Ryder Wright Stays in Hunt for World Title with Round 8 Victory

LAS VEGAS

Courtesy of PRCA

Saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright missed his mark out in Round 2 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge, but since then he’s been lights out.

Wright marked his third round win of the NFR with an 88-point ride on Korkow Rodeos’ Kadoka Coolaid. He was quick to credit the horse underneath him for the victory in front of 17,015 spectators Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

“I saw him the other day with Dawson Hay in Round 3,” said Wright, a two-time PRCA World Champion. “I knew he was going to have one wild jump in him, then stack up and be awesome. He did exactly that.”

Wright has earned $160,506 after eight nights in Las Vegas. He holds the No. 1 spot in the PRCA | RAM World Standings and believes he’s riding as good right now as he has all year.

“I’m in a really, really good spot right now,” Wright said. “The saddle is feeling good, and my mental game feels good, so I can’t complain. I’m drawing great horses, so the plan is to keep chugging away.”


Ty Erickson strikes paydirt with Round 8 win

The heart of a champion is not one to be taken lightly. Steer wrestler Ty Erickson proved that on Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Sitting in the middle of the pack on the daysheet, Erickson was chasing a 4.0-second run by Dalton Massey that led off the round. He didn’t shy away from the moment, clocking a 3.6-second effort to capture his first round win in Las Vegas.

“Yeah, my horse (Crush) worked outstanding tonight. He has been the whole week,” said Erickson, the 2019 PRCA World Champion. “He kind of turned his head right when I nodded, I wasn’t sure if I was going to get out of the barrier or not. It all worked out and ended up getting the W.”

The win added $33,687, moving him up to 10th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. He currently sits 12th in the NFR Average race with 31.0 seconds on seven head.

“My week has been kind of slow, but like I said, my horse is working great,” Erickson said. “I feel like I’m bulldogging good, I mean 2 rounds at the National Finals Rodeo can change a lot man.”

Erickson has his sights set on a strong finish in the final two rounds.

“I am just going to keep trying to get great starts, making good runs and we’ll see what happens,” Erickson said. “That's ultimately all you can do here, just trying to do your job at the end.”


Ty Harris, Marty Yates share round win

Marty Yates needed a pick-me-up, and Ty Harris needed a boost in his quest for a world championship.

Both of them got what they came for during Round 8 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. Harris and Yates clocked 7.3-second runs to get the round win.

“Oh, it feels awesome. I haven’t had a good week at all, so to finally get a round win and get some money in my pocket, it’s awesome,” said Yates. “Anytime you’re making this walk right here it’s usually a good sign.”

Yates earned $30,155 on the run, moving to 14th in the average with 52.2 seconds on six head.

“I knew there were a lot of good guys going after me,” he said. “When I roped the round was still pretty soft, so I knew I just had to make a good run. I just happened to have a really good calf and it all just came together.”

Harris is fourth in the world standings with $307,142 and is seventh in the average with 79.3 seconds on eight head.

“Well, it feels a lot better than last night. I can promise you that,” said Harris, who had a 12.8-second time in Round 7. “That’s a long walk back up that Thomas & Mack. It’s a short arena but it feels about like Pendleton after you’ve got two ropes on the ground. And you struggle so bad so it sure is nice to be doing this walk instead and I’m excited to make two more runs.”


Dean Thompson earns first solo round win

Dean Thompson competed in 14 rounds at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge before he picked up his first round win when he split with Jacob Lees in Round 5.

The 22-year-old only went three days before he picked up his second in Round 8. And this time, he didn’t have to share it.

Thompson paired with Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Priefert’s Dusty Roads for an 88-point ride and $33,687 payday.

“It was pretty awesome having one with Jake (Lees). I’m tickled to have this one by myself,” Thompson. “That was insane, and it feels amazing.”

Thompson said he watched film on Priefert’s Dusty Roads when he received the draw and knew exactly how it’d set up in the bucking chutes.

“This is a horse that doesn’t buck really comfortable. This thing doesn’t buck scared either, it just bucks mad,” he said. “This horse is not excited that you’re trying to strap it, and it wants you down bad. So, it’s going to pull any trick out of its sleeve that it can.”

The round win placed Thompson squarely in position to push for a PRCA World Championship. He moved to fourth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $293,672 and second in the NFR Average at 680.5 points on eight head.

“Tonight, it was time to bear down,” Thompson said. “I was thinking beforehand that it’s not supposed to be easy, and sometimes it’s not even supposed to be fun. Pressure is a privilege, and it’s a beautiful thing. So tonight, the pressure was awesome.”


