This year’s defender of the Cinch Timed Event Championship presented by Smarty Rodeo crown Paul David Tierney took his third CTEC title in 2024, and has over the years racked up $388,500 in CTEC earnings alone at this elite Ironman cowboy contest.
“The chance to win money like this sure makes life easier,” said the 35-year-old South Dakota native, who now calls Oklahoma City home. “It just helps, and we don’t have many places where this kind of money is possible. As just one example, I bought a brown head horse (Andale) with Timed Event money. I was able to win a lot on him, and when you have a family there are always bills to pay.”
Tierney’s first CTEC title in 2014 was worth a whopping $50,000 plus round money. His champ’s check doubled to $100,000 in both 2016 and 2024. Paul David has also finished second in this one-of-a-kind 25-head average three times.
Tierney has for 2025 enlisted the same human helpers he had in place when he won it all last year. NFR header Logan Olson will head in the heeling, 2015 World Champion Heeler Kollin VonAhn will heel in the heading and Kody Woodward will haze in the steer wrestling. Paul David plans to ride his calf horse Macaroni, one of his own head horses, four-time Timed Event titlist dad Paul’s heel horse Hiho; Woodward’s bulldogging horse Blackjack; and Jate Saults’s steer horse Rocket.
“I ride horses that are easy and don’t take anything away from you at this event,” Paul David said. “You won’t see me riding a head horse that I’ll lose my rope on. Been there, done that. Won’t do it again.”
It’s easy to understand why Tierney considers his Timed Event record the highlight of his cowboy career.
“We (big brother Jess won the 2017 CTEC) grew up making sure we were ready for this,” said Paul David, who plans to head for Casey McCluskey at the rodeos this year. “More than anything, Dad knew we were going to want to do it growing up, so the foundation was set early. We bulldogged, roped calves and team roped in high school and college. I won my first steer roping jackpot when I was a junior in high school. So when it came time to enter the Timed Event, none of this was new to us.
“When I was a kid, I missed a lot of the Timed Events earlier in my dad’s career, because I wrestled since I was six years old and the state wrestling tournament was on top of it. I think seventh or eighth grade is when I first started thinking about entering the Timed Event myself. This event was made for how we grew up doing it all.”
It’s no surprise that Paul David was a scrappy wrestler, and a two-time South Dakota state champ. That same inner scrap comes out loud and clear every year when it’s steer wrestling time and he cowboys up beyond what the scale should allow at the CTEC.
“The Timed Event is the only time I bulldog now,” he said. “It’s fun for me to steer rope at the Timed Event, too, because the big arena at the Lazy E gives me a chance to be competitive. I always look forward to the Timed Event. The name of the game is never get in a hurry, and have smooth times. It’s a true cowboy contest, and you can’t luck out and win a 25-header.”
Riley Wakefield is a goals guy. And he’s marched right up the rodeo ranks with that “work for what you want, then get on to the next one” way of thinking. The pride of O’Neill, Nebraska is rolling into his third Cinch Timed Event Championship presented by Smarty Rodeo on par with his own bucket-list course for cowboying and living life.
“I don’t rodeo just to rodeo,” he said. “I have a clear goal in mind every year. Setting goals and working toward them drives people in life. Without them, you have nothing to work for. That would drive me nuts. I rodeo for the love of the game, but at the same time I want something to work towards. I want to accomplish my goal, then make adjustments and set a bigger one. Purpose is good on the mind.”
Wakefield stair-stepped his way up to center stage at the Lazy E.
In junior high, he rode bulls, tied goats, ribbon roped, breakaway roped and roped calves, with the goal of qualifying for the National Junior High Finals Rodeo. Check.
In high school, the goal was to make the National High School Finals Rodeo. He made it in the steer wrestling and all four years in the team roping—including twice heading for his big brother, Brady. Check.
“It was never guaranteed for us, because we were just out there doing our best,” said Riley; so sadly, Brady died at 20 in a road accident in the summer of 2015, but would surely be right there with Riley at the Timed Event if he was still with us here instead of riding shotgun from Heaven. “Dad (Jim) was a circuit bulldogger. What he did was get calves and steers, and find us horses we could get out there and make runs on. What Brady and I did was get out there in the cold and make a million runs. We outworked people, and learned by trial and error. That was our only play.
