Team Ropers Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp Make World-Record Tying Run to Win Round 8
LAS VEGAS – If you’re cowboy, there’s no better place in rodeo to perform your best than the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.
That’s exactly what team ropers Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp did during Round 8 Thursday night.
The duo tied the world and NFR record with a lightning fast 3.3-second run before 17,616 fans Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.
“Honestly, Wesley ropes so good that I just try and set him up every night,” Wade said. “It just happened fast and he’s able to shut the run down so fast. It’s special.”
With their $30,706 victory, Wade is second in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $226,834 and Thorp is first in header standings with $233,061.
“It’s awesome. I feel like it was the confidence boost that we needed right there,” Thorp said. “It’s been a slow week and we’d felt that we’ve not gotten the ball rolling. To draw a good steer and make that kind of run, it was unbelievable.”
Wade/Thorp now share the world record with Chad Masters/Jade Corkill at the Wrangler NFR Finals Rodeo, 2009; Brock Hanson/Ryan Motes in Nacogdoches, Texas, 2012; Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira at the Wrangler NFR Finals Rodeo, 2017; Clay Smith/Jade Corkill in San Antonio, Texas, 2021 and Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves in Oakley, Utah, 2021.
“I think the most important thing is we get to go at the end of the round,” Thorp said. “But, with the run that we are trying to make it doesn’t play a factor into what we’re trying to do. It depends on the steer you draw and how you attack the angles. We’re going to continue to do what got us here and not change the game plan for this arena.”
Bareback rider Jess Pope finds NFR rhythm wins Round 8
Since qualifying for his first Wrangler NFR in 2020, bareback rider Jess Pope has been a case study in consistency.
The Kansas cowboy has won three NFR average titles in a row and the 2022 PRCA World Championship.
Pope was in top form on Thursday night, winning Round 8 with an 88.5-point ride on Championship Pro Rodeo’s The Crow.
The ride pushed Pope into the average lead with 681.5 points on eight head. He’s trying to become the first bareback rider in PRCA history to win four straight NFR average crowns in his first four NFR appearances.
“It was really good tonight; the horse was strong. He was small, so he’s really hard to ride but he bucks like a big horse would, dropping and throwing his head back in the air at you,” Pope said. “It makes it hard but it’s fun.”
Pope is third in the world standings with $235,605 behind Keenan Hayes ($324,597) and Clayton Biglow ($269,892). The average winner takes home $78,747.
“You know, I’m not the one that gets to control my future, the good Lord above has a plan for me and if it’s to win four in a row then that’s amazing,” Pope said. “But as for me I’m just going to keep showing up doing my job every chance I get, and I’m just trying to enjoy and love it while I get the opportunity to rodeo.”
No matter how things unfold in Round 9 and Round 10 for Pope, he knows he’s prepared for the moments.
“I have prepared since I was a little kid for this. There’s a lot of hours, work and a lot of preparation that goes into this that no one really sees,” Pope said. “I train myself mentally to expect to win every day I show up.”
Steer wrestler Bridger Anderson adds another NFR round win
When steer wrestler Bridger Anderson has been good, he has been great at the 2023 Wrangler NFR – and he was great again on Thursday night.
Anderson captured his second round win at the NFR, winning Round 8 with a 3.3-second run.
“There’s been a few times where I haven’t necessarily capitalized but I’ve been drawing good, the horses feel great, Clayton (Hass) is doing a great job for Whiskers and I. Everybody here bulldogs great. They have great steers, great horses. It’s makes for a fun bulldogging for sure. It was awesome (to get his first go-round buckle) and I can’t wait to go back (to the South Point) tonight.”
Anderson, who also won Round 4 with a 3.5-second time, has earned $84,290 at this year’s NFR. Anderson is making his second career NFR appearance with his first coming in 2020 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, when he finished ninth. Anderson is eighth in the world standings with $169,801.
“Honestly, the bulldogging – even the guys that are trying to stay in the average they got to go at the barrier and make up ground,” Anderson said. “I think everybody, me included is trying to get as fast a start as we can and draw the best steers and just try to bulldog the best we can.”
Tie-down roper Hunter Herrin captures Round 8 glory
Before Thursday, veteran tie-down roper Hunter Herrin was having a decent NFR, placing in three rounds.
In Round 8, things got even better for the Apache, Okla., cowboy. Herrin stopped the clock in 7.4 seconds for the win.
Herrin has won $84,950 at the NFR and is seventh in the world standings with $199,502.
“The start is so important. After coming out late the first couple rounds, I’ve found my groove these past three rounds,” Herrin said. “Tonight, I pulled but my horse was running through the pull. Thankfully, he let me get her roped and then he did his job. Fortunately, this time I was able to come out on top. We’re going to head down (to the South Point for the go-round buckle) meet some family, and just enjoy the process.”
Herrin has a simple strategy for Rounds 9 and 10.
“Tomorrow night’s calves are really strong. I think 10-11 guys will have a really good chance to win,” Herrin said. “I know I will have two good calves that a guy should win on with a good run. We’re just going to try and hit the barrier, tie them down, and hopefully it will deposit me a little more money.”
