NFR Race Tightens At The New Mexico State Fair & Rodeo

While many of the season’s final rodeos are held in the Northwest, the New Mexico State Fair & Rodeo gave competitors another valuable opportunity to earn checks and make moves in the world standings. With the regular season nearing its Sept. 30 conclusion, there’s no room for error for competitors on the bubble.

Tanner Aus secured the bareback riding title for the weekend with an 89-point ride on Rafter H Rodeo Livestock's Big Country, collecting $5,605. Cole Reiner finished second with 87.5 points, followed by No. 1-ranked Bradlee Miller’s 85.5-point ride.

Scott Guenthner is sitting just outside the Top 15, but it’s not over until it’s over. Guenthner took home the win in Albuquerque with a 3.4-second run, earning $3,212. With just $4,000 separating him from an NFR qualification, the next nine days are sure to be interesting. Tyke Kipp and Cimarron Thompson finished second with a pair of 3.5-second runs, while McLane Arballo finished fourth with a 3.8.

Hiyo Yazzie and Doyle Yazzie topped the team roping with a 4.4-second run. Chris Francis and Cade Passig finished second with a 4.6, followed by Pedro Egurrola and Whip Peterson’s 4.8 for third. Derrick Begay and Colter Todd are making major late-season moves, having tied for fourth in Albuquerque and Mandan. Begay moved to the No. 9 spot in the world standings while Todd sits just outside qualifying position at No. 16.

Logan Hay won the saddle bronc riding with 88 points on Hi Lo ProRodeo's Joker. Resistol Rookie of the Year Leader Waitley Sharon finished second with 87 points, while Darcy Radel rounded out the top three with an 86.5-point ride.

In tie-down roping, Cole Clemons finished atop the leaderboard with a 7.8-second run. Buck Tate finished second with an 8.0, Semaj Collins Jr. third with an 8.1, and Tom Crouse fourth with an 8.3. Both Clemons and Crouse are just outside the Top 15, and are looking to secure some major paydays in the next week or so.

Kathy Grimes’ hot streak continued in the Land of Enchantment, having won the barrel racing with a 14.97-second run. Tricia Aldridge finished second with a 15.06, followed by Kassie Mowry’s 15.12 for third. Aldridge has had quite the year – after her standout stallion Adios Pantalones was sidelined for injury, the duo has come back more determined than ever and now sit No. 12 in the world standings. Mowry has also had a standout season, having earned $167,829.34 from only 26 rodeos.

Colton Young finished the weekend on a strong note with an 88-point ride on Hi Lo ProRodeo's Mathew. Clayton Sellars finished second with an 86.5, followed by a tie for third between Qynn Andersen and Jacauy Hale, who both scored 85.5 points.

Just nine days left in the 2026 rodeo season! Rodeo Roundtable wishes all of the competitors the best of luck as they make their final push toward the NFR.