Round 5 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

Rocker Steiner couldn't have asked for a better birthday gift than taking first in the bareback with a dazzling 89 point ride on a snappy little bronc called Lunatic Heaven (Brookman Rodeo). Sam Peterson had a good mark out and a smooth ride to take second with his 88.75 point ride on Resistol's Secrets Out (Pete Carr Pro Rodeo). Wacey Schalla had a spectacular 88 point ride on Halo's Iron Hide (Legand Rodeo Stock LLC) for third. You may have noticed that Jacek Frost had tape in his hands and that was to help him remember to focus and be mindful of how he is holding his arm. Kade Sonnier had one of his best rides so far to take fourth with his 87.75 point ride on Boot Barn's Night Flight (Pickett Pro Rodeo).

Oh Canada. Scott Guenthner knocked Justin Shaffer out of first by .1 seconds with his 3.4 second run to take first in the steer wrestling. Incredibly run tonight by Will Lumus on a steer that almost ran in front of him but good move by his horse Swamper staying in the right place to let Lumus throw one down in 3.7 seconds for third. J.D. Struxness had great hustle to get his steer down in 4.0 seconds. Ty Erickson bobbled the steers horns a bit on the head catch allowing the inner horn to slip behind him letting the steer get away and resulting in a no time. This changed things up a bit in the averages as he drops back to eighth place.

There was no mini grand entry victory lap tonight in the team roping as Kolton Schmidt & Jonathan Torres were the lone first place winners with their 3.7 second run. Tanner Tomlinson & Travis Graves took a close second with a sniper of a heel shot to stop the clock at 3.8 seconds. Clint Summers & Jade Corkill took third with their pretty 3.9 second run. Tyler Wade & Wesley Thorp seem to have shaken off the bad luck of the earlier rounds after last night's win and once again were in the money taking fifth with their 4.7 second run.

Aussie Damian Brennan had great spurring and fast footwork to take first in the saddle bronc riding with a phenomenal 90 point ride on R. Watson's Ed Bishop (Cervi Championship Rodeo). Rodeo fans were excited to see the soon-to-be retiring, much beloved Virgil (C5 Rodeo) in the lineup tonight. He was paired up with Brody Cress who matched the bronc for some gorgeous big jumps to score 89.5 points and take second. Dawson Hay battle it out for eight seconds with a powerful bronc called Crocket (Calgary Stampede) for 89 points and third. Zeke Thurston was matched with The Black Tie (Sanky Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics) and had a big rear out followed by some great air time to take 88.25 and fourth. Stetson Wright edged out Kade Bruno for fifth by .25 points with his 87 point ride on showy little snappy horse called Dandy Delight (Calgary Stampede). His brother Ryder had a good ride but unfortunately the judges flagged him for missing his mark out resulting in a no time.

Heavy calves gave the tie-down ropers a bit of trouble tonight when it came to flanking but John Douch managed to flanked his with minimal effort which combined with fast hands helped him take first with a 7.4 second run. Joel Harris also was speedy with his hands and a big flank to take second with a 7.6 second time. Kyle Lucas got it going tonight with his 7.9 second run for third. There were also some changes in the average with Shad Mayfield's calf getting up and Shane Hanchey missing his calf on the first swing resulting in a no time for both. Haven Meged also mistrung his which cost him precious seconds and knocked him out of the money and back to eleventh place.

It was a close battle in the barrel racing with Carlee Otero on Regina taking first with her 13.43 second run. Halyn Lide and Pancakes are finding their stride together and tied for second with Lisa Lockhart and her horse Sasha, with both ladies stopping the clock at 13.55 seconds. Hailey Kinsel was back on Sister tonight and took fourth with her 13.56 second run. Tricia Aldridge must have a barrel racing guardian angel after the second barrel rocked a bit after she bumped it but then settled back into place, which earned her fifth place with a 13.61 second run on Adios. Wenda Johnson and Mo unfortunately are still plagued by troubles getting around the second barrel which pushed her back to fourteenth place tonight after knocking it over for a penalty.

JR Stratford took first with an absolute beauty of a bull ride on a huge bucker called Deal Me In (Rafter H Rodeo Livestock) with his 90.5 points. Bryce Jensen took second on a a fast spinning bucking bull named Badlands (Silver Creek Pro Rodeo) he rode for or 89.5 points. Mason Moody took third with his 88.75 point ride on Wild Bill (Silver Spurs Club) tying with Ky Hamilton who matched his bull Kingdom (Cowtown Rodeo) jump for jump. Jesse Petri was bucked off by Magic Touch (Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics) and appears to be fighting through some pain as he headed back towards the locker room after getting bucked off tonight and stepped on last night. Jordan Spears took a tough buck off Ghostship Warrior (Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics) onto his head and shoulders and was seen being checked out by Justin Sports Med post ride. Pegasus (McCoy Rodeo) made short work of Stetson Wright who was sent flying after a few seconds.