Josh Frost Makes Most of Moment for Round 4 Win

LAS VEGAS

Courtesy of PRCA

A rank pen of bulls presented a challenge during Round 4 of the Wrangler National Finals presented by Teton Ridge on Sunday before 16,945 spectators at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The bulls won 11 matchups during the round, creating an opportunity to pick up ground money as the night progressed.

Four cowboys weathered the storm, including Josh Frost.

The Randlett, Utah, cowboy made the most of the moment with an 86.5-point trip on Sutton Rodeos’ One Chance to earn the round win and move to the top of the PRCA | RAM World Standings.

“It was really good,” Frost said. “I was super excited about that bull. And every night here you get your draw and think you’re going to win the round. So, it’s pretty fun to get ‘er done finally after four (rounds).”

Frost raked in $37,219, bringing his total to $296,860 in the world standings and the score pushed him to second in the NFR Average.

As the round wore on – and the field whittled down – Frost focused on his bull instead of the chance to pick up ground money.

“It doesn’t matter what those other guys do,” Frost said. “It’s easy to get caught up in watching everybody else and thinking about the money you can win, but if you aren’t focusing on your bull, you're going to be laying in the dirt.”

The four-time NFR qualifier relied on his experience behind the yellow bucking chutes to stay grounded rather than hit the ground.

“From the time I got here and from the time I got my draw last night, I was just visualizing that bull and visualizing my ride,” Frost said. “Then when you get behind the chutes, you really have to dial in and focus because there's a lot of distractions back there.”

Frost has picked up $85,796 at the NFR in the first four rounds – the most of any competitor in the event. He’s sixth in the RAM Top Gun Award standings.

“I’ve been here and won the average and been bucked off on all ten before,” Frost said. “I’ve got four years of experience coming in here. It dang sure helped me keep my head and know where I needed to be mentally to show up and perform here.”


Ryder Wright has record bronc ride in Round 4 victory

After a hiccup in Round 2 – a no score – saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright has regrouped nicely.

The two-time PRCA World Champion in 2017 and 2020, split fifth in Round 3 and then won Round 4 with a round record ride – a 90.5-point trip on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Tickled Pink Sunday night.

“I was tickled pink when I got the draw last night. I knew that horse was going to go out and buck for me,” Wright said. “I had to keep my foot on the gas otherwise he was going to buck me off. But those are the kind of horses you want here. Money or mud.”

Wright broke the Round 4 record of 90 points shared by Jesse Kruse on Calgary Stampede’s Hell’s Half Ace in 2009; and Jesse Wright on Frontier Rodeo’s Wild Bill in 2012. Jesse is Ryder’s uncle.

“That was a tough group of horses. We have to face them again in Round 9, so it was nice to come out ahead with the go-round win. It really shows that you belong to be here,” Ryder said. “That’s pretty awesome (to break the Round 4 record). They just told me that when I got down here.”


Tie-down roper Riley Webb keeps on winning

The mission is clear for reigning PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion Riley Webb – defend his title.

The Denton, Texas, cowboy is well on his way as he won his third round in four days at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.

Webb’s latest triumph came in Round 4 when he clocked a 7.5-second run. Webb captured Round 1 (7.0 seconds), and Round 2 (7.8 seconds). He also was second in Round 3 (7.1 seconds).

“The first couple of nights we were (staying at the South Point) because we were there for the breakaway,” Webb said. “I thought we were going to be done at the South Point for a couple days, but it just so happened that we got out there the first two nights and it’s felt like we’ve been there for a week and now we get to go back.

“You know just running up good enough calves and doing my job. I haven’t really been roping for the rounds, I’ve just been trying to go out there and do my best.”

The performance of Webb has not gone unnoticed by ProRodeo Hall of Famer Joe Beaver.

“Roping is so easy when you are Riley Webb,” Beaver said. “You just show up right now nod your head and then when you get there that’s when you take your victory lap, and you get your paycheck and that’s when you know you’re rolling baby.”

Webb has won the most of any contestant so far at the Wrangler NFR with $137,685.


Bradlee Miller returns to top in Round 4

Bradlee Miller earned his first trip to the South Point with a Round 2 win on Friday night during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.

Things didn’t go his way the following night and he finished 15th in the round.

A conversation with a PRORODEO veteran helped Miller get things back on track in Round 4 Sunday. Miller put together an 88.5-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo's Resistol's Secrets Out.

