Rocker Steiner Takes Major Step Toward Gold Buckle with Round 5 Win

LAS VEGAS

Courtesy of the PRCA

When Rocker Steiner saw he was matched with Brookman Rodeo's Lunatic Heaven, the 2025 Pendleton Whisky Let er' Buck Bareback Horse of the Year, he knew he had a chance to take a major step toward winning his first gold buckle.

From the moment Steiner and Lunatic Heaven exited the chutes, it was clear he had done just that.

Steiner's 89-point ride on Lunatic Heaven stole the show in Round 5 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and provided him with a walk-off win in Round 5 in front of 17,360 fans at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The win sent Steiner to the pay window for a $36,668 payday and dramatically increased his odds for his first gold buckle.

"I'm feeling like I should be on a box of Wheaties," Steiner said. "That's a horse I've wanted for a long time. It was the number one guy in the world versus the number one horse. Just seems like it was a match made in heaven."

Steiner entered the NFR with a comfortable lead for the bareback title but had a rough go to begin his time in Las Vegas.

He missed the pay window in Round 1 but returned to win Round 2. Rounds 3 and 4 were friendly to the Weatherford, Texas, cowboy, but the TV pen of bucking horses is where he knew he had a chance to make a statement and rebuild his lead.

The round win is the seventh for Steiner at the NFR in his career and moves his total season earnings to $497,478. His lead over second-ranked Sam Petersen stands at $130,000 with five rounds remaining.

Steiner plans to stick to the basics.

"Shut my hand, keep my head down, and ride on," Steiner said.


SCOTT GUENTHNER IMPRESSES WITH ROUND 5 WIN

Scott Guenthner backed into the box in Round 5 of the NFR needing to reach the pay window.

The 34-year-old Consort, Alberta, cowboy had reached the pay window just once leading into the midway point of the NFR. He placed fifth overall in the opening round.

But he made up for the last three rounds Monday night with a 3.4-second run to take the round win and $36,668 check.

"I won't lie, last night I was a little disheartened," Guenthner said. "If anything, I wanted to try and stay in the average. But things happened, and it was time to let it go. There's a lot of money here so just go have fun."

Guenthner entered the NFR 11th in the world. His slow start in Las Vegas dropped him to the back of the pack, but the Round 5 win moved him to 13th.

Will Lummus maintains a $23,000 in the chase for the PRCA Steer Wrestling World Championship midway through the NFR.

Guenthner isn't counting himself out of the average race just yet.

"I've been on the wrong end of the drawing for the first few rounds, but you have to stay positive," he said. "They'll come to you, but you have to use them when you get them. Stay positive and be ready to pounce when you get your chance.

"There's still holes here and five rounds to go. You never know what could happen."


NEW PAIRING, NO PROBLEM SCHMIDT/TORRES WIN AGAIN

Team roping header Kolton Schmidt and heeler Jonathan Torres both entered the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo without their partners from the regular season.

Schmidt won rodeos as a heeler with multiple partners this season, including Chase Tryan, Sid Sporer and Will Woodfin. Torres spent the season heading for Nelson Wyatt.

When their partners didn't qualify, Schmidt and Torres elected to team up. The pairing has worked nicely and resulted in a Round 5 win with a 3.7-second run – the fastest run of the NFR so far.

"We got to practice before we got here," Torres said. "I just feel like we're just getting going and roping one steer at a time. He's taking an aggressive start, and I'm trying to make an aggressive throw. It seems to be working out."

Schmidt/Torres bumped up to fourth in the average at 16.3 seconds on four head and bumped up to fifth and fourth in the world standings, respectively.

The duo tied for second in Round 2 with a 4.1-second run, and they followed it with a 3.8-second run to win Round 3. They finished sixth in Round 4 with a 4.7-second run.

"We're pumped," Schmidt said. "The clock is irrelevant when we make the run we want to make. I feel like that's a win in itself. And when we make that run, it's fast enough."


DAMIAN BRENNAN INCHES CLOSER TO TOP SPOT IN STANDINGS WITH ROUND 5 WIN

Damian Brennan has been chasing season leader Ryder Wright all season.

He picked up a big win in Round 2 to inch closer to Wright in the No. 1 spot. In Round 5 he took yet another big leap toward his first world title with a 90-point ride on Cervi Championship Rodeo's R. Watsons Ed Bishop.

