These last two weeks have made major impacts within the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association’s WEATHER GUARD World Standings. After intense performances and clutch wins some cowboys have secured their spot to be a part of the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo while others have more of a race they have to finish to secure theirs. That being said some exciting things have happened that will allow some of those contestants to be a part of their first career WNFR!
Some if the biggest shifts in the standings have happened in the last fourteen days or so over two countries. It is very exciting to see all the different opportunities these cowboys, as well as the cowgirls of the WPRA, are getting since the split of many after the formation of the Elite Rodeo Athletes earlier this year. As some doors close man more open for some very deserving contestants that travel all year long chasing their dream to compete inside of the Thomas & Mack.
Steer Wrestler Jacob Talley
Photo Credit: Jacob Talley Twitter Page
One of those deserving of a shot at the world championship title is non other than steer wrestler Jacob Talley. Once a young kiddo that only dreamed of a WNFR appearance is quickly making that dream a reality. The soft spoken 25 year-old cowboy from Louisiana must travelling throughout the Midwest as it showed last week with a huge win in Dodge City, Kansas. Talley claimed victory at the 40th Dodge City Round Up where he came into the weekend sitting in the ever unforgiving ninth place in the world standings. After his huge and much needed win where he pocketed $6,237 he catapulted himself up to the number six position that all but secured him an appearance at the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Jacob Talley talked about his dream of making it the WNFR one day by saying, “I try not to think about the NFR, because I don’t want to mess up. I clear my mind when I’m in the box – but it’s hard not to think about it.” After having a season of his dreams he not only has his sights set on making it to Las Vegas but more importantly taking home a World Championship title. He talks about his aspirations by simply saying, “I try not to think about the NFR, because I don’t want to mess up. I clear my mind when I’m in the box – but it’s hard not to think about it.”
The 2016 Wrangler Champions Challenge events that are proudly sponsored by Justin Boots continues to impress throughout the season. Along with the fantastic performances come huge amounts of money for the contestants competing in all nine events that the season has to offer. The sixth event out of nine came to a close last night as Cody, Wyoming played host to the top cowboys and cowgirls in the world. Some big wins came out of this last weekend’s stop while everyone looks ahead to next weekend’s event in Kennewick, Washington.
As the performance drew to a close Sunday night there were some big shifts in the team standings as well as total overall money earned towards the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Caleb Bennett, who as qualified for the WNFR four times, won the bareback riding competition as Josh Peek claimed victory in the steer wrestling event. In the team roping it was Colby Lovell and Kory Koontz who took home the win with a blazing 4.8 second run as up and comer Jake Watson won the saddle bronc riding with a 87.5 point ride. Tie-down roper Hunter Herrin took home the top spot with an 8.0 second run while Jackie Ganter continued to raise eyebrows after winning the barrel racing with a 16.84 second run. In the fan favorite event of bull riding it was reigning and defending World Champion Sage Kimzey who would rise to the top with an astounding 89.5 point ride. All eyes look ahead to the next event in the Pacific Northwest as we head to the beautiful Tri-Cities and invade upon Kennewick, Washington!
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 and/or 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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