Saddle Bronc Rider Zeke Thurston Claims Another Win at 2024 Wrangler NFR presented by Teton Ridge

LAS VEGAS

Courtesy of PRCA

Four-time PRCA Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion Zeke Thurston is right at home at the Thomas & Mack Center once again.

The Big Valley, Alberta, saddle bronc rider captured his second straight gold buckle a year ago and now has won two of the first three go-round buckles at the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.

Thurston’s latest triumph came in Round 3 with an 88-point ride on Powder River Rodeo’s Miss Valley Saturday night in front of 17,019 spectators.

“She’s super. She’s been the ringleader of the Powder River Rodeo horses for about a decade now,” Thurston said. “Just an outstanding horse. I’ve only been on her twice, but I’ve been excited to have her both times.

“I’m just taking it one horse at a time, one jump at a time. I just have to keep doing my job and knocking them down. We’re having a lot of fun right now.”

Thurston climbed aboard Frontier Rodeo’s Frontier Rodeo Coffee Yellowstone for an 86.5-point ride to take the Round 1 win on Thursday night.

The $33,687 payday in Round 3 pushed Thurston’s 2024 NFR earnings to $94,490. That total allowed him to jump up from sixth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings when he arrived in Vegas to second with $305,875. He trails regular-season leader Damian Brennan by just $1,276.

Thurston, who won gold buckles in 2016, 2018 and 2022 and 2023, has his eyes on world title No. 5.

“I’ve been in all of them (positions on the leaderboard). The job is still the same regardless of where you are at,” said Thurston, 30. “Being at the top adds a little bit of pressure, something I relish in. But I wouldn’t be going about it any different if I was in any different position.”


Jess Pope continues ascent in bareback

Jess Pope took the next logical step in his early progression during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge on Saturday.

The 2022 PRCA Bareback Riding World Champion finished outside the money on opening night, climbed to fourth in Round 2 and shot to the top against the eliminator pen in Round 3.

Pope paired with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Night Faded for an 89.5-point ride and the round win.

“The one thing about Vegas is that we’re here for ten nights with the best bucking horses in the world,” Pope said. “My first two nights, I didn’t have the horses to win on, so I just had to capitalize on them. I knew I had a really good shot to win tonight, and I’m looking forward to finishing the week.”

Pope earned $33,687 on Night Faded to inch closer to the top of the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Night Faded was named the Bareback Horse of the Night.

The eliminator pen gives the entire daysheet a shot at a big score and bigger check, but Pope didn’t quite know what to expect when he drew Night Faded.

“I was a little bit nervous. I’ve seen that horse have about six different trips, so I really didn’t have any idea what he was going to do,” Pope said. “My main goal was to roll my shoulder down, bear that chin to my backbone, just go at him jump for jump, draw a markout and react to it.”


Steer wrestler Will Lummus claims another round win

Steer wrestler Will Lummus is stepping up in a big way so far at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.

On Saturday, the Byhalia, Miss., cowboy won his second round in three days with a 3.5-second run on Saturday night Lummus won Round 1 with a 3.7-second run on Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

“Yeah man, it’s huge, to get a start like this, I never had a start like this, so you know, we’re

just going to keep doing our deal,” Lummus said. “We just need to do our job and get a big finish, hopefully keep drawing good and we’ll see how it ends up in the end.”

Lummus, who is making his seventh NFR appearance, arrived in Vegas fourth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings and has moved up to first, thanks to winning $77,734 at the NFR.

Lummus is riding Swamper, and his hazer is veteran steer wrestler Clayton Hass – and he’s just focused on the rounds in front of him.

“Yeah, you know, we’re just going to keep doing our deal man, keep it simple, there’s no pressure on me at all this year, I’m just out here having fun,” Lummus said.


Egusquiza/Lord, Driggers/Nogueira return to form

It was a tough first two rounds at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge for two of the best team roping duos in PRORODEO.

Header Dustin Egusquiza and heeler Levi Lord entered the competition atop the PRCA | RAM World Standings but failed to record a time in Round 1 and Round 2. Header Kaleb Driggers and heeler Junior Nogueira have combined for five PRCA World Championships and 23 NFR qualifications.

Both duos entered Round 3 without a check from the Thomas & Mack Center or recording a time. Their fortunes changed with a pair of 3.7-second runs to share the Round 3 win on Saturday.

“I just had to laugh it off,” Driggers said of his attitude entering the night. “There wasn’t much I could do; it was out of my hands – literally. I just tried to keep a good mental attitude that all the hard work we’ve done to get here…was going to pay off.