“The NFR (National Finals Rodeo) and Timed Event weren’t goals to us as kids. They were dreams. We knew we had a long way to go for reality to allow those dreams to become goals.”
After high school, Riley set his sights on making the College National Finals Rodeo in three events—which in his case were team roping, steer wrestling and tie-down roping—while rodeoing for Gillette College in Wyoming. Check.
Wakefield started pro rodeoing as a high school senior, and made making the Badlands Circuit Finals in the team roping and tie-down a goal. He also wanted to qualify for the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo. Check.
Riley set sail on the pro rodeo trail with heavy emphasis on the tie-down roping. His 5’ 11”, 170-pound, slight-built self brought the house down when Wakefield won the steer wrestling on the grass at the 2022 Pendleton Round-Up in Oregon.
“Winning the bulldogging at Pendleton was pretty cool, but it was sure never a goal,” he smiled. “The steer wrestling was really never on my radar until I took two big team roping steers down to Taylor’s house (2020 Timed Event Champ Taylor Santos, who’s been sidelined for a year now for surgeries on both hips and a knee) in Stephenville (Texas). We never roped them, so Taylor finally asked if I was at least going to chute-dog them. Ote (Berry) came over and gave me a few pointers, and I got to where I could slide those big old steers out and tip ’em over. That’s when I added steer wrestling at the Badlands Circuit Finals to my list of goals. (Check.)
“Then I set the goal of trying to make the NFR in the calf roping. It took a while, but I realized I probably took off to try that too early. I didn’t know it when I first took off, but I wasn’t ready. And I didn’t really have the horsepower. I was concentrating on the calf roping, but would enter the bulldogging at places like Pendleton and Ponoka (Alberta, Canada), and the team roping at rodeos like Lakeside (California) with Lane (Karney, who’s Taylor’s big brother and placed third and fourth at the Timed Event several times before turning his attention to family and business at home). Seemed like I kept doing better in those other events than the one I thought I was focusing on. Anyway, I had enough of that road, and I wasn’t willing to make the sacrifices it was going to take to try and make the NFR.”
Wakefield met a girl, world-famous Canadian cowboy Rocky Dallyn’s daughter, Jenna.
“After I met Jenna, a lightbulb went off in my head,” said Riley, who rides a lot of outside horses when he’s not out there rodeoing. “I still wanted to do all three events and go to a few more rodeos. Why not go to Canada and enter three events? I entered the calf roping up in Canada in 2023, then decided, ‘Why fight my strengths? Why not enter all three events?’ The goal became making it in three events to the Canadian Finals, and winning the Canadian all-around title. I went after that in 2024.
“I made the CFR in the calf roping last year, and got edged out for the all-around. So that goal is still on the table for 2025. I want to make the CFR in three events, and win the all-around up in Canada.”
Wakefield was thrilled to get his first Timed Event invite in 2023, and made an outstanding first impression by contending for the crown to the end.
“I had a lot to prove at the Timed Event that first year, but felt pretty good about how it went,” he said. “I had always put the Timed Event on a pedestal. It’s my NFR. It’s what means the most to me. It’s very rare anymore to see anyone go up and down the road in three events. The Timed Event fits me.
“I went into my second Timed Event last year with a lot of pressure to do as well as I did that first year, and let it get to me. I didn’t have the horsepower I needed, and it showed.”
Naturally, it’s now a goal to win this thing. And because he hasn’t yet checked this one off of his cowboy bucket list, he’s made adjustments to up his odds. Jake Smith, who’s coming off of his first NFR in the heading, will handle Wakefield’s heading and heeling helper chores. Riley will make a late-game decision on who’ll haze and what he’ll ride in the bulldogging. He plans to ride Danielle Wray’s head horse, Peanut; the heel horse he’s ridden since eighth grade, William; a calf horse he calls Ultimate, that he got up in Canada from Clay Elliott; and his steer horse, Mississippi, who the Wakefields bought from Todd Eberle after Riley rode him at last year’s Timed Event.
“I feel better about my horsepower this year,” he said. “I came in on some greener horses last year. I took a gamble, and it didn’t work out in my favor. The horses I’m riding this year are all solid campaigners.
