With the 2025 PRCA season officially in the books and athletes already shifting their sights to 2026 campaigns, a few pieces of business remain — the circuit finals and the National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
The PRCA Circuit system, first established in 1975, was designed to give athletes more opportunities to compete while staying closer to home. Thirteen geographic regions make up the circuits, with each PRCA member designating one as their “home circuit.” The system allows athletes to compete regionally while chasing circuit titles.
Athletes may compete in rodeos both inside and outside their circuit throughout the season; however, only money earned at rodeos within their home circuit counts toward circuit standings. Each circuit hosts its own finals, with the top two athletes in each event advancing to the NFR Open in July.
Previously held in Kissimmee, Florida, and formerly titled the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, the event is now known as the NFR Open and takes place in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The NFR Open invites the top circuit athletes to compete for prestigious national titles.
With circuit titles, NFR berths, and offseason preparation underway, the fall air signals one thing — it’s officially circuit finals season.
Recently, the Mountain States Circuit Finals concluded, showcasing the top athletes in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Next on deck are the Turquoise Circuit Finals, set for Oct. 31–Nov. 1, and the Wilderness Circuit Finals, scheduled for Nov. 7–8.
Mountain States Circuit Finals Recap
Highlighting the top athletes primarily from Colorado and Wyoming, the Mountain States Circuit Finals brought together the region’s best cowboys and cowgirls competing at high altitudes for even higher accolades. Paying out $201,318, the Mountain States Circuit Finals featured some of the most competitive races in the country.
Headlining the title races was young gun bull rider Hayden Welsh of Gillette, Wyoming. The 20-year-old concluded his standout permit season in champion fashion as the only cowboy to ride all three bulls during the circuit finals. His total of 246 points on three head earned $3,352 and capped off an exceptional 2025 campaign. After earning top honors such as the Pendleton Extreme Bulls Tour Finale average title, Welsh now begins his official PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year campaign in 2026 — making him one to watch as the new season begins.
In the team roping, fans witnessed elite talents Garrett Tonozzi and Trey Yates rise to the top of a competitive field to earn the aggregate title. With a time of 17.9 seconds on three head, worth $3,352 each, the two-time and four-time NFR qualifiers, respectively, kick off their 2026 campaigns strong. Yates, who is Las Vegas-bound for his fourth NFR, will look to keep the momentum rolling under the bright lights of Sin City in just six weeks.
Steer wrestler Payden McIntyre of Douglas, Wyoming, leaned on his veteran experience to capture the aggregate title with a total time of 14.6 seconds on three head, earning $3,352.
Bareback rider Donny Proffit profited once again, marking 252.5 points on three head and taking home $3,352. Finishing within the top 35 of the 2025 PRCA world standings, Proffit looks to carry his success into 2026.
In the breakaway roping, Taya McAdow claimed top honors with a three-head aggregate time of 10.0 seconds, earning $3,352. Barrel racer Karson Berger electrified the crowd with three fast and consistent runs for a total of 47.27 seconds, worth $3,380.
Tie-down roper Tate Talkington turned heads, earning the Mountain States Circuit title with a total time of 24.6 seconds on three head. The 21-year-old Nebraska cowboy punched his ticket to the circuit finals with standout regular-season performances, including a win at the Lincoln County Fair & Rodeo in Afton, Wyoming.
When the dust settled on the saddle bronc riding, 25-year-old Wyoming cowboy Ira Dickinson emerged as champion, marking 251 points on three head and earning $3,352. Dickinson, who finished within the top 25 of the 2025 PRCA world standings, looks to start his 2026 season with strong early momentum.
With the Mountain States Circuit Finals officially in the books, fans and athletes alike now turn their attention to the upcoming Turquoise and Wilderness Circuit Finals. Fans can catch all the action live on The Cowboy Channel.