Leslie Smalygo is in her third year of being on the professional rodeo road and after finishing the 2021 season ranked No. 49 in the WPRA World Standings, she came back in 2022 to dominate.
Smalygo enters her firs NFR ranked No. 15 in the world. She racked up big wins this season and her horse Gus was a force to be reckoned with in any type of set up against the toughest, fastest ladies that rodeo has to offer.
BIGGEST PAYDAYS
Cheyenne Frontier Days, $15,948
At the Daddy of ‘Em All, Smalygo would end up finishing second in the Finals after winning the first performance and the second Semifinal. Her fastest run in Cheyenne was a 17.16-second run that came in the Semifinals.
Cody Stampede, $10,148
In Cody, Wyoming, Smalygo would stop the clock at 17.04 to get the win by just four hundredths of a second. The State of Wyoming would prove to be a sweet spot for Smalygo and Gus.
FASTEST RUNS
Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, 16.85 seconds
In the Second Round in Oklahoma, Smaylgo would get the round win by almost two tenths of a second. This brought in over $2,000 and helped her pull an average check as well.
Cinch Playoffs, 13.82 seconds
In Puyallup, it was another Round 2 win for Smalygo and Gus. Stopping the clock at 13.82 and besting her first time by .08 seconds, Smaylgo added almost $4,000 to her season earnings.
NOTABLE WINS
NFR Open, Round 1, 17.27 seconds
Smalygo and Gus came flying into Round 1 of the inaugural NFR Open. With a time of 17.27, the duo got the First Round win and added over $5,600 to their winnings and continued to climb the standings. Smalygo would go on to make the Finals, where she would finish fourth. She brought in over $9,000 in four rounds in Colorado Springs.
Home of Champions Rodeo, 17.14 seconds
In Montana, Smalygo beat out reigning World Champion Jordo Briggs for that first-place finish. With a time of 17.14 seconds, Smalygo proved once again, that she could run with the best of them.
MEET THE NFR ATHLETES PRESENTED BY MONTANA SILVERSMITHS #everybucklehasastory #goldbucklebound