Pullin’ Up to Puyallup: NFR Playoffs Could Have MAJOR NFBR Bubble Implications

There’s one month left in the ProRodeo season, and a potential upset to the world standings is looming on the horizon.

With $12,000 separating No. 9 in the world standings from No. 22—nobody is safe with the $74,500.00 in added money at the NFR Playoff Series Finale in Puyallup, Washington.

If you’re wondering what the NFR Playoff Series is, click here for a fast facts sheet.

Back to the good stuff. The top 23 in the NFR Playoff Series who earned points all season long at Playoff events will get to compete in Puyallup, and all eyes will be on Ellensburg, Washington—the final stop in the Playoff series. As of August 25, here is how the points stacked up.

Okay….so what does that mean?

The World Championship Race

Martha Angelone has had an absolutely dominating year. However, Erin Johnson—who held onto the No. 1 position until the summer run, when Angelone took off like a rocket—has steadily held No. 2 and began closing the gap. Taylor Hanchey has been on a heater during the month of August and is creeping up quickly in the world standings, hanging just behind Johnson and not showing signs of slowing down anytime soon. With the top six in the world sitting well in the NFR Playoff Series standings, don’t count out Guy, Munsell and Boisjoli when the money’s on the line.

• Learn fron Erin Johnson, Lari Dee Guy and Shelby Boisjoli here.
• Pam Pam I Am: The 19-Year-Old NFR Tie-Down Horse Helping Taylor Hanchey Dominate Breakaway’s ProRodeo Scene

The Bubble

The safety line will be shifting in the month of September. At the beginning of August, BRJ estimated that the “Red Zone,” also known as the danger zone was at then No. 11 in the standings, Samantha Fulton with $36,281.66 in earnings. Compare that to one short month later, and Fulton has earned an additional $10,000 that has barely kept her above water. Also in early August, the No. 15 position was held by Danielle Lowman with $28,898.30. As of August 29, that No. 15 line is held by Jordi Edens with $41,321.93. Inside the top 23 in the Playoff Series standings currently sit No. 11-19 in the world standings, so that can easily shake up the bubble. Don’t count out Jackie Crawford and Hope Thompson inside the top 25, either. With Puyallup getting thrown in the mix, it’s hard to say what it will take to get to the NFBR in 2022, but we are certain that the NFR Playoff Series is going to impact that outcome in a big way.

Fourth-Quarter Crunch Time: Circuit Standings Update

Notably, Engesser and Guillory had five-figure earning weekends during the last week of August, splitting the win at San Juan Capistrano, California, and also splitting a round at Kennewick, Washington, which Engesser went onto tie for the win at with Tacy Webb, another player in the bubble conversation if she can pull through in September.

📝 If you just came for the quick notes, here’s the summary. 📝

There is $74,500 added in the breakaway roping in Puyallup, Washington. There is $13,582 separating No. 11 and No. 25 in the world. You will want to stay tuned to see the final roster for Puyallup, once points are totaled next week.

(It is also worth noting, Ellensburg, Washington, is offering $25,500 in the breