Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup: Thursday Night Daysheet, Performance 1

After an intense regular season, the Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup has the kind of pay out that can make some contestants’ National Finals Rodeo dreams come true while for others, they could come crashing down. Two Go-Rounds of competition will narrow it down before the Semifinals and it all starts tonight in South Dakota.

BAREBACK RIDING

Louisiana’s Waylon Bourgeois is out of the Top 15 by $17,000 and a successful trip to The Governor’s Cup could cinch him his first ever NFR qualification. His Round 1 matchup is Championship Pro Rodeo’s Big Show, a horse that reigning World Champion Keenan Hayes knows well. Hayes’ most recent trip on Big Show ended with 87 points on the board. Bourgeois will nod his head for the first time on the veteran bucking horse.

STEER WRESTLING

Justin Shaffer and Tristan Martin are two cowboys hoping to burst the bubble with wins in Sioux Falls. Shaffer only needs $500 to do so while Martin needs $5,000. Shaffer is vying for his first ever trip to Las Vegas and Martin is looking to be a three-time NFR steer wrestler and it will all come down to this rodeo for both of them.

TEAM ROPING

Nelson Wyatt is fighting to keep his place in the World Standings at No. 15 while his partner, Jonathan Torres is No. 10 in the Heeling. Fighting to keep that place on the Heeling side in Tanner Braden while his Header, Cyle Denison is No. 23 in the World, trailing Wyatt by $15,000.

SADDLE BRONC RIDING

Ryder Sanford is the No. 16 cowboy coming into Sioux Falls. He has a rematch with Beaver Trail, of Bridwell Pro Rodeo. The last time they met, Sanford put up a 77-point ride and tonight, he will need to best that in a big way. Although he is only out of the Top 15 by $2,000 and a Go-Round win is just that, Sanford is fighting for his second consecutive NFR.

TIE-DOWN ROPING

Veteran tie-down roper Hunter Herrin knows just what it takes to get to Las Vegas and the 13-time NFR cowboy is trailing the No. 15 man by about $4,000. Rookie Cole Clemons is the No. 14 cowboy fighting for his first NFR to add to the pressure for Herrin.

BREAKAWAY ROPING

The Top 3 breakaway ropers in the World are looking to add to their earnings before the National Finals Breakaway Roping. Josie Conner, Taylor Munsell and Jackie Crawford have the horsepower and the swing to lay down arena records in Sioux Falls.

BARREL RACING

LaTricia Duke and Jordon Briggs are the cowgirls on the bubble as we come into the rodeo that can decide it all. After Rollo recovered from an injury, Briggs has been sure to be strategic with her World Champion partner. She trails No. 15 cowgirl, Duke, by $5,000 and can make it up in a big way.

BULL RIDING

One third of the competition in Sioux Falls is made up by rookie bull riders, three of which are in the running for a trip to the Thomas and Mack. Wacey Schalla, Jeter Lawrence and Cooper James are in a heated battle, with James being the closest to the bubble at No. 11. His bull in Round 1 is Tommy Tutone, of Muddy Creek Rodeo. There was one qualified ride made on him this season to the tune of 86.5 points.