Throughout the first four rounds of the 2016 Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo we have seen many unforgettable moments as well as some hard times that some of the top rodeo athletes would like to forget about moving forward. Records have been broken and amazing rides and runs have been made that nearly broke the previous arena records that have been set here inside of the Thomas & Mack Arena. The excitement and anticipation of tonight’s fifth round was undeniable as many flocked in to see some changes to the world leader boards.
While all eyes would be on rookie sensation Ryder Wright as he continues his quest towards a world championship there will also be one man missing for the remainder of the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Bull riding world champion, who won the world in 2012, will miss the rest of the action after suffering a broken left clavicle just 24 hours ago. Unfortunately the medical staff lead by Dr. Tandy Freeman recognized the break after x-rays taken following round four. We wish him the best as well as a quick recovery and return to bull riding action!
Trick Pony Opens Up Round Five Of The 2016 WNFR
PRCA Photo By Greg Westfall
Tonight marked the midway point of the 2016 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in a day that all of us call the Hump Day Performance. Each year the opening acts get better and better with new talent mixed with seasoned veterans. Tonight was no different as the exciting and exhilarating country music recording artist band Trick Pony strolled into the Thomas & Mack arena to perform the live music that fans have been tapping their feet and singing to for years. After watching this opening if that was not enough to get your motor running you would need to go to the doctor ASAP and have yourself checked out!
Following the excitement of the opening acts it was time to turn our attention to the fifth night of action here on the University of Nevada – Las Vegas campus as the Tough Enough To Wear Pink round five was about to begin. That being said before we could proceed any further we needed to take a moment to pay respects to God and country with a beautiful prayer followed by a stellar rendition of our nation’s National Anthem sung by youth contest winner Molly Gaynor.
J.D. Struxness Takes Home The Round Win In The Steer Wresting In Round Five
PRCA Photo By Greg Westfall
In the first four nights of action the big boys of the steer wrestling event have had their share of ups and downs leaving many wondering how the week will unfold as we head to Championship Saturday. As we look at how the average is shaping up we have to take a look at those runs last night that resulting in a no time and how they would affect where each contestant will end up. Tonight was a different story and the cowboys seemed to get their minds back to track and showed their true talents down on the arena floor earlier tonight.
After either winning or splitting the last two rounds Minnesota cowboy J.D. Struxness managed to pull off a first place performance in round five, once again with a 3.5 second run. He managed to lay down an amazing run which gave him nearly $24,000 and the round win here this evening. I was able to catch up with J.D. immediately after his run to get his thoughts on his performance thus far and how he manages to stay focused throughout the grueling ten day run here at the WNFR. See what he had to say in our video interview below!
Jacobs Crawley Takes Home The Round Five Win
PRCA Photo By Greg Westfall
Over the last four night’s of competition the story continued to be the same in the saddle bronc riding event. The Wrangler National Finals rookie phenom Ryder Wright dominates the others with four straight go-round wins. Along with the four straight wins he has collected as many Montana Silversmith gold and silver belt buckles and almost $115,000 in prize money. The youngest Wright boy here this weekend is making the others proud to be a part of such a legendary family in the saddle bronc riding event!
Tonight all eyes were on the rookie that came into the first round in 14th place overall and has managed to skyrocket up to the number two position. Ryder trailed the number one man, Jacobs Crawley, by a mere $1,000 heading into tonight’s round five. Once things were said and done he would not be able to reach the pinnacle as the number one man in the world on this Tough Enough To Wear Pink night after bucking off his horse early for the first time. After all was said and done it would be Jacobs Crawley who would head to the South Point after an 89 point ride as the fifth go-round winner of the 2016 WNFR. See what he had to say about his victory in the video interview below!
Complete Recap Including Round Winner, Current Average Leader and Current World Leader Below
Bareback
Round Winner – Jake Vold (89.00 Points)
Average Leader – Tim O’Connell (424.50 Points)
Current World Leader – Tim O’Connell
Steer Wrestling
Round Winner – J.D. Struxness (3.5 Seconds)
Average Leader – Tyler Waguespack and Matt Reeves (20.00 Seconds)
Current World Leader – Tyler Waguespack
Team Roping
Round Winners – Caleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira & Levi Simpson/Jeremy Buhler (4.0 Seconds)
Average Leaders – Luke Brown and Jake Long
Current World Leaders – Luke Brown and Jake Long
Saddle Bronc
Round Winner – Jacobs Crawley (89.00 Points)
Average Leader – Jake Wright (414.50)
Current World Leader – Jacobs Crawley
Tie-Down Roping
Round Winner – Caleb Smidt (6.7 Seconds)
Average Leader – Matt Shiozawa (41.4 Seconds)
Current World Leader – Marcos Costa
Barrel Racing
Round Winner – Amberleigh Moore (13.62 Seconds)
Average Leader –
Current World Leader – Mary Burger
Bull Riding
Round Winner – Scottie Knapp (87 Points)
Average Leader – Shane Proctor (422 Points)
Current World Leader – Sage Kimzey
Now that we have reached the half way point of the 2016 Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo we will begin to see some of the top rodeo athletes crack and begin to show their soreness. Now is the time to see who has the grit and determination to fight through the pain as we make the last race towards the crowning of our 2016 World Champions. Many story lines are beginning to develop and we will pay close attention to all of them to bring you the latest updates from here in Las Vegas!
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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