“When people ask what it would mean to win the Timed Event, my answer is, ‘Everything.’ It sounds cliché, but that’s exactly what it would mean. My dad took Brady and I to watch the Timed Event when we were pretty little. Timed Event tapes are all Brady and I watched growing up. Back then, winning the Timed Event was a dream, not a goal. That it’s become a goal to win it now means the world to me. Because when it’s all said and done, I just want to be remembered as a good all-around cowboy.”
Four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo tie-down roper John Douch is one of two Cinch Timed Event Championship presented by Smarty Rodeo freshmen in this year’s field. Two-time Jr Ironman champ Ketch Kelton won his way into this year’s Timed Event, too.
“I’m very excited to take a shot at the Timed Event,” said Douch, 27, of Itasca, Texas. “I’ve always wanted to do it, but never knew how to get invited. I was roping at a PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) judging seminar at Hill College in Hillsboro last spring—I rope at it every year, where they train judges on what to look for in a run—and (Timed Event Chute Boss) John Gwatney asked if I’d ever thought about getting in. I said yes, and he made a call to get the ball rolling on that invite. I’ve been working at it pretty good, but I’ve darn sure gotten sore getting ready.”
Douch spent much of his youth at Hall of Famer Joe Beaver’s 8X Ranch. He drafted his team roping Timed Event help from another cowboy who grew up in Joe and Jenna’s arena and loving care in Huntsville.
“Reno Gonzales will be helping me in the heading and heeling,” Douch said. “Me and Reno are like brothers. We’ve roped together for so long, and he can take pressure. It’s definitely a Joe B connection. We’re all family. I know I can depend on Reno. I’m not yet sure who’ll haze for me in the bulldogging, but one guy can handle helping me in the team roping.
“As for the horses, I’ll probably rope calves on my gray horse, Pistol, that I rode at the NFR in December. I’ll head on my girlfriend’s dad’s (Bryan Hanson) horse, and heel on Reno’s horse. I’m going to ride Shad Mayfield’s horse in the steer roping. I’m not sure what I’ll bulldog on yet.”
About not having his steer wrestling horse and hazer ducks in a row early on—no sweat.
“I’m probably most excited about getting to bulldog again,” Douch beamed. “I made the high school and college finals in the bulldogging. I don’t do it as much anymore, because I’d rather rope. But I really like to bulldog. I’m also looking forward to the tripping, because I’ve never done it. It’ll be fun to do something different.
“I’ll be making my first tripping runs at Shad’s place, and I’ve mostly been working on my left-hand tying. I think that’s going to be the hardest, because I’ve never tied a steer left-handed. Shad has a practice steer horse and a good one. He said I can ride the good one at the Lazy E.”
Douch has been watching Timed Event tape on YouTube every chance he gets. “I’ve had a few people tell me, “Just don’t take a 60 (no-time), and be consistent,” grinned a guy best known for going fast, but smart and versatile enough to “get” the CTEC assignment.
Weak is not a word in this guy’s cowboy repertoire, but if he had to pick an event he most hopes to “get by” on the Timed Event battlefield?
“It’d probably be the heeling or the tripping,” he said. “I’ve never done it before, but I like the tripping more than the heeling. I team rope all the time, but I mostly head. I like to throw my rope first.”
Might Douch be motivated to throw his name in the world all-around race on the heels of past CTEC contestant Mayfield winning the world-around crown in 2024?
“If I had a good chance at it, I would,” Douch said. “If I had a great winter and a lot of money won early, yes. If that happens, my second event would definitely be steer wrestling.
“I’m pretty pumped for 2025 in general, competing for the first time at the Timed Event included. I didn’t have the Finals I wanted, so I’m hungry this year. I’ll take Tyler Calhoun in the truck with me this summer. He’s a college freshman this year, and he’s hungry, too. I’m excited. I’m ready to rodeo hard and redeem myself.”
World champions were crowned and history was made as the curtain closed on the 55th annual International Finals Rodeo at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., on Sunday, Jan. 19. Championship Sunday served as the final conclusion to the 2024 International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) season.
Taking home the coveted 2024 IPRA World Champion title is Peach State cowboy Tanner Phipps of Dalton, Georgia. Entering the IFR with a significant lead, he continued to find success at the Lazy E Arena and captured the title. This marks his third consecutive IPRA world title. Phipps ended the 2024 season with earnings of $68,212.42. Blayn Hughston of McBain, Mich., excelled during IFR55, taking top honors in all four performances and winning the final performance with a score of 83.25 atop the horse “Wild Willy.”
