Tucker Allen Wins Again, Moves to No. 1 in Steer Wrestling

LAS VEGAS

Courtesy of the PRCA

Tucker Allen proved he's on a bona fide heater in steer wrestling during Round 8 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

The Ventura, Calif., cowboy turfed his steer in 3.9 seconds to earn his third round win of the competition in front of 17,736 spectators Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Allen pocketed another $36,668 to move to the top spot in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings and extended his lead in the NFR average standings with two rounds remaining.

"It's been a blessed week," Allen said. "It all starts with the horsepower on Banker, the horse of the year, and Justin Shaffer on the hazing side. Without them, this wouldn't be possible. I want to give them all credit. It's been a blessed week, regardless of how it all ends up. I'm just having fun."

Allen's season total bumped up to $298,964, surpassing the previous leader, Will Lummus, by $8,092.32. He also leads the NFR average by 9.8 seconds at 36.6 seconds on eight head.

"We had daydreams about a Finals like this," Allen said. "To be able to actually have one like this is pretty awesome. Obviously, you plan to do good, but you let what happens happen, and it's been working. I'm pretty blessed."

With two rounds to go, Allen still has work to do. But he said he's not the type of competitor who looks at stat sheets and prefers to take a one-run-at-a-time approach.

"I actually don't even know how much I've won this week," Allen said. "I assume that I'm good in the average, but I don't care. Honestly, these are just ten one-headers. You have to keep it simple. However, the week ends up, I'm good. But at the end of the day, I'm just blessed to be here."


POPE TAKES CARE OF BUSINESS IN ELIMINATOR PEN

After winning Round 7, Jess Pope said he's more than comfortable squaring off with an eliminator pen.

The 2022 PRCA World Champion made that abundantly clear during Round 8 of the bareback riding at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Pope matched Four Star Rodeo's Deep Springs for an 88.25-point ride to win his second-straight go-round buckle at the 2025 NFR.

"I didn't realize that one bucked that hard," Pope said. "But it's funny now, I got on him the year they sold him at the PRCA Permit Finals, and was 86 on him, and then they have gotten on him a couple more times. I knew what to expect. I knew it was going to be hard, but I was excited, and the ride worked out."

Pope's $36,668 check moved him up to third in the PRCA | Bill Fick Ford World Standings with $340,193. He also sits atop the NFR average standings at 684.5 points on eight head with $136,654 won at the NFR.

The 27-year-old from Waverly, Kan., now trails the world leader, Rocker Steiner, by $80,992.89. And in the what-if projections, Pope is listed as the projected world champion.


KOLTON SCHMIDT/JONATHAN TORRES BECOME NEW NOS. 1 IN TEAM ROPING

Kolton Schmidt made Canadian Night at the NFR special.

The Barrhead, Alberta, cowboy set his partner, heeler Jonathan Torres, up in Round 8 to secure the fastest time of the round and their third round win. Torres delivered, stopping the clock at 3.8 seconds.

They were the third team to go in the round, but the mark held up for the win and allowed the duo to move into the No. 1 spot in the world for headers and healers, respectively.

"It's just one steer at a time," Schmidt said. "I feel like we're just trying to do our job every time we back in there. We put all our focus on the steer in the chute and trying to rack up as much money as we can."

The win marks the third for the pair this NFR. They were in a three-way tie for first in Round 3, got the solo win in Round 5 and now added another $36,668 to their ledger in Round 8.

Schmidt moved into first by jumping Tanner Tomlinson by less than $3,000. Torres has a $17,000 lead over the second-place heeler, Jade Corkill. The pair also lead the aggregate by just under 3 seconds, a position worth more than $94,000 on top of their NFR earnings.

"It's just one steer at a time," Torres said. "I feel like we're just trying to do our job every time we back in there. We put all our focus on the steer in the chute and trying to rack up as much money as we can."


WESTON PATTERSON GETS FIRST GO-ROUND WIN

The city of Waverly, Kan., has a population of 526 people. During Round 8 of the NFR, two cowboys who call the small Coffey County town their home earned go-round wins.

Jess Pope started things off with a win in the bareback riding, and Weston Patterson, an NFR rookie, earned his first career trip to the South Point Hotel Casino.

Patterson earned the victory lap around the arena with an 89-point ride on Summit Pro Rodeo's Cowboy Fool.

"This is awesome. It's just a big, big relief," Patterson said. "I'm a first timer here, and to get a go-round win is special. I was in a cold spell there for a little bit. I wasn't drawing well, I wasn't riding well. Tonight, I matched up with an outstanding horse from Summit Pro Rodeos. I knew I had a really good chance as long as I did my job."

