Koby Radley

Koby Radley – Montpelier, La. ($114,554)
2-time WNFR qualifier

Koby Radley did not want to be a one hit wonder. He qualified for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo last year and was right back working towards a second one.

He accomplished that finishing the regular season in 12th place with $114,605. He also qualified last year in 12th place. His two trips to Vegas to compete at rodeo’s championships have more than that in common – they both were filled with memories.

After winning $62,814 in Las Vegas last year, Koby finished the season in eighth place. He was ready for a return trip to the Thomas and Mack Center and hungry for more eight-second rides. His second qualification was a slow process that didn’t show much progress until April when he finally cracked the top 30 in the PRCA world standings.

He kept climbing a little each month, June first found him 24th. After the Fourth-of-July “Cowboy Christmas” he had moved to 16th.

He was in 13th place when he got a big win at the Dodge City (Kansas) Round-Up that added nearly $8,000 to his earnings. But with six weeks left in the season and some big paydays his second trip to Vegas still wasn’t secure.

On September 9, he was in 14th with $100,799. Definitely on the bubble. With 20 days to go, he earned nearly $14,000 and everyone could breathe a little easier.

Koby got on his first calf before he reached double digits. He was immediately drawn to riding calves, then steers and eventually bulls. In 2015, one year before joining the PRCA, he was the only contestant to have three qualified bull rides at the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

With a family ranch and love of outdoors, the classroom wasn’t for him. However, with a mom and older sister who were both teachers, school was mandatory. The classroom might have been easier than homeschooling, but he did get a diploma.

His sister, Kortlin, is married to Jacob O’Mara who competed at the 2011 NFR in bull riding. Jacob and Koby have travelled together and Jacob’s advice is always welcome.

With his second NFR qualification, he knows what to expect when he gets to Las Vegas this year and the whole community is very excited to see him nod his head in the famed yellow bucking chutes. They hosted an NFR send-off party on Nov. 16 for Koby and saddle bronc rider Bradley Harter who lives 20 miles away.