Tomlinson/Graves Set New NFR Round 6 Team Roping Record

LAS VEGAS

Courtesy of the PRCA

Team roper header Clint Summers and heeler Jade Corkill set the bar by matching the Round 6 record with a 3.6-second run. But Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves were up for the challenge.

Two runs later, the duo laid down a 3.4-second run, the fastest of the week, to set a new Round 6 record. It marked Tomlinson/Graves' first NFR round win as a duo before 17,213 fans Tuesday night at Thomas & Mack Center.

"Oh, it was cool," Graves said. "What a team roping tonight. Everybody was great. The steers were great, and everybody was going at them tonight. Those were some great runs."

Graves, a 16-time NFR heeler, won his first round since the 2021 NFR when he heeled with Dustin Egusquiza, splitting the Round 7 win and winning Round 10 outright.

Tomlinson, a three-time NFR qualifier, last reached the go-round buckle ceremony in 2022 when he won Round 3 and Round 10 with partner Patrick Smith.

"Every round now is as good as people rope and as amazing as the steers are, you aren't safe at all," Tomlinson said. "A three-point-four a few years ago, it was pretty safe to say that you'd win. But there was a three-point-one crossfire. Luke Brown (and Trey Yates) had a great run. You're never safe anymore."

The run moved Tomlinson to the top spot in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings for headers and pushed Graves to the No. 2 spot for heelers. The duo has racked up $92,798.60 so far at the Thomas & Mack Center.

"You try to rope as fast as you possibly can," Graves said of the team's mindset. "You have to nowadays. This was a tough round, and we're trying to rope on the first available hop. Sometimes, the way it works out, it turns out to be a crossfire. Sometimes it's the first hop. It's just kind of the way it goes."


KADE SONNIER PICKS UP FIRST NFR ROUND WIN

Kade Sonnier has been flirting with a first place finish the last two rounds of the bareback riding in Las Vegas.

After a slow start to the NFR, the Carencro, La., cowboy has turned it up a notch in rounds 4 and 5, making it to the pay window and making a move in the world standings.

But finally, in Round 6, Sonnier picked up his first-ever round win with an 88-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics' Land of Fancy.

"I felt like I had it going into it. I felt like I had one of the best chances to win the round. I've been on that horse one time before and it ended up great," Sonnier said. "I didn't end up winning the rodeo in Idaho, but I mean I just kind of had high expectations for it and I'm really grateful for the outcome."

Sonnier believes his best plan moving forward is to just enjoy himself and see what happens.

"Man honestly, just to keep having fun," Sonnier said. "I tried really hard to gain a lot of ground and probably was a little too over aggressive the first three rounds and I changed my mindset around and kind of just went back to the basics and remembered why I'm here and that's to have fun because riding a bucking horse is the best job in the world and there's no place better to be than here."


TY ERICKSON'S SURGE CONTINUES WITH ROUND 6 WIN

Ty Erickson wasn't fazed by his No. 14 world ranking heading into the NFR in Las Vegas.

He knew if he performed his best, the money totals would take care of itself. And now six rounds through the NFR, Erickson is proving that to be true. The 35-year-olds 3.5-second run Tuesday night in Round 6 was his second-round win, and his fifth trip to the pay window.

With four rounds remaining, Erickson is now No. 2. He won the 2019 PRCA Steer Wrestling World Championship.

"I'm feeling ecstatic, you know, I've been having a great, great week so far. I missed one in round five, which is unfortunate, you know, but this year's been a weird year, and there've been a lot of misses, a lot of broken barriers," Erickson said.

"Like I missed one in round five, so I don't really have anything to lose now. So, I just went at the barrier and tried to make the best run I could and see what happens."

Erickson's surge began Round 1 with a second-place finish. He went on to place second in rounds 2 and 3 and first in Round 4 before missing the pay window in Round 5.

