The time of year has come for the importance of the Playoffs Series to become reality. Centered around 60 of the highest paying events in professional rodeo, the series paid out $28 million in 2024. The Cinch Playoffs in Puyallup, Wash., will be the culmination of the tour, and the Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, S.D., will finish out the regular season. Over the past few years, we have seen these events play a major role in the qualifiers for the National Finals Rodeo (NFR).
Based on points rather than earnings, the Playoffs Standings are something we will be keeping close watch over in the coming weeks. The winners of each event at the NFR Open, as well as the top 23 athletes in the standings, will compete in the first round of the Cinch Playoffs.
Bareback Riding
R.C. Landingham earned the win at 89 points aboard Kirsten Vold Rodeo Company’s Artic Valley for $8,495. Currently No. 14 in the World Standings, this was a big win for the California cowboy.
A little over 100 points separate positions 24-30 in the Playoffs, making these final tour rodeos critical for cowboys like Cole Reiner and Richmond Champion, who are currently outside the top 15 in the World. Reiner, Weston Timberman, and Kashton Ford are a few of the cowboys who need to keep banking tour points. All three placed in the top seven in Castle Rock.
Steer Wrestling
Kyle Irwin finished on top with a 3.4-second run for $5,686. For cowboys on the bubble like Riley Duvall and Cash Robb, who need both tour points and checks, placing in Castle Rock was equally important…