The shared round win gave each team roper $30,155.

Lord said he tried to take his mind off the tough start and recenter himself before Round 3.

“You can’t really let it affect you,” Lord said. “I went and roped with a bunch of six-year-old kids today. So, it kind of puts things in perspective. They didn’t know I missed last night. They were just happy to see me.”


Veteran bull rider Clayton Sellars earns his first round win

The third round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge marked Clayton Sellars’ 33rd career go-round.

The Fruitland Park, Fla., cowboy has finished as high as sixth in PRCA | RAM Bull Riding World Standings and the NFR Average. But he’d never won a round at the Thomas & Mack Center – until Saturday.

Sellars had an 87.5-point ride on Stockyards Pro Rodeo’s Hard Rock to pocket $34,774 and earn his first ride around the arena floor as the Round 3 winner.

“It just feels like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing,” Sellars said. “(My mindset is) green light, proceed… That was my 33rd round in Vegas and the first one that I’ve won. It feels pretty dadgum good.”

Sellars said he knew it had the chance to be a special night when he saw a Stockyards Pro Rodeo bull next to his name.

“That’s a great bull,” Sellars said. “Cory Melton and Stockyards Pro Rodeo, whenever I see their name by mine, I feel a pretty heavy responsibility. But it’s always good because their bulls ride well. I always do good on them.”


Tie-Down roper Ty Harris claims Round 3 crown

Tie-down roper Ty Harris had a stellar regular season, arriving at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge third in the world standings with $219,172.

Harris had his skills on display on Saturday night winning Round 3 with an electric 6.9-second run.

“It wasn’t the best first two rounds I wanted or the last couple of NFRs, but it just felt really good to make a good run,” Harris said. “I didn’t know if I won at first that was a great group of calves and a great set of ropers, so I was just happy I made a good run but obviously getting the round win was extra special.”

Harris is just going to keep things in perspective as he looks ahead to the next seven rounds.

“Oh man it’s hard not to get too low when you just put so much pressure on yourself you want to do good every round because this is our Super Bowl and we get 10 chances to do it and then we have to wait another year,” Harris said. “I got some pretty good perspective from gymnast Brody Malone. He’s an (U.S.) Olympic gymnast and I talked to him. He trains for four years to get to go out there for one tournament at the Olympics and that’s what I just told myself, you know it could be worse.

“So, I’m thankful to be here and glad it worked out in my favor (Saturday night).”


Hailey Kinsel continues magical run with third straight round win

There’s dominance and then there’s what Hailey Kinsel is doing at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.

Kinsel made it three straight go-round wins on Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center with a 13.48-second run. It’s a stretch of success that not even the four-time world champion has experienced in Las Vegas.

“The most round wins I’ve had in a row is two, so this is pretty awesome,” said Kinsel. “These runs give me a lot of confidence. I wish I could go out there and make 10 more runs right now at this second.”

The lightning-fast run added to Kinsel’s impressive NFR earnings. Over the last three nights the Cotulla, Texas, cowgirl has pocketed $111,062. She grew her lead in the PRCA | RAM World Standings to $89,634 over fellow barrel racer Kassie Mowry.

Jimmie Munroe, the current WPRA president, won five barrel racing rounds in a row in 1984 – Rounds 1 through 5.

In 1972, Oklahoma cowgirl Gail Petska placed in nine of the 10 rounds – the first nine rounds – winning seven rounds en route to the average title. That year Petska won four rounds in a row Rounds 3 through 6.

2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Results
Round 3, Dec. 7
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

Bareback Riding: Third round: 1. Jess Pope, 89.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo's Night Faded, $33,687; 2. Cooper Cooke, 88, $26,624; 3. Cole Franks, 87, $20,104; 4. Rocker Steiner, 85.5, $14,127; 5. Keenan Hayes, 85, $8,693; 6. Dean Thompson, 83, $5,433; 7. (tie) R.C. Landingham and Leighton Berry, 82.5 each; 9. Cole Reiner, 82; 10. Weston Timberman, 80.5; 11. (tie) Taylor Broussard and Richmond Champion, 80 each; 13. Jacob Lees, 78.5; 14. Garrett Shadbolt, 74; 15. Bradlee Miller, 62.5. Average leaders: 1. Cole Franks, 257 points on three head; 2. Keenan Hayes, 255.5; 3. Jess Pope, 252.5; 4. Dean Thompson, 252; 5. Weston Timberman, 250.5; 6. Cooper Cooke, 250; 7. Taylor Broussard, 249; 8. Cole Reiner, 248; 9. Richmond Champion, 244; 10. R.C. Landingham, 243; 11. (tie) Leighton Berry, Jacob Lees, and Garrett Shadbolt, 241.5 each; 14. Bradlee Miller, 235.5; 15. Rocker Steiner, 169 points on two head. World Standings: 1. Keenan Hayes, $281,244; 2. Rocker Steiner, $257,446; 3. Jess Pope, $221,260; 4. Bradlee Miller, $207,676; 5. Dean Thompson, $206,466; 6. Cole Franks, $202,442; 7. Weston Timberman, $197,787; 8. Leighton Berry, $182,955; 9. R.C. Landingham, $181,420; 10. Cooper Cooke, $175,691; 11. Taylor Broussard, $158,335; 12. Jacob Lees, $148,363; 13. Cole Reiner, $147,128; 14. Garrett Shadbolt, $147,096; 15. Richmond Champion, $138,965.

