The 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo wrapped up in spectacular fashion at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, showcasing the pinnacle of professional rodeo talent and delivering some of the most compelling stories our sport has seen in years. With a record-breaking $12.5 million purse and total attendance reaching 170,045 over the ten performances, this year’s NFR proved once again why it remains the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world.
All-Around Excellence: Shad Mayfield’s Historic Victory
In what might be the most dramatic finish of the entire NFR, Shad Mayfield captured his first PRCA All-Around World Championship by the slimmest of margins – just $675 over Coleman Proctor. The 24-year-old from Clovis, New Mexico, showcased his versatility by competing in tie-down roping, steer roping, and team roping heading, finishing with $335,474 in total earnings. This victory adds to his impressive resume, which already included the 2020 Tie-Down Roping World Championship.

The all-around title came down to the final night, with Mayfield needing a strong performance in the tie-down roping to secure the crown. His 9.6-second run in Round 10 proved crucial, landing him fourth in the average with a 94.6-second time on 10 head. This clutch performance, worth $40,751, sealed the deal after Proctor and his partner Logan Medlin received a no-time earlier in the evening.
“The all-around buckle is really special,” Mayfield reflected. “I’m going to get plenty of opportunities for a gold buckle in the tie-down roping, but the all-around is so much harder to win. You are battling so many other cowboys across other events.”

Webb’s Dominance in Tie-Down Roping
The tie-down roping competition saw Riley Webb continue his remarkable career trajectory, claiming his second consecutive world championship at just 21 years old. Webb’s performance wasn’t just about winning – it was about making history. He set a new event record for season earnings with $475,215, surpassing his own mark of $452,852 from 2023.
Webb’s path to victory exemplified the strategic thinking needed at this level of competition. “Coming in, I knew I was going to have to play offense the whole time,” Webb explained. “I needed to win a couple of rounds. And I knew tonight if I wanted a chance at the gold buckle, I was going to have to win the average.”


Team Roping: Wade and Thorp Defend Their Crown
The team roping championship provided some of the most intense competition of the entire NFR, with multiple teams in contention heading into the final round. When the dust settled, Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp emerged victorious for the second consecutive year, setting new single-season earnings records in the process. Their total of $361,480 each surpassed the previous mark of $340,708 set by Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira in 2022.
One of the most compelling stories from the team roping arena came from Coleman Proctor, whose decision in the final round exemplified the spirit of rodeo. Despite being in position to win the all-around title by playing it safe, Proctor chose to “rope for the win” to give his partner a chance at a gold buckle. This selfless act, while ultimately not resulting in success, demonstrated the kind of partnership and sportsmanship that defines our sport.

Breaking New Ground Across Events
The 2024 NFR wasn’t just about roping excellence. Every event provided memorable moments and remarkable achievements:
In bull riding, Josh Frost finally claimed his first world title after three consecutive runner-up finishes. Frost’s consistency was remarkable – he was the only rider to stay on more than five bulls, finishing with 580 points on seven head.
The barrel racing competition delivered one of the most emotional stories of the NFR, with Kassie Mowry capturing her first world title while riding her late fiancé’s horse, Jarvis. Mowry dominated the event, winning five consecutive rounds and earning the RAM Top Gun Award with $295,526 in NFR earnings.
Dean Thompson’s journey to the bareback riding championship showed that persistence pays off. After competing in 14 rounds at the NFR without winning a single go-round buckle, Thompson captured both the world title and the average championship.
Ryder Wright added another chapter to his family’s legacy in saddle bronc riding, winning his third world title with a dramatic 89.5-point ride in Round 10 on Andrews Rodeo’s All or Nothin.
J.D. Struxness emerged victorious in the steer wrestling, demonstrating the importance of horsepower by sharing his mount, Crush (the Nutrena Horse of the Year), with fellow competitors throughout the week.
The Future of Professional Rodeo
As we reflect on this year’s NFR, it’s clear that professional rodeo continues to evolve while maintaining its core values. The event’s success was evident not just in the arena, but also at The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas, which drew 310,827 attendees over its 10-day run at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The level of competition we witnessed this year, particularly in the roping events, suggests that we’re entering a new golden age of rodeo. Young champions like Riley Webb are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, while veterans like Shad Mayfield are showing that versatility and determination can lead to the sport’s highest honors.
