Horse of the Year Banker Carries Three Cowboys To Round 4 Payday

If anyone needed a reminder of why Telle Em PYC “Banker” was voted the 2025 Nutrena Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year presented by AQHA, Round 4 delivered it in large bold print.

Three cowboys, Justin Shaffer, Tucker Allen, and Jesse Brown, are all mounted on Banker. All three found their way to the pay window on a night that reshaped the steer wrestling world standings and really showed off just how special this horse truly is.

Banker entered the NFR with huge expectations and is living up to every bit of it. Before the finals even began, he had already carried Jesse Brown into the NFR ranked No. 2 with $162,156.51, Justin Shaffer ranked No. 3 with $155,733.24, and Tucker Allen ranked No. 5 with $150,867.48. Now, through four rounds in Las Vegas, he has taken their success further. 

In round 4, the headline run came from Tucker Allen, who matched Will Lummus for the win with a fast 4.0 seconds. It marked Allen’s second go-round win of the finals, and both of them have been on Banker. His confidence, timing, and horsepower are clicking perfectly, and this run vaulted him into No. 2 in the average and No. 2 in the world standings.

Not far behind was Jesse Brown who stopped the clock at 4.2 seconds, good enough for third in the round and more valuable money in a now-tighter race. Justin Shaffer, Banker’s owner, also earned a check with a 4.6, further proving just how dominant and consistent this horse is. 

With the earnings piling up nightly, Banker is almost certain to surpass the $1 million mark in career earnings before the end of his Vegas trip. Banker is fast, honest, and smart, everything a cowboy wants in a bulldogging horse.

While Banker and his three guys took three of the checks in round 4, the world standings leader Will Lummus also came in clutch. Lummus earned a share of the round win with his own 4.0 but has two heartbreaking no-times on the board. He is currently out of the average, meaning he will need big, aggressive runs to keep him in the running for the gold buckle. 

Behind Lummus, the standings are shifting fast. Tucker Allen now sits No. 2 in the world. With six rounds left to go, it is looking like the momentum belongs to the cowboy riding Banker.

This is Jesse Brown’s 6th NFR, Justin Shaffer’s and Tucker Allen’s 2nd. A horse like Banker makes them all look like seasoned veterans. He scores sharp, runs hard, and gives them a chance to capitalize every single run. Banker will have 30 runs in the Thomas and Mack just this year at the end of these 10 days. 

The story of Banker is still unfolding and the next six rounds might be his biggest chapters yet.

1.(tie) Tucker Allen and Will Lummus, 4.0 seconds
3. Dakota Eldridge, 4.24
Jesse Brown, 4.5
5. Justin Shaffer, 4.6
6. Ty Erickson, 5.0
7. Bridger Anderson, 5.3
8. Gavin Soileau, 6.8
9. Stetson Jorgensen, 7.8
10. J.D. Struxness, 13.5
11. Tyler Waguespack, 13.7
12. (tie) Kyle Irwin and Rowdy Parrott, 13.9 each
14. Scott Guenthner and Chance Howard, NT.

1. Will Lummus, $256,569
2. Tucker Allen, $233,316
3. Ty Erickson, $209,602
4. Jesse Brown, $198,179
5. Tyler Waguespack, $193,138
6. J.D. Struxness, $186,129
7. Justin Shaffer, $175,236
8. Stetson Jorgensen, $171,460
9. Bridger Anderson, $163,388
10. Rowdy Parrott, $160,877
11. Dakota Eldridge, $159,756
12. Kyle Irwin, $154,763
13. Scott Guenthner, $132,070
14. Chance Howard, $118,298
15. Gavin Soileau, $115,899

1. Ty Erickson, 16.6 seconds on four head
2. Tucker Allen, 17.9
 3. Dakota Eldridge, 20.0
4. Stetson Jorgensen, 26.1
5. Tyler Waguespack, 26.2
6. J.D. Struxness, 26.37
Rowdy Parrott, 28.9
8. Kyle Irwin, 31.9
9. Gavin Soileau, 55.1
10. Bridger Anderson, 13.2 on three head
11. Jesse Brown, 13.6
12. Scott Guenthner, 14.0
13. Chance Howard, 14.2
14. Justin Shaffer, 15.9
15. Will Lummus, 8.0 on two head.