Driggers/Nogueira jumpstart title chances in Round 8

The team roping race remains wide open after Round 8 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.

Header Kaleb Driggers and heeler Junior Nogueira assured their spot in the thick of it on Thursday at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The duo rattled off a 3.4-second run – a tenth of a second off the arena record – to earn the Round 8 win.

“We had a really good steer and our biggest game plan tonight, with the round being a little bit softer, was to not run over ourselves,” Driggers said. “The run more or less presented itself for us. I was going to stay on the barrier and make sure I got a good start.

“He was right there, and I stuck it on him. And (Junior) cleaned him up fast.”

The run which paid $33,687, moved the duo to second in the PRCA | RAM World Standings and positioned them seventh in the NFR Average at 33.2 seconds on six head.

“We don’t want to get a no time, but we’ve still got to push it,” Nogueira said. “We want to stay in the average, but if we win a round, it’s $33,000.”


Hayes Weight snaps skid with round win

Hayes Weight entered Round 8 searching for his first qualified bull ride of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.

Two Step, an unridden bull from Sutton Rodeos, presented the perfect opportunity for a breakout performance.

Weight took advantage with an 88-point ride to earn the Round 8 win, his first since Round 10 of the 2023 NFR.

“When you get one rode down here, it’s the best feeling in the world,” Weight said. “To be able to do that and win the round, I’m just so blessed and thankful for it.”

Weight earned $37,219 for his eight seconds of work. The trip bumped him to fifth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings.

He said the key to outlasting Two Step was getting his rope really sticky and gathering intel from his fellow competitors.

“This year, I just really wanted to get one early on and build some momentum,” Weight said. “To be able to do that breaks the ice and shows you that you’re here for a reason.”


Mowry/Morgan split historical Round 8 win

Shelley Morgan and Kassie Mowry put on a show for the sold-out crowd on Thursday night at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.

The duo captured the Round 8 win with a pair of 13.45-second runs. Mowry made history by becoming the first woman to win five straight rounds at the NFR since WPRA President Jimmie Munroe accomplished the feat in 1984.

“This is incredible, just unimaginable at this point,” said Mowry. “This horse (Jarvis) is just blowing me away. I have no words for this horse right now if we’re being honest.”

For Shelley Morgan, it marked the first-round win of her career in five trips to the National Finals Rodeo.

“I’ve been trying so far, maybe I’ve been trying a little too hard this Finals to get a round win,” said Morgan. “That’s one thing that I was really wanting to capture at the South Point. So, it means a lot to get that done and what a better person to share it with than Kassie (Mowry).”

Mowry strengthened her hold on the No. 1 spot in the world standings with her eyes set on a gold buckle. But for now, that thought isn’t on her mind.

“I’m not really thinking about a gold buckle right now,” Mowry said. “A lot of people just want to see a new arena record right now. I just want to keep the barrels up and keep staying consistent. That’s what’s on my mind right now.”

Barrel racer Dona Kay Rule suffered multiple injuries during her Round 8 run, including a head abrasion and left ankle sprain. Her competition status for the remainder of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge is undetermined.


2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Results
Round 8, Dec. 12
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

Bareback Riding: Eighth Round: 1. Dean Thompson, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo's Priefert's Dusty Roads, $33,687; 2. Rocker Steiner, 87.5, $26,624; 3. Bradlee Miller, 87, $20,104; 4. Cole Franks, 86, $14,127; 5. R.C. Landingham, 85.5, $8,693; 6. Weston Timberman, 84.5, $5,433; 7. Jess Pope, 83.5; 8. Richmond Champion, 82; 9. Keenan Hayes, 81.5; 10. Cole Reiner, 79; 11. Garrett Shadbolt, 77.5; 12. Leighton Berry, 76.5; 13. Jacob Lees, 73.5; 14. Cooper Cooke, 64.5; 15. Taylor Broussard, NS. Average leaders: 1. Cole Franks, 682 points on eight head; 2. Dean Thompson, 680.5; 3. Keenan Hayes, 679; 4. Weston Timberman, 678; 5. Bradlee Miller, 676; 6. Jess Pope, 670; 7. Cole Reiner, 667; 8. (tie) R.C. Landingham and Richmond Champion, 664 each; 10. Leighton Berry, 662.5; 11. Cooper Cooke, 646; 12. Garrett Shadbolt, 644.5; 13. Jacob Lees, 640; 14. Rocker Steiner, 606.5 points on seven head; 15. Taylor Broussard, 570.5. World Standings: 1. Rocker Steiner, $365,571; 2. Bradlee Miller, $335,905; 3. Keenan Hayes, $303,068; 4. Dean Thompson, $293,672; 5. Jess Pope, $241,363; 6. Weston Timberman, $237,451; 7. Cole Franks, $223,089; 8. Leighton Berry, $215,012; 9. R.C. Landingham, $209,040; 10. Jacob Lees, $178,518; 11. Cooper Cooke, $177,502; 12. Cole Reiner, $158,901; 13. Taylor Broussard, $158,335; 14. Richmond Champion, $153,092; 15. Garrett Shadbolt, $147,096.