What makes these achievements even more remarkable is the increasing pressure and sophistication of modern rodeo. With larger purses, more media coverage, and advancing technology in everything from arena conditions to livestock care, today’s competitors must excel in ways their predecessors never imagined.
Looking Ahead
As we close the books on the 2024 NFR, it’s worth noting that this event represented more than just competition – it showcased the values that make rodeo unique in professional sports. The sportsmanship displayed by competitors like Coleman Proctor, the resilience shown by Kassie Mowry, and the historic achievements across all events remind us why this sport continues to captivate audiences and inspire new generations of cowboys and cowgirls.
The record attendance numbers and growing purses suggest that professional rodeo’s future is bright. As we look ahead to 2025, one thing is certain: the bar has been raised once again, and the path to next year’s NFR will be more competitive than ever.
For the ropers who make up the heart of our readership at Ropers Sports News, this year’s NFR provided plenty of inspiration and motivation. From Webb’s record-breaking performance to Mayfield’s all-around excellence and Wade and Thorp’s historic earnings, the roping events continue to showcase some of rodeo’s most exciting moments and most talented athletes.
The 2024 NFR wasn’t just about who won and who lost – it was about the stories behind the statistics, the moments of truth in the arena, and the continuation of traditions that make professional rodeo one of America’s most unique and compelling sports. As we turn our attention to the 2025 season, we can only imagine what new chapters will be written in this ongoing story of determination, skill, and western heritage.
Bareback Riding: Tenth round: 1. Leighton Berry, 91 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo Co.’s Boot Barn’s Night Crawler, $33,687; 2. Dean Thompson, 88.5, $26,624; 3. (tie) Rocker Steiner, Keenan Hayes and Weston Timberman, 88, $14,308 each; 6. (tie) Jess Pope and Cole Franks, 87, $2,717 each; 8. R.C. Landingham, 86.5; 9. Jacob Lees, Caldwell, 85.5; 10. Garrett Shadbolt, 84; 11. Richmond Champion, 83.5; 12. Taylor Broussard, 82.5; 13. Bradlee Miller, 81.5; 14. Cole Reiner, 80; 15. Cooper Cooke, 73. Average: 1. Dean Thompson, 854.5 points on ten head, $86,391; 2. Cole Franks, 853.5, $70,091; 3. Keenan Hayes, 851.5, $55,421; 4. Weston Timberman, 848.5, $40,751; 5. Jess Pope, 846.5, $29,340; 6. Bradlee Miller, 843.5, $21,190; 7. Leighton Berry, 837, $14,670; 8. R.C. Landingham, 834, $8,150; 9. (tie) Cole Reiner and Richmond Champion, 833.5 each; 11. Garrett Shadbolt, 810; 12. Jacob Lees, 809; 13. Cooper Cooke, 796; 14. Rocker Steiner, 780.5 points on nine head; 15. Taylor Broussard, 653 points on eight head. World Standings: 1. Dean Thompson, $412,121; 2. Rocker Steiner, $394,187; 3. Keenan Hayes, $372,797; 4. Bradlee Miller, $371,403; 5. Jess Pope, $307,108; 6. Cole Franks, $295,896; 7. Weston Timberman, $292,509; 8. Leighton Berry, $263,370; 9. R.C. Landingham, $217,190; 10. Cole Reiner, $185,524; 11. Jacob Lees, $178,518; 12. Cooper Cooke, $177,502; 13. Richmond Champion, $167,400; 14. Taylor Broussard, $158,335; 15. Garrett Shadbolt, $147,096.
