Quick Read
- Tucker Allen won his third go-round in steer wrestling with a 3.9-second run, jumping to the world standings lead.
- Allen now has $298,963 in earnings, leading Will Lummus by more than $8,000.
- Stetson Wright returned after injury, placing fourth in bull riding and maintaining the all-round standings lead.
- Jess Pope won his second straight bareback go-round, narrowing the gap with leader Rocker Steiner.
- Go-round wins also went to Schmidt/Torres (team roping), Patterson (saddle bronc), Henry (tie-down), Aldridge (barrel racing), and Gray (bull riding).
Steer Wrestling: Allen’s Breakthrough Moment
Round 8 of the 2025 National Finals Rodeo (NFR) at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas became a turning point for steer wrestler Tucker Allen. Entering the event with $150,867 in earnings and ranked fifth in the world, Allen’s relentless focus paid off Thursday night. With a blistering 3.9-second run, he not only clinched his third go-round win of the week but also surged past Will Lummus to seize the lead in the world standings.
Allen’s total earnings now stand at $298,963, putting him more than $8,000 ahead of Lummus with only two rounds left. His performance this week has nearly doubled his earnings, with $148,096 accrued during the NFR alone. The aggregate race, averaging all competitors’ times, also sees Allen in front with 36.60 seconds over eight runs, far ahead of second-place Rowdy Parrott’s 46.40 seconds. If Allen holds this spot, he stands to gain an additional $94,035.
Allen’s approach has been straightforward: “One night at a time,” he told Review-Journal. While the prospect of a world title hangs in the balance, Allen remains grounded, focusing on each run rather than the overall standings or averages. His horse, Banker, has been instrumental, with Allen quick to credit him: “He’s unreal. He’s the reason all this has happened. Couldn’t do it without him.” This humility and commitment have defined his NFR journey, a stark contrast to last year when he finished 11th.
Wright Returns: A Gritty Comeback in Saddle Bronc and Bull Riding
Thursday also marked the return of Stetson Wright, who had suffered a left hip and right leg contusion during Wednesday’s bull riding event. Despite visible discomfort and a limp, Wright took to the saddle bronc with a score of 82.75—just short of earning prize money. His resilience shone brightest in bull riding, where he secured fourth place with an 88-point ride, pocketing $15,377.
Wright’s tenacity has kept him at the top of the all-round standings, maintaining a lead of over $129,000 against Wacey Schalla. In bull riding, he remains more than $90,000 ahead of Ky Hamilton. The rodeo world watched closely, wondering if Wright’s injuries would slow his momentum; so far, he continues to battle through pain with remarkable consistency.
Bareback Riding: Pope’s Late Charge Heats Up the Title Race
Jess Pope, the 2022 world champion, is mounting a fierce comeback in bareback riding. After a slow start, Pope has caught fire, claiming his second consecutive go-round win with an 88.25-point ride. Now third in the world standings with $340,192, Pope trails leader Rocker Steiner by over $80,000 and sits just behind Sam Petersen.
The aggregate may be Pope’s ace. With 648.50 points on eight runs, he leads the average, which could earn him a critical $94,035 if he maintains his position. Interestingly, factoring in the aggregate, Pope would be the world champion if NFR ended after eight rounds. “I finally drew good and we’ll see where the cards lay at the end of the week,” Pope said, highlighting how crucial timing and luck can be at this level.
Wednesday’s win with an 88-point ride set the tone, and drawing Deep Springs for Thursday’s run gave Pope the confidence to push for another go-round victory. For Steiner, an 80.25 score meant no earnings, while Petersen closed the gap with 87.25 points and $28,979 in winnings. The bareback race is now a three-way battle that could shift again before NFR concludes.
Other Standouts: Team Roping, Tie-Down, Barrel Racing, and Bull Riding
Beyond the headline events, several other competitors made their mark in Round 8:
- Kolton Schmidt (Barrhead, Alberta) and Jonathan Torres (Ocala, Florida) captured the team roping win with a 3.8-second run.
- Weston Patterson (Wavery, Kansas) posted an 89-point score in saddle bronc riding for the win.
- Kincade Henry (Mount Pleasant, Texas) led tie-down roping with a 7.0-second run.
- Tricia Aldridge (Sanger, Texas) dominated barrel racing at 13.64 seconds.
- T.J. Gray (Dairy, Oregon) topped bull riding with an impressive 90.75-point ride.
Each go-round brings new surprises, with riders and horses alike rising to the challenge and keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
Mindset and Preparation: Lessons from Allen and Pope
Both Allen and Pope attribute their success not just to skill and preparation, but to mindset. Allen has shifted from playing it safe to “be willing to fail big to win big,” a philosophy that pushed him out of last year’s 11th-place finish. Pope, meanwhile, described how confidence builds with each successful draw and ride: “I had a really good feeling coming into it. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.” Their stories remind us that rodeo is as much about mental fortitude as physical talent.
Assessment: NFR Round 8 crystallized the unpredictable drama that defines championship rodeo. Tucker Allen’s surge in steer wrestling and Jess Pope’s bareback rally show how quickly fortunes can change—one run, one ride, one night at a time. With only two rounds to go, the standings remain fluid, and the mental edge may prove decisive in crowning this year’s world champions.