from PRCA Press Releases
This year the Wrangler® National Finals Rodeo (NFR) moved to Arlington and Fort Worth, Texas, December 3-12, 2020. Arlington’s Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, hosted the Wrangler NFR 2020 – the first non-baseball event at this park. The Arlington and Fort Worth convention and visitors’ bureaus and sports commissions rolled out the welcome for this one-of-a-kind event. For holiday shopping between events, Cowboy Christmas boasted hundreds of vendors at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
Event organizers confirmed the event would comply with all health and safety protocols for attendees. All fans were required to wear face coverings inside the Pro Rodeo Zone and Globe Life Field and were asked to maintain at least six feet of separation from fans who are not a part of their ticketed pod. Each pod of ticketed seats was a minimum of six feet from each other. Fans could follow official PRCA updates throughout the event at www.prorodeo.com.
In addition to the adult competition, the Junior World Finals were also happening this week at the Cowtown Coliseum. See the full schedule of events here: https://www.nfrexperience.com/juniorworldfinals/schedule
The NFR was born in Texas and the first three years of the event were held at the Dallas State Fairgrounds, beginning in 1959. Years later, the event moved to Las Vegas and has been staged at the Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV in Las Vegas since 1985. That venue was not available for live entertainment with fans this year due to coronavirus restrictions in Nevada.
Highlights from Round 1, Dec. 3:
Stetson Wright wins Round 1 in bull riding. Wright, the first cowboy to qualify for multiple Wrangler National Finals Rodeo roughstock events since Jesse Bail in 2003, didn’t miss a beat in Round 1 of the 2020 Wrangler NFR at Globe Life Field. After narrowly missing out on placing in saddle bronc riding, the Milford, Utah, cowboy won the bull riding minutes later with a 90.5-point ride on Stockyards Pro Rodeo’s Silver Lining.
Rusty Wright, Lefty Holman share saddle bronc riding victory. Rusty Wright, one of Stetson’s older brothers, split the saddle bronc riding Round 1 win with Lefty Holman. Wright had an 86-point ride on Bailey Pro Rodeo’s Rip Cord, while Holman equaled that score aboard Brookman Rodeo’s Flirtacious.
Bareback rider Richard Champion won Round 1 at the Wrangler NFR for the second year in a row. Champion delivered his latest victory with an 87.5-point ride on J Bar J’s Blessed Assurances at Globe Life Field.
Marty Yates, making his seventh consecutive trip to the Wrangler NFR, wins tie-down roping with 7.1-second run. Yates won Round 1 for the second time in his career. The Stephenville, Texas, cowboy who won Round 1 as a rookie in 2014 with a 7.4-second run, but on Thursday night, Yates stopped the clock in 7.1 seconds to capture the Round 1 crown.
Steer wrestlersDakota Eldridge, Blake Knowles and Jesse Brown all left Round 1 smiling. The trio had identical 3.9-second runs to share the win at Globe Life Field.
Team ropers Erich Rogers and Payden Bray won Round 1 with a 4.8-second run.
Barrel racer Hailey Kinsel set the pace in barrel racing in Round 1, snaring the win with a 17.18-second run.
Highlights from Round 2, Dec. 4:
Team ropers Dustin Egusquiza and Travis Graves went to the Round 2 winner’s circle in record fashion Friday. The duo tied the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Round 2 record with a 3.8-second run at Globe Life Field.
Stetson Wright won his second consecutive round in bull riding with an 88.5-point ride on Powder River Rodeo’s Axel. Stetson’s brothers have notched saddle bronc riding wins at the 2020 Wrangler NFR – Rusty in Round 1 and Ryder in Round 2.
Ryder Wright wowed the crowd with 90-point saddle bronc ride. After placing third in Round 1, Wright won Round 2 with a 90-point ride on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Feather Fluffer.
Tie-down roper Marty Yates has had an outstanding ProRodeo career, qualifying for the Wrangler NFR seven consecutive years. The Stephenville, Texas cowboy won his second consecutive round with a 7.2-second run a day after winning Round 1 with a 7.1-second time.
The veteran bareback rider Tanner Aus, from Granite Falls, Minn., drew Hi Lo Pro Rodeo’sWilson Sanchez, a horse that had taken multiple riders to go-round wins at the Finals. Aus added his name to that winner’s list after making an 87-point ride to win Round 2.
The steer wrestling Round 2 winners are on both ends of the spectrum. Tyler Waguespack is aiming to add a third world championship to go with the ones he earned in 2016 and 2018. Bridger Anderson, meanwhile, is making his Wrangler NFR debut. They shared the spotlight by splitting the win with 3.8-second runs.
Barrel racer Jimmie Smith was all smiles after winning Round 2 with a 17.04-second run. Hailey KInsel was almost as fast, coming in second with a 17.09-second run.