Steer Wrestling: Tenth round: 1. Jesse Brown, 3.4 seconds, $33,687; 2. J.D. Struxness, 3.6, $26,624; 3. Justin Shaffer, 3.7, $20,104; 4. Cash Robb, 4.0, $14,127; 5. Tyler Waguespack, 4.1, $8,693; 6. Stetson Jorgensen, 4.2, $5,433; 7. (tie) Ty Erickson and Tucker Allen, 4.3 each; 9. Will Lummus, 4.5; 10. Dalton Massey, 4.6; 11. Rowdy Parrott, 5.0; 12. (tie) Dakota Eldridge and Don Payne, 5.4 each; 14. Tyler Pearson, 7.9; 15. Scott Guenthner, 11.1. Average: 1. Cash Robb, 43.1 seconds on ten head, $86,391; 2. Will Lummus, 43.2, $70,091; 3. Rowdy Parrott, 43.3, $55,421; 4. Tucker Allen, 45.3, $40,751; 5. Tyler Waguespack, 46.3, $29,340; 6. Don Payne, 47.7, $21,190; 7. Stetson Jorgensen, 55.2, $14,670; 8. J.D. Struxness, 36.0 seconds on nine head, $8,150; 9. Dakota Eldridge, 38.8; 10. Justin Shaffer, 39.4; 11. Jesse Brown, 44.4; 12. Scott Guenthner, 64.8; 13. Tyler Pearson, 65.7; 14. Ty Erickson, 35.3 seconds on eight head; 15. Dalton Massey, 47.3. World Standings: 1. J.D. Struxness, $309,220; 2. Will Lummus, $307,713; 3. Cash Robb, $301,671; 4. Dakota Eldridge, $287,798; 5. Rowdy Parrott, $272,377; 6. Jesse Brown, $258,553; 7. Stetson Jorgensen, $218,630; 8. Dalton Massey, $217,956; 9. Tyler Waguespack, $205,619; 10. Scott Guenthner, $198,787; 11. Tucker Allen, $185,119; 12. Don Payne, $180,469; 13. Justin Shaffer, $177,469; 14. Ty Erickson, $172,141; 15. Tyler Pearson, $130,112.
Team Roping: Tenth round: 1. Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, 3.5 seconds, $33,687 each; 2. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 3.8, $26,624; 3. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 3.9, $20,104; 4. Clint Summers/Jake Long, 4.0, $14,127; 5. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 4.1, $8,693; 6. Derrick Begay/Jonathan Torres, 5.3, $5,433; 7. Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, 5.9; 8. (tie) J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II and Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 8.8 each; 10. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 8.9; 11. Luke Brown/Travis Graves, 9.1; 12. (tie) Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, Cyle Denison/Tanner Braden and Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, NT. Average: 1.Clint Summers/Jake Long, 44.3 seconds on nine head, $86,391; 2. Derrick Begay/Jonathan Torres, 65.1, $70,091; 3. Clay Smith/Coleby Payne, 76.6, $55,421; 4. Erich Rogers/Paul Eaves, 43.6 seconds on eight head, $40,751; 5. Cody Snow/Hunter Koch, 46.3, $29,340; 6. J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins II, 50.3, $21,190; 7. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 50.5, $14,670; 8. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 28.5 seconds on seven head, $8,150; 9. Luke Brown/Travis Graves, 55.1; 10. Jake Smith/Douglas Rich, 56.8; 11. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 23.0 seconds on six head; 12. Andrew Ward/Kollin VonAhn, 25.4; 13. Brenten Hall/Kaden Profili, 33.8; 14.Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 19.8 seconds on four head; 15. Cyle Denison/Tanner Braden, 22.3. World Standings (headers): 1. Tyler Wade, $361,480; 2. Clint Summers, $342,501; 3. Coleman Proctor, $304,886; 4. Kaleb Driggers, $294,671; 5. Dustin Egusquiza, $278,925; 6. Andrew Ward, $258,509; 7. J.C. Yeahquo, $235,999; 8. Erich Rogers, $228,612; 9. Cody Snow, $223,405; 10. Brenten Hall, $221,511; 11. Derrick Begay, $218,847; 12. Clay Smith, $214,908; 13. Jake Smith, $153,493; 14. Cyle Denison, $138,372; 15. Luke Brown, $134,482. World Standings (heelers): 1. Wesley Thorp, $361,480; 2. Jake Long, $345,938; 3. Junior Nogueira, $305,796; 4. Logan Medlin, $291,653; 5. Levi Lord, $278,925; 6. Kollin VonAhn, $247,311; 7. Jonathan Torres, $231,483; 8. Paul Eaves, $229,211; 9. Hunter Koch, $225,416; 10. Buddy Hawkins II, $224,492; 11. Coleby Payne, $224,022; 12. Kaden Profili, $222,684; 13. Tanner Braden, $154,519; 14. Douglas Rich, $153,493; 15. Travis Graves, $129,106.