Home-state cowboy Cody Doescher of Webber Falls, Okla., claimed victory once again at the Lazy E Arena, earning his first IPRA world title in steer wrestling. Doesher, familiar with big wins at the Lazy E Arena, can now add an IPRA World title to his extensive résumé, earning $33,084.31 throughout the 2024 season. Chase Crane of Boynton, Okla., took home round four honors with a 4.4-second run.
Team roping header Heath King of Leicester, N.C., entered IFR55 in the driver’s seat of the world title race, maintaining a commanding lead that proved untouchable. He secured his second consecutive world title in team roping heading, concluding the 2024 season with $47,953.16 in total earnings.
On the heeling side of team roping, all eyes were on IPRA veteran Stephen Britnell of Knoxville, Tenn., who also entered IFR55 with a significant lead. His lead proved victorious, earning him his eighth IPRA World Champion Heeling title and concluding the 2024 season with $48,590.61.
Reigning IPRA World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Kody Rinehart from Rienzi, Mississippi, further solidified his success by securing the 2024 IPRA World Champion title after an intense competition against reserve world champion and 2024 IPRA Rookie of the Year Spur Montag from Belmont, Ohio. Rinehart also set a new record for single-season earnings in the regular season, totaling $74,773.93 by the end of the year IFR55.
Andrew Burks held his top position throughout the prestigious rodeo week, earning a spot in the winner’s circle. By winning half of the rounds, Burks increased his lead and secured the esteemed title with earnings of $54,178.74 for 2024 season.
Three-time world champion Kyla Matthews of Athens, Tenn., entered the IFR in fourth place and fought her way to victory. Her aggressive roping earned her the 2024 IPRA World Champion Breakaway Roper title, amassing $31,074.09 during the season.
Kindyl Scruggs of Southaven, Miss., led the IPRA standings all year and continued her successful run to the winner’s circle at the Lazy E Arena. Maintaining her lead, Scruggs earned her second world title with $42,154.96 in earnings for the 2024 season.
IPRA rookie Brody Robinson of Galax, Va., emerged victorious when the dust settled at the Lazy E Arena, earning his first IPRA World Champion Bull Rider title in his rookie year, with $46,653.57 in earnings throughout the 2024 IPRA season.
For more information about the IPRA and IFR55, please visit ipra-rodeo.com/ifr.
– IPRA –
About the IPRA: Since 1957, the IPRA has sanctioned hundreds of rodeo opportunities across North America. As the second-largest professional rodeo association, the IPRA crowns yearly world champions at the International Finals Rodeo, currently held at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla. The IPRA proudly supports the growth of youth rodeo as the parent organization of the International Finals Youth Rodeo. For media and communications inquiries, contact IPRA Director of Communications Julia Dondero at 775-737-1431 or julia@iprarodeo.com.
The thrilling conclusion to the 55th annual International Finals Rodeo (IFR) draws near, with the third performance concluding and storylines brewing. IFR55 will serve as the finale to the 2024 International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) World Championships, held at the Fabulous Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., and conclude on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025.
Blayn Hughston (McBain, Mich.) aims for a shutout performance at IFR55 with his third consecutive go-round win. He earned his third go-round buckle atop “Ely Cattlemen’s Faded”, moving him up to fifth place in the IPRA world standings.
Home-state cowboy Cody Doesher (Webber Falls, Okla.) claimed victory once again at the Lazy E Arena with a smooth 4.40-second run. Doesher, who is no stranger to big wins at the Lazy E Arena, now finds himself in close contention for the IPRA World Champion Steer Wrestling title.
A duo of Empire State cowboys found themselves right at home in the heart of the Sooner State’s Fabulous Lazy E Arena. Jacob Rounds (Broadalbin, N.Y.) and Drew Carnes (Hornell, N.Y.) secured a win during the third round of competition with a smooth 5.2-second run in team roping.
Joe Farren (Cottondale, Fla.) teamed up with “Bay Wolf” to earn a score of 79.75 points, securing himself a coveted IFR55 go-round buckle.
