Californians Make NFR Cut

By Staff Report October 16, 2011

A herd of California rodeo pros have made it into the top 15 of their respective disciplines, making the cut for a coveted invitation to the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, taking place in Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center and South Point Hotel, Dec. 1-10.

The top earner on the list is the No. 2 ranked steer wrestler Billy Bugenig, of Ferndale, who has amassed  $96,838. Los Alamos-based Luke Branquinho sits at No. 3 with $87,740.

Steer Wrestling was the only category to produce multiple Golden State contenders. Stan Branco of Chowchilla came in at No. 11 on the list of All Around cowboys, but narrowly missed the steer wrestling list, coming in at No. 16. His All Around earnings are $56,743.

Team Roping header Spencer Mitchell of Colusa made the cut, at No. 7, with an impressive $79,950. His partner, Team Roping heeler  Broc Cresta, of Santa Rosa, had an equal amount and the same position.
Meanwhile, over at the Professional Women’s Rodeo Association, Glendora-based Christina Richman made it to No. 13 in the Barrel Racing contest, with $61,714. Barrel racing is the only women’s event on the NFR dancecard.

Mote Injured at RMV Rodeo

On Aug. 27, four-time World Champion Bareback Rider Bobby Mote of Culver, Ore.,was seriously injured after being slammed against the chutes by Flying 5 Rodeo Company’s Diaper Duty at the Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. As it turns out, Mote broke his ribs and lacerated his pancreas, but that wasn’t known until the next day.

By then Mote had already ridden his round in San Juan Capistrano and flown to Seattle, where pain forced him to seek medical attention. He underwent surgery to repair his pancreas at the Harborview Medical Center on Aug. 28

Mote was already riding high on the World Standings, and finished the season at No. 9 even though he quit early. His recovery is estimated at 2-3 months, and he is hoping to be back in the saddle for the NFR Finals.

End of Season Game-Changer

The PRCA has made some changes to its Wrangler Million Dollar Tour, presented by Justin Boots. Effective with the 2012 season, the PRCA’s World Standings will be used to determine who can advance from the regular season into the rich end-of-season Justin Boots Playoffs and Justin Boots Championships.
In the past admission was based on standing within the 25-rodeo Wrangler Million Dollar Tour circuit. Contestants are now able to accrue Playoff and Championship points at all of the 570 PRCA-sanctioned rodeos, allowing for more flexibility.

The result will still be that the top 24 get to advance to the Playoffs, and a chance at $500,000, and the top 12 from that round bump up to the Championships, where $725,000 is awarded.  Because those events are rich, and fall at the end of the season, they can really provide a bump toward qualifying for the NFR and a shot at $1.8 million in prize money.

 

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