofficial, subject to audit and may change. Unofficial WPRA Standings are published by the PRCA as a courtesy. The PRCA is not responsible for the verification or updating of WPRA standings. 1. Jordon Briggs, Tolar, Texas............................... $177,779 2. Dona Kay Rule, Minco, Okla................................ 127,442 3. Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla....................... 121,594 4. Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas...................... 120,602 5. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas. .............................. 118,903 6. Shelley Morgan, Eustace, Texas.......................... 110,461 7. Sissy Winn, Chapman Ranch, Texas................... 101,878 8. Margo Crowther, North Fort Myers, Fla................ 96,871 9. Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla............................ 93,965 10. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas. ............................... 92,553 11. Bayleigh Choate, Fort Worth, Texas. ..................... 90,470 12. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas. ............. 88,432 13. Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D................................. 86,863 14. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D.. ............................... 84,871 15. Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla............................. 84,453 16. Cheyenne Wimberley, Stephenville, Texas............. 82,382 17. Paige Jones, Wayne, Okla..................................... 82,321 18. Michelle Darling, Medford, Okla........................... 82,016 19. Taycie Matthews, Wynne, Ark............................... 76,780 20. Ivy Saebens, Nowata, Okla.................................... 71,448 BREAKAWAY ROPING 1. Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas............... $109,097 2. Erin Johnson, Fowler, Colo................................... 72,088 3. Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas................................. 68,039 4. Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla..................................... 37,891 5. Taylor Hanchey, Carmine, Texas............................ 65,521 6. Jordi Edens, Gatesville, Texas............................... 64,352 7. Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas...................... 64,352 8. Joey Williams, Volborg, Mont............................... 63,678 9. Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D. ......................... 58,862 10. Cheyenne Guillory, Gainesville, Texas. .................. 56,749 11. Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan. ..................... 56,086 12. J.J. Hampton, Stephenville, Texas. ....................... 54,997 13. Cadee Williams, Weatherford, Texas..................... 54,172 14. Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D.. .............................. 49,303 15. Josie Conner, Iowa, La. ........................................ 49,233 16. Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, Ariz.............................. 48,691 17. Jackie Crawford, Stephenville, Texas. ................... 45,584 18. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D. . .............................. 43,584 19. Tacy Webb, Midway, Texas. .................................. 43,235 20. Kelsie Domer, Dublin, Texas.................................. 43,034

• For the latest PRCA Playoff Series and PRCA Circuit standings, go to https://bit.ly/39WQQSs

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Hesston by Massey Ferguson ® has been leading the charge in baler innovations for 75 years now, and we’re not about to stop. In fact, our all-new baler is ready to change the game. We’d show you, but that bale is in the way. THE NEXT BIG INNOVATION IN BALING IS JUST BEHIND THAT BALE.

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SHORT ROUND Montana Silversmiths signs extension with PRCA Partnership

T he Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is proud to announce a five-year contract extension with Montana Silversmiths as the official Silversmith of the PRCA. “For more than 20 years, the PRCA has partnered with Montana Silversmiths to provide buckles of the highest quality to our athletes,” said Steve Rempelos, Chief Marketing Officer, PRCA. “Montana Silversmiths’ dedication to excellence in craftsmanship is matched by the PRCA’s commitment to provide a meaningful celebration of the accomplishments of our professional athletes. We could not be more pleased this partnership will continue for years to come.” Judy Wagner, CMO, Montana Silversmiths, also is thrilled about renewing the partnership – which the company initiated in

1999 – as the Official National Partner of the PRCA and the National Finals Rodeo. “Montana Silversmiths will be celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2023 and this is a wonderful way to commemorate this mutually beneficial relationship with the PRCA, the leader in sanctioning the sport of professional rodeo for members, sponsors, rodeos, and fans,” Wagner said. Each Montana Silversmiths championship buckle is hand crafted by the designers, engravers, and fabricators at the company, based in Columbus, Mont. Countless hours and care are put into the development of each buckle. Montana Silversmiths buckles are held in high regard and serve as treasured reminders that hard work, grit and determination lead to outstanding achievements.

