LAS VEGAS – Reigning PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion Riley Webb isn’t giving up his crown without a fight.
The hard-charging Denton, Texas, cowboy has won back-to-back rounds at the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.
Webb’s latest victory came in Round 2 with a 7.8-second run before 16,951 fans at the Thomas & Mack Center Friday night.
“I don’t know about back-to-back wins or the first two but I’m just trying to do my job and win as much money every night and it has worked out for me so far,” Webb said.
Webb arrived in Vegas fourth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $216,907 and trailing regular season leader Shad Mayfield by $69,440.
He’s closing that gap thanks to earning an event-best $77,374. He’s only $16,193 back of Mayfield.
Webb said he’s using his experience to his advantage at his third NFR.
“Well, you know you learn every year,” Webb said. “But I just keep doing my job and keep upgrading and getting the job done. If I could get another horse and upgrade, I’ll try to do it as much as possible and work on my craft. You can never be satisfied; you’ve got to get out there and keep working there’s always something to work on.”
This year at the Thomas & Mack Webb has implemented a different game plan.
“Last year I came in playing defense. I had a big lead, and I like to rope for offense you know go fast and win as much as possible,” Webb said. “Last year I needed to be smart, and you know I needed a big average check to help at the end of the week and I just kept knocking them down and doing my job. If I had a good one, I tried to place deep in the round if not I just tried to keep her tied down. But now this year I have an offense mentality to just go at them.”
Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp repeat in record fashion
Header Tyler Wade and heeler Wesley Thorp have found the winning formula at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.
For the second day in a row the duo won a round and in record fashion.
The defending PRCA Team Roping World Champions clocked 3.7 seconds for the second day in a row to clinch the Round 2 record. It bested the previous top run of 3.8 seconds by Clint Summers/Jake Long in 2023.
“Last year our plan came together (at the NFR) and we found some rhythm. It gave us the confidence to believe that we could do this, and it’s been huge,” Thorp said. “It wasn’t about reinventing the wheel. It was about perfecting our run and putting our best foot forward. We couldn’t have drawn it up any better. I just want to keep it going.”
Wade said the game plan doesn’t change, regardless of a single round’s outcome.
“We need to stay the course and continue to rope them,” he said. “What I did tonight is not sustainable eight more times. I’m going to improve on my game by getting a better start and keep taking care of business.”
Saddle bronc rider Brody Wells nabs first NFR round win
Brody Wells has never felt the feeling he felt when he hit the dirt on Friday during Round 2 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.
After a 90-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Resistol’s Pretty Woman, Wells heard his family and friends cheering for him from the stands amongst 16,961 Thomas & Mack Center spectators.
The trip earned the Powell, Wyo., cowboy his first round win.
“It felt so good. I’ve got so many of my friends and family here, and people that’ve watched and helped me from the start and the time I was little,” Wells said. “It feels good to be here, get a good bronc like that, show off how I can ride and have it all come together.”
The ride netted Wells $33,687, bumping him to third in the NFR Average and 11th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. It marked the first 90-point ride of the competition so far.
Wells opened with an 80-point ride on Brookman Rodeo’s Flirtacious in Round 1. And he said it didn’t take long for him to know that he earned a big score on Night 2.
“I knew (it was big on) about the fourth jump,” he said. “You can tell. I felt that the horse was just liking it, coming up, getting off the ground, tipping over and kicking hard. So, it felt great.”
Steer wrestler Rowdy Parrott snares first career NFR round win
Rowdy Parrott took three trips to the Wrangler NFR without a round win but got over the hump on Friday.
The Louisiana native was just as thrilled to claim his first NFR round win with a 3.6-second run in Round 2 on Friday night.
“I know I have been second a few times, and it is surreal to finally get a an NFR Round win,” said Parrott, 30.
Parrott, who entered the NFR ninth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, has jumped up to fifth in the standings with $175,662, thanks to earning $67,051 so far in Vegas.
“I’m off to a good start, hopefully we can keep that going through these next eight nights,” the 5-foot-10, 180-pound Parrott said. “I liked my draw (Friday night). The mindset every night is just go try and do my job and do the best I can, not overthink it and just go back to my mechanics.”