Sooner State cowboy Tylen Layton (Copan, Okla.) concluded his third run of IFR55 in winning style with a quick 8.80-second run, earning over $3,700 in prize money.
Ryley Layton (Copan, Okla.) clocked an impressive 2.2-second run, earning the round three title and tying for the fastest time of the week so far. The husband and wife duo, Tylen and Ryley, both found themselves in the winner’s circle, making it a picture-perfect night for the couple.
All eyes were on Texas cowgirl Emily Williams, who ran the fastest cloverleaf pattern of the week thus far. The Lone Star State cowgirl stopped the clock with an impressive 16.073-second run.
IPRA rookie Ueberson Duarte (Spencer, Wisc.) found success during the third round with an impressive 8-second ride, worth 85.25 points.
It all comes down to tomorrow, when the 2024 IPRA World Champions will be crowned after IFR55’s final performance, happening Sunday, Jan. 19, at 2 p.m. CT. During this exciting 55th annual edition of the IFR, the top 15 of the association’s best will square off in one final performance of rodeo action. Accomplished Western sports athletes will compete for one of the most coveted titles in Western sports—the IPRA World Championship—and a share of the impressive $500,000 total payout.
With all the IPRA title races in close contention and 10 IPRA world titles on the line, the IFR promises a thrilling showcase of Western sports. Individual tickets start at $20, and all-session packages start at $68. Fans can purchase tickets now for individual performances or all-session packages.
The event schedule is as follows: Jan. 19: Performance at 2 p.m. CT; doors open at noon for OG&E Kids Day.
The IFR will feature top athletes competing in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping (heading and heeling), saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.
For more information about the IPRA and IFR55, please visit ipra-rodeo.com/ifr.
– IPRA –
About the IPRA: Since 1957, the IPRA has sanctioned hundreds of rodeo opportunities across North America. As the second-largest professional rodeo association, the IPRA crowns yearly world champions at the International Finals Rodeo, currently held at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla. The IPRA proudly supports the growth of youth rodeo as the parent organization of the International Finals Youth Rodeo. For media and communications inquiries, contact IPRA Director of Communications Julia Dondero at 775-737-1431 or julia@iprarodeo.com.
The thrilling conclusion to the 2024 International Professional Rodeo Association season at the International Finals Rodeo (IFR) displayed an impressive level of talent at the Fabulous Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., featuring the International Professional Rodeo Association’s (IPRA) best athletes.
All eyes were on Blayn Hughston (McBain, Mich.) during IFR55’s opening event, the bareback riding. The Western Texas College and 2024 Jack Wiesman Award winner continued his success during Round 2 with a round win atop “Z56 Rocket Launcher.”
Eli Troyer (Scottsville, Ky.) went to the top of Round 2 in the steer wrestling with an impressive 3.90-second run. The multievent cowboy will collect over $3,700 in prize money for his Go-Round 1.
Also taking home their second consecutive go-round win were header Jake Wells (Rainsville, Ala.) and heeler Bryer Hamilton (Cleveland, Tenn.), securing the Round 1 and Round 2 win with a smooth, 5.0-second run.
It was a true family affair for the Troyers, with a win in the saddle bronc riding for Timothy Troyer (Weatherford, Okla.). Troyer took home the coveted Montana Silversmith’s buckle with an impressive 83.25-point ride atop “George’s Bad Cat.”
Andrew Burks entered the 55th annual IFR leading the competitive tie-down roping pack and will continue his lead after taking home the first-round and second-round win with an 8.40-second run in Round 2.
Seeing double in the breakaway roping! It was a tie for the top between Jessie Nooren (Mossley, Ont.) and Kyla Matthews (Athens, Tenn.) with a pair of quick 2.20-second runs.
It was a true horse race in barrel racing, with IPRA rookie and Oklahoma native Brandie Inman (Nowata, Okla.) taking the top honors in Round 2. She stopped the clock with an impressive 16.118-second time.
Three-time IFR World Champion and Oklahoma native Deklan Garland (Marlow, Okla.) proved victorious once again during the second round with a standout 83.50 atop the bull “Miller Time.” This is his second consecutive round win of IFR55.
During this exciting 55th annual edition of the IFR, the top 15 of the association’s best will square off in four riveting performances of rodeo action. Accomplished Western sports athletes will compete for one of the most coveted titles in Western sports—the IPRA World Championship—and a share of the impressive $500,000 total payout.
