Rodeo: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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The National Finals Rodeo is officially over and with 10 full days of action, rodeo fans got to see some of the best performances of the season from some of the greatest jockeys in the sport of barrel racing.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 16

Rodeo Tradition Lives On as WPRA Celebrates NFR’s Top Women Athletes

The WPRA decided to celebrate 50 years in 1988 by giving each National Finals Qualifier (NFR) a saddle. They sparked a tradition that has now brought saddle makers from all over together allowing each to design and build a saddle for the 15 qualifiers.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 16

The Butterfly Effect of Bozo, Jordon Briggs, and the 2025 National Finals Rodeo

"The butterfly effect is the idea that small, seemingly trivial events may ultimately result in something with much larger consequences." - How Stuff Works A concept in chaos theory, the butterfly effect has been a trending topic on social media this year, as users found applications for the idea in their daily lives.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 15

The 'Epic' Kassie Mowry History with Two Horses in the 2025 NFR Field

It would be difficult not to notice the similarities in the two large gray geldings that have run down the alley in the Thomas & Mack in the2025 edition of barrel racing.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 15

Cody Webster Named Bull Fighter Of The Year After Bouncing Back From Injury

The National Finals Rodeo has officially ended, however prior to the jam packed 10 days of rodeo events, the Back Number Ceremony was held on Tuesday, December 2nd at the South Point Hotel Casino in Las Vegas to celebrate and honor those in the rodeo community.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 15

Keenan Hayes Returns to Championship Form After Missing Year With Injury

Ever since his first year in the PRCA, Keenan Hayes has been a force to be reckoned. The first rookie to ever win a world title in the bareback riding, Hayes has dominated the sport over the last several years. That is, until a groin injury caused him to miss the 2025 season.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 14

JL Dash Ta Heaven Offspring Shine Bright in 2025 NFR Barrel Racing

Perhaps the best represented sire of the 2025 National Finals Rodeo (NFR) barrel racing is JL Dash Ta Heaven. A product of the legendary Jud Little's breeding program, the 20-year-old son of Dash Ta Fame out of Dynas Plain Special by Special Feelins, was an NFR qualifier himself.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 14

TJ Gray Set Thomas & Mack on Fire To Win Coveted 2025 NFR Ram Top Gun Honor

This year's NFR has come and gone even though it felt like opening day was just yesterday. The world champions have all been crowned and average buckles have been given out.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 14

Gold Buckles Won and Legends Made at Unforgettable 2025 NFR Finale

It is 10 days of absolutely incredible action under the roof of the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The PRCA and WPRA send their best 15 contestants in the world to compete head-to-head and ultimately determine World Champions.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 14

NFR Round 10 Barrel Racing Had Thomas & Mack Crowd on the Edge of Their Seats

Round 10 of the 2025 National Finals Rodeo (NFR) barrel racing had everyone holding their breath. Kassie Mowry came into the final round leading both the World Standings and Average, running near the end of the performance.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 13

Heartbreak and Triumph Collide in Team Roping Round 10 at 2025 NFR

The 2025 NFR team roping has been a battle since Round No. 1. Records were broken, and the standings shifted on a nightly basis. The world title race came all the way down to the wire.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 13

Stetson Jorgensen Finds Winner's Circle in NFR Round 10 Steer Wrestling

The 10th round brought the heat in the steer wrestling. Stetson Jorgensen clocked the fastest time tonight with a 3.4-second run, adding another NFR round win to his career.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 13

Jr Stratford’s Injury Comeback Tour Derailed As His NFR Is Officially Over

The bull riding has been a brutal scene for this year's NFR, as the bulls are overpowering some of the riders and causing injuries. In the sport of rodeo, especially in the rough stock events, it's not if you get hurt, but when.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 13

NFR Average Leaders As Gold Buckle Contenders Head Into Round 10

Heading into the final round of the 2025 National Finals Rodeo (NFR), there is one long-game factor that will play a major role in determining this year's World Champions.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 13

Who Will Win It All? Final Night of 2025 NFR Will Decide Gold Buckle Champions

After a full year of rodeo, thousands of miles, hundreds of rodeos, millions of dollars in payouts, it literally all comes down to this. Round No. 10 of the National Finals Rodeo will determine the 2025 World Champions.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 13

Two Cowboys Tied Atop NFR Bull Riding Average Race

Qynn Andersen took the win in Round 9 with an 87-point ride aboard Mr. Gold of Sutton Rodeos. Andersen has covered five bulls so far at the finals and has placed in four rounds.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 13

Webb Distances Himself in Average While 2019 World Champion Finds First NFR Round Win

One aspect to rodeo that is always certain is that nothing is a guarantee. So, when Riley Webb came into the NFR as the No.1 cowboy in the world with $48,800 between himself and Shad Mayfield, he could not afford to relax.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 12

Wright Brothers Claim Top Three Spots in NFR Round 9 Saddle Bronc Riding

We are down to one round remaining at the 2025 National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and the tension is sky high. The race in the saddle bronc riding is going to be unsure until those final 15 rides, as there are so many directions it could still go.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 12

Three Barrel Racers Remain Clean Thus Far Eyeing Record-Setting Average Check

The National Finals Rodeo is coming to an end soon and rodeo’s best athletes have been in the Thomas & Mack arena night after night to prove they are worthy of a world championship.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 12

Which Barrel Racing Superstars Get the Call for Round 9 of 2025 NFR?

As we head into the last two rounds of the 2025 National Finals Rodeo (NFR), all eyes are on the barrel racers. Which horses will they choose for Round 9?

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 12

Oklahoma Barrel Racer Crosses $2 Million Mark in EquiStat Lifetime Earnings

With the ever-changing landscape in barrel racing, we have seen huge growth in the amount of money that open barrel racers compete for today. For many

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 12

Steer Wrestler’s Wife Is Stealing the Show at the NFR for All the Right Reasons

It feels like the NFR started just yesterday and now it is almost over. There is very little time left before the world champions will be crowned and one steer wrestler is trying to play spoiler as he came into the finals as the No.14 cowboy in the standings, Ty Erickson.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 12

Rawley Johnson Sidelined for Remainder of NFR After Injury Sustained in Round 8

This NFR has been full of highs and lows in every event, but especially the bull riding. The bulls have taken some brutal shots at a few contestants ,which started with JR Stratford who had to miss rounds seven and eight after taking a shot to the head, which busted his eye.

Rodeo News / Rodeo on SI / December 12

Meet Monroe, the Lone Mare Competing in This Year's NFR Steer Wrestling

Steer wrestlers are known for sharing their horses, along with being a pretty tight-knit group. While there are several horses out here, many cowboys are mounted on other people's horses.