Saddle bronc rider Dawson Hay picked a good day to have a great day.
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The Canadian tied the Round 9 record with a winning ride of 92 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s BDM Mud’s Killer Bee before 17,762 spectators Friday night at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge at the Thomas & Mack Center.
“Yeah, that’s a crazy good horse,” said Hay, 24. “I remember when I first started riding broncs and I saw that horse come on through the years to become the legendary status we all know it has. I’d never had the chance to draw that horse before. I saw it on the list, and I told my wife, ‘I’m going to draw that horse at the NFR this year.’ I thought it was going to be in the first round but we got her.”
The ride was noteworthy not only because of tying the round record, but also because it was the final out of Killer Bee’s career.
“I’m not sure it’s even sunk in yet,” Hay said. “It’s such an incredible feeling. Going through that ride, I’m not sure I’ve ever been on a horse that feels quite like that. That’s a ride that’s going to stick with me forever. It’s a special moment and the kind of thing we’ve always dreamed of since we were little.”
For the performance, Killer Bee was chosen top saddle bronc horse of Round 9. In Round 4 of the 2022 NFR, Killer Bee carried Chase Brooks to an 88-point ride and was selected saddle bronc horse of the night.
At the 2020 Wrangler NFR, Killer Bee was chosen the top bareback horse. She was the 2019 PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year and voted top bareback horse of Round 3 of the 2019 NFR after bucking off Austin Foss. Killer Bee was also the top bareback horse of the 2018 NFR and top saddle bronc horse of the 2013 and 2014 NFRs.
Killer Bee, 17, weighs 1,350 pounds and is 16.3 hands.
Bareback rider Tim O’Connell snares win
Veteran Tim O’Connell, a three-time world champion – 2016-18 – won Round 8 with an 88-point ride on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Star Witness on a re-ride.
“I have never been on that horse, but I have seen videos of him, and I knew what he was capable of,” O’Connell said. “You don’t anticipate coming here and getting a re-ride because you have been thinking about a horse for like 16 hours. I was thankful for getting it (the re-ride). I knew I had to take care of business. He gave me the opportunity to go out there and win and I took it.”
This was O’Connell’s first round win since Round 4 of the 2020 NFR at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. O’Connell won that round with a 90.5-point ride on Fettig Pro Rodeo’s Pop A Top.
“It feels great. It was so exciting,” O’Connell said of getting to make an NFR victory lap again. “I’m sore. I’m beat up but I love this. At the end of the day, I love being a bareback rider.”
Hunter Cure nabs third round win of 2022 NFR
Make it three round wins for steer wrestler Hunter Cure.
The Texas cowboy clocked a 3.6-second run to win Round 9. He also won Round 2 (3.7 seconds) and Round 4 (3.4 seconds).
“That was actually the steer I had in Houston to win the 50 thousand, I am sure glad I got the one I did to have such a smooth and nice run,” said Cure 39.
Cure is fourth in the world standings with $206,270. He is a two-time world champion in 2013 and 2015.
“(My horse) is a paint mare owned by Ringo Robinson, I know it takes a little time in the box, but I am looking for a certain feel and make sure she has her weight on her front end and she is square, I know we can knock things out on a steer that runs this fast,” Cure said of his horsepower.
“Nerves don’t really play into things this late in the rodeo, just trying to get as much money as I can. I never thought I would be taking 3 firsts, but at this point in the game, that’s really what I have to do.”
Cure has earned $96,741 at the NFR.
Marty Yates wins another round in tie-down roping
Marty Yates’ late charge at the Wrangler NFR continued on Friday.
The Stephenville, Texas, cowboy clocked a 7.8-second run to win Round 9.
Yates also won Round 4 (7.4 seconds) and Round 5 (7.3 seconds).
“I’m feeling good. Wishing I had had a little more success in some of those other rounds; but it all works out,” Yates said. “I’m getting a lot of money out of here and I’ll start over again here in a couple weeks.”
Yates is sixth in the world standings $215,981. He has earned $93,710 at the NFR.
Team ropers Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler capture victory
Stating the obvious Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler have had a disappointing 2022 Wrangler NFR.
