Ty Erickson Surges in Standings with Round 3 Win

LAS VEGAS

Courtesy of the PRCA

Ty Erickson entered Round 3 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, sitting 14th in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings.

The veteran steer wrestler made a move in front of a raucous crowd of 17,779 spectators at the Thomas & Mack Center on Saturday night.

The 2019 PRCA World Champion laid down a 3.5-second run, the fastest of the NFR so far, to win the round, pick up a $36,668 check and move all the way up to third in the standings with seven rounds to go.

"This feels awesome. It's very hard to win around here, so anytime you can, it's pretty sweet," Erickson said. "The horse work has been great. Matt Reeves has done an amazing job hazing. For me, you know it comes down to drawing good and just making good runs. When there's that combo, stuff goes right."

The 10-time NFR qualifier from Helena, Mont., snuck into the NFR after finishing 14th in the regular season. But he started this year's Finals on a heater, tying for second in Round 1 and finishing second outright in Round 2.

Erickson's round moved his NFR earnings total to $97,727. After Round 3, he sat atop the NFR average standings at 11.6 seconds on three head.

This is Erickson's 10th NFR qualification and he continues to keep a simple mindset.

"Honestly, I'm just trying to do my job. I got a couple of things I picked out that I'm just trying to focus on every night. As long as I can do that, I think I can keep making good runs.

"I'm just trying to get the best start I can. Going forward, I want to make sure I get the nose deep and get a good finish. I want to do this again (Sunday) night."


WAYLON BOURGEOIS PICKS UP FIRST WRANGLER NFR WIN OF CAREER IN ROUND 3

It didn't take long for Waylon Bourgeois to settle in for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

He opened PRORODEO's biggest event by placing second in the round with an 86.75-point ride on Korkow Rodeo's Rubber Match. Round 2 wasn't as friendly, but he still made the pay window at No. 5.

But in Round 3, Bourgeois showed why the 2025 season has been his best yet. The 26-year-old Church Point, La., cowboy captured his first-ever round win after an 88.75-point ride on Pete Carr Rodeo's Priefert's Dusty Roads.

"Just awesome," Bourgeois said. "I can't even explain it. Awesome."

Bourgeois said he was happy to see the matchup with Dusty Roads.

He referenced 2024 PRCA Bareback Riding World Championship Dean Thompson, who won Round 8 on the bucking horse at last year's NFR.

"When I saw the draw, I got super excited," Bourgeois said. "It's kind of nerve wracking whenever you get these buckers, but you just have to focus on doing your job. She kind of ran me down the gate a little bit. I saw that as a good thing. I made sure and got my mark out and started from there."

The $36,668 paycheck increased Bourgeois' total earnings for the 2025 season to $218,637 and helped him jump six spots in the world standings from No. 11 to No. 5.

Rocker Steiner, the season leader entering the NFR, placed third in Round 3 with an 87-point ride on Championship Pro Rodeo's Hooey Rocks to earn $21,882. Steiner's lead in the race for the gold buckle is $106,000 with seven rounds to go.


THREE-WAY TIE HIGHLIGHTS ROUND 3 OF NFR TEAM ROPING

Early on in Round 3 of team roping at the 2025 Wrangler NFR, it was clear the speed of every run was steadily increasing.

Brothers Dawson/Dillon Graham set the pace at 3.8 seconds as the second team out of the box. Season leaders Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira nearly matched it with a 3.9-second run later in the round.

Then the teams of Lightning Aguilera/Kaden Profili and Kolton Schmidt/Jonathan Torres matched the mark to beat with back-to-back 3.8-second runs for a three-way tie in Round 3.

"We drew a great steer and took care of business," Dillon Graham said. "Hopefully this sets us up for the rest of the week."

Aguilera/Profili clinched a second trip to the South Point for the second time in the last three rounds of this year's NFR. It marked Aguilera's second career round win in Thomas & Mack Center, and Profili's third (Round 6, 2024 and Round 1, 2025).

They expect the times to only get faster as the NFR goes on.

