Xplosive Skies Named Top Saddle Bronc Horse at 2023 NFR

Virgil and Gun Fire share Bareback Horse Title, Red Demon named Top Bull

PRCA photo by Clay Guardipee

Xplosive Skies, from the Calgary Stampede, shone at the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and was named the Top Saddle Bronc Horse of the NFR and the 2023 "Pendleton Whisky's Let 'er Buck Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year."

During the NFR, Xplosive Skies, ridden by Zeke Thurston, delivered a stellar 91-point ride in Round 5, securing a victory. However, in Round 10, Xplosive Skies bucked off Wyatt Casper.

“This means the world," Calgary Stampede's Keith Marrington told Pro Rodeo Sports News. "The horse has had such a year, winning the Horse of the Year in Canada, the Horse of the Year in the U.S., and the Horse of the NFR, which culminates a fantastic year for that horse. We are so proud of our program and proud of the mare.”

In addition to her success in saddle bronc riding, Xplosive Skies has also excelled in other events. In 2021, she was named the Bareback Horse of the Year, and in 2016, she secured the Top Bareback Horse of the NFR title.

Xplosive Skies is a 12-year-old mare weighing 1,250 pounds, standing at 15.3 hands. She is the granddaughter of ProRodeo Hall of Fame horse, Grated Coconut.

“I think with her it is her athletic ability that makes her special,” Marrington said. “Guys have a chance every time you get on her and if you stub your toe, you’re going to get bucked off. She’s honest and she’s true and a great athlete.”

Bareback rider Jayco Roper split the Round 5 win on C5 Rodeo’s Virgil with an 89.5-point ride / Hillary Maybery for SI Rodeo Daily

The 2023 NFR also celebrated outstanding performances in bareback riding. C5 Rodeo's Virgil and Frontier Rodeo's Gun Fire achieved the prestigious title of Bareback Horse of the NFR.

Virgil, a 15-year-old veteran weighing 1,600 pounds, delivered an impressive 89.5-point ride with Jayco Roper in Round 5 to share the win. Mason Clements had an 84-point ride on the horse in Round 10.

On the other hand, Gun Fire proved to be a challenging ride. Orin Larsen and 2022 PRCA Bareback Riding World Champion Jess Pope faced demanding encounters with the horse in Rounds 5 and 10, scoring 74 and 78.5 points, respectively.

Frontier Rodeo's Gun Fire and 2022 PRCA World Champion Jess Pope scored 78.5 points in Round 10 / Hillary Maybery for SI Rodeo Daily

“This [NFR award] means a lot because she’s competing against 110 of the best horses in the world there, so it is quite the honor to be able to walk away with this award,” Frontier Rodeo’s Heath Stewart told Pro Rodeo Sports News. “Gun Fire pretty much does the same thing every time and she blows in the air, and she is strong. She gives the guys a shot at first place every time.”

Both horses have a history of accolades, with Virgil being named PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year in 2017 and 2018, and Gun Fire securing the same title in 2022

Universal Pro Rodeo's Red Demon made a remarkable debut at the NFR, emerging as the top bull. This 5-year-old, 1,650-pound bull impressed with his skills, bucking off accomplished riders like Jeff Askey and T Parker in Rounds 5 and 10, respectively.

“This is great and that’s what you work for is to have the best one there [at the NFR],” Universal Pro Rodeo’s Terry Williams told Pro Rodeo Sports News. “That’s a great deal. When Red Demon comes, he really means it. He bucks hard and really kicks.”

This victory added to the previous success of Universal Pro Rodeo, having claimed the Top Bull of the NFR title in 2020 with Pookie Holler.

2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Top Stock

Saddle Bronc Horses

1. Calgary Stampede’s Xplosive Skies
2. Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Hammer Stone
3. Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Gucci Equine Foul Motion

Bareback Horses

1/2. C5 Rodeo’s Virgil
1/2. Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire
3/4. Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s San Angelo Sam
3/4. Frontier Rodeo’s Breaking News

Bulls

1. Universal Pro Rodeo’s Red Demon
2/3. Honeycutt Rodeo’s Bales Hay’s MAGA
2/3. Stace Smith ProRodeos’ Polar Express

Qualifying Status

To be eligible for the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo top stock award, all bareback horses, saddle bronc horses, and bulls had to perform twice during the Finals, Dec. 8-16. The top three animals in each event were determined on total animal judges’ scores on two outs.