“In my mind, there was no Round 3,” Miller said. “Tim O’Connell told me earlier today that I need to forget about yesterday because it’s in the past and keep moving forward. My first two rounds, I rode the way that I wanted to. Yesterday, I got led around and didn’t ride very strong. So, I knew today I had to give it all I had and bring it.”

O’Connell, a three-time PRCA Bareback Riding World Champion from 2016-18, started mentoring Miller as an amateur rodeo athlete. O’Connell even let Miller ride in the rig to a rodeo when he was 17 years old.

“To this day, he’s been a big influence and help in my life,” Miller said.

Drawing Resistol’s Secrets Out made the quick turnaround more than just a possibility.

“Whenever I saw what I had drawn, I knew I had a really good shot at a win,” Miller said. “I just had to bring my ‘A’ game, and that horse might have been better than I expected. It felt like we were jumping really high.”

Miller, who is making his inaugural Wrangler NFR appearance, has earned $103,998 in Vegas.


J.D. Struxness takes steer wrestling win

Veteran steer wrestler J.D. Struxness isn’t letting a no time in Round 1 deter his Wrangler NFR presented by Teton Ridge appearance.

Struxness proved that by winning Round 4 with a 3.6-second run.

That run pushed his money earnings at this year’s NFR to $72,122.

“A 3.6 in this building is pretty fast,” said Struxness, 29. “This is the second time the steers have been through here so, we knew (the steers), and we made the game plan. We knew we would have a pretty good opportunity on him if we hit the start. The two horses we’re using this week, we have a lot of confidence in them. So, you back in there knowing you have a good one that gives you an opportunity to hit the barrier and go make a run.

“(This) definitely helps the bank account to get that big of a check ($33,687), still in the first half of the week, is a huge ice breaker, lets you loosen up and roll, gives a confidence boost to keep it rolling”

Struxness was quick to credit his horsepower Crush, the 2024 PRCA Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year owned by Ty Erickson.

“That horse, that horse is rock solid in the corner, he leaves when we drop our hand just like you would want a horse to out here and runs hard all the way to the back end and gives you a chance to catch every steer.”

Struxness, a six-time qualifier for the Wrangler NFR, is second in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $219,388.


Four duos split team roping round win

The go-round buckle presentation at the South Point Resort & Casino got a little more crowded on Sunday night.

Dustin Egusquiza and Levi Lord; Clint Summers and Jake Long; J.C. Yeahquo and Buddy Hawkins II; and Cody Snow and Hunter Koch split the Round 4 title four ways with 4.1-second runs.

The round win marked the first of Yeahquo’s six-year career in his first trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.

“It's awesome,” the header said of his first winning run in Las Vegas. “This was a good night for me. I'm just excited to be here, happy I got a good steer, and my partner did a good job. And it all came together good.”

Lord, currently second in the PRCA | RAM World Standings for heelers, felt his run with Egusquiza left a bit to be desired but was pleased with the outcome.

“Four-one around here isn’t too good anymore,” Lord said. “It’s a good round, it usually places, but it doesn't win very many rounds anymore. And I don't think any of us thought we were going to win the round.

“Nobody made a great run. But it was one of those nights where a couple of teams had heck that should have beat us, and we're just lucky to be here.”


Kassie Mowry captures first round win at 2024 NFR

Kassie Mowry faced adversity from the jump at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.

In Round 1, Mowry tipped a barrel that resulted in an 18.34-second run, putting her back against the wall in the average on night one. The experienced cowgirl didn’t let it faze her.

She has bounced back with three straight go-round finishes in the top two, including a win in Round 4 on Sunday night with a round record at 13.43 seconds. The previous best was 13.46 seconds by Wenda Johnson in 2021.

“This is an incredible feeling,” Mowry said. “The horsepower back there is incredible. So, to come out on top against a stacked field is awesome. I really have to go into jockey mode and get the most out of my horse.”

Over the four nights of competition, Mowry has earned $96,935. Moving herself up to second in the race for a gold buckle.

“I have faith in my horse and know that he can do it,” Mowry said. “I didn’t come in here with any expectations. My goal was to get here, and I never really thought past that. I’m just enjoying being here and being with my horse. He carried me through a really tough year.”


