Tie-down roper Shane Hanchey wins another round at Wrangler NFR, Charlie Daniels opens the NFR

LAS VEGAS

Courtesy of the PRCA; Image provided by Tom Donoghue

Check out the video highlights here.

Before the start of the 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, tie-down roper Shane Hanchey had a good feeling about how things were going to unfold for him.

So far, the Sulphur, La., cowboy has been right.

Hanchey won his second round of the week, clocking a 7.5-second run in Round 4 before 16,813 spectators Sunday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Hanchey also won Round 1 with a 7.6-second time and placed second in Round 3 with a 7.1-second effort. The only blemish on Hanchey’s 2019 Wrangler NFR was his no-time in Round 2.

Hanchey remains the leader in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $185,389.

“I had a great calf,” Hanchey said. “I had to take others’ word for it because I didn’t think it was a great calf, but it was. Riley Pruitt ran him for the first run and Tyler Milligan tied him this morning and said, ‘I’ve been wanting to run that calf all week.’ That gave me some last-minute confidence before the grand entry, and I’m glad it worked out.”

Hanchey did his homework before making his Round 4 run.

“Since the reruns have started and these calves were roped in Round 1, you can watch a video and talk to other contestants because that’s what’s so cool about rodeo – we’re not competing against each other, we’re competing against and with the calf,” Hanchey said. “Riley gave me some good information, and it worked out. You’ve got to pay attention to them. You can’t just nod, go and react. Now that the reruns have started, you have a better idea what they’re going to do in the arena.”

Hanchey’s no stranger to success in Las Vegas. This is his 10th appearance at the Wrangler NFR, highlighted by his 2013 world championship. That year, Hanchey also set the average record with an 80.1-second time on 10 head.

However, Hanchey knows every NFR trip is different and mental toughness counts.

“All of us want to do well, not only for us but our families,” he said. “We’ve put an extended amount of pressure on ourselves, it can be a roller coaster for sure.

“My first thought is I want my horse to do well in the box and I want to get a good start. After that, roping the neck. For me, when I rope the neck, everything else is reaction. We’ve done so much it’s repetition and muscle memory.”

Stetson Wright adds to Wrangler NFR memories with second win
Bull rider Stetson Wright’s rookie season seems to get better with each passing day.

Wright, 20, won his second round of the Wrangler NFR, recording a 91-point ride on Painted Pony Championship Rodeo’s Holy Holly in Round 4.

Wright also was victorious in Round 1 with a 91-point trip on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Monte Walsh.

“I guess I’m just drawing good, and everyone told me to quit using the word ‘lucky,’ but I feel like I am riding good, and tonight I told myself to finish,” Wright said.

Although competing in the Thomas & Mack Center can be nerve-wracking, Wright wasn’t going to let the magnitude of the moment faze him.

“Before my ride, I was loose and cool, and it was the least tense I’ve been,” Wright said. “I was joking and having fun, and everything felt good. I was joking around in the chute too, and just happy to be here. The last couple days I was making it a job and it’s not, it is to have fun.”

Counting ground money, Wright has earned $62,462 at the Finals. He is second in the world standings.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “I want to build a house after this year, but there’s no pressure since I’m young and I want to start a life on the ranch.”

Reigning five-time world champion Sage Kimzey remains the PRCA | RAM World Standings leader with $301,271.

Orin Larsen’s 90-point ride wins bareback riding
Before Sunday night, Orin Larsen had never matched up with Frontier Rodeo’s Night Fist.

Their first encounter together was memorable.

Larsen had a 90-point ride on Night Fist to win the round. He was a half-point away from tying the Round 4 Wrangler NFR record, shared by Will Lowe (set in 2004) and Ty Breuer (2017).

“Everyone I talked to in the dressing room was pretty pumped up that I had a good horse (Sunday night),” Larsen said. “That horse definitely didn’t fail. It fit my style and got in the air and was really showy. He hangs in the air and is just a good bucking horse, and I was glad to have him.”

After earning $26,231, Larsen moved from third to second in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $211,789. He has earned $38,346 at the Wrangler NFR.