Patterson said he was well aware of the challenge Cowboy Fool presented him and made the most of the opportunity.

"I've seen that horse all year," he said. "I just asked around in the locker room about a few pointers. But for the most part, it's about doing everything I've been doing all year long. It was awesome."

Patterson moved up to 10th in the world standings with $258,846.


KINCADE HENRY TAKES ROUND 8 WIN IN TIE-DOWN

Kincade Henry hasn't had the most consistent NFR since arriving in Las Vegas. He has found success in some rounds, placing first in Round 4 and second a round earlier.

But he's also had some slip ups, missing the pay window. In Round 8 he got his groove back, clocking a 7.0-second run to claim the Round 8 win.

"That felt good. half a second lead. I mean, how do you put that into words? I got out of the barrier right there. That was 'Pull, pull, pull and throw it.''' Henry said. "It felt good."

The win was much needed for Henry.

He currently sits No. 8 in the average with 56.5 seconds on seven head. He's third overall in the world standings, but nearly $100,000 behind leader Riley Webb.

The 23-year-old has a steep hill to climb in the races for the average and world championships.


T.J. GRAY CAPTURES SECOND ROUND WIN IN AS MANY NIGHTS

T.J. Gray is finding his rhythm at the right time.

The Dairy, Ore., cowboy captured his second round win at the 2025 NFR in as many nights, matching Rafter G Rodeo's Doze You Down for 90.75 points Thursday night.

"I am feeling great," Gray said. "To get two wins in a row, it's special. I feel very blessed right now. I've had some good draws the last couple of days, and it's worked out in my favor."

The win moved Gray into third in the average with 443.25 points on five qualified rides. He's fifth in the world and currently projected to finish third in the average and world with two rounds remaining.

Gray isn't thinking too much ahead, however, as he knows two more qualified rides – and wins – could help him cash more than $70,000 in the remaining two nights of the NFR.

When I showed up last year, I thought I'd get a few go-round wins. That wasn't the case. This year, a win helped get the stress off my back. It was a sigh of relief.

"At this point, I'm just having fun and a little more relaxed," Gray said. "I'm here to enjoy what I do and ride some bulls."


TRICIA ALDRIDGE MOVES INTO WORLD TITLE CONTENTION WITH ROUND 8 WIN

Barrel racer Tricia Aldridge arrived at the 2025 Wrangler NFR – 11th in the world standings – with modest expectations.

Fast-forward to eight completed rounds of the NFR and Aldridge has blossomed into a world championship contender.

Aldridge won Round 8 with a 13.64-second time at the Thomas & Mack Center on Thursday night. This was Aldridge's second round win as she also took home the title with a 13.42-second time in Round 4.

Aldridge has moved up to third in the world standings with $287,800. Reigning world champ Kassie Mowry ($353,611) and Hailey Kinsel (308,096) are first and second, respectively.

Being in the mix for a world championship in her Wrangler NFR debut is something Aldridge can't comprehend.

"I don't even know what I'm doing," Aldridge said with a laugh. "I'm just out there having fun and I know if my horse Adios is having fun, he will take care of me."

2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Results
Eighth round, Dec. 11
Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

Bareback Riding: Eighth round: 1. Jess Pope, 88.25 points on Four Star Rodeo's Deep Springs, $36,668; 2. Sam Petersen, 87.25, $28,980; 3. Dean Thompson, 86.25, $21,882; 4. Mason Clements, 85.25, $15,377; 5. Waylon Bourgeois, 84, $9,463; 6. Cole Franks, 83.75, $5,914; 7. Bradlee Miller, 82.75; 8. Garrett Shadbolt, 82.5; 9. Kade Sonnier, 81.5; 10. Rocker Steiner, 80.25; 11. Tilden Hooper, 79.5; 12. Jacek Frost, 77.5; 13. Wacey Schalla, 74; 14. Cooper Cooke, NS. Average leaders: 1. Jess Pope, 684.5 points on eight head; 2. Sam Petersen, 681.75; 3. Wacey Schalla, 678.5; 4. Cole Franks, 676.75; 5. Kade Sonnier, 676; 6. Bradlee Miller, 670.25; 7. Garrett Shadbolt, 670; 8. Rocker Steiner, 668.75; 9. Dean Thompson, 591.75 points on seven head; 10. Waylon Bourgeois, 586.25; 11. Tilden Hooper, 580.25; 12. Mason Clements, 504.25 points on six head; 13. Jayco Roper, 491.25 points on five head; 14. Jacek Frost, 485; 15. Cooper Cooke, 423.5. World Standings: 1. Rocker Steiner, $421,185; 2. Sam Petersen, $348,805; 3. Jess Pope, $340,193; 4. Wacey Schalla, $286,275; 5. Kade Sonnier, $273,571; 6. Cole Franks, $263,787; 7. Bradlee Miller, $244,088; 8. Waylon Bourgeois, $243,476; 9. Dean Thompson, $230,848; 10. Cooper Cooke, $218,241; 11. Garrett Shadbolt, $202,805; 12. Mason Clements, $180,939; 13. Jacek Frost, $155,514; 14. Jayco Roper, $149,775; 15. Tilden Hooper, $139,951.

