While he didn’t make it to the NFR in his first year as a PRCA cardholder, Arkansas steer wrestler Jason Thomas did win the PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year title in 2013, placing 29th in the World Standings, and from there, his ProRodeo career took off.
Thomas was 31st in the world the following year, and in 2015, he placed 25th. Then, in 2016, he finally earned a spot in Las Vegas at the National Finals — where he placed in three rounds, finishing second in the average and fifth in the standings.
The highlight of Thomas’ NFR debut was his performance on night two, during which he made a long leap from his horse to catch his steer. It was a risky move, even for a 6-foot-2 cowboy, but it paid off. Thomas turned in a time of just 3.5 seconds and won the round.
Thomas went on to win the championship title at the 2017 Canadian Finals Rodeo, but not long after was injured in the practice pen, needing shoulder surgery that entailed a plate, nine screws, and a year off from professional rodeo. Luckily he made his come back in 2019 and shows no signs of slowing down.
Watch Thomas’ impressive Round 2 performance TONIGHT during the 40 Nights of NFR. The Cowboy Channel‘s new ProRodeo is now airing every night at 8:00 PM ET, bringing you four years of NFR action with a round per night for 40 nights.
Photo: Jason Thomas via Facebook