Highlights from Round 3, Dec. 5:
Saddle bronc rider Allen Boore snares Round 3 win with record ride, in his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo appearance. The Axtell, Utah cowboy set the go-round record with a 90.5-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Yesterdays Delivery at Globe Life Field.
Bareback rider Kaycee Field, four-time world champion, won Round 3 with a record-tying ride. The Genola, Utah, cowboy had a 91.5-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Xplosive Skies to claim the win and tie the go-round record. Feild shares the record with Justin McDaniel (2007) and Tim O’Connell (2017).
Bull rider Colten Fritzlan (20), is making his Wrangler NFR debut in 2020. The Rifle, Colo. cowboy captured his first victory with an 89-point ride on Bar T Rodeo’s Angel’s Landing.
Team ropers Dustin Egusquiza and Travis Graves went to the team roping Round 2 winner’s circle Friday, tying the Round 2 record in the process with a 3.8-second run. Egusquiza and Graves kept winning Saturday night, claiming the Round 3 title with a 4.2-second run.
Tie-down roper Cory Solomon finished No. 16 in the regular-season world standings and was on the outside looking in for the Wrangler NFR. But before the rodeo started, he was summoned to replace Caleb Smidt. The Prairie View, Texas cowboy split fifth in Round 1 and then won Round 3 with a 7.0-second run.
After a third-place finish in Round 2, Will Lummus stepped up more in Round 3, getting the steer wrestling win with a 3.5-second run.
Barrel racer Lisa Lockhart set the pace in barrel racing in Round 3, stopping the clock in 17.09 seconds for the win.
Highlights from Round 4, Dec. 6:
Bareback rider Tim O’Connell came to the 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on a mission to win his fourth world championship. O’Connell, who claimed world titles from 2016-18, had a 90.5-point ride on Fettig Pro Rodeo’s Pop A Top, tying the Round 4 record and capturing the victory. O’Connell now shares the Round 4 record with Will Lowe (2004) and Ty Breuer (2017).
Saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright won his second go-round with an 89.5-point ride on Vold Rodeo’s Sun Glow. The Milford, Utah, cowboy has placed in all four rounds and won Round 2 with a 90-point ride on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Feather Fluffer.
Steer wrestler Jacob Talley is now leading the world standings. Talley climbed to the top of the standings when he stopped the clock in 3.4 seconds to win Round 4.
Defending barrel racing champ Hailey Kinsel wins another round. The Cotulla, Texas cowgirl won Round 1 of the Wrangler NFR with a 17.18-second time and added Round 4 to her go-round victories with a 17.09-second run Sunday night. She credited her star horse, Sister, for her latest go-round win.
Texas tie-down roper Adam Gray is making his sixth appearance at the Wrangler NFR. On Sunday he clocked a 7.8-second run to win Round 4.
Bull rider Ty Wallace claims victory with 89.5-point ride. After placing second in Round 3, Wallace won Round 4 with an 89.5-point ride on Hi Lo Pro Rodeo’s Lipps on a re-ride.
Team ropersBrenten Hall and Chase Tryan posted a 4.2-second run to win Round 4.
Highlights from Round 5, Dec. 7:
Team ropers Clay Smith and Jade Corkill stopped the clock in 3.6 seconds at Globe Life Field, which also tied the Round 5 NFR record set in the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Smith and Corkill now share the record with Garrett Tonozzi and Kinney Harrell (2006) and JoJo LeMond and Cory Petska (2010).
Bull rider and Colorado native Ty Wallace wins second consecutive go-round. A day after winning Round 4 with an 89.5-point ride on Hi Lo Pro Rodeo’s Lipps, Wallace won again in Round 5, posting a 91.5-point ride on Rafter G Rodeo’s Freddy Fender.
Bareback rider Clayton Biglow had an 89-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Top Flight to get the win. Top Flight, 16, was the 2020 Pendleton Whisky “Let 'er Buck” Stock of the Year in saddle bronc riding. “That horse feels like a dream and rides like a Cadillac,” Biglow said.
Saddle bronc rider Wyatt Casper delivered his first career Wrangler NFR go-round win, claiming the Round 5 victory with a 90.5-point ride on Korkow Rodeo’s Onion Ring.
Barrel racer Hailey Kinsel wins again. The Cotulla, Texas cowgirl won her third round of the 2020 Finals – winning Round 5 with a 16.92-second time, the fastest of this year’s NFR. Kinsel acknowledged her standout horse, Sister, keeps getting better at Globe Life Field.
Veteran tie-down roper Hunter Herrin is making his 10th Wrangler NFR appearance and first since 2016. The Oklahoma cowboy clocked a 7.4-second run to win Round 5.
Steer wrestlerMatt Reeves is back leading the world standings after splitting the Round 5 win with Jace Melvin. Each cowboy clocked 3.9-second times.