But he made up for it in Round 6 and is now $44,000 behind world leader Will Lummus. He doesn't plan to change much about his approach with four rounds to go.

"Same thing. Just do what I've been doing," Erickson said. "I'm just going to try and keep getting a great start and then hopefully keep drawing good steers. I just must step in here and get clear and go for it."


STATLER WRIGHT PICKS UP SECOND ROUND WIN OF NFR IN ROUND 6

Statler Wright is out to remind people he shouldn't be overlooked despite competing alongside his two older brothers, Stetson and Ryder.

The 22-year-old shined in Round 6 with a 90-point trip on Wayne Vold Rodeo's Renegade. It was the younger Wright's second round win of the NFR, and his third overall in his career.

"I could cry. I don't know," Statler said. "The last time I was here (with the media), I said that it was the best (saddle) bronc ride I've made at the Thomas & Mack Arena. But tonight, I think I just one upped myself."

The win puts Statler just behind Stetson at No. 8 overall in the world. Ryder, the defending PRCA World Champion, remains at the top of the standings with just over $392,000 in total earnings for the season.

Statler said he had a feeling Round 6 would be special.

"I felt confident from the moment I found out I got that horse," he said. "Not to be cocky, but, if I did my job, I was going to win hands down. When you walk into the arena, that's the mindset you have because the other 14 guys in the locker room can go out and win on just about anything … So, to be fortunate with this horse and capitalize on the opportunity, it's awesome."


JOEL HARRIS RETURNS TO WINNER'S CIRCLE IN TIE-DOWN ROPING

Tie-down roper Joel Harris returned to the winner's circle on Tuesday.

The two-time NFR qualifier laid down a 6.8-second run, matching Shad Mayfield's fastest run of the event from the opening night, to win the round, pocket $36,668 and earn a trip to the South Point Hotel and Casino.

"Anytime you win in this arena, whether it's first or sixth, you always feel happy," Harris said. "But whenever it's first, there is definitely that extra feeling, getting to go to the South Point, getting that gold buckle. Not many people get to experience having one. And for this to be my third one, it's pretty, pretty surreal."

The run moved Harris up to fourth in PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings $251,296. He currently sits ninth in the average at 38.5 seconds on five head.

Harris' round win marked the third of his career. During the 2024 NFR, he won Round 5 with a 7.9-second run and Round 9 with a 7.2-second run.

"I just want to go as fast as I can (in the remaining rounds)," Harris said. "And no matter what you know, I know that this experience has been really good for me. I'm leaving here with over $100,000 so I know that there's definitely times where I would have begged just for the opportunity at this kind of money, and just so thankful to be here and to be a part of."


STETSON WRIGHT'S MAGICAL NFR CONTINUES WITH ANOTHER BULL RIDING WIN

The magic continued for Stetson Wright at the 2025 Wrangler NFR.

The Beaver, Utah, cowboy won his fifth round – and third in bull riding – when he claimed the title in Round 6 with an 88.5-point ride on Stockyards Pro Rodeo's amasestays.com Insurrection.

Not that he needed any motivation, but Wright was especially dialed in after getting a no score in saddle bronc riding.

"It feels really good. I mean, they had me fired up going into bull riding. That was kind of what I needed, I guess, to be aggressive enough to get that bull rode. I was just trying to be aggressive, keeping my hips on my rope, and keep sending my feet back to my rope. It felt good for sure."

Wright, an eight-time world champion – all-around titles in 2019-23, bull riding (2020 and 2022) and saddle bronc riding (2021) – is firmly in the mix to add to his gold buckle collection.

He leads the all-around world standings with $658,884 and bull riding with $499,158. Wright is sixth in the saddle bronc standings with $283,566.

"I want to just stick to the way I'm riding. I'm not here for average titles. I'm here for world titles. I'm going to keep gunning for the round wins like I've been doing," Wright said. "I think that's the way it's going to be for me to get what I want."