“When you are hot, you are hot, and when you are not, you are not,” Larsen said. “You just try and ride the high spots as long as you can. I’m not really thinking about the end result. I’m just focusing on the whole process. All 15 of us deserve to have a gold buckle by the end of the week. I’m just going to do my part and do a lot of praying, and if there’s a gold buckle by my name I will be stoked.”

Clayton Biglow leads the world standings with $219,452.

Bridger Chambers wins steer wrestling with 3.6-second run
Steer wrestler Bridger Chambers is developing quite a liking for the Wrangler NFR.

After earning $135,583 in his NFR debut last year, he’s not letting off the gas pedal in his return trip.

Chambers won Round 4 Sunday with a 3.6-second run. He’s earned $61,756 through four rounds at the NFR.

“Oh, man, that’s pretty exciting,” Chambers said about his first career Wrangler NFR round win and subsequent victory lap. “I don’t know how you can describe it to anybody, but I was just trying to soak it all in. It happens so fast, and I was just excited. It was a very special moment.”

Chambers is keeping things in perspective the remainder of the week as he chases a gold buckle.

“I guess the goal and game plan is to just run at every round and don’t back off,” Chambers said. “I don’t feel I have anything to lose, especially with the (broken) barrier in the mix. We’re going to keep running at them.”

Chambers is riding two-time Canadian Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year Tyson, owned by Curtis Cassidy, who is hazing for Chambers.

Ty Erickson leads the steer wrestling world standings with $174,273.

Saddle bronc rider Rusty Wright snares sixth career Wrangler NFR round win
Rusty Wright is making his fourth appearance at the Wrangler NFR, and the saddle bronc rider always seems to find success in the Thomas & Mack.

Wright won Round 4 with an 89.5-point ride on Diamond G Rodeos’ Miss Nancy for the sixth round win of his career.

“She almost bucked me off,” Wright said. “That horse jumped out there and has big, long jumps. It was feeling really good, and I felt tapped-off confident, so I went to try and go flash her up. As soon as I did that, she had a big, empty jump and threw her head back at me. It kind of got me loose a little bit, but she took her head back again and continued bucking. I was able to sit back down and finish it off pretty good.”

With his $26,231 payday, Wright is third in the world standings with $175,153.

“I felt like it was going to be pretty good, and I was really excited,” Wright said. “I didn’t know how many (points) I was going to be, I just knew I was dang sure going to place, and it felt awesome.

“I’d watched my little brother, Ryder, get on her in Norco, Calif., last year, and he was 88 on her. Then, this year, Spencer got on her in Norco and was 86. So they’d both won rodeos on it before, and that horse is in our circuit (Wilderness), so I’d seen it a lot. I’m not going to lie to you, I was really nervous and a little scared, because that horse bucks so hard and bucks a lot of guys off. But I knew, as long as I stayed back and lifted, things would work out.”

Rusty is hoping to use Round 4 as a springboard for the rest of the Wrangler NFR.

“It’s good to win any time, but it seems like after you win a round, your confidence goes through the roof and you just get the ball rolling,” he said. “It was rolling before, and it’s hopefully going to take off now. A little confidence does wonders.”

Zeke Thurston overtook Ryder Wright to take the lead in the world standings with $249,607.

Team ropers Masters/Harrison claim Round 4 crown
Chad Masters and Joseph Harrison set the pace in Round 4, capturing a victory with a 3.7-second run.

“I knew it was actually going to be fast and I knew I had a good steer,” said Masters, a two-time team roping header world champion (2007 and 2012). “I left early, and it wasn’t a picture-perfect run, but I am happy with the end result.”

The round win was welcomed by Masters and Harrison.

“It’s been since 2011 since I’d won a round and I’d been waiting on getting one,” Masters said.

Harrison, meanwhile, was celebrating his first career round record.

“I have been waiting for 24 steers to walk across the stage and get that buckle, and it’s finally happening,” he said.

Moving forward in Vegas, Masters and Harrison are hoping for more of the same.

“I’m afraid to say anything, but I hope that’s the start of it,” Masters said.

