The dust has settled. The countless miles on trucks and trailers have come to an end. The top equine athletes have been turned out to their home pastures to rest. The cowboys and cowgirls have returned home to their support systems.
The 2025 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) season is officially in the books. Athletes hang their hats on a season full of ups, downs, record highs, and heartbreaking challenges. And for the fateful few, sights now turn toward the all-encompassing goal of postseason glory — the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in Las Vegas, set for Dec. 4–13, 2025.
For the top 15 in each event, all roads now lead to the famed Thomas & Mack Center, where they’ll look to etch their names in the history books as world champions.
After several last-minute races, crucial wins, and bubble-bursting heartbreaks, the top 15 in each discipline saw major shakeups in the final week of the PRCA season — from the historic Cinch Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, to hopefuls out west in San Bernardino, to the Duel of the Dunes roughstock showcase.
So, who’s in?
While official PRCA audits are still underway, here’s a look at a few of this week’s top storylines and who has unofficially punched their ticket to Sin City.
Bareback Riding
Headlining the bareback riding is 21-year-old phenom Rocker Steiner, who leads the race by nearly $82,000 over the No. 2 position — NFR rookie Sam Petersen. Steiner set a new regular-season earnings record with $303,547 won, becoming the first bareback rider to crack the $300,000 mark in the regular season.
Also turning heads is fellow young gun Wacey Shalla, who will nod his head twice in each NFR performance after qualifying in both the bareback riding and bull riding.
Gritting it out through the final days of the PRCA season was four-time NFR qualifier Mason Clements, who cashed crucial checks at the Duel of the Dunes in Roggen, Colorado; Poway Rodeo in Poway, California; Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo in San Bernardino, California; and the Kern County Fair & Rodeo in Bakersfield, California. Clements secured his fifth NFR qualification after earning $10,823 in just five days, crisscrossing the West Coast when it mattered most.
Steer Wrestling
The steer wrestling race was as tight as they come. Before the final week of the season, less than a few thousand dollars separated the ninth through 19th positions, making it nearly impossible to predict who would punch their ticket to Las Vegas.
When the dust settled, Gavin Soileau capitalized on his final rodeo of the season, earning $4,000 at the Governor’s Cup to secure his first NFR qualification.
Heartbreakingly, Mike McGinn’s tough draws in Sioux Falls left him just $1,694 outside the top 15 — and his first NFR appearance.
Leading the pack is Will Lummis, who earned his eighth NFR qualification with key wins at the Reno Rodeo, Horse Heaven Round-Up, and the 154th Silver Spurs Rodeo. Lummis will enter the Finals in contention for his first world title.
Team Roping
After winning the Cinch Governor’s Cup during the final weekend of the PRCA season, two-time World Champion header Kaleb Driggers leads the pack of headers as he locks in his 13th NFR qualification. Driggers looks to secure his third world title alongside two-time World Champion heeler Junior Nogueira, who also leads the heeling race.
A clutch, last-minute $2,129 paycheck at Young Living’s Last Chance Rodeo in Mona, Utah, secured header Lightning Aguilera’s spot in the top 15 — unofficially.
Rookie heeler Nicky Northcott heartbreakingly sits just outside the top 15 by a mere $643.
Also turning heads are the four teams who experienced partner splits and will rope with new partners at the 2025 NFR — the most team changes in recent history.
Dustin Egusquiza will team up with Levi Lord at this year’s Finals, entering fourth and third in the world standings, respectively. Veteran Clay Smith will reunite with Coleby Payne, while Canadian header Kolton Schmidt will rope with Jonathan Torres, earning his fourth NFR qualification.
Saddle Bronc Riding
After an impressive Governor’s Cup performance, Ryder Wright claims the No. 1 position in the saddle bronc riding standings with $293,994 earned during the regular season. Wright will enter his fourth NFR in the driver’s seat, looking to claim his first world title.
In close contention are Australian cowboy Damian Brennan and Canadian Dawson Hay, who will make his sixth NFR appearance — his highest career ranking to date.
In a nail-biting finish, Lefty Holman earned his fifth NFR qualification, climbing into the top 15 on the season’s final day. Holman capitalized at the Duel of the Dunes in Colorado, earning more than $4,000 when he needed it most to edge out Wyatt Casper by less than $2,000.
In a recent Instagram post, Holman reflected:
“What a year it’s been. It’s crazy to me how you rodeo all year long, travel thousands of miles, make sacrifice after sacrifice... and it all comes down to one single horse to make it happen. Every year, I learn so much about this game I play. But this year, I learned more about myself than I ever have before.
It’s not always supposed to be easy — and that’s the beauty of it. There were times I didn’t believe in myself, but I always had people in my corner who did. When I was down, I got picked up. When I felt untouchable, I got humbled. That’s what it’s all about.
God is good. If you have faith, put it to the test — you’ll win every time, regardless of the end result.”
Tie-Down Roping
Earning a staggering $305,132 in the regular season, reigning world champion Riley Webb set a new regular-season earnings record and leads the pack of decorated ropers heading into the NFR.
All eyes will be on Webb and Shad Mayfield, who sits No. 2 in the standings, as the two continue their season-long duel for the top.
Veteran Shane Hanchey clinched his 16th NFR qualification in dramatic fashion, earning a $4,000 paycheck and reaching the Governor’s Cup semifinals for the boost he needed.
Breakaway Roping
The stage is set for the 2025 National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR), Dec. 2–3 at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center in Las Vegas. Fifteen of the world’s best breakaway ropers will compete for the coveted world title.
Leading the standings is Taylor Munsell, who reclaimed the No. 1 spot after an impressive showing at the Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls. In close contention are Josie Conner and Shelby Meged, both proven winners in Las Vegas.
Bailey Bates shook up the standings with a Governor’s Cup title and a crucial payday, earning her first NFBR qualification. She’ll make her debut alongside several other first-timers, including Colorado’s Kinlie Brennise, California’s Suzanne Williams, and Macy Young, who fought her way in with a gritty, last-minute performance.
Barrel Racing
Reigning World Champion Kassie Mowry leads the pack of decorated barrel racers with $203,445 won in just 28 rodeos. She’ll look to secure her second consecutive world title at this year’s NFR.
World Champions Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi and Hailey Kinsel will also enter the 2025 NFR inside the top five.
Nearly half the field will be NFR rookies, including Anita Ellis, who earned her first qualification thanks to a major Calgary Stampede win. She’ll be joined by fellow first-timers Tayla Moeykens, Tricia Aldridge, Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, Katelyn Lide-Scott, and Halyn Lide.
Bull Riding
In a thrilling, last-minute leaderboard shakeup, Wacey Shalla headlines the bull riding standings, holding a $2,422 lead over eight-time World Champion Stetson Wright.
Most notably, Ky Hamilton surged into the heart of the world title race with a standout September, earning $112,080 in just one month.
Nineteen-year-old Luke Mackey beat the bubble with a crucial check at the Duel of the Dunes, securing his first NFR qualification. He finished the season with $138,918 earned — and his first ticket to Las Vegas.
As fans and athletes eagerly await the official audit, highlights from the 2025 season can be relived on the Cowboy Channel Plus app.