"I'm feeling great. Boy, that's outstanding to get a go-round win here," Brennan said. "I knew I had a chance at taking the lead, but I wasn't sure how close because it's so tough out there. But it was awesome to come out on top."

The win marked the third for the Australian cowboy at the NFR. Last year, despite not winning a round, Brennan finished second in the world.

Winning two go-rounds early at the NFR set him up with plenty of momentum heading into the back-half of the rodeo.

"Halfway through and we are getting things rolling. I just gotta keep it going," Brennan said. "Nothing really changes, honestly. Stick to the same routine. Just go out there, let it all hang out, and try to win the round every time."


JOHN DOUCH TURNS TIDE IN ROUND 5

After missing the money in the first two rounds, tie-down roper John Douch turned a corner in Round 5 on Sunday night.

Douch threw down a 7.4-second run to earn his first go-round buckle of the 2025 NFR. It marked his second-round win and his first since 2023.

"I feel like I was overdue for one," Douch said. "I had to change horses three times before I could get a win."

Douch moved to second in the NFR Average race at 43.2 seconds on five head. He bumped to fourth in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings with $240,267.

In Round 4, he cashed his first check with a 7.4-second run before besting Joel Harris by two-tenths of a second to earn his trip to the South Point Hotel Casino after Round 5.

"I'll just keep building on these last two rounds," Douch said. "(I plan to) just keep going and knocking them down."


JR STRATFORD CLAIMS BULL RIDING VICTORY

The first trip by JR Stratford to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2022 was highlighted by a Round 3 win, but his success was short-lived as he missed Rounds 5 through 10 with an injury.

The journey back to the NFR has been a long one for the Byers, Kan., cowboy but he made his return in 2025, and he was celebrating Monday night.

Stratford recorded an electric 90.5-point ride on Rafter H Rodeo Livestock's Deal Me In to capture the Round 5 victory.

"It's hard to put it into words. The last three years have been really difficult. I've battled a lot of injuries to get back to this point," Straford said. "So, I'm just thankful to be here."

Stratford had a simple game plan for Round 5.

"This is just another bull, you know, he's got four hooves and two horns, just like the other ones," Stratford said. "Just do your thing and go ride on it."


OTERO GETS HER SECOND ROUND WIN AT 2025 WRANGLER NFR

Carlee Otero has been strong as ever at the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

The Perrin, Texas, cowgirl won Round 3 with a 13.54-second time, and she then answered with a victory in Round 5 with a 13.43-second run at the Thomas & Mack Center.

"We definitely weren't holding back. You can't, but you know, I noticed I was watching the girls at the beginning, and I felt like the ground looked probably as solid as I've seen it look all week, so I knew I could go in there and still be comfortable.

Otero moved up to fourth in the world standings with $251,830. She has earned $83,336 at the NFR.

"So, I'm like, Okay, I've got to get it together and make it work," Otero said. "And God was on my side, because that barrel, oh man that was close. Tricia (Aldridge) and I felt a little bit lucky, but we made it. I came to practice and this was only the second practice that I've gotten in the arena with Regina, it worked out. I needed to do it. I'm happy with the outcome."

2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Results
Fifth round, Dec. 8
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

Bareback Riding: Fifth round: 1. Rocker Steiner, 89 points on Brookman Rodeo's Lunatic Heaven, $36,668; 2. Sam Petersen, 88.75, $28,980; 3. Wacey Schalla, 88, $21,882; 4. Kade Sonnier, 87.75, $15,377; 5. (tie) Cole Franks and Bradlee Miller, 87.25, $7,688 each; 7. (tie) Jacek Frost, Tilden Hooper and Garrett Shadbolt, 86.5 each; 10. Jess Pope, 86; 11. Dean Thompson, 85.25; 12. Mason Clements, 85; 13. Cooper Cooke, 84.75; 14. Jayco Roper, 84; 15. Waylon Bourgeois, NS. Average leaders: 1. Wacey Schalla, 434.25 points on five head; 2. Rocker Steiner, 430.75; 3. Sam Petersen, 428.5; 4. Jess Pope, 426.75; 5. Kade Sonnier, 422.75; 6. Cole Franks, 421.75; 7. Bradlee Miller, 420.5; 8 Garrett Shadbolt, 420; 9. Tilden Hooper, 416.25; 10. Jayco Roper, 407.5; 11. Waylon Bourgeois, 340.5 points on four head; 12. Dean Thompson, 338.75; 13. Jacek Frost, 327.5; 14. Cooper Cooke, 255.5 points on three head; 15. Mason Clements, 250. World Standings: 1. Rocker Steiner, $421,185; 2. Sam Petersen, $307,406; 3. Jess Pope, $266,857; 4. Wacey Schalla, $264,393; 5. Bradlee Miller, $234,625; 6. Kade Sonnier, $230,989; 7. Cole Franks, $220,022; 8. Waylon Bourgeois, $218,637; 9. Dean Thompson, $203,051; 10. Garrett Shadbolt, $202,805; 11. Cooper Cooke, $189,262; 12. Jacek Frost, $155,514; 13. Jayco Roper, $149,775; 14. Mason Clements, $140,131; 15. Tilden Hooper, $139,951.

