The race toward Las Vegas now runs through the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls
By Derek Beck
Territorial Rodeo Update
September has arrived, and professional rodeo’s regular season is officially down to its final month.
The pressure is mounting as the road leads toward the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls at month’s end. For the cowboys and cowgirls chasing a coveted trip to Las Vegas and the National Finals Rodeo this December, the mission is simple: make money—and make it now.
Only the Top 15 competitors in each event’s world standings qualify for the NFR. With only weeks remaining, every ride, every run, every second and every dollar can determine who competes beneath the bright lights of Las Vegas—and who watches from home.
Here’s this week’s Territorial Rodeo Update and a look at the Top 5 across professional rodeo.
Bareback Riding
Bradlee Miller continues to set the pace in bareback riding, with Jacob Lees holding second.
- Bradlee Miller
- Jacob Lees
- Kade Sonnier
- Jess Pope
- Cooper Cooke
Steer Wrestling
Tyler Waguespack remains the man to catch in the bulldoggin’, leading a talented group of steer wrestlers into the final month.
- Tyler Waguespack
- Jesse Brown
- Cash Robb
- Ty Erickson
- J.D. Struxness
Team Roping — Headers
Kaleb Driggers leads the headers, followed by Korbin Rice and Tyler Tryan.
- Kaleb Driggers
- Korbin Rice
- Tyler Tryan
- Jake Smith
- James Arviso
Team Roping — Heelers
Junior Nunes Nogueira owns the top spot among the heelers, with Cooper Freeman sitting second.
- Junior Nunes Nogueira
- Cooper Freeman
- Nicky Northcott
- Levi Lord
- Douglas Rich
Saddle Bronc Riding
The Wright family has taken over the top of a loaded saddle bronc race. Rusty Wright leads the world, Ryder Wright is second and Stetson Wright holds third.
- Rusty Wright
- Ryder Wright
- Stetson Wright
- Sage Newman
- Zeke Thurston
Tie-Down Roping
Riley Webb continues his dominant season at number one, but Haven Meged and Joel Harris remain within striking distance.
- Riley Webb
- Haven Meged
- Joel Harris
- Kincade Henry
- Shane Hanchey
Barrel Racing
Few events have experienced a bigger summertime shakeup than barrel racing. Carlee Otero has climbed to the top of the world standings, with Hayle Gibson-Stillwell now second.
- Carlee Otero
- Hayle Gibson-Stillwell
- Emily Beisel
- Kassie Mowry
- Hailey Kinsel
Bull Riding
Noah Lee continues to lead a young and talented group of bull riders, followed by Tristen Hutchings and Luke Mackey.
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- Noah Lee
- Tristen Hutchings
- Luke Mackey
- Hayden Welsh
- Hudson Bolton
The Stretch Run Is Here
Just like that, professional rodeo has reached its biggest stretch of the regular season.
Sioux Falls is on the horizon, the NFR is getting closer and the battle surrounding those Top 15 cutlines is only getting tighter. One big check could launch a competitor into the field, while one missed opportunity could make the road to Las Vegas considerably tougher.
A sincere thank-you goes to all our Rodeo Nation listeners who tune in each week and follow the journey with us. We also thank our tremendous radio affiliates for keeping professional rodeo front and center in communities across the region.