In his career, Wright now has 21 NFR round wins – 14 in bull riding and seven in saddle bronc riding.

Wright had a career-best six round wins at the 2020 NFR at Globe Life Field in Arlington. That year's NFR was held in Arlington because of Covid-19 restrictions in the state of Nevada.

That year he saddle bronc riding wins in Round 7 and Round 10 and he claimed bull riding wins in Round 1, Round 2, Round 7 and Round 9.


KASSIE MOWRY TAKES AVERAGE LEAD WITH ROUND 6 WIN

Kassie Mowry's title defense took a big step forward Tuesday night in Round 6, as the 2024 world champion clocked a 13.42-second run to win.

The win put Mowry ahead in the average and $24,000 ahead in the chase for the gold buckle.

"Who knew I would come here and grow as a jockey," Mowry said. "It's not normally what I have to do but it's the years of training for runs like this. I'm proud of myself and really happy how I rode this horse."

Mowry is without her top horse, Jarvis, but found success on Will, a horse she says would be No. 1 in other stables.

Tuesday night, however, she rode Cornbread. The two had one three-quarter speed pass at an arena before competing in Las Vegas. They still found success.

"I brought two horses and knew that Will wasn't going to be able to go all 10 rounds," Mowry said. "He wasn't as prepared coming into this as I'd like. I could tell that yesterday from my run with him. He was tired. But Cornbread, I'd like to sit on him for a little while and get my timing down. I feel like tonight was a true indication of what he's capable of."

2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Results
Sixth round, Dec. 9
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

Bareback Riding: Sixth round: 1. Kade Sonnier, 88 points on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics' Land Of Fancy, $36,668; 2. Cooper Cooke, 87.75, $28,980; 3. Wacey Schalla, 87.25, $21,882; 4. (tie) Cole Franks and Sam Petersen, 85.5, $12,420 each; 6. Dean Thompson, 85.25, $5,914; 7. Tilden Hooper, 84.5; 8. Garrett Shadbolt, 84.25; 9. Jayco Roper, 83.75; 10. Mason Clements, 83.25; 11. Bradlee Miller, 83; 12. Jess Pope, 81.5; 13. Rocker Steiner, 80.25; 14. Waylon Bourgeois, 76.25; 15. Jacek Frost, NS. Average leaders: 1. Wacey Schalla, 521.5 points on six head; 2. Sam Petersen, 514; 3. Rocker Steiner, 511; 4. Kade Sonnier, 510.75; 5. Jess Pope, 508.25; 6. Cole Franks, 507.25; 7. Garrett Shadbolt, 504.25; 8. Bradlee Miller, 503.5; 9. Tilden Hooper, 500.75; 10. Jayco Roper, 491.25; 11. Dean Thompson, 424 on five head; 12. Waylon Bourgeois, 416.75; 13. Cooper Cooke, 343.25 on four head; 14. Mason Clements, 333.25; 15. Jacek Frost, 327.5. World Standings: 1. Rocker Steiner, $421,185; 2. Sam Petersen, $319,826; 3. Wacey Schalla, $286,275; 4. Kade Sonnier, $267,657; 5. Jess Pope, $266,857; 6. Bradlee Miller, $234,625; 7. Cole Franks, $232,442; 8. Waylon Bourgeois, $218,637; 9. Cooper Cooke, $218,241; 10. Dean Thompson, $208,965; 11. Garrett Shadbolt, $202,805; 12. Jacek Frost, $155,514; 13. Jayco Roper, $149,775; 14. Mason Clements, $140,131; 15. Tilden Hooper, $139,951.

