10 Days to the NFR: Bareback Rider No. 10 Jess Pope

No. 10 bareback rider in the world standings, Jess Pope, eyes fourth consecutive NFR-average title.

Kaleb Kistner | Nov 27, 2023

10 Days to the NFR: Bareback Rider No. 10 Jess Pope /

The Wrangler Nationals Finals kicks off in 10 days at the Thomas & Mack arena in Las Vegas. The NFR will take place from Dec. 7-16.

Three-time NFR-average winner, Jess Pope, is looking to win his fourth-consecutive NFR. Winning the average at the NFR from 2020-2023. Pope has only qualified for the big show three times and has won all three times.

Pope is currently positioned in the No. 10 spot in the PRCA world standings.

In 2021, Pope finished second in the world standings, falling short to legendary bareback rider Kaycee Field. Pope still won the NFR-average that year.

Pope managed to secure both the world title and the NFR-title in the 2022 season for a career-high $390,620. It's hard to follow up a season like that, but Pope will certainly try.

Pope's 2023 season was more than impressive as well, bringing home nine victories throughout the year. Notably, the Gooding Pro Rodeo, Madison Rodeo, and Old Fort Days Rodeo.

Should history repeat itself, Pope will be NFR-average champion this year again. The yellow bucking chutes must have some sort of effect on the young cowboy's approach for those ten nights.

Pope will have stiff competition with rookie sensation, Keenan Hayes having a breakout year. But Pope knows how to deal with competition, having rode 30 bucking horses at the past years NFRs, he still comes out on top.

Published Nov 27, 2023

KALEB KISTNER

Kaleb Kistner is from New Braunfels, a small community nestled in the Texas Hill Country. There’s only one “s” in Braunfels! Growing up in Comal County, it was an annual tradition to attend the Comal County Fair and Rodeo. Down the road was the San Antonio Stockshow and Rodeo, that his grandparents would religiously take him to each year. Along with the annual rodeos, Kaleb was an active member in FFA throughout high school. Showing rabbits and pigs, assisting with steers and goats, and participating in leadership development events, Kaleb received a well-rounded, basic education in agriculture. On top of that, Kaleb earned his Eagle Scout with Boy Scouts of America. Kaleb has a strong work ethic and love for agriculture and the great outdoors. He hopes to be able to spread his knowledge and bring a better understanding of the Western way of life to those who may not understand. Kaleb has pursued a career in plumbing, continuing to achieve each possible license as quickly as he can. Kaleb has a beautiful fiancée Makayla and his sweet daughter Kinleigh. During his down time, he and his family enjoy going to their parents’ ranches to spend time with the family.