The duo received a no-time in six of the eight rounds – but Richard/Buhler bounced back in Round 9 getting the win with a 3.8-second run.
I think I got a good start and got it on the steer, everything flowed pretty good,” Richard said. “Jeremy hooked his horse’s tail – so I didn’t really see that. But he still heeled him fast and I actually faced a little bit early which probably cost us from being a little faster but I’m glad it worked out.”
Buhler was thrilled with his result.
“I don’t know, that was the first time I’ve been under 4 seconds at the Thomas & Mack,” Buhler said.
Richard is 10th in the header world standings with $155,448 and Buhler is 11th in the heeler standings with $156,386.
Bull rider Trey Holston tops Round 9
NFR newcomer Trey Holston got to experience the glory of being a round winner.
Holston recorded an 89.5-point ride on Salt River Rodeo’s Belly Dump to win Round 9.
“It’s one thing to come in feeling fresh and how we want to with all this time to prepare,” Holston said. “What they don’t teach you is when you’re in Round 8, 9, 10 and you’re sore. It’s about clearing your stuff out and giving your best effort. To come out and get a go-round win, I’m feeling blessed.”
Surviving the marathon – known as the NFR – has been quite the experience for Holston.
“I feel like I’ve been an example of the test this week puts you through,” Holston said. “It’s been tough, it’s a long week. I felt the best I could coming in here and there’s just some things you can’t experience without being out here in Las Vegas at the NFR. Being this far and healthy, I’m happy. I have my family here, my friends here and now with a go-round win and a little money in my pocket. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
Holston is ninth in the world standings with $164,362.
Barrel racer Hailey Kinsel wins Round 9, takes standings lead
Hailey Kinsel is on pace to win her fourth world title in five years.
The Texas cowgirl moved into first place in the world standings with – $266,263 – after winning Round 9 at 13.34 seconds. That was the fastest run of the 2022 NFR and it also set the new Round 9 record. It was held by Kinsel at 13.40 seconds in 2018.
“My horse (Sister) was just feeling it tonight,” Kinsel said. “She was kind of doing everything fast; we even warmed-up fast. She was shaking her head in the alley thinking, ‘just let me at them.’ She nailed her first barrel and that was something we’ve been working on so once we got through that, we were flying.”
Kinsel welcomes the atmosphere of competing in the Thomas & Mack Center.
“Knowing that when you get into the arena, you hear so much,” Kinsel said. “It becomes sensory overload. It’s kind of strange that she knows when it’s coming so we’re always aware of that. Of course, when you’re at the NFR, you have to appreciate your time here. It’s about feeling appreciative and grateful for the opportunity because you’re never sure when you’re going to be back.
“Winning definitely never gets old. It’s exciting, it’s truly an honor. That’s the best way I can describe it. I’m thankful for a great horse in Sister that gives me the opportunity to win as much as I do.”
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2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Results
Round 9, Dec. 9
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.
Here are the 9th go-round results from the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Bareback Riding
- Tim O’Connell, 88 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Star Witness, $28,914
- Kaycee Feild, 87.5, $22,851
- Garrett Shadbolt, 87, $17,255
- (tie) Cole Reiner, Jess Pope and Clayton Biglow, 85.5, $8,083
- Cole Franks, 85
- Rocker Steiner, 84.5
- Caleb Bennett, 84
- R.C. Landingham, 83
- Tilden Hooper, 82.5
- Leighton Berry, 81.5
- Tanner Aus, 76.5
- Ty Breuer, 75
- Orin Larsen, Out.
Average leaders
- Jess Pope, 778.5 points on nine head
- Cole Franks, 764
- R.C. Landingham, 762
- Kaycee Feild, 759
- Leighton Berry, 752.5
- Tim O’Connell, 750
- Cole Reiner, 749
- Ty Breuer, 729.5
- Garrett Shadbolt, 723
- Caleb Bennett, 721
- Tilden Hooper, 676 points on eight head
- Rocker Steiner, 666.5
- Tanner Aus, 650
- Clayton Biglow, 589 points on seven head
- Orin Larsen, 217.5 points on three head.
