PRCA Standings: National Finals Rodeo Bubble Watch
Ask any rodeo competitor- this is the part of the season when everyone is on the edge of their seats waiting to see who will qualify for the 2023 National Finals Rodeo.
Families, fans, athletes, and sponsors eagerly await the end of the season to roll around to see who will squeeze into the top-15 of the world standings. A term used often in the rodeo world to describe this position is "the bubble." Referring to the cowboys and cowgirls that sit barely inside or outside of the top-15.
At this point in the season the bubble race changes daily, even by the minute. Every year it comes down to the last rodeo of the season and the very last dollar won. It is heart breaking to say the least for whom ever ends up in the 16th hole in every event as the season concludes.
Not only have these athletes travelled thousands of miles and spent many months away from their family, but rodeo is their job and lively hood. The NFR is the pinnacle of rodeo due to the enormous payout as well as a chance at a gold buckle.
Currently in the team roping world standings there is just over $15,000 separating team roping header Clay Smith, sitting in the 12th position, and Chad Masters sitting number 21. With so much money still on the table between Pendleton, Abilene, Sioux Falls, Albuquerque and a few others, there could still be a lot of movement within the top 15.
Saddle bronc riding is no exception to the tight bubble race. There is just $23,000 separating the 10th man all the way down to number 20 in the world, leaving it anyone's game to claim the last 5 spots to the NFR. Q Taylor from Casper, WY is sitting in the hot seat at number 15 with $114,361.26. Right on his heels is Tanner Butner just $3,373.87 behind.
Keenan Hayes, a rookie in the bareback riding broke a 14-year season earnings record this week with a total of $237,546.40. Bareback rider, Cole Franks, is inching his way towards his third consecutive NFR as he moved into the 15th spot. In the heat of the bubble race, Franks only has an $1,800 cushion between him and the 16th position.
It will be an interesting couple weeks in rodeo as competitors bear down to finish what they started in the 2023 season. Leaving no business left undone, the last several rodeos of the season may be the most intense competition so far.
