2021 Wrangler NFR Round 2
Photo by Phil Kitts
Ardrossan, Alberta - After qualifying for the 2020 Wrangler NFR in Texas, Dona Kay Rule tested positive for Covid and was not allowed to compete. In 2021, she and her great gelding, High Valor (Horse of the Year in 2019 and 2020), qualified for their third Wrangler National Finals. Round one they took down two barrels, but in round two, they ran a 13.56, the fastest time of the finals thus far, moving her to number three in the world standings. During the buckle ceremony it was brought up that Dona Kay and Valor ran at a jackpot in Waco, TX, for a casual pre-NFR run, to beat over 800 entries by two tenths.
Hailey Kinsel and Sister were just out of the money, but remain at the top of the world standings, and sit second in the average behind Cheyenne Wimberley.
In the bareback, riding it was Jess Pope winning back to back go-rounds, tonight with 89.5 points on Fired Up from Big Stone Rodeo. Pope jumped up from 6th to 5th in the standings after round one, and sits second in the world after round two. Canadian Orin Larsen was just out of the money with an 84 point ride.
At his very first Wrangler NFR, steer wrestler Dirk Tavenner wins the round for $26,997, for a second night in a row. Canadians, Scott Guenthner and Curtis Cassidy each with a 3.8, splitting a 6th place cheque.
In the team roping, Derrick Begay, who is riding his nephews horse, and Brady Minor, placed 5th in the first round with a 4.9, and won the second round with a 3.9 second run. The duo did not rope together all year, but you’d never know that watching the pair in round two. Canadian heeler Jeremy Buhler and header, Rhen Richard broke the barrier and had to fish it on.
It was a tough round in the Saddle Bronc Riding, where we saw five no scores in a row. Canadian, Layton Green was a little behind his horse, but was the only man on the board for quite a while with a 75.50 point ride. Ben Anderson was making one heck of a ride but didn’t quite make the whistle. Dawson Hays first horse went down, so he was set for a re-ride, finishing just out of the money, with an 80 point ride. NFR Rookie, Kolby Wanchuk made a nice ride for 83.00 points, pulling a 6th place cheque. Zeke Thurstons horse came back around and into the corner, but he stayed on for 84.5 points splitting 4/5 with Ryder Wright. It was Brody Cress who won the round with 87.5 on C5 Rodeo’s, Kitty Whistle.
Early in the tie-down roping, Cory Solomon flanked his calf damn near perfect, stopping the clock in 7.8 seconds. Reigning World Champion, Shad Mayfield won the round with solid 7.2 second run. Mayfield came into the finals in third position, dropping to fourth in the first round, but moves into second position, and sits second in the average after night number two.
It certainly was the eliminator pen tonight in the bull riding, with just four qualified rides. Montana cowboy, Parker Breding wins the round with a 90.0 point ride for $29,827 aboard Lose Your Bones from Outlaw Buckers, and now sits in sixth position in the world standings. PBR World Champion and NFR Rookie, JB Mauney was knocked out during his ride, was hung up, and was helped out of the arena, straight to sports medicine with Dr. Tandy. Six-time World Champion, Sage Kimzey rode text book perfect for 87.5 points. Kimzey remains number one in the standings and number one in the average. Stetson Wrights first bull wouldn’t set up in the chute, but his second bull brought him 80.5 points for a fourth place finish in round number two.
Congratulations to Canadian stock contractors, Big Stone Rodeo, C5 Rodeo and Outlaw Buckers, with their stock winning the Bareback, Saddle Bronc and the Bull Riding.
Round number three starts December 4th at 5:45PM MST.
Full go round results can be found at www.prorodeo.com
Don’t forget to vote for the Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed Award.
Guaranteed Prize Money: $1.2 Million
Competition Prize Money: $9,057,048
Each of the 10 Full Go-Rounds: $87,087 each
Go Round Money
1. $26,997, 2. $21,336, 3. $13,716, 4. $11,321, 5. $6,966, 6. $4,354
Average Money
1. $69,234, 2. $56,171, 3. $44,414, 4. $32,657, 5. $23,513, 6. $16,981, 7. $11,756, 8. $6,531
