The breakaway roping has been tough on the girls in San Antonio. Barriers are falling, and no-times stacking up. But being the champ she is, Josie Conner never chased anything that was not there. She roped what she drew, collected checks in every round and let the bracket play out around her.
That is how you win in this format. Money advances, and watching the field, she knew her way to the top was just to be smart. Conner understood that and adjusted accordingly.
Conner finished atop Bracket 2 with $6,697 earned.
She opened with a 2.6-second run to win Round 1. In Round 2, she drew a fast calf and stayed controlled, stopping the clock at 5.5 seconds. Normally, a 5.5 won't be worth anything, but it was good enough to still cash a check when others pressed and missed. In Round 3, she capitalized, splitting the round win with Jessi Everett at 1.9 seconds. She used the calf that she drew.
This is the kind of approach that separates the best of the best competitors. The 2022 WPRA Rookie of the Year has been knocking on the door of a gold buckle for several seasons. If she continues roping this way, disciplined, situational and strategic, 2026 could very likely be her year.
Conner, recently engaged to three-time world champion Riley Webb, is setting her 2026 year up just perfectly.
Behind Conner in the bracket is Jill Tanner, her is currently sitting in the top spot in the World Standings fresh off of the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Title. Joey Williams and Jessi Everett also advance in the breakaway roping.
Bareback Riding
Consistency also led the way in the bareback riding. Mason Stuller did not win a round, but he went three for three and placed in all three rounds to top the bracket with $4,954. Steady checks matter. If Stuller keeps building like we are seeing, his first National Finals Rodeo appearance could be well within reach.
Wacey Schalla, the youngest million-dollar cowboy in PRCA history, sits close behind with $4,128. Kade Berry and veteran Tilden Hooper also advance.
Steer Wrestling
Eight-time NFR qualifier Will Lummus came out firing with a Round 1 win in 5.2 seconds and tied for the bracket lead at $6,881. Canadian Riley Westhaver matched him in earnings after winning Round 3 with a 4.7-second run. Both are looking to solidify strong seasons.
Dalton Massey won Round 2 with a 4.5 and finished third overall followed by Riley Duvall.
Team Roping
The young duo of James Arviso and Rance Doyal continues to impress.
Arviso, the 2025 Rookie of the Year, and Doyal topped the bracket with $5,504 each. Derrick Begay and Colter Todd were second with $4,404, followed by Jaxon Hill and Jessen James. Cody Carter and Will Woodfin will also be headed to the semi finals.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Bracket 2 turned into a matchup of world champions in the saddle bronc riding.
Four-time world champion Zeke Thurston edged 10-time world champion Stetson Wright for the top spot, finishing with $6,330. Wright followed with $5,504.
Riggin Chaz Smith won Round 1 with an 85.5. Wright came out on top in Round 2 with 86.5. Thurston won Round 3 with 87.5 to seal the bracket.
Zeke Thurston, Stetson Wright, Cash Wilson, and Riggin Smith will be the four in the semis from the second bracket in San Antonio.
Barrel Racing
LaTricia Duke was the most consistent of the group of barrelracers, placing in all three rounds to win the bracket with $7,156. Close behind was 18-time NFR qualifier and three-time world champion Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi with $6,054.
Paige Jones and McKenna Coronado round out the advancing four.
Bull Riding
Trey Benton III delivered when it mattered most. His 90-point ride in Round 3, paired with a third-place finish in Round 1, earned him the bracket lead with $4,770.
Clayton Sellars with $4,128 came in second. Lane Vaughan and T Parker also punched their tickets to the semifinals.