Award-winning stock and proven matchups set the tone as the National Finals Rodeo heads into its final round. Gold Buckles are on the line.
With average titles and gold buckles on the line the Round 10 draw in the roughstock events adds another layer of intrigue, especially with TV pens once again out of play. Horses and bulls that appeared earlier in the week, including Round 5, are back in the mix as the 2025 NFR reaches its final night.
For the athletes, this means opportunity and the pressure has arrived. There is no holding back now as the final horses and bulls are loaded in the yellow chutes.
Bareback Riding
The Round 10 bareback draw offers several proven matchups that could directly influence the world title race.
Rocker Steiner drew Disco Party from the Calgary Stampede, a horse that was out in Round 5 and helped Jacek Frost score 86.5 points. A ride in that range, or higher, would likely be enough to secure Steiner his world championship. With Rockers style, this matchup could lead to a round win too.
Jess Pope will climb aboard Bill Fick’s Top Notch from Pickett Pro Rodeo. The horse did not buck in Round 5, but its résumé tells the story. Top Notch teamed up with Steiner for an 89-point ride in San Antonio earlier this year and has round-winning history inside the Thomas & Mack Center, giving Pope a real opportunity as well.
Sam Peterson drew Boot Barn’s Night Flight, also from Pickett Pro Rodeo. In Round 5, Kade Sonnier finished fourth with an 87.75-point ride on Night Flight.
Kade Sonnier, meanwhile, picked up a once in a lifetime draw in Lunatic Heaven, the Bareback Horse of the Year from Brookman Rodeo. Lunatic Heaven helped Steiner win Round 5 earlier this finals with a huge 90 point ride and now returns for another high-stakes appearance, setting Sonnier up with one of the night’s most exciting matchups.
Saddle Bronc Riding
The saddle bronc riding draw brings added significance, with three Wright brothers still battling for gold and Damien Brennan positioned to capitalize too if things line up in his favor.
Brennan drew Virgil from C5 Rodeo Company. This is a legendary bronc making his final trip out of the chute before retirement tonight. Damien will get the honor to be the last cowboy on the big grey geldings back.
Virgil’s reputation for big scores is clearly well established, and a high-mark ride would not be unexpected. The matchup gives Brennan a chance to make a serious move in the standings on a historic night for one of rodeo’s greatest horses.
Stetson Wright drew Shady Jacket from J Bar J Rodeo. The pair have a proven history, teaming up for 90 points at the 2023 Xtreme Broncs Finals, where Wright won the title. Stetson already has three round wins in the saddle bronc, and this draw could lead to another.
Ryder Wright drew Dandy Delight from the Calgary Stampede. In Round 5, Stetson Wright rode Dandy Delight for 87 points, finishing fifth. The horse will keep Ryder in contention for sure.
Statler Wright, working toward his first world title and currently leading the average, drew R. Watson’s Ed Bishop from Cervi Championship Rodeo. The horse delivered one of the biggest scores of the week in Round 5, when Damien Brennan was 90 points for the round win. This kind of ideal draw places Statler in a prime position to secure his first gold buckle.
Three Brothers, One Gold Buckle: Wrights Take Over Saddle Bronc Race in Round 9
World Championships run in the Wright family blood. Stetson, Statler, and Ryder are all in gold buckle contention with one round remaining.
Bull Riding
The Round 10 bull riding draw features the best. Stetson Wright, the world standings leader drew Magic Touch, the 2025 Bull of the Year from Sankey Pro Rodeo.
Magic Touch was out in Round 5, where Jesse Petri was unable to make the whistle. The bull is known for its power and intensity, but the matchup could align well with Wright’s riding style. This matchup could be a round win, and secure Wrights world championship.
Ky Hamilton drew Badlands from Silver Creek Pro Rodeos. In Round 5, Bryce Jensen scored 89.5 points aboard Badlands. Last night, we saw Ky being helped out of the arena due to torn ligaments he suffered in his knee. However, we have seen Ky come back from injury before, and he is never one to count out.
Ky currently leads the average tied with TJ Gray. Gray drew Mr. Priefert from Rosser Rodeo. Hayes Weight did not make the 8 seconds on Mr. Priefert in round 5. However, this bull was second in the bull of the year in 2025, and is known for producing huge scores when covered. TJ is riding outstanding, and could get another round win here tonight in Round 10.
Everything in Play on the Final Night
With TV pens out again and gold buckles on the line the Round 10 is shaping up to be nail biting. Horses and bulls that already proved their scoring potential earlier in the week now return with those world championships on the line.
As the 2025 Wrangler National Finals reach their conclusion, there are no adjustments left to make. These guys have to put it all on the line tonight, and let the card lay where they will.