Schalla's Bareback Surge Continues with First Go-Round Buckle in Round 4

LAS VEGAS

Courtesy of the PRCA

Through four rounds of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Wacey Schalla has stayed alive in the race for the PRCA All-Around World Championship due in large part to his efforts in bareback riding.

Schalla entered the NFR atop the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings in bull riding and second in all-around. In bareback, he arrived in Las Vegas 13th in the world.

But in Round 4, Schalla picked up his fourth-straight check in bareback and his first career round win with an 88.25-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo's No Whiskey's Redlicious Meats.

"That was a good horse," Schalla said. "I was just excited to get through all of the distractions and make it happen."

Schalla is off to a red-hot start in bareback riding. He opened with a fourth-place finish in Round 1, followed by a second-place trip in Round 2 and a fourth-place check in Round 3. He currently sits atop the average at 346.25 points on four head and moved up to fourth in the world standings.

"Bareback riding is pretty simple," Schalla said. "It's the same thing every time. I don't want to change a thing and keep on rolling."

Schalla still sits second in the All-Around World Standings, trailing Stetson Wright by $86,504. Both cowboys bucked off their bulls in Round 4.

The 20-year-old from Arapaho, Okla., said he isn't worried about the pressure or expectations of the all-around race. His only focus is on his next ride, and Schalla said competing in two events helps maintain that focus.

"I think it's showing," Schalla said. "I'm just ready to get these next six rounds kicked off."


Will Lummus, Tucker Allen tie for NFR Round 4 win

Cowboys in the steer wrestling were a little too trigger happy in Round 4 of the NFR Sunday night.

Four of the Top 15 athletes broke the barrier on their way out of the box, resulting in a 10-second penalty. All four times would have been sub-4 seconds.

But season leader Will Lummus and Tucker Allen were just patient enough, as both recorded 4-second runs to claim a share of the round win.

"I feel like I'm still in the hunt. I really feel like I've got to (go at it) at the next six rounds and it's going to take a handful of wins to be able to pull it off," Lummus said. "I've got to win every dollar I possibly can and make runs like tonight. I didn't really think that was that great of a steer, but I've got to make those kinds of runs the next six nights and give myself an opportunity at the end."

The win came at pivotal times for both cowboys. Lummus has missed twice so far this NFR, resulting in his lead for the gold buckle diminishing significantly and a slim chance of surging in NFR average. Allen also missed in Round 1 but has since been able to make up ground.

The win Sunday moved Allen to No. 2 in the world, just behind Lummus by about $23,000 with six rounds remaining.

"Just when I was getting on his back, I told myself just, you know, go for it," Allen said. "You know, it was pretty cool to get that run."


Wade/Thorp, Egusquiza/Lord share Round 4 win

Team ropers Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp and Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord have been among some of the best pairs in PRORODEO in recent years.

Both teams showed that in Round 4 after they clocked 3.8-second runs to earn a share of the win.

"It's just nice to know you're not going to get skunked on the week," Lord said. "You know, everybody wants to do so good, especially starting out here, but we went three rounds with no money. We both made one mistake that we shouldn't have and then made one run that just didn't play.

"So, we just tried to stick with what we knew would work once it came together, and tonight it did."

Wade/Thorp, the twice-defending PRCA Team Roping Header and Heeler World Champions, have had a rough start to the NFR.

The pair failed to make the pay window in the first three rounds, missing on all three attempts.

"Anytime you win the round, it's a good day for us. It was really slow, like we haven't gotten anything going," Wade said. "Hopefully, this gets the train on the track. You can't beat a round win here. I hope this is the first of a few more tracks."

It also marked the first trip to the pay window for Egusquiza/Lord, who missed in Round 3. All four ropers collected paychecks of $32,823.


Stetson Wright continues dominant NFR run with Round 4 saddle bronc win

Stetson Wright continued his dominant NFR run Sunday in Round 4.

The eight-time world champion recorded his fifth win in four rounds, taking home the Round 4 crown in saddle bronc riding with an 88-point ride on Calgary Stampede's Freedom Xpress.

