NFR Berth In Saddle Bronc Could Come Down to Slim Margin

With two weeks to go before the field for the National Finals Rodeo is set, the difference between a trip to Las Vegas and a trip home is $428.16.

In Saddle Bronc riding that is the difference between Isaac Diaz — who is No. 15 ($116,497.52) — and Q Taylor, who is No. 16 ($116,069.36).

Some riders like Stetson Wright, who leads the event with $239,881.48, know they should make hotel reservations now. But for Diaz and Taylor, and others right around the cut line, the next two weeks will decide their fate.

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.

But, before that, this weekend features some big purses at rodeos 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.

Brody Cress, for example, is No. 10 with $126,304.35 in winnings. That’s a little less than $10,000 ahead of Diaz. With such a large purse waiting at the end of the season, that edge may not be safe.

For a rider like Statler Wright, there’s opportunity. He is No. 20 in winnings at $106,813.83. That puts him a little less than $10,000 behind Diaz for the final spot in Las Vegas.

That’s a $20,000 difference between No. 10 and No. 20. And $428.16 between No. 15 and No. 16.

That will make Saddle Bronc one of the most compelling events to watch the final two weeks of this season.

WORLD SADDLE BRONC RIDING LEADERS

Entering action weekend of Sept. 22

(Top 15 go to National Finals Rodeo)

1. Stetson Wright — $239,881.48

2. Sage Newman — $231,263.50

3. Zeke Thurston — $219,363.46

4. Kade Bruno — $187,759.17

5. Dawson Hay — $150,918.54

6. Ben Andersen — $149,657.98

7. Wyatt Casper — $142,420.78

8. Layton Green — $136,829.01

9. Ryder Wright — $136,575.67

10. Brody Cress — $126,304.35

11. Damian Brennan — $123,830.87

12. Chase Brooks — $122,403.60

13. Lefty Holman — $121,788.11

14. Ryder Sanford — $117,621.19

15. Isaac Diaz — $116,497.52

16. Q Taylor — $116,069.36

17. Tanner Butner — $112,074.03

18. Kolby Wanchuk — $110,549.97

19. Leon Fountain — $108,381.09

20. Statler Wright — $106,813.83

21. Stu Wright — $85,816.66

22. Shorty Garrett — $79,276.01

23. Ross Griffin — $78,025.43

24. Logan Hay — $72,733.18

25. Cash Wilson — $72,685.99

26. Logan Cook — $69,969.34

27. Cole Elshere — $62,346.11

28. Sterling Crawley — $61,124.44

29. Q McWhorter — $59,943.57

30. Lucas Macza — $56,864.62