With all the IPRA title races in close contention and 10 IPRA world titles on the line, the IFR promises a thrilling showcase of Western sports. Individual tickets start at $20, and all-session packages start at $68. Fans can purchase tickets now for individual performances or all-session packages.
The event schedule is as follows:
Jan. 16-18: Performances at 7:30 p.m. CT
Jan. 19: Performance at 2 p.m. CT; doors open at noon for OG&E Kids Day
The IFR will feature top athletes competing in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping (heading and heeling), saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.
About the IPRA: Since 1957, the IPRA has sanctioned hundreds of rodeo opportunities across North America. As the second-largest professional rodeo association, the IPRA also crowns yearly world champions at the International Finals Rodeo, currently held at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla. The IPRA proudly supports the growth of youth rodeo as the parent organization of the International Finals Youth Rodeo. For media and communications inquiries, contact IPRA Director of Communications Julia Dondero at 775-737-1431 or julia@iprarodeo.com.
Wrangler BFI Week, which last year paid team ropers a record $4.35 million in cash, will run two arenas for the first time when it returns to Guthrie, Oklahoma, March 26 through April 1.
“Just four years after we moved BFI Week from Reno to Guthrie, we had a 153 percent increase in roper numbers,” said BFI co-owner Daren Peterson. “And we went from paying $1.5 million in Reno to more than $4.3 million last year. Every roping has seen growth, so it was evident that two arenas will just help ropers get to dinner earlier. Except for The Feist – we’ll continue BFI tradition and keep that in the main Lazy E arena so fans can watch every run.”
Ullman Peterson Events will switch things up and launch BFI Week this year on Wednesday, March 26, with the All-Girl team roping and breakaway roping. Defending team-roping champs Kenzie Kelton of Arizona and Whitney DeSalvo of Arkansas will try to three-peat in Guthrie after banking $23,000 last year with contestant numbers having doubled.
Following that will be two days of youth ropings including the Hooey Junior 10.5 (capped at 6 heelers) on Thursday, March 27, and the five-head Hooey Junior Open roping on Friday, March 28. The Junior 10.5 is one of the fastest-growing ropings in the country, and out-paid the Junior Open last year with a $60,000 first-place paycheck. Still, Kenzie’s brother Ketch Kelton, then 18, took $78,000 cash back to Arizona thanks to placing first and second in the Junior Open and third in the BFI.
The 15.5 will be held Friday after the Junior Open. Spencer Mitchell and Chase Helton split $65,000 to win that last year. The public is invited later that evening to Edmond’s Hilton Garden Inn for the annual 6 p.m. BFI Dinner and Calcutta, with doors opening at 5 p.m.
Then on Saturday morning, March 29, the 48th Annual BFI will kick off with its customary long head start and six go-rounds for roughly 125 of the best teams in the world. In 2024, perennial rodeo champs Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira checked off their bucket-list BFI win after nine years of trying when they cashed a check for $160,000 plus a truckload of prizes.
The following Sunday morning, March 30, starts with a church service pastored by Trey Johnson and a hosted breakfast for all contestants. That’s also the day of the richest roping – the added-money 12.5. Last year, Cole and Birch Eiguren split a whopping $200,000 cash for their win.
The traditional Businessman’s 11.5 roping for the over-30 crowd (capped at 7 heelers) kicks off the action Monday, March 31. It also doubled in growth last year, thanks to its three-steer consolation payoff and 10 Incentive, which guarantees the champs $7,500.
That will be followed by the pick-or-draw 10.5 Over 40 (capped at 6 heelers). And BFI Week will wrap up on Tuesday, April 1, with the 9.5 Over 40 (capped at 5.5 heelers) followed by an 8 (capped at 4.5 heelers) with a 7.5 Incentive (both being pick or draw).
Pre-entries for BFI Week must be postmarked by March 1, 2025, but all ropings except the BFI can also be entered on-site with a $100 late fee per team. Tickets to watch the 48th BFI go on sale Feb. 14, 2025. To download entries and find more details, visit bfiweek.com.
The thrilling conclusion to the 2024 season at the International Finals Rodeo (IFR) kicked off in stellar style on Jan. 16, 2025, at the Fabulous Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., featuring the International Professional Rodeo Association’s (IPRA) best athletes.
