2013 National Finals Rodeo qualifiers

event overview

Following are breakdowns of each championship on the line at the 2014 National Finals Rodeo, with the list of qualifiers in each event, along with overviews of each title race and event descriptions. The NFR begins its annual 10-day run on Thursday night at the Thomas &Mack Center.

ALL-AROUND COWBOY

2014 TOP CONTENDERS

1. Trevor Brazile, Decatur Texas, $303,119.44

2. Tuf Cooper, Decatur Texas, $158,537.12

3. Clint Robinson, Spanish Fork, Utah, $88,682.86

4. Clayton Hass, Terrell, Texas, $86,832.26

5. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah, $86,668.11

6. Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., $80,308.54

7. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta, $74,495.86

8. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., $61,394.13

9. Russell Cardoza, Terrebonne, Ore., $56,979.53

10. Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif., $56,317.43

11. Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla., $55,187.19

12. Landon McClaugherty, Tilden, Texas, $52,421.85

13. Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla., $46,934.81

14. Payden Emmett, Ponca, Ariz., $41,062.22

15. Paul David Tierney, Oral, S.D., $39,567.11

2013 CHAMPION: Trevor Brazile

DESCRIPTION: The PRCA cowboy who wins the most money in a year while competing in at least two events — earning a minimum of $3,000 in the second event — wins the all-around crown. Money earned in the PRCA’s Xtreme Bulls tour does not factor into all-around money.

BAREBACK RIDING

2014 TOP CONTENDERS

1. Kaycee Feild, Spanish Fork, Utah, $172,383.69

2. Steven Peebles, Redmond Ore., $126,929.25

3. Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore., $122,717.16

4. Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa, $102,889.96

5. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas, $99,013.12

6. Bobby Mote, Culver, Ore., $95,308.82

7. Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas, $89,934.85

8. Caleb Bennett, Tremonton, Utah, $84,225.26

9. Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La., $73,039.46

10. J.R. Vezain, Cowley, Wyoming, $70,207.51

11. Jake Vold, Ponoka, Alberta, $67,785.58

12. Jessy Davis, Power, Mont., $67,686.37

13. Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas, $65,779.44

14. Justin McDaniel, Porum, Okla. $65,178.27

15. Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., $64,567.26

2013 CHAMPION: Kaycee Feild

OVERVIEW:

DESCRIPTION: A bareback rider begins his ride with feet placed above the break of the horse’s shoulder. If the cowboy’s feet are not in the correct position when the horse hits the ground on its first jump out of the chute, the cowboy has failed to “mark out” the horse properly, and his ride gets no score.

Throughout the eight-second ride, the cowboy must grasp the rigging (a hand-hold made of leather and rawhide) with only one hand.

The rider is judged on his control and spurring technique. He is disqualified if he touches his equipment, his body or the animal with his free hand.

The horse’s performance accounts for half the total score.

STEER WRESTLING

2014 TOP CONTENDERS

1. Trevor Knowles. Mount Vernon. Ore., $91,803.58

2. K.C. Jones, Decatur, Texas, $82,055.33

3. Casey Martin, Sulphur, La., $80,278.26

4. Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis., $77,754.21

5. Clayton Hass, Terrell, Texas, $76,576.11

6. Bray Armes, Ponder, Texas, $69,215.80

7. Dru Melvin, Hebron, Neb., $67,832.49

8. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., $65,991.82

9. Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev., $63,015.35

10. Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala., $59,736.39

11. Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta, $57,449.41

12. Cole Edge, Durant, Okla., $57,406.27

13. Wyatt Smith, Rexburg, Idaho, $57,187.83

14. Seth Brockman, Wheatland, Wyo., $52,932.68

15. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont., $52,469.79

2013 CHAMPION: Hunter Cure

DESCRIPTION: The steer wrestler and horse start behind a barrier and begin chase after the steer has been given a head start. If the wrestler leaves too soon and breaks the barrier, he receives a 10-second penalty.

The steer wrestler is assisted by a hazer, another cowboy on horseback who tries to keep the steer running in a straight line.

When the bulldogger’s horse pulls even with the steer, he eases down the side of the horse and reaches for the steer’s horns. After grasping the horns, he digs his heels into the dirt. As the steer slows, the cowboy turns the animal, lifts up on its right horn and pushes down with his left hand.

