PRCA, Kansas Star Rolls Out Red Carpet for NFSR Competitors
MULVANE, Kan. – The red carpet was rolled out for PRCA’s Top 15 steer ropers on Thursday night.
The qualifiers for the 2023 National Finals Steer Roping were recognized with a banquet and back number ceremony at the Kansas Star Casino.
It was a night for rest and relaxation before the 15 best steer ropers in the world compete for the $500,000 purse at the NFSR.
Action begins at the Kansas Star Arena Nov. 17-18 at 7 p.m. (CT). The NFSR will be streamed live on the PRCA on The Cowboy Channel Plus App.
The leader of the NFSR pack is Cole Patterson. He enters the competition with $118,515 and he’s ready to take aim at his second career gold buckle – his first came in 2021.
“I want to be smart but aggressive at the same time,” said Patterson about his strategy. “It is easy to back off a little too much at a 10-head average and I feel like if you can get your foot on the gas early and get off to a good start it makes the marathon go a lot quicker and smoother.”
Patterson has two great awarding horses to ride in Tigger, 18, and Dunny, 12, and he wasn’t ready to commit to either of them on the eve of the NFSR.
“I have no idea honestly,” Patterson said. “I’m leaning toward the sorrel (Tigger) I rode here the last three or four years, but it is going to be a game-time decision.”
Cole’s father, four-time world champ Rocky Patterson, is making his 28th appearance at the NFSR and welcomes the challenge.
“It’s always fun to get to compete period,” said Rocky, who competed in his first NFSR in 1994. “Then, you get to compete against those guys who are at the top of the list and that is just extra. I was pretty starstruck the first time I competed at the NFSR and I have seen how things have gone down. The money (at the NFSR) has got a lot better. It wasn’t that long ago that a go-round paid $3,000 at (the NFSR). Now it is over $10,000, which is a pretty good improvement.”
The NFSR payout definitely has increased.
The rounds pay six places. First ($10,160); second ($8,408); third ($6,657); fourth ($4,905); fifth ($3,153); sixth ($1,752).
The average also pays six places. First ($30,349); second ($25,116); third ($19,884); fourth ($14,651); fifth ($9,419); sixth ($5,233).
“It is the same every year,” said Scott Snedecor, a four-time world champ who is third in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. “I have been coming for 22 years now and nothing changes for me. I back in there and try and do the best I can on every steer I run and let the cards fall where they will. I’m just enjoying what I’m doing still.”
Cody Lee is the No. 2 spot in the world standings followed by Snedecor, Jess Tierney, and Slade Wood.
“Of course, I’m going to need that average check, especially where I’m at,” said Wood, 21, who has earned $69,727 this season. “I’m also going to dang sure go at rounds and win as much as I can. Hopefully, I will not have any flaws in that, and the average will take care of itself.”
Courtesy of PRCA