World standings
- Jess Pope, $316,470
- Leighton Berry, $242,091
- Kaycee Feild, $240,009
- Cole Reiner, $215,429
- R.C. Landingham, $211,720
- Tim O’Connell, $201,354
- Cole Franks, $197,156
- Tanner Aus, $192,161
- Tilden Hooper, $188,477
- Rocker Steiner, $179,304
- Caleb Bennett, $163,353
- Garrett Shadbolt, $151,257
- Clayton Biglow, $150,754
- Orin Larsen, $133,784
- Ty Breuer, $115,749.
Steer Wrestling
- Hunter Cure, 3.6 seconds, $28,914
- Jesse Brown, 3.7, $22,851
- J.D. Struxness, 3.9, $17,255
- (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Dakota Eldridge, 4.0, $9,793
- (tie) Tanner Brunner, Rowdy Parrott and Timmy Sparing, 4.2, $1,555 each
- Will Lummus, 4.4
- Ty Erickson, 4.5
- Dirk Tavenner, 4.7
- (tie) Stetson Jorgensen and Nick Guy, 5.2
- Kyle Irwin, 5.3
- Tristan Martin, NT.
Average leaders
- Kyle Irwin, 42.1 seconds on nine head
- Jesse Brown, 44.7
- Will Lummus, 47.0
- Tyler Waguespack, 53.1
- Stetson Jorgensen, 55.7
- Tanner Brunner, 65.3
- Hunter Cure, 35.6 seconds on eight head
- Rowdy Parrott, 36.3
- J.D. Struxness, 37.4
10.Dakota Eldridge, 37.6 - Dirk Tavenner, 49.5
- Timmy Sparing, 49.9
- Ty Erickson, 57.1
- Tristan Martin, 30.4 seconds on seven head
- Nick Guy, 42.6.
World standings
- Stetson Jorgensen, $235,288
- Will Lummus, $231,212
3.Tyler Waguespack, $211,520 - Hunter Cure, $206,270
- Ty Erickson, $187,737
- J.D. Struxness, $184,636
- Tristan Martin, $170,981
- Kyle Irwin, $165,948
- Dakota Eldridge, $152,261
- Jesse Brown, $152,079
- Nick Guy, $148,880
- Tanner Brunner, $132,308
- Rowdy Parrott, $130,926
- Dirk Tavenner, $127,177
- Timmy Sparing, $95,199.
Team Roping
- Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler, 3.8 seconds, $28,914 each
- (tie) Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill and Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 3.9, $20,053 each
- Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.2, $12,125
- Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, 4.3, $7,462
- Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 4.6, $4,664
- Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 4.7
- (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Jr. Dees/Levi Lord, 4.9
- Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 5.0; 11. Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 8.5
- Jake Orman/Brye Crites, 8.9
- (tie) Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, Tyler Wade/Trey Yates and Clay Smith/Jake Long, NT.
Average leaders
- Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 49.3 seconds on nine head
- Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 65.2 seconds on eight
- Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 68.7
- Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 34.2 seconds on seven head
- Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, 38.4
- Jr. Dees/Levi Lord, 41.0
- Jake Orman/Brye Crites, 45.5
- Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 46.9
- Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 32.2 seconds on six head
- Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 35.3
- Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 44.9
- Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 26.6 seconds on five head
- Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, 36.6
- Clay Smith/Jake Long, 50.6 seconds on four head
- Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler, 18.0 seconds on three head.
World standings (headers)
- Kaleb Driggers, $280,549
- Clay Tryan, $252,363
- Tanner Tomlinson, $209,939
- Andrew Ward, $191,747
- Coleman Proctor, $188,234
- Jr. Dees, $184,547
- Dustin Egusquiza, $183,643
- Tyler Wade, $173,862
- Chad Masters, $169,184
- Rhen Richard, $155,448
- Lightning Aguilera, $145,424
- Cody Snow, $137,363
- Clay Smith, $131,807
- Jake Orman, $129,422
- Riley Minor, $103,686.
