Roughstock Matchups for Round 1 of 2023 NFR

See the draw for bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and bull riding for Round 1 of the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

The stockings may be hung in the houses, but the most anticipated time at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is the announcement of the stock draws each night.

In Round One, three-time World Champion bareback rider, Tim O’Connell will be first out of the chutes aboard Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetic’s Broc Riding Nation. The horse has a huge history with Clayton Biglow scoring 90 points at the Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo in February and Kaycee Feild winning the first round of the 2022 WNFR on top. 

O’Connell will look to move up in the standings where he starts at No. 4 with $159,326. Keenan Hayes has drawn Flying U Rodeo’s Lil Red Hawk. Hayes may be a rookie at the WNFR but the horse has been here an astounding 13 times.

The saddle bronc riding will showcase Brookman Rodeo’s Ragin Lunatic with Kade Bruno from Challis, Idaho. The horse had an outstanding season with an average total score of 84.7 points over the course of 12 qualified rides. In Jackson, Miss., at the Dixie National Rodeo Ben Andersen rode the horse to 90 points. Dawson Hay took Ragin Lunatic to 87.5 points in the first round of 2022 to earn a second-place finish.

Josh Frost will nod his head on top of Macza Pro Rodeo’s OLS Tubs Ugly Wish tonight. The Randlett, Utah cowboy is coming in ranked No. 3 in the standings with $236,887. The bull is capable of letting Frost win the round, as Ky Hamilton rode him to 88 points in Round 9 of the 2022 WNFR. 

Frontier Rodeo Co.’s Gladiator’s Hammer will have something to prove tonight though. He is paired with Tristen Hutchings who likely feels pretty confident about the draw. Hutchings rode the bull to an 89-point ride in Cody, Wyo., earlier this year.

According to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, these are the records for Round 1 competition that the cowboys and cowgirls will be looking to break:

• Bareback Riding: 91.5 points, Richmond Champion, on Pickett Pro Rodeo's Night Crawler, 2019
• Steer Wrestling: 3.1 seconds, Trevor Knowles, 2013
• Team Roping: 4.0 seconds, Turtle Powell/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 2014; Tyler Wade/Cole Davison, 2019; Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 4.0, 2021
• Saddle Bronc Riding: 89 points, Bryce Miller, Calgary Stampede's Knife Money, 2008; Sage Newman, on Big Stone Rodeo Inc.'s Rubels, 2022
• Tie-Down Roping: 6.8 seconds, Trevor Brazile, 2015
• Barrel Racing: 13.51 seconds, Hailey Kinsel, 2018
• Bull Riding: 94 points, Don Gay, on Billy Minnick Rodeo's Tiger, 1974; Blue Stone on Gilbert Diamond G Rodeos' Mr. USA, 2001

Bareback Riding:

Richmond Champion - Cash & Carry
Jacob Lees - Scarlett Belle
Cole Reiner - She-La
Tanner Aus - Sippin Firewater
Mason Clements - Night Delta
Jesse Pope - True Grit
Jayco Roper - Shoutin Shoes
Dean Thompson - Cajun Queen
Rocker Steiner - Risky Business
Orin Larsen - Straight Stick
Leighton Berry - On Second Thought
Tim O’Connell - Bronc Riding Nation
Kade Sonnier - Irish Eyes
Clayton Biglow - Renovo Shady Nights
Keenan Hayes - Lil Red Hawk

Saddle Bronc Riding:

Ryder Sanford - Spotted Blues
Lefty Holman - Amazon Hills
Damian Brennan - Lunatic Party
Brody Cress - Rubels
Tanner Butner - Jitter Bug
Layton Green - Broken Button
Chase Brooks - Get Down
Wyatt Casper - Little Muffin
Ryder Wright - Trump Card
Ben Andersen - Hitman
Dawson Hay - Pendleton Roundup’s Marquee
Zeke Thurston - Vein Reflections
Kade Bruno - Ragin’ Lunatic
Sage Newman - Cat Walk
Stetson Wright - Double Red

Bull Riding:

Cullen Telfer - Wild Time
Jeff Askey - Gone Platinum
Cody Teel - Redwood
Jared Parsonage - Rodeo Ranch’s Cheddar Biscuit
Jordan Hansen - Megavolt
Sage Kimzey - Dirty Dave
Trey Kimey - Hard Shot
T Parker - Rico Suave
Hayes Weight - Wicked Sensation
Creek Young - County Jail
Trey Holston - Love The Grind’s Bouchon
Tristen Hutchings - Gladiator’s Hammer
Josh Frost - OLS Tubs Ugly Wish
Ky Hamilton - Vitalix Theodore
Stetson Wright - Hercules