The Pendleton Round-Up is a crucial rodeo this time of year for competitors hoping to make a last-chance push for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. It’s also extremely unique in that cowboys and cowgirls are competing on grass instead of dirt. 

This combination makes it a must-enter event for many, but the tough and unique nature of the grass footing means it often sees names atop the timed-event leaderboard who may not be “regulars” in the results for the PRCA. The rodeo paid out $540,649 to PRCA competitors this year, and this is how the money shook out for the winner of this historic event

Not only do checks like that help a competitor’s bank account, but they are also crucial for those vying for NFR qualifications – either padding a lead, giving a more favorable position going into the NFR, or keeping the dream alive for competitors that have not yet qualified.

Colt Gordon: Balancing On The Bubble 

Before the rodeo, saddle bronc rider Colt Gordon was sitting precariously on the No. 16 position in the PRCA world standings. After splitting fourth in round one, first in the finals on Outlaw Bucker’s OLS Tubs’ Little Muffin, and winning the average, Gordon earned $8,193 and moved to No. 15.

This move also put Gordon in close-quarters with the No. 14 cowboy JJ Elshere. Elshere holds his position with $86,759.45 in earnings, while Gordon is now just $428.93 behind with $86,330.52 total season earnings. 

Gordon also sits nearly $5,000 above the next eligible competitor in the standings–No. 17 Isaac Diaz at $81,630.14 (Wade Sundell is currently in the No. 16 spot but is injured)–giving him some breathing room, but not necessarily a guarantee he will be safe.

Riley Pruitt: Moving Into A Safer Zone

Last week, Riley Pruitt was doing his own balancing act as the No. 14 tie-down roper in the world. This week, his stress levels might be a little lower after winning a whopping $14,446–the largest paycheck of any competitor in Pendleton this year–bringing his total to $96,792.17 and moving into the No. 9 spot in the world.

With this move, Pruitt also has a strong chance of being able to move up a few more spots, if he is able to capitalize on the last two weekends of competition. Currently, Michael Otero sits just $186.94 ahead in the No. 8 spot with $96,792.17 and Marty Yates is only $206.13 ahead of Pruitt in the No. 7 spot with his total of $96,998.30. 

Sage Kimzey: Padding His Lead

We talk a lot about competitors on the bubble this time of year, but what we can sometimes forget is it’s not only important to make the finals but to also seat yourself in a good position to win a world title. No one knows more about how to do just that then the five-time world champion bull rider Sage Kimzey. 

Kimzey’s $8,409 in earnings at Pendleton – plus about $4,000 in earnings over the week from other events – puts Kimzey’s new total at $245,054.70. It also extends his lead over the No. 2 man (Stetson Wright) to $93,945.08.

To put that into perspective, if the season were to end today it would be as if Kimzey has already won the average ($67,269.23) and the first round ($26,230.77) – plus $445.08 in change.

These three competitors all sit in completely different positions after the weekend was through, proving that no matter where you sit amongst the top competitors in the world, the Pendleton Roundup was a crucial late-season rodeo when you're chasing those gold-buckle dreams.