Highlights from Round 6, Dec. 8:
Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan was a special guest at the 2020 Wrangler NFR at Globe Life Field, Tuesday, introduced to the crowd before Round 6. Ryan, who played 27 years in Major League Baseball – from 1966-1993 – with the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, struck out a major league-record 5,714 batters and has an MLB-best seven no-hitters, three more than any other pitcher in baseball history.
Haven Meged sets Round 6 tie-down roping record. The Miles City, Mont., cowboy has placed in the last three rounds, highlighted by winning Round 6 in an NFR go-round record of 6.8 seconds at Globe Life Field. The Round 6 record was 6.9 seconds, shared by Matt Shiozawa (2014) and Marty Yates (2014 and 2017).
Saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright is batting .500. The Milford, Utah, cowboy has won three of the six rounds at the 2020 Wrangler NFR. Wright won Round 6 with a go-round record 90.5-point ride on Hi Lo Pro Rodeo’s Billie. Wright also won Rounds 2 and 4.
Bull rider Dustin Boquet had an 88.5-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Lonesome You, a second re-ride, to claim top honors. The Louisiana native rode three bulls in 15 minutes before walking away with the win.
Rookie bareback rider Cole Reiner captures first Finals go-round win. The Kaycee, Wyo. cowboy won his first career Wrangler NFR go-round, claiming Round 6 with an 87-point ride on Flying U Rodeo’s Lil Red Hawk.
Team ropers Cody Snow and Junior Nogueira placed sixth in Round 1 (5.7 seconds) and third in Round 5 (4.0 seconds). But the duo was on the high side Tuesday, winning Round 6 with a 3.9-second run.
Steer wrestlers Stetson Jorgensen and Jacob Edler split Round 6. The two cowboys shared the win with 3.3-second runs. Jorgensen is first in the average with a 26.6-second time on six head, and Edler is second in the average with a 26.8-second time on six.
Barrel racer Emily Miller-Beisel got her first win and first check of the 2020 Finals with a 17.01-second run in Round 6.
Highlights from Round 7, Dec. 9:
Stetson Wright dazzles in Round 7 with saddle bronc, bull riding wins.Stetson Wright is having a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the ages. The 21-year-old, Utah cowboy won his first career Wrangler NFR go-round in saddle bronc riding with a 90.5-point trip on Hi Lo Pro Rodeo’s Larry Culpepper at Globe Life Field, Dec. 9. Less than an hour later, he won bull riding with an 89-point ride on Universal Pro Rodeos’ Slinger. Wright is the first cowboy to win two roughstock events in one night at the Finals since 2001. Wright has won Rounds 1, 2 and 7 in bull riding.
Hunter Herrin stays hot with second tie-down roping win. The veteran tie-down roper won Round 5 with a 7.4-second run, was second in Round 6 (6.9 seconds), and returned to the winner’s circle in Round 7 with a 6.8-second run.
Charly Crawford and Logan Medlin capture team roping in 3.8 seconds. Team roping header Crawford announced that he will retire after the 2020 Wrangler NFR. Crawford received a nice farewell gift when he and his partner, Logan Medlin, won Round 6 with a 3.8-second time.
Veteran steer wrestler Clayton Hass got the win in Round 7, with a 3.4-second run on his 37th birthday Dec. 9.
Bareback rider Orin Larsen found the winner’s circle Wednesday, with a 90-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Yippee Kibitz to claim the title.
Barrel racer Emily Miller-Beisel makes it two in a row. Returning from a 17.01-second run in Round 6, the Weatherford, Okla. cowgirl returned to the winner’s circle in Round 7 with a 16.85-second run aboard Chongo. Hailey Kinzel was a close second with a 16.90-second run.
Bull rider Tyler Bingham was injured in Round 7. He suffered a concussion after being bucked off Big Stone Rodeo’s Spotted Demon. Bingham was down on the arena floor for several minutes after being stepped on by Spotted Demon, the 2018 PRCA bull of the year. The Justin Sports Medicine injury report stated that Bingham suffered a concussion and was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Highlights from Round 8, Dec. 10:
Saddle Bronc rider Ryder Wright won his fourth go-round of the 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with an 88-point ride on Andrews Rodeo’s American Hat’s Positive Times in Round 8 at Globe Life Field, Dec. 10. Wright also won Rounds 2, 4 and 6. If he wins one more round, he will tie the PRCA record for most saddle bronc riding wins at the NFR that he already shares with Billy Etbauer (1992, 1999 and 2005) and Dan Mortensen (1998). Wright won five rounds in 2016.
