Round One of the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) kicked off in historic fashion, honoring the 40th anniversary of the event’s residency at the Thomas & Mack Center — and marking the dominant return of eight-time world champion Stetson Wright.
Wright swept both the saddle bronc riding and bull riding to open the NFR, extending his early lead in the tightly contested all-around and bull riding races over fellow all-around contender Wacey Schalla. Wright entered the 2025 NFR in the driver’s seat of both the all around and bull riding races and returned to Las Vegas with a vengeance after missing the 2024 season due to injury.
The eight-time world champion paired with “403 Renegade” for a commanding 90-point trip in the saddle bronc riding, then topped Powder River Rodeo’s “Big Shasta” for an 89.5-point bull ride. Both winning performances earned him $36,667.95 in each event, for an opening night total of $73,335.90.
Idaho cowboy Cooper Cooke headlined the bareback riding in Round One. In his second NFR appearance, Cooke teamed up with Legend Rodeo Stock’s Ramblin Man to deliver an electric 88.5-point ride to claim the first go-round win of the 2025 NFR.
Five-time world champion Tyler Waguespack opened his 11th NFR qualification in veteran form, taking the Round One steer wrestling win with a sharp 4.0-second run. The Cajun cowboy sits near the top of the standings and looks to contend for a sixth world title in Las Vegas.
Team roping welcomed a new NFR pairing to the arena in winning fashion. Header Lightning Aguilera and heeler Kaden Profili teamed up for a smooth 4.0-second run to secure the Round One victory inside the Thomas & Mack, worth $36.667.95 each.
Shad Mayfield rose to the top of a stacked field with a blistering 6.8-second run in tie-down roping, keeping himself well within striking distance of the world title. Just four-tenths off of the Thomas & Mack arena record set by Haven Meged in 2023, Mayfield’s performance set an electric tone for the nine rounds yet to come. Entering the 2025 NFR ranked second and nearly $49,000 behind reigning world champion Riley Webb, Mayfield moved closer to closing that gap with his round-one effort.
Reigning barrel racing world champion Kassie Mowry continued her dominance in Las Vegas with a Round One victory lap. She and her horse, “Will”, stopped the clock at 13.66 seconds to extend her lead in the world standings.
With Round One officially in the books, Cowboy Channel’s full coverage of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo continues daily at 4 p.m. Eastern. Tune in for a complete lineup starting with Deep Dive and Zero In presented by Cinch, followed by NFR Tailgate, Western Sports Roundup presented by Ariat, and Rodeo Live presented by Tractor Supply. The excitement continues with the Wrangler NFR at 8:30 p.m., NFR Final presented by Mahindra at 11:30 p.m., and the nightly NFR Buckle Ceremony at 12:30 a.m.
