Superstars Meet in Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Round Five
By: Barb Poulson
It’s called the TV pen for a reason. You put a world champion bronc rider on a world champion bucking horse—that’s just good television.
Zeke Thurston plus X-9 Xplosive Skies equals 91 points. The Calgary Stampede mare is not just the Bucking Horse of the Year, she’s one of the best there’s ever been. And exactly the same accolade applies to the man who rode her and is taking dead aim at a fourth world title.
The Big Valley, Alberta superstar has moved to first place overall, with $313,555, and a $15,000 cushion over the rest of the field. Thurston has placed in four of the five rounds and has built a solid lead—four points—atop the aggregate leaderboard. His nearest competitors in the world standings, Sage Newman and Kade Bruno, are both well back in the all-important aggregate—tied for seventh.
But this was a night when two world champions brought their a-game to the Thomas and Mack arena. And the result was as advertised–spectacular.
“They named her correctly,” Thurston commented after the ride. “I have the most respect for her of any bucking horse. My hat goes off to her, that’s an incredible animal. There’s not very many of ‘em that make me nervous but she does.” Nervousness aside, the fifth meeting of these giants of the sport is one that will be remembered for a long time.
The bareback riding was pretty darn special as well. And another Canadian superstar bucking horse was again front and centre. Jayco Roper, an NFR rookie matched up with the great gray, and 2017 World Champion, F13 Virgil for 89.5 points, a score that was matched by 2019 World Champion Clayton Biglow on this year’s Bareback Horse of the Year, 2708 Night Crawler from Pickett Pro Rodeo. In fact, three of the top five scores were recorded on Canadian horses.
Last year’s World Champion Jess Pope connected with Macza Pro Rodeo’s 118 OLS Tubs Stevie Knicks for 88.5 points and third in the round while Mason Clements put up an 87.5 on A-91 Agent Lynx from the Calgary Stampede string for a fifth place cheque. The challenges of the 2023 WNFR continued for Canada’s Orin Larsen as he managed only 74 points on another former World Champion bucker, Frontier Rodeo’s 16 Gun Fire.
On a night that saw six of the seven events feature the fastest time or highest score of the rodeo to date, the team roping had a distinctly Canadian feel to it. The veteran Luke Brown, who teamed up with 2019 Canadian Champion Hunter Koch, were lightning with a 3.8 second run for the round win. 2016 World Champion and two-time Canadian Champion Jeremy Buhler and American partner Rhen Richard split 2/3 in the round with a 4.0. Clint Summers and Jake Long continue to lead the world in a week that has seen them either win the round (three times) or take a no-time (two times).
In the bull riding, it was an all Kimzey night as Sage, the seven-time World Champion and 2019 CFR qualifier was a spectacular 92 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s 7033 Polar Express while younger brother Trey was the only other success story in the bull riding as he posted an 87.5 on Cord McCoy’s 117 Ridin Salty. The Australian, Ky Hamilton who had taken over the lead in the world standings just 24 hours ago was hospitalized after a nasty buckoff and the early word is that he suffered a concussion which may mean some time off for the world’s number one ranked man. And two Canadian bulls, Duane Kesler Championship Rodeo’s 715 Chester and Macza Pro Rodeo’s 829 Ugly This, both dispatched their riders prior to the eight seconds.
Caleb Smidt topped the field of tie-down ropers on Night Five at WNFR ’65 with an impressive 6.9 second run for his second placing and second round win of the week. The four time World Champion is fourth overall and seventh in the aggregate. But it’s Denton, Texas phenom, Riley Webb, who continues to show why he’s enjoyed top spot through much of the season. The second time WNFR qualifier posted a 7.4 for the second place cheque – his fourth payday of the week in five rounds. Webb’s overall earnings ($351,817) are $100,000 ahead of second place roper, Haven Meged. The aggregate lead is in the hands of Meged with a total of 39.40 seconds on five head with Webb right behind at 39.90/5. Canadian Beau Cooper had his calf get up on him with a resulting no-time.
Glenham, South Dakota barrel racer Summer Kosel and her horse Apollo earned the Purina Run of the Night for good reason. The first time WNFR cowgirl stopped the clock in 13.42 seconds – the speediest run of the first five rounds. But Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi and Benny continue to own the lead in the World standings with $270,563 – including a 13.58 tonight for a total of 68.27 seconds on five runs. Pozzi is the only barrel racer to place in all five rounds so far and leads the aggregate standings.
A similar scenario played out in the steer wrestling where Oregon cowboy Dalton Massey – who is enjoying his inaugural trip to the Thomas and Mack – showed the consistency that kept him at the top of the standings all year. The Hermiston roper was 4.0 seconds for his third placing of the week. Massey is first overall and leads the aggregate. Four time WNFR qualifier JD Struxness turned in the winning time on Night Five – a smoking 3.3 for the top cheque – and has moved into second place overall behind Massey. Canadian ‘dogger Stephen Culling was 4.6 seconds to finish just out of the money.
The Canadian Professional Rodeo Association (CPRA) with headquarters in Airdrie, Alberta is the official sanctioning body for Professional Rodeo in Canada. The CPRA approves 55 events annually with a total payout exceeding $5.7 million. The organization oversees the SMS Equipment Pro Tour Finals each fall in Armstrong, BC, holds their premiere event – the Canadian Finals Rodeo (CFR) – at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB in early October and endorses the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals as part of Canadian Western Agribition in Regina, SK in November. Follow the CPRA on Facebook and Instagram @prorodeocanadaofficial, on Twitter @prorodeocanada or online at RodeoCanada.com.