Over $400,000 is up for grabs at the Ellensburg Rodeo this weekend, and as the season nears its end, every dollar won is vital to athlete’s NFR hopes. Here’s a deeper look at Labor Day Weekend’s highest paying event.
FORMAT
In roughstock events, all athletes will compete in the opening round, and the top 12 advance to the Finals on Labor Day. Of those 12, the highest score on two is crowned the champion.
In all timed events, athletes will compete in two Long Round. The field is then narrowed to 12 based on the aggregate of the first two runs. Those 12 compete in the Finals with the fastest time on three being crowned champion.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Things are heating up as we enter the final month of the season. Here is a look at the title race implications and bubble implications that come into play in Ellensburg.
Rocker Steiner Looks to Close Gap with No. 1 Keenan Hayes
Rocker Steiner ($173,577) is currently $15,000 behind 2023 World Champion and current No. 1 Keenan Hayes ($188,227). Steiner is scheduled to compete during the opening performance in Ellensburg, which gives Hayes a slight advantage in knowing how likely it is for Steiner to advance to the Finals. When looking at matchups, neither cowboy has a big advantage. Steiner is matched up with Goldie Locks who has only been ridden for over 80 points once this season and has according PRCA Stock Stats. Hayes drew Little Valley Who has been ridden for a high of 81.5 points by Tilden Hooper at the Omak Stampede.
Kade Bruno Looks to Hold Off Damian Brennan and Wyatt Casper
Kade Bruno ($210,398) overtook the No. 1 spot in the PRCA Saddle Bronc World Standings last month, but the race remains tight. Damian Brennan ($205,286) and Wyatt Casper ($201,199) are within $10,000 of Bruno and all will compete in Ellensburg. Bruno and Casper will compete in the opening performance, while Brennan will compete on Sunday in Performance 3. Brennan has the best draw in Dirty Banana, a horse that has produced an average score of 83.17 points per ride this season.
Shad Mayfield and Ty Harris Continue Battle at the Top
Shad Mayfield ($215,059) and Ty Harris ($206,127) are battling it out at the top of the PRCA Tie-Down Roping Standings. The two are separated by less than $10,000 as we head to Ellensburg. Both of Mayfield’s runs will come in Slack, while Harris’ first comes in Slack and his second comes on Saturday in Performance 2.
Jess Pope’s Life on the Bubble Continues
Several big names are battling it out on the bubble, the most notable name may be Jess Pope ($94,474). The 2022 World Champion and three-time NFR Average Champion is under $6,000 behind No. 15 Waylon Bourgeois ($100,034). Ellensburg is a pivotal stop for Pope. Last year, winners of the rodeo earned around $7,000, which would be enough to overtake the No. 15 spot. Pope is matched up with Onion Ring, a horse that he was 84.5 points on at last year’s Kitsap Stampede.
Steer Wrestling Bubble Crowded with NFR Veterans
No. 14 down to No. 18 in the Steer Wrestling World Standings are separated by $2,000 or less. Justin Shaffer ($73,283) and Scott Guenthner ($73,066) are currently holding the No. 14 and No. 15 spot, but they are by no means comfortable there. Stephen Culling ($72,521) is No. 16 while four-time NFR qualifier Clayton Hass ($71,245) holds the No. 17 spot and three-time NFR qualifier Rowdy Parrott ($71,219) is in the No. 18 position. If one of these five bulldoggers can claim a big payday in Ellensburg, their NFR chances take a big jump in the right direction.
HOW TO WATCH AND BROADCAST SCHEDULE
You can watch every performance LIVE on The Cowboy Channel and The Cowboy Channel+ App. For a full broadcast schedule click HERE.
| PERFORMANCE | DATE | TIME (ET) |
| Performance 1 | Friday, August 30 | 9:50 PM |
| Performance 2 | Saturday, August 31 | 3:50 PM |
| Performance 3 | Sunday, September 1 | 2:50 PM |
| Finals | Monday, September 2 | 2:50 PM |