After the catch, he must either bring the steer to a stop or change the direction of the animal’s body before the throw, or he is disqualified. The clock stops when the calf is on its side with all legs pointing in the same direction.

TEAM ROPING-HEADERS

2014 TOP CONTENDERS

1. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont., $110,180.74

2. Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz., $101,421.41

3. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, $101,399.09

4. Dustin Bird, Cut Bank, Mont., $90,642.96

5. Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., $82,889.12

6 Kaleb Driggers, Albany, Ga., $81,470.05

7. Brandon Beers, Powell Butte, Ore., $79,490.78

8. Nick Sartain, Dover, Okla., $76,962.73

9. Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla., $75,709.95

10. Luke Brown, Stephenville, Texas, $73,062.13

11. Jake Barnes, Scottsdale, Ariz., $72,341.47

12. Charly Crawford, Prineville, Ore., $71,558.66

13. Turtle Powell, Stephenville, Texas, $69,309.63

14. Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Ariz., $68,073.77

15. Tom Richards, Humboldt, Ariz., $66,744.21

2013 CHAMPION: Clay Tryan

TEAM ROPING-HEELERS

2014 TOP CONTENDERS

1. Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev., $110,180.74

2. Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz., $101,768.67

3. Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., $101,399.09

4. Paul Eaves, lonedell, Mo., $93,734.98

5. Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., $82,889.12

6. Patrick Smith, Lipan, Texas, $81,470.05

7. Jim Ross Cooper, Monument, N.M., $79,490.78

8. Rich Skelton, Llano, Texas, $76,962.73

9. Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kans., $76,709.95

10. Shay Carroll, La Junta, Colo., $72,618.04

11. Kollin VonAhn, Blanchard, Okla., $70,062.13

12. Dakota Kirchenschlager, Morgan Mill, Texas, $65,949.63

13. Junior Nogueira, Scottsdale, Ariz., $62,333.17

14. Clay O’Brien Cooper, Gardnerville, Nev., $60,255.36

15. Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz., $58,514.89

2013 CHAMPION: Jade Corkill

DESCRIPTION: A header must charge out of the box on horseback, and as in steer wrestling, he can’t break the barrier. He then must chase down a steer and rope it around its protected horns, neck or “half-head,” a partial horn-neck catch.

After making his catch, the header rides to the left, taking the steer in tow. The heeler moves in and ropes both hind legs. Catching only one hind leg is a five-second penalty. If the heeler tosses his loop before the header has changed the direction of the steer and has the animal moving forward, it’s called a “crossfire” and results in disqualification.

The run is completed when the steer is secured and the team ropers’ horses are facing each other on opposite sides of the steer.

SADDLE BRONC RIDING

2014 TOP CONTENDERS

1. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., $126,878.80

2. Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, $111,084.97

3. Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb., $102,413.24

4. Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La., $92,574.15

5. Jacobs Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, $88,728.51

6. Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, $83,874.67

7. Tyler Corrington, Hastings, Minn., $77,693.56

8. Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, $77,495.01

9. Bradley Harter, Loranger, La., $74,835.52

10. Chad Ferley, Oelrichs, S.D., $73,705.25

11. Cole Elshere, Faith S.D., $71,109.11

12. Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La., $66,683.19

13. Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah, $60,264.78

14. Jake Wright, Milford, Utah, $59,795.45

15. Dustin Flundra, Pincher Creek, Alberta, $59,356.79

2013 CHAMPION: Chad Ferley

DESCRIPTION: Model spurring action begins with the rider’s feet far forward on the bronc’s point of shoulder, sweeping to the back of the saddle as the horse bucks. The rider then snaps his feet back to the horse’s neck a split second before the animal’s front feet hit the ground.

Other factors considered in scoring are the cowboy’s control throughout the ride, the length of his spurring stroke and how hard the horse bucks.

Disqualification results if, during the eight-second ride, he touches the horse, his body or his equipment with his free hand, if either foot slips out of a stirrup, if he drops the bronc rein or if he fails to have his feet in the proper mark-out position at the beginning of the ride.

The horse’s performance accounts for half the total score.

