ProRodeo Sports News - Dec. 20, 2024

WRANGLER NFR TOP STOCK NFR’s Top Stock

BY TRACY RENCK A ge is obviously just a number to C5 Rodeo’s star bareback horse Virgil. At 18, the two-time Pendleton Whisky’s Let ‘er Buck Bareback Horse of the Year in 2017 and 2018, keeps piling up more awards. The 1600-pound Virgil was chosen the Top Bareback Horse of the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. In 2023, Virgil tied for top honors of the NFR with Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire. “He is the best of the best and that’s not because I own him,” C5 owner Vern McDonald said. “The horse is a freak. He’s not a young horse anymore and he still delivers 90-point rides. I have owned Virgil since he was 4 years old and I paid a lot of money for that horse, but today when I look back, he’s actually the cheapest horse I have ever bought. “I think what makes him so special is his size and he loves to buck. A horse his size should not be bucking like that at his age but with the way we have looked after him we got another five years out of him and he’s not retiring.” At the 2024 Wrangler NFR, Virgil had two great outs guiding Jacob Lees to a split of the Round 5 win as he recorded a 91-point ride. Virgil also was chosen the Top Bareback Horse of Round 5 for his performance. In Virgil’s final out in Round 10, Jess Pope registered an 87-point trip on him to help the 2022 PRCA World Champion split sixth in the round. Andrews Rodeo’s All or Nothin and Championship Pro Rodeo’s Tickled Pink shared the title as the Top Saddle Bronc Horse of the NFR. This is the first time for both these horses to achieve this honor. All or Nothin claims his latest awards on the heels of being selected the 2024 Pendleton Whisky’s Let ‘er Buck Saddle Horse of the Year. “He’s just a phenomenal horse,” said stock contractor Sammy Andrews, who was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2024. “He kicks high every time and has a lot of timing.” All or Nothin carried Damian Brennan to an 89-point ride in Round 5 which was good for third place. In Round 10, Ryder Wright split first place aboard All or Nothin with an 89.5-point ride and that trip vaulted Wright to his third career world championship. “That’s where you want to be in the 10th Round, the guy draws him and wins the world championship on your horse, it doesn’t get any better than that,” Andrews said. Tickled Pink was outstanding as well leading Ryder Wright to the Round 4 win with a 90.5-point ride and then powered Lefty Holman to the Round 9 victory with an 88.5-point trip. Wright’s 90.5-point Round 4 effort was the highest scored saddle bronc ride of the 2024 Wrangler NFR. C5 Rodeo’s Virgil wins top stock award again

C5 Rodeo’s Virgil earned the Top Bareback Horse of the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Roseanna Sales

Powder River Rodeo’s standout bull Ricky Vaughn was named the 2024 Bull of the NFR. The bull bucked off both cowboys he matched up with in Las Vegas. PRCA ProRodeo photo by Roseanna Sales

ProRodeo Sports News 12/20/2024

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