National Western Stock Show Rodeo Crowns Champions in Fierce Final Round

Cowboys and cowgirls emerged as champions after 19 rounds of competition in the premier rodeo battle of 2024.

The 118th National Western Stock Show Rodeo (NWSSR) in Denver, Colo., wrapped up after 19 rounds of competition spanning from Jan. 11-21, 2024. Cowboys and cowgirls emerged as champions after competing in brackets, semi-finals, and the ultimate final round, where the top 12 contenders in each event battled for the crown.

In the bareback riding, Garrett Shadbolt, a two-time NFR qualifier from Merriman, Neb., secured his second NWSSR title by scoring 86.5 points on Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Dream Machine, earning $5,455. This triumph added $12,183 to Shadbolt's overall winnings. Bradlee Miller of Huntsville, Texas, claimed the second spot with 86 points, earning $4,182. Cooper Cooke of Victor, Idaho, and Will Lowe of Amarillo, Texas, shared the third spot, each scoring 85 points and earning $2,546.

Steer wrestling saw Tyler Pearson, the 2017 world champion from Atoka, Okla., clinch the title with a swift time of 3.3 seconds, earning $4,716 and collecting $7,962 in total. Justin Shaffer of Hallsville, Texas, secured second place with a 3.8-second run, earning $4,101. The third spot was shared by Australian cowboy Travis Munro and Kyler Dick of Oakley, Utah, both clocking in at 4.0 seconds and earning $3,178 each.

In team roping, Dustin Egusquiza, a six-time NFR qualifier from Marianna, Fla., and Levi Lord, a three-time NFR qualifier from Sturgis, S.D., claimed the title with a time of 4.0 seconds, earning $4,655 each and $7,489 in total. The No. 2 and No. 3 positions ended in a tie between the Texas team of Wyatt Imus and Tyler McKnight and the Mississippi team of Marcus Theriot and Cole Curry, both securing 4.5-second runs and $3,744 each.

Saddle bronc riding witnessed Brody Cress, a seven-time NFR qualifier and three-time NFR average champion from Hillsdale, Wyo., matching his own arena record with a remarkable 91-point ride on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s R Watson’s Ed Bishop. Cress earned the saddle bronc title and $5,473, bringing his total NWSSR earnings to $11,147. Kolby Wanchuk from Sherwood Park, Alberta, secured second place with 88 points, earning $4,196, while Cort Scheer from Elsmere, Neb., took the third spot with 86 points and $3,101.

Tanner Green from Cotulla, Texas, claimed the tie-down roping title with a time of 7.3 seconds, earning $4,635 and a total of $7,436. Garrett Elmore of Springer, Okla., closely followed with a 7.4-second run, earning $4,030, while Pecos Tatum of La Plata, N.M., secured the third spot with a time of 7.5 seconds and a prize of $3,426.

Barrel racing featured a tie between Hailey Kinsel, a three-time world champion and six-time NFR qualifier from Cotulla, Texas, and Halyn Lide from China Spring, Texas, both stopping the clock at 14.73 seconds and earning $4,257 each. Kinsel's higher earnings from preliminary rounds brought her total winnings to $11,086, while Lide’s total earnings were $7,198. Maggie Poloncic from Gillette, Wyo., also delivered an impressive performance, finishing in 14.81 seconds and securing $3,366.

In the bull riding, T Parker from Winnie, Texas, was the lone rider to reach eight seconds, marking 84 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Bull Dirty Mike and earning $15,270. Parker's total NWSSR earnings amounted to $16,003.

2024 National Western Stock Show Rodeo Finals Results:

Bareback Riding

1. Garrett Shadbolt, 86.5 points on The Cervi Brothers' Dream Machine, $5,455
2. Bradlee Miller, 86, $4,182
3/4. Cooper Cooke and Will Lowe, 85, $2,546 each
5. Keenan Hayes, 83, $1,273
6. Jade Taton, 82.5, $909
7. Taylor Broussard, 82, $727
8. Ty Pope, 80.5, $545

Steer Wrestling

1. Tyler Pearson, 3.3 seconds, $4,716
2. Justin Shaffer, 3.8, $4,101
3/4. Travis Munro and Kyler Dick, 4.0, $3,178 each
5. Will Lummus, 4.1, $2,255
6. Brayden Tanner, 4.2, $1,640
7. Jace Melvin, 4.4, $1,025
8. Kalane Anders, 4.8, $410

Team Roping

1. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 4.0 seconds, $4,655 each
2/3. Wyatt Imus/Tyler McKnight and Marcus Theriot/Cole Curry, 4.5, $3,744 each
4. Cyle Denison/Dustin Davis, 5.2, $2,834
5. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 5.3, $2,226
6. Cory Kidd V/Clay Futrell, 5.8, $1,619
7. Colby Siddoway/Caleb Hendrix, 7.9, $1,012
8. Doyle Yazzie/Hiyo Yazzie, 10.0, $405

Saddle Bronc Riding

1. Brody Cress, 91 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo's R Watson's Ed Bishop, $5,473
2. Kolby Wanchuk, 88, $4,196
3. Cort Scheer, 86, $3,101
4. Statler Wright, 85.5, $2,007
5. Ryder Sanford, 85, $1,277
6. Cameron Messier, 84.5, $912
7. Ryder Wright, 84, $730
8. Weston Patterson, 83, $547

Tie-Down Roping

1. Tanner Green, 7.3 seconds, $4,635
2. Garrett Elmore, 7.4, $4,030
3. Pecos Tatum, 7.5, $3,426
4/5. Tuf Case Cooper and Ty Harris, 7.8, $2,519 each
6. Sam Lewis, 8.9, $1,612
7. Trevor Hale, 9.2, $1,008
8. Shad Mayfield, 14.9, $403

Barrel Racing

1/2. Hailey Kinsel and Halyn Lide, 14.73 seconds, $4,257 each
3. Maggie Poloncic, 14.81, $3,366
4. Kailey Mitton, 14.84, $2,772
5. Sadie Wolaver-Troyer, 14.92, $2,178
6. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 15.07, $1,584
7. Shali Lord, 15.26, $990
8. Casey Mathis, 15.42, $396

Bull Riding

1. T Parker, 84 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo's Dirty Mike, $15,270; no other qualified rides.
*(all totals include ground money).