The big question on everyone’s mind this time of year: Who’s making it to the NFR? Let’s dive into the bareback riding bubble.
No. 11 Taylor Broussard, $127,754
Broussard won $1,600 last weekend between the Madison Pro Rodeo (Indiana) and the Springhill PRCA Rodeo (Lousianan), where he finished second.
No. 12 Jess Pope, $127,184
Pope won $2,435 for an 85-point ride that earned him sixth at the Roughrider Cup.
No. 13 Bradlee Miller, $126,879
Miller was perhaps the biggest beneficiary of the Roughrider Cup as he won over $12,000 to move from No. 17 to No. 13 in the World. He is looking for his first NFR qualification.
No. 14 Jacob Lees, $125,135
Lees got just a bit of breathing room on the bubble after winning the Wing and Barrel Western Days (California) on Sept. 22 to go from No. 15 to 14.
No. 15 Richmond Champion, $124,160
The eight-time NFR qualifier swept the Madison Pro Rodeo to keep pace with Lees and Miller.
No. 16 Tanner Aus, $124,147
Aus has also been to eight NFRs, inlcuding four staight, he won $1,370 for fourth at the Omaha River City Rodeo over the weekend.
No. 17 Orin Larsen, $119,363
Larsen will have to make up ground outside of the Governor’s Cup if he wants to go a 10th NFR. He was third in Omaha to win $2,100.
No. 18 Waylon Bourgeois, $107,329
Bourgeouis maybe a little ways out of his first NFR spot, but he has a golden opportunity as the only cowboy outside the Top 15 competing in the Governor’s Cup.
No. 19 Nick Pelke, $102,435
Pelke put together another really good season after finishing No. 24 in 2023.
No. 20 Tilden Hooper, $96,143
Hooper won three checks at three different rodeos over the weekend as he continues his impressive charge into the Top 20 after not starting the season until late April.