Waylon Bourgeois dominated the bareback riding competition Saturday evening at the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, posting a powerful 88.75-point performance. In steer wrestling, Ty Erickson blazed through the arena with a lightning-quick 3.5-second bulldogging run that rocketed him to the top of the world standings.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Waylon Bourgeois claimed the bareback riding championship with an 88.75 score, marking his first NFR win
- Ty Erickson earned round 3 steer wrestling honors with the fastest NFR time yet at 3.5 seconds
- Erickson jumped from 14th position to first place in the world standings after his dominant performance
- Round 3 action took place Saturday, December 6, 2025, at the Thomas & Mack Center during the Golden Night theme performance
Bourgeois Breaks Through with Dominant Bareback Ride
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Waylon Bourgeois of Church Point, Louisiana, delivered the performance of his NFR career on Saturday night. The first-time NFR qualifier mounted Dusty Roads and posted an impressive 88.75-point score to win the third round of bareback riding. Bourgeois’ breakthrough came in front of thousands of rodeo fans at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The Louisiana native qualified for the NFR for the first time in his professional rodeo career, riding alongside multiple-time NFR veterans. His round three victory signals he belongs among the elite bareback riders competing this December. The 88.75 score demonstrates the technical precision and athletic ability required to succeed at rodeo’s highest level.
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Ty Erickson, the 2019 World Champion bulldogger, unleashed a spectacular performance that turned the steer wrestling race upside down. After finishing second in both the first and second rounds, Erickson clocked the fastest time in the 2025 NFR with a blistering 3.5-second steer wrestling run in round three. The time earned him $36,668 in prize money.
Riding his horse Crush, a past AQHA Horse of the Year, Erickson executed nearly flawless technique at the start. His combination of horsepower, athleticism, and expert hazing by Matt Reeves created an unstoppable formula. The Montana steer wrestler entered the finals in 14th position but now sits at number one in both the round three average and the overall world standings.
Round 3 Results and Championship Standings
| Event | Winner | Score/Time | Purse |
| Bareback Riding | Waylon Bourgeois | 88.75 points | TBA |
| Steer Wrestling | Ty Erickson | 3.5 seconds | $36,668 |
Steer Wrestling Intensifies as Competition Heats Up
The steer wrestling competition remains fiercely competitive through three rounds. Bridger Anderson and Stetson Jorgensen tied for second place with identical 3.9-second times, each earning $25,431. The bulls are running hard from Idaho stock contractor Anthony Verdino, making scoring difficult for the bulldoggers. Round three featured noticeably longer times than previous rounds, testing every wrestler’s skills.
J.D. Struxness finished third with a 4.2-second run. Pre-contest favorites are finding new competition from emerging talent. Will Lummus received a no-time in round three, slipping in the standings after entering the finals with a lead. The record for the fastest NFR round three time remains 3.1 seconds, set by Ricky Huddleston in 1985.
What Makes Saturday Night’s Results So Significant for Rodeo?
Waylon Bourgeois’ victory represents a breakthrough moment for the Louisiana rodeo community. First-time finalists rarely capture round wins at the NFR, making his 88.75 score exceptionally impressive. Ty Erickson’s climb from 14th to first in the world standings demonstrates the high stakes nature of championship rodeo. Each round presents opportunities for competitors to shift momentum dramatically. The Golden Night theme performance on Saturday created the perfect stage for these exceptional athletic displays in Las Vegas.
Sources
- Rodeo on SI — Analysis of NFR Round 3 steer wrestling performances
- The Cowboy Channel — Official NFR bareback riding and round results
- Texas Sporting Life News — Daily NFR round results and standings updates
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.