Bareback Riding Race for NFR Enters Compelling Final Stage

With the Top 15 bareback riders in the world with at least $100,000 in winnings entering the final two weeks of the season, the rest of the field knows the bar its shooting for when it comes to qualification for the National Finals Rodeo.

Only the Top 15 riders in the event after the final weekend of September — which includes the CINCH Playoff Series Championship in Sioux Falls, S.D. — move on to the NFR in Las Vegas in December.

Along with the CINCH Playoff Series Championship and the accompanying Sioux Falls Breakaway, there are opportunities this weekend to move up the leaderboard.

The biggest purses can be found in places like the Cowboy Capital of the World PRCA Rodeo in Stephenville, Texas ($36,000); the Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo in San Bernardino, Calif. ($95,000); the Amarillo Tri-State Fair and Rodeo in Amarillo, Texas ($45,00); and the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo in Pasadena, Texas ($45,000).

But no remaining rodeo carries the weight of the CINCH Playoff Series Championship, which carries an overall purse of $855,000, while the Breakaway has a purse of $122,222.

Keenan Hayes carries a sizeable lead on the field. He’s the only rider in the event with more than $200,000 in winnings his season ($246,895.60).

The race gets compelling the closer you get to the cut line.

Entering this weekend, Taylor Broussard is No. 15 with $100,205.77. He’s the last rider with more than $100,000 in winning this year.

He has plenty of pursuers entering the final two weeks, starting with Cole Franks, who is just a little more than $2,000 behind him ($98,264.32).

The next two riders both have more than $90,000 in winnings — Sam Petersen ($96,159.72) and Jacob Lees ($93,427.97). Mason Clemens ($89,896.73) and Kody Lamb ($86,331.98) round out the Top 20 and they have an outside chance of sliding in the Top 15, but likely only if they’re in the CINCH.

WORLD BAREBACK RIDING LEADERS

Entering action weekend of Sept. 22

(Top 15 go to National Finals Rodeo)

1. Keenan Hayes — $246,895.60

2. Leighton Berry — $156,785.05

3. Kade Sonnier — $154,476.63

4. Clayton Biglow — $148,120.09

5. Tim O'Connell — $143,945.44

6. Rocker Steiner — $141,412.57

7. Orin Larsen — $131,830.32

8. Jayco Roper — $127,967.91

9. Cole Reiner — $127,010.46

10. Jess Pope — $122,840.73

11. Kaycee Field — $115,373.64

12. Tanner Aus — $112,644.76

13. Dean Thompson — $112,355.33

14. Richmond Champion — $111,687.69

15. Taylor Broussard — $100,205.77

16. Cole Franks — $98,264.32

17. Sam Petersen — $96,159.72

18. Jacob Lees — $93,427.97

19. Mason Clements — $89,896.73

20. Kody Lamb — $86,331.98

21. Jacek Frost — $81,526.48

22. Coop Cooke — $81,386.25

23. Ty Pope — $66,615.90

24. Nick Pelke — $63,857.67

25. Trenten Montero — $58,299.78

26. Waylon Bourgeois — $57,455.08

27. Bradlee Miller — $55,308.03

28. Chad Rutherford — $54,955.46

29. Tristan Hansen — $52,110.49

30. R.C. Landingham — $51,511.36