Parrott also was quick to credit his success to Crush, the Nutrena Horse of the Year presented by AQHA. The horse is owned by 2019 PRCA World Champion Steer Wrestler Ty Erickson.
“Oh, it’s amazing, he’s the best horse I ever ridden,” Parrott said. “I’m just so blessed that Ty lets me ride him. He is just such a special animal.”
Bull rider Jeter Lawrence captures Round 2 victory
Jeter Lawrence’s first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge took a dramatic turn on Friday night.
The Resistol Rookie conquered unridden Powder River Rodeo’s Buck Nasty to take the Round 2 crown with an 87.5-point ride.
“I wasn’t sure if I made the whistle, so I had to look up at the big screen to see if I made it,” Lawrence said. “And then the emotion just poured out. I was so excited because I’ve always dreamed of coming here and winning a round. Now, hopefully I can build on it.”
Lawrence pocketed $34,773 with the trip and bumped up to fourth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $250,907.
“There’s just so much emotion running through me. I don’t really have a way to process it yet,” he said. “You just have to keep a smile on your face and have fun with it.”
Bradlee Miller claims bareback riding glory
Bradlee Miller made the most of his Round 2 bareback performance in his first trip to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.
The Huntsville, Texas, cowboy paired with Wayne Vold Rodeo’s True Grit for an 86.5-point ride and his first round win.
“I don’t know how to feel,” Miller said. “I’m halfway in tears and in shock. And I’m not sure if it’ll set in until we get to the South Point, but I’m ready to go.”
In the first round, Miller finished second with an 86.5-point ride – a half-point off the lead.
“Last night, I set my left foot on top of that horse’s neck, and it might have cost me that half point. So, I knew tonight that if I didn’t make any mistakes, I had a shot, and I’m just thankful to draw good horses and have a chance at it every night.”
Miller said True Grit surprised him out of the bucking chutes. But the switch-up led to a $33,687 payday and a trip to the South Point Resort & Casino.
“They told me she was going to be fast and strong,” the 21-year-old said. “She’s supposed to just angle across to the right and be pretty common. But today, she had some lead changes. It made me work for it, but I felt like I was a head over, so it took a lot of it away.”
Kinsel and horse Sister power their way to back-to-back round wins
Hailey Kinsel proved her Round 1 performance inside the Thomas & Mack Center was no fluke.
The Cotulla, Texas, barrel racer not only captured another round win on Friday night at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge but broke the Round 2 record with a 13.48-second run.
“It’s cool to break the records I have so far, but it’s even more important to get good momentum and start off great,” said Kinsel. “There’s still so much more rodeo to go as far as goals or plans go.”
On opening night, Kinsel was the first cowboy girl out. Tonight, she was faced with the tall task of being on the bottom of the dirt. It was no problem for the four-time WPRA World Champion. The first-place check in Round 2 increases her season earnings to $281,477.
“She was really aggressive tonight and being bottom of the ground I wasn’t really expecting to be that fast,” Kinsel said. “She was able to stay in the ruts and turned tight tonight. The ground held us when we made those big moves, and I’ll take it every time.”
2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Results
Round 2, Dec. 6
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.
Bareback Riding: Second round: 1. Bradlee Miller, 86.5 points on Wayne Vold Rodeo’s True Grit, $33,687; 2. (tie) Keenan Hayes and Cole Franks, 85, $23,364 each; 4. (tie) Dean Thompson, Jess Pope, Taylor Broussard, 84, $9,418 each; 7. Garrett Shadbolt, 83.5; 8. (tie) R.C. Landingham, Weston Timberman, Jacob Lees and Cooper Cooke, 83; 12. Cole Reiner, 82.5; 13. Richmond Champion, 81; 14. Leighton Berry, 79.5; 15. Rocker Steiner, NS. Average leaders: 1. Bradlee Miller,173 points on two head; 2. Keenan Hayes, 170.5; 3. (tie) Weston Timberman and Cole Franks, 170 each; 5. (tie) Dean Thompson and Taylor Broussard, 169; 7. Garrett Shadbolt, 167.5; 8. Cole Reiner, 166; 9. Richmond Champion, 164; 10. Jess Pope, 163; 10. Jacob Lees, 163; 12. Cooper Cooke, 162; 13. R.C. Landingham, 160.5; 14. Leighton Berry, 159; 15. Rocker Steiner, 83.5 points on one head.
