LAS VEGAS — A rank pen of bulls presented a challenge during Round 4 of the Wrangler National Finals presented by Teton Ridge on Sunday before 16,945 spectators at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The bulls won 11 matchups during the round, creating an opportunity to pick up ground money as the night progressed.
Four cowboys weathered the storm, including Josh Frost.
The Randlett, Utah, cowboy made the most of the moment with an 86.5-point trip on Sutton Rodeos’ One Chance to earn the round win and move to the top of the PRCA | RAM World Standings.
“It was really good,” Frost said. “I was super excited about that bull. And every night here you get your draw and think you’re going to win the round. So, it’s pretty fun to get ‘er done finally after four (rounds).”
Frost raked in $37,219, bringing his total to $296,860 in the world standings and the score pushed him to second in the NFR Average.
As the round wore on – and the field whittled down – Frost focused on his bull instead of the chance to pick up ground money.
“It doesn’t matter what those other guys do,” Frost said. “It’s easy to get caught up in watching everybody else and thinking about the money you can win, but if you aren’t focusing on your bull, you’re going to be laying in the dirt.”
The four-time NFR qualifier relied on his experience behind the yellow bucking chutes to stay grounded rather than hit the ground.
“From the time I got here and from the time I got my draw last night, I was just visualizing that bull and visualizing my ride,” Frost said. “Then when you get behind the chutes, you really have to dial in and focus because there’s a lot of distractions back there.”
Frost has picked up $85,796 at the NFR in the first four rounds – the most of any competitor in the event. He’s sixth in the RAM Top Gun Award standings.
“I’ve been here and won the average and been bucked off on all ten before,” Frost said. “I’ve got four years of experience coming in here. It dang sure helped me keep my head and know where I needed to be mentally to show up and perform here.”
Josh Frost makes the most of the moment for Round 4 win.
After a hiccup in Round 2 – a no score – saddle bronc rider Ryder Wright has regrouped nicely.
The two-time PRCA World Champion in 2017 and 2020, split fifth in Round 3 and then won Round 4 with a round record ride – a 90.5-point trip on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Tickled Pink Sunday night.
“I was tickled pink when I got the draw last night. I knew that horse was going to go out and buck for me,” Wright said. “I had to keep my foot on the gas otherwise he was going to buck me off. But those are the kind of horses you want here. Money or mud.”
Wright broke the Round 4 record of 90 points shared by Jesse Kruse on Calgary Stampede’s Hell’s Half Ace in 2009; and Jesse Wright on Frontier Rodeo’s Wild Bill in 2012. Jesse is Ryder’s uncle.
“That was a tough group of horses. We have to face them again in Round 9, so it was nice to come out ahead with the go-round win. It really shows that you belong to be here,” Ryder said. “That’s pretty awesome (to break the Round 4 record). They just told me that when I got down here.”
Tie-down roper Riley Webb keeps on winning
The mission is clear for reigning PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Champion Riley Webb – defend his title.
The Denton, Texas, cowboy is well on his way as he won his third round in four days at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge.
Webb’s latest triumph came in Round 4 when he clocked a 7.5-second run. Webb captured Round 1 (7.0 seconds), and Round 2 (7.8 seconds). He also was second in Round 3 (7.1 seconds).
“The first couple of nights we were (staying at the South Point) because we were there for the breakaway,” Webb said. “I thought we were going to be done at the South Point for a couple days, but it just so happened that we got out there the first two nights and it’s felt like we’ve been there for a week and now we get to go back.
“You know just running up good enough calves and doing my job. I haven’t really been roping for the rounds, I’ve just been trying to go out there and do my best.”
