Wrangler NFR Round 1
BLACKFALDS, Alberta - Round one of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Texas edition is in the books!
Before the finals even started there were two contestants who did test positive for COVID-19. Dona Kay Rule and Caleb Smidt are now out of the performance and have been replaced by Jessie Telford and Cory Solomon. Rodeo fans have been up in arms over this, but this was not news to contestants leading up to the finals that this would be the consequence of positive testing. I have read that the PRCA will be giving $10,000 to contestants being sent home due to a positive test, along with the $10k they receive for making it to the finals.
Another note to mention, this year will pay out $15,738.46 for first, $12,438.46 for 2nd, 3rd receives $9,392.31, 4th $6,600.00, 5th paying $4,061.54, and $2,538.46 for 6th. You will hear points being talked about through out the ten nights. The points are based off of the 2019 Vegas pay out, and that is so it gives contestants the same opportunity they would have under normal circumstances, to win the world. First and second place in the barrel racing world standings were far enough ahead that it would’ve been nearly impossible to catch them if they only used the 2020 Texas payout. May seem strange, but it is 2020, what is normal anymore?
Canadian contestants did not cash in last night, but three did make it on the board, which will keep them in the aggregate. (There is over 67,000 points waiting to be awarded in the aggregate).
Orin Larsen rode for 81.5 points to finish near the bottom of the pack. Curtis Cassidys steer veered to the right and hazer just missed pushing him back. Curtis’ main mount Tyson carried Jesse Brown and Blake Knowles to split the go round win with Dakota Eldridge running 3.9. Levi Simpson and Shay Carroll were 6.1 just out of the money, where Kolton Schmidt and Hunter Koch were a no time. Zeke Thurston rode for 81.5 points, not good enough to beat Rusty Wright and Lefty Holman who both spurred one down for 86.0 to win the round.
For the tie-down ropers its a marathon to try to get ahead of Shad “Money” Mayfield, who is close to 100,000 points ahead of the field. Marty Yates jumped ahead to 2nd in the standings after a 7.1 second run. Mayfield finished second with a 7.5.
Hailey Kinsel and Sister ran out, guns-a-blazin’ to stop the clock at a 17.18 to win the round and get ahead of Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi by 10,000 points. Lisa Lockhart was aboard Rosa last night and had an absolutely gorgeous run, only to tip third to win it, crossing the line at a 17.11 plus 5.
Sage Kimzey is looking to win his seventh World Champion Title while in Arlington. He sits second in the world after night one, bumped down by Ky Hamilton who was second in the round with a 90.0 ride, behind Stetson Wright who won with a 90.5.
Full go round results can be found at www.prorodeo.com
Don’t forget to vote for the Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed Award.
