Dirk Tavenner Takes Round 6 Steer Wrestling Win

Cowboys are used to performing early in the morning at what is referred to as a “slack” performance. Today’s 10 a.m. CST Round No. 6 performance may not be officially called a slack but no matter what you call it, the cowboys will drink some coffee and perform just as if 17,000 plus fans were in the stands.

Dirk Tavenner and his great horse Oscar gathered gold in Round 6 after winning fourth in Round 2 and third in Round 4. With Kodie Jang hazing, Tavenner made good use of his officially drawn, white steer when he threw him down in 3.6 seconds.

The Rigby, Idaho cowboy is making his third appearance at the NFR. He entered the finals in the eighth position and with his three checks he has inched into rank No. 6.

Having some tough luck in previous rounds, Tavenner is not a big contender in the average, so you can bet he will be gunning for the rounds.

Oscar made a second appearance and also picked up the second-place check with Stan Branco. After a 10-year hiatus from the NFR, the Chowchilla, Calif. cowboy is back and picking up checks.

Branco has had a remarkable finals so far winning Round 2, second in Round 3, split third in Round 5, and second in Round 6. So far Branco has banked $101,871 moving him all the way from No. 12 to the third place position in the world standings.

Branco broke the barrier in Round 3 putting him ninth in the average title so far. Depending on how things go, Branco has a chance to earn a world championship.

NFR Steer Wrestling Round 6 Results:

1. Dirk Tavenner, 3.6 seconds, $30,706
2. Stan Branco, 3.8, $24,268
3/4/5. Ty Erickson, Nick Guy and Tyler Waguespack, 4.0, $13,042 each
6. Stephen Culling, 4.1, $4,953

NFR Steer Wrestling Average Results:

1. Dakota Eldridge, 27.7/6
2. Nick Guy, 27.8/6
3. Don Payne, 27.9/6
4. Jesse Brown, 29.0/6
5. Tyler Waguespack, 34.4/6
6. J.D. Struxness, 34.6/6