Steer Wrestling: Third round: 1. Will Lummus, 3.5 seconds, $33,687; 2. Tucker Allen, 3.8, $26,624; 3. Tyler Pearson, 4.2, $20,104; 4. J.D. Struxness, 4.5, $14,127; 5. (tie) Jesse Brown and Rowdy Parrott, 4.6, $7,063 each; 7. Cash Robb, 4.7; 8. Stetson Jorgensen, 4.9; 9. Don Payne, 5.1; 10. Dakota Eldridge, 5.7; 11. Tyler Waguespack, 6.6; 12. Dalton Massey, 6.7; 13. Scott Guenthner, 12.7; 14. (tie) Ty Erickson and Justin Shaffer, NT. Average leaders: 1. Will Lummus, 11.4 seconds on three head; 2. Rowdy Parrott, 12.0; 3. Tucker Allen, 12.9; 4. Stetson Jorgensen, 13.1; 5. Cash Robb, 13.9; 6. Dakota Eldridge, 14.1; 7. Don Payne, 14.5; 8. Jesse Brown, 16.4; 9. Tyler Waguespack, 17.7; 10. Tyler Pearson, 32.4; 11. Justin Shaffer, 7.8 seconds on two head; 12. J.D. Struxness, 8.4; 13. Ty Erickson, 9.3; 14. Dalton Massey, 13.0; 15. Scott Guenthner, 17.8. World Standings: 1. Will Lummus, $226,212; 2. Dalton Massey, $209,263; 3. Stetson Jorgensen, $193,093; 4. Dakota Eldridge, $188,095; 5. J.D. Struxness, $185,701; 6. Rowdy Parrott, $182,725; 7. Jesse Brown, $152,329; 8. Tucker Allen, $144,368; 9. Cash Robb, $143,920; 10. Justin Shaffer, $134,816; 11. Don Payne, $132,655; 12. Tyler Pearson, $124,678; 13. Ty Erickson, $115,090; 14. Tyler Waguespack, $102,656; 15. Scott Guenthner, $101,348.

Team Roping: Third round: 1. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 3.7 seconds, $30,155 each; 3. Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, 3.8, $20,104; 4. (tie) Cody Snow/Hunter Koch and J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, 4.0, $11,410 each; 6. (tie) Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves and Clint Summers/Jake Long, 4.1, $2,717 each; 8. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 4.2; 9. Luke Brown/Travis Graves, 4.6; 10. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 9.1; 11. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 9.6; 12. Derrick Begay/Jonathan Torres, 13.6; 13. Cyle Denison/Tanner Braden, Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin and Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, NT. Average leaders: 1. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 12.6 seconds on three head; 2. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 17.2; 3. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 19.0; 4. Luke Brown/Travis Graves, 20.9; 5. Derrick Begay/Jonathan Torres 24.0; 6. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 28.8; 7. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 7.4 seconds on two head; 8. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 8.3; 9. Clint Summers/Jake Long, 8.6; 10. Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, 9.0; 11. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 13.0; 12. Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, 13.6; 13. J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, 14.4; 14. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 3.7 seconds on one head; 15. Cyle Denison/Tanner Braden, 4.7. World Standings (headers): 1. Tyler Wade, $269,112; 2. Dustin Egusquiza, $241,163; 3. Kaleb Driggers, $217,516; 4. Coleman Proctor, $200,021; 5. Brenten Hall, $182,391; 6. Andrew Ward, $166,685; 7. Clint Summers, $162,926; 8. Erich Rogers, $156,347; 9. J.C. Yeahquo, $147,706; 10. Jake Smith, $139,366; 11. Luke Brown, $134,482; 12. Cody Snow, $129,679; 13. Derrick Begay, $129,195; 14. Clay Smith, $128,516; 15. Cyle Denison, $118,812. World Standings (heelers): 1. Wesley Thorp, $269,112; 2. Levi Lord, $241,163; 3. Junior Nogueira, $228,642; 4. Logan Medlin, $186,788; 5. Kaden Profili, $183,564; 6. Jake Long, $166,364; 7. Paul Eaves, $156,946; 8. Kollin VonAhn, $155,486; 9. Jonathan Torres, $141,832; 10. Douglas Rich, $139,366; 11. Coleby Payne, $137,630; 12. Buddy Hawkins II, $136,199; 13. Tanner Braden, $134,959; 14. Hunter Koch, $131,690; 15. Travis Graves, $129,106.

