Nine Riders Seek First NFR Saddle Bronc Crown

They’ve been there, they’ve done that but they don’t have the National Finals Rodeo Saddle Bronc title to show for it.

This year’s trip to Las Vegas gives this group of exceptional cowboys another shot at an NFR title.

It starts with Sage Newman, who finished second in the 2023 world standings and finished a little more than $4,000 behind Stetson Wright. Newman is one of nine cowboys seeking their first NFR Saddle Bronc title that have NFR experience.

This is Newman’s third straight trip to the NFR. Last year he finished 11th in Las Vegas, where he scored 666 points on eight head. His 2023 season was highlighted by his victory at RodeoHouston last winter.

Kade Bruno, who was third in the world standings, is making his second straight NFR appearance after he finished seventh in Las Vegas last December. Bruno capped his season with a win at the Cinch Playoff Series Championship in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Dawson Hay will make his third straight trip and the fourth of his career after his sixth-place NFR finish last year (775.5 points on nine head). Hay finished fifth in the world standings, highlighted by a win at the Calgary Stampede and a co-title at the Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo.

Ben Andersen is back in the NFR after a one-year absence. He finished sixth in the 2023 standings, and his rookie NFR experience in 2021 saw him place in one round and finish 14th in the world standings. He claimed 11 wins on the circuit to fuel his rise into the Top 10.

Wyatt Casper finished eighth in the world standings to clinch his fourth straight trip to the NFR. His best NFR was in 2020 when he won two rounds and finished second with 774 points on nine head. He won the Xtreme Broncs Finals in Rapid City, S.D., as part of an exceptional 2023 season.

Chase Brooks was ninth in the world standings and is making his sixth straight trip to NFR, the most of any in the field without a win. His best NFR finish was in 2020 when he placed in four rounds and finished third. His nine wins in 2023 included the Rodeo Rapid City, S.D., PRCA Xtreme Broncs Match.

Tanner Butner is back in the NFR for a second straight year after a 10th place finish in the world standings. He heads to Las Vegas hoping to improve on his rookie NFR performance, in which he finished ninth with 728 points on nine head.

Layton Green is making his fourth trip to the NFR, including his third straight. He made his NFR debut back in 2017. He finished 11th in the world standings and a late-season win at the Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up helped secure his spot. His best NFR finish was sixth in 2021.

Lefty Holman slipped into the Top 15 to earn his third trip to the NFR. Last year he finished fourth in the NFR with 785 points on nine head and was also second in the world standings. He only had four titles in the 2023 season, but he was one of the more consistent riders on the circuit all season.

NATIONAL FINALS RODEO SADDLE BRONC FIELD

(with earnings for the 2023 season)

1. Stetson Wright, $251,570.86

2. Sage Newman, $247,263.50

3. Kade Bruno, $225,259.17

4. Zeke Thurston, $221,863.46

5. Dawson Hay, $155,918.54

6. Ben Anderson, $150,842.38

7. Ryder Wright, $150,402.41

8. Wyatt Casper, $142,420.78

9. Chase Brooks, $139,220.98

10. Tanner Butner, $137,788.54

11. Layton Green, $136,829.01

12. Brody Cress, $$132,743.15

13. Damian Brennan, $129,743.87

14. Lefty Holman, $128,954.60

15. Ryder Sanford, $125,332.61