Big wins in the Northwest has pushed 21 year old Waitley Sharon to No. 13 in the PRCA World Standings as the Colorado cowboy continues his rookie season run toward his first NFR.
Waitley Sharon's rookie season has taken another big turn towards Las Vegas.
The Ordway, Colorado, saddle bronc rider won the Horse Heaven Roundup in Kennewick, Washington, and the money moved him to No. 13 in the PRCA World Standings. With more than $134,000 won in 2026, Sharon is now sitting inside the top 15 and has a chance to make his first Wrangler NFR.
The last couple of weeks in the Northwest has been a big part of getting him there.
Sharon won the first round in Kennewick with 88.5 points on Calgary Stampede's Birch Bubbles before coming back with an 88 point ride in the finals to finish second. Across two head, he put together 176.5 points to win the average and take home the overall championship. Ryder Wright finished second in the average with 174 points. Wright currently sits No. 2 in the world.
For Sharon, the win capped off several weeks of making money throughout the Northwest. He has been inside the top 20 for much of the summer, but the big checks have started coming faster over the last few weeks and now he has moved himself into the NFR picture.
Stacking Checks
Sharon started this Northwest stretch in Hermiston, Oregon, where he finished second in the long round and racked up around $6,000. He followed that with a second place finish in Omak, Washington, worth another $2,700, then picked up sixth place checks in Moses Lake, Washington and Burley, Idaho.
Gooding, Idaho, was another strong payday when Sharon finished second for nearly $6,000. He also finished second in the first round of the Xtreme Broncs in Rosebud, South Dakota, adding another $2,800.
Then he headed to Bremerton, Washington, for the Kitsap Stampede and put together an 89 point ride to finish second and pick up around $5,000.
That stretch of consistency is what has moved Sharon from being a name in the Rookie of the Year conversation to being a serious NFR contender in 2026.
He is currently leading the saddle bronc Rookie of the Year race comfortably. Sharon finished second in the 2025 permit standings after winning more than $88,000 and has carried that success directly into his first full PRCA season. Rookie of the Year might of been the goal when his rookie season began, but now the goal is even bigger. Not only is an NFR trip possible, but a gold buckle also on the line.
A Big Year for Sharon
Sharon is only 21, but his first professional season has already included a lot of change.
He is competing for Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, while also traveling the country chasing his professional rodeo goals. He married his wife, Brendi, in May, and she has been part of the summer road life with him.
Brendi SharonHis younger brother Traven Sharon has also been part of the traveling crew, along with fellow Colorado cowboy Mitchie Story.
He has been quick to credit the role his faith plays in his career, regularly giving God the credit for the opportunities he has been given and the success that has followed.
Brendi talked about this on social media saying, "Regardless of the outcome this season, we are finding peace in knowing that we will end up exactly where God want us."
Right now, Sharon sits No. 13 in the PRCA World Standings with more than $134,000 won. He has spent the summer living the dream and winning big checks, and Kennewick might end up being the most important of them all.
There is still lots rodeo left before the regular season ends, so nothing is guaranteed. The standings can move quickly when some the biggest rodeos of the fall are still ahead.
But Sharon has done the hard part by getting himself into the conversation. Now the rookie is looking to keep the ball rolling all the way to the Thomas and Mack this December.