"It was a really good horse," Wright said. "It's one of Calgary Stampede's big 'ole buckers. He's big and strong. A lot of guys struggle with him and I can see why. He shoots away, kicks funny, and puts all the pressure on you."

The win put Wright over $200,000 in total earnings for the 2025 NFR. His season total increased to $736,000.

Wright remains just under $200,000 from the record for most earnings in a season he set in 2022. That year, he earned $928,568.

With six rounds to go, Wright remains in control of the all-around race over Wacey Schalla and is leading the NFR average in saddle bronc riding. His lead in the all-around is now $86,504. He climbed to No. 5 in the saddle bronc standings.

"I came in second in the bulls, 12th in the saddle bronc riding," Wright said. "I had no pressure on my shoulders. The guys at the top of the leaderboard deal with the stress. I didn't have it. My focus was taking it one round at a time, trying to do my best. I'm not too worried about anything. I'm just here to have fun and glad to be back here."


Kincade Henry sets tone early, takes Round 4 win

Kincade Henry knew what he was getting out of the calf he was matched with in the draw for Round 4.

The speed of the calf, along with the speed of others across the round, meant an increase in overall pace for tie-down ropers now nearing the midway point of the NFR.

Henry set the tone early in the round with a 7.1-second run that held throughout the event, securing the round win.

"I knew how good that calf was on the ground, but she started out of the gate hard left," Henry said. "I kind of knew that if I could get it around the neck, I'd win a great check. Tonight was the first night I got my horse off the corner. If I can do that the rest of the week, it'll be good. The start is everything here."

Henry said being aggressive was the key for the Round 4 win, and a strategy he will use moving forward as the No. 3 tie-down roper in the world with six rounds remaining.

"I had a little too much pressure on myself," Henry said. "The first two rounds, I wanted to be in the hunt for the average while being aggressive. In Round 2, my calf kicked up and knocked that plan out the window. Now, it's about just going for it.

"I have to get my horse firing off my hand and I'll have a chance to win. Just like tonight."


Rookie Bryce Jensen earns first NFR round victory of career

Bryce Jensen is one of four Resistol Rookies vying for the Bull Riding Rookie of the Year honor as well as the coveted gold buckle at this year's NFR.

Luke Mackey made an impact in the first few rounds, making trips to the pay window. But Sunday night, Jensen became the first rookie to notch his first NFR round win with an 87.5-point win on Barnes PRCA Rodeo's Purple Wave's Karaoke Nights.

"This is truly a dream come true and just feels good. I'm glad to be here and do it," Jensen said. "The bull was good, and I did my job, and just everything worked out. I didn't know anything about the bull, and I just took him jump for jump, so I didn't overthink it, and that's about it. This is all exciting, and a dream come true."

The win by Jensen comes on a night where Mackey and fellow rookie Hudson Bolton also shined. Mackey rode his third bull of the NFR with an 86-point trip on Salt River Rodeo's Belly Dump. Bolton made his second qualified ride with an 84.5-point ride on Dakota Rodeo's Sneaky Situation.

The win moved Jensen into ninth in the world and third in the rookie standings behind Bolton and Mackey.


Tricia Aldridge capitalizes in Round 4 win

Tricia Aldridge seized the opportunity Round 4 offered in barrel racing.

Nearing the midway point of the NFR, some horses in the field were given the night off, mostly for rest. Aldridge and her horse, Adios, went full-steam ahead with a 13.42-second run.

"Amazing. I knew he could and he's super strong," Aldridge said. "My team has done an amazing job taking care of him. I got a rough start to the trip with the flu. I knew once I'd start to feel better, I'd be able to ride him better."

Hailey Kinsel's prized horse, Sister, was given the night off. The Round 2 winner rode her other horse, Spyder, Sunday night. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi and Tayla Moeykens were also on different horses in Round 4, with Pozzi Tonozzi on Mo and Moeykens on Winnie, a horse she borrowed.

"He's just so strong. He feels like King Kong back there," Aldridge said of Adios. "I think he's starting to settle into the work a little bit and I'm really excited for that. If I was ever going to have a horse for this competition, it's him."