PRCA Steer Roping Circuit Finals Start Sunday
By Matt Naber
It’s better to be late than never. The National Circuit Finals Steer Roping that was originally slated for late April kicks off Sunday in Torrington, Wyo., and concludes Monday.
While the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping in November takes the Top 15 in the world, the NCFSR traditionally has the top 35 cowboys across the 12 circuits that cover the U.S. The 2020 NCFSR will be a little different from the norm with 32 ropers at Torrington’s outdoor arena with four rounds starting at 11 a.m., July 19 and two rounds starting at 8 a.m., July 20.
The 2019 NCFSR was one for the record books, as Reo Lohse set the record for the fastest run at the NCFSR with his 8.4-second run during Round 6. The Kaycee, Wyo., cowboy is set to return to the NCFSR, along with world champions and circuit champions.
When the dust settles in Torrington on Monday afternoon, the ropers at the top will receive a healthy boost in the world standings, and it should offer a glimpse at who’s likely to qualify for the NFSR.
Check with prorodeo.com for more coverage of the NCFSR and the July 24 edition of ProRodeo Sports News for full coverage of the annual event.
2020 NCFSR contestants
• Duck Benson: Montana Circuit Steer Roping Year-end Champion (2018-19)
• Roger Branch: NCFSR Champion (2014)
• Trevor Brazile: 25-time world champion (AA, 2002-04, 2006-15, 2018; TD, 2007, 2009-10; TR, 2010; SR, 2006-07, 2011, 2013-15, 2019)
• Tuf Cooper: Four-time world champion (TD, 2011-12, 2014; AA, 2017); two-time NFSR qualifier (2017-10); 12-time NFR qualifier (2008-15, 2017-19)
• Shank Edwards: Tied for first in Round 2 of the Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo in steer roping, Oct. 5, 2019
• Vin Fisher Jr.: 16-time NFSR qualifier (2002-03, 2005-06, 2008-19); NCFSR champion (2016)
• Brian Garr: Tied for most consecutive steer roping circuit titles with three from the Badlands Circuit (2015-17); Badlands Circuit Steer Roping Year-end Champion (2013, 2017, 2019); Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion (AA, 2019; SR, 2015-17)
• Brady Garten: Steer Roping Rookie of the Year (2004); Prairie Circuit Steer Roping Year-end Champion (2005); Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo Steer Roping Champion (2019)
• Chris Glover: Three-time NFSR qualifier (2016, 2015-17); NCFSR champion (2017)
• Garrett Hale: Two-time NFSR qualifier (2018-19)
• Chet Herren: 14-time NFSR qualifier (2002, 2006, 2008-19); NFSR average champion (2002)
• Trenton Johnson: Placed second at the RAM Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo for steer roping, Oct. 19, 2019; finished 18th in the world standings for steer roping in 2019
• Marty Jones: 14-time NFSR qualifier (1989-99, 2001, 2006, 2008); tie-down roping NFR qualifier (1992, 1994)
• Cody Lee: 14-time NFSR qualifier (2001, 2007-19); two-time NFSR average champion (2016, 2018)
• Reo Lohse: Mountain States Circuit Finals Steer Roping Champion (2012)
• Chad Mathis: Placed third in Round 2 of the RAM Turquoise Finals Rodeo steer roping, Oct. 5, 2019; finished seventh in the 2019 Turquoise Circuit Standings for steer roping
• Will McBride: NCFSR Champion (2018)
• Caleb McMillan: Placed second in the average at the 2019 Columbia River Circuit Finals Steer Roping
• Roger Nonella: 2014-15 Columbia River Circuit All-Around Year-end Champion (2014-15); Columbia River Circuit Tie-down Roping Year-end Champion (2011); Columbia River Circuit Steer Roping Year-end Champion (2019)
• J.R. Olson: Six-time NFSR qualifier (2001-04, 2006-07); Mountain States Circuit Steer Roping Year-end Champion (2002, 2006, 2008); Mountain States Circuit Finals Steer Roping Champion (2006)
• Brodie Poppino: Three-time NFSR qualifier (2014-15, 2018)
• Ryan Rochlitz: Currently fifth in the Badlands Circuit standings
• Corey Ross: Turquoise Circuit Steer Roping Year-end Champion (2017)
• Ike Sankey: 1999 Stock Contractor of the Year; five-time NFR qualifier (BB, 1975-78; SB, 1978); Prairie Circuit All-Around Year-end Champion (1978); Prairie Circuit Bareback Riding Year-end Champion (1977-78); NCFR bareback riding champion (1978)
• Trey Sheets: Mountain States Circuit Finals Steer Roping Champion (2019)
• Scott Snedecor: Four-time world champion steer roper (2005, 2008, 2017-18), 18-time NFSR qualifier (2001-11, 2013-19); three-time winner of the NFSR average (2005, 2011, 2016)
• Pake Sorey: Placed second in rounds 1 and 3 of the 2019 Columbia River Steer Roping Circuit Finals
• Tom Sorey: Columbia River Circuit Steer Roping Year-end Champion (1999, 2013), Columbia River Circuit Finals Champion (1999, 2005, 2017)
• Jason Stewart: RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo Team Roping Heading Champion (1999); Columbia River Circuit Team Roping Year-end Champion (2002); Columbia River Circuit Steer Roping Year-end Champion (2003)
• Ora Taton: Two-time NFSR qualifier (2003-04); 2003 NFSR average winner
• Troy Tillard: Five-time NFSR qualifier (2004, 2014-17)
• Coy Thompson: Badlands Circuit Steer Roping Year-end Champion (2012)
Courtesy of PRCA