Steer Wrestling: Fifth round: 1. Scott Guenthner, 3.4 seconds, $36,668; 2. Justin Shaffer, 3.5, $28,980; 3. Will Lummus, 3.7, $21,882; 4. J.D. Struxness, 4.0, $15,377; 5. Rowdy Parrott, 4.1, $9,463; 6. (tie) Kyle Irwin and Gavin Soileau, 4.5, $2,957 each; 8. Stetson Jorgensen, 4.8; 9. Jesse Brown, 5.4; 10. Tucker Allen, 5.6; 11. Dakota Eldridge, 9.8; 12. Chance Howard, 18.7; 13. Bridger Anderson, Ty Erickson and Tyler Waguespack, NT. Average leaders: 1. Tucker Allen, 23.5 seconds on five head; 2. Dakota Eldridge, 29.8; 3. J.D. Struxness, 30.3; 4. Stetson Jorgensen, 30.9; 5. Rowdy Parrott, 33.0; 6. Kyle Irwin, 36.4; 7. Gavin Soileau, 59.6; 8. Ty Erickson, 16.6 seconds on four head; 9. Scott Guenthner, 17.4; 10. Jesse Brown, 19.0; 11. Justin Shaffer, 19.4; 12. Tyler Waguespack, 26.2; 13. Chance Howard, 32.9; 14. Will Lummus, 11.7 seconds on three head; 15. Bridger Anderson, 13.2. World Standings: 1. Will Lummus, $278,452; 2. Tucker Allen, $233,316; 3. Ty Erickson, $209,602; 4. Justin Shaffer, $204,215; 5. J.D. Struxness, $201,505; 6. Jesse Brown, $198,179; 7. Tyler Waguespack, $193,138; 8. Stetson Jorgensen, $171,460; 9. Rowdy Parrott, $170,339; 10. Scott Guenthner, $168,738; 11. Bridger Anderson, $163,388; 12. Dakota Eldridge, $159,756; 13. Kyle Irwin, $157,720; 14. Gavin Soileau, $118,856; 15. Chance Howard, $118,298.

Team Roping: Fifth round: 1. Kolton Schmidt/Jonathan Torres, 3.7 seconds, $36,668 each; 2. Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves, 3.8, $28,980; 3. Clint Summers/Jade Corkill, 3.9, $21,882; 4. Luke Brown/Trey Yates, 4.5, $15,377; 5. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.7, $9,463; 6. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 5.3, $5,914; 7. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 5.4; 8. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 5.5; 9. Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 5.7; 10. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 9.7; 11. Lightning Aguilera/Kaden Profili, Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham and Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, NT. Average leaders: 1. Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 21.9 seconds on five head; 2. Clint Summers/Jade Corkill, 22.0; 3. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 38.9; 4. Kolton Schmidt/Jonathan Torres, 16.3 seconds on four head; 5. Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves, 23.1; 6. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 23.2; 7. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 26.3; 8. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 29.5; 9. Lightning Aguilera/Kaden Profili, 17.4 seconds on three head; 10. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 17.5; 11. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 21.3; 12. Luke Brown/Trey Yates, 22.3; 13. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 29.0; 14. Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham, 7.9 seconds on two head; 15. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 8.5. World Standings (headers): 1. Tanner Tomlinson, $239,938; 2. Andrew Ward, $235,151; 3. Clint Summers, $224,075; 4. Kaleb Driggers, $223,875; 5. Kolton Schmidt, $223,777; 6. Dustin Egusquiza, $203,527; 7. Tyler Wade, $195,653; 8. Jake Smith, $194,087; 9. Dawson Graham, $193,190; 10. Lightning Aguilera, $190,580; 11. Derrick Begay, $188,030; 12. Clay Smith, $168,490; 13. Cyle Denison, $165,605; 14. Riley Minor, $150,599; 15. Luke Brown, $148,680. World Standings (heelers): 1. Jake Long, $233,404; 2. Jade Corkill, $224,400; 3. Junior Nogueira, $223,875; 4. Jonathan Torres, $215,511; 5. Travis Graves, $206,050; 6. Levi Lord, $201,146; 7. Wesley Thorp, $195,653; 8. Dillon Graham, $193,190; 9. Kaden Profili, $189,380; 10. Colter Todd, $185,678; 11. Douglas Rich, $183,337; 12. Lane Mitchell, $166,635; 13. Coleby Payne, $159,293; 14. Brady Minor, $150,599; 15. Trey Yates, $148,680.