Trio of cowboys share saddle bronc riding Round 8 triumphant
All week at the Wrangler NFR, cowboys seem to be splitting round wins – the trend continued in saddle bronc riding on Thursday night with 87.5-point rides.
Zeke Thurston on Frontier Rodeo’s Yellowstone; Sage Newman aboard Three Hills Rodeo’s Devil’s Advocate; and Brody Cress on Corey & Lange Rodeo’s Monster.
“Yeah, it’s a really good little horse. She has been around for a long time and it’s actually the first time I’ve ever drawn her,” said Thurston. “Logan Hay hopped on her last year, so I knew I had a good shot, and I just went out there and tried to make the best ride I could.”
Thurston, the reigning PRCA Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion, is having another outstanding NFR. He has won three rounds – Round 1, Round 5 and Round 8.
Thurston leads the world standings with $344,427, just $327 in front of second place Sage Newman. The difference right now is Thurston is first in the average with 688 points on eight head, while Newman is seventh with 677.5 on eight head. The average winner takes home $78,747.
“It really is just horse by horse, but the fundamentals never change. It doesn’t matter what you draw, you still have to go out there, do the basics, and apply them the best you can,” said Thurston, who is aiming for his fourth world championship.
Newman was thrilled to be in the world championship conversation by splitting the win. Newman also won Round 3.
“I had a big paint horse, and he takes a bunch of the reign and just kind of lets you do your stuff,” Newman said. “He had a good day today and I pair up with him well, so I was happy to have him.”
Newman acknowledged he’s not consumed about crunching numbers in the world standings right now.
“I’m just taking it one day at a time. I don’t really look at the money or anything,” he said. “I just do my job the best I can one horse at a time and try to keep things rolling. Keep it simple and have fun.”
Cress, who is making his seventh NFR appearance, is also trying to win the NFR average for the fourth time in his career. Cress is sixth in the world standings with $241,136 and is second in the average with 686 points on eight head.
“I hadn’t been on that horse (Monster) before winning in Ellensburg a few years ago,” Cress said. “He had a great trip with Ryder Sanford the first time around this week, so I knew coming into tonight I had a really good chance. He’s a very electric, little horse that has a few different trips and he jumped out and gave me an amazing one. I was glad I was able to do my job, stay focused, and keep the momentum rolling.”
Cress, who had a tough NFR a year ago, earning just $63,630, has earned $108,393 in Vegas this year.
“I think one of the main things that’s helped me is continuing to be a student of the craft and not thinking I’ve got everything figured out,” he said. “It started out a little bit rough this year with inconsistencies but with changes to my workout routine and the size of my saddle, it’s made a huge difference. I’ve been preparing for the NFR since the middle of the summer and it’s paying off.”
Tristen Hutchings’ first ride of NFR result in Round 8 victory
Bull rider Tristen Hutchings was pitching a shutout – and not in a good way – at the 2023 Wrangler NFR.
The Idaho, cowboy ended his slump with an 89-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Pegasus to win Round 8.
Hutchings is sixth in the world standings with $221,899.
“It really does feel good. It was kind of wild and reckless, but I loved it,” Hutchings said. “I loved hearing the buzzer. I didn’t care if I placed first, I just wanted to hear the buzzer. It was pretty spectacular. I’m ready to go to the South Point (Casino) and smile.
“You know, I have been through a lot. I had about seven family members here all week long and the rest of my family flew into today. If it was God’s plan to only let me ride one bull, I’m glad he let me do it today.”
Barrel racer Kassie Mowry snares Round 8 title
In the highly competitive field of barrel racers Kassie Mowry stood out in Round 8 in a round breaking record time.
The Dublin, Texas, cowgirl clocked a 13.30-second run for the win.
Mowry has had a solid NFR now placing in four rounds – and she is third in the world standings with $241,369. She has earned $107,567 in Vegas. The Round 8 record was 13.37 seconds by Amberleigh Moore in 2016.
“It all just happened so fast. I can’t wait to watch the video because it really is all just a blur,” Mowry said. “I knew I really had to lay the hammer down because Brittany was so fast coming out of the gate, and I was down a little bit on the back of the ground. I didn’t think, I just reacted. That’s probably the best thing to do when you come here in, and you are in this situation.
“It’s been a lot of fun. Coming back to the NFR for a second-straight season really helped with my preparation. I have been able to put a lot of faith in my horses, regardless of who is running. It’s been a great experience.”
Barrel racer Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi claims world championship
Barrel racer Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi is now a three-time world champion.
The Lampasas, Texas, cowgirl – by placing second in Round 8 with a 13.34-second – clinched her third world title to go along with the ones she captured in 2007 and 2009.
With two rounds left she has amassed over $427,657 in earnings.
“It’s surreal right now,” Pozzi Tonozzi said. “I never thought a third was going to be in the cards for me. This is another dream come true.”
Pozzi Tonozzi leads the average race with 108.98 seconds on eight runs.
Courtesy of PRCA