Steer Wrestling: Eighth Round: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.6 seconds, $33,687; 2. (tie) J.D. Struxness, Cash Robb and Scott Guenthner, 3.9, $20,285 each; 5. Dalton Massey, 4.0, $8,693; 6. Dakota Eldridge, $5,433; 7. (tie) Don Payne, Rowdy Parrott and Tyler Waguespack, 4.2 each; 10. Will Lummus, 4.3; 11. Justin Shaffer, 4.5; 12. Tucker Allen, 4.6; 13. Tyler Pearson, 5.0; 14. Stetson Jorgensen, 14.1; 15. Jesse Brown, NT. Average leaders: 1. Cash Robb, 33.9 seconds on eight head; 2. Will Lummus, 34.1; 3. Rowdy Parrott, 34.2; 4. Tucker Allen, 36.0; 5. Don Payne, 37.1; 6. Tyler Waguespack, 38.7; 7. Stetson Jorgensen, 46.7; 8. Tyler Pearson, 57.8; 9. J.D. Struxness, 28.4 seconds on seven head; 10. Dakota Eldridge, 29.4; 11. Justin Shaffer, 30.2; 12. Ty Erickson, 31.0; 13. Jesse Brown, 36.8; 14. Scott Guenthner, 37.6; 15. Dalton Massey, 38.0 seconds on six head. World Standings: 1. Dakota Eldridge, $264,434; 2. J.D. Struxness, $251,083; 3. Will Lummus, $237,622; 4. Dalton Massey, $217,956; 5. Jesse Brown, $216,172; 6. Rowdy Parrott, $202,829; 7. Cash Robb, $201,152; 8. Scott Guenthner, $198,787; 9. Stetson Jorgensen, $193,093; 10. Ty Erickson, $172,141; 11. Don Payne, $159,279; 12. Justin Shaffer, $157,365; 13. Tucker Allen, $144,368; 14. Tyler Waguespack, $133,898; 15. Tyler Pearson, $130,112.

Team Roping: Eighth round: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 3.4 seconds, $33,687; 2. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 4.1, $26,624; 3. Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, 4.3, $20,104; 4. Derrick Begay/Jonathan Torres, 4.4, $14,127; 5. Clint Summers/Jake Long, 4.8, $8,693; 6. Cyle Denison/Tanner Braden, 5.2, $5,433; 7. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 9.4; 8. J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, 10.6; 9. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 19.3; 10. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, Jake Smith/Douglas, Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, Luke Brown/Travis Graves and Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, NT. Average leaders: 1. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 71.8 seconds on eight head; 2. Clint Summers/Jake Long, 36.0 seconds on seven; 3. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 39.7; 4. J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, 41.5; 5. Derrick Begay/Jonathan Torres, 51.4; 6. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 24.7 seconds on six head; 7. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 33.2; 8. Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, 36.0; 9. Luke Brown/Travis Graves, 46.0; 10. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 52.7; 11. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 25.0 seconds on five head; 12. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 14.6 seconds on four head; 13. Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, 18.0; 14. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 19.8; 15. Cyle Denison/Tanner Braden, 13.6 seconds on three head. World Standings (headers): 1. Tyler Wade, $326,163; 2. Kaleb Driggers, $280,000; 3. Dustin Egusquiza, $278,925; 4. Coleman Proctor, $263,048; 5. Clint Summers, $221,879; 6. Brenten Hall, $221,511; 7. J.C. Yeahquo, $214,808; 8. Andrew Ward, $198,198; 9. Cody Snow, $179,938; 10. Erich Rogers, $167,757; 11. Clay Smith, $154,053; 12. Jake Smith, $144,800; 13. Derrick Begay, $143,322; 14. Cyle Denison, $138,372; 15. Luke Brown, $134,482. World Standings (heelers): 1. Wesley Thorp, $326,163; 2. Junior Nogueira, $291,126; 3. Levi Lord, $278,925; 4. Logan Medlin, $249,815; 5. Jake Long, $225,316; 6. Kaden Profili, $222,684; 7. Buddy Hawkins II, $203,302; 8. Kollin VonAhn, $187,000; 9. Hunter Koch, $181,949; 10. Paul Eaves, $168,356; 11. Coleby Payne, $163,167; 12. Jonathan Torres, $155,959; 13. Tanner Braden, $154,519; 14. Douglas Rich, $144,800; 15. Travis Graves, $129,106.