World standings (heelers)
- Junior Nogueira, $280,549
- Jade Corkill, $218,556
- Patrick Smith, $209,939
- Buddy Hawkins II, $190,204
- Logan Medlin, $188,234
- Levi Lord, $185,945
- Travis Graves, $184,358
- Joseph Harrison, $173,855
- Jake Long, $173,287
- Trey Yates, $170,300
- Jeremy Buhler, $156,383
- Jonathan Torres, $137,971
- Wesley Thorp, $137,363
- Brye Crites, $130,764
- Brady Minor, $103,686.
Saddle Bronc Riding
- Dawson Hay, 92 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s BDM Mud’s Killer Bee, $28,914
- Lefty Holman, 89.5, $22,851
- Zeke Thurston, 88, $17,255
- Logan Hay, 86.5, $12,125
- Chase Brooks, 85.5, $7,462
- Stetson Wright, 84, $4,664
- Ryder Wright, 83.5
- (tie) Kade Bruno and Tanner Butner, 81.5
- Layton Green, 65
- Brody Cress, 64
- (tie) Sage Newman, Kolby Wanchuk, Wyatt Casper, Kole Ashbacher, NS.
Average leaders
- Zeke Thurston, 787 points on nine head
- Logan Hay, 777
- Tanner Butner, 728
- Brody Cress, 692
- Lefty Holman, 699 points on eight head
- Stetson Wright, 693.5
- Dawson Hay, 688.5
- Kade Bruno, 670.5
- Kolby Wanchuk, 658.5
- Chase Brooks, 597.5 points on seven head
- Ryder Wright, 578
- Sage Newman, 577.5
- Kole Ashbacher, 572.5
- Wyatt Casper, 565.5
- Layton Green, 562.5.
World standings
- Sage Newman, $308,349
- Lefty Holman, $306,413
- Stetson Wright, $304,551
- Zeke Thurston, $302,759
- Logan Hay, $279,241
- Brody Cress, $198,707
- Dawson Hay, $194,935
- Ryder Wright, $186,610
- Kolby Wanchuk, $181,631
- Chase Brooks, $181,120
- Layton Green, $175,808
- Kade Bruno, $165,914
- Wyatt Casper, $145,150
- Tanner Butner, $133,481
- Kole Ashbacher, $127,543.
Tie-Down Roping
- Marty Yates, 7.8 seconds, $28,914
- Ty Harris, 8.0, $22,851
- Tuf Cooper, 8.2, $17,255
- Hunter Herrin, 8.6, $12,125
- Zack Jongbloed, 8.8, $7,462
- Haven Meged, 9.3, $4,664
- Caleb Smidt, 9.5
- Tyler Milligan, 10.5
- Cory Solomon, 12.2
- Macon Murphy, 22.5
- (tie) Shad Mayfield, John Douch, Shane Hanchey, Riley Webb and Kincade Henry, NT.
Average leaders
- Caleb Smidt, 73.7 seconds on nine head
- Cory Solomon, 85
- Zack Jongbloed, 87.1
- Haven Meged, 105.8
- Tyler Milligan, 112.1
- Macon Murphy, 117.9
- Hunter Herrin, 79.8 seconds on eight head
- Ty Harris, 89.6
- Shad Mayfield, 92.8
- Shane Hanchey, 104.3
- Marty Yates, 61.1 seconds on seven head
- Riley Webb, 66.8
- Kincade Henry, 38.3 seconds on five head
- John Douch, 31.5 seconds on four head
- Tuf Cooper, 42.1
World standings
- Caleb Smidt, $300,587
- Shad Mayfield, $269,936
- John Douch, $237,121
- Hunter Herrin, $223,170
- Kincade Henry, $217,108
- Marty Yates, $215,981
- Cory Solomon, $197,682
- Haven Meged, $192,920
- Riley Webb, $188,597
- Zack Jongbloed, $181,731
- Tuf Cooper, $168,892
- Shane Hanchey, $154,908
- Ty Harris, $151,788
- Tyler Milligan, $135,703
- Macon Murphy, $130,717.
