Puyallup Crowns Champions as the Race to Sioux Falls and Las Vegas Tightens

Puyallup, Washington, is the last big stop before the Governors Cup in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Nobody could afford to leave money on the table this late in the season. With only a couple of weeks remaining, every rodeo really counts, but this one a little more than others. 

With the top four contestants in each event advancing to the Governor’s Cup, the Puyallup Rodeo carries high stakes. For those already inside the top 15 it is an opportunity to add to their totals and create more separation. For those on the outside looking in, it was one of the final chances to make a move before the season reaches one of its biggest paydays.

With the amount of money available in these final weeks, one rodeo can change everything.

Puyallup crowned champions across all eight events, with several of the sport’s biggest names taking major steps toward the 2026 NFR while others kept the hopes alive heading into Sioux Falls.

The bareback riding ended in a tie between two cowboys who already know what it takes to compete at the highest level.

Keenan Hayes and Jess Pope both marked 91 points to split the Puyallup championship. Hayes made his ride aboard Calgary Stampede’s Disco Party while Pope covered Brookman Rodeo’s Lunatic Heaven.

Hayes is currently sixth in the world while Pope sits fourth, meaning both cowboys are planning their return to Las Vegas.

Jesse Brown took the steer wrestling championship with a 3.8 second run in the finals. The mud and the less than ideal conditions didn't faze Brown. He has a gold buckle on his mind.

Brown has spent the season chasing one cowboy at the top of the standings. He currently sits second in the world behind Tyler Waguespack, and every check matters as he continues trying to close the gap on the world No. 1.

The team roping ended with another tie, with James Arviso and Levi Lord splitting the championship with Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira after both teams stopped the clock in 4.1 seconds.

For Arviso and Lord, the win comes with plenty of significance beyond the Puyallup paycheck. Both are sitting inside the top 10 in the world standings, and Arviso is headed to his first NFR this year alongside the veteran Lord.

Driggers and Nogueira added another big win to their seasons as well widening their lead on the World. 

Ryder Wright continued his run toward another world championship opportunity by winning the saddle bronc riding with 88 points in the finals aboard Korkow Rodeos’ Rubber Match.

Wright remains second in the world behind his older brother Rusty Wright. The family battle has been one of the major storylines in the event all season, and Ryder's Puyallup win gives him another chance to chip away at the gap. 

Statler Wright also made his presence felt in Puyallup, finishing third. The reigning world champion is currently outside the top 15, but this money keeps a path to another NFR alive. A strong performance in Sioux Falls could completely change his position and give him a chance the qualify again this year. 

Two of the best breakaway ropers in the game shared the Puyallup championship.

Josie Conner and Jackie Crawford both stopped the clock in 2.6 seconds to split the win.

Conner is already sitting inside the top five in the world standings, putting her in a strong position heading into the Governor’s Cup. Crawford's situation is different. She entered Puyallup outside the top 30. This win gives her another significant check and moves her closer to the NFR conversation.

With Sioux Falls still ahead, Crawford now has a legitimate opportunity to make a late season push toward another NFBR. You can never count Crawford out. 

3x and reining World Champion tie down roper, Riley Webb continued doing what he does, winning and creating more distance between himself and everyone chasing him.

Webb won the tie down roping in 7.3 seconds in the finals, adding another major payday to what has already been a record setting regular season. He has now crossed the $300,000 mark in regular season earnings and broken his own regular season earnings record. Webb also carries roughly an $80,000 lead over world No. 2 Haven Meged.

Carlee Otero left Puyallup  as the new No. 1 barrel racer in the world.

Otero stopped the clock in 13.85 seconds to win the rodeo and push her season earnings past $200,000. The result moved her to the top of the WPRA World Standings. With Sioux Falls next, she will head into the Governor’s Cup as the lady everyone else is now chasing.

John Crimber continues to make his first PRCA season look easy. The PBR World Champion won the Puyallup bull riding with 87 points aboard Brookman Rodeo’s Splittin Tens. The win moved Crimber to No. 8 in the PRCA world standings and puts him on track for his first NFR in his rookie season.

Calling Crimber a rookie almost feels strange when considering what he has already accomplished in the sport. He is already a PBR World Champion. Now, in his first PRCA season, he is on his way to Las Vegas with a chance to compete for another major championship on the biggest stage in rodeo.

Puyallup is over, but a big opportunity lies in Sioux Falls. Year after year, these final opportunities have proven capable of completely changing a cowboy or cowgirl’s season.

For those already locked in for an NFR qualification, it is about building momentum and protecting their position. For those still fighting their way in, Sioux Falls could be the opportunity that changes everything. There is a lot of money still up for grabs, and a lot of talented cowboys and cowgirls who want their piece of it.