Steer Wrestling: Eighth round: 1. Tucker Allen, 3.9 seconds, $36,668; 2. Jesse Brown, 4.0, $28,980; 3. Chance Howard, 4.1, $21,882; 4. Bridger Anderson, 4.2, $15,377; 5. Dakota Eldridge, 4.3, $9,463; 6. J.D. Struxness, 4.4, $5,914; 7. Rowdy Parrott, 4.5; 8. Ty Erickson, 4.6; 9. Tyler Waguespack, 4.9; 10. Gavin Soileau, 5.1; 11. Justin Shaffer, 5.2; 12. Stetson Jorgensen, 7.4; 13. Scott Guenthner, 9.8; 14. (tie) Will Lummus and Kyle Irwin, NT. Average leaders: 1. Tucker Allen, Ventura, 36.6 seconds on eight head; 2. Rowdy Parrott, 46.4; 3. J.D. Struxness, 52.9; 4. Stetson Jorgensen, 56.5; 5. Ty Erickson, 29.5 seconds on seven head; 6. Jesse Brown, 31.6; 7. Justin Shaffer, 34.0; 8. Scott Guenthner, 38.4; 9. Dakota Eldridge, 39.1; 10. Kyle Irwin, 45.4; 11. Gavin Soileau, 69.1; 12. Bridger Anderson, 26.6 seconds on six head; 13. Tyler Waguespack, 36.1; 14. Chance Howard, 41.9; 15. Will Lummus, 20.8 seconds on five head. World Standings: 1. Tucker Allen,$298,964; 2. Will Lummus, $290,871; 3. Jesse Brown, $267,671; 4. Ty Erickson, $246,270; 5. J.D. Struxness, $212,545; 6. Rowdy Parrott, $208,486; 7. Justin Shaffer, $205,694; 8. Stetson Jorgensen, $200,439; 9. Bridger Anderson, $198,873; 10. Tyler Waguespack, $193,138; 11. Kyle Irwin, $175,265; 12. Dakota Eldridge, $169,218; 13. Scott Guenthner, $168,738; 14. Chance Howard, $141,659; 15. Gavin Blake Soileau, $123,981.

Team Roping: Eighth round: 1. Kolton Schmidt/Jonathan Torres, 3.8 seconds, $36,668; 2. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 3.9, $28,980; 3. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 4.1, $21,882; 4. Cyle Denison/Lane Mitchell, 4.5, $15,377; 5. Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham, 4.9, $9,463; 6. Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 5.5, $5,914; 7. Luke Brown/Trey Yates, 8.6; 8. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 9.1; 9. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 9.2; 10. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 14.1; 11. (tie) Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves, Clint Summers/Jade Corkill, Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, Riley Minor/Brady Minor and Lightning Aguilera/Kaden Profili, NT. Average leaders: 1. Kolton Schmidt/Jonathan Torres, 28.7 seconds on seven head; 2. (tie) Clint Summers/Jade Corkill and Andrew Ward/Jake Long, 31.3 each; 4. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 45.8; 5. Derrick Begay/Colter Todd, 52.4; 6. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 33.8 seconds on six head; 7. Tanner Tomlinson/Travis Graves, 36.3; 8. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 39.2; 9. Dawson Graham/Dillon Graham, 24.6 seconds on five head; 10. Lightning Aguilera/Kaden Profili, 25.3; 11. Cyle Denison, /Lane Mitchell, 29.8; 12. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 33.2; 13. Luke Brown/Trey Yates, 34.6; 14. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 30.9 seconds on four head; 15. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 38.20. World Standings (headers): 1. Kolton Schmidt, $279,074; 2. Tanner Tomlinson, $276,606; 3. Clint Summers, $253,055; 4. Kaleb Driggers, $252,854; 5. Andrew Ward, $244,022; 6. Dawson Graham, $239,321; 7. Dustin Egusquiza, $237,829; 8. Lightning Aguilera, $208,914; 9. Tyler Wade, $195,653; 10. Jake Smith, $194,087; 11. Clay Smith, $193,921; 12. Cyle Denison, $190,445; 13. Derrick Begay, $188,030; 14. Luke Brown, $174,111; 15. Riley Minor, $172,186. World Standings (heelers): 1. Jonathan Torres, $270,808; 2. Jade Corkill, $253,380; 3. Junior Nogueira, $252,854; 4. Travis Graves, $242,717; 5. Jake Long, $242,275; 6. Dillon Graham, $239,321; 7. Levi Lord, $235,448; 8. Kaden Profili, $207,714; 9. Wesley Thorp, $195,653; 10. Lane Mitchell, $191,474; 11. Colter Todd, $185,678; 12. Coleby Payne, $184,724; 13. Douglas Rich, $183,337; 14. Trey Yates, $174,111; 15. Brady Minor, $172,186.