Days of ’47 Rodeo will be Playoff Series stop The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake

million state-of-the-art Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark, custom designed and built for rodeo. The venue – an outdoor arena located in the heart of Salt Lake City – features over 10,000 stadium-style seats. “We are excited to have the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo return as a PRCA rodeo and it will offer contestants a great opportunity to win even more money and capture a gold medal as they chase their NFR goals,” PRCA CEO Tom Glause said. “It also will be a key rodeo for contestants as part of the lucrative PRCA Playoff Series presented by

City takes pride in setting a high standard in rodeo and in 2023 they will bring that standard to the ranks of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association. The 2023 event will payout an estimated $750,000 and will play an important role in determining Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifiers and eventual world champions. Not only will PRCA and WPRA contestants have a chance to walk away with a pocket full of cash,

but they will get the opportunity to win a gold, silver or bronze medal, a staple at this rodeo since 2017, making it the only Gold Medal Rodeo in the world. “We are excited to once again partner with the PRCA, WPRA and their members that dream of qualifying for the NFR each year,” stated Dan Shaw, Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo President & CEO. “It is our hope we can make that dream come true for a number of contestants, while also bringing world class rodeo action to our fans here at the Days of ’47 Arena. July has always been a profitable month for rodeo athletes, and we are honored to now elevate that even more and put Utah on the map among top paying ProRodeos.” The 2023 Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo presented by Zions Bank, is slated for July 19-22, 24 and will take place at the $17.5

Pendleton Whisky.” Beginning in 2023, the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo will be the largest paying professional rodeo in the state of Utah. At the PRCA Playoff Series stop in Salt Lake, contestants will earn points to compete at the Cinch Playoffs in Puyallup, Wash., in September. The top four finishers from each event in Puyallup, and the top eight out of the standings of the PRCA Playoff Series presented by Pendleton Whisky will qualify for the Cinch Playoffs which will have athletes competing for the Governor’s Cup and vying for the more than $1 million purse Sept. 28-30 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Only the top 60 regular season rodeos are part of this televised series. For more information on the event and when tickets will go on sale visit www.utahdaysof47rodeo.com.

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ONLINE: For more ProRodeo events and full results, go to www.prorodeo.com

BY THE NUMBERS 3 Cody Lee won the average at the 2022 National Finals Steer Roping, Nov. 4-5 in Mulvane, Kan., with a 123.3-second time on 10 head. This is the third NFSR average crown for Lee, as he also won in 2016 and 2018. Lee earned $30,349 for the average title and finished third in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $113,096. 30 Vin Fisher won the most rounds of any cowboy at the 2022 NFSR – three – Rounds 2, 4, and 8, that upped his career total round wins at the NFSR to 30. $64K The amount of money ($64,575) earned by J. Tom Fisher at the 2022 National Finals Steer Roping in Mulvane, Kan., Nov. 4-5. That was the most of any competitor at the 2022 NFSR. It propelled Fisher to his first gold buckle.

2022 NFR Payout Breakdown revealed The Professional Rodeo Cowboys 2022 WRANGLER NFR PAYOUT

Association and Las Vegas Events announced the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo® presented by Teton Ridge will see an increase in the payout at the world’s largest rodeo in December for the second consecutive year. The Wrangler NFR, which is at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Dec. 1-10, will have a record-setting competition payout of more than $10.9 million. This amount includes guaranteed prize money of $1.2 million for all NFR qualifiers and $9,700,098 in competition prize money. Based on the updated purse in 2022, the increase will see round winners take home $28,914 per round and average winners earn $74,150. Each go-round will pay a total of $93,270, while the average total will pay $279,811 per event. The stock contractor pay – which is 30% of the contestant payout – increased to $3,270,030. A breakdown of this year’s payout at the Wrangler NFR:

Total Prize Money: ................. $10,900,098 Guaranteed Prize Money: ........ $1,200,000 Competition Prize Money: ....... $9,700,098

PER GO-ROUND, PER EVENT

1st: .............................................. $28,914 2nd: .............................................. $22,851 3rd: .............................................. $17,255 4th: .............................................. $12,125 5th: .............................................. $7,462 6th: .............................................. $4,664 Total payoff per event, per go-round: $93,270 1st: .............................................. $74,150 2nd: .............................................. $60,159 3rd: .............................................. $47,568 4th: .............................................. $34,976 5th: .............................................. $25,183 6th: .............................................. $18,188 7th: .............................................. $12,591 8th: .............................................. $6,995 Total payoff for average per event: $279,811

AVERAGE PER EVENT

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ProRodeo Sports News December 2022

