Kade Bruno and Zeke Thurtson share the Round 1 win and settle in at the top of the 2023 National Finals Rodeo saddle bronc riding average.
The 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge kicked off the opening round Dec. 8 at 8:45 p.m. PST.
The saddle bronc riding event had an outstanding start to the ten-day competition with a shocking ending to the night.
With Kade Bruno's first-round co-win, Bruno found himself at the top of the world saddle bronc riding standings at the end of the first night.
Zeke Thurston also advanced in the world standings, to the No. 3 spot and is only $3,000 behind Bruno.
With Stetson Wright's buck-off, he moved down to the No. 2 spot and found himself $1,000 behind Bruno. Speculation around the arena is that Wright is dealing with a hamstring issue.
The other Wright family member, Ryder Wright, earned himself a nice paycheck and moved up in the world standings two spots to the No. 5 position.
NFR Round 1 Saddle Bronc Riding Results
- Kade Bruno, 86.5 points, $27,487
- Zeke Thurtson, 86.5 points, $27,487
- Ryder Wright, 86 points, $18,325
- Chase Brooks, 85 points, $8,585
- Tanner Butner, 85 points, $8,585
- Brody Cress, 85 points, $8,585
- Lefty Holman, 84.5 points
- Damian Brennan, 83 points
- Ryder Sanford, 82.5 points
- Layton Green, 82.5 points
- Wyatt Casper, 81.5 points
- Sage Newman, 81.5 points
- Ben Anderson, 78 points
- Dawson Hay, 77 points
- Stetson Wright, No Score
World Saddle Bronc Standings: Post Round 1
- Kade Bruno, $262,746
- Stetson Wright, $261,626
- Zeke Thurston, $259,406
- Sage Newman, $257,263
- Ryder Wright, $178,727
- Dawson Hay, $165,974
- Ben Anderson, $160,940
- Chase Brooks, $157,805
- Tanner Butner, $153,873
- Wyatt Casper, $152,420
- Brody Cress, $151,327
- Layton Green, $146,829
- Damian Brennan, $139,743
- Lefty Holman, $138,954
- Ryder Sanford, $135,388
With lots of movement already in the world standings during the first night, this year's NFR is definitely one to keep an eye on. The NFR will continue on the following night as scheduled.