Saddle Bronc Riding: Tenth round: 1. (tie) Ryder Wright, on Andrews Rodeo’s All or Nothin and Lefty Holman, on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ THE Black Tie, 89.5 points, $30,155 each; 3. Brody Cress, 89, $20,104; 4. (tie) Damian Brennan and Kade Bruno, 87, $11,410 each; 6. (tie) Zeke Thurston, Sage Newman, Statler Wright and Brody Wells, 86.5, $1,358 each; 10. Ben Andersen, 86; 11. Wyatt Casper, 85.5; 12. Kolby Wanchuk, 84; 13. Dawson Hay, 83; 14. (tie) Zac Dallas and Logan Hay, NS. Average: 1. Wyatt Casper, 853 points on ten head, $86,391; 2. Damian Brennan, 850, $70,091; 3. Dawson Hay, 847.5, $55,421; 4. Zeke Thurston, 842; $40,751; 5. Kolby Wanchuk, 822, $29,340; 6. Ben Andersen, 817.5, $21,190; 7. Ryder Wright, 786.5 points on nine head, $14,670; 8. Lefty Holman, 761, $8,150; 9. Brody Wells, 759.5; 10. Brody Cress, 754.5; 11. Sage Newman, 753.5; 12. Kade Bruno, 745.5; 13. Zac Dallas, 735; 14. Statler Wright, 682.5 points on eight head; 15. Logan Hay, 415.5 points on five head. World Standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $479,957; 2. Damian Brennan, $442,443; 3. Wyatt Casper, $439,332; 4. Zeke Thurston, $362,111; 5. Brody Cress, $345,878; 6. Lefty Holman, $319,884; 7. Dawson Hay, $304,017; 8. Statler Wright, $275,645; 9. Kade Bruno, $267,369; 10. Brody Wells, $230,564; 11. Sage Newman, $219,764; 12. Kolby Wanchuk, $200,727; 13. Ben Andersen, $163,908; 14. Zachary Dallas, $146,220; 15. Logan Hay, $144,041.
Tie-Down Roping: Tenth round: 1. Dylan Hancock, 7.0 seconds, $33,687; 2. John Douch, 7.5, $26,624; 3. Zack Jongbloed, 7.6, $20,104; 4. Hunter Herrin, 7.7, $14,127; 5. Riley Mason Webb, 8.3, $8,693; 6. (tie) Marty Yates and Joel Harris, 8.9, $2,717 each; 8. Shane Hanchey, 9.3; 9. (tie) Shad Mayfield and Cole Clemons, 9.6 each; 11. Haven Meged, 10.7; 12. Ty Harris, 11.0; 13. Quade Hiatt, 12.4; 14. Kincade Henry, 19.0; 15. Tuf Cooper, NT. Average: 1. Riley Mason Webb, 79.7 seconds on ten head, $86,391; 2. Shane Hanchey, 90.5, $70,091; 3. Haven Meged, 93.4, $55,421; 4. Shad Mayfield, 94.6, $40,751; 5. Quade Hiatt, 95.1, $29,340; 6. Dylan Hancock, 95.8, $21,190; 7. Ty Harris, 97.8, $14,670; 8. Joel Harris, 99.1, $8,150; 9. Kincade Henry, 112.8; 10. Zack Jongbloed, 80.3 seconds on nine head; 11. John Douch, 97.9; 12. Tuf Cooper, 68.6 seconds on eight head; 13. Cole Clemons, 94.5; 14. Marty Yates, 61.1 seconds on seven head; 15. Hunter Herrin, 80.5. World Standings: 1. Riley Mason Webb, $380,129; 2. Shad Mayfield, $356,658; 3. Haven Meged, $332,370; 4. Ty Harris, $327,427; 5. Joel Harris, $255,039; 6. Shane Hanchey, $218,647; 7. Dylan Hancock, $213,086; 8. Tuf Cooper, $208,803; 9. Zack Jongbloed, $208,495; 10. Marty Yates, $207,434; 11. John Douch, $191,341; 12. Kincade Henry, $174,322; 13. Quade Hiatt, $166,496; 14. Hunter Herrin, $162,796; 15. Cole Clemons, $122,111.