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25 2014 AQHA/PRCA Barrel Racing Horse of the Year Wonders Cowboy Dan ridden by Kaley Bass ProRodeo Sports News December 2022

PHOTO CREDIT: DAN HUBBELL

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

2022 Wrangler NFR presented by Teton Ridge set to unfold Rodeo’s Super Bowl Rodeo fans will invade the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas for the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge from Dec. 1-10. In 2021, the event had a total attendance of 169,539 over the 10 days of competition at the Thomas & Mack Center and has sold out more than 340 consecutive performances in Las Vegas. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Roseanna Sales

WRANGLER NFR COVERAGE

42 Event previews 58 Event schedule 61 Top Gun race

61 Contestant roster 62 Stock roster

30 Historic earnings 32 Saddle bronc youth

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EARNINGS

Money Talks Multiple cowboys

BY TRACY RENCK B ack in 1996, the smash hit movie “Jerry Magu ire” hit the big screen starring TomCruise and Cuba Gooding Jr. Cruise, “Jerry Maguire” is a sports agent who has a moral epiphany and is fired for expressing it. He decides to put his new philosophy to the test as an independent agent and the only athlete – Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Rod Tidwell, played by Gooding Jr., stays with him and his former colleague. During a phone conversation in the flick, Maguire with plenty of encouragement from Tidwell ends up yelling “ShowMe the Money!” in regard to a new contract for Tidwell. Fast-forward to 2022, and multiple cowboys were cashing checks and showing record-breaking money in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings – pre-Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The 2022 single-season record-breaking money earners are superstar StetsonWright in all-around and bull riding with $378,340 and $320,599. Wright set the all-around record at $320,482 in 2021 and Sage Kimzey had the bull riding mark at $297,026 in 2018. “That was a big goal that I wanted to accomplish,” break pre-NFR earnings marks

Wright said surpassing Kimzey’s record. “I’ve won more money this year than I did my first year winning the world (in bull riding in 2020). I just try to win everywhere that I go, and I’ve been pretty lucky this year.” Around StetsonWright no record seems to be off limits, including the ones he already owns. “I’ll try to re-break them if I can. It means more to me to break my own record,” he said. Team ropers and partners header Kaleb Driggers and heeler Junior Nogueira – the reigning PRCAWorld Champions in heading and heeling earned $227,878 each during the regular season smashing the previous records in heading of $150,512 in 2019 by Clay Smith and the top heeler mark by Travis Graves at $147,653 in 2010. “We’ve both got some really good horses that give us a boost of confidence and makes our jobs easier,” Driggers said. “This season, things just kind of went our way and I couldn’t be happier.” Nogueira concurred with his partner. “We weren’t even trying to break any sort of record this year,” Nogueira said. “We always have a goal of trying to break records, but not really trying to chase it. I was just out there trying to do my job.” Saddle bronc rider Sage Newman had a magical regular season as

Saddle bronc rider Sage Newman carries the momentum of his record-breaking season into the Wrangler NFR. Newman is aiming to win his first gold buckle. Chuck Miner photo

RECORD BREAKERS Below are the cowboys who set PRCA regular season earnings records in their respective events before the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. All-around: Stetson Wright ............................. $378,340 Team Roping header: Kaleb Driggers ............. $227,878 Team Roping heeler: Junior Nogueira ............ $227,878 Saddle bronc rider: Sage Newman ................. $253,191 Tie-down roper: Shad Mayfield ..................... $203,508 Bull rider: Stetson Wright ............................... $320,599

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well, earning $253,191 eclipsing the old mark of $224,488 by Ryder Wright in 2019. “This season has been awesome for sure,” Newman said. Newman won countless rodeos, including RodeoHouston, where he pocketed $57,500. Newman won the coveted RodeoHouston title with a 93-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Billie in the Championship Shootout at NGR Stadium. “That was unbelievable,” said Newman, 24. “That was the most memorable win of my career so far. It’s a legendary rodeo and to be able to win that is amazing.” Mayfield, whose nickname is “Money,” clinched his regular season record mark at the Cinch Playoffs, Sept 11 in Puyallup, Wash. He earned $203,508 during the 2022 regular season. Mayfield earned $13,000 by winning the final round and left town with $14,800. The Clovis, N.M., cowboy with his check in the final four in Puyallup, surpassed tie down roper Tuf Cooper’s record of $190,445 for the most money won in a single regular season before the NFR in the event. Cooper set the mark in 2017. “I really didn’t know if I got the record or not, but it feels good,” said Mayfield, the 2020 PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion after his victory at the Cinch Playoffs.

