After eight action-packed rounds at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Round Nine delivered once again, setting the stage for world championships to be decided. With just one round remaining, the pressure intensified as rodeo’s top athletes continued their pursuit of PRCA history.
With Round Ten set to conclude the year-long world title races, all eyes will be on the sport’s elite as gold buckles are awarded inside the Thomas & Mack Center.
Idaho cowboy Cooper Cooke found victory once again in Round Nine. Cooke marked an 86.75-point ride aboard Beutler & Son Rodeo’s No Whiskey’s Redlicious Meats to earn the go-round win and a $36,668 payday.
In the bareback riding aggregate race, Jess Pope continued to make headway, maintaining the lead and positioning himself within reach of the 2025 World Champion Bareback Rider title. However, regular-season leader Rocker Steiner remains firmly in contention after earning a crucial $25,431 in Round Nine to keep his championship hopes alive.
Steer wrestler Justin Shaffer captured Round Nine honors with a lightning-fast 3.6-second run. California’s Tucker Allen also continued his historic NFR, earning another paycheck and extending his narrow aggregate lead to 13.6 seconds as he looks to secure his first career gold buckle.
Team ropers Lightning Aguilera and Kaden Profili delivered one of the most electrifying runs of the night, stopping the clock at 3.4 seconds—just shy of the arena record. Kolton Schmidt and Jonathan Torres continued their storybook NFR, entering Round Ten leading both the aggregate and world title races.
Saddle bronc riding turned into a family affair as Stetson Wright earned top honors with an 89.75-point ride aboard The Cervi Brothers’ R. Watson’s Mad Skills. He was followed closely by family members Statler Wright and Ryder Wright, who finished second and third, respectively.
Statler Wright currently leads the saddle bronc riding aggregate as he looks to claim his first world title against a highly decorated field.
Montana cowboy Haven Meged put together the fastest tie-down roping run of Round Nine, stopping the clock at 7.0 seconds to earn $36,668 and move into a strong position in the aggregate standings heading into the final round.
Reigning world champion Riley Webb continues his pursuit of a third consecutive gold buckle, leading both the aggregate and world title races entering Round Ten.
Reigning world champion barrel racer Kassie Mowry also remains in control of her destiny, holding the lead in both the average and world title races.
Round Nine’s barrel racing performance featured the fastest run of the week thus far, as Carlee Otero blazed to a 13.20-second run to earn the go-round win and walk across the South Point Hotel & Casino stage.
Rookie bull rider Qynn Andersen captured his first career go-round win in Round Nine with an 87-point ride aboard Sutton Rodeos’ Mr. Gold. Andersen remains in contention for the Resistol Rookie of the Year title.
Ky Hamilton leads the bull riding aggregate as the only cowboy to have covered six bulls, but his return for Round Ten remains uncertain due to a torn ligament in his right knee. Despite the injury, Hamilton remains in close contention for the world title, with Stetson Wright currently leading the standings.
Wright also remains in strong position in the all-around race, holding a $166,346 lead over Wacey Schalla.
As fans and athletes eagerly await the grand finale of the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, The Cowboy Channel continues full coverage daily beginning at 4 p.m. ET. Programming includes Deep Dive and Zero In presented by Cinch, NFR Tailgate, Western Sports Roundup presented by Ariat, and Rodeo Live presented by Tractor Supply. Coverage continues with the Wrangler NFR at 8:30 p.m., NFR Final presented by Mahindra at 11:30 p.m., followed by the nightly NFR Buckle Ceremony at 12:30 a.m.