"I think (Sunday) night is going to be even faster," Aguilera said. "I think overall it's only going to get faster. The steers are pretty good. I think it's going to get better, especially with how good these guys are. Best in the world."

Kolton Schmidt/Jonathan Torres earned their first trip to the round buckle presentation. This is the fourth trip to the NFR for Torres and third for Schmidt. This is the first trip to Las Vegas as a pair.

"My man Kolton did a great job. I'm just happy I could finish it off," Torres said. "I've only won once before in Round 10, so I didn't have a chance to go to the South Point. Looks like that's changing tonight."

Each roper collected $29,177 at the pay window for splitting the win. The earnings moved headers Dawson Graham to fifth, Aguilera to sixth and Schmidt to 10th in the standings. Dillon Graham to third, Profili to fourth and Torres to ninth in the heeler standings.


STATLER WRIGHT CASHES OUT IN ROUND 3

Statler Wright drew Smith Pro Rodeo's Angel Cat in Round 3 and made the most of his opportunity.

The two-time NFR qualifier matched the horse for an 88.25-point ride to earn the second-round win of his career and cash a $36,668 check.

"I feel like the first one was just wild and I don't remember much," Wright said, comparing his two go-rounds. "But this one felt like I was totally in control the whole time for the whole ride. I feel ten feet tall right now."

The win also clinched his family's third trip to the South Point Hotel Casino for the go-round buckle presentation in as many nights after his brother Stetson won three of four go-round buckles in saddle bronc and bull riding the first two nights.

In a family with 13 PRCA World Champions (dad Cody Wright two, brother Stetson eight, brother Ryder three), the 22-year-old Statler Wright indicated that he's in Las Vegas this year to make a run at a buckle of his own.

"I'm here," Statler Wright said. "I'm not just a younger Wright brother anymore. I've got something to prove."

Statler Wright earned the round win on Golden Circle of Champions night and did so while wearing a yellow hat autographed by his fellow NFR qualifiers in the roughstock events.


RILEY WEBB REBOUNDS IN ROUND 3 WITH 7-SECOND RUN

Riley Webb entered the 2025 NFR as the season leader and prepared to defend his back-to-back tie-down roping world titles.

But he quickly saw his lead diminish greatly when Shad Mayfield picked up back-to-back round wins, bringing Webb's lead down to just $1,600. He knew he needed to bounce back to maintain his lead, and he delivered with a 7-second run to pick up the Round 3 win and a trip to the pay window to collect $36,668.

"It felt great. It was a fast-handling calf. I had a chance to tie that fast. It all worked out," Webb said. "The first two I had were slower, a little off the pace. So, Rudy (his award-winning horse) gained so fast on the first two, it's kind of hard to get separation and get away, but that's the kind of calf all the calf ropers dream about running.

"The fast handling lets you go fast and show off. I did my job and made the best run I could and got paid."

Webb is no stranger to slow starts at the NFR.

In 2023 he placed fifth overall in Round 1 before missing the pay window in Round 2, much like he did this year. In Round 3, he placed first en route to his first world title.

It isn't a strategy he would like to take on a consistent basis. Last year he won the first two rounds and placed second in Round 3. That's the path he aims for when he backs into the box with his prized horse, Rudy.

"I felt like I did the best that we could tonight. We got seven more rounds and just gotta keep going and keep stacking checks. This is a marathon, not a sprint, but you got to sprint 10 times," Webb said.

"This is just like 10 one-headers, but you have to be smart at the same time and don't make a mistake to take yourself out of the average. I just need to keep doing my job every night. Keep it simple. I mean, you can't make it too hard. It's not easy. You can't overthink it."


TRISTEN HUTCHINGS FINALLY FINDS RHYTHM WITH ROUND 3 WIN

Tristen Hutchings can breathe a sigh of relief.

After being bucked off twice in rounds 1 and 2, the Monteview, Idaho, cowboy finished Round 3 with the highest-marked ride of the NFR so far at 90.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo's Vitalix Smokin Hott.