Harrison was more to the point

“I’ll ride that train!” he said.

Clay Smith and Jade Corkill are leading the respective header and heeler world standings.

Barrel racer Emily Miller wins her second round
Emily Miller is having quite the Wrangler NFR.

The barrel racer captured a victory in Round 1 and added another win Sunday in Round 4 with her 13.64-second run.

Miller moved into first place in the world standings with $196,991. She has earned $98,848 so far at the Wrangler NFR, the most of any contestant.

“(ProRodeo Hall of Famer) Joe (Beaver) made the comment the other day at the WPRA luncheon that, ‘It’s fun in Vegas, but it’s a lot more fun when you’re winning,’” Miller said. “I have to agree with him. It’s been a great four days, and we’ve really enjoyed it.”

Miller is riding her 9-year-old gelding, Chongo.

“You know, I think every run you just go out there and try to focus on what you’ve worked on all year, and that’s one (barrel) to the right, two to the left and leave them up,” Miller said. “He’s working outstanding, and I couldn’t be happier with him. As a rider, I feel like I failed him a bit on the first barrel, but that’s something I can fix. Luckily, he’s doing his job, so that’s huge.”

Even though Miller was the first barrel racer out Sunday, it didn’t rattle her nerves.

“I think you have to ride a little bit smarter the farther down on the ground you get because of the ruts and stuff, and you want to stay inside the tracks,” she said. “I’ve been more worried about the second and third barrels, but he’s staying super honest for me. He’s doing great, and I’m absolutely thrilled with how he’s working.”

All-around race getting interesting
Thanks to winning his second round in bull riding, Stetson Wright maintained his lead in the all-around standings.

Wright has $245,461 – $38,982 more than second-place Clay Smith, the reigning team roping header world champ. Tuf Cooper, the 2017 all-around world champ, is third with $195,986.

Fourth Performance Results, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas

Bareback riding: 1. Orin Larsen, 90 points on Frontier Rodeo's Night Fist, $26,231; 2. Clint Laye, 88, $20,731; 3. (tie) Caleb Bennett and Ty Breuer, 87, $13,327 each; 5. (tie) Kaycee Feild and Trenten Montero, 86.5, $5,500 each; 7. (tie) Tilden Hooper, Austin Foss and Jake Brown, 86; 10. Steven Dent, 85.5; 11. Tim O'Connell, 85; 12. (tie) Clayton Biglow and Richmond Champion, 84; 14. Tanner Aus, 83.5; 15. Taylor Broussard, 82.5. Average standings: 1. Trenten Montero, 350 points on four head; 2. Tim O'Connell, 349.5; 3. Richmond Champion, 343.5; 4. Clayton Biglow, 342.5; 5. Kaycee Feild, 339; 6. Steven Dent, 337.5; 7. Clint Laye,334; 8. Tilden Hooper, 330; 9. (tie) Orin Larsen and Taylor Broussard, 329; 11. Caleb Bennett, 261 points on three; 12. Ty Breuer, 258; 13. Tanner Aus, 256; 14. Austin Foss, 253.5; 15. Jake Brown, 172.5 points on two. World standings: 1. Clayton Biglow, $219,452; 2. Orin Larsen, $211,789; 3. Kaycee Feild, $207,359; 4. Richmond Champion, $182,714; 5. Tim O'Connell, $161,668; 6. Tilden Hooper, $158,559; 7. Caleb Bennett, $154,184; 8. Clint Laye, $149,685; 9. Trenten Montero, $143,219; 10. Ty Breuer, $120,911; 11. Tanner Aus, $117,826; 12. Jake Brown, $105,068; 13. Steven Dent, $103,799; 14. Austin Foss, $102,895; 15. Taylor Broussard, $93,502.

