Rodeo Daily

Rocker Steiner Shines in Round 1 of the 2023 Wrangler NFR

Round 1 of the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo saw an impressive performance from the top 15 bareback riders. Rocker Steiner came out on top with an 87-point ride.

Madi Roelofsen

Rocker Steiner Shines in Round 1 of the 2023 Wrangler NFR
Rocker Steiner Shines in Round 1 of the 2023 Wrangler NFR /

The 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge kicked off Dec. 8 with an exciting Round 1.

Right out of the chute, the world's best bareback riders displayed their talent and skill, giving it their all to achieve high scores and emerge victorious in the round.

Among the top 15 competitors, three rookies stood out, including the currently top-ranked Keenan Hayes, 20, of Hayden, Colo., who has had an exceptional year, shattering earnings records along the way.

Rocker Steiner, 19, of Weatherford, Texas, kicked off his second NFR with a dominating ride, scoring 87 points on Risky Business. Coincidentally, it also marked his father's birthday. After being bucked off in Round 1 last year, Steiner made a comeback this year, celebrating his dad's special day with a win. Steiner's performance earned him a whopping $30,706 and the go-round buckle.

Clayton Biglow, 27, of Clements, Calif., secured second place with a solid 85.5-point ride on Renovo Shady Nights, earning him a prize of $24,267.

The reigning world champion, Jess Pope, 25, of Waverly, Kan., took hold of third place with an 85-point ride on True Grit, falling just half a point behind Biglow. Pope's performance earned him a purse of $18,324.

In a surprising twist of events, four contestants - Stevensville, Mont.'s Richmond Champion, Hayes, Weatherford, Texas' Leighton Berry, and Oktaha, Okla.'s Jayco Roper - tied for the fourth-place spot, each scoring an impressive 83.5 points. Each of them walked away with a prize of $6,438.

All 15 bronc riders successfully completed their rides in Round 1, positioning themselves strongly in the race for the average title.

2023 NFR Round 1 Bareback Riding Results

  1. Rocker Steiner, 87 points $30,706.41
  2. Clayton Biglow, 85.5 points $24,267.97
  3. Jess Pope, 85 points $18,324.97
  4. Richmond Champion, 83.5 points, $6,438
  5. Keenan Hayes, 83.5 points, $6,438
  6. Leighton Berry, 83.5 points, $6,438
  7. Jayco Roper, 83.5 points, $6,438
  8. Mason Clements, 83 points
  9. Jacob Lees, 82.5 points
  10. Tanner Aus, 82 points
  11. Tim O'Connell, 80.5 points
  12. Cole Reiner, 80 points
  13. Kade Sonnier, 79.5 points 
  14. Orin Larson, 78.5 points
  15. Dean Thompson, 77.5 points
Published
Madi Roelofsen
MADI ROELOFSEN

Madi Roelofsen is a writer for Sports Illustrated's feature, Rodeo Daily. Madi not only writes about the western lifestyle and rodeo world but lives it daily. She attended Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, and competed in the barrel racing as part of their rodeo team. Roelofsen graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in animal science. Madi enjoyed not only competing in rodeo events but also spectating the greatest sport on dirt. In 2017, while on vacation attending the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, she met her husband Tim Roelofsen. They got married a few years later in 2020. Tim had already established TVR Working Horses but together they grew their program and enjoy raising foals, training colts, barrel racing, team roping and standing their stallions (TVR Eye Needa Corona and CR Baron Bee Joy "Big Sexy") in both Texas and Iowa. They stay busy with the horses, farming alfalfa and raising their baby girl, Texi. Madi has always been passionate about horses, from learning about different bloodlines, breeding the foals themselves to training and competing. She expresses that passion within the articles she writes to open up the world of horses and rodeo to everyone.  Twitter-@Madi_Roelofsen  Facebook- @TVR Working Horses

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