Heeler Junior Nogueira, left, and header Kaleb Driggers compete at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. The duo had the best team roping regular season in PRCA history. Hailey Rae photo

Saddle bronc rider Stetson Wright prepares to leave the chutes at Cheyenne Frontier Days last summer. Wright set PRCA regular season earnings marks in 2022 in all around and bull riding.

Robert Rosales photo

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SADDLE BRONC RIDING

New Era

Kade Bruno will be making his Wrangler NFR debut in 2022 after finishing the regular season ninth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Click Thompson

Youth movement takes over saddle bronc riding battle BY TANNER BARTH H istory will be made in the saddle bronc riding at the 2022Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge as a youth movement takes over the Thomas &Mack Center in Las Vegas. There will not be a single contestant in the field of saddle bronc riders that is over the age of 28. It will mark the first time in the 63-year history of the NFR that no cowboy 30 years or older has qualified for the Finals in the event. Billy Etbauer, a five-time PRCAWorld Champion Saddle Bronc Rider and ProRodeo Hall of Famer, said the youth movement isn’t a surprise with the direction the sport has been headed in the last decade. “I think as time goes along guys are beginning to take it a little more serious and put everything they have into it,” said Etbauer, a 21-time NFR qualifier. “You can actually do this and make a living now. I’m just glad that there’s enough cowboys out there that are wanting to actually do that, and they can fill it up with a bunch of young kids that are hungry to have success.” A perfect example of that is 22-year-old Kade Bruno, who will be making his NFR debut in 2022. He finished the ProRodeo regular season ninth in the PRCA | RAMWorld Standings after earning $137,726. He believes the willingness of young cowboys to rodeo from coast-to-coast year-round has something to do with it. “There’s a bunch of good young guys going down the road right now and it’s getting extremely competitive,” Bruno said. “There’s a bunch of kids coming straight out of college and even straight out of high school in some cases that are extremely talented. They are willing to go to the 100 rodeos a year or whatever it takes to make an NFR. “90 percent of us don’t have families at this young age. So, we aren’t worried about having to run home. We can just stay on the road and go to even more than most guys. I think that’s also a reason why you’re seeing younger people at this year’s Finals.” Sage Newman, the No. 1 ranked saddle bronc rider in the world headed into the NFR, is just 24 years old. Newman said in today’s rodeo world there are countless opportunities

Spurred by his $57,750 win at RodeoHouston, Sage Newman heads into the NFR as the top-ranked saddle bronc rider in the world. Alaina Stangle photo

for young cowboys to get their foot in the door and they are taking advantage. “I help put on a Broncs, Bulls, and Bible School in November,” said Newman, a two-time Wrangler NFR qualifier. “We get 20 kids that show up to that school and it’s amazing to see young kids wanting to learn, I think that goes a long way toward what we are seeing today. “There’s a lot of opportunities in rodeo itself. There’s a lot of money up for grabs. So, I think everybody is taking it a little more serious and it’s a great time to be in it right now.” Etbauer believes the exposure the sport receives now has only expedited the growth and popularity amongst the younger generation.

“I think the exposure has definitely helped grow the sport a lot,” he said. “If you sit there and watch it every day you can start to think, you know I can do that. When I was growing up, we had five channels on the TV, you never saw anything about rodeo. “You just went up to your local rodeo once a year and that was it. You didn’t see everything that they were doing and everything that was going on in the world of rodeo onThe Cowboy Channel. "I’m just glad that it’s the way it is right now, with everybody knowing more about the cowboys and what they’re doing and what they do to get to where they are at.” It’s a movement the cowboys don’t see slowing down anytime soon with

more young talent on the way into the ProRodeo ranks. The average age of the saddle bronc riders at the Finals in 2022 is 25, setting the stage for the trend to continue. “I truly don’t see it slowing anytime soon,” Bruno said. “I think this is the beginning of an era that maybe will be considered the best ever with the number of young guys we have going. I think it’s going to be something really special to watch through the next five to 10 years.” And the young guns are ready to put on a show, Dec. 1-10 at theThomas &Mack Center in Las Vegas. “I’m healthy and in my prime,” Newman said. “I can’t wait to see what all these young guys do at the NFR. It should be a lot of fun.”

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