World standings: 1. Keenan Hayes, $272,550; 2. Rocker Steiner, $243,319; 3. Bradlee Miller, $207,676; 4. Dean Thompson, $201,032; 5. Weston Timberman, $197,787; 6. Jess Pope, $187,572; 7. Leighton Berry, $182,955; 8. Cole Franks, $182,338; 9. R.C. Landingham, $181,420; 10. Taylor Broussard, $158,335; 11. Cooper Cooke, $149,067; 12. Jacob Lees, $148,363; 13. Cole Reiner, $147,128; 14. Garrett Shadbolt, $147,096; 15. Richmond Champion, $138,965.
Steer Wrestling: Second round: 1. Rowdy Parrott, 3.6 seconds, $33,687; 2. Stetson Jorgensen, 3.8, $26,624; 3. (tie) J.D. Struxness, Justin Shaffer and Tucker Allen, 3.9, $14,308 each; 6. Ty Erickson, 4.1, $5,433; 7. (tie) Dakota Eldridge, Will Lummus and Jesse Brown, 4.2 each; 10. Don Payne, 5.0; 11. Scott Guenthner, 5.1; 12. Cash Robb, 5.4; 13. Tyler Waguespack, 5.5; 14. Dalton Massey, 6.3; 15. Tyler Pearson, 13.8. Average leaders: 1. Rowdy Parrott, 7.4 seconds on two head; 2. Justin Shaffer, 7.8; 3. Will Lummus, 7.9; 4. Stetson Jorgensen, 8.2; 5. Dakota Eldridge, 8.4; 6. Tucker Allen, 9.1; 7. Cash Robb, 9.2; 8. Ty Erickson, 9.3; 9. Don Payne, 9.4; 10. Tyler Waguespack, 11.1; 11. Jesse Brown, 11.8; 12. Tyler Pearson, 28.2; 13. J.D. Struxness, 3.9 seconds on one head; 14. Scott Guenthner, 5.1; 15. Dalton Massey, 6.3.
World standings: 1. Dalton Massey, $209,263; 2. Stetson Jorgensen, $193,093; 3. Will Lummus, $192,524; 4. Dakota Eldridge, $188,095; 5. Rowdy Parrott, $175,662; 6. J.D. Struxness, $171,574; 7. Jesse Brown, $145,266; 8. Cash Robb, $143,920; 9. Justin Shaffer, $134,816; 10. Don Payne, $132,655; 11. Tucker Allen, $117,745; 12. Ty Erickson, $115,090; 13. Tyler Pearson, $104,575; 14. Tyler Waguespack, $102,656; 15. Scott Guenthner, $101,348.
Team Roping: Second round: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 3.7 seconds, $33,687 each; 2. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 3.9, $26,624; 3. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 4.2, $20,104; 4. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 4.3, $14,127; 5. (tie) Luke Brown/Travis Graves and Clint Summers/Jake Long, 4.5, $7,063 each; 7. (tie) Cyle Denison/Tanner Braden and Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 4.7 each; 9. Derrick Begay/Jonathan Torres, 6.2; 10. Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, 9.6; 11. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 9.8; 12. J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, 10.4; 13. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord and Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, NT. Average leaders: 1. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 7.4 seconds on two head; 2. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 8.1; 3. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 8.3; 4. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 8.5; 5. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 9.4; 6. Derrick Begay/Jonathan Torres, 10.4; 7. Luke Brown/Travis Graves, 16.3; 8. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 24.6; 9. Clint Summers/Jake Long, 4.5 seconds on one head; 10. Cyle Denison/Tanner Braden, 4.7; 11. Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, 5.2; 12. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 9.3; 13. Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, 9.6; 14. J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, 10.4; 15. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, NT.
World Standings (headers): 1. Tyler Wade, $269,112; 2. Dustin Egusquiza, $211,008; 3. Coleman Proctor, $200,021; 4. Kaleb Driggers, $187,361; 5. Brenten Hall, $182,391; 6. Clint Summers, $160,209; 7. Erich Rogers, $153,630; 8. Andrew Ward, $146,581; 9. Jake Smith, $139,366; 10. J.C. Yeahquo, $136,296; 11. Luke Brown, $134,482; 12. Derrick Begay, $129,195; 13. Clay Smith, $128,516; 14. Cyle Denison, $118,812; 15. Cody Snow, $118,269.
