BY BRETT NIERENGARTEN @PRORODEOBRETT
Whether it’s Keenan Hayes breaking an all-time earnings record, Rocker Steiner getting hot at the right time or a bubble race that has No. 14-18 separated by less than $8,000, there’s plenty to discuss in the bareback riding.
1. Keenan Hayes, $237,546
Rookie Keenan Hayes broke a record that stood for 14 years over the weekend - Clint Cannon’s PRCA bareback riding regular season earnings record of $233,504. In September, Hayes has won Ellensburg, finished second at Evanston Cowboy Days (Wyoming) and the Lewiston Roundup, won a round at the Cinch Playoffs and taken third in the Finals there with a 90.5-point ride on Yippee Kibbitz.
6. Rocker Steiner, $134,665
Steiner doubled up in Iowa by winning the Chute Out and the rodeo in Fort Madison to move up one spot in the World Standings and bring in over $6,000. Steiner also won the Magic Valley Stampede on Sept. 2. He has won checks on 10 of his last 12 rides dating back to Aug. 23.
9. Jayco Roper, $125,133
Roper rode Agent Lynx for 91 of the biggest points of his career as he moved up two spots in the World Standings for his $11,375 win at the Cinch Playoffs. It also more than likely solidified his first NFR appearance at age 22.
15. Cole Franks, $95,641
Franks moved up one crucial spot over the last week by winning checks on all five of his rides between the Cinch Playoffs and Fort Madison. The week prior, he won the Walla Walla Frontier Days and took second at the Sanders County Fair and Rodeo (Montana). He sat 20th back in the middle of August.
18. Jake Lees, $90,133
Lees won over $4,000 at the Cinch Playoffs and couple that with third place finishes at Chute Out in Fort Madison and the Iron County Fair and Rodeo (Utah) and he has pulled in over $7,000 this month to move up two spots already in September.
| 1. | Keenan Hayes | $237,546 |
| 2. | Leighton Berry | $156,785 |
| 3. | Kade Sonnier | $154,477 |
| 4. | Clayon Biglow | $148,120 |
| 5. | Tim O’Connell | $143,945 |
| 6. | Rocker Steiner | $134,665 |
| 7. | Orin Larsen | $131,830 |
| 8. | Cole Reiner | $127,010 |
| 9. | Jayco Roper | $125,133 |
| 10. | Jess Pope | $115,622 |
| 11. | Kaycee Feild | $114,961 |
| 12. | Tanner Aus | $110,740 |
| 13. | Richmond Champion | $111,688 |
| 14. | Dean Thompson | $98,069 |
| 15. | Cole Franks | $95,641 |
| 16. | Sam Petersen | $93,830 |
| 17. | Taylor Broussard | $90,590 |
| 18. | Jake Lees | $90,133 |
| 19. | Mason Clements | $87,756 |
| 20. | Kody Lamb | $83,174 |
Standings current as of prorodeo.com on September 14, 2023 at 9:00 PM EST.