Saddle Bronc Riding: Eight round: 1. Weston Patterson, 89 points on Summit Pro Rodeo's Cowboy Fool, $36,668; 2. Brody Wells, 87.5, $28,980; 3. (tie) Brody Cress and Statler Wright, 87.25, $18,630 each; 5. Zachary Dallas, 87, $9,463; 6. Sage Newman, 86.75, $5,914; 7. Lefty Holman, 86; 8. (tie) Q Taylor and Ryder Wright, 85 each; 10. Zeke Thurston, 84.75; 11. Damian Brennan, 83.5; 12. Stetson Dell Wright, 82.75; 13. Ben Andersen, 82; 14. Kade Bruno and Dawson Hay, NS. Average leaders: 1. Zeke Thurston, 690.75 points on eight head; 2. Statler Wright, 688.75; 3. Lefty Holman, 684; 4. Brody Cress, 680; 5. Zachary Dallas, 675.5; 6. Ben Andersen, 673.25; 7. Sage Newman, 668; 8. Stetson Dell Wright, 610.5 points on seven head; 9. Ryder Wright, 608.25; 10. Damian Brennan, 604.75; 11. Weston Patterson, 599.25; 12. Q Taylor, 594.75; 13. Kade Bruno, 591.75; 14. Brody Wells, 515 points on six head; 15. Dawson Hay, 502.5. World Standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $392,017; 2. Damian Brennan, $361,489; 3. Zeke Thurston, $332,336; 4. Statler Wright, $329,968; 5. Stetson Dell Wright, $308,997; 6. Dawson Hay, $306,418; 7. Kade Bruno, $303,921; 8. Brody Cress, $272,003; 9. Brody Wells, $269,064; 10. Weston Patterson, $258,846; 11. Zachary Dallas, $239,946; 12. Sage Newman, $221,872; 13. Lefty Holman, $192,132; 14. Q Taylor, $188,853; 15. Ben Andersen, $181,248.

Tie-Down Roping: Eight round: 1. Kincade Henry, 7.0 seconds, $36,668; 2. (tie) Shane Hanchey and Joel Harris, 7.5, $25,431 each; 4. (tie) John Douch and Brushton Minton, 8.2, $12,420 each; 6. Riley Mason Webb, 8.5, $5,914; 7. Zack Jongbloed, 8.6; 8. (tie) Haven Meged, Riley Pruitt and Marty Yates, 9.4 each; 11. Shad Mayfield, 9.9; 12. Ty Harris, 11.4; 13. Dylan Hancock, 14.2; 14. Kyle Lucas, 17.2; 15. Tom Crouse, NT. Average leaders: 1. Riley Mason Webb, 67.1 seconds on eight head; 2. John Douch, 67.2; 3. Brushton Minton, 68.1; 4. Haven Meged, 74.7; 5. Zack Jongbloed, 76.7; 6. Dylan Hancock, 82.7; 7. Joel Harris, 53.5 seconds on seven head; 8. Kincade Henry, 56.5; 9. Shad Mayfield, 57.3; 10. Marty Yates, 70.2; 11. Riley Pruitt, 50.2 seconds on six head; 12. Shane Hanchey, 63.0; 13. Tom Crouse, 68.9; 14. Ty Harris, 74.9; 15. Kyle Lucas, 59.4 seconds on five head. World Standings: 1. Riley Mason Webb, $417,743; 2. Shad Mayfield, $388,931; 3. Kincade Henry, $320,916; 4. Joel Harris, $313,495; 5. John Douch, $265,107; 6. Dylan Hancock, $248,540; 7. Marty Yates, $201,701; 8. Riley Pruitt, $200,430; 9. Tom Crouse, $198,321; 10. Brushton Minton, $183,440; 11. Haven Meged, $182,937; 12. Zack Jongbloed, $181,784; 13. Ty Harris, $176,767; 14. Shane Hanchey, $171,851; 15. Kyle Lucas, $161,180.

