We are approaching the halfway point at the 2022 NFR and Gold Buckle Races are beginning to sort themselves out. Here are your News and Notes heading into Round 5 in Las Vegas.
- The Saddle Bronc Riding Gold Buckle race got a lot more interesting. Sage Newman continues to hold a significant lead, but after getting bucked off in Round 4, the average will come into play, opening the door for someone to overtake Newman. As it stands, Newman holds a $60,000 lead over Stetson Wright and an $80,000 lead over Lefty Holman and Zeke Thurston. With the average paying nearly $75,000 the race is on for the World Title.
- Lucky number three in Barrel Racing. Emily Beisel was the third Barrel Racer to win the round out of the three spot in the draw. Beisel has now won a round in each NFR she has been to. The round win comes after knocking a barrel in her previous two runs.
- JR Stratford is being held out of Rounds 5 and 6 due to an ankle injury he suffered in Round 4. Stratford is No. 9 in the world and will be eligible to return for Round 7.
- Hunter Cure gets another round win. Hunter Cure got his second-round win of the 2022 NFR and now leads the average and is in second place in the PRCA World Standings. Cure is the new projected World Champion factoring in the average.
- The matchup of the night tonight comes in Bareback Riding. Cole Franks is matched up with Bareback Horse of the Year in Frontier Rodeo’s Gun Fire. Franks and Gun Fire have matched up before and it was a record-setting performance. Franks set the Dodge City Roundup record with a 93-point ride.
- Tilden Hooper has a potential round-winning matchup with C5 Rodeo’s Virgil. Earlier this season Rocker Steiner set the new World Record on Virgil with a 95-point ride.
