Standings Shuffle: 17 Move Up in Top 15

Rookie steer wrestler Marc Joiner didn’t know that money won at the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., in April would count toward the 2021 PRCA | RAM World Standings.

The Louisiana cowboy was just excited to have split the win at the RAM Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo for $6,641 over the weekend.

“It was exciting before, but now it’s more exciting,” Joiner said.

Joiner got a taste for the top when he launched from outside the Top 50 to No. 3 in the world standings as of Jan. 25.

“Oh, man, it’s such a blessing,” said Joiner, 21. “I’ve been working hard at this and practicing with Tyler Waguespack. He’s been helping me a bunch. It’s kind of surreal to win my first circuit finals. I was excited to make it, and to do that well was awesome.”

Now he knows that win was worth far more since the money he could win in Kissimmee would be a life-changing experience and could play a big role in a qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

“Before Tyler went to the Finals, we practiced like I was going to the Finals, too,” Joiner said.

It’ll be more of the same as he prepares for Kissimmee.

“Do the same thing as everywhere else – ‘Hit the start, throw ’em down and make them pay,’ is what Tyler always says,” Joiner laughed.

Joiner wasn’t the only one to get paid last week. He was one of 17 ProRodeo cowboys who improved their positions within the Top 15 of the world standings for their respective events.

The 2021 season officially started Oct. 1, and as each of the RAM Circuit Finals rodeos concluded, cowboys established a solid base for launching their trek down the ProRodeo road.

So far, the new season has already paid out $3,242,031.

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 NFR. Every dollar counts, and making the Top 15 in the world standings early establishes a solid base and builds a cowboy’s confidence as the season picks up pace.

Nobody knows that better than the 10 cowboys who launched from outside the Top 50 and into the Top 15. With more major rodeos on the horizon, big jumps such as these are sure to happen again.

Outside the Top 50

• Marc Joiner is third in steer wrestling.
• Gary Gilbert is fourth in steer wrestling.
• Cole Curry is fourth in team roping heeling.
• Treyson Antonick is fourth in saddle bronc riding.
• Corey Atwell is sixth in bull riding.
• Tanner Phipps is ninth in bareback riding.
• Justin Smith is ninth in tie-down roping.
• Jacob Raine is 11th in bareback riding.
• Keven Daniel is 11th in team roping heading.
• Morgan Jones is 13th in team roping heeling.

32 Spots

• Taylor Broussard moved from 33rd to first in bareback riding.

25 Spots

• Tyler Waguespack moved from 27th to second in steer wrestling.

18 Spots

• Maverick Harper moved from 31st to 13th in steer wrestling.

14 Spots

• Marcus Theriot moved from 15th to first in team roping heading.

Nine Spots

• Dustin Boquet moved from 11th to second in bull riding.

Four Spots

• Cody DeMoss moved from fifth to first in saddle bronc riding.
• Ike Fontenot moved from 11th to seventh in tie-down roping.

More major changes in the world standings are likely to occur in the coming weeks as Rapid City, S.D., gears up to host an Xtreme Bulls competition Jan. 29, an Xtreme Broncs Match on Jan. 30, and Rodeo Rapid City, Feb. 4-6. Fans can catch the action live on the PRCA on the Cowboy Channel Plus app. (See broadcast schedule)

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

Courtesy of PRCA