With just over two months remaining in the 2025 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) season, the race to the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas is officially in top gear. The conclusion of the Fourth of July rodeo run—unofficially coined Cowboy Christmas by athletes chasing lucrative payouts—brought major shakeups and record-breaking performances to the world standings.
From Calgary to Estes Park, Elgin, Colorado Springs, and beyond, the week of July 6–12 proved especially fruitful for several standout athletes. Including bull rider Hayes Weight, who broke the previous Cowboy Christmas earnings record, pocketing over $52,000 between July 1-8. Leading the charge was the Calgary Stampede, which paid out a staggering $2.17 million, propelling several competitors into the coveted top 15 in the standings.
Headlining the Stampede was 19-year-old bull riding phenom Wacey Shalla of Oklahoma, who pocketed an impressive $61,832 during his run in the Great White North. His earnings now put him within striking distance of Stetson Wright’s 2023 regular-season earnings record of $324,128.
Also making history in Calgary was hometown favorite and world champion breakaway roper Shelby Boisjoli-Meged. Growing up just outside the city, Boisjoli-Meged delivered a storybook finish in the inaugural breakaway roping, winning the $50,000 event title on Championship Sunday. In total, she collected $66,250—each dollar counting toward the world standings race—making the weekend pivotal for her 2025 campaign.
Fellow Canadian cowboy Zeke Thurston also made headlines, winning his fourth Calgary Stampede saddle bronc title. Thurston scored 89.5 points on Macza Pro Rodeo’s Steely Dan to clinch the championship and a $50,000 payday.
Pikes Peak ‘Peaks’ Interest of Circuit Athletes and Fans
South of the 49th parallel, Colorado Springs hosted the NFR Open—formerly known as the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo—which draws top circuit cowboys and cowgirls from across the country. The event is considered one of the most prestigious titles on the circuit.
Shelby Boisjoli-Meged– a name synonymous with success this week- also added the coveted NFR Open Breakaway Roping Championship to her collection and banked an additional $17,125. In total, Boisjoli-Meged cashed in a staggering $81,625 over the weekend—capitalizing on breakaway roping’s growing momentum on the PRCA stage.
Rookie bull rider Avery Mullins, 19, made waves at the NFR Open by being the only cowboy to cover his bull during the Championship Round. His eight-second ride earned him $23,750, making him the event’s highest-earning cowboy.
Three-time world champion barrel racer Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi found herself back in the winner’s circle after clocking a blazing-fast 16.98-second run to claim the title.
In team roping, Dustin Egusquiza and Levi Lord reunited and didn’t miss a beat. The duo turned in a final-round time of 4.8 seconds, earning $15,250 each.
Also repeating success was team roper and tie-down roper Bodie Mattson, who earned his second consecutive NFR Open All-Around title. At just 23 years old, Mattson continues to add to his already decorated résumé.
As rodeo fans and athletes look toward the back half of July, all eyes turn to legacy events like “The Daddy of ’Em All” in Cheyenne, California Rodeo Salinas, and the Manitoba Stampede & Exhibition. One thing is certain as the calendar moves into the final stretch—records will be challenged, bubbles will burst, and the chase to Vegas is just heating up.