ProRodeo Sports News - November 17, 2023

TOP GUN

Contenders for RAM Top Gun Award

BY TRACY RENCK A nother layer of excitement and intrigue to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge is the Top Gun Award, which goes to the contestant who wins the most money in any single event at the Wrangler NFR. The award has been up for grabs since 2010, but in its first year, money earned in multiple events counted in the Top Gun standings. Since then, the RAM Top Gun Award has gone to the contestant who earns the most money in a single event. Since 2011, it has taken a minimum of $146,941 to win the Top Gun Award. Here are some candidates who should be in the mix for the honor in 2023. STETSON WRIGHT Wright won his fourth all-around world championship a year ago and his second bull riding world title to go along with his 2020 PRCA Bull Riding World Championship. Wright is back at the NFR, and in better position than ever as he is the season leader in saddle bronc riding and bull riding and if he gets rolling, he will have a great chance to also claim his first RAM Top Gun Award. He finished second in the 2022 Top Gun standings at the NFR, earning $237,812 in bull riding.

RILEY WEBB After making his Wrangler National Finals Rodeo debut as a rookie in 2022, he has been even better in 2023. He set the tie-down roping single season earnings mark before the NFR and learned from his NFR experiences last year. If he gets on a heater and starts winning rounds at Thomas & Mack Center, he could be celebrating as the Top Gun winner on Dec. 16. DALTON MASSEY The Hermiston, Ore., cowboy had quite the memorable season, setting the steer wrestling single-season earnings record – before the NFR – on the way to making his first Wrangler NFR appearance. It’s a bit much to think someone would star in their NFR debut, but Massey will be riding Eddie, who won the 2023 Nutrena Horse of the Year presented by AQHA award in steer wrestling. That horse has excelled in every arena this year, and the Thomas & Mack Center should be no different. TIM O’CONNELL The veteran O’Connell is no stranger to success in Las Vegas, winning his three PRCA World Championships at the Thomas & Mack Center from 2016-18. O’Connell is riding as good as he ever has and if anyone knows how to win on the big stage it is Mr. Intensity himself – O’Connell. This could very well be the year he leaves Sin City as the Top Gun winner. Bareback riders Kaycee Feild (2011, 2021) and Clayton Biglow (2019) have won the Top Gun honor.

WRANGLER NFR CONTESTANT ROSTER

BAREBACK RIDING Keenan Hayes Clayton Biglow Kade Sonnier Tim O’Connell Leighton Berry Orin Larsen Rocker Steiner Dean Thompson Jayco Roper Jess Pope Mason Clements Richmond Champion STEER WRESTLING Dalton Massey Jesse Brown Tyler Waguespack Will Lummus Ty Erickson Tanner Aus Cole Reiner Jacob Lees J.D. Struxness Dakota Eldridge Dirk Tavenner Cody Devers Stephen Culling Jacob Talley Stan Branco Nick Guy Bridger Anderson Don Payne

TEAM ROPING HEADING Kaleb Driggers Tyler Wade Nelson Wyatt Dustin Egusquiza Derrick Begay Coleman Proctor

BARREL RACING Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi Jordon Briggs Emily Beisel Taycie Matthews

Zeke Thurston Dawson Hay Ben Andersen Ryder Wright Wyatt Casper Chase Brooks Layton Green Tanner Butner Brody Cress Damian Brennan Lefty Holman Ryder Sanford TIE-DOWN ROPING Riley Webb Shad Mayfield Haven Meged Shane Hanchey Ty Harris Westyn Hughes Caleb Smidt Cory Solomon Kincade Henry Blane Cox Beau Cooper Brushton Minton John Douch Hunter Herrin Tuf Cooper

PAYOUT

Each Go-Round 1st - 31% ($30,706.40) 2nd - 24.5% ($24,267.96) 3rd - 18.5% ($18,324.79) 4th - 13% ($12,876.88) 5th - 8% ($7,924.23) 6th - 5% ($4,952.64) Total: $99,052.92 Average 1st - 26.5% ($78,747.07) 2nd - 21.5% ($63,889.13) 3rd - 17% ($50,516.99) 4th - 12.5% ($37,144.84) 5th - 9% ($26,744.28) 6th - 6.5% ($19,315.32) 7th - 4.5% ($13,372.14) 8th - 2.5% ($7,428.96) Total: $297,158.76

Lisa Lockhart Kassie Mowry Wenda Johnson Jessica Routier Summer Kosel Illyssa Riley Sissy Winn Stevi Hillman Hailey Kinsel Sue Smith Paige Jones BULL RIDING Stetson Wright Ky Hamilton Josh Frost Tristen Hutchings Trey Holston Creek Young Hayes Weight T Parker Trey Kimzey Sage Kimzey Jordan Hansen Jared Parsonage

Rhen Richard Erich Rogers Tanner Tomlinson Andrew Ward Clay Smith

Marcus Theriot Clint Summers Jake Clay Luke Brown TEAM ROPING HEELING Wesley Thorp Junior Nogueira Colter Todd Levi Lord

Logan Medlin Jeremy Buhler Paul Eaves Patrick Smith Buddy Hawkins II Jake Long Paden Bray Hunter Koch Cole Curry Jonathan Torres Tyler Worley

SADDLE BRONC RIDING Stetson Wright Sage Newman Kade Bruno

Cody Teel Jeff Askey Cullen Telfer

ProRodeo Sports News 11/17/2023

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