Dean Thompson was projected third in the PRCA Bareback Riding World Standings entering Round 10, but by jumping Cole Franks in the NFR Average with an 88.5-point ride, he did exactly what he had to do to win his first Gold Buckle. He won the Average with 854.5 points on 10.
Thompson benefited from a replay review in Round 10 that gave him a free roll on a horse he may not have marked out.
The difference in pay between first and second in the NFR Average is a little over $16,000 and Thompson ended up winning the World Title over Rocker Steiner by about $18,000. Steiner tied for third in Round 10 with 88 points. If Thompson was a half-point worse, or Steiner was a half-point better, it would’ve been Steiner’s World Title.
“To come back and make it all happen (in my second NFR), it’s everything,” Thompson said.
The 22-year-old credited his consistency in the regular season for putting him in position to win the Gold Buckle and that consistency was also on display in Las Vegas. He cashed in on his first five horses, including a 91-pointer to split the Round 5 win.
After not picking up a check in Rounds 6 and 7, Thompson then won Round 8 with 88 points to get back in the World Title fight.
Thompson finished the season with $412,121 and about $240,000 of that came at the NFR. Steiner was second in the World with $394,186 and reigning World Champion Keenan Hayes was third.
“It was so hair-trigger there, it was such a thin margin, they said four guys could’ve won it,” he said. “What an insane 10 days, it just re-affirms I’m on the right path with everything I’m doing.”