All eyes were on Blayn Hughston (McBain, Mich.) during IFR55’s opening event, the bareback riding. The Western Texas College and 2024 Jack Wiesman Award winner kicked off his third IFR in a big way, winning the first round with an impressive 81.50-point ride atop “Bougie Bob.”
The first round of steer wrestling belonged to Caleb Little (Dexter, Ky.), who won with a smooth 5.2-second run. The IFR52 Average Champion looks to continue his winning ways through the conclusion of the rodeo on Jan. 19.
Team roping was also off to an impressive start, with a quick time of 4.80 seconds taking home first-round honors. Jake Wells (Rainsville, Ala.), who has won rounds in the previous two IFRs, teamed up with three-time IFR qualifier Bryer Hamilton (Cleveland, Tenn.) to take the Round 1 win.
The man with the No. 1 back number and single-season earnings record holder, Kody Rhinehart (Rienzi, Miss.), found success once again at the Fabulous Lazy E Arena. He rode to the top of Round 1 with an impressive 83.00-point score atop “Smoke Show.”
Andrew Burks entered the 55th annual IFR leading the competitive tie-down roping pack and will continue his lead after taking home the first-round win with an 8.20-second run.
All eyes were on New York cowgirl Sierra Clement (Hudson Falls, N.Y.), who was fast and smooth, capturing the Round 1 win with a 3.30-second run.
It was a true horse race in barrel racing, with IPRA rookie and Tennessee native Bayleigh Choate running home with the Round 1 win after a quick 16.150-second run.
Three-time IFR World Champion and Oklahoma native Deklan Garland (Marlow, Okla.) proved victorious once again during the first round, with a standout 83.50 atop the bull “Black Sabbath.”
During this exciting 55th annual edition of the IFR, the top 15 of the association’s best will square off in four riveting performances of rodeo action. Accomplished Western sports athletes will compete for one of the most coveted titles in Western sports—the IPRA World Championship—and a share of the impressive $500,000 total payout.
With all the IPRA title races in close contention and 10 IPRA world titles on the line, the IFR promises a thrilling showcase of Western sports. Individual tickets start at $20, and all-session packages start at $68. Fans can purchase tickets now for individual performances or all-session packages.
The event schedule is as follows:
Jan. 16-18: Performances at 7:30 p.m. CT
Jan. 19: Performance at 2 p.m. CT; doors open at noon for OG&E Kids Day
The IFR will feature top athletes competing in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping (heading and heeling), saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.
About the IPRA: Since 1957, the IPRA has sanctioned hundreds of rodeo opportunities across North America. As the second-largest professional rodeo association, the IPRA also crowns yearly world champions at the International Finals Rodeo, currently held at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla. The IPRA proudly supports the growth of youth rodeo as the parent organization of the International Finals Youth Rodeo. For media and communications inquiries, contact IPRA Director of Communications Julia Dondero at 775-737-1431 or julia@iprarodeo.com.
Since 1957, the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) has been dedicated to promoting rodeo excellence across all fronts. The IPRA proudly announces the top five year-end award finalists for their outstanding work in their respective fields.
For the 55th year, the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) will host the thrilling conclusion to the 2024 season at the International Finals Rodeo (IFR), set for Jan. 16-19, 2025, at the Fabulous Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, featuring the IPRA’s best athletes. The year-end awardees were announced and celebrated at the annual Gold Buckle Gala at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City on Jan. 15, 2025.
The following awardees were recognized for their outstanding performance in their respective fields throughout the 2024 IPRA season. We congratulate all winners and nominees on their accomplishments!
IPRA STOCK CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR
Southern Rodeo Company – Robin Brooks
IPRA MOST ACTIVE STOCK CONTRACTOR
Ken Treadway Rodeo Company
IPRA SECRETARY OF THE YEAR
Danna Gann
IPRA CLOWN OF THE YEAR
Mike Wentworth
IPRA ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR
Mark Northall
IPRA PICKUPMAN OF THE YEAR
Trace Hughston
IPRA BULLFIGHTER OF THE YEAR
Jeremy Coan
BEST NEW IPRA RODEO OF THE YEAR
North Mississippi State Fair Panala Co. Sheriff Rodeo – Batesville, MS
IPRA INDOOR RODEO OF THE YEAR
Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo – Jackson, MS
IPRA OUTDOOR RODEO OF THE YEAR
Hughston Cow Camp IPRA Championship Rodeo – McBain, MI
Jan. 19: Performance at 2 p.m. CT; doors open at noon for OG&E Kids Day
The IFR will feature top athletes competing in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping (heading and heeling), saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.
