Round 7 of The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

Tonight there was another great horse that took his final bucks in the Thomas and Mack as 215-Full Baggage from Frontier Rodeo was retired from rodeo. This 23 year old horse has been selected as a WNFR horse nineteen times, has won PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year twice, Reserve PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year three times, Bareback Horse of the National Finals Rodeo three times, and six times bareback riders have won the round on him. He was matched up tonight with Waylon Bourgeois for 85.5 points placing fourth on the leaderboard. Enjoy your retirement, Full Baggage and thank you for all the incredible rides and memories.

Jess Pope took first tonight in the bareback riding with some great spurring for an 88 point ride on Foxhole Gunner (Pete Carr Pro Rodeo). Cole Franks took second with his explosive 85.75 point ride on Silver Beaver (Bridwell Pro Rodeo). He tied with Mason Clements who had a beauty of a ride on Prairie Rose (Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenomgenetics).

Rowdy Parrot, who was hazed by Matt Reeves, got one down in 4.0 seconds to beat out Tucker Allen for first. Allen took second with his 4.0 run. Jesse Brown and Bridger Anderson also had great runs to tie for third at 4.3 seconds. The Alabma Slamma Kyle Irwin had a strong run on the same steer that slipped past Will Lummus in Round One to tie with J.D. Struxness and Gavin Soileau with their matching 4.4 second runs. Will Lummus got a bit caught up in a pickup man's rope leaving the arena but shook it off without injury.

Whatever was in the water last night was in it again with several runs in the team roping in the 3's. The Graham brothers Dawson and Dillion took first with their quick 3.5 seconds run for first and man what a scary fast heel shot that was by Dillion. Luke Brown and Trey Yates got a bit of redemption after a crossfire penalty left them out of the money last night by tying for second with Clay Smith & Coleby Payne, with both teams clocking 3.7 runs. There was also another tie for fourth between Lightning Aguilera & Kaden Profili and Dustin Egusquiza & Levi Lord for their 3.8 runs.

Statler Wright went back to back round wins taking the first again tonight with just an absolutely beautiful 89.75 point ride on Talk Derby 2 Me (Flying U Rodeo) who can rearing out of the chutes. Great job with footwork and keeping up with his bronc by Statler. Stetson also had an impressive ride on Cracker Jack (Andrews Rodeo) to take second with 88.5 points. He tied with Zeke Thurston who was given a re-ride option on a big bronc with a HUGE rear out of the chutes from Calgary Stampede named Yesterday's Delivery.

Joel Harris also had back to back round wins, taking first tonight with his 7.5 second run to beat out Riley Webb's 7.8 seconds for first. Dylan Hancock also had a good clean 8.0 second run to take third. Shane Hanchey's tough luck continued tonight as he was once again out of the money.

It was rough night in the barrel racing with multiple women knocking over the first and/or second barrels. Kateyln Scott went down around the first barrel and jumped off her horse but Peanut Seed continued the run around the rest of the barrels. That horse has a lot of heart and try. It does not appear that either Scott or Peanut Seed were injured by the fall. Emily Beisel, Wenda Johnson, Carlee Otero, Megan McLeod-Sprague, and Lisa Lockheart also had barrel penalties. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell took first with her 13.45 second run on Piper who was on fire coming down the alley way. Tricia Aldridge had a fast 13.52 second run for second on Adios. Kassie Mowry took third with a 13.62 second run on Cornbread.

There were only two qualified rides in the bull riding tonight with TJ Gray having an spectacular 90.5 point ride on Blue Duck (McCoy Rodeo). Bryce Jensen took second with his 76 points on Orbit (Cowtown Rodeo). He was offered a re-ride but given the pen of bulls made a smart businessman's decision to decline it. Hudson Bolton was stepped on by Come Apart (Korkow Rodeo) and was seen limping a bit toward the locker room. Stetson Wright was flung off Big Rich's Dinner for Two (United Pro Rodeo) and although he seemed a bit battered took the re-ride on Buck Nasty. Buck Nasty unfortunately lived up to his name and appeared to have stepped on Stetson leg after bucking him off. He was able to get up and walk out of the arena assisted by Justin Sports Med. Thankfully he told PRORODEO Sports News "No injury. I'm good."

There was are some faces that were missing last night and will be out of the lineup tonight again as well. JR Stratford sustained a laceration to his left eyelid after a buck off in Round 6 which resulted in him missing tonight. He will also sit out tomorrow but is hopeful to return in Round 9. Jayco Roper sustained  a left groin strain in Round 6 and made a last minute decision to sit out last night. He will also sit out tonight but it doesn't look promising at the moment that he will return for the finals few rounds. That is a tough injury to compete around as a bareback rider. Pickup man Matt Twitchell is also out with an injury for the remainder of The WNFR due to a broken foot. We wish all these athletes a speedy recovery.