The first three rounds of the 2016 Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo has already been making history as 39 rookie contestants are taking this year’s event by storm. It has been a real treat to watch these men and women come in to this ten day event with a new attitude and a new lease on life after qualifying for the super bowl of rodeo. Even though there are too many to name making a mark throughout the first three rounds there is one that sticks out like a sore thumb.
Over the rounds that have been completed thus far the saddle bronc riding event is the one that is being watched more closely than all the others. Wrangler National Finals Rodeo rookie contestant Ryder Wright has been creating shock waves around Las Vegas with his dominating performance thus far. In each of the three rounds completed so far he has won each of the three jumping him from 14th to 2nd in the WEATHERGUARD World Standings with seven rounds remaining. Not only is he in the average lead but also the Top Gun lead and has a good chance at claiming his first world championship title of his career as well!
Daryle Singletary Performs The National Anthem
PRCA Photo By Greg Westfall
Tonight’s round four of the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo began with a star studded tribute to all of our men and women that we have lost over the course of the 2016 rodeo season. Each year this round is considered a special moment in time where we can, all as one, pay our respects to those that have paved the way for the sport of professional rodeo and for all of us that continue their legacies. Though the opening is somber it is also a moment in time where we can all say our final goodbyes and remember the great times that those lost have given all of us.
After a tribute video that included singing from country music superstar Reba McEntire it was time to, once again, honor our nation’s flag and stand as one for the singing of the National Anthem. Tonight we were honored to have with us country music icon Daryle Singletary to lead us with his voice as he has in years past during the Memorial Night rounds of competition. Once the openings were complete it was time to turn our attention the the action at hand as the arena floor began to crave the attention of the top cowboys and cowgirls in the world!
Brennon Eldred Reigns Supreme In Round Four Of The 2016 WNFR
PRCA Photo By Greg Westfall
During last night’s third round of action there were only two men that were able to do what it takes to earn an eight second ride to earn some much needed points heading into tonight’s round four. World number one Sage Kimzey was one of those me who put up an 87.50 point ride while the other man was a Grand Coulee, WA cowboy. Shane Proctor wound take home his first go round win of the finals after earning a huge 91 point score which put him first in the average by one full bull, being the only cowboy to cover all three up to the start of tonight’s round.
Tonight would be a different story as a few more qualified rides put up on the board as the caliber of the bucking bulls was toned down in round four. After an exciting round earlier tonight there would be a total of four of the top fifteen bull riders in the world that would manage to earn a qualified ride. Tonight the man on top would be Brennon Eldred after earning a 86.50 point ride aboard 4L & Diamond S’ Rodeo to claim the fourth round win at the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo! See what he had to say about tonight’s round and how he feels heading into the finals six rounds of competition here in Las Vegas.
Jake Vold Earns Top Spot In Round Four Tonight
PRCA Photo By Greg Westfall
While we have covered each and every event over the four nights of rodeo here at the 2016 WNFR we are back to the top of the order for our second event highlight tonight. This is where we head back to the top of the order and take a look at the bareback riding event. Last night Tanner Aus and Clayton Biglow split the win, each earning 88 point rides which put Biglow, a Clements, CA cowboy solidly in the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo average lead.
After a rough round last night where the eliminator pen of bucking horses showed off their athletic skills tonight was a bit of a breather for the fifteen that are competing. After all was said and done it would be non other than Canada’s own Jake Vold who would take home the round win with an 89.50 point score and head to the South Point to receive his Montana Silversmith Gold and Silver belt buckle. I was able to catch up with him before he hightailed it the the south edge of town to see what he had to say. Check it all out in our video interview below!
Ryder Wright Goes 4 For 4 At The 2016 WNFR!
Photo By Tom Donoghue
In an amazing four nights of extreme rodeo action there has been one man that has captured all of the attention in the world after having a start to the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo that no one could have ever predicted. A young 18 year-old saddle bronc riding phenom has taken the professional rodeo world by storm after going 4 for 4 in his first ever WNFR appearance to make the history books for the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association. He is putting on an amazing display and riding high as we look ahead to tomorrow’s round five here in Las Vegas!
Ryder Wright comes from a long line of saddle bronc riders in his family and so far this week is surely carrying on the legacy they have began for him. Tonight this young man made history after coming into his first ever Wrangler National Finals Rodeo to win each of the first four rounds. This is a feat that no other has ever been able to accomplish in the history of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association and the fans inside of the Thomas & Mack knew it as well. The atmosphere inside is absolutely amazing and surely will carry on into tomorrow night’s round five! I was able to catch up with him again tonight to get his thoughts on his history making WNFR so see below for what he had to say about everything!
Complete Recap Including Round Winner, Current Average Leader and Current World Leader Below
Bareback
Round Winner – Jake Vold (89.50)
Average Leader – Clayton Biglow (339.50)
Current World Leader – Tim O’Connell
Steer Wrestling
Round Winner – J.D. Struxness (3.8 Seconds)
Average Leader – Tyler Waguespack (16.30 Seconds)
Current World Leader – Tyler Waguespack
Team Roping
Round Winners – Brady Minor and Riley Minor (4.4 Seconds)
Average Leaders – Luke Brown and Jake Long (13.80 Seconds)
Current World Leaders – Luke Brown and Jake Long
Saddle Bronc
Round Winner – Ryder Wright (85.50)
Average Leader – Ryder Wright (345.50)
Current World Leader – Jacobs Crawley
Tie-Down Roping
Round Winner – Marty Yates (6.8 Seconds)
Average Leader – Cade Swor (32.60 Seconds)
Current World Leader – Marcos Costa
Barrel Racing
Round Winner – Michele McLeod (13.49 Seconds)
Average Leader – Lisa Lockhart (55.21 Seconds)
Current World Leader – Mary Burger
Bull Riding
Round Winner – Brennon Eldred (86.50)
Average Leader – Shane Proctor (335.50)
Current World Leader – Sage Kimzey
As we look ahead to tomorrow night’s fifth round we will be reaching the midway point of the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo event. Things will begin to shake out as the event overall average and world title races will begin to look a little more clear in some of the events. That being said, in many other events we will have to wait until the very last day to see who will leave Las Vegas with a new Montana Silversmith belt buckle and the title of 2016 World Champion!
It is quite easy to follow all the breaking news and excitement with the Rodeo Round Up simply by copying this website into your favorites in your web browser for easy one-click access to event statistics. You can also like and follow us on Facebook here, or by liking and following us on Instagram at @rodeoroundup and on Twitter at @therodeoroundup. Jason has also made it easy for you to be a part of his interviews by opening up a listener comment line. If you have a question for a certain rodeo star simply call in and leave your name, where you are from, who the question is for and what your question is and he will do his best to get it answered for you during his interviews!
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