Saddle Bronc Riding: Fifth round: 1. Damian Brennan, 90 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo's R. Watsons Ed Bishop, $36,668; 2. Brody Cress, 89.5, $28,980; 3. Dawson Hay, 89, $21,882; 4. Zeke Thurston, 88.25, $15,377; 5. Stetson Dell Wright, 87, $9,463; 6. Kade Bruno, 86.75, $5,914; 7. Q Taylor, 86.5; 8. Lefty Holman, 86; 9. Sage Newman, 85.75; 10. Statler Wright, 85.5; 11. Brody Wells, 85.25; 12. Ben Andersen, 84.5; 13. (tie) Zachary Dallas and Weston Patterson, 83.25 each; 15. Ryder Wright, NS. Average leaders: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, 439.25 points on five head; 2. Zeke Thurston, 431.5; 3. Lefty Holman, 431; 4. Statler Wright, 421.75; 5. (tie) Kade Bruno and Zachary Dallas, 419.25 each; 7. Brody Cress, 418.75; 8. Ben Andersen, 418.25; 9. Sage Newman, 415.25; 10. Damian Brennan, 350.75 points on four head; 11. Ryder Wright, 350.5; 12. Brody Wells, 342.75; 13. Weston Patterson, 340.25; 14. Q Taylor, 340; 15. Dawson Hay, 339.75. World Standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $373,387; 2. Damian Brennan, $361,489; 3. Dawson Hay, $306,418; 4. Zeke Thurston, $300,991; 5. Stetson Dell Wright, $283,566; 6. Kade Bruno, $274,942; 7. Brody Wells, $240,084; 8. Statler Wright, $238,003; 9. Zachary Dallas, $230,483; 10. Brody Cress, $228,534; 11. Sage Newman, $215,958; 12. Weston Patterson, $212,715; 13. Lefty Holman, $192,132; 14. Q Taylor, $182,939; 15. Ben Andersen, $162,618.

Tie-Down Roping: Fifth round: 1. John Douch, 7.4 seconds, $36,668; 2. Joel Harris, 7.6, $28,980; 3. Kyle Lucas, 7.9, $21,882; 4. Dylan Hancock, 8.0, $15,377; 5. (tie) Ty Harris and Riley Pruitt, 8.1, $7,688 each; 7. Brushton Minton, 8.3; 8. Kincade Henry, 8.6; 9. (tie) Zack Jongbloed and Marty Yates, 9.4 each; 11. Haven Meged, 11.0; 12. Riley Mason Webb, 11.3; 13. Tom Crouse, 17.7; 14. Shane Hanchey and Shad Mayfield, NT. Average leaders: 1. Brushton Minton, 42.7 seconds on five head; 2. John Douch, 43.2; 3. Riley Mason Webb, 43.3; 4. Haven Meged, 44.2; 5. Dylan Hancock, 51.4; 6. Zack Jongbloed, 51.9; 7. Marty Yates, 52.3; 8. Tom Crouse, 60.8; 9. Ty Harris, 63.5; 10. Shad Mayfield, 29.3 seconds on four head; 11. Joel Harris, 31.7; 12. Kincade Henry, 32.8; 13. Shane Hanchey, 34.6; 14. Riley Pruitt, 23.6 seconds on three head; 15. Kyle Lucas, 33.8. World Standings: 1. Shad Mayfield, $376,511; 2. Riley Mason Webb, $370,430; 3. Kincade Henry, $262,366; 4. John Douch, $240,267; 5. Dylan Hancock, $226,658; 6. Joel Harris, $214,728; 7. Marty Yates, $201,701; 8. Riley Pruitt, $194,516; 9. Tom Crouse, $185,901; 10. Haven Meged, $182,937; 11. Ty Harris, $176,767; 12. Brushton Minton, $165,106; 13. Kyle Lucas, $161,180; 14. Zack Jongbloed, $152,804; 15. Shane Hanchey, $146,420.