Barrel racer Haley Kinsel has had a dominating performance at the 2020 Finals. The Cotulla, Texas, cowgirl clocked a 16.56-second run, a WPRA record on a standard pattern. Kinsel broke her own WPRA standard-pattern record of 16.63 seconds that she set earlier this year in Dodge City, Kan.
Tie-down roper Westyn Hughes continues to make memories at the 2020 Finals. Hughes, who placed in five of the first seven rounds, proceeded to win Round 8 with a 7.4-second run Thursday.
Bareback rider Jess Pope won Round 8 with an 89-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Xplosive Skies.
Steer wrestler and Oregon cowboy Blake Knowles won his second go-round of this NFR, clocking a 3.6-second time to take the Round 8 title. Knowles also split the Round 1 victory with a 3.9-second time.
Team ropers Colby Lovell and Paul Eaves captured the Round 8 crown with a 4.3-second run. It was Lovell’s inaugural NFR go-round win.
Bull riders Ty Wallace and Roscoe Jarboe split the Round 8 win in bull riding. Wallace had an 89.5-point trip on Stockyard’s Pro Rodeo’s Soy El Fuego on a re-ride, and Jarboe had an 89.5-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Magic Poison.
Highlights from Round 9, Dec. 11:
Stetson Wright secures second consecutive all-around gold buckle. The Milford, Utah, cowboy officially clinched the title when he won Round 9 in the bull riding with a 92-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Record Rack’s Smoke Stack to add another $26,231 to his haul. At 21, Wright is the youngest cowboy to be crowned All-Around World Champion in his first two seasons.
Barrel racer Hailey Kinsel’s amazing Wrangler NFR keeps improving with each round. The Cotulla, Texas cowgirl won her fifth round of the NFR – Round 9 with a 16.81-second run.
Saddle bronc rider Wyatt Casper has represented himself well in his first trip to the Wrangler NFR. The Texas cowboy came in as the world-standings leader and remains in a battle with Ryder Wright to win a gold buckle. Casper kept the race tight by winning Round 9 with an 88-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Xena Warrior.
After winning Round 6 with an 87-point ride on Flying U Rodeo’s Lil Hawk, Bareback rider Cole Reiner doubled his pleasure at his Wrangler NFR debut. The Wyoming native had an 89.5-point trip on Calgary Stampede’s Arbitrator Joe to win Round 9.
The Round 9 win in steer wrestling was celebrated by a trio of cowboys – Matt Reeves, Tyler Waguespack and Jacob Talley – as they each had 3.5-second runs.
Team ropers Colby Lovell and Paul Eaves won their second round in a row with a 3.8-second time. They shared the winner’s circle with Chad Masters and Wesley Thorp, who also made a 3.8-second run to get their first go-round win of the 2020 Wrangler NFR.
Tie-down roper Tuf Cooper has placed just twice in the 2020 Wrangler NFR – fourth in Round 4 and second in Round 7. On Friday, the four-time world champ captured a victory in Round 9 with a 6.9-second run.
Highlights from Round 10, Dec. 12:
A night after winning the coveted all-around world championship, Stetson Wright returned to make his 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo one for the ages. Wright split first with a 92-point ride on Bar T Rodeo’s Angel’s Landing to win the bull riding world championship at Globe Life Field, Dec. 12. Wright has won back-to-back all-around world championships – the first to do so since Trevor Brazile in 2014 and 2015.
At 21, Wright is the youngest cowboy to be crowned All-Around World Champion in his first two seasons. He became the first cowboy to win the all-around gold buckle and a roughstock world championship in the same year since Ty Murray in 1998. Murray won the all-around and bull riding titles that year.
Bareback rider Kaycee Feild is a world champion again. Feild won his fifth bareback world championship, and first since 2014, with a 91-point ride on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Junior Bonner on a re-ride.
Saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright split the Round 10 win with a 91-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Big Texas to catapult to the world and average championships at the 2020 Wrangler NFR.
Tie-down roper Shad Mayfield had a forgetful 2020 Wrangler NFR, placing in just two rounds and registering six no-times. But Mayfield rode a huge regular-season performance to finish atop the world standings with $198,399, just $231 more than second-place Marty Yates.
With a world championship in reach, team ropers Colby Lovell and Paul Eaves won Round 10 with a 4.4-second run to capture coveted world championship gold buckles.
Steer wrestler Jacob Edler will never forget his first trip to the Wrangler NFR. The State Center, Iowa cowboy clocked a 3.9-second time to place fourth in the final round and win the average and world championships.
Hailey Kinsel now has three barrel racing world titles, and all three over the last three seasons. The Cotulla, Texas, cowgirl won five rounds and placed in eight at the 2020 Wrangler NFR to finish with $349,076 in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Kinsel earned $270,615 at the NFR, a barrel racing record. Kinsel also won the RAM Top Gun Award, which goes to the contestant who wins the most money in any single event at the Wrangler NFR.
