In a three-way tie in the calf roping, Round Two of the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) witnessed three 7.8-second runs; Shad Mayfield, Marty Yates and Dylan Hancock all took home a coveted go-round buckle and a $29,177 payday to shape event storylines.
This standout performance continues an early NFR storyline of success for Shad “Money” Mayfield. Entering the 2025 NFR just shy of $50,000 behind reigning world champion Riley Webb, Mayfield has now nearly erased the deficit. With $65,845 earned and two go-round buckles thus far, he has closed the gap to just $1,607 after Round 2. That narrow margin—paired with Webb’s third-place check worth $18,630 in Round 1—sets the stage for an exceptionally tight race heading into Round 3.
In bareback riding, Teton Ridge’s “Hell on Wheels” star continued to assert his dominance in 2025. Rocker Steiner marked a thrilling 88-point ride atop Bridwell Pro Rodeo’s Silver Beaver to claim the Round 2 victory lap, extending his event lead to an impressive $110,071 over second-place cowboy Wacey Schalla, who also earned the runner-up check in the round.
Australian cowboy Damian Brennan looked right at home under the bright lights of the Thomas & Mack Center. Backed by crowd applause and strong marks from the judges, Brennan secured the Round 2 saddle bronc riding buckle with a 90-point ride atop The Cervi Brothers’ R. Watson’s Prairie Fire. The $36,668 paycheck boosts his year-end earnings to an impressive $401,114.06.
Stetson Wright also claimed his second consecutive bull riding go-round title of the 2025 NFR, marking 89.5 points on Cowtown Rodeo’s Orbit to earn another $36,668.
Wright continues to write history in 2025. His second-place finish in the saddle bronc riding added to his all-around earnings, pushing him to a staggering $641,141—with $135,438 won in just two rounds. Wright remains on pace to break his own all-around earnings record of $758,829, set in 2022.
On the timed-event side, steer wrestler Tucker Allen topped the accomplished field with an impressive 3.6-second run. Will Lummus also earned a strong check worth $18,630 after splitting third place with Bridger Anderson, allowing Lummus to maintain his overall event lead.
Team ropers Jake Smith and Douglas Rich turned in the fastest time of the night with a sharp 3.9-second run, worth $36,668 each. Also earning a check in Round 2 were Tanner Tomlinson and Travis Graves, positioning header Tomlinson firmly in the driver’s seat of the world title race.
Nutrena’s Horse of the Year Sister and Hailey Kinsel made history in the Thomas & Mack once again, securing their second go-round title of the week with a quick 13.53-second run, adding yet another highlight to the duo’s distinguished résumé.
With Round 2 officially in the books, Cowboy Channel’s full coverage of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo continues daily at 4 p.m. Eastern. Tune in for a complete lineup starting with Deep Dive and Zero In presented by Cinch, followed by NFR Tailgate, Western Sports Roundup presented by Ariat, and Rodeo Live presented by Tractor Supply. The excitement continues with the Wrangler NFR at 8:30 p.m., NFR Final presented by Mahindra at 11:30 p.m., and the nightly NFR Buckle Ceremony at 12:30 a.m.
