The National Western Stock Show and Rodeo is set to pay more than $500,000 once again and the second PRCA Playoff Series Rodeo of the year kicks off Thursday, Jan. 11 live on The Cowboy Channel and Cowboy Channel+ at 9 PM ET.
BAREBACK RIDING
The headliner in any event Thursday, not just the bareback riding, is Keenan Hayes. As a rookie in 2023, he won the World Title and set an earnings record along the way with $434,050.
| William Griffin | Lunatic Fletch |
| Tyler Ferguson | Resistol’s Mysterious Ways |
| Luke Thrash | Dark Rose |
| Nick Pelke | Hell On Hooves |
| Montana Duvall | Rose Valley |
| Robert Reynolds | Family Traditons |
| Keenan Hayes | Minnie Pearl |
| Jayco Roper | Fire’s Easy |
| Ethan Crouch | Blue Valley |
STEER WRESTLING
Two standouts of the past two NFRs compete in Bracket 1 in Denver. Bridger Anderson won two rounds in 2023 and Kyle Irwin won the Average in 2022.
| Traver Johnson |
| Blare Romsa |
| Seth Peterson |
| Ty Livingstone |
| Bridger Anderson |
| Bryn Roy |
| Charlie Smith |
| Justice Johnson |
| Morgan Jamerman |
| Kyle Irwin |
TEAM ROPING
Fresh off their NFR Average crown in December, Derrick Begay/Colter Todd are partnering up for another run at Las Vegas.
| Derrick Begay | Colter Todd |
| Doyle Yazzie | Hiyo Yazzie |
| Curry Kirchner | Luke Yeahquo |
| Jay Ellerman | Mickey Gomez |
| Trey Blackmore | Whip Peterson |
| Colby Siddoway | Caleb Hendrix |
| Cash Duty | Ross Ashford |
| Cyle Denison | Dustin Davis |
SADDLE BRONC RIDING
Nebraska cowboy Cort Scheer is the most experienced of the bunch and the highest ranked in 2024 at No. 27.
| Kasey Rosendahl | N/A |
| Coleman Shallbetter | Take My Picture |
| K’s Thomson | Desert Rose |
| Nicholas Patterson | Dakota Kid |
| Cable Wareham | N/A |
| Dean Wadsworth | Chapparal’s Highness |
| Cort Scheer | Payback |
| Ian McGivney | Joe Diffie |
| Beau Ryan Scarborough | Cheap Sunglasses |
| Sage Miller | Sicilian Kiss |
TIE-DOWN ROPING
Past NFR qualifiers Brush Minton and Zack Jongbloed are up against up-and-comers Tom Crouse and Quade Hiatt.
| Austin Hurlburt |
| Eugenio Piloto |
| Colby Anders |
| Zaine Mikita |
| Kason Dyer |
| Tom Crouse |
| Brushton Minton |
| Zack Jongbloed |
| Cash Fretwell |
| Quade Hiatt |
BARREL RACING
Ilyssa Riley and Taycie Matthews both made their first NFR in 2023 and both are up in Denver Thursday night.
| Piper Cordes |
| Fonda Melby |
| Paige Conrado |
| Lucy Bowns |
| De’Ann Kiehne |
| Ashley Castleberry |
| Ilyssa Riley |
| Taycie Matthews |
| Kohley Longmeyer |
| Kylie Kanngiesser |
BULL RIDING
Reigning National Western Champion Bryce Burnell is up against loads of young talent Thursday night. Lukasey Morris, Maverick Potter, Canyon Bass and Cannon Cravens are all in the field.
| Lakin Oakley | Yellowstone |
| Lukasey Morris | Cowboy Floyd |
| Bryce Burnell | N/A |
| Maverick Potter | Cowtown |
| Canyon Bass | 07 |
| Cannon Cravens | Night Rider |
| Hayden Harris | Night Hawk |
| Dalton Walling | She Devil |
| Deklan Garland | New Orlean’s Nightmare |
| Cash Toews | 01 |
