Newman Claims NFR Saddle Bronc Round 3

Sage Newman posted the best ride so far in the third round of saddle bronc riding at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas on Sunday at the Thomas and Mack Center.

Newman, riding WEEKEND DEPARTURE from Calgary Stampede, posted an 89-point ride, beating the 87-point ride that Tanner Butner posted to win the second round.

Newman claimed $30,706 with his third-round victory. It was the first time he finished in the money after three rounds.

Newman finished second in the 2023 world standings and a little more than $4,000 behind Stetson Wright, who had to pull out of the NFR due to a hamstring injury.

Newman is one of nine cowboys seeking their first NFR Saddle Bronc title that have previous NFR experience.

This is Newman’s third straight trip to the NFR. Last year he finished 11th in Las Vegas, where he scored 666 points on eight head. His 2023 season was highlighted by his victory at RodeoHouston last winter.

Ryder Wright finished second on Sunday with an 87.5-point ride on Korkow Rodeo’s Joker Poker, which netted him $24,268.

Lefty Holman rode C5 Rodeo’s Macho Man to third place, while Kade Bruno rode Calgary Stampede’s Y U R FRISKEY to fourth place.

Wyatt Casper Dawson Hay finished in a tie for fifth, rounding out the cowboys that finished in the money on Sunday.

Zeke Thurston, who is defending his 2022 2022 National Finals RodeoSaddle Bronc title, tied for the win in Round One with an 86.5 ride on Vein Reflections from Legacy Pro Rodeo LLC. Kade Bruno posted the same score with a ride on Ragin’ Lunatic from Brookman Rodeo.

Round 2 went to Tanner Butner, who rode Exotic Warrior, supplied by Calgary Stampede, to an 87-point ride.

After three rounds, Thurston, Bruno, Butner, Brody Cress and Chase Brooks have finished in the Top 6 in two of the three rounds.

1. Sage Newman, 89 points, WEEKEND DEPARTURE (Calgary Stampede), $30,706
2. Ryder Wright, 87.5 points, Joker Poker (Korkow Rodeos), $24,268
3. Lefty Holman, 86.5 points, Macho Man (C5 Rodeo), $18,325
4. Kade Bruno, 86 points, Y U R FRISKEY (Calgary Stampede), $12,877
5/6. Wyatt Casper, 85.5 points, Diamond Fever (Corey & Lange Rodeo), $6,438
5/6. Dawson Hay, 85.5 points, Resistol's Pretty Woman (Pete Carr Pro Rodeo), $6,438