2022 WNFR – Round 1 Highlights
Three of the six Canadian bronc riders at this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo hit the pay window in first go-round action. On a night that saw three of the top four placings coming on Canadian horses, Dawson Hay on Outlaw Buckers’ Lunatic Party and two-time World titleist, Zeke Thurston, split 2/3 and collected $20,053 each. Kolby Wanchuk rode Duane Kesler Championship Rodeo’s Double Red to fourth place and $12,125. Montana’s Sage Newman padded his lead atop the world standings with an outstanding 89 points on Big Stone Rodeo’s Rubels to win the round and the sizable $28,914 first place cheque.. The other three Canadians on the roster, Kole Ashbacher, Logan Hay and Layton Green, all made qualified rides but finished out of the money.
Six-time World Champion bareback rider, Kaycee Field, wasted no time in getting after another title. The Utah superstar posted an 87.5 for a first place $28,914 payday. Canadian Orin Larsen collected a fourth place $12,125 to kickstart his NFR.
In the bull riding, two-time and reigning Canadian Champion, Jared Parsonage, matched up with Summit Pro Rodeo’s Grey Denim for 81.5 points on the Maple Creek, Saskatchewan cowboy’s first-ever NFR appearance. Parsonage finished just out of the money as Tristen Hutchings topped the field with an electric 90.5 point effort.
Other round winners from the first night were Nick Guy (3.8 seconds) in steer wrestling, three-time and reigning tie down roping champ, Caleb Smidt (7.5 seconds), team ropers JR Dees and Levi Lord (4.3 seconds) and Wenda Johnson with a blistering 13.57 run in barrel racing.