Steer wrestling: 1. Bridger Chambers, 3.6 seconds, $26,231; 2. (tie) Ty Erickson and Cameron Morman, 3.7, $18,192 each; 4. J.D. Struxness, 3.9, $11,000; 5. Hunter Cure, 4.1, $6,769; 6. (tie) Scott Guenthner and Dakota Eldridge, 4.4, $2,115 each; 8. (tie) Stetson Jorgensen, Tyler Pearson and Matt Reeves, 4.5; 11. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Will Lummus, 4.7; 13. Riley Duvall, 5.1; 14. Kyle Irwin, 9.8; 15. Tanner Brunner, NT. Average standings: 1. J.D. Struxness, 16.3 seconds on four head; 2. Tyler Waguespack, 16.7; 3. (tie) Matt Reeves and Cameron Morman, 18.1; 5. Riley Duvall, 20.4; 6. Hunter Cure, 21.5; 7. Bridger Chambers, 25.9; 8. Tyler Pearson, 27.9; 9. Dakota Eldridge, 28.7; 10. Stetson Jorgensen, 28.8; 11. Scott Guenthner, 34.3; 12. Kyle Irwin, 34.4; 13. Ty Erickson, 36.2; 14. Will Lummus, 13.1 seconds on three; 15. Tanner Brunner, 16.6 seconds on two. World standings: 1. Ty Erickson, $174,273; 2. Hunter Cure, $147,568; 3. Tyler Waguespack, $147,464; 4. J.D. Struxness, $145,150; 5. Bridger Chambers, $140,785; 6. Scott Guenthner, $130,661; 7. Stetson Jorgensen, $127,015; 8. Dakota Eldridge, $119,449; 9. Will Lummus, $115,998; 10. Tyler Pearson, $112,712; 11. Cameron Morman, $106,307; 12. Kyle Irwin, $97,703; 13. Matt Reeves, $96,259; 14. Riley Duvall, $95,963; 15. Tanner Brunner, $84,950.

Team roping: 1. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 3.7 seconds, $26,231 each; 2. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 3.8, $20,731; 3. Luke Brown/Paul Eaves, 3.9, $15,654; 4. (tie) Clay Smith/Jade Corkill and Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 4.3, $8,885 each; 6. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 4.4, $4,231; 7. Matt Sherwood/Hunter Koch, 5.0; 8. Jake Cooper/Caleb Anderson, 6.1; 9. Tyler Wade/Cole Davison, 9.1; 10. Tate Kirchenschlager/Tyler Worley, 9.7; 11. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 14.7; 12. Clay Tryan/Jake Long, Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, Ty Blasingame/Travis Graves and Erich Rogers/Kyle Lockett, NT. Average standings: 1. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 17.9 seconds on four head; 2. Matt Sherwood/Hunter Koch, 24.9; 3. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 28.7; 4. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 28.8; 5. Tate Kirchenschlager/Tyler Worley, 38.8; 6. Jake Cooper/Caleb Anderson, 40.3; 7. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 13.7 seconds on three; 8. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 14.9; 9. Tyler Wade/Cole Davison, 16.8; 10. Luke Brown/Paul Eaves, 17.5; 11. Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 18.1; 12. Erich Rogers/Kyle Lockett, 28.0; 13. Ty Blasingame/Travis Graves, 10.5 seconds on two; 14. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 22.8; 15. Clay Tryan/Jake Long, 4.6 seconds on one. World standings (headers): 1. Clay Smith, $195,628; 2. Kaleb Driggers, $153,558; 3. Chad Masters, $138,529; 4. Tyler Wade, $135,856; 5. Coleman Proctor, $135,049; 6. Brenten Hall, $134,888; 7. Riley Minor, $134,303; 8. Clay Tryan, $133,896; 9. Cody Snow, $120,707; 10. Luke Brown, $112,708; 11. Ty Blasingame, $111,490; 12. Matt Sherwood, $111,166; 13. Erich Rogers, $99,653; 14. Tate Kirchenschlager, $93,071; 15. Jake Cooper, $90,524; World standings (heelers): 1. Jade Corkill, $153,753; 2. Junior Nogueira, $150,877; 3. Joseph Harrison, $141,278; 4. Ryan Motes, $139,897; 5. Jake Long, $137,627; 6. Cole Davison, $134,371; 7. Brady Minor, $134,303; 8. Chase Tryan, $132,307; 9. Kyle Lockett, $124,384; 10. Hunter Koch, $119,269; 11. Paul Eaves, $117,216; 12. Travis Graves, $113,165; 13. Wesley Thorp, $112,950; 14. Caleb Anderson, $89,723; 15. Tyler Worley, $88,524.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Rusty Wright, 89.5 points on Diamond G Rodeos' Miss Nancy, $26,231; 2. Spencer Wright, 84.5, $20,731; 3. Zeke Thurston, 83.5, $15,654; 4. Brody Cress, 81.5, $11,000; 5. Sterling Crawley, 80.5, $6,769; 6. Jacobs Crawley, 80, $4,231; 7. Ryder Wright, Chase Brooks, Jesse Wright, Mitch Pollock, Jake Watson, Dawson Hay, Colt Gordon and J.J. Elshere, NS; Bradley Harter, INJ. Average standings: 1. Rusty Wright, 340 points on four head; 2. Brody Cress, 333.5; 3. Zeke Thurston, 261 points on three; 4. Spencer Wright, 257.5; 5. Jacobs Crawley, 249; 6. Chase Brooks, 176 points on two; 7. Jesse Wright, 175; 8. Dawson Hay, 171.5; 9. Colt Gordon, 162; 10. Jake Watson, 87 points on one; 11. Ryder Wright, Bradley Harter and J.J. Elshere, 86.5; 14. Mitch Pollock, 84; 15. Sterling Crawley, 80.5. World standings: 1. Zeke Thurston, $249,607; 2. Ryder Wright, $234,488; 3. Rusty Wright, $175,153; 4. Spencer Wright, $163,669; 5. Chase Brooks, $159,847; 6. Brody Cress, $156,205; 7. Jacobs Crawley, $150,897; 8. Jesse Wright, $132,736; 9. Sterling Crawley, $131,197; 10. Bradley Harter, $127,543; 11. Dawson Hay, $125,965; 12. Jake Watson, $124,291; 13. J.J. Elshere, $119,004; 14. Mitch Pollock, $109,542; 15. Colt Gordon, $101,071.

