by Leigh Ann Matthews
Photos courtesy of the PRCA
Oklahoma will be well represented at the 67th Annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada. The 10-night event at the Thomas & Mack Center begins Dec. 4 and wraps up Dec. 13, with the crowning of the 2025 World Champions of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the National Finals Steer Roping and the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.
Several Okies are returning to the NFR with past qualifications while three new first-time qualifiers will make their first trip to the Thomas & Mack. Other Oklahoma contestants were knocked out of the top 15 during the final weeks of the 2025 rodeo season; however, the standings are still subject to change. According to Tracy Renck of the Pro Rodeo Media team, the standings for 2025 will not be confirmed till the final audit is complete in October. The 2026 season began Oct. 1, 2025, and runs through Sept. 30, 2026.
National Finals Rodeo — Oklahoma Qualifiers
All Around
2nd Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, OK
Bareback, Bulls
2024 NFR Qualifier (Bull Riding)
9th Jake Clay, Sapulpa, OK
Team Roping, Steer Roping
2023 NFR Qualifier
10th Coleman Proctor, Pryor, OK
Team Roping, Steer Roping
9 NFR Qualifications (2014-17, 2019, 2021-24)
Bareback
11th Jayco Roper, Oktaha, OK
2023 NFR Qualifier
12th Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, OK
2024 NFR Qualifier (Bull Riding)
Bull Riding
1st Wacey Schalla, Arapaho, OK
2024 NFR Qualifier
Steer Wrestling
13th Chance Howard, Sallisaw, OK
1st time NFR Qualifier
Team Roping (Header)
6th Clay Smith, Broken Bow, OK
10 NFR Qualifications (2015-2024)
2 World Championships (2018-19)
7th Andrew Ward, Edmond, OK
5 NFR Qualifications (2020-24)
1 NFR Average Title (2021)
11th Jake Smith, Broken Bow, OK
2024 NFR Qualifier
Steer Roping
1st Cole Patterson, Pawnee, OK
6 NFSR Qualifications (2019-23)
3 World Titles (2021, 2023, 2024)
1 NFSR Average Title (2021)
2nd Riley O’Rourke, Skiatook, OK
1st Time NFSR Qualifier
7th Chet Herren, Pawhuska, OK
19 NFSR Qualifications (2002, 2006, 2008-24)
1 NFSR Average Title (2002)
8th Jake Clay, Sapulpa, OK
1 NFR Qualification (2023)
10th Blake Deckard, Eufaula, OK
1 NFSR Qualification (2024)
11th Thomas Smith, Barnsdall, OK
4 NFSR Qualifications (2019-21, 2024)
12th Kelton McMillen, Weatherford, OK
1st Time NFSR Qualifier
13th Billy Good, Wynnewood, OK
2 NFSR Qualifications (2020, 2023)
Team Roping (Heeler)
5th Travis Graves, Jay, OK
14 NFR Qualifications (2008, 2010-22, 2024)
1 NFR Average Title 2017
WPRA Barrel Racing
3rd Emily Beisel, Weatherford, OK
6 NFR Qualifications (2019-24)
13th Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, OK
5 NFR Qualifications (2020-24)
WPRA Breakaway Roping
1st Taylor Munsell, Alva, OK
4 NFR Qualifications (2021-24)
7th Cheyanne McCartney, Kingston, OK
3 NFR Qualifications (2021-23)
