As the summer run continues to heat up in professional rodeo, major shakeups are happening in the World Standings. Through Cowboy Christmas, the Calgary Stampede, and closing in on the final days of the month of July, many of the cowboys chasing a National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualification in the bareback riding have been banking major checks.
One of the most recent changes occurred at the top of the leaderboard. Rocker Steiner has officially taken over the top spot, with $183,318 in season earnings. Wyoming rodeos have been good to the young cowboy as of late, with wins at the Jubilee Days in Laramie, Wyo., and a second-place finish at the WYO Rodeo in Sheridan, Wyo. Steiner also racked up checks in Calgary, Oakley City, Utah, Mandan, N.D., and Greeley, Colo. With a $27,000 lead, the young phenom is gaining momentum as we head into the final nine weeks of the regular season.
Bradlee Miller has been unstoppable over the past few years, quickly rising in the professional ranks. Qualifying for his first NFR in 2024, he put on an outstanding performance in Las Vegas. Continuing to ride that momentum, he is currently No. 2 in the World Standings with $156,573 in season earnings. Although July has been a bit quiet for this cowboy, with just over two months left in the season, he has plenty of chances to battle for that top spot.
Three-time NFR qualifier Garrett Shadbolt is currently No. 3 in the World, with $137,063 in season earnings. A solid performance at the Calgary Stampede boosted him by nearly $30,000. He also pulled checks over Cowboy Christmas in Oakley City, Mandan, and St. Paul, Ore.
2024 World Champion, Dean Thompson, holds down the No. 4 spot with $124,084 in season earnings. The Utah cowboy seeks his third NFR qualification, following his outstanding performance in 2024. Recent checks at the Calgary Stampede, St. Paul, and Greeley have helped him hold onto that position.
Coming into the final weeks of the season, we will be keeping close watch on the standings in this heated race to the 2025 NFR.
PC: Hillary Maybery