Andrew Ward and Buddy Hawkins left Las Vegas as the National Finals Rodeo Average Champions in 2021. They not only won the NFR Average, but set a new record. The pair was 54.7 seconds on 10 head to beat the previous record by almost 5 seconds.
They will enter the Thomas and Mack both ranked No. 3 this year as they try for the coveted World Champion Gold Buckles.
This will be Ward’s third NFR while Hawkins will be making his fifth appearance. Together, it is their third trip to the big show.
BIGGEST PAYDAYS
Clovis Rodeo, $12,940
The pair placed in the Top 4 on three of their four runs at the long start in Clovis. The pair’s best finish in a round was second in the Finals with an 8.8-second run. They split the Average won with fellow NFR qualifeirs Jr. Dees/Levi Lord.
Greeley Stampede, $10,075
Ward/Hawkins won Round 1 and the Finals to win the Average with an aggregate time of 15.8 seconds on three.
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, $8,300
Ward and Hawkins dominated Bracket 6 of the FWSSR. Winning both rounds and advancing to the Semifinals where they cinched a spot in the Final Round. Their fastest time of the rodeo came in Round 2 with a 4.3 and they added over $8,000 to their season earnings.
FASTEST RUNS
Durant Pro Rodeo, 3.9 seconds
Right before the kick off of the summer, Ward and Hawkins stopped in Durant, Oklahoma to capture a win at the Durant Pro Rodeo. With a time of 3.9 seconds they got the win by five tenths of a second.
Walla Walla Frontier Days, 4.1 seconds
In the Second Round of the Washington rodeo, Ward and Hawkins threw down a time of 4.1 seconds to get the round win against tough competition.
NOTABLE WINS
Snake River Stampede, 13.9 Seconds
Ward/Hawkins made three consecutive runs between 4.3 and 4.9 seconds to place in all three rounds. They won the Average by two tenths and four of the Top 5 pairs made at the rodeo made the NFR.
Golden Spike Rodeo, 4.3 Seconds
It would come as a tie but Ward and Hawkins would be one of the No. 1 teams in Tremonton, Utah. With a time of 4.3 seconds the duo added over $3,500 to their season earnings.
MEET THE NFR ATHLETES IS PRESENTED BY MONTANA SILVERSMITHS #everybucklehasastory #goldbucklebound