It was an exciting opening round at the 2023 NFR. We are monitoring some major storylines heading into Round 2.
Here are your News & Notes for Round 2.
Stetson Wright was bucked off in both Saddle Bronc Riding and Bull Riding and is battling a serious hamstring injury. Last night before the performance it was revealed that Wright will have offseason surgery on a torn hamstring immediately following the NFR. Wright is currently second in Saddle Bronc Riding and first in Bull Riding, but saw his lead over Ky Hamilton shrink by $30,000.
A rough night in barrel racing benefits Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi. We saw seven different barrel racers knock a barrel in the opening performance compared to just one a year ago. The World No. 1 Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi was clean and took second place in the round to extend her lead over Jordon Briggs who also posted a clean run.
Saddle Bronc Riding bunches up at the top. The top four Saddle Bronc Riders are all within $6,000 of each other after Round 1. Kade Bruno is the new No. 1 in the PRCA World Standings after splitting the opening round with Zeke Thurston. Each cowboy earned $27,487 on the day. Stetson Wright, Zeke Thurston, and Sage Newman round out the top 4 heading into Round 2.
Rocker Steiner gets his second round win in 11 NFR performances with an 87-point ride. Rocker brought the crowd to their feet early in the night with his ride on Risky Business. The round win shot him from seventh to third in the PRCA World Standings just behind Clayton Biglow and World No. 1 Keenan Hayes. Hayes currently holds an $85,000 lead over Biglow.
Dalton Massey and Tyler Waguespack trade haymakers opening round. Tyler Waguespack put the pressure on NFR Rookie and World No. 1 Dalton Massey with a 3.8-second run. Massey was up to the task, posting a 3.5-second run in his first-ever run at the Thomas & Mack. Massey not only won the round but was able to extend his lead over now No. 2 Tyler Waguespack.
NFR Round 2 Records:
Bareback Riding: Trenten Montero, 90.5 Points-2019
Saddle Bronc Riding: Cort Scheer, 92 Points-2018
Bull Riding: (tie) Mike White-1999, Terry Don West-2003, 95 Points
Steer Wrestling: Luke Branquinho, 3.1 Seconds-2004
Team Roping: (tie) Turtle Powell/Dakota Kirchenschlager-2014 Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves-2020, 3.8 Seconds
Barrel Racing: Amberleigh Moore, 13.54 Seconds-2017
Tie-Down Roping: Randall Carlisle, 6.8 Seconds-2013