This year the Wrangler® National Finals Rodeo (NFR) moved to Arlington and Fort Worth, Texas, December 3-12, 2020. Arlington’s Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, hosted the Wrangler NFR 2020 – the first non-baseball event at this park. The Arlington and Fort Worth convention and visitors’ bureaus and sports commissions rolled out the welcome for this one-of-a-kind event. For holiday shopping between events, Cowboy Christmas boasted hundreds of vendors at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
Event organizers confirmed the event would comply with all health and safety protocols for attendees. All fans were required to wear face coverings inside the Pro Rodeo Zone and Globe Life Field and were asked to maintain at least six feet of separation from fans who are not a part of their ticketed pod. Each pod of ticketed seats was a minimum of six feet from each other. Fans could follow official PRCA updates throughout the event at www.prorodeo.com.
In addition to the adult competition, the Junior World Finals were also happening this week at the Cowtown Coliseum. See the full schedule of events here: https://www.nfrexperience.com/juniorworldfinals/schedule
The NFR was born in Texas and the first three years of the event were held at the Dallas State Fairgrounds, beginning in 1959. Years later, the event moved to Las Vegas and has been staged at the Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV in Las Vegas since 1985. That venue was not available for live entertainment with fans this year due to coronavirus restrictions in Nevada.
Highlights from Round 1, Dec. 3:
Stetson Wright wins Round 1 in bull riding. Wright, the first cowboy to qualify for multiple Wrangler National Finals Rodeo roughstock events since Jesse Bail in 2003, didn’t miss a beat in Round 1 of the 2020 Wrangler NFR at Globe Life Field. After narrowly missing out on placing in saddle bronc riding, the Milford, Utah, cowboy won the bull riding minutes later with a 90.5-point ride on Stockyards Pro Rodeo’s Silver Lining.
Rusty Wright, Lefty Holman share saddle bronc riding victory. Rusty Wright, one of Stetson’s older brothers, split the saddle bronc riding Round 1 win with Lefty Holman. Wright had an 86-point ride on Bailey Pro Rodeo’s Rip Cord, while Holman equaled that score aboard Brookman Rodeo’s Flirtacious.
Bareback rider Richard Champion won Round 1 at the Wrangler NFR for the second year in a row. Champion delivered his latest victory with an 87.5-point ride on J Bar J’s Blessed Assurances at Globe Life Field.
Marty Yates, making his seventh consecutive trip to the Wrangler NFR, wins tie-down roping with 7.1-second run. Yates won Round 1 for the second time in his career. The Stephenville, Texas, cowboy who won Round 1 as a rookie in 2014 with a 7.4-second run, but on Thursday night, Yates stopped the clock in 7.1 seconds to capture the Round 1 crown.
Steer wrestlersDakota Eldridge, Blake Knowles and Jesse Brown all left Round 1 smiling. The trio had identical 3.9-second runs to share the win at Globe Life Field.
Team ropers Erich Rogers and Payden Bray won Round 1 with a 4.8-second run.
Barrel racer Hailey Kinsel set the pace in barrel racing in Round 1, snaring the win with a 17.18-second run.
Highlights from Round 2, Dec. 4:
Team ropers Dustin Egusquiza and Travis Graves went to the Round 2 winner’s circle in record fashion Friday. The duo tied the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Round 2 record with a 3.8-second run at Globe Life Field.
Stetson Wright won his second consecutive round in bull riding with an 88.5-point ride on Powder River Rodeo’s Axel. Stetson’s brothers have notched saddle bronc riding wins at the 2020 Wrangler NFR – Rusty in Round 1 and Ryder in Round 2.
Ryder Wright wowed the crowd with 90-point saddle bronc ride. After placing third in Round 1, Wright won Round 2 with a 90-point ride on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Feather Fluffer.
Tie-down roper Marty Yates has had an outstanding ProRodeo career, qualifying for the Wrangler NFR seven consecutive years. The Stephenville, Texas cowboy won his second consecutive round with a 7.2-second run a day after winning Round 1 with a 7.1-second time.
The veteran bareback rider Tanner Aus, from Granite Falls, Minn., drew Hi Lo Pro Rodeo’sWilson Sanchez, a horse that had taken multiple riders to go-round wins at the Finals. Aus added his name to that winner’s list after making an 87-point ride to win Round 2.
The steer wrestling Round 2 winners are on both ends of the spectrum. Tyler Waguespack is aiming to add a third world championship to go with the ones he earned in 2016 and 2018. Bridger Anderson, meanwhile, is making his Wrangler NFR debut. They shared the spotlight by splitting the win with 3.8-second runs.
Barrel racer Jimmie Smith was all smiles after winning Round 2 with a 17.04-second run. Hailey KInsel was almost as fast, coming in second with a 17.09-second run.
