Last night in round seven of the 2017 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo we witnessed another arena record being tied by home state Nevada steer wrestler Dakota Eldridge as well as some misfortunes that would change the look of the aggregate race. All in all, the round was another exciting one to be a part of as the cowboys and cowgirls here this week have come to play and are truly putting on a show. Every night the Thomas & Mack Arena is sold to capacity as over 17,000 fans fill the seats each and every night!
After a devastating run last night, the beautiful and talented Hailey Kinsel knocked a barrel she looks to rebound and begin her journey back up to the top of the aggregate standings. Last night’s mistake cost her that position and moved her down to the fourth place hole heading into tonight’s round eight action here at the 2017 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. This round will be a round that will beat and batter the cowboys in the rough stock division again and we will begin to see what the world title race may look like in a few of the events.
MGM Grand Viewing Party Entrance
Here tonight in round number eight, our Rodeo Round Up team decided to stay home and, once again, visit the viewing party at the Home of Champions, the MGM Grand, our host hotel for our stay here in Las Vegas. PRCA announcer Randy Taylor does an awesome job and brings the energy each and every night. Along with a fantastic venue to watch all of the action, many of professional rodeos superstars make appearances which always makes those fans watching very happy.
A few of those rodeo superstars even stay for the party and hangs out with the fans that pack the David Copperfield Auditorium each night. Tonight, we were in the presence of greatness as 5-time PRCA Steer Wrestling World Champion Luke Branquhino paid a visit to the main stage. Along with him, there would be another WNFR qualifier that would spend some time with the fans here at the MGM Grand as Stetson Vest, a 2-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier. All in attendance would join together as one happy family to enjoy the 327th edition of the WNFR here in Las Vegas!
Ryder Wright Wins Round Eight At The 2017 WNFR
Photo Credit: Tom Donoghue
Tonight was another round that was well worthy of the excitement that this event brings to Las Vegas each year as 72 of the best professional rodeo athletes in the world competed for the $26,231 payday that round eight brought. Along with the huge payday that each round brings we must now start to keep in mind that the aggregate chase is very close in many of the events. Whoever wins the aggregate over all ten rounds will take home another $67,269 that will play a huge role in who leaves Las Vegas with the 2017 World Championship title!
After the one and only Reba McEntire gave a beautiful rendition of our nation’s National Anthem and set the tone for the night to follow, the lights began to shine brightly as round eight was about to get underway. Things started out hot and heavy with the boys of the bareback riding and we never looked back until the last bull was bucked. The most notable happening out of round eight, in my mind, would be in the saddle bronc riding event as Ryder Wright misses the arena record by one point to claim his third go-round win of the 2017 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo!
Round Eight:
Bareback: Round: Richmond Champion (88.00 Points)
Aggregate: Tim O’Connell (683.00 Points)
World Leader: Tim O’Connell
Steer Wrestling: Round: Chason Floyd (3.7 Seconds)
Aggregate: Ty Erickson (34.70 Seconds)
World Leader: Ty Erickson
Team Roping: Round: Luke Brown/Jake Long & Travis Tryan/Jade Corkill (4.1 Seconds)
Aggregate: Erich Rogers & Cory Petska (45.60 Seconds)
World Leader: Luke Brown & Cory Petska
Saddle Bronc: Round: Ryder Wright (92.00 Points)
Aggregate: CoBurn Bradshaw (671.00 Points)
World Leader: Ryder Wright
Tie-Down Roping: Round: Cory Solomon & Caleb Smidt (7.6 Seconds)
Aggregate: Marcos Costa (65.10 Seconds)
World Leader: Tuf Cooper
Barrel Racing: Round: Amberleigh Moore (13.51)
Aggregate: Ivy Conrado (109.93 Seconds)
World Leader: Tiany Schuster
Bull Riding: Round: Jordan Hansen (86.00 Points)
Aggregate: Sage Kimzey (513.50 Points)
World Leader: Sage Kimzey
** See Complete Round Results By Clicking HERE **
Before the beginning of round number eight earlier tonight, I was able to catch up with two-time Wrangler National Finals qualifier, tie-down roper Stetson Vest, to get his thoughts on the event so far. We also go into a little detail about what is all involved in their event and how the Thomas & Mack is a different feel than most of the rodeo venues they see throughout the year. Along with all that, we get to know him a little bit more personally as he shares what his daily life is like away from the rodeo arena. See what all he had to say in our exclusive interview below!
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