"I got bucked off the first two bulls so I'm just glad to get something rolling," Hutchings said. "It felt wild. I don't know what he did at the beginning, but he had a tricky start and that got me out of whack. It forced me to push back and ride it from there on out."

Hutchings' ride was the third-highest point total by a cowboy on the back of Smokin Hott this season.

World leader Stetson Wright rode the bull for 91.5 points at the Rodeo of the Ozarks in Springdale, Ark., in June. Wright was on the back of the same bull in July when he went for 92.5 points at the Central Wyoming Fair & PRCA Rodeo in Casper.

"I had quite a few people come up to me and tell me, 'Loosen up and just have fun.' For me, that's all I was focused on tonight," Hutchings said. "I was just nervous to fall off again. In one NFR, I didn't ride a bull until Round 7 or so. After that, I landed rides within the first two rounds.

"So tonight, I didn't want to keep that streak alive because when you fall once, it feels like you fall 1000 times. I'm happy to get the ball rolling in the right direction."


CARLEE OTERO ADDS MORE DRAMA TO WORLD TITLE RACE

Barrel racing is one of the tightest races for the gold buckle at the 2025 NFR. The standings have already flipped at the top through the first two rounds.
In Round 3, Carlee Otero's 13.54-second run to win the round changed things yet again. But most importantly, it helped calm the nerves of the million-dollar cowgirl.
"I'm so relieved," Otero said. "I feel like I'm just ready to go now. I got all the nerves out. I showed up for Blingolena. She's been wanting to win and I'm happy I was able to get it done."
Otero entered the NFR No. 7 in the world and has now moved up to No. 5.

2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Results
Third round, Dec. 6
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

Bareback Riding: Third round: 1. Waylon Bourgeois, 88.75 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo's Priefert's Dusty Roads, $36,668; 2. Sam Petersen, 87.25, $28,980; 3. Rocker Steiner, 87, $21,882; 4. Wacey Schalla, 86.75, $15,377; 5. Jess Pope, 85.75, $9,463; 6. Garrett Shadbolt, 85.5, $5,914; 7. Cole Franks, 84.25; 8. Bradlee Miller, 83.75; 9. Kade Sonnier, 83; 10. Jayco Roper, 81.75; 11. Tilden Hooper, 81; 12. Jacek Frost, 72; 13. Mason Clements, Cooper Cooke and Dean Thompson, NS. Average leaders: 1. Waylon Bourgeois, 259.25 points on three head; 2. Wacey Schalla, 259; 3. Rocker Steiner, 257.25; 4. Jess Pope, 255.5; 5. Sam Petersen, 255.25; 6. Garrett Shadbolt, 253.5; 7. Cole Franks, 250.5; 8. Bradlee Miller, 249.5; 9. Kade Sonnier, 248.25; 10. Tilden Hooper, 247.5; 11. Jayco Roper, 243.25; 12. Cooper Cooke, 170.75 points on two head; 13. Dean Thompson, 169.5; 14. Mason Clements, 165; 15. Jacek Frost, 157. World Standings: 1. Rocker Steiner, $372,098; 2. Sam Petersen, $266,007; 3. Jess Pope, $244,974; 4. Bradlee Miller, $226,937; 5. Waylon Bourgeois, $218,637; 6. Cole Franks, $210,362; 7. Wacey Schalla, $205,842; 8. Garrett Shadbolt, $202,805; 9. Dean Thompson, $201,080; 10. Cooper Cooke, $189,262; 11. Kade Sonnier, $186,633; 12. Jacek Frost, $153,543; 13. Jayco Roper, $149,775; 14. Mason Clements, $140,131; 15. Tilden Hooper, $139,951.