2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Results
Round 4, Dec. 8
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

Bareback Riding: Fourth round: 1. Bradlee Miller on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo Resistol's Secrets Out, 88.5 points, $33,687; 2. (tie) Leighton Berry and Dean Thompson, 86.5, $23,364 each; 4. Rocker Steiner, 86, $14,127; 5. Weston Timberman, 85.5, $8,693; 6. (tie) Cooper Cooke, Cole Franks and R.C. Landingham, 85, $1,811 each; 9. Jess Pope, 84.5; 10. (tie) Richmond Champion and Keenan Hayes, 83 each; 12. (tie) Jacob Lees and Cole Reiner, 82.5 each; 14. Garrett Shadbolt, 82; 15. Taylor Broussard, 79. Average leaders: 1. Cole Franks, 342 points on four head; 2. (tie) Keenan Hayes and Dean Thompson, 338.5 each; 4. Jess Pope, 337; 5. Weston Timberman, 336; 6. Cooper Cooke, 335; 7. Cole Reiner, 330.5; 8. (tie) R.C. Landingham, Leighton Berry and Taylor Broussard, 328; 11. Richmond Champion, 327; 12. (tie) Jacob Lees and Bradlee Miller, 324; 14. Garrett Shadbolt, 323.5; 15. Rocker Steiner, 255 points on three head. World Standings: 1. Keenan Hayes, $281,244; 2. Rocker Steiner, $271,573; 3. Bradlee Miller, $241,363; 4. Dean Thompson, $229,829; 5. Jess Pope, $221,260; 6. Weston Timberman, $206,480; 7. Leighton Berry, $206,319; 8. Cole Franks, $204,253; 9. R.C. Landingham, $183,231; 10. Cooper Cooke, $177,502; 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: Fourth round: 1. J.D. Struxness, 3.6 seconds, $33,687; 2. (tie) Ty Erickson and Scott Guenthner, 3.7, $23,364 each; 4. Dakota Eldridge, 3.8, $14,127; 5. Cash Robb, 3.9, $8,693; 6. Justin Shaffer, 4.2, $5,433; 7. (tie) Tucker Allen and Don Payne, 4.3 each; 9. Tyler Pearson, 4.5; 10. Tyler Waguespack, 4.8; 11. Stetson Jorgensen, 4.9; 12. Will Lummus, 5.2; 13. Rowdy Parrott, 5.3; 14. Jesse Brown, 8.8; 15. Dalton Massey, 9.9. Average leaders: 1. Will Lummus, 16.6 seconds on four head; 2. Tucker Allen, 17.2; 3. Rowdy Parrott, 17.3; 4. Cash Robb, 17.8; 5. Dakota Eldridge, 17.9; 6. Stetson Jorgensen, 18.0; 7. Don Payne, 18.8; 8. Tyler Waguespack, 22.5; 9. Jesse Brown, 25.2; 10. Tyler Pearson, 36.9; 11. (tie) J.D. Struxness and Justin Shaffer, 12.0 seconds on three head each; 13. Ty Erickson, 13.0; 14. Scott Guenthner, 21.5; 15. Dalton Massey, 22.9. World Standings: 1. Will Lummus, $226,212; 2. J.D. Struxness, $219,388; 3. Dalton Massey, $209,263; 4. Dakota Eldridge, $202,222; 5. Stetson Jorgensen, $193,093; 6. Rowdy Parrott, $182,725; 7. Cash Robb, $152,614; 8. Jesse Brown, $152,329; 9. Tucker Allen, $144,368; 10. Justin Shaffer, $140,250; 11. Ty Erickson, $138,454; 12. Don Payne, $132,655; 13. Scott Guenthner, $124,712; 14. Tyler Pearson, $124,678; 15. Tyler Waguespack, $102,656.

