Sikeston Champions Crowned as NFR Countdown Begins

Rodeos are happening across the country and every athlete entering these arenas is looking to secure their spot at the National Finals Rodeo in December.

With less than two months to go in the regular season, winners of the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo took home a pretty penny to hopefully move them up in the world standings.

Rough Stock Riders

Bareback rider Orin Larsen needs every check he can get as he sits in No. 18 in the world standings. It’s lucky that he cashed in big time over the weekend in Sikeston, Missouri as the $7,896 check for his win will likely push him into the top 15. Larsen has his 86-point ride on Cervi Championship Rodeo's R. Watson's Ed B to credit for the win.

Another underdog landed on top in the saddle bronc riding as well. The No. 25 cowboy, Logan Hay, came in with something to prove, and that he did. His 89-point ride on Generations Pro Rodeo's Painted Pearls not only earned him the championship, but a check for $8,573, which is huge for a cowboy looking to jump 10 spots.

At No. 7 in the world standings, bull rider Hudson Bolton is gunning for his second trip to the Thomas & Mack arena. As of now, things are looking good for him as he pulled in another rodeo win in Missouri with an 89-point ride on Cervi Championship Rodeo's Sting. He pocketed $8,319 to add to his prize pot and secure his place in the top 15.

Timed Event Winners

The cowboys competing in steer wrestling had to bring the heat for two rounds in Sikeston. While some landed on top during each round, only one cowboy did them both fast enough to pull in the average win. After tying for fourth in round one and taking home the round two win, Emmett Edler was crowned champion thanks to his time of eight seconds on two heads earning $4,297 for the win.

It took another two rounds for the winners of the team roping to be crowned. The honor went to Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira during round one thanks to a time of 4.6 seconds, but Curry Kirchner and Tanner Braden, secured the round two win with a run of 4.5 seconds.

Despite this, neither duo was fast enough to pull off the average title as Dustin Egusquiza and JC Flake were the most consistent throughout. The two clinched the overall win despite not winning either round with a time of 9.6 seconds on two heads earning $4,633 each.

Rounding out the timed events were the cowboys bringing the action in the tie-down roping. Throughout the two rounds of action, these athletes did not give up. NFR legend and world champion, Shad Mayfield may just be back from an injury but one could never tell after he pulled in the round one win with a time of 7.1 seconds.

Ty Harris came in a bit slower during round two but got the win nonetheless. The No. 10 cowboy secured the bag in 7.7 seconds, but his overall time wasn’t enough to earn him the crown. It was neither Mayfield nor Harris who came out on top but Cole Clemons. He came in second in round one and fifth in round two, but with 15.3 seconds on two head, he cashed in $4,943 and won big.

Barrel Racer On Top

Underdogs took over the arena in Sikeston as a barrel racer outside of the top 100 was the one who pulled off the win at one of the biggest rodeo events of the year. Emma Ricke earned her place at the top with a run of 16.03 seconds, not only putting her in first but also ahead of some of the sports best competitors including LaTricia Duke (No. 9) and Carlee Otero (No. 4).

While she’s not at the top now, Ricke has clearly marked herself as one to watch as her career moves forward.

Some winners of the Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo may be considered underdogs now, but things change quickly in the world of rodeo. As the season reaches its peak, every dollar will count for those looking to slide into the top 15 and make a trip to the Thomas & Mack arena.

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