Standings Shuffle: 32 Cowboys Move Up in Top 15

Big money means big changes in the PRCA World Standings, largely thanks to the $758,112 up for grabs at the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., on April 5-8. The first week of April saw 32 cowboys move up within the Top 15 thanks to the collective $891,623 in prize money across North America.

Veteran and rookie cowboys know it’s easier to maintain a position at the top than it is to play catch-up when trying to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Every dollar counts, and making the Top 15 early establishes a solid base and builds a cowboy’s confidence as the season picks up pace.

Nobody knows this better than steer wrestler Bridger Chambers (pictured above). This 29-year-old Montana cowboy launched 25 spots up the standings, from 34th to ninth, by winning $17,058 at the NCFR.

The following cowboys saw their position in the PRCA World Standings improve from April 2-9.

20 Spots

• Billy Bugenig moved from 31st to 11th in steer wrestling.

19 Spots

• Reagan Ward moved from 25th to sixth in team roping heeling.
• Andrew Ward moved from 26th to seventh in team roping heading.

15 Spots

• Logan Olson moved from 18th to third in team roping heading.
• Clayton Biglow moved from 21st to sixth in bareback riding.

13 Spots

• Matt Kasner moved from 15th to second in team roping heeling.

12 Spots

• Chason Floyd moved from 18th to sixth in steer wrestling.
• Brady Portenier moved from 23rd to 11th in bull riding.

11 Spots

• Shane O’Connell moved from 15th to fourth in bareback riding.
• Kyle Lockett moved from 26th to 15th in team roping heeling.

10 Spots

• Tim O’Connell moved from 13th to third in bareback riding.
• Jeremy Elshere moved from 17th to seventh in saddle bronc riding.

Nine Spots

• Kyle Irwin moved from 17th to eighth in steer wrestling.

Seven Spots

• Keven Daniel moved from 21st to 14th in team roping heading.

Six Spots

• Joey Sonnier III moved from 15th to ninth in saddle bronc riding.

Five Spots

• Brodie Poppino moved from 13th to eighth in steer roping.

Four Spots

• Tuf Cooper moved from fifth to first in tie-down roping.
• Tyson Durfey moved from sixth to second in tie-down roping.
• Ryle Smith moved from 10th to sixth in tie-down roping.

Three Spots

• Jacob Talley moved from fifth to second in steer wrestling.
• Parker Breding moved from fifth to second in bull riding.
• Wade Sundell moved from seventh to fourth in saddle bronc riding.
• Chase Dougherty moved from 16th to 13th in bull riding.
• Vin Fisher Jr. moved from 17th to 14th in steer roping.
• Rhen Richard moved from 18th to 15th in tie-down roping.

Two Spots

• Cody Lee moved from 11th to ninth in steer roping.
• Ryan Jarrett moved from 15th to 13th in tie-down roping.

One Spot

• Mason Clements moved from second to first in bareback riding.
• Sterling Smith moved from ninth to eighth in tie-down roping.
• Matt Shiozawa moved from 13th to 12th in tie-down roping.
• Evan Jayne moved from 16th to 15th in bareback riding.

Cowboys on the bubble for a spot in the Top 15 can find themselves just a few dollars short of making a NFR qualification. The following cowboys climbed the standings to No. 16 this past week:

• Team roping heeler Brad Culpepper moved from 20th to 16th and is $272 away from breaking into the Top 15.
• Tie-down roper Seth Hall moved from 48th to 16th and is $335 away from breaking into the Top 15.

With the Clark County Fair & Rodeo in Logandale, Nev., happening April 11-15 and the Oakdale (Calif.) Saddle Club Rodeo on April 14-15, the outcomes of these rodeos and others are sure to impact the world standings.

Check back with prorodeo.com next week to see who the new leaders are in the world standings.

Courtesy of PRCA