Highlights from Round 3, Dec. 5:
Saddle bronc rider Allen Boore snares Round 3 win with record ride, in his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo appearance. The Axtell, Utah cowboy set the go-round record with a 90.5-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Yesterdays Delivery at Globe Life Field.
Bareback rider Kaycee Field, four-time world champion, won Round 3 with a record-tying ride. The Genola, Utah, cowboy had a 91.5-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Xplosive Skies to claim the win and tie the go-round record. Feild shares the record with Justin McDaniel (2007) and Tim O’Connell (2017).
Bull rider Colten Fritzlan (20), is making his Wrangler NFR debut in 2020. The Rifle, Colo. cowboy captured his first victory with an 89-point ride on Bar T Rodeo’s Angel’s Landing.
Team ropers Dustin Egusquiza and Travis Graves went to the team roping Round 2 winner’s circle Friday, tying the Round 2 record in the process with a 3.8-second run. Egusquiza and Graves kept winning Saturday night, claiming the Round 3 title with a 4.2-second run.
Tie-down roper Cory Solomon finished No. 16 in the regular-season world standings and was on the outside looking in for the Wrangler NFR. But before the rodeo started, he was summoned to replace Caleb Smidt. The Prairie View, Texas cowboy split fifth in Round 1 and then won Round 3 with a 7.0-second run.
After a third-place finish in Round 2, Will Lummus stepped up more in Round 3, getting the steer wrestling win with a 3.5-second run.
Barrel racer Lisa Lockhart set the pace in barrel racing in Round 3, stopping the clock in 17.09 seconds for the win.
Highlights from Round 4, Dec. 6:
Bareback rider Tim O’Connell came to the 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on a mission to win his fourth world championship. O’Connell, who claimed world titles from 2016-18, had a 90.5-point ride on Fettig Pro Rodeo’s Pop A Top, tying the Round 4 record and capturing the victory. O’Connell now shares the Round 4 record with Will Lowe (2004) and Ty Breuer (2017).
Saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright won his second go-round with an 89.5-point ride on Vold Rodeo’s Sun Glow. The Milford, Utah, cowboy has placed in all four rounds and won Round 2 with a 90-point ride on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Feather Fluffer.
Steer wrestler Jacob Talley is now leading the world standings. Talley climbed to the top of the standings when he stopped the clock in 3.4 seconds to win Round 4.
Defending barrel racing champ Hailey Kinsel wins another round. The Cotulla, Texas cowgirl won Round 1 of the Wrangler NFR with a 17.18-second time and added Round 4 to her go-round victories with a 17.09-second run Sunday night. She credited her star horse, Sister, for her latest go-round win.
Texas tie-down roper Adam Gray is making his sixth appearance at the Wrangler NFR. On Sunday he clocked a 7.8-second run to win Round 4.
Bull rider Ty Wallace claims victory with 89.5-point ride. After placing second in Round 3, Wallace won Round 4 with an 89.5-point ride on Hi Lo Pro Rodeo’s Lipps on a re-ride.
Team ropersBrenten Hall and Chase Tryan posted a 4.2-second run to win Round 4.
Highlights from Round 5, Dec. 7:
Team ropers Clay Smith and Jade Corkill stopped the clock in 3.6 seconds at Globe Life Field, which also tied the Round 5 NFR record set in the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Smith and Corkill now share the record with Garrett Tonozzi and Kinney Harrell (2006) and JoJo LeMond and Cory Petska (2010).
Bull rider and Colorado native Ty Wallace wins second consecutive go-round. A day after winning Round 4 with an 89.5-point ride on Hi Lo Pro Rodeo’s Lipps, Wallace won again in Round 5, posting a 91.5-point ride on Rafter G Rodeo’s Freddy Fender.
Bareback rider Clayton Biglow had an 89-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Top Flight to get the win. Top Flight, 16, was the 2020 Pendleton Whisky “Let 'er Buck” Stock of the Year in saddle bronc riding. “That horse feels like a dream and rides like a Cadillac,” Biglow said.
Saddle bronc rider Wyatt Casper delivered his first career Wrangler NFR go-round win, claiming the Round 5 victory with a 90.5-point ride on Korkow Rodeo’s Onion Ring.
Barrel racer Hailey Kinsel wins again. The Cotulla, Texas cowgirl won her third round of the 2020 Finals – winning Round 5 with a 16.92-second time, the fastest of this year’s NFR. Kinsel acknowledged her standout horse, Sister, keeps getting better at Globe Life Field.
Veteran tie-down roper Hunter Herrin is making his 10th Wrangler NFR appearance and first since 2016. The Oklahoma cowboy clocked a 7.4-second run to win Round 5.
Steer wrestlerMatt Reeves is back leading the world standings after splitting the Round 5 win with Jace Melvin. Each cowboy clocked 3.9-second times.
