Puyallup Rodeo at the Washington State Fair marks the start of the Cinch Playoff Series. The Top 23 contestants in the PRCA Playoff Series Standings and the champions from the NFR Open are heading to Puyallup to compete for their share of not only $600,000, but also the chance to advance to the Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, where they will compete for a cut of the $1 million purse.
FORMAT
The Top 24 contestants from the Playoff Series will compete at the Puyallup Rodeo with the Top 4 from Puyallup and the Top 8 out of the standings of the Playoff Series advancing to the Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls South Dakota. In each event, athletes are split into two “Playoff” groups with the Top 4 on two from each Playoff advancing to the Semifinals. From there, it’s a clean slate with the Top 4 going to a winner-take-all Finals.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
Puyallup offers a big payday and for athletes on the bubble, it could change their season outlook entirely. A win in here a year ago was worth at least $13,000 and for several athletes, it earned them much more.
Bareback Riding Bubble Features Big Names Battling for Final NFR spot
No. 16 Jess Pope ($104,769) is less than $1,000 out of the No. 15 spot. Pope is matched up with Daunting News in the opening performance and I fly Plane for his second ride. I fly Plane has been ridden for 85 points or more three times this season, most recently by Taylor Broussard at the Farm-City Pro Rodeo.
The man attempting to hold off Pope is No. 15 Orin Larsen ($105,739). Larsen is matched up with Bomb Cherry in his opening ride, a horse ridden for 87.5 points at the Calgary Stampede by Leighton Berry. In his second ride he will take on Sly Eyes whos high-marked ride this year is an 86.5-point ride.
Looking to the top of the Bareback Standings, Keenan Hayes ($196,083) and Rocker Steiner ($182,108) have separated themselves from the pack. The two will compete in the third and fourth performance in Puyallup.
Steer Wrestling Bubble Ranges from No. 13 to No. 21
No. 13 Justin Shaffer ($80,719) and No. 21 Walt Arnold ($69,252) are separated by just over $10,000. In between the two are several big names with NFR experience. There is a big opportunity at Puyallup with No. 14 Jacob Edler ($76,463) failing to qualify for the Playoffs. No. 16 Jacob Talley ($74,200), No. 17 Stephen Culling ($73,854), and No. 21 Walt Arnold are other bubble athletes who failed to qualify for the Playoffs.
All Around World Title Up for Grabs
The All-Around Title will go to someone not named Stetson Wright for the first time since 2018 and the Cinch Playoffs will go a long way in deciding it. As we stand, Shad Mayfield ($224,412) currently holds a $60,000 lead over both Wacey Schalla ($167,481) and Junior Nogueira ($166,234). If either of these three athletes can win in Puyallup and earn a big payday at the Governor’s Cup they will have the inside track to an All Around title.
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 | Thursday, September 5 | 9:30 PM |
| Performance 2 | Friday, September 6 | 9:30 PM |
| Performance 3 | Saturday, September 7 | 4:00 PM |
| Performance 4 | Saturday, September 7 | 9:30 PM |
| Semifinals and Finals | Sunday, September 8 | 4:00 PM |
