Athletes to Watch in Bracket 3 of National Western Stock Show and Rodeo

Athletes to Watch in Bracket 3 of National Western Stock Show and Rodeo

Published On: January 18, 2025Categories: Featured, News, PRCA, Rodeo

The National Western Stock Show and Rodeo continues with a tripleheader Saturday. Two of those rounds will cover Bracket 3.

BAREBACK RIDING

Tim O’Connell – The three-time World Champion missed all of 2024 due to groin surgery but kept himself busy by spending time with his young family and taking on several analyst roles. His first ride back was 81 points and in the money in Des Moines, Iowa.

STEER WRESTLING

Nick Guy – Guy has made eight NFRs overall and made it consecutively in 2022 and 2023. He is No. 38 in the World Standings in the early part of 2025.

Jacob Talley – Talley also made the NFR in 2023 and has been there five times overall, including Top 10 finishes in 2021 and 2022. He finished No. 22 in the World in 2024.

TEAM ROPING

Clay Smith/Coleby Payne – Fresh off a second place finish in the NFR Average, Smith/Payne are looking for what would be Smith’s fourth National Western title since 2016. They were third in the Average at the Sandhills Stock Show and Rodeo (Texas) in their first rodeo of the calendar year.

SADDLE BRONC RIDING

Sage Newman – Newman has made four consecutive NFRs and has averaged more than 83 points each of the last three seasons. He is ranked No. 5 in the 2025 World Standings thanks to a dominant victory at the New Years Eve Buck and Ball (Wyoming).

TIE-DOWN ROPING

Joel Harris – Harris impressed with two NFR Go-Round wins in his first appearance in 2024, which powered him from to a seventh place finish in the final PRCA World Standings.

Quade Hiatt – Hiatt was also a first-time NFR qualifier in 2024 and the 24-year-old finished No. 12 in the World. This will be his first rodeo since the NFR.

BARREL RACING

LaTricia Duke – Coming off of a career year in 2024, Duke is hoping to return to Las Vegas for a second time.

Ilyssa Riley – Riley dominated the Texas Circuit Finals in the return of her main mount Money and she is looking to impress again, this time at a Playoff Series Rodeo.

BULL RIDING

Hayes Weight – After struggling through the first seven rounds, Weight rode two of his last three in Las Vegas to close 2024, that included a payday of over $100,000 as the only one to make the whistle in Round 10. He finished 2024 as the Reserve World Champion.

Trey Holston – Houston finished No. 32 in 2024 after previously making the NFR in 2022 and 2023.

 

Related Content