The 2024 edition of the Prairie Circuit Finals is now underway in Duncan, Oklahoma. Three native Nebraskans will be in action through Saturday, October 19.
The stakes could not be higher as the top 12 contestants in each event vie for year-end honors and average titles. Money won at the Prairie Circuit Finals counts towards the 2025 PRCA World Standings, making the event a key jumping off point for athletes as they eye next year’s circuit finals and the National Finals Rodeo.
Circuit finals action kicked of Thursday evening and bareback rider Gauge McBride wasted no time making a statement. The Kearney native won round one with an 84 point ride on Silver Creek Rodeo’s horse, Bare Naked.
The Cornhusker State also found success on the other end of the arena. Valentine native Mataya Eklund snagged a check in the barrel racing, placing third with a time of 16.42 seconds.
Nebraskan Denton Oestmann of Auburn did not manage to place in round one, but has experience on his side as he looks to rounds two and three. The Northwestern Oklahoma State University alum has qualified for the Prairie Circuit Finals the past three years.
Listen to an analysis of the first performance from Prairie Circuit Finals Media Director, Ted Harbin:
Listen to our interview with Gauge McBride:
Listen to our interview with Denton Oestmann:
View full results from round one below:
Round 1 Results: Chisholm Trail Ram Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo – October 17
Bareback riding: 1. Gauge McBride, 84 points on Silver Creek Rodeo’s Bare Naked, $2,166; 2. (tie) Jayco Roper and Bryce Eck, 81, $1,354 each; 4. Quintonn Lunsford, 73, $541.
Steer wrestling: 1. Cody Devers, 4.9 seconds, $2,279; 2. Riley Westhaver, 5.3, $1,709; 3. Jacob Edler, 5.4, $1,139; 4. Trisyn Kalawaia, 5.6, $570.
Breakaway roping: 1. Taylor Munsell, 2.6 seconds, $2,279; 2. Beau Peterson, 3.0, $1,709; Winter Williams, 3.3, $1,139; 4. Christi Braudrick, 3.5, $570.
Saddle bronc riding: 1. Cooper Thatcher, 81 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Wally, $2,279; 2. Weston Patterson, 80, $1,709; 3. Trent Burd, 79, $1,139; 4. (tie) Heston Harrison and Denton Ward, 77.5, $285 each.
Tie-down roping: 1. Paul David Tierney, 9.3 seconds, $2,279; 2. Tyler Milligan, 9.4, $1,709; 3. Kason Dyer, 9.5, $1,139; 4. Austin Lawrence, 10.7, $570.
Team roping: 1. Mason Appleton/Rance Doyle, 4.6 seconds, $2,279; 2. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 4.8, $1,709; 3. Tyler Hobert/Shannon Frascht, 5.4, $1,139; 4. J.C. Yeahquo/Buddy Hawkins, 5.9, $570.
Barrel racing: 1. Emily Beisel, 16.18 seconds, $2,279; 2. Tana Renick, 16.41, $1,709; 3. Mataya Eklund, 16.42, $1,139; 4. Ari-Anna Flynn, 16.43, $570.
Bull riding: 1. Jesse Hopper, 84 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Black Panther, $2,260, 2. (tie) Jackson Ward and Fulton Rutland, 81, $1,412 each; 4. Coy Pollmeier, 68.5, $565.
