Round Two at the 2026 Cinch UPRA Finals Delivers Big Rides and Big Swings

Things heated up quickly on Saturday, October 24, as contestants returned to the arena for Round Two of the 2026 Cinch UPRA Finals Rodeo, held in conjunction with the Brazos Valley Fair & Rodeo. With another performance in the books, competitors continued battling for valuable prize money, average titles, and their place in the United Professional Rodeo Association’s year-end championship standings.

The bareback riding competition featured a tie for the round victory as Jaspur Farris and Ethan Crouch each posted 80-point rides. Connor Griffith followed with 79.5 points, while Round One winner Zach Hibler finished fourth with 78 points.

In saddle bronc riding, Hunter Greathouse claimed the Round Two victory with an 82-point ride. Carson Neal followed with 80 points, while Rylan Cherry and Korbin Baker rounded out the top four with scores of 79.5 and 78.5, respectively. Neal’s consistency moved him to the top of the average standings with 159 points on two head. Kyle Welch and Baker shared second with 155.5 points.

Ranch bronc riding saw Austin Kelly deliver the highest-scoring ride of the round with 81 points, earning $1,611.04. Taran Knox followed with 76.5 points, while Joshua Jaskinia finished third with 70 points and Jimmie Zesch took fourth with 68.5.

In bull riding, Briggs Cooley captured the Round Two victory with an impressive 85-point ride, earning $2,445.84. Ty Lavergne followed with 81.5 points, collecting $1,834.38. Carter Shaw finished third with 80 points, while Colton Burkard rounded out the top four with 77.5 points.

The timed events continued to deliver close competition, with several contestants separating themselves by only fractions of a second.

In steer wrestling, Ryan Lewis captured the Round Two victory with a 4.1-second run. Tony Aska followed with 4.4 seconds, while Mitchell Hutto and Cade Staton tied for third with 4.6-second runs. Aska maintained the lead in the average standings with 8.8 seconds on two head, followed by Lewis at 9.20 seconds.

Tie-down roping featured an impressive 7.70-second run from Clint Nyeggaard, securing the Round Two victory. Cameron Crow finished second with 8.10 seconds, followed by Hudson Hermes and Ty Rogers, who tied for third with 8.80-second runs.

Despite Nyeggaard’s round victory, Jhett Akins maintained his lead in the tie-down roping average with 18.30 seconds on two head. Crow followed just one-tenth of a second behind with 18.40 seconds.

Team roping delivered another competitive finish as Cash Palmore and Blaine Vick captured the Round Two victory with a 4.32-second run. Johnson and Ray followed with 4.45 seconds, while Egusquiza and Thompson finished third with 4.55 seconds.

Palmore and Vick’s winning performance also placed them atop the team roping average standings with a combined time of 9.41 seconds on two head. Ringelstein and Ringelstein held second with 10.13 seconds, followed by Johnson and Ray at 10.69 seconds.

In barrel racing, Kaily Richardson claimed the Round Two victory with a 15.294-second run, earning $3,013.36. Round One winner Ivy Hurst followed with a 15.351, collecting $2,260.02. Kristin Dunn finished third with a 15.452, while Savannah Toon rounded out the top four with a 15.495.

Breakaway roping saw Sarah Angelone secure the Round Two victory with a 2.21-second run, earning $3,410.72. Kelsie Reininger followed with 2.34 seconds, while Ellie Boyd finished third with 2.59 seconds and Tylie Siemsen took fourth with 2.66.

Angelone’s consistency also placed her atop the breakaway average standings with 4.41 seconds on two head. Kelsie Reininger held second with 5.46 seconds, followed by Whitney Profili with 6.42 seconds.

With two rounds completed, the Finals continued to showcase the talent and determination of the UPRA’s leading competitors. Some contestants built on strong opening performances, while others made significant moves in the standings during Saturday’s competition.

As the Cinch UPRA Finals Rodeo headed into its final performance Sunday, October 25, every ride and run remained important in determining the event’s average winners and the association’s 2026 year-end champions.