Barrel Racing
- Hailey Kinsel, 13.34 seconds, $28,914
- Emily Beisel, 13.38, $22,851
- Shelley Morgan, 13.47, $17,255
- Margo Crowther, 13.52, $12,125
- (tie) Dona Kay Rule and Lisa Lockhart, 13.59, $6,063 each
- Wenda Johnson, 13.65
- Kassie Mowry, 13.71
- Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 13.77
- Bayleigh Choate, 13.80
- Jordon Briggs, 13.88
- Sissy Winn, 13.99
- Stevi Hillman, 14.92
- Jessica Routier, 23.69
- Leslie Smalygo, NT.
Average leaders
- Shelley Morgan, 123.77 seconds on nine runs
- Bayleigh Choate, 125.33
- Lisa Lockhart, 128.00
- Jordon Briggs, 128.79
- Wenda Johnson, 129.09
- Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 129.16
- Sissy Winn, 130.02
- Hailey Kinsel, 132.71
- Margo Crowther, 133.55
- Kassie Mowry, 133.96
- Emily Beisel, 136.87
- Dona Kay Rule, 140.06
- Jessica Routier, 144.67
- Stevi Hillman, 145.59
- Leslie Smalygo, 119.55 seconds on eight head.
World standings
- Hailey Kinsel, $266,263
- Jordon Briggs, $232,082
- Emily Beisel, $221,718
- Wenda Johnson, $206,677
- Lisa Lockhart, $205,629
- Shelley Morgan, $173,625
- Dona Kay Rule, $171,019
- Margo Crowther, $161,900
- Leslie Smalygo, $158,343
- Kassie Mowry, $150,121
- Stevi Hillman, $138,064
- Sissy Winn, $136,565
- Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $135,973
- Bayleigh Choate, $118,148
- Jessica Routier, $111,320.
Bull Riding
- Trey Holston, 89.5 points on Salt River Rodeo Company’s Belly Dump, $29,846
- Tristen Hutchings, 88.5, $23,784
- Ky Hamilton, 88; $18,188
- Jeff Askey, 85, $13,058
- Stetson Wright, 82.5, $8,394
- (tie) Josh Frost, Garrett Smith, Trevor Kastner, Maverick Potter, Trey Kimzey, Jared Parsonage, Creek Young, Cole Fischer, NS.
- Lukasey Morris, Reid Oftedahl, JR Stratford, Out.
Average leaders
- Stetson Wright, 684.5 points on eight head
- Josh Frost, 589.5 points on seven head
- Ky Hamilton, 510 points on six head
- Trevor Kastner, 429 points on five head
- Tristen Hutchings, 357.5 points on four head
- Trey Kimzey, 347
- Garrett Smith, 256.5 points on three head
- Trey Holston, 175.5 points on two head
- Jeff Askey, 175
- Creek Young, 169
- Cole Fischer, 159.5
- JR Stratford, 90 points on one head
- Jared Parsonage, 81.5
- (tie) Maverick Potter, Lukasey Morris, Reid Oftedahl, NS.
World standings
- Stetson Wright, $517,994
- Josh Frost, $349,470
- Tristen Hutchings, $251,539
- Ky Hamilton, $230,844
- Trevor Kastner, $229,996
- Jeff Askey, $229,905
- Garrett Smith, $185,002
- Trey Kimzey, $183,812
- Trey Holston, $164,362
- JR Stratford, $142,943
- Creek Young, $127,692
- Maverick Potter, $126,065
- Jared Parsonage, $122,314
- Cole Fischer, $110,994
- Lukasey Morris, $110,667
- Reid Oftedahl, $107,944.
All-Around
- Stetson Wright, $653,433
- Caleb Smidt, $298,815
- Josh Frost, $247,542
- Marty Yates, $213,607
- Coleman Proctor, $193,401
- Zack Jongbloed, $183,030
- Haven Meged, $179,329
- Taylor Santos, $159,179
- Rhen Richard, $156,696
- Paul David Tierney, $118,792.
Top Gun leaders
- Stetson Wright, $163,662
- Zeke Thurston, $158,921
- Jess Pope, $157,211
- Lefty Holman, $156,434
- Caleb Smidt, $151,071
- Hailey Kinsel, $146,874
- Logan Hay, $139,801
- Emily Beisel, $127,753
- Lisa Lockhart, $120,758
- Tristen Hutchings, $119,592.
Courtesy of the PRCA