Steer Wrestling: Third round: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.5 seconds, $36,668; 2. (tie) Bridger Anderson and Stetson Jorgensen, 3.9, $25,431 each; 4. J.D. Struxness, 4.2, $15,377; 5. Kyle Irwin, 4.3, $9,463; 6. (tie) Tucker Allen and Tyler Waguespack, 4.4, $2,957 each; 8. (tie) Chance Howard and Rowdy Parrott, 4.5 each; 10. Scott Guenthner, 4.7; 11. Dakota Eldridge, 5.3; 12. Justin Shaffer, 5.9; 13. Gavin Soileau, 19.8; 14. Jesse Brown and Will Lummus, NT. Average leaders: 1. Ty Erickson, 11.6 seconds on three head; 2. Tyler Waguespack, 12.5; 3. J.D. Struxness, 12.8; 4. Tucker Allen, 13.9; 5. Scott Guenthner, 14.0; 6. Chance Howard, 14.2; 7. Rowdy Parrott, 15.0; 8. Dakota Eldridge, 15.8; 9. Kyle Irwin, 18.0; 10. Stetson Jorgensen, 18.3; 11. Gavin Soileau, 48.3; 12. Bridger Anderson, 7.9 seconds on two head; 13. Jesse Brown, 9.1; 14. Justin Shaffer, 11.3; 15. Will Lummus, 4.0 seconds on one head. World Standings: 1. Will Lummus, $223,745; 2. Ty Erickson, $203,687; 3. Tucker Allen, $200,493; 4. Tyler Waguespack, $193,138; 5. J.D. Struxness, $186,129; 6. Jesse Brown, $182,802; 7. Stetson Jorgensen, $171,460; 8. Justin Shaffer, $165,773; 9. Bridger Anderson, $163,388; 10. Rowdy Parrott, $160,877; 11. Kyle Irwin, $154,763; 12. Dakota Eldridge, $137,873; 13. Scott Guenthner, $132,070; 14. Chance Howard, $118,298; 15. Gavin Soileau, $115,899.

Team Roping: Third round: 1. (tie) Lightning Aguilera/Kaden Profili, Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham and Kolton Schmidt/Jonathan Torres, 3.8 seconds, $29,177 each; 4. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 3.9, $15,377; 5. Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 4.0, $9,463; 6. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 4.2, $5,914; 7. (tie) Clay Smith/Coleby Payne and Clint Summers/Jade Corkill, 4.4 each; 9. Luke Brown/Trey Yates, 8.6; 10. Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves, 9.4; 11. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 20.3; 12. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, Riley Minor/Brady Minor and Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, NT. Average leaders: 1. Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 12.3 seconds on three head; 2. Clint Summers/Jade Corkill, 14.2; 3. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 17.7; 4. Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves, 19.3; 5. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 23.1; 6. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 29.0; 7. Lightning Aguilera/Kaden Profili, 7.8 seconds on two head; 8. (tie) Kolton Schmidt/Jonathan Torres and Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham, 7.9 each; 10. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 10.8; 11. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 12.7; 12. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 13.7; 13. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 14.6; 14. Luke Brown/Trey Yates, 17.8; 15. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, NT. World Standings (headers): 1. Kaleb Driggers, $223,875; 2. Andrew Ward, $219,577; 3. Tanner Tomlinson, $210,958; 4. Jake Smith, $194,087; 5. Dawson Graham, $193,190; 6. Lightning Aguilera, $190,580; 7. Clint Summers, $186,618; 8. Derrick Begay, $182,116; 9. Tanner Bryson, $181,969; 10. Kolton Schmidt, $181,194; 11. Dustin Egusquiza, $170,703; 12. Clay Smith, $168,490; 13. Cyle Denison, $165,605; 14. Tyler Wade, $153,366; 15. Riley Minor, $135,025. World Standings (heelers): 1. Junior Nogueira, $223,875; 2. Jake Long, $217,830; 3. Dillon Graham, $193,190; 4. Kaden Profili, $189,380; 5. Jade Corkill, $186,944; 6. Douglas Rich, $183,337; 7. Colter Todd, $179,764; 8. Travis Graves, $177,070; 9. Jonathan Torres, $172,928; 10. Levi Lord, $168,322; 11. Lane Mitchell, $166,635; 12. Coleby Payne, $159,293; 13. Wesley Thorp, $153,366; 14. Brady Minor, $135,025; 15. Trey Yates, $133,303.