Steer Wrestling: Sixth round: 1. Ty Erickson, 3.5 seconds, $36,668; 2. Stetson Jorgensen, 3.8, $28,980; 3. Jesse Brown, 4.3, $21,882; 4. (tie) Kyle Irwin and Will Lummus, 4.6, $12,420 each; 6. (tie) Bridger Anderson, Chance Howard, Rowdy Parrott and Justin Shaffer, 4.9, $1,479 each; 10. Tucker Allen, 5.0; 11. Scott Guenthner, 5.2; 12. J.D. Struxness, 13.8; 13. Dakota Eldridge, Gavin Soileau and Tyler Waguespack, NT. Average leaders: 1. Tucker Allen, 28.5 seconds on six head; 2. Stetson Jorgensen, 34.7; 3. Rowdy Parrott, 37.9; 4. Kyle Irwin, 41.0; 5. J.D. Struxness, 44.1; 6. Ty Erickson, 20.1 seconds on five head; 7. Scott Guenthner, 22.6; 8. Jesse Brown, 23.3; 9. Justin Shaffer, 24.3; 10. Dakota Eldridge, 29.8; 11. Chance Howard, 37.8; 12. Gavin Soileau, 59.6; 13. Will Lummus, 16.3 seconds on four head; 14. Bridger Anderson, 18.1; 15. Tyler Waguespack, 26.2. World Standings: 1. Will Lummus, $290,871; 2. Ty Erickson, $246,270; 3. Tucker Allen, $233,316; 4. Jesse Brown, $220,061; 5. Justin Shaffer, $205,694; 6. J.D. Struxness, $201,505; 7. Stetson Jorgensen, $200,439; 8. Tyler Waguespack, $193,138; 9. Rowdy Parrott, $171,818; 10. Kyle Irwin, $170,140; 11. Scott Guenthner, $168,738; 12. Bridger Anderson, $164,867; 13. Dakota Eldridge, $159,756; 14. Chance Howard, $119,777; 15. Gavin Soileau, $118,856

Team Roping: Sixth round: 1. Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves, 3.4 seconds, $36,668 each; 2. Clint Summers/Jade Corkill, 3.5, $28,980; 3. (tie) Riley Minor/Brady Minor and Kolton Schmidt/Jonathan Torres, 3.6, $18,630 each; 5. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 4.0, $9,463; 6. Lightning Aguilera/Kaden Profili, 4.1, $5,914; 7. Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham, 8.3; 8. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 13.8; 9. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 14.5; 10. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, Luke Brown/Trey Yates, Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp and Andrew Ward/Jake Long, NT. Average leaders: 1. Clint Summers/Jade Corkill, 25.5 seconds on six head; 2. Kolton Schmidt/Jonathan Torres, 19.9 seconds on five head; 3. Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 21.9; 4. Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves, 26.5; 5. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 29.9; 6. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 37.7; 7. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 38.9; 8. Lightning Aguilera/Kaden Profili, 21.5 on four head; 9. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 25.3; 10. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 29.5; 11. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 31.3; 12. Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham, 16.2 seconds on three head; 13. Luke Brown/Trey Yates, 22.3; 14. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 29.0; 15. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 8.5 on two head. World Standings (headers): 1. Tanner Tomlinson, $276,606; 2. Clint Summers, $253,055; 3. Kolton Schmidt, $242,406; 4. Andrew Ward, $235,151; 5. Kaleb Driggers, $223,875; 6. Dustin Egusquiza, $203,527; 7. Lightning Aguilera, $196,495; 8. Tyler Wade, $195,653; 9. Jake Smith, $194,087; 10. Dawson Graham, $193,190; 11. Derrick Begay, $188,030; 12. Cyle Denison, $175,068; 13. Riley Minor, $169,229; 14. Clay Smith, $168,490; 15. Luke Brown, $148,680. World Standings (heelers): 1. Jade Corkill, $253,380; 2. Travis Graves, $242,717; 3. Jonathan Torres, $234,140; 4. Jake Long, $233,404; 5. Junior Nogueira, $223,875; 6. Levi Lord, $201,146; 7. Wesley Thorp, $195,653; 8. Kaden Profili, $195,294; 9. Dillon Graham, $193,190; 10. Colter Todd, $185,678; 11. Douglas Rich, $183,337; 12. Lane Mitchell, $176,097; 13. Brady Minor, $169,229; 14. Coleby Payne, $159,293; 15. Trey Yates, $148,680.