World Standings (heelers): 1. Wesley Thorp, $269,112; 2. Levi Lord, $211,008; 3. Junior Nogueira, $198,486; 4. Logan Medlin, $186,788; 5. Kaden Profili, $183,564; 6. Jake Long, $163,647; 7. Paul Eaves, $154,229; 8. Jonathan Torres, $141,832; 9. Douglas Rich, $139,366; 10. Coleby Payne, $137,630; 11. Kollin VonAhn, $135,382; 12. Tanner Braden, $134,959; 13. Travis Graves, $129,106; 14. Buddy Hawkins II, $124,789; 15. Hunter Koch, $120,280.
Saddle Bronc Riding: Second round: 1. Brody Wells on Resistol’s Pretty Woman, 90 points, $33,687; 2. Dawson Hay, 87, $26,624; 3. (tie) Damian Brennan and Zeke Thurston, 86.5, $17,115 each; 5. Brody Cress, 84, $8,693; 6. Wyatt Casper, 83, $5,433; 7. Ben Andersen, 82.5; 8. Logan Hay, 81.5; 9. Kolby Wanchuk, 80.5; 10. (tie) Zachary Dallas and Statler Wright, 79.5 each; 12. (tie) Kade Bruno and Lefty Holman, 76 each; 14. Sage Newman and Ryder Wright, NS. Average leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, 173.0 points on two head; 2. Dawson Hay, 172; 3. Brody Wells, 170; 4. Damian Brennan, 168; 5. Brody Cress, 167.5; 6. Wyatt Casper, 166; 7. (tie) Kolby Wanchuk and Logan Hay, 163.5 each; 9. Statler Wright, 162.5; 10. (tie) Kade Bruno and Zac Dallas, 160.5 each; 12. Ben T. Andersen, 160; 13. Ryder Wright, 86 on one head; 14. Sage Newman, 83.5; 15. Lefty Holman, 76.
World Standings: 1. Damian Brennan, $307,151; 2. Ryder Wright, $287,886; 3. Zeke Thurston, $272,188; 4. Kade Bruno, $251,250; 5. Brody Cress, $239,745; 6. Wyatt Casper, $235,217; 7. Lefty Holman, $217,735; 8. Sage Newman, $205,003; 9. Dawson Hay, $204,586; 10. Statler Wright, $182,824; 11. Brody Wells, $179,490; 12. Kolby Wanchuk, $149,743; 13. Zachary Dallas, $139,157; 14. Ben Andersen, $137,285; 15. Logan Hay, $137,250.
Tie-Down Roping: Second round: 1. Riley Mason Webb, 7.8 seconds, $33,687; 2. Zack Jongbloed, 8.0, $26,624; 3. Quade Hiatt, 8.1, $20,104; 4. Shad Mayfield, 8.3, $14,127; 5. Hunter Herrin, 8.5, $8,693; 6. John Douch, 8.7, $5,433; 7. (tie) Cole Clemons and Tuf Cooper, 8.8 each; 9. Marty Yates, 9.2; 10. (tie) Joel Harris and Haven Meged, 9.7 each; 12. (tie) Ty Harris and Kincade Henry, 10.8 each; 14. Shane Hanchey, 11.9; 15. Dylan Hancock, 18.7. Average leaders: 1. Riley Mason Webb, 14.8 seconds on two head; 2. Hunter Herrin, 16.5; 3. Zack Jongbloed,16.9; 4. Tuf Cooper, 17.0; 5. Joel Harris, 17.4; 6. Shad Mayfield, 17.7; 7. Cole Clemons, 18.4; 8. Quade Hiatt, 19.6; 9. Kincade Henry, 19.9; 10. Haven Meged, 20.5; 11. Ty Harris, 21.1; 12. Shane Hanchey, 22.2; 13. Dylan Hancock, 27.1; 14. John Douch, 8.7 seconds on one head; 15. Marty Yates, 9.2.