Saddle Bronc Riding: Third round: 1. Statler Wright, 88.25 points on Smith Pro Rodeos' Angel Cat, $36,668; 2. Dawson Hay, 87.75, $28,980; 3. (tie) Kade Bruno, Zachary Dallas and Ryder Wright, 87.5, $15,574 each; 6. Lefty Holman, 86.25, $5,914; 7. (tie) Brody Wells and Stetson Dell Wright, 84.75 each; 9. Damian Brennan, 84.25; 10. Weston Patterson, 83.5; 11. (tie) Brody Cress and Sage Newman, 83.25 each; 13. Ben Andersen, 82.75; 14. Zeke Thurston, 82; 15. Q Taylor, NS. Average leaders: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, 263.75 points on three head; 2. Ryder Wright, 262.75; 3. Damian Brennan, 260.75; 4. Statler Wright, 259.25; 5. Zeke Thurston, 258; 6. (tie) Lefty Holman and Brody Wells, 257.5 each; 8. Dawson Hay, 252.75; 9. (tie) Sage Newman and Kade Bruno, 252.25 each; 11. Zachary Dallas, 251.75; 12. Ben Andersen, 248.5; 13. Brody Cress, 243; 14. Weston Patterson, 172 points on two head; 15. Q Taylor, 167. World Standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $337,902; 2. Damian Brennan, $324,821; 3. Dawson Hay, $307,601; 4. Zeke Thurston, $282,657; 5. Kade Bruno, $262,522; 6. Brody Wells, $240,084; 7. Statler Wright, $238,003; 8. Stetson Dell Wright, $237,435; 9. Zachary Dallas, $223,977; 10. Sage Newman, $215,958; 11. Weston Patterson, $212,715; 12. Brody Cress, $190,092; 13. Q Taylor, $167,562; 14. Lefty Holman, $166,701; 15. Ben Andersen, $159,661.

Tie-Down Roping: Third round: 1. Riley Mason Webb, 7.0 seconds, $36,668; 2. Kincade Henry, 7.3, $28,980; 3. Ty Harris, 7.4, $21,882; 4. Shad Mayfield, 7.5, $15,377; 5. (tie) Zack Jongbloed, Haven Meged and Riley Pruitt, 7.7, $5,126 each; 8. Joel Harris, 8.0; 9. Shane Hanchey, 8.7; 10. Marty Yates, 8.9; 11. Brushton Minton, 9.5; 12. John Douch, 10.4; 13. Tom Crouse, 16.0; 14. Dylan Hancock, 18.2; 15. Kyle Lucas, NT. Average leaders: 1. Shad Mayfield, 22.1 seconds on three head; 2. Riley Mason Webb, 23.9; 3. Joel Harris, 24.1; 4. Marty Yates, 24.8; 5. Haven Meged, 25.8; 6. Brushton Minton, 26.1; 7. Shane Hanchey, 27.1; 8. John Douch, 28.4; 9. Zack Jongbloed, 31.3; 10. Tom Crouse, 32.0; 11. Dylan Hancock, 35.3; 12. Ty Harris, 46.0; 13. Kincade Henry, 17.1 seconds on two head; 14. Riley Pruitt, 7.7 on seconds one head; 15. Kyle Lucas, 16.1. World Standings: 1. Riley Mason Webb, $370,430; 2. Shad Mayfield, $347,531; 3. Kincade Henry, $225,698; 4. Dylan Hancock, $211,281; 5. Marty Yates, $201,701; 6. Tom Crouse, $185,901; 7. Joel Harris, $185,749; 8. John Douch, $184,970; 9. Riley Pruitt, $180,913; 10. Ty Harris, $169,079; 11. Brushton Minton, $165,106; 12. Haven Meged, $164,308; 13. Zack Jongbloed, $152,804; 14. Kyle Lucas, $139,298; 15. Shane Hanchey, $136,957.

