By Derek Beck
The rodeo calendar is packed with big-time action this weekend.
The Days of ’76 Rodeo is underway in Deadwood, South Dakota — not to be confused with the Days of ’47 Rodeo in Salt Lake City. The “Daddy of ’em All,” Cheyenne Frontier Days, finishes its run this weekend, while Nebraska’s BIG Rodeo takes center stage in Burwell.
If that’s not enough, the National High School Finals Rodeo — billed as the world’s largest rodeo — wraps up this week in Lincoln, Nebraska.
With plenty of money still on the line, here is this week’s Territorial Rodeo Update Top Five Countdown.
Bareback Riding
Bradlee Miller has built a lead of more than $28,000 over second-place Jacob Lees.
Luke Thrash has climbed to third after collecting approximately $30,000 during the past three weeks. Keenan Hayes of Hayden, Colorado, sits fourth.
Defending world champion Rocker Steiner has slipped to fifth while recovering from neck surgery. Steiner is expected to remain sidelined for approximately another month, putting a possible return closer to Labor Day.
Steer Wrestling
There has been some movement in the steer wrestling standings, but Louisiana’s Tyler Waguespack remains No. 1.
Jesse Brown, Holden Myers and Ty Erickson are locked in a tight race for second through fourth. Oklahoma’s Riley Duvall rounds out the top five.
Team Roping
Korbin Rice remains the man to beat among the headers.
Jake Smith holds the second position, followed by Kaleb Driggers, James Arviso and Tyler Tryan.
On the heelers’ side, Missouri’s Cooper Freeman continues to extend his lead over Junior Nogueira. South Dakota’s Levi Lord has methodically climbed to third, followed by Illinois’ Douglas Rich and Texas cowboy Nicky Northcott.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Stetson Wright remains No. 1 this week, but that could change soon.
The 10-time world champion underwent successful surgeries last week to repair a separated shoulder and a torn meniscus and PCL suffered during the Calgary Stampede. Wright is targeting a possible return at the Douglas County Fair and Rodeo in Castle Rock, Colorado, in late August.
His brother, Rusty Wright, is in position to take over the top spot. Kade Bruno sits third.
Last week’s Territorial Rodeo Update guest, Wyatt Casper, jumped five positions to fourth. Casper is competing in the Cheyenne Frontier Days semifinals with his sights set on a run at the “Daddy of ’em All” championship.
Sage Newman currently holds the fifth position.
Tie-Down Roping
There were no changes inside the tie-down roping top five this week.
Riley Webb remains No. 1, followed by Kincade Henry, Haven Meged, Joel Harris and Shad Mayfield.
Barrel Racing
Kassie Mowry has left the gate cracked open this summer.
Mowry won multiple rounds at the Calgary Stampede, but qualified sixth at Cheyenne Frontier Days and hit two barrels during the third performance.
Emily Beisel is giving chase and trails Mowry by approximately $23,000. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell holds third, followed by Carlee Otero and Michelle Alley.
Bull Riding
There is a new No. 1 in bull riding.
Rookie Noah Lee surged into the top spot following wins at the Calgary Stampede and the Xtreme Bulls event in Mitchell, South Dakota. Lee now leads Tristen Hutchings by more than $20,000.
Hayden Welsh of Gillette, Wyoming, sits third. The injured Stetson Wright has dropped to fourth, while Indian National Finals Rodeo champion T.J. Gray rounds out the top five.
That is this week’s Territorial Rodeo Update Top Five Countdown.
A special thank-you goes to longtime sponsors Sioux Steel Company and Gingerich Structures. With so many major rodeos taking place this weekend, expect plenty of movement when we count them down again next week.