Big Changes and Record Performances Define WNFR Round 5
It was billed as the ride of the night and featured World Champion bull rider versus World Champion bull. And it didn’t disappoint. Stetson Wright and Powder River Rodeo’s Chiseled went toe to toe for eight spectacular seconds. Wright emerged with a 94.5 score and is now third in the aggregate and second overall as he pursues season leader and six time World Champion Sage Kimzey – who bucked off in Round five. Wright’s 94.5 is the highest marked bull ride for an NFR Round Five.
Wright’s outstanding performance was not the only 90 point ride on this night. In fact, there were six in all. The second of the Wright brothers, Ryder, was the bronc riding go-round winner with a 91 point effort on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Feather Fluffer. Two time World and Canadian Champion, Zeke Thurston and Stetson Wright, who has already clinched his third All Around title, split second in the round with 90.5 points. Zeke was on Powder River’s Miss Valley and Stetson rode Canadian Saddle Bronc of the Year – Calgary Stampede’s Wild Cherry. Kolby Wanchuk split fourth with his best effort of the 2021 WNFR to date when he marked 89.5 points on Brookman Rodeo’s Flirtatious. And Ben Andersen’s continued to struggle at his first finals as former World and Canadian Champion, Get Smart, from Macza Pro Rodeo, put him on the ground. How tough was the bronc riding? 88 points did not place in the round. Thurston, the Big Valley, AB cowboy, has moved into contention for a third World title as he sits second in the aggregate and fourth overall.
The additional 90 point rides came in the bareback riding where, once again, five time World Champion Kaycee Feild took top honours with a 91 point ride on Brookman Rodeo’s Famous Dex. The victory was a record-setting 26th go-round win for the Utah superstar. Feild sits first in both the World and the aggregate at the halfway point. Cole Franks combined with Calgary Stampede’s 2021 World Champion Saddle Bronc, Xplosive Skies for 90.5. And Tilden Hooper (2021 regular season leader) was 89 points for third aboard Macza Pro Rodeo’s two time Canadian Bareback of the Year, Ols Tubs Stevie Knicks.
Team ropers Rhen Richard and Jeremy Buhler are enjoying a great Finals. The Utah-Alberta combination were 4.0 for second in Round 5 and have climbed from tenth at the start of the WNFR, to fifth… and sit fourth in the aggregate. Coleman Proctor and Logan Medlin were 3.8 to win the round while Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira remain first overall.
In the barrel racing, Emily Miller-Beisel and her horse Chongo posted the fastest time of the NFR to date, a 13.43, to win the round. Two former World Champions, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi and Hailey Kinsel are showing again why they won their titles. Pozzi Tonozzi leads the aggregate and Kinsel remains the overall World leader.
2017 World Steer Wrestling Champion Tyler Pearson was a blistering 3.6 to take home the $26,997 cheque. First time qualifier Tristan Martin leads the aggregate while season leader Jacob Talley is still number one overall, but is out of the aggregate. Canadian Scott Guenthner has cashed only two small cheques to date, but his consistency sees him third in the aggregate. Curtis Cassidy, with his World Champion bull dogging horse, Tyson still on the sidelines, received a barrier penalty to be 14.0.
In the tie-down roping, Mary Yates broke out of his slump in style. The eight time WNFR qualifier was 7.3 to win the round. Four time Canadian Champion and 2013 World Champ Shane Hanchey continues to duke it out with fellow World Champion Caleb Smidt. Smidt is first in the aggregate and second overall, just $1,500 behind season leader Hanchey who is splitting 2-3 in the aggregate.
The Breakaway Roping event, which began today and features a $200,000 purse, saw Canadian-turned-Texan, Shelby Boisjoli, and her 2021 Breakaway Horse of the Year, Onna, extend their lead from $1300 coming in to $5300 after the first day. Boisjoli roped her first five calves in 14.4 seconds and leads the aggregate.