Highlights from Round 6, Dec. 8:
Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan was a special guest at the 2020 Wrangler NFR at Globe Life Field, Tuesday, introduced to the crowd before Round 6. Ryan, who played 27 years in Major League Baseball – from 1966-1993 – with the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers, struck out a major league-record 5,714 batters and has an MLB-best seven no-hitters, three more than any other pitcher in baseball history.
Haven Meged sets Round 6 tie-down roping record. The Miles City, Mont., cowboy has placed in the last three rounds, highlighted by winning Round 6 in an NFR go-round record of 6.8 seconds at Globe Life Field. The Round 6 record was 6.9 seconds, shared by Matt Shiozawa (2014) and Marty Yates (2014 and 2017).
Saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright is batting .500. The Milford, Utah, cowboy has won three of the six rounds at the 2020 Wrangler NFR. Wright won Round 6 with a go-round record 90.5-point ride on Hi Lo Pro Rodeo’s Billie. Wright also won Rounds 2 and 4.
Bull rider Dustin Boquet had an 88.5-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Lonesome You, a second re-ride, to claim top honors. The Louisiana native rode three bulls in 15 minutes before walking away with the win.
Rookie bareback rider Cole Reiner captures first Finals go-round win. The Kaycee, Wyo. cowboy won his first career Wrangler NFR go-round, claiming Round 6 with an 87-point ride on Flying U Rodeo’s Lil Red Hawk.
Team ropers Cody Snow and Junior Nogueira placed sixth in Round 1 (5.7 seconds) and third in Round 5 (4.0 seconds). But the duo was on the high side Tuesday, winning Round 6 with a 3.9-second run.
Steer wrestlers Stetson Jorgensen and Jacob Edler split Round 6. The two cowboys shared the win with 3.3-second runs. Jorgensen is first in the average with a 26.6-second time on six head, and Edler is second in the average with a 26.8-second time on six.
Barrel racer Emily Miller-Beisel got her first win and first check of the 2020 Finals with a 17.01-second run in Round 6.
Highlights from Round 7, Dec. 9:
Stetson Wright dazzles in Round 7 with saddle bronc, bull riding wins.Stetson Wright is having a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo for the ages. The 21-year-old, Utah cowboy won his first career Wrangler NFR go-round in saddle bronc riding with a 90.5-point trip on Hi Lo Pro Rodeo’s Larry Culpepper at Globe Life Field, Dec. 9. Less than an hour later, he won bull riding with an 89-point ride on Universal Pro Rodeos’ Slinger. Wright is the first cowboy to win two roughstock events in one night at the Finals since 2001. Wright has won Rounds 1, 2 and 7 in bull riding.
Hunter Herrin stays hot with second tie-down roping win. The veteran tie-down roper won Round 5 with a 7.4-second run, was second in Round 6 (6.9 seconds), and returned to the winner’s circle in Round 7 with a 6.8-second run.
Charly Crawford and Logan Medlin capture team roping in 3.8 seconds. Team roping header Crawford announced that he will retire after the 2020 Wrangler NFR. Crawford received a nice farewell gift when he and his partner, Logan Medlin, won Round 6 with a 3.8-second time.
Veteran steer wrestler Clayton Hass got the win in Round 7, with a 3.4-second run on his 37th birthday Dec. 9.
Bareback rider Orin Larsen found the winner’s circle Wednesday, with a 90-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Yippee Kibitz to claim the title.
Barrel racer Emily Miller-Beisel makes it two in a row. Returning from a 17.01-second run in Round 6, the Weatherford, Okla. cowgirl returned to the winner’s circle in Round 7 with a 16.85-second run aboard Chongo. Hailey Kinzel was a close second with a 16.90-second run.
Bull rider Tyler Bingham was injured in Round 7. He suffered a concussion after being bucked off Big Stone Rodeo’s Spotted Demon. Bingham was down on the arena floor for several minutes after being stepped on by Spotted Demon, the 2018 PRCA bull of the year. The Justin Sports Medicine injury report stated that Bingham suffered a concussion and was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.
Highlights from Round 8, Dec. 10:
Saddle Bronc rider Ryder Wright won his fourth go-round of the 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with an 88-point ride on Andrews Rodeo’s American Hat’s Positive Times in Round 8 at Globe Life Field, Dec. 10. Wright also won Rounds 2, 4 and 6. If he wins one more round, he will tie the PRCA record for most saddle bronc riding wins at the NFR that he already shares with Billy Etbauer (1992, 1999 and 2005) and Dan Mortensen (1998). Wright won five rounds in 2016.
Barrel racer Haley Kinsel has had a dominating performance at the 2020 Finals. The Cotulla, Texas, cowgirl clocked a 16.56-second run, a WPRA record on a standard pattern. Kinsel broke her own WPRA standard-pattern record of 16.63 seconds that she set earlier this year in Dodge City, Kan.
