Race for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Is On

With just over two weeks until the close of the PRCA earnings for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the race to make the top-15 in each event will be interesting.

In just over two short weeks, the books will close, the earnings will be verified, and the top-15 contestants in each PRCA event will be identified.  Those athletes will then be headed to Las Vegas in December to compete for world titles and millions in earnings at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.

As we get ready for the official start of the Pendleton Round-up, we have seen movement in the Top-15 of several events. 

Let's take a look at some of the current standings as they are published by the PRCA and Wrangler.

The World All-Around is easy to discuss: It still remains Stetson Wright's by more than $200,000!

So let's really start with the cowgirls first and more specifically Barrel Racing.  

Barrel Racing

The top-6 positions have remained pretty constant: 

 1. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi 

2. Jordan Briggs 

3. Kassie Mowry 

4. Lisa Lockhart 

5. Taycie Matthews 

6. Jessica Routier. 

At the recent Washington State Fair Pro Rodeo in Puyallup, Pozzi Tonozzi, Routier, Matthews, and Lockhart all earned significant paychecks. Recent earnings have also moved Emily Beisel up in the standings along with Wenda Johnson and Sissy Winn.  This will be a true race to the finish line to see who finishes in the Top-15.

Breakaway Roping

Although Breakaway Roping will not be in the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, the competition for the Top-15 remains fierce. 

The top four ropers are currently: 

1. Hali Williams

2. Shelby Boisjoli

3. Sarah Angelone

4. Martha Angelone. 

The fifth spot occupied by Taylor Munsell is separated from the sixth spot, held by Kelsie Domer, by less than $4,000. Kelsie Domer moved up to sixth from tenth in the standings by winning money at recent rodeos including Puyallup.  Kendal Pierson has also moved up to number 13 in the Top-15, from her previous 17th spot.

Now let's move onto the cowboys.

Bareback Riding

Keenan Hayes remains at the top of this event and continues to earn money at recent events such as Puyallup and Lewiston. 

Tim O'Connell, the nine-time NFR competitor, continues to make paydays happen; including money earned at Puyallup and Ellensburg. 

Cole Franks who has been sitting number 16 on the earnings list made some money at Puyallup and a few other rodeos including, Tri-State Rodeo and the Iron County Rodeo in Parowan, UT.  He has now made it to the Top-15. The final standings for Bareback Riding is not set, yet.

Steer Wrestling

Keep your eye on Steer Wrestling. 

The names of Tyler, Will and Ty are all in the top-5.  They are also joined by Jesse Brown. 

However, it is Dalton Massey who is leading the world in Steer Wrestling right now. Massey is the only cowboy in the top-5 or top-10 who has never made an appearance at the NFR. The current top-10 contestants have a combined 43 NFR appearances.  The top-5 contestants makeup 23 of those appearances. With only about $8,000 separating 15th and 20th place in the earnings, there is still a lot of wrestling to be done before the end of the night on Sept 30.

Team Roping - Headers

Kaleb Driggers, with ten previous NFR appearances and two world titles, is leading the way in the Heading standings for Team Roping. 

However, do not take your eye off the cowboys sitting below the 15th position right now. After all, Clay Smith, an eight-time NFR veteran, who was previously number 16 is now 12. Luke Brown, who has been to the NFR 13 times was sitting at number 17 and is now 15. The top-15 of this group, could be decided in final days.

Team Roping - Heelers

Only about $7,000 separates 15th from 20th in the standing when we look at the world standings for Heeling. But, every cowboy that is ranked 16-20 all have previous NFR appearances. This contest is not over.  

However, Junior Nogueira is in the lead and continues to win money. He recently won money at Puyallup, Ellensburg, Parowan, Lakeview, OR, and Walla Walla. There is plenty of rodeo left to shakeup the standings.

Tie-Down Roping

Before we head back to the other end of the arena, let's take a quick look at Tie-Down Roping. 

At 20-years old and one NFR appearance, nobody asks the question, "Riley who?"  That's because Riley Webb has a commanding lead in Tie-Down Roping and continues to win! In fact, he has won over $27,000 this month, so far.  

Webb is joined at the top of the list with Haven Meged, Shane Hanchey, Shad Mayfield and Ty Harris. All five of these cowboys have previously been to the NFR.  

With not much space between number 15 and 17, it is likely some changes could be seen in the tie-down standings.

Saddle Bronc Riding

As we go back to the rough stock end, let's start with Saddle Bronc Riding.  

Stetson Wright, Sage Newman, and Zeke Thurston round out the top three. However, Tanner Butner, Isaac Diaz, Kolby Wanchuk, Leon Fountain, and Statler Wright could be within striking distance to join them at the NFR and join names such as Brody Cress, Lefty Holman, Layton Green, Ryder Wright and Dawson Hay, along with others in the top-15.  There is way more than eight seconds left to make the big ride and make it to Vegas.

Bull Riding

Bull Riding is the final event. 

Stetson Wright, Josh Frost and Ky Hamilton round out the top three. About $60,000 below Ky Hamilton's third place ranking picks up the rest of the field. 

Cullen Telfer sits 15th in the world right now, only about $3,300 up on Jestyn Woodward.Telfer is just over $23,000 up on the number 17 competitor. 

Hold on tight! There is a lot of rodeo left; a lot of big rodeo left.  Pendleton is underway.  Amarillo, Stephenville, Pasadena and many, many other rodeos are still to come.  This includes "The Big One": The CINCH Playoff Series Championship and Governor's Cup in Sioux Falls where more than $1,000,000 will be available. The NFR is approaching; however, for the cowgirls and cowboys of the PRCA, there are a lot of rodeos - and money - left to win.