Clements Uses Mentality From Being on Bubble During Cinch Playoffs to Lead NFR

Heading into the Cinch Playoffs, bareback rider Mason Clements was on the bubble and had not secured his spot in the NFR. Now he is leading the biggest rodeo event of the year after four rounds.

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- It's everyone's goal in rodeo to make it to the National Finals Rodeo.

Not only is there a lot of money involved at this event, but it also signals that these athletes are one of the 15 best at what they do in the world.

Mason Clements didn't have that designation when he arrived to the Cinch Playoffs in Sioux Falls.

He needed high-level performances to get himself into his fourth NFR.

"This year I’m right there on the bubble and it’s really cool to be here in Sioux Falls and have this much money and this much opportunity to not just get off the bubble and get me into the finals, but get me off the bubble and into the finals and having a true shot at winning the Gold Buckle," he told Rodeo Daily in an exclusive interview.

The Bareback Rider did exactly that, winning the Final Round of the Cinch Playoffs to secure his spot in Las Vegas.

But Clements didn't qualify for his fourth NFR to be content when showing up.

Like he said, he wants to win the Gold Buckle.

After four rounds, Clements is leading the Bareback Riding event in the aggregate scoring model with a total figure of 340.0 that keeps him one point clear of world No. 1 Keenan Hayes.

Clements credits his time on the bubble for his new mentality that has taken him into the No. 6 spot in the world based on earnings and his current lead in the event.

"Being on the bubble, [being present] is something I’ve learned, you know. It’s stay focused and keep calm ... Don’t do more than you need to do. So, being on the bubble has taught me that and going to a few NFRs taught me that ... I didn’t really put it all into perspective and it took me until my second NFR in '18 to really chill out and have some fun with it and not be so serious all the time with it," he told Rodeo Daily.

That new mentality has certainly helped Clements.

He now leads the biggest event of the year and has used the NFR earnings to climb the world standings with an opportunity to finish as one of the best Bareback Riders in the sport.

That's a long way from being on the bubble.