Gold hats and big performances defined Round 3. Several events saw new leaders and rising pressure in the gold buckle chase.
The Thomas & Mack glowed brighter than ever for round 3 and Gold Night. Contestants and fans wore gold hats, scarves, and outfits to support childhood cancer. Fittingly, many of rodeo’s biggest stars delivered golden performances of their own. Several world title races tightened.
In the bareback riding, first time NFR qualifier Waylon Bourgeois broke through in round 3. He lit up the arena with the highest-marked bareback ride of the night, 88.75 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Priefert’s Dusty Roads, giving him a big win by more than a full point.
Behind him, Sam Peterson surged with a strong second-place ride, while Rocker Steiner kept himself firmly in the world title hunt by finishing third. Wacey Schalla, chasing money in both the bareback and the all-around standings, finished fourth. Three-time NFR average champion Jess Pope and Garrett Shadbolt rounded out the money.
In one of the biggest storylines so far, Ty Erickson continued his massive climb up the standings with a Round 3-winning 3.9-second run. Erickson entered the NFR in 14th place but now sits No. 1 in the average and No. 2 in the world after three big and consistent nights.
Meanwhile, heartbreak struck again for world No. 1 Will Lummus, who saw another steer slip away. This will force him into big comeback mode for the remaining seven rounds.
Behind Erickson, Bridger Anderson and Stetson Jorgensen shared second with matching 3.9s. J.D. Struxness, Kyle Irwin, Tucker Allen, and Tyler Waguespack also got checks on Gold Night.
Round 3 also delivered the fastest team roping runs of the NFR so far, with three teams splitting the win at 3.8 seconds: Lightning Aguilera and Kaden Profili got their second round win. Dawson and Dillon Graham also took a trip to the southpoint, alongside Kolton Schmidt and Jonathan Torres too. World champions Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira were just behind at 3.9, followed by Andrew Ward and Jake Long and Derrick Begay paired with Colter Todd.
The youngest Wright brother took center stage in the saddle bronc. Statler Wright won the round with an 88.25-point ride on Smith Pro Rodeo’s Angel Cat.
Behind him, Dawson Hay delivered a strong reride to score 87.75. A three-way tie for third featured Kade Bruno, Zachary Dallas, and season leader Ryder Wright, who continues to hold on the world standings lead.
Riley Webb reasserted himself with the round win we have all been waiting for. The reigning two-time world champion tightened the title race once again with a sharp 7.0-second run to take the top spot.
Kincade Henry stayed hot in second, while Ty Harris took third. Shad Mayfield, who topped the first two rounds, stayed in the money again to keep the battle for the world title very much alive. After tonight, the difference between Webb and Mayfield is still slight, setting up a race until round 10.
In the barrel race Carlee Otero and her golden mare Regina rebounded from down barrels in the first couple rounds to dominate with a 13.54.
Emily Beisel made a horse change and also had a rebound run with a second-place finish, while world No. 1 Kassie Mowry and Will finished third, keeping momentum firmly in their corner as the race heats up.
It was a night of highs and lows however as Hailey Kinsel and Sister hit a barrel, knocking them out of the average and allowing Mowry to widen her world standings lead.
The bull riding was just as exciting as Tristen Hutchings delivered the first 90-point ride of the 2025 NFR, marking 90.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Vitalix Smokin Hott.
Right behind him was Stetson Wright, who posted 88.5 points, staying perfect in the average and strengthening his lead in both the bull riding and all-around races.
Gold Night is one of the most meaningful traditions at the NFR. It is a night dedicated to honoring children and families affected by cancer. Contestants wearing gold didn’t just stand out in the arena but they represented something bigger than rodeo.
Seven rounds remain and Vegas is far from done shaking things up.