

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge, kicked off with a heart-pounding Round 7 performance.
After the athletes had an unusual Round 6 performance this morning, the athletes didn't have much time to regroup before heading back to the Thomas & Mack arena for this evening's performance.
Clayton Biglow awed the crowd with the last bareback ride of the night, busting out an 88-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo's "South Point's Happy Hour" to claim his second go-round win for this year's NFR. Kade Sonnier was close to his first NFR win with a second-place tie for 87 points. Tied with Sonnier, Tim O'Connell also got his first paycheck of the NFR. Keenan Hayes still remains atop the bareback riding world standings.
The go-round was split between Tyler Waguespack and Stan Branco, Branco with his second go-round win and Waguespack with his first for this year's NFR. Both cowboys wrestled their steers down in a solid 3.8-seconds. Current No. 1 steer wrestler, Dalton Massey, came up short in second with a 3.9-second run. Massey is still in the No. 1 spot after tonight's performance.
Jake Long and Clint Summers take their 4th win by way of a three-way tie. Joining the were teams Derrick Begay and Colter Todd, along with Clay Smith and Paden Bray. All of them roping outstanding 4.0-second runs. Long is still in the No. 1 spot among heelers, as well as, Summers still holds the No. 1 spot among the headers.
Ryder Wright and Damian Brennan share the saddle bronc riding go-round win with 87-point rides. Wright rode Calgary Stampede's "EXOTIC WARRIOR" and Brennan rode Powder River's "Bet the Ranch " for the round wins. Sage Newman still remains at the top of the saddle bronc standings.
Haven Meged ran away with the tie-down roping go-round title with an arena record of 6.4 seconds. Meged stood alone with the next best contestant Cory Solomon with an impressive 6.9-second run. Coming in third was Tuf Cooper and his 7.2-second run. Riley Webb still remains atop the No.1 tie-down roper.
Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi takes home the Round 7 go-round win with a 13.47-second trip around the barrels. After breaking the single-season record last night, as well as, surpassing the $1,000,000 career earnings mark. Pozzi Tonozzi is having a historic season. Pozzi-Tonozzi remains in the No. 1 spot in the barrel racing world standings.
Ky Hamilton was the only bull rider during Round 7 of the NFR to cover his bull. Hamilton just last night was taken off on a stretcher and tonight he earned himself over $99,000. Hamilton won the round on Duane Kesler's "Alberta Prime Devil's Advocate" for 88 points. Hamilton now has a significant lead with $516,667 in earnings on the year.
The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is in full swing now. Be sure to keep up with the action on the Cowboy Channel+.