2021 Wrangler NFR Round 3

Photo by Rod Connor

Ardrossan, Alberta - Stevi Hillman and five year old, Famous Lemon Drop, won the third round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo with a 13.70 second run. Lemon Drop is by First Down French (Frenchmans Guy) out of A Famous Lady (Dash Ta Fame) and continues to get faster each round. Stevi now sits fourth in the standings and first in the average. Hailey Kinsel and DM Sissy Hayday knocked in the third round to drop to 8th in the average but remain in the number one position in the standings. Dona Kay Rule has jumped to second in the world and 13th in the average after their 5th place finish, where Jordon Briggs now sits third in the standings and second in the average with their 6th place cheque in the round. The average will pay $69,234 for first, which we know is a game changer at the end of the finals.

Winning round three in the Bareback Riding was five-time World Champion, Kaycee Feild on Full Baggage from Frontier Rodeo for 90.0 points. He moves to number two in the World standings and in the average race. Canadian Orin Larsen rode for 83.5 points, but was yet again, just out of the money. He sits 10th in the World standings. Jess Pope sits number one in the standings and in the average.

NFR Rookie, Dirk Tavenner came into round three sitting number one in the World standings after winning the first two rounds, broke the barrier to be a 3.5, to win the round. This moved him to the number two spot and to 12th in the average. Tristan Martin ran a 3.7 to win the round, and move up to third in the World standings and first in the average. Canadian Scott Guenthner ran a 4.3 second run to split a fourth/fifth place cheque with Jacob Talley, Guenthner’s second straight go-round cheque. Curtis Cassidy was a 5.0, and out of the money. PRCA Steer Wrestling Horse of The Year should return in round four.

In the Team Roping, Rhen Richard and World Champion Heeler, Jeremy Buhler win the round with a 4.2 second run.

It was a tough round in the Saddle Bronc Riding, as there were more buck-offs than rides. Tegan Smith dominated Calgary Stampedes, Yesterday Delivery for 91.0 points to win the round. (This was the fourth riding event go-round win for Canadian rough stock over the last three days.) Layton Green rode for 85 points picking up a fifth place cheque. Zeke Thurston 82 finishing just out of the money. Kolby Wanchuk and Dawson Hay, were bucked off.

Two time World Champion, Caleb Smidt won the Tie-Down Roping with a 7.1. The win moved him to number two in the World standings and second in the average race.

In the Bull Riding, Rookie of the Year, Creek Young rode his re-ride bull, Evil Intentions from Stace Smith Pro Rodeo, for 92.0 points. This win puts him third overall and fifth in the average. Sage Kimzey remains number one in standings and third in the average, Parker Breding leads the average race.

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