Barrel Racing: Tenth round: 1. Emily Beisel, 13.51 seconds, $33,687; 2. Kassie Mowry, 13.59, $26,624; 3. (tie) Andrea Busby and Shelley Morgan, 13.61, $17,115 each; 5. Halyn Lide, 13.66, $8,693; 6. Ashley Castleberry, 13.78, $5,433; 7. Hailey Kinsel, 13.97; 8. LaTricia Duke, 14.06; 9. Wenda Johnson, 14.27; 10. Abby Phillips, 14.52; 11. Lisa Lockhart, 18.36; 12. Tiany Schuster, 18.70; 13. Carlee Otero, 19.32; 14. Leslie Smalygo, 23.85; 15. Dona Kay Rule, Inj. Average: 1. Andrea Busby, 136.18 seconds on ten runs, $86,391; 2. Ashley Castleberry, 142.73, $70,091; 3. LaTricia Duke, 143.84, $55,421; 4. Kassie Mowry, 144.12, $40,751; 5. Hailey Kinsel, 145.70, $29,340; 6. Emily Beisel, 146.65, $21,190; 7. Tiany Schuster, 146.97, $14,670; 8. Halyn Lide, 148.17, $8,150; 9. Carlee Otero, 152.55; 10. Lisa Lockhart, 156.91; 11. Wenda Johnson, 158.46; 12. Abby Phillips, 158.69; 13. Shelley Morgan, 162.23; 14. Leslie Smalygo, 149.16 seconds on nine head; 15. Dona Kay Rule, 88.26 seconds on six head. World standings: 1. Kassie Mowry, $457,809; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $430,353; 3. Andrea Busby, $343,706; 4. Ashley Castleberry, $287,273; 5. Emily Beisel, $261,806; 6. Carlee Otero, $261,441; 7. Leslie Smalygo, $251,548; 8. LaTricia Duke, $211,395; 9. Tiany Schuster, $208,511; 10. Lisa Lockhart, $187,292; 11. Shelley Morgan, $176,610; 12. Abby Phillips, $165,164; 13. Halyn Lide, $157,503; 14. Dona Kay Rule, $140,174; 15. Wenda Johnson, $127,970.
Bull Riding: Tenth round: 1. Hayes Weight, 87.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Frontier Rodeo Coffee Misunderstood, $108,668; 2. (tie) Wacey Schalla, T.J. Gray, Josh Frost, Jace Trosclair, Jeter Lawrence, Chase Dougherty, Cooper James, Trevor Reiste, Jordan Spears, Trey Kimzey, Dustin Boquet and Tyler Bingham, NS. 13. Clayton Sellars, Creek Young and Tristen Hutchings, Inj. Average: 1. Josh Frost, 580 points on seven head, $86,391; 2. Cooper James, 428 points on five head, $70,091; 3. Tristen Hutchings, 422, $55,421; 4. Tyler Bingham, 338.5 points on four head, $40,751; 5. Jace Trosclair, 336.5, $29,340; 6. T.J. Gray, 253.5 points on three head, $21,190; 7. Trey Kimzey, 240.5, $14,670; 8. Hayes Weight, 175.5 points on two head, $8,150; 9. Jordan Spears, 174; 10. (tie) Jeter Lawrence and Trevor Reiste, 172 each; 12. Wacey Schalla, 170.5; 13. Chase Dougherty, 168; 14. Clayton Sellars, 166; 15. Dustin Boquet, 82.5 points on one head; 16. Creek Young, Inj. World Standings: 1. Josh Frost, $390,496; 2. T.J. Gray, $329,191; 3. Cooper James, $301,211; 4. Jace Trosclair, $285,993; 5. Hayes Weight, $283,242; 6. Tristen Hutchings, $268,314; 7. Wacey Schalla, $257,887; 8. Jeter Lawrence, $256,341; 9. Clayton Sellars, $252,140; 10. Tyler Bingham, $215,487; 11. Trey Kimzey, $210,991; 12. Trevor Reiste, $207,889; 13. Chase Dougherty, $196,204; 14. Jordan Spears, $194,331; 15. Creek Young, $131,609; 16. Dustin Boquet, $131,352.
All-around: 1. Shad Mayfield, $335,474; 2. Coleman Proctor, $334,799; 3. Junior Nogueira, $307,711; 4. Wacey Schalla, $224,680; 5. Erich Rogers, $220,067; 6. Tuf Cooper, $214,375; 7. Tyler Pearson, $128,912; 8. Paden Bray, $107,547; 9. Jake Clay, $101,966; 10. Slade Wood, $97,955.
Top Gun Award: 1. Kassie Mowry, $295,526; 2. Riley Mason Webb, $258,307; 3. Josh Frost, $247,169; 4. Dean Thompson, $239,924; 5. Bradlee Miller, $234,037; 6. Ryder Wright, $228,695; 7. Andrea Busby, $227,880; 8. Hailey Kinsel, $226,250; 9. Wyatt Casper, $219,549; 10. Cooper James, $199,626.