Barrel Racing: Eighth round: 1. Tricia Aldridge, 13.64 seconds, $36,668; 2. Wenda Johnson, 13.68, $28,980; 3. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, 13.76, $21,882; 4. Kassie Mowry, 13.80, $15,377; 5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 13.81, $9,463; 6. Julie Plourde, 13.89, $5,914; 7. Lisa Lockhart, 13.95; 8. Andrea Busby, 13.98; 9. Katelyn Scott, 14.10; 10. Tayla Moeykens, 15.31; 11. Hailey Kinsel, 18.50; 12. Halyn Lide, 18.68; 13. Emily Beisel, 19.03; 14. Megan McLeod-Sprague, 19.46; 15. Carlee Otero, 23.93. Average leaders: 1. Kassie Mowry, 109.53 seconds on eight runs; 2. Julie Plourde, 111.52; 3. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 112.19; 4. Tricia Aldridge, 114.28; 5. Andrea Busby, 116.38; 6. (tie) Hailey Kinsel and Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, 119.13 each; 8. Emily Beisel, 125.11; 9. Halyn Lide, 126.30; 10. Lisa Lockhart, 129.44; 11. Megan McLeod-Sprague, 130.72; 12. Wenda Johnson, 131.92; 13. Carlee Otero, 144.31; 14. Katelyn Scott, 96.42 seconds on seven runs; 15. Tayla Moeykens, 118.30. World Standings: 1. Kassie Mowry, $353,611; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $308,096; 3. Tricia Aldridge, $287,800; 4. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $270,955; 5. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, $267,133; 6. Carlee Otero, $251,830; 7. Emily Beisel, $251,050; 8. Lisa Lockhart, $236,243; 9. Halyn Lide, $209,025; 10. Katelyn Scott, $208,777; 11. Megan McLeod- Sprague, $198,577; 12. Wenda Johnson, $177,408; 13. Anita Ellis, $156,992; 14. Andrea Busby, $154,927; 15. Tayla Moeykens, $152,561; 16. Julie Plourde, $143,653.

Bull riding: Eight round: 1. T.J. Gray, 90.75 points on Rafter G Rodeo's Doze You Down, $36,668; 2. Mason Moody, 89.5, $28,980; 3. Ky Hamilton, 88.5, $21,882; 4. Stetson Dell Wright, 88, $15,377; 5. (tie) Luke Mackey and Jesse Petri, 87, $7,688 each; 7. Qynn Andersen, 81.5; 8. Bryce Jensen, 81; 9. Hudson Bolton, Tristen Hutchings, Rawley Johnson, Wacey Schalla, Jordan Spears and Hayes Weight, NS; JR Stratford, Inj. Average leaders: 1. Ky Hamilton, 522 points on six head; 2. Stetson Dell Wright, 444.25 points on five head; 3. T.J. Gray, 443.25; 4. Luke Mackey, 427; 5. Bryce Jensen, 418.75; 6. JR Stratford, 350.75 points on four head; 7. Hudson Bolton, 342.25; 8. Qynn Andersen, 340.5; 9. Mason Moody, 261.25 points on three head; 10. Tristen Hutchings, 260.75; 11. Jesse Petri, 248; 12. Jordan Spears, 227.75; 13. Wacey Schalla, 177 points on two head; 14. Hayes Weight, 86.75 points on one head; 15. Rawley Johnson, NS. World Standings: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, $514,535; 2. Ky Hamilton, $423,723; 3. Wacey Schalla, $413,458; 4. Tristen Hutchings, $370,895; 5. T.J. Gray, $360,041; 6. Bryce Jensen, $293,902; 7. JR Stratford, $263,020; 8. Hudson Bolton, $217,866; 9. Mason Moody, $213,669; 10. Qynn Andersen, $212,795; 11. Hayes Weight, $196,365; 12. Luke Mackey, $193,866; 13. Jordan Spears, $176,627; 14. Jesse Petri, $167,683; 15. Rawley Johnson, $158,778.

All-Around: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, $699,691; 2. Wacey Schalla, $570,014; 3. Dylan Hancock, $237,930; 4. Brushton Minton, $185,261; 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.