Team Roping: Fourth round: 1. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, Clint Summers/Jake Long and J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, 4.1 seconds, $23,635 each; 5. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 4.3, $8,693; 6. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 4.7, $5,433; 7. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 4.8; 8. Luke Brown/Travis Graves, 5.7; 9. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 18.6; 10. Derrick Begay/Jonathan Torres, Cyle Denison/Tanner Braden, Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp and Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, NT. Average leaders: 1. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 16.9 seconds on four head; 2. Luke Brown/Travis Graves, 26.6; 3. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 33.5; 4. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 37.6; 5. Clint Summers/Jake Long, 12.7 seconds on three head; 6. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 13.1; 7. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 17.2; 8. Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, 17.7; 9. J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, 18.5; 10. Derrick Begay/Jonathan Torres, 24.0; 11. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 7.4 seconds on two head; 12. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 7.8; 13. Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, 9.0; 14. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 13.0; 15. Cyle Denison/Tanner Braden, 4.7 seconds on one head. World Standings (headers): 1. Tyler Wade, $269,112; 2. Dustin Egusquiza, $264,799; 3. Kaleb Driggers, $217,516; 4. Coleman Proctor, $200,021; 5. Clint Summers, $186,561; 6. Brenten Hall, $182,391; 7. J.C. Yeahquo, $171,341; 8. Andrew Ward, $166,685; 9. Erich Rogers, $165,041; 10. Cody Snow, $153,314; 11. Jake Smith, $144,800; 12. Luke Brown, $134,482; 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, $264,799; 3. Junior Nogueira, $228,642; 4. Jake Long, $189,999; 5. Logan Medlin, $186,788; 6. Kaden Profili, $183,564; 7. Paul Eaves, $165,640; 8. Buddy Hawkins II, $159,835; 9. Kollin VonAhn, $155,486; 10. Hunter Koch, $155,325; 11. Douglas Rich, $144,800; 12. Jonathan Torres, $141,832; 13. Coleby Payne, $137,630; 14. Tanner Braden, $134,959; 15. Travis Graves, $129,106.

Saddle Bronc Riding: Fourth round: 1. Ryder Wright on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Tickled Pink, 90.5 points, $33,687; 2. Wyatt Casper, 87.5, $26,624; 3. Lefty Holman, 87, $20,104; 4. Brody Wells, 86, $14,127; 5. Dawson Hay, 85, $8,693; 6. Damian Brennan, 84.5, $5,433; 7. (tie) Kade Bruno and Sage Newman, 84 each; 9. Zachary Dallas, 83.5; 10. Zeke Thurston, 80.5; 11. Kolby Wanchuk, 79.5; 12. Ben Andersen, 74.5; 13. Brody Cress, Logan Hay and Statler Wright, NS. Average leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 341.5 points on four head; 2. Dawson Hay, 340.5; 3. Wyatt Casper, 339.5; 4. Damian Brennan, 336.5; 5. Kade Bruno, 329.5; 6. Kolby Wanchuk, 329; 7. Zac Dallas, 325; 8. Ben T. Andersen, 318; 9. Ryder Wright, 261.5 points on three head; 10. Brody Wells, 256; 11. Brody Cress, 253.5; 12. Sage Newman, 252.5; 13. Statler Wright, 247; 14. Lefty Holman, 246; 15. Logan Hay, 163.5 points on two head. World Standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $326,282; 2. Damian Brennan, $312,584; 3. Zeke Thurston, $305,875; 4. Wyatt Casper, $282,125; 5. Brody Cress, $260,030; 6. Kade Bruno, $255,959; 7. Lefty Holman, $237,839; 8. Dawson Hay, $213,279; 9. Sage Newman, $209,712; 10. Brody Wells, $193,617; 11. Statler Wright, $182,824; 12. Kolby Wanchuk, $170,028; 13. Zachary Dallas, $139,157; 14. Ben Andersen, $137,285; 15. Logan Hay, $137,250.

Tie-Down Roping: Fourth round: 1. Riley Mason Webb, 7.5 seconds, $33,687; 2. Zack Jongbloed, 8.0, $26,624; 3. (tie) Shane Hanchey and Dylan Hancock, 8.2, $17,115 each; 5. Cole Clemons, 8.3, $8,693; 6. Ty Harris, 8.7, $5,433; 7. Quade Hiatt, 9.4; 8. Marty Yates, 9.5; 9. Shad Mayfield, 9.6; 10. Tuf Cooper, 9.7; 11. John Douch, 10.8; 12. Haven Meged, 13.9; 13. Kincade Henry, 20.2; 14. Joel Harris, 22.8; 15. Hunter Herrin, NT. Average leaders: 1. Riley Mason Webb, 29.4 seconds on four head; 2. Tuf Cooper, 34.1; 3. Zack Jongbloed, 34.5; 4. Shad Mayfield, 35.0; 5. Ty Harris, 36.7; 6. Shane Hanchey, 38.1; 7. Quade Hiatt, 38.2; 8. Dylan Hancock, 42.8; 9. Haven Meged, 44.3; 10. Cole Clemons, 44.7; 11. Joel Harris, 47.5; 12. Kincade Henry, 48.3; 13. Marty Yates, 26.6 seconds on three head; 14. John Douch, 28.1; 15. Hunter Herrin, 36.7. World Standings: 1. Riley Mason Webb, $354,592; 2. Shad Mayfield, $313,190; 3. Ty Harris, $268,293; 4. Haven Meged, $231,309; 5. Zack Jongbloed, $203,061; 6. Shane Hanchey, $187,677; 7. Dylan Hancock, $179,398; 8. Joel Harris, $173,537; 9. John Douch, $171,237; 10. Marty Yates, $165,868; 11. Tuf Cooper, $165,698; 12. Hunter Herrin, $162,796; 13. Kincade Henry, $150,958; 14. Quade Hiatt, $132,084; 15. Cole Clemons, $122,111.