Barrel Racing: Fifth round: 1. Carlee Otero, 13.43 seconds, $36,668; 2. (tie) Halyn Lide and Lisa Lockhart, 13.55, $25,431 each; 4. Hailey Kinsel, 13.56, $15,377; 5. Tricia Aldridge, 13.61, $9,463; 6. Katelyn Scott, 13.63, $5,914; 7. Megan McLeod-Sprague, 13.66; 8. Kassie Mowry, 13.77; 9. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 13.90; 10. Emily Beisel, 13.95; 11. Julie Plourde, 13.98; 12. Andrea Busby, 14.07; 13. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, 18.46; 14. Wenda Johnson, 18.73; 15. Tayla Moeykens, 19.18. Average leaders: 1. Katelyn Scott, 68.63 seconds on five head; 2. (tie) Kassie Mowry and Tricia Aldridge, 68.69 each; 4. Julie Plourde, 70.22; 5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 70.29; 6. Hailey Kinsel, 73.47; 7. Emily Beisel, 73.82; 8. Megan McLeod-Sprague, 73.99; 9. Andrea Busby, 74.92; 10. Lisa Lockhart, 78.22; 11. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, 78.43; 12. Halyn Lide, 80.36; 13. Carlee Otero, 82.96; 14. Wenda Johnson, 85.09; 15. Tayla Moeykens, 73.46 seconds on four head. World Standings: 1. Kassie Mowry, $279,684; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $277,342; 3. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $261,492; 4. Carlee Otero, $251,830; 5. Emily Beisel, $251,050; 6. Lisa Lockhart, $226,781; 7. Tricia Aldridge, $222,153; 8. Katelyn Scott, $208,777; 9. Megan McLeod-Sprague, $192,663; 10. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, $186,700; 11. Halyn Lide, $180,045; 12. Anita Ellis, $156,992; 13. Tayla Moeykens, $152,561; 14. Andrea Busby, $149,013; 15. Wenda Johnson, $148,428; 16. Julie Plourde, $128,276.

Bull riding: Fifth round: 1. J.R. Stratford, 90.50 points on Rafter H Rodeo Livestock's Deal Me In, $36,668; 2. Bryce Jensen, 89.50, $28,980; 3. (tie) Ky Hamilton and Mason Moody, 88.75, $18,630; 5. Hudson Bolton, 88.50, $9,463; 6. Qynn Andersen, 86.50, $5,914; 7. (tie) Stetson Dell Wright, Wacey Schalla, Tristen Hutchings, T.J. Gray, Hayes Weight, Jordan Spears, Rawley Johnson, Jesse Petri, Luke Mackey, Ignacio, NS. Average leaders: 1. JR Stratford, 350.75 points on four head; 2. Ky Hamilton, 348; 3.Stetson Dell Wright, 267.75 points on three head; 4. Hudson Bolton, 258; 5. Luke Mackey, 257.50; 6. (tie) Wacey Schalla and Bryce Jensen, 177 points on two head; 8. T.J. Gray, 176; 9. Tristen Hutchings, 174; 10. Qynn Andersen, 172.25; 11. Mason Moody, 171.75; 12. Jesse Petri, 161; 13. Jordan Spears, 145.50; 14. Hayes Weight, 86.75 points on one head; 15. World Standings: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, $462,490; 2. Wacey Schalla, $413,458; 3. Ky Hamilton, $392,378; 4. Tristen Hutchings, $345,464; 5. JR Stratford, $263,020; 6. T.J.
Gray, $245,010; 7. Bryce Jensen, $232,690; 8. Hudson Bolton, $217,866; 9. Hayes Weight, $196,365; 10. Qynn Andersen, $187,364; 11. Luke Mackey, $186,177; 12. Mason Moody, $184,690; 13. Jordan Spears, $176,627; 14. Jesse Petri, $159,995; 15. Rawley Johnson, $158,778.

All-Around: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, $622,216; 2. Wacey Schalla, $548,131; 3. Dylan Hancock, $216,048; 4. Brushton Minton, $166,927; 5. Jake Clay, $142,536; 6. Paden Bray, $112,953; 7. Tanner Green, $101,314; 8. Seth Hall, $100,966; 9. Cole Clemons, $99,801; 10. Slade Wood, $98,651.