Saddle Bronc Riding: Eighth round: 1. Ryder Wright, 88 points on Korkow Rodeos' Kadoka Coolaid, $33,687; 2. Dawson Hay, 87, $26,624; 3. Wyatt Casper, 86.5, $20,104; 4. Damian Brennan, 86, $14,127; 5. Brody Cress, 84.5, $8,693; 6. Brody Wells, 84, $5,433; 7. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk and Ben Andersen, 83.5 each; 9. Sage Newman, 83; 10. Kade Bruno, 82.5; 11. (tie) Lefty Holman and Logan Hay, 82 each; 13. (tie) Zeke Thurston and Zac Dallas, 81.5 each; 15. Statler Wright, NS. Average leaders: 1. Wyatt Casper, 687 points on eight head; 2. Dawson Hay, 681; 3. Damian Brennan, 679; 4. Zeke Thurston, 675.5; 5. Kolby Wanchuk, 661.5; 6. Zac Dallas, 660.5; 7. Kade Bruno, 658.5; 8. Ben Andersen, 648.5; 9. Ryder Wright, 611 points on seven head; 10. Brody Cress, 597; 11. Brody Wells, 594; 12. Sage Newman, 590.5; 13. Lefty Holman, 583; 14. Statler Wright, 510 points on six head; 15. Logan Hay, 415.5 points on five head. World Standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $411,768; 2. Wyatt Casper, $352,941; 3. Damian Brennan, $346,815; 4. Brody Cress, $325,774; 5. Zeke Thurston, $320,002; 6. Kade Bruno, $255,959; 7. Statler Wright, $250,923; 8. Lefty Holman, $247,891; 9. Dawson Hay, $239,903; 10. Brody Wells, $229,206; 11. Sage Newman, $218,406; 12. Kolby Wanchuk, $171,386; 13. Zachary Dallas, $146,220; 14. Logan Hay, $144,041; 15. Ben Andersen, $137,285.

Tie-down roping: Eighth round: 1. (tie) Ty Harris and Marty Yates, 7.3 seconds, $30,155 each; 3. Shane Hanchey, 8.1, $20,104; 4. (tie) Riley Mason Webb and Tuf Cooper, 8.7, $11,410 each; 6. Haven Meged, 8.8, $5,433; 7. (tie) Shad Mayfield and Quade Hiatt, 8.9 each; 9. John Douch, 9.3; 10. Kincade Henry, 9.4; 11. Dylan Hancock, 9.9; 12. Zack Jongbloed, 10.0; 13. Joel Harris, 10.9; 14. (tie) Hunter Herrin and Cole Clemons, NT. Average leaders: 1. Riley Mason Webb, 63.0 seconds on eight head; 2. Shad Mayfield, 70.1; 3. Shane Hanchey, 72.2; 4. Haven Meged, 75.1; 5. Quade Hiatt, 75.2; 6. Dylan Hancock, 79.2; 7. Ty Harris, 79.3; 8. Kincade Henry, 82.6; 9. Joel Harris, 83.0; 10. Tuf Cooper, 61.1 seconds on seven head; 11. Zack Jongbloed, 64.5; 12. John Douch, 72.1; 13. Cole Clemons, 84.9; 14. Marty Yates, 52.2 seconds on six head; 15. Hunter Herrin, 64.0 seconds on five head. World Standings: 1. Riley Mason Webb, $380,129; 2. Shad Mayfield, $356,658; 3. Haven Meged, $323,677; 4. Ty Harris, $307,142; 5. Joel Harris, $221,351; 6. Shane Hanchey, $218,647; 7. Dylan Hancock, $213,086; 8. Marty Yates, $207,434; 9. Zack Jongbloed, $203,061; 10. John Douch, $191,341; 11. Tuf Cooper, $188,518; 12. Kincade Henry, $174,322; 13. Hunter Herrin, $162,796; 14. Quade Hiatt, $146,211; 15. Cole Clemons, $122,111.