Saddle Bronc Riding: Sixth round: 1. Statler Wright, 90 points on Wayne Vold Rodeo's Renegade, $36,668; 2. Kade Bruno, 89, $28,980; 3. (tie) Ben Andersen and Ryder Wright, 88.25, $18,630 each; 5. Brody Cress, 86.25, $9,463; 6. Zeke Thurston, 86, $5,914; 7. (tie) Damian Brennan and Lefty Holman, 85.75 each; 9. Sage Newman, 85.5; 10. Zachary Dallas, 85.25; 11. Q Taylor, 84.75; 12. Weston Patterson, 84; 13. Dawson Hay, 81.25; 14. Brody Wells and Stetson Dell Wright, NS Average leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 517.5 points on six head; 2. Lefty Holman, 516.75; 3. Statler Wright, 511.75; 4. Kade Bruno, 508.25; 5. Ben Andersen, 506.5; 6. Brody Cress, 505; 7. Zachary Dallas, 504.5; 8. Sage Newman, 500.75; 9. Stetson Dell Wright, 439.25 points on five head; 10. Ryder Wright, 438.75; 11. Damian Brennan, 436.5; 12. Q Taylor, 424.75; 13. Weston Patterson, 424.25; 14. Dawson Hay, 421; 15. Brody Wells, 342.75 points on four head. World Standings: 1. Zeke Thurston, $400,940; 2. Ryder Wright, $392,017; 3. Damian Brennan, $361,489; 4. Kade Bruno, $348,278; 5. Statler Wright, $334,995; 6. Dawson Hay, $306,418; 7. Stetson Dell Wright, $283,566; 8. Lefty Holman, $268,425; 9. Brody Cress, $261,062; 10. Zachary Dallas, $246,451; 11. Brody Wells, $240,084; 12. Sage Newman, $224,829; 13. Ben Andersen, $213,185; 14. Weston Patterson, $212,715; 15. Q Taylor, $182,939.

Tie-Down Roping: Sixth round: 1. Joel Harris, 6.8 seconds, $36,668; 2. Zack Jongbloed, 7.0, $28,980; 3. Kincade Henry, 7.1, $21,882; 4. (tie) Shad Mayfield and Riley Mason Webb, 7.5, $12,420 each; 6. Brushton Minton, 7.6, $5,914; 7. John Douch, 7.7; 8. Kyle Lucas, 8.4; 9. Marty Yates, 8.5; 10. Riley Pruitt, 9.0; 11. Dylan Hancock, 9.1; 12. Haven Meged, 9.9; 13. Shane Hanchey, 20.9; 14. Tom Crouse and Ty Harris, NT. Average leaders: 1. Brushton Minton, 50.3 seconds on six head; 2. Riley Mason Webb, 50.8; 3. John Douch, 50.9; 4. Haven Meged, 54.1; 5. Zack Jongbloed, 58.9; 6. Dylan Hancock, 60.5; 7. Marty Yates, 60.8; 8. Shad Mayfield, 36.8 seconds on five head; 9. Joel Harris, 38.5; 10. Kincade Henry, 39.9; 11. Shane Hanchey, 55.5; 12. Tom Crouse, 60.8; 13. Ty Harris, 63.5; 14. Riley Pruitt, 32.6 seconds on four head; 15. Kyle Lucas, 42.2. World Standings: 1. Shad Mayfield, $388,931; 2. Riley Mason Webb, $382,849; 3. Kincade Henry, $284,248; 4. Joel Harris, $251,396; 5. John Douch, $240,267; 6. Dylan Hancock, $226,658; 7. Marty Yates, $201,701; 8. Riley Pruitt, $194,516; 9. Tom Crouse, $185,901; 10. Haven Meged, $182,937; 11. Zack Jongbloed, $181,784; 12. Ty Harris, $176,767; 13. Brushton Minton, $171,020; 14. Kyle Lucas, $161,180; 15. Shane Hanchey, $146,420.