Barrel Racing: Fourth round: 1. Kassie Mowry, 13.43 seconds, $33,687; 2. Carlee Otero, 13.59, $26,624; 3. Hailey Kinsel, 13.61, $20,104; 4. Tiany Schuster, 13.68, $14,127; 5. Halyn Lide, 13.72, $8,693; 6. (tie) LaTricia Duke and Shelley Morgan, 13.75, $2,717 each; 8. Ashley Castleberry, 13.79; 9. Andrea Busby, 13.81; 10. Emily Beisel, 13.82; 11. Dona Rule, 14.04; 12. Wenda Johnson, 18.87; 13. Lisa Lockhart, 18.92; 14. Abby Phillips, 19.29; 15. Leslie Smalygo, 29.28. Average leaders: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 53.95 seconds on four runs; 2. Tiany Schuster, 54.76; 3. Andrea Busby, 54.81; 4. Ashley Castleberry, 55.05; 5. LaTricia Duke, 55.61; 6. Kassie Mowry, 58.86; 7. Carlee Otero, 59.87; 8. Emily Beisel, 60.04; 9. Shelley Morgan, 60.19; 10. Abby Phillips, 60.56; 11. Dona Kay Rule, 60.95; 12. Wenda Johnson, 65.18; 13. Halyn Lide, 65.87; 14. Lisa Lockhart, 70.24; 15. Leslie Smalygo, 56.96 seconds on three runs. World standings: 1. Hailey Kinsel, $335,268; 2. Kassie Mowry, $259,218; 3. Leslie Smalygo, $214,057; 4. Ashley Castleberry, $203,055; 5. Tiany Schuster, $193,841; 6. Carlee Otero, $176,137; 7. Andrea Busby, $165,761; 8. Emily Beisel, $164,005; 9. Abby Phillips, $151,037; 10. Lisa Lockhart, $150,888; 11. LaTricia Duke, $150,541; 12. Halyn Lide, $140,659; 13. Dona Kay Rule, $131,481; 14. Wenda Johnson, $127,970; 15. Shelley Morgan, $126,623.

Bull Riding: First Fourth round: 1. Josh Frost, 86.5 points on Sutton Rodeos' One Chance, $37,219; 2. Tyler Bingham, 84.5, $30,155; 3. Trey Kimzey, 82.5, $23,635; 4. Jace Trosclair, 82, $17,659; 5. (tie) Wacey Schalla, T.J. Gray, Hayes Weight, Clayton Sellars, Jeter Lawrence, Chase Dougherty, Cooper James, Trevor Reiste, Tristen Hutchings, Jordan Spears and Dustin Boquet, NS. 16. Creek Young, Inj. Average leaders: 1. Tristen Hutchings, 257.5 points on three head; 2. Josh Frost, 254; 3. Cooper James, 251.5; 4. Jace Trosclair, 250.5; 5. Tyler Bingham, 250; 6. Trey Kimzey, 170 points on two head; 7. Clayton Sellars, 166; 8. Jeter Lawrence, 87.5 points on one head; 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, NS. 16. Creek Young, Inj. World standings: 1. Josh Frost, $296,860; 2. Jace Trosclair, $268,878; 3. T.J. Gray, $254,844; 4. Clayton Sellars, $252,140; 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. Trey Kimzey, $195,777; 11. Chase Dougherty, $187,510; 12. Tyler Bingham, $178,268; 13. Trevor Reiste, $177,733; 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, $156,496; 7. Tyler Pearson, $123,479; 8. Paden Bray, $107,547. 9. Jake Clay, $101,966; 10. Slade Wood, $97,955.

Top Gun: 1. Riley Mason Webb, $137,685; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $131,165; 3. Bradlee Miller, $103,998; 4. Kassie Mowry, $96,935; 5. Zeke Thurston, $94,490; 6. Josh Frost, $81,178; 7. (tie) Wesley Thorp, Tyler Wade, Tristen Hutchings and Will Lummus, $77,374 each.