Rodeo Daily

Kade Bruno and Zeke Thurston Share Round 1 Win at 2023 NFR

Kade Bruno and Zeke Thurtson share the Round 1 win and settle in at the top of the 2023 National Finals Rodeo saddle bronc riding average.

Kaleb Kistner

Kade Bruno and Zeke Thurston Share Round 1 Win at 2023 NFR
Kade Bruno and Zeke Thurston Share Round 1 Win at 2023 NFR /

The 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge kicked off the opening round Dec. 8 at 8:45 p.m. PST.

The saddle bronc riding event had an outstanding start to the ten-day competition with a shocking ending to the night. 

With Kade Bruno's first-round co-win, Bruno found himself at the top of the world saddle bronc riding standings at the end of the first night. 

Zeke Thurston also advanced in the world standings, to the No. 3 spot and is only $3,000 behind Bruno. 

With Stetson Wright's buck-off, he moved down to the No. 2 spot and found himself $1,000 behind Bruno. Speculation around the arena is that Wright is dealing with a hamstring issue. 

The other Wright family member, Ryder Wright, earned himself a nice paycheck and moved up in the world standings two spots to the No. 5 position. 

NFR Round 1 Saddle Bronc Riding Results

  1. Kade Bruno, 86.5 points, $27,487
  2. Zeke Thurtson, 86.5 points, $27,487
  3. Ryder Wright, 86 points, $18,325
  4. Chase Brooks, 85 points, $8,585
  5. Tanner Butner, 85 points, $8,585
  6. Brody Cress, 85 points, $8,585
  7. Lefty Holman, 84.5 points
  8. Damian Brennan, 83 points
  9. Ryder Sanford, 82.5 points
  10. Layton Green, 82.5 points
  11. Wyatt Casper, 81.5 points
  12. Sage Newman, 81.5 points
  13. Ben Anderson, 78 points
  14. Dawson Hay, 77 points
  15. Stetson Wright, No Score

World Saddle Bronc Standings: Post Round 1 

  1. Kade Bruno, $262,746
  2. Stetson Wright, $261,626
  3. Zeke Thurston, $259,406
  4. Sage Newman, $257,263
  5. Ryder Wright, $178,727
  6. Dawson Hay, $165,974
  7. Ben Anderson, $160,940
  8. Chase Brooks, $157,805
  9. Tanner Butner, $153,873
  10. Wyatt Casper, $152,420
  11. Brody Cress, $151,327
  12. Layton Green, $146,829
  13. Damian Brennan, $139,743
  14. Lefty Holman, $138,954
  15. Ryder Sanford, $135,388

With lots of movement already in the world standings during the first night, this year's NFR is definitely one to keep an eye on. The NFR will continue on the following night as scheduled. 

Published
Kaleb Kistner
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. 

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