Pope, Patterson and Allen Ignite Round 8 as Midwest Territory Cowboys Make Their Move in Las Vegas

TRU Radio Version, Sponsored by TD Angus at Rishel Ranch

LAS VEGAS — Round 8 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo delivered major leaderboard shifts Thursday at the Thomas & Mack Center, highlighted by a dominant steer wrestling performance from Tucker Allen and go-round victories from several rising contenders.

Allen, of Ventura, California, continued one of the hottest runs of the 2025 NFR with a 3.9-second throw to earn his third round win of the week. The effort pushed him to No. 1 in the PRCA world standings and extended his NFR average lead to 36.6 seconds on eight head. His winnings climbed to $298,964 with two rounds remaining.

Among Territory competitors, Minnesota’s JD Struxness placed sixth with a 4.4-second run and now sits third in the average.

In bareback riding, Jess Pope of Waverly, Kansas, clinched his second straight round win with an 88.25-point ride on Four Star Rodeo’s Deep Springs. The former world champion moved to third in the world standings and leads the NFR average with 684.5 points on eight head. Garrett Shadbolt of Merriman, Nebraska, posted 82.5 points and remains seventh in the average.

The night brought another Kansas win when Waverly native and rookie Weston Patterson claimed his first NFR go-round buckle. Patterson scored 89 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Cowboy Fool to secure the saddle bronc victory and move to 10th in the world standings.

In tie-down roping, Kincade Henry won the round in 7.0 seconds. Nebraska’s Riley Pruitt, of Gering, tied for eighth with a 9.4 and holds 11th in the average.

Team ropers Kolton Schmidt and Jonathan Torres continued their strong NFR with another round win at 3.8 seconds, moving both cowboys to No. 1 in the world standings.

Oregon’s T.J. Gray claimed his second consecutive bull riding round win with a 90.75-point ride. South Dakota cowboy Mason Moody, of Letcher, remained in the middle of the standings battle as the event tightened with two rounds remaining.

All-around leader Stetson Dell Wright continued pacing the field with $699,691 in season earnings.

Round 9 begins Friday with major world title implications across nearly every event.

**2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

Round 8 Results**

All-Around

Stetson Dell Wright continues to control the all-around race with $699,691 earned on the season. Wacey Schalla sits second with $570,014, followed by Dylan Hancock ($237,930), Brushton Minton ($185,261) and Jake Clay ($142,536) rounding out the top five.

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Bareback Riding

Round 8:

1. Jess Pope, 88.25 points on Four Star Rodeo’s Deep Springs, $36,668

2. Sam Petersen, 87.25, $28,980

3. Dean Thompson, 86.25, $21,882

4. Mason Clements, 85.25, $15,377

5. Waylon Bourgeois, 84, $9,463

6. Cole Franks, 83.75, $5,914

7. Bradlee Miller, 82.75

8. Garrett Shadbolt, 82.5

9. Kade Sonnier, 81.5

10. Rocker Steiner, 80.25

11. Tilden Hooper, 79.5

12. Jacek Frost, 77.5

13. Wacey Schalla, 74

14. Cooper Cooke, NS

Average:

1. Jess Pope, 684.5 points on eight head

2. Sam Petersen, 681.75

3. Wacey Schalla, 678.5

4. Cole Franks, 676.75

5. Kade Sonnier, 676

World Standings:

1. Rocker Steiner, $421,185

2. Sam Petersen, $348,805

3. Jess Pope, $340,193

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Steer Wrestling

Round 8:

1. Tucker Allen, 3.9 seconds, $36,668

2. Jesse Brown, 4.0, $28,980

3. Chance Howard, 4.1, $21,882

4. Bridger Anderson, 4.2, $15,377

5. Dakota Eldridge, 4.3, $9,463

6. J.D. Struxness, 4.4, $5,914

Average:

1. Tucker Allen, 36.6 seconds on eight head

2. Rowdy Parrott, 46.4

3. J.D. Struxness, 52.9

World Standings:

1. Tucker Allen, $298,964

2. Will Lummus, $290,871

3. Jesse Brown, $267,671

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Team Roping

Round 8:

1. Kolton Schmidt / Jonathan Torres, 3.8 seconds, $36,668 each

2. Kaleb Driggers / Junior Nogueira, 3.9, $28,980

3. Dustin Egusquiza / Levi Lord, 4.1, $21,882

Average:

1. Schmidt / Torres, 28.7 seconds on seven head

2. (tie) Ward / Long and Summers / Corkill, 31.3

World Standings (Headers):

1. Kolton Schmidt, $279,074

2. Tanner Tomlinson, $276,606

3. Clint Summers, $253,055

World Standings (Heelers):

1. Jonathan Torres, $270,808

2. Jade Corkill, $253,380

3. Junior Nogueira, $252,854

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Saddle Bronc Riding

Round 8:

1. Weston Patterson, 89 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Cowboy Fool, $36,668

2. Brody Wells, 87.5, $28,980

3. (tie) Brody Cress and Statler Wright, 87.25, $18,630 each

Average:

1. Zeke Thurston, 690.75 points on eight head

2. Statler Wright, 688.75

3. Lefty Holman, 684

World Standings:

1. Ryder Wright, $392,017

2. Damian Brennan, $361,489

3. Zeke Thurston, $332,336

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Tie-Down Roping

Round 8:

1. Kincade Henry, 7.0 seconds, $36,668

2. (tie) Shane Hanchey and Joel Harris, 7.5, $25,431 each

3. (tie) John Douch and Brushton Minton, 8.2, $12,420 each

Average:

1. Riley Mason Webb, 67.1 seconds on eight head

2. John Douch, 67.2

3. Brushton Minton, 68.1

World Standings:

1. Riley Mason Webb, $417,743

2. Shad Mayfield, $388,931

3. Kincade Henry, $320,916

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Barrel Racing

Round 8:

1. Tricia Aldridge, 13.64 seconds, $36,668

2. Wenda Johnson, 13.68, $28,980

3. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, 13.76, $21,882

Average:

1. Kassie Mowry, 109.53 seconds on eight runs

2. Julie Plourde, 111.52

3. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 112.19

World Standings:

1. Kassie Mowry, $353,611

2. Hailey Kinsel, $308,096

3. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $270,955

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Bull Riding

Round 8:

1. TJ Gray, 90.75 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Doze You Down, $36,668

2. Mason Moody, 89.5, $28,980

3. Ky Hamilton, 88.5, $21,882

4. Stetson Dell Wright, 88, $15,377

Average:

1. Ky Hamilton, 522 points on six head

2. Stetson Dell Wright, 444.25 on five head

3. TJ Gray, 443.25

World Standings:

1. Stetson Dell Wright, $514,535

2. Ky Hamilton, $423,723

3. Wacey Schalla, $413,458