Tie-down roping: 1. Shane Hanchey, 7.5 seconds, $26,231; 2. Riley Pruitt, 7.7, $20,731; 3. Marty Yates, 8.0, $15,654; 4. (tie) Haven Meged and Taylor Santos, 8.1, $8,885; 6. Cooper Martin, 8.7, $4,231; 7. (tie) Caleb Smidt and Tuf Cooper, 9.5; 9. Tyson Durfey, 10.1; 10. Rhen Richard, 10.2; 11. Tyler Milligan, 10.4; 12. Shad Mayfield, 14.1; 13. Ty Harris, Michael Otero and Adam Gray, NT. Average standings: 1. Taylor Santos, 32.8 seconds on four head; 2. Marty Yates, 33.1; 3. Haven Meged, 33.6; 4. Tuf Cooper, 34.0; 5. Tyson Durfey, 36.3; 6. (tie) Rhen Richard and Shad Mayfield, 39.7; 8. Cooper Martin, 43.2; 9. Tyler Milligan, 44.0; 10. Caleb Smidt, 44.6; 11. Riley Pruitt, 48.3; 12. Shane Hanchey, 22.2 seconds on three; 13. Michael Otero, 28.2; 14. Adam Gray, 37.4; 15. Ty Harris, 17.8 seconds on two. World standings: 1. Shane Hanchey, $185,389; 2. Haven Meged, $167,744; 3. Marty Yates, $162,085; 4. Taylor Santos, $150,753; 5. Caleb Smidt, $141,90; 6. Tuf Cooper, $141,823; 7. Tyson Durfey, $137,263; 8. Tyler Milligan, $134,974; 9. Riley Pruitt, $130,266; 10. Shad Mayfield, $127,075; 11. Ty Harris, $120,976; 12. Michael Otero, $111,924; 13. Adam Gray, $102,173; 14. Cooper Martin, $100,491; 15. Rhen Richard, $98,661.