Saddle Bronc Riding: Third round: 1. Zeke Thurston, 88 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Miss Valley, $33,687; 2. (tie) Wyatt Casper, Brody Cress and Kolby Wanchuk, 86, $20,285 each; 5. (tie) Kade Bruno, Sage Newman and Ryder Wright, 85, $4,709 each; 8. Statler Wright, 84.5; 9. Damian Brennan, 84; 10. (tie) Ben Andersen and Dawson Hay, 83.5 each; 12. Lefty Holman, 83; 13. Zachary Dallas, 81; 14. Logan Hay and Brody Wells, NS. Average leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 261 points on three head; 2. Dawson Hay, 255.5; 3. Brody Cress, 253.5; 4. (tie) Damian Brennan and Wyatt Casper, 252; 6. Kolby Wanchuk, 249.5; 7. Statler Wright, 247; 8. Kade Bruno, 245.5; 9. Ben T. Andersen, 243.5; 10. Zac Dallas, 241.5; 11. Ryder Wright, 171 points on two head; 12. Brody Wells, 170; 13. Sage Newman, 168.5; 14. Logan Hay, 163.5; 15. Lefty Holman, 159. World Standings: 1. Damian Brennan, $307,151; 2. Zeke Thurston, $305,875; 3. Ryder Wright, $292,595; 4. Brody Cress, $260,030; 5. Kade Bruno, $255,959; 6. Wyatt Casper, $255,502; 7. Lefty Holman, $217,735; 8. Sage Newman, $209,712; 9. Dawson Hay, $204,586; 10. Statler Wright, $182,824; 11. Brody Wells, $179,490; 12. Kolby Wanchuk, $170,028; 13. Zachary Dallas, $139,157; 14. Ben Andersen, $137,285; 15. Logan Hay, $137,250.

Tie-Down Roping: Third round: 1. Ty Harris, 6.9 seconds, $33,687; 2. Riley Mason Webb, 7.1, $26,624; 3. Joel Harris, 7.3, $20,104; 4. Tuf Cooper, 7.4, $14,127; 5. Dylan Hancock, 7.5, $8,693; 6. (tie) Shane Hanchey and Shad Mayfield, 7.7, $2,717 each; 8. Marty Yates, 7.9; 9. Kincade Henry, 8.2; 10. John Douch, 8.6; 11. Quade Hiatt, 9.2; 12. Zack Jongbloed, 9.6; 13. Haven Meged, 9.9; 14. Cole Clemons, 18.0; 15. Hunter Herrin, 20.2. Average leaders: 1. Riley Mason Webb, 21.9 seconds on three head; 2. Tuf Cooper, 24.4; 3. Joel Harris, 24.7; 4. Shad Mayfield, 25.4; 5. Zack Jongbloed, 26.5; 6. Ty Harris, 28.0; 7. Kincade Henry, 28.1; 8. Quade Hiatt, 28.8; 9. Shane Hanchey, 29.9; 10. Haven Meged, 30.4; 11. Dylan Hancock, 34.6; 12. Cole Clemons, 36.4; 13. Hunter Herrin, 36.7; 14. Marty Yates, 17.1 seconds on two head; 15. John Douch, 17.3. World Standings: 1. Riley Mason Webb, $320,905; 2. Shad Mayfield, $313,190; 3. Ty Harris, $262,860; 4. Haven Meged, $231,309; 5. Zack Jongbloed, $176,438; 6. Joel Harris, $173,537; 7. John Douch, $171,237; 8. Shane Hanchey, $170,561; 9. Marty Yates, $165,868; 10. Tuf Cooper, $165,698; 11. Hunter Herrin, $162,796; 12. Dylan Hancock, $162,283; 13. Kincade Henry, $150,958; 14. Quade Hiatt, $132,084; 15. Cole Clemons, $113,417.

