NFR Round 8: World Record, World Champion and Triplets

A new world record in Round 8 of the NFR was just part of the night's excitement.

Kelly Kistner | Dec 15, 2023

Photo by Hillary Maybery for SI Rodeo Daily

Round 8 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge saw a three-way split for first, a new world and NFR record, and an earning streak continued to seven rounds.

Making the race for the average even more interesting in bareback riding, Jess Pope won with a score of 88.5 on The Crow by Championship Pro Rodeo. Jacob Lees finished second on San Angelo Sam by Pete Carr Pro Rodeo with a score of 87. Finishing third, Rocker Steiner rode Hooey Rocks by Championship Pro Rodeo for 86 points.

The win in Round 8 steer wrestling went to Bridger Anderson with a time of 3.3 seconds. Jacob Talley was a second with a score of 3.5 seconds. Rounding out the top-3 in steer wrestling with a time of 3.8 seconds, was Dakota Eldridge.

A lightning-fast 3.3 seconds which was achieved by Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp in Round 8 set a new world-record team roping time. In second place was Clay Smith and Paden Bray with 3.6 seconds. Andrew Ward and Buddy Hawkins finished third with a time of 3.8 seconds.

A three-way tie for the top spot in saddle bronc riding made Round 8 even more exciting. The night's triplets, Zeke Thurston, Sage Newman, and Brody Cress all tied for first in the saddle bronc riding with a score of 87.5 points. Cress was riding Monster by Corey & Lange Rodeo. Newman was aboard Devil’s Advocate by Three Hills Rodeo and Thurston was on Yellowstone by Frontier Rodeo.

In Round 8 of the tie-down roping, Hunter Herrin finished first with a time of 7.4 seconds. John Douch finished in the second spot with his 7.5-second run. Haven Meged took third place in the round and earned money in his seventh straight round with a time of 7.7 seconds.

Kassie Mowrey finished the pattern with the fastest time of Round 8. Mowrey won with a time of 13.30 seconds. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi finished second with a time of 13.34 seconds. This puts Tonozzi just over $147,000 in earnings at this year’s NFR and guarantees her spot as the 2023 World Champion in barrel racing. Finishing third was Sissy Winn with a time of 13.45 seconds.

Riding Pegasus by Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, Tristen Hutchings won his first earning this year at the NFR by winning Round 8 with a score of 89. There was a two-way tie for the second spot. Jordan Hansen rode Big Rafter Rodeo’s Silver Bullet for a score of 88 while seven-time World Champion Sage Kimzey rode Red Lipstick of Macza Pro Rodeo for 88.

Round 9 of the Wrangler National Finals presented by Teton Ridge will take place on Friday, Dec. 15 at 8:30 p.m. EST.

Published Dec 15, 2023

KELLY KISTNER

Kelly Kistner is the fourth generation of a farming and ranching family. In addition to living in rural America, Kelly has served in multiple leadership roles in both corporate and public safety organizations. Kelly started his first full-time job at the age of 19, as a part of the management team at a large country-western entertainment facility that hosted many of the largest names in country music and had bull riding every Friday and Saturday night. Kelly holds a Bachelor's degree from Texas State University and a Master's degree from Oklahoma State University. Kelly has served in several roles including organizational restructures and start-ups in the business and governmental sectors. He has worked in management, leadership, and consulting roles with multiple Fortune 500 companies. Having served in both the law enforcement and the fire service, Kelly has a strong drive to give back to his community. He is now taking that drive and experience and placing it in efforts to help grow the Western Sports industry through collaborative efforts with Sports Illustrated and Western Media Sports. During his down time, Kelly enjoys spending time with his wife Ariana and three boys – Kade, Kaleb and Cameron, while also caring for the animals on the ranch he owns with Ariana in North Texas. Kelly and Ariana are members of several western sports organizations and actively support multiple charities in the local communities. If you have any comments, questions or suggestions he can be reached at kellyk@sirodeo.com or on Twitter at @KWKistner.