Barrel Racing: Sixth round: 1. Kassie Mowry, 13.42 seconds, $36,668; 2. Halyn Lide, 13.47, $28,980; 3. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, 13.49, $21,882; 4. Hailey Kinsel, 13.52, $15,377; 5. (tie) Lisa Lockhart and Tayla Moeykens, 13.53, $7,688 each; 7. Megan McLeod-Sprague, 13.62; 8. Katelyn Scott, 13.69; 9. (tie) Emily Beisel and Andrea Busby, 13.72 each; 11. Julie Plourde, 13.76; 12. Carlee Otero, 13.78; 13. Wenda Johnson, 13.79; 14. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 13.86; 15. Tricia Aldridge, 18.43. Average leaders: 1. Kassie Mowry, 82.11 seconds on six head; 2. Katelyn Scott, 82.32; 3. Julie Plourde, 83.98; 4. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 84.15; 5. Hailey Kinsel, 86.99; 6. Tricia Aldridge, 87.12; 7. Emily Beisel, 87.54; 8. Megan McLeod-Sprague, 87.61; 9. Andrea Busby, 88.64; 10. Lisa Lockhart, 91.75; 11. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, 91.92; 12. Halyn Lide, 93.83; 13. Carlee Otero, 96.74; 14. Wenda Johnson, 98.88; 15. Tayla Moeykens, 86.99 seconds on five head. World Standings: 1. Kassie Mowry, $316,352; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $292,719; 3. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $261,492; 4. Carlee Otero, $251,830; 5. Emily Beisel, $251,050; 6. Lisa Lockhart, $236,243; 7. Tricia Aldridge, $222,153; 8. Halyn Lide, $209,025; 9. Katelyn Scott, $208,777; 10. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, $208,583; 11. Megan McLeod-Sprague, $198,577; 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: Sixth round: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, 88.5 points on Stockyards ProRodeo's Amasestays.Com Insurrection, $36,668; 2. (tie) Qynn Andersen and Tristen Hutchings, 86.75, $25,431 each; 4. T.J. Gray, 86, $15,377; 5. Ky Hamilton, 85.5, $9,463; 6. Bryce Jensen, 84.75, $5,914; 7. Hudson Bolton, 84.25; 8. Luke Mackey, 82.5; 9. Jordan Spears, 82.25; 10. Rawley Johnson, Mason Moody, Jesse Petri, Wacey Schalla, JR Stratford and Hayes Weight, NS Average leaders: 1. Ky Hamilton, 433.5 points on five head; 2. Stetson Dell Wright, 356.25 points on four head; 3. J.R Stratford, 350.75; 4. Hudson Bolton, 342.25; 5. Luke Mackey, 340; 6. T.J. Gray, 262 points on three head; 7. Bryce Jensen, 261.75; 8. Tristen Hutchings, 260.75; 9. Qynn Andersen, 259; 10. Jordan Spears, 227.75; 11. Wacey Schalla, 177 points on two head; 12. Mason Moody, 171.75; 13. Jesse Petri, 161; 14. Hayes Weight, 86.75 on one head; 15. Rawley Johnson, NS. World Standings: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, $499,158; 2. Wacey Schalla, $413,458; 3. Ky Hamilton, $401,841; 4. Tristen Hutchings, $370,895; 5. JR Stratford, $263,020; 6. T.J. Gray, $260,387; 7. Bryce Jensen, $238,604; 8. Hudson Bolton, $217,866; 9. Qynn Andersen, $212,795; 10. Hayes Weight, $196,365; 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, $658,884; 2. Wacey Schalla, $570,014; 3. Dylan Hancock, $216,048; 4. Brushton Minton, $172,841; 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.