10 Things to Know About First 10 Performances at the National Western

10 Things to Know About First 10 Performances at the National Western

Published On: January 21, 2025Categories: Event Summaries/Results, Featured, News, PRCA, Rodeo

 

NWSS Photo by Ric Andersen

Five brackets and ten rounds are in the books at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo, the marquee event of the 2025 season so far. As the Semifinals and Finals approach this weekend, here are ten standout moments you need to know. The rodeo continues through Saturday, Jan 26 on The Cowboy Channel and Cowboy Channel+.

Stetson Wright rode his first two bulls in his return to PRCA action and he is one of two to cover two so far in Denver. He returned with a bang, riding The Cervi Brothers’ Heyoka for 89 points on his first out, which is the highest marked ride of the rodeo. Wright will compete in the Semifinals on Jan. 25. 

After sensational NFR, Bradlee Miller has taken command of the bareback riding. Miller has quickly risen to No. 1 in the PRCA World Standings and at the National Western, he has the highest score on two (171.5 points) and the highest marked ride (87) among bareback riders. He finished second at this event in 2024.

The Top 2 ranked tie-down ropers in the World, John Douch and Shad Mayfield, have already advanced to the Semifinals. It will be tough for anyone to make up too much ground before Fort Worth as this pair of NFR veterans have already ensured they get their piece of the pie. Mayfield is currently placing second in Round 1.

Gavin Soileau is the only steer wrestler currently placing in both rounds. The 25-year-old who finished No. 32 in the World in 2024, made runs of 3.9 and 4.3 seconds to start strong in Denver.

Sharin Hall won both rounds in Bracket 3 and has the fastest run of the rodeo so far. She began the rodeo with a 14.48, which is only one of two runs faster than 14.60 in Round 1 so far. Her 14.74 in Round 2 is good enough to be sitting third right now. Hall finished second at the first PRCA Playoff Series Rodeo of the year in Odessa.

In the last 30 performances at the National Western, there has not been a team roping run faster than 4 flat. The fastest run of the rodeo last year came in the Finals, and that was a 4 flat from Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord. So far in 2025, Nelson Wyatt/Jonathan Torres have the fastest time of the rodeo with a 4.3 in Round 2. The fastest in Round 1 was a 4.7 from Luke Brown/Trey Yates.

Jacobs Crawley, a 10-time NFR saddle bronc rider who has not been since 2020, is back competing in ProRodeo after a spinal injury kept him out for more than 18 months. In his return in Denver, he made rides of 80.5 and 83.5 points to advance to the Semifinals. He told ProRodeo.com he was fully convinced his was over.

Ryon Tittel/Eric Martin have an aggregate time of 12.3 seconds through their first two runs in the team roping, that is 4.5 seconds faster than any other pair on two.

Coleman Shallbetter, a 20-year-old Colorado native will head to the Semifinals fresh off of a Bracket 5 sweep in the saddle bronc riding. His 167.5 points on two are the most so far.

Bracket 6 comes your with a Wednesday doubleheader and bareback rider Dean Thompson, steer wrestlers Will Lummus and Dalton Massey, tie-down roper Cory Solomon, and barrel racer Andrea Busby are all among those competing.

 

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