World Standings: 1. Shad Mayfield, $310,474; 2. Riley Mason Webb, $294,281; 3. Haven Meged, $231,309; 4. Ty Harris, $229,172; 5. Zack Jongbloed, $176,438; 6. John Douch, $171,237; 7. Shane Hanchey, $167,845; 8. Marty Yates, $165,868; 9. Hunter Herrin, $162,796; 10. Dylan Hancock, $153,590; 11. Joel Harris, $153,434; 12. Tuf Cooper, $151,571; 13. Kincade Henry, $150,958; 14. Quade Hiatt, $132,084; 15. Cole Clemons, $113,417.
Barrel Racing: Second round: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 13.48 seconds, $33,687; 2. Kassie Mowry, 13.51, $26,624; 3. Tiany Schuster, 13.53, $20,104; 4. Ashley Castleberry, 13.62, $14,127; 5. Andrea Busby, 13.65, $8,693; 6. Abby Phillips, 13.66, $5,433; 7. Wenda Johnson, 13.71; 8. Shelley Morgan, 13.78; 9. Emily Beisel, 13.80; 10. (tie) Dona Kay Rule and Carlee Otero, 13.87 each; 12. LaTricia Duke, 14.08; 13. Lisa Lockhart, 18.70; 14. Halyn Lide, 19.06; 15. Leslie Smalygo, NT. Average leaders: 1. Hailey Kinsel, 26.86 seconds on two runs; 2. Abby Phillips, 27.29; 3. Andrea Busby, 27.35; 4. Ashley Castleberry, 27.37; 5. Carlee Otero, 27.42; 6. Tiany Schuster, 27.43; 7. Wenda Johnson, 27.59; 8. Shelley Morgan, 27.62; 9. Emily Beisel, 27.67; 10. Dona Kay Rule, 27.91; 11. LaTricia Duke, 28.19; 12. Kassie Mowry, 31.85; 13. Lisa Lockhart, 32.62; 14. Halyn Lide, 37.81; 15. Leslie Smalygo, 13.84 seconds on one head.
Bull Riding: 1. Jeter Lawrence, 87.5 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Buck Nasty, $34,774; 2. Tristen Hutchings, 86, $27,710; 3. Jace Trosclair, 84, $21,190; 4. Josh Frost, 81.5, $15,214; 5. Cooper James, 79.5, $9,780; 6. (tie) Wacey Schalla, T.J. Gray, Hayes Weight, Clayton Sellars, Chase Dougherty, Trevor Reiste, Jordan Spears, Trey Kimzey, Tyler Bingham and Dustin Boquet, NS, Creek Young, Inj. Average leaders: 1. Tristen Hutchings, 171.0 points on two head; 2. Jace Trosclair, 168.5; 3. Josh Frost, 167.5; 4. Cooper James, 165.5; 5. (tie) Jeter Lawrence and Trey Kimzey, 87.5 points on one head; 7. Trevor Reiste, 84.5; 8. Tyler Bingham, 83; 9. Dustin Boquet, 82.5; 10. Clayton Sellars, 78.5; 11. (tie) Wacey Schalla, T.J. Gray, Hayes Weight, Chase Dougherty and Jordan Spears, NS; 16. Creek Young, Inj.
World Standings: 1. Josh Frost, $259,641; 2. T.J. Gray, $254,844; 3. Jace Trosclair, $251,219; 4. Jeter Lawrence, $250,908; 5. Hayes Weight, $246,023; 6. Clayton Sellars, $217,366; 7. Wacey Schalla, $204,096; 8. Tristen Hutchings, $202,298; 9. Cooper James, $202,142; 10. Trevor Reiste, $177,733; 11. Chase Dougherty, $175,013; 12. Trey Kimzey, $172,142; 13. Jordan Spears, $139,997; 14. Tyler Bingham, $135,616; 15. Creek Young, $131,609; 16. Dustin Boquet, $131,352.
All-Around: 1. Shad Mayfield, $248,594; 2. Coleman Proctor, $229,994; 3. Junior Nogueira, $200,401; 4. Wacey Schalla, $177,953; 5. Tuf Cooper, $157,143; 6. Erich Rogers, $145,086; 7. Paden Bray, $107,547; 8. Tyler Pearson, $103,375; 9. Jake Clay, $101,966; 10. Slade Wood, $97,955.