Tie-down roper Westyn Hughes continues to make memories at the 2020 Finals. Hughes, who placed in five of the first seven rounds, proceeded to win Round 8 with a 7.4-second run Thursday.
Bareback rider Jess Pope won Round 8 with an 89-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Xplosive Skies.
Steer wrestler and Oregon cowboy Blake Knowles won his second go-round of this NFR, clocking a 3.6-second time to take the Round 8 title. Knowles also split the Round 1 victory with a 3.9-second time.
Team ropers Colby Lovell and Paul Eaves captured the Round 8 crown with a 4.3-second run. It was Lovell’s inaugural NFR go-round win.
Bull riders Ty Wallace and Roscoe Jarboe split the Round 8 win in bull riding. Wallace had an 89.5-point trip on Stockyard’s Pro Rodeo’s Soy El Fuego on a re-ride, and Jarboe had an 89.5-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Magic Poison.
Highlights from Round 9, Dec. 11:
Stetson Wright secures second consecutive all-around gold buckle. The Milford, Utah, cowboy officially clinched the title when he won Round 9 in the bull riding with a 92-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Record Rack’s Smoke Stack to add another $26,231 to his haul. At 21, Wright is the youngest cowboy to be crowned All-Around World Champion in his first two seasons.
Barrel racer Hailey Kinsel’s amazing Wrangler NFR keeps improving with each round. The Cotulla, Texas cowgirl won her fifth round of the NFR – Round 9 with a 16.81-second run.
Saddle bronc rider Wyatt Casper has represented himself well in his first trip to the Wrangler NFR. The Texas cowboy came in as the world-standings leader and remains in a battle with Ryder Wright to win a gold buckle. Casper kept the race tight by winning Round 9 with an 88-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s Xena Warrior.
After winning Round 6 with an 87-point ride on Flying U Rodeo’s Lil Hawk, Bareback rider Cole Reiner doubled his pleasure at his Wrangler NFR debut. The Wyoming native had an 89.5-point trip on Calgary Stampede’s Arbitrator Joe to win Round 9.
The Round 9 win in steer wrestling was celebrated by a trio of cowboys – Matt Reeves, Tyler Waguespack and Jacob Talley – as they each had 3.5-second runs.
Team ropers Colby Lovell and Paul Eaves won their second round in a row with a 3.8-second time. They shared the winner’s circle with Chad Masters and Wesley Thorp, who also made a 3.8-second run to get their first go-round win of the 2020 Wrangler NFR.
Tie-down roper Tuf Cooper has placed just twice in the 2020 Wrangler NFR – fourth in Round 4 and second in Round 7. On Friday, the four-time world champ captured a victory in Round 9 with a 6.9-second run.
Highlights from Round 10, Dec. 12:
A night after winning the coveted all-around world championship, Stetson Wright returned to make his 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo one for the ages. Wright split first with a 92-point ride on Bar T Rodeo’s Angel’s Landing to win the bull riding world championship at Globe Life Field, Dec. 12. Wright has won back-to-back all-around world championships – the first to do so since Trevor Brazile in 2014 and 2015.
At 21, Wright is the youngest cowboy to be crowned All-Around World Champion in his first two seasons. He became the first cowboy to win the all-around gold buckle and a roughstock world championship in the same year since Ty Murray in 1998. Murray won the all-around and bull riding titles that year.
Bareback rider Kaycee Feild is a world champion again. Feild won his fifth bareback world championship, and first since 2014, with a 91-point ride on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Junior Bonner on a re-ride.
Saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright split the Round 10 win with a 91-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Big Texas to catapult to the world and average championships at the 2020 Wrangler NFR.
Tie-down roper Shad Mayfield had a forgetful 2020 Wrangler NFR, placing in just two rounds and registering six no-times. But Mayfield rode a huge regular-season performance to finish atop the world standings with $198,399, just $231 more than second-place Marty Yates.
With a world championship in reach, team ropers Colby Lovell and Paul Eaves won Round 10 with a 4.4-second run to capture coveted world championship gold buckles.
Steer wrestler Jacob Edler will never forget his first trip to the Wrangler NFR. The State Center, Iowa cowboy clocked a 3.9-second time to place fourth in the final round and win the average and world championships.
Hailey Kinsel now has three barrel racing world titles, and all three over the last three seasons. The Cotulla, Texas, cowgirl won five rounds and placed in eight at the 2020 Wrangler NFR to finish with $349,076 in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. Kinsel earned $270,615 at the NFR, a barrel racing record. Kinsel also won the RAM Top Gun Award, which goes to the contestant who wins the most money in any single event at the Wrangler NFR.
