NFR round 3 delivered championship moments Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Waylon Bourgeois dominated bareback riding with an impressive 88.75 score, while Ty Erickson blazed into the record books with a stunning 3.5-second steer wrestling run that catapulted him to the top of world standings.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Waylon Bourgeois claimed bareback riding gold with 88.75 points, marking his first NFR victory
- Ty Erickson secured steer wrestling honors with 3.5 seconds, the fastest time of the 2025 NFR
- Erickson rocketed from 14th place to 1st in world standings after his dominant performance
- Round 3 action took place Saturday, December 6, 2025, during Golden Night at the championship
Louisiana Rider Breaks Through with Career-Best Bareback Performance
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Waylon Bourgeois of Church Point, Louisiana, delivered his signature moment at the NFR on Saturday night. The first-time NFR qualifier mounted Priefert’s Dusty Roads and posted a powerful 88.75-point performance to capture the third round bareback riding championship. His breakthrough came in front of thousands of rodeo fans packed into the iconic Thomas & Mack Center venue.
The Louisiana native qualified for the National Finals Rodeo for the first time in his professional rodeo career. Bourgeois has earned $44,000 in just two nights of competition, establishing himself among the elite bareback riders competing in Las Vegas. His 88.75 score demonstrates the technical precision and athletic excellence required to compete at rodeo’s highest level against seasoned veterans.
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Ty Erickson, the 2019 World Champion bulldogger from Montana, unleashed a spectacular performance that completely transformed the steer wrestling standings. After finishing in second place during the first two rounds, Erickson delivered the fastest time in the entire 2025 NFR with a blistering 3.5-second steer wrestling run. The outstanding time earned him $36,668 in prize money and moved him to the top of world standings.
Riding his horse Crush, a former AQHA Horse of the Year, Erickson executed nearly flawless technique. His combination of horsepower, athletic ability, and expert hazing by Matt Reeves created an unstoppable formula. The Helena steer wrestler entered the finals in 14th position but now leads all competitors in both round three and the overall championship race with his dramatic surge up the standings.
Round 3 Champions and Competitive Breakdown Across Events
| Event | Champion | Score/Time | Prize Money |
| Bareback Riding | Waylon Bourgeois | 88.75 points | TBA |
| Steer Wrestling | Ty Erickson | 3.5 seconds | $36,668 |
Steer Wrestling Remains Intensely Competitive Through Three Rounds
The steer wrestling competition delivered dramatic shifts in positioning. Bridger Anderson and Stetson Jorgensen tied for second place with identical 3.9-second times, each earning $25,431 in purse money. The bulls from stock contractor Anthony Verdino proved especially challenging, making scoring difficult for every competitor who stepped into the arena. Round three featured noticeably longer times than previous rounds.
J.D. Struxness finished third with a solid 4.2-second run, while pre-contest favorites faced unexpected pressure from emerging talent. Will Lummus received a no-time in round three, slipping in the overall standings after entering the finals with an early lead. The historic record for the fastest NFR round three steer wrestling time remains 3.1 seconds, set by Ricky Huddleston way back in 1985.
What Makes Saturday Night’s NFR Round 3 Results So Significant for Professional Rodeo?
Waylon Bourgeois’ championship victory represents a breakthrough moment for the entire Louisiana rodeo community. First-time NFR finalists rarely capture round victories at the championship, making his 88.75 score exceptionally impressive and historically significant. Ty Erickson’s dramatic climb from 14th place to first in world standings demonstrates the intense, high-stakes nature of championship rodeo competition.
Each of the 10 rounds at the National Finals Rodeo presents opportunities for competitors to shift momentum dramatically and reshape championship positioning. The Golden Night theme performance on Saturday created the perfect stage for these exceptional athletic displays. Round three showcased the precision, courage, and horsemanship required to compete at rodeo’s highest level, with Bourgeois and Erickson proving why they belong among the world’s elite.
Sources
- Red94 — Comprehensive NFR round 3 results and championship standings
- Montana Sports — Ty Erickson’s performance analysis and standings update
- Sports Illustrated — NFR steer wrestling championship coverage
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.