Sunday marked the winner-take-all final round at the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver.
Bareback Riding
In the Bareback Riding it was Mason Clements who edged out 2019 NFR qualifiers Tim O’Connell and Tanner Aus.
Clements scored 89.5 points on his ride and O’Connell and Aus each had 88.5. Clements said he was motivated coming into this season after finishing 16th in the world standings last year, one spot away from the National Finals.
“To be 16th in the world at the end of the season, it’s got a lot of fire in me right now,” he said. “I’m just excited that I got this under my belt, can’t wait for the next one.”
Saddle Bronc Riding
The Saddle Bronc Riding title went to Rusty Wright, who had a 91-point ride. Brody Cress also had a 91-point ride but Wright was named the winner on the tiebreaker, which gave the championship to the athlete with the better qualifying aggregate time.
Rusty Wright now feels right at home in Denver.
“Oh I love this place....the fans are awesome, the short round is always electric, it is awesome to finally win it,” he said.
Bull Riding
There were only two qualified rides in the Bull Riding finals as Brody Yeary defeated 6-time World Champion Sage Kimzey 83.5 to 80.5.
That is two National Western wins in as many years for the Texas cowboy.
Steer Wrestling
It was a tight race for the top spot in the Steer Wrestling finals at the NWSSR.
Stetson Jorgensen posted the top time with a 4.0-second run.
“I just did my job and that was all I did,” said Jorgensen after his win.
The Blackfoot, Idaho cowboy was just 0.1 seconds quicker than Jesse Brown who posted a run of 4.1 seconds.
Chisum Docheff finished in third place with a time of 4.3 seconds and Justin Kimsey finished in fourth with a 4.5-second run.
Team Roping
It came down to a tie-breaker, but Cody Snow and Paul Eaves are your Team Roping champions after a 4.2-second run.
They were the last pair to go and knew exactly what it would take to win. Snow and Eaves tied with Clay Tryan and Jake Long in the finals, but because they had a faster aggregate time in the qualifying rounds they take home the title.
“Well, we’ve just been practicing a lot....to be able to come do it here is really important,” Eaves said.
Garrett Tonozzi and Dustin Davis finished in third place with a time of 4.7 seconds and in fourth place with a time of 4.8 seconds were Andrew Ward and Buddy Hawkins II.
Barrel Racing
It was quite the performance for 2019 Rookie of the Year, Carly Taylor as she took home the Barrel Racing title in Denver. Taylor posted the fastest time at 14.99 seconds. She is off to a promising start to her 2020 season as she missed the 2019 Wrangler NFR by three spots.
2018 Rookie of the Year Jimmie Smith finished in second place with a time of 15.07 seconds.
Fort Worth, Texas cowgirl Tillar Murray finished in third place with a run of 15.11 seconds and Ryann Pedone finished in fourth place after stopping the clock at 15.17 seconds.
Tie-Down Roping
Adam Gray is your NWSSR Tie-Down roping champion for the second time in his career after winning back in 2015. Gray took the title after posting a time of 7.2 seconds in the final round in Denver.
The 2017 Tie-Down Roping Rookie of the Year, Tyler Milligan, finished in a tie for second place with 2019 rookie Shad Mayfield after both posted times of 7.9 seconds.
John Douch finished in fourth place with a time of 8.1 seconds.