Barrel Racing: Third round: 1. Carlee Otero, 13.54 seconds, $36,668; 2. Emily Beisel, 13.56, $28,980; 3. Kassie Mowry, 13.63, $21,882; 4. Katelyn Scott, 13.71, $15,377; 5. (tie) Hayle Gibson-Stillwell and Megan McLeod-Sprague, 13.72, $7,688 each; 7. Tricia Aldridge, 13.82; 8. (tie) Andrea Busby and Halyn Lide, 13.88 each; 10. Julie Plourde, 13.91; 11. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 15.01; 12. Lisa Lockhart, 18.44; 13. Hailey Kinsel, 18.69; 14. Wenda Johnson, 19.02; 15. Tayla Moeykens, NT. Average leaders: 1. Kassie Mowry, 41.06 seconds on three head; 2. Katelyn Scott, 41.23; 3. Tricia Aldridge, 41.66; 4. Julie Plourde, 42.34; 5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 42.71; 6. Hailey Kinsel, 45.92; 7. Emily Beisel, 46.18; 8. Megan McLeod-Sprague, 46.40; 9. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, 46.42; 10. Andrea Busby, 47.03; 11. Lisa Lockhart, 50.76; 12. Carlee Otero, 50.99; 13. Wenda Johnson, 52.44; 14. Halyn Lide, 52.97; 15. Tayla Moeykens, 29.69 seconds on two head. World Standings: 1. Kassie Mowry, $279,684; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $261,965; 3. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $239,610; 4. Emily Beisel, $235,673; 5. Carlee Otero, $215,162; 6. Lisa Lockhart, $201,350; 7. Katelyn Scott, $193,400; 8. Megan McLeod-Sprague, $192,663; 9. Tricia Aldridge, $176,022; 10. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, $157,721; 11. Anita Ellis, $156,992; 12. Halyn Lide, $154,614; 13. Tayla Moeykens, $152,561; 14. Wenda Johnson, $148,428; 15. Andrea Busby, $143,099; 16. Julie Plourde, $128,276.

Bull riding: Third round: 1. Tristen Hutchings, 90.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo's Vitalix Smokin Hott, $36,668; 2. Stetson Dell Wright, 88.5, $28,980; 3. JR Stratford, 87.75, $21,882; 4. Hayes Weight, 86.75, $15,377; 5. Qynn Andersen, 85.75, $9,463; 6. Jordan Spears, 77, $5,914; 7. Hudson Bolton, T.J. Gray, Ky Hamilton, Bryce Jensen, Rawley Johnson, Luke Mackey, Mason Moody, Jesse Petri and Wacey Schalla, NS. Average leaders: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, 267.75 points on three head; 2. Wacey Schalla, 177 points on two head; 3. T.J. Gray, 176; 4. Ky Hamilton, 174.25; 5. JR Stratford, 173; 6. Luke Mackey, 171.5; 7. Jesse Petri, 161; 8. Tristen Hutchings, 90.5 points on one head; 9. Hayes Weight, 86.75; 10. Qynn Andersen, 85.75; 11. Hudson Bolton, 85; 12. Mason Moody, 83; 13. Jordan Spears, 77; 14. (tie) Bryce Jensen and Rawley Johnson, NS. World Standings: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, $556,526; 2. Wacey Schalla, $489,751; 3. Ky Hamilton, $402,728; 4. Tristen Hutchings, $348,421; 5. T.J. Gray, $305,335; 6. JR Stratford, $229,309; 7. Hudson Bolton, $198,941; 8. Hayes Weight, $196,365; 9. Luke Mackey, $187,360; 10. Qynn Andersen, $181,450; 11. Jordan Spears, $176,627; 12. Jesse Petri, $175,963; 13. Bryce Jensen, $167,043; 14. Mason Moody, $166,060; 15. Rawley Johnson, $158,778.

All-around: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, $576,085; 2. Wacey Schalla, $489,581; 3. Dylan Hancock, $200,671; 4. Brushton Minton, $166,927; 5. Jake Clay, $142,536; 6. Paden Bray, $112,953; 7. Tanner Green, $101,314; 8. Seth Hall, $100,966; 9. Cole Clemons, $99,801; 10. Slade Wood, $98,651.