Barrel Racing: Eighth round: 1. (tie) Kassie Mowry and Shelley Morgan, 13.45 seconds, $30,155 each; 3. Emily Beisel, 13.47, $20,104; 4. Leslie Smalygo, 13.51, $14,127; 5. Andrea Busby, 13.59, $8,693; 6. Lisa Lockhart, 13.61, $5,433; 7. Halyn Lide, 13.62; 8. Hailey Kinsel, 13.64; 9. Tiany Schuster, 13.68; 10. LaTricia Duke, 13.95; 11. Wenda Johnson, 14.07; 12. Ashley Castleberry, 18.77; 13. Abby Phillips, 18.79; 14. Carlee Otero, 19.09; 15. Dona Kay Rule, NT. Average leaders: 1. Andrea Busby, 108.99 seconds on eight runs; 2. LaTricia Duke, 111.01; 3. Kassie Mowry, 112.18; 4. Tiany Schuster, 114.56; 5. Ashley Castleberry, 115.32; 6. Hailey Kinsel, 118.25; 7. Emily Beisel, 119.47; 8. Carlee Otero, 119.67; 9. Halyn Lide, 120.78; 10. Lisa Lockhart, 124.77; 11. Abby Phillips, 125.34; 12. Wenda Johnson, 125.47; 13. Shelley Morgan, 134.95; 14. Leslie Smalygo, 111.75 seconds on seven runs; 15. Dona Kay Rule, 88.26 seconds on six runs. World standings: 1. Kassie Mowry, $390,435; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $367,325; 3. Carlee Otero, $238,078; 4. Leslie Smalygo, $228,184; 5. Andrea Busby, $226,072; 6. Emily Beisel, $204,212; 7. Ashley Castleberry, $203,055; 8. Tiany Schuster, $193,841; 9. Lisa Lockhart, $187,292; 10. Abby Phillips, $165,164; 11. Shelley Morgan, $156,778; 12. LaTricia Duke, $155,974; 13. Halyn Lide, $140,659; 14. Dona Kay Rule, $140,174; 15. Wenda Johnson, $127,970.

Bull Riding: Eighth round: 1. Hayes Weight, 88 points on Sutton Rodeos' Two Step, $37,219; 2. Wacey Schalla, 87.0, $30,155; 3. (tie) T.J. Gray and Josh Frost, 86, $20,647 each; 5. (tie) Jace Trosclair, Clayton Sellars, Jeter Lawrence, Chase Dougherty, Cooper James, Trevor Reiste, Tristen Hutchings, Jordan Spears, Trey Kimzey, Tyler Bingham and Dustin Boquet, NS. 16. Creek Young, Inj. Average leaders: 1. Josh Frost, 580 points on seven head; 2. Cooper James, 428 points on five head; 3. Tristen Hutchings, 422; 4. Jace Trosclair, 336.5 points on four head; 5. Tyler Bingham, 250 points on three head; 6. Trey Kimzey, 240.5; 7. Jordan Spears, 174 points on two head; 8. (tie) T.J. Gray and Jeter Lawrence, 172 each, 10. Chase Dougherty, 168; 11. Clayton Sellars, 166; 12. Hayes Weight, 88 points on one head; 13. Wacey Schalla, 87; 14. Trevor Reiste, 84.5; 15. Dustin Boquet, 82.5; 16. Creek Walker Young, Inj. World Standings: 1. Josh Frost, $390,496; 2. T.J. Gray, $311,532; 3. Cooper James, $301,211; 4. Jace Trosclair, $285,993; 5. Hayes Weight, $283,242; 6. Tristen Hutchings, $268,314; 7. Jeter Lawrence, $256,341; 8. Clayton Sellars, $252,140; 9. Wacey Schalla, $234,252; 10. Trey Kimzey, $210,991; 11. Chase Dougherty, $196,204; 12. Jordan Spears, $194,331; 13. Tyler Bingham, $178,268; 14. Trevor Reiste, $177,733; 15. Creek Young, $131,609.

All-around: 1. Shad Mayfield, $294,724; 2. Junior Nogueira, $293,041; 3. Coleman Proctor, $292,961; 4. Wacey Schalla, $204,577; 5. Tuf Cooper, $194,090; 6. Erich Rogers, $159,213; 7. Tyler Pearson, $128,912; 8. Paden Bray, $107,547; 9. Jake Clay, $101,966; 10. Slade Wood, $97,955.

Top Gun: 1. Kassie Mowry, $228,152; 2. Bradlee Miller, $198,540; 3. (tie) Hailey Kinsel and Riley Mason Webb, $163,222 each; 5. Josh Frost, $160,777; 6. Ryder Wright, $160,506; 7. (tie) Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp, $134,425 each; 9. Wyatt Casper, 133,157; 10. Rocker Steiner, $132,252.