TRU Radio Segment (Sponsored by TD Angus & Rishel Ranch in North Platte, NE)
BAREBACK RIDING – SCHALLA STAYS SIZZLIN’
We start in the bareback, where Oklahoma’s Wacey Schalla stayed hotter than a Nevada parking lot in July—picking up his first-ever round win with an 88.25-point masterpiece. Four rounds, four checks, and suddenly he’s sitting first in the average and breathing down the World Title’s neck.
Jess Pope of Kansas? Cool, calm, and cashing checks—3rd in the round with 85.25, and sitting 3rd in the average.
Garrett Shadbolt of Merriman, Nebraska? Not the night he wanted—13th in the round with an 80, but still 8th in the average and very much in this fight.
Mason Moody of Letcher, South Dakota? A rare NS for the big man tonight, but plenty of rodeo left.
STEER WRESTLING – BUSTED BARRIERS & BIG PRESSURE
It was chaos in the big-boy event. Four barrier breaks… like they were giving ’em away free with every hotel room.
But the winners? Will Lummus and Tucker Allen, both laying down 4-flat.
Minnesota’s own JD Struxness had a tough one with a 13.5, but don’t count him out—he’s still 6th in the average and well within striking distance with six to go.
TEAM ROPING – ROPERS GET RIGHT
A pair of pairs hit pay dirt: Egusquiza/Lord and Wade/Thorp split the round with 3.8-second burners.
No Nebraska or Kansas qualifiers on your list for team roping tonight—but man, that Round 4 was fun to watch. Rope was snapping like a rubber band on a bull rider’s jeans.
SADDLE BRONC – THE STETSON SHOW ROLLS ON
Stop me if you’ve heard this before… Stetson Wright wins another round.
An 88.5-point ride that looked smoother than a new jar of Skippy.
But let’s give a shout-out to Weston Peterson of Waverly, Kansas—he was 8th with 85 points, good solid money-chasing ride at his first NFR.
TIE-DOWN ROPING – PRUITT PUNCHES IN
Kincade Henry set the pace with a smoking 7.1, but we care about Nebraska’s Riley Pruitt, and he got the job done—6th in the round with a 7.8, picking up a check and keeping himself 7th in the world.
Steady as she goes for the man from Gering.
BULL RIDING – ROOKIES RUN WILD
A huge night for the newcomers—rookie Bryce Jensen gets his first NFR round win.
But Colorado cowboy Luke Mackey kept the rookie race tight with an 86-point ride, making his third qualified bull of the week. He’s showing Vegas he belongs.
Kansas standout JR Stratford? Not his night—no qualified ride in Round 4.
BARREL RACING – ADIOS FLIES
Tricia Aldridge and her rocket horse Adios went 13.42, the fastest of the week.
THE BIG PICTURE
Through 4 rounds:
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Schalla is making a real case in the All-Around, trailing Stetson Wright by just $86K, which is basically two good nights in Vegas.
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Jess Pope is sitting pretty in the average.
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Shadbolt, Moody, Struxness, Pruitt, Peterson, Mackey, and Stratford all live to fight another day with six rounds left and plenty of money on the table.
That’s your NFR Round 4 recap—fast, fun, and fresher than a morning cup of cowboy coffee. Grab your hat, tighten your belt, and get ready… Round 5 kicks tonight!