TIE-DOWN ROPING

2014 TOP CONTENDERS

1. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, $153,822.38

2. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, $116,982.62

3. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, $93,848.81

4. Clint Robinson, Spanish Fork, Utah, $85,892.94

5. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas, $83,187.67

6. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., $81,532.68

7. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., $79,687.48

8. Cade Swor, Winnie, Texas, $76,318.94

9. Timber Moore, Aubrey, Texas, $74,284.78

10. Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas, $69,596.25

11. Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas, $69,400.75

12. Ryan Watkins, Bluff Dale, Texas, $68,196.71

13. Reese Riemer, Stinnett, Texas, $66,317.36

14. Cody Ohl, Hico, Texas, $65,282.31

15. Tyson Durfey, Colbert, Wash., $64,240.35

2013 CHAMPION: Shane Hanchey

DESCRIPTION: Success in tie-down roping, once known as calf roping, depends on the teamwork between a cowboy and his horse, and the luck of the draw. A feisty calf that runs fast or kicks hard can foil a roper’s finest effort.

After the calf is given a head start, the cowboy on horseback follows, ropes the calf, then dismounts and runs to the calf. After catching and flanking it, the cowboy ties any three of its legs together using a pigging string he carries in his teeth. If the calf is not standing when the contestant reaches it, he must allow it to stand before flanking it.

When the cowboy completes his tie, he throws his hands in the air as a signal to the judge. He then remounts his horse and allows the rope to become slack. The run is declared valid if the calf is still tied after six seconds. And as in steer wrestling and team roping, the cowboy is penalized if he breaks the barrier early.

BULL RIDING

2014 TOP CONTENDERS

1. Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla., $143,165.22

2. Trey Benton III, Rock Island, Texas, $125,546.64

3. Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas, $102,588.92

4. Tim Bingham, Honeyville, Utah, $85,633.73

5. Brennon Eldred, Sulphur, Okla., $77,829.70

6. J.W. Harris, Mullin, Texas, $77,306.59

7. Reid Barker, Comfort, Texas, $76,227.37

8. Josh Koschel, Nunn, Colo., $72,837.45

9. Jordan Spears, Redding, Calif., $72,138.92

10. Tyler Smith, Fruita, Colo., $70,039.91

11. Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah, $69,558.10

12. Ty Wallace, Collbran, Colo., $67,576.54

13. Beau Hill, West Glacier, Mont., $67,157.68

14. Aaron Pass, Dallas, Texas, $66,545.62

15. Elliot Jacoby, Fredericksburg, Texas, $65,038.91

2013 CHAMPION: J.W. Harris

DESCRIPTION: Upper-body control and strong legs are essential to riding bulls. The rider tries to remain forward at all times. Leaning back could cause him to be whipped forward when the bull bucks.

Judges watch for good body position, use of the free arm and optional spurring action. A bull rider will be disqualified for touching the animal, his body or his equipment with his free hand.

As in all riding events, half the score is determined by the contestant’s performance, and the other half is based on the bull’s effort.

WPRA BARREL RACING

2014 TOP CONTENDERS

1. Kaley Bass, Kissimmee, Fla., $155,279.55

2. Fallon Taylor, Whitesboro, Texas, $131,471.13

3. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., $121,617.00

4. Nancy Hunter, Neola, Utah, $104,289.49

5. Britany Diaz, Solen, N.D., $102,946.71

6. Michele McLeod, Whitesboro, Texas, $100,645.02

7. Mary Walker, Ennis, Texas, $99,712.14

8. Christine Laughlin, Pueblo, Colo., $93,134.61

9. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., $93,048.33

10. Kassidy Dennison, Tohatchi, N.M., $92,051.12

11. Christy Loflin, Franktown, Colo., $91,736.41

12. Carlee Pierce, Stephenville, Texas, $90,430.58

13. Trula Churchill, Valentine, Neb., $74,385.39

14. Samantha Lyne, Cotulla, Texas, $70,577.07

15. Jana Bean, Fort Hancock, Texas, $70,415.60

2013 CHAMPION: Sherry Cervi

DESCRIPTION: The contestant and her horse enter the arena at full speed. As they begin the course, the horse triggers an electronic eye that starts the clock. The racer rides a cloverleaf pattern around three barrels, then sprints out of the arena, tripping the eye to stop the clock. The contestant can touch or even move the barrels but receives a five-second penalty for each overturned barrel.