About the IPRA: Since 1957, the IPRA has sanctioned hundreds of rodeo opportunities across North America. As the second-largest professional rodeo association, the IPRA also crowns yearly world champions at the International Finals Rodeo, currently held at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla. The IPRA proudly supports the growth of youth rodeo as the parent organization of the International Finals Youth Rodeo. For media and communications inquiries, contact IPRA Director of Communications Julia Dondero at 775-737-1431 or julia@iprarodeo.com.
A year after one of America’s greatest horsemen got his first invitation to the Cinch Timed Event Championships – just to go out with a third-round groin injury – Cade Rice will give up his 2025 invite to Nebraska’s Riley Wakefield.
Unfortunately for Rice, who would love to try to win the $100,000 prize as the Cinch Timed Event Champion of the World, he’s set to compete in his first World’s Greatest Horseman competition, of which the finals in Fort Worth on March 1 is the same day the CTEC wraps up. The dates of the CTEC in Guthrie are February 27 – March 1.
“I’d been gearing up for it,” Rice said. “I was dang sure looking forward to it and working on all the events. But I’ve got a horse that’s capable, and the owners said ‘Go for it.’”
Rice, of Lipan, Texas, had taken Brian and Amy Bush’s cutting-bred roan stallion Jungle Cat to several big wins at heeling futurities in 2023. Insiders think the 8-year-old son of High Brow Cat out of a Peptoboonsmal/Mr Gun Smoke mare has a great chance of helping Rice win the $150,000 prize as the NRCHA’s World’s Greatest Horseman.
“I grew up watching Timed Event tapes and idolizing guys that can do all those events at such a high level,” said Rice, who heeled for Ketch Kelton last year during his Jr Ironman victory. “To win that would mean the world to me. It would be great if the dates were set up so I could compete at both.”
Lazy E’s general manager, Dan Wall, guaranteed the accomplished trainer hasn’t seen his last Timed-Event invitation. Rice is fairly busy this spring, anyway. He and his wife welcomed their baby son Ryle Michael Rice just three weeks ago (joining daughter Rhea Scarlett).
In the meantime, Wakefield of O’Neill, Nebraska, has competed at the past two editions of the CTEC, finishing a remarkable third in 2023 after he was called to substitute for Haven Meged at the last minute.
“This time, I feel like I have plenty of time to prepare,” Wakefield said. “I’ll be spending a full month focusing on all five events every day. And I’ll go down to Texas and get a better live-action feel in the tripping. Last year, I maybe came in thinking I was a tripper. I’d been running steers in my 220-foot-long barn at home.
Which is not the same as spotting the Lazy E’s big, strong steers tail around the end of the gate in that arena.”
Wakefield, 28, grew up competing in three timed events, and spent all summer entering all three in Canada. He got the No. 1 back number at the Canadian Finals Rodeo and just narrowly lost the all-around cowboy championship. He spends the most time working at his tie-down roping, but he also won the steer wrestling at the Pendleton Round-Up in 2022.
Wakefield’s ace in the hole will no doubt be the steer horse called Mississippi that he and his dad bought from Todd Everly. Jess Tierney had ridden him at the NFSR and CTEC when he won in 2017. In fact, the only horse Wakefield might need to borrow is a head horse, he said.
“My horses do their job and stay out of my way,” he said. “My heel horse won’t drag his rear end like Cade’s, but he will pin his ears and go to the cow and let me take as many swings as I want over one.”
Wakefield is clear about the fact that this event means more to him than any rodeo.
“This is what I train for; it’s what I do,” he said. “I try not to put it on a pedestal too much so I can keep the right mindset. In fact, I’d actually rather get the prospect of winning it off my mind. Because it’s something I’ve thought about every single day since my dad took me and my brother to watch when I was 11. We were just a couple of Nebraska farm boys, but we craved it.”
