Bareback Rider Cole Reiner Sets Arena Record in Vernal With Huge 92 Points

Cole Reiner left little doubt who owned the bareback riding in Vernal this year.

The Buffalo, Wyoming, cowboy set a new arena record at the Dinosaur Roundup Rodeo with a massive 92-point ride aboard Outta Hand of Powder River, collecting nearly $6,000 for the win. The score marked one of the highest bareback rides of the summer and added another win for the 5-time NFR qualifier. 

Powder River had the arena record before Reiner too. 91 points on Big Chill with Royce Ford about 20 Years ago. That record held until 2026. 

Currently ranked No. 10 in the PRCA World Standings, Reiner continues to build momentum toward a sixth trip to Las Vegas. The 27-year-old has remained near the top of the standings throughout the season. Some of these highlights include a win earlier this year at the Black Hills Stock Show Rodeo in Rapid City, South Dakota. He also won Red Bluff, California, not long ago when he was 87 points on the talented horse, Pretty Woman.

The same week as Vernal, Reiner picked up a couple of other good checks, too. In Elko, Nevada, 87 points on Talkin Smack was good enough for third. He also placed third in North Platte, Nebraska, at the Buffalo Bill rodeo in Vegas, with 85 points. 

While Reiner's arena record performance stole the spotlight, the Vernal bareback riding was extremely tough. 

R.C. Landingham finished second with an 89.5 point ride while Jayco Roper claimed third with 89 points. Kade Sonnier was fourth at 88.5 points, followed by reigning world champion Jess Pope in fifth with 88 points. Cole Franks finished sixth with 87.5 points, Darien Johnson was seventh with 86.5, and Sage Allen rounded out the money winners with an 85 point ride.

With multiple NFR qualifiers and world title contenders filling the leaderboard, Vernal once again put on a show. For Reiner, this check was a good step in the right direction towards another trip to the Thomas and Mack in 2026.