Barrel Racing: Third round: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 13.48 seconds, $33,687; 2. Kassie Mowry, 13.58, $26,624; 3. (tie) Andrea Busby and Tiany Schuster, 13.65, $17,115 each; 5. LaTricia Duke, 13.67, $8,693; 6. Leslie Smalygo, 13.84, $5,433; 7. Ashley Castleberry, 13.89; 8. Abby Phillips, 13.98; 9. Halyn Lide, 14.34; 10. Emily Beisel, 18.55; 11. Lisa Lockhart, 18.70; 12. Wenda Johnson, 18.72; 13. Shelley Morgan, 18.82; 14. Carlee Otero, 18.86; 15. Dona Kay Rule, 19.00. Average leaders: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 40.34 seconds on three runs; 2. Andrea Busby, 41.00; 3. Tiany Schuster, 41.08; 4. Ashley Castleberry, 41.26; 5. Abby Phillips, 41.27; 6. LaTricia Duke, 41.86; 7. Kassie Mowry, 45.43; 8. Emily Beisel, 46.22; 9. Carlee Otero, 46.28; 10. Wenda Johnson, 46.31; 11. Shelley Morgan, 46.44; 12. Dona Kay Rule, 46.91; 13. Lisa Lockhart, 51.32; 14. Halyn Lide, 52.15; 15. Leslie Smalygo, 27.68 seconds on two head. World standings: 1. Hailey Kinsel, $315,164; 2. Kassie Mowry, $225,530; 3. Leslie Smalygo, $214,057; 4. Ashley Castleberry, $203,055; 5. Tiany Schuster, $179,714; 6. Andrea Busby, $165,761; 7. Emily Beisel, $164,005; 8. Abby Phillips, $151,037; 9. Lisa Lockhart, $150,888; 10. Carlee Otero, $149,513; 11. LaTricia Duke, $147,824; 12. Halyn Lide, $131,966; 13. Dona Kay Rule, $131,481; 14. Wenda Johnson, $127,970; 15. Shelley Morgan, $123,906.

Bull Riding: Third round: 1. Clayton Sellars, 87.5 points on Stockyards Pro Rodeo's Hard Rock, $34,774; 2. Tristen Hutchings, 86.5, $27,710; 3. Cooper James, 86, $21,190; 4. (tie) Chase Dougherty and Tyler Bingham, 82.5, $12,497; 6. (tie) Wacey Shalla, T.J. Gray, Hayes Weight, Josh Frost, Jace Trosclair, Jeter Lawrence, Trevor Reiste, Jordan Spears, Trey Kimzey, Dustin Boquet, Creek Young, Inj. Average leaders: 1. Tristen Hutchings, 257.5 points on three head; 2. Cooper James, 251.5; 3. Jace Trosclair, 168.5 points on two head; 4. Josh Frost, 167.5; 5. Clayton Sellars, 166; 6. Tyler Bingham, 165.5; 7. (tie) Jeter Lawrence and Trey Kimzey, 87.5 each; 9. Trevor Reiste, 84.5; 10. (tie) Chase Dougherty and Dustin Boquet, 82.5 each; 12. (tie) Wacey Schalla, T.J. Gray, Hayes Weight, Jordan Spears; 16. Creek Young, Inj. World standings: 1. Josh Frost, $259,641; 2. T.J. Gray, $254,844; 3. Clayton Sellars, $252,140; 4. Jace Trosclair, $251,219; 5. Jeter Lawrence, $250,908; 6. Hayes Weight, $246,023; 7. Tristen Hutchings, $230,008; 8. Cooper James, $223,332; 9. Wacey Schalla, $204,096; 10. Chase Dougherty, $187,510; 11. Trevor Reiste, $177,733; 12. Trey Kimzey, $172,1412; 13. Tyler Bingham, $148,112; 14. Jordan Spears, $139,997; 15. Creek Young, $131,609; 16. Dustin Boquet, $131,352.

All-Around: 1. Shad Mayfield, $251,256; 2. Junior Nogueira, $230,557; 3. Coleman Proctor, $229,934; 4. Wacey Schalla, $177,953; 5. Tuf Cooper, $171,270; 6. Erich Rogers, $147,803; 7. Tyler Pearson, $123,479; 8. Paden Bray, $107,547. 9. Jake Clay, $101,966; 10. Slade Wood, $97,955.

Top Gun: 1. Hailey Kinsel, $111,062; 2. Riley Mason Webb, $103,998; 3. Zeke Thurston, $94,490; 4. (tie) Wesley Thorp, Tyler Wade, Tristen Hutchings and Will Lummus, $77,374 each.