Barrel racing: 1. Emily Miller, 13.64 seconds, $26,231; 2. Amberleigh Moore, 13.75, $20,731; 3. Jessica Routier, 13.77, $15,654; 4. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, 13.79, $11,000; 5. Ericka Nelson, 13.81, $6,769; 6. Hailey Kinsel, 13.88, $4,231; 7. Jennifer Sharp, 13.91; 8. Nellie Miller, 13.93; 9. Shali Lord, 14.03; 10. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 14.05; 11. Lisa Lockhart, 14.06; 12. Lacinda Rose, 14.16; 13. Stevi Hillman, 19.04; 14. Dona Kay Rule, 19.06; 15. Cheyenne Wimberley, 23.84. Average standings: 1. Emily Miller, 54.64 seconds on four runs; 2. Jessica Routier, 55.48; 3. Lisa Lockhart, 55.55; 4. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, 55.59; 5. Nellie Miller, 55.82; 6. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 55.91; 7. Shali Lord, 56.07; 8. Jennifer Sharp, 56.18; 9. Lacinda Rose, 56.89; 10. Hailey Kinsel, 60.23; 11. Dona Kay Rule, 60.51; 12. Ericka Nelson, 60.87; 13. Amberleigh Moore, 64.96; 14. Stevi Hillman, 65.73; 15. Cheyenne Wimberley, 71.44. World standings: 1. Emily Miller, $196,991; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $183,828; 3. Lisa Lockhart, $181,313; 4. Nellie Miller, $175,611; 5. Amberleigh Moore, $161,021; 6. Dona Kay Rule, $148,392; 7. Jessica Routier, $138,736; 8. Stevi Hillman, $130,989; 9. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, $125,269; 10. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $122,273; 11. Shali Lord, $121,776; 12. Ericka Nelson, $110,202; 13. Jennifer Sharp, $107,254; 14. Cheyenne Wimberley, $100,361; 15. Lacinda Rose, $98,936.

Bull riding: 1. Stetson Wright, 91 points on Painted Pony Championship Rodeo's Holy Holly, $26,231; 2. Trey Benton III, 90, $20,731; 3. Boudreaux Campbell, 88, $15,654; 4. Sage Kimzey, 86.5, $11,000; 5. Trey Kimzey, 86, $6,769; 6. Jeff Askey, 85, $4,231; 7. Jordan Spears, 84; 8. Koby Radley, 82.5; 9. Tyler Bingham, 80; 10. Trevor Kastner, Josh Frost, Garrett Smith, Daylon Swearingen, Jordan Hansen and Clayton Sellars, NS. Average standings: 1. Boudreaux Campbell, 262 points on three head; 2. Koby Radley, 261; 3. Sage Kimzey, 258.5; 4. Stetson Wright, 183.5 points on two; 5. (tie) Jordan Hansen and Trey Benton III, 179.5; 7. Garrett Smith, 178.5; 8. Tyler Bingham, 170; 9. Jordan Spears, 166.5; 10. Trey Kimzey, 86 points on one; 11. Jeff Askey, 85; 12. Clayton Sellars, 84.5; 13. Trevor Kastner, Josh Frost and Daylon Swearingen, NS. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $301,271; 2. Stetson Wright, $214,883; 3. Boudreaux Campbell, $196,143; 4. Trey Benton III, $175,996; 5. Garrett Smith, $171,769; 6. Jordan Hansen, $163,811; 7. Trevor Kastner, $159,100; 8. Koby Radley, $158,118; 9. Tyler Bingham, $153,181; 10. Clayton Sellars, $139,191; 11. Jordan Spears, $131,548; 12. Josh Frost, $129,561; 13. Jeff Askey, $127,925; 14. Trey Kimzey, $124,930; 15. Daylon Swearingen, $121,837.

All-Around Standings: 1. Stetson Wright, $245,461; 2. Clay Smith, $206,479; 3. Tuf Cooper, $195,986; 4. Caleb Smidt, $155,190; 5. Trevor Brazile, $129,754; 6. Landon McClaugherty, $112,119; 7. Steven Dent, $111,577; 8. Rhen Richard, $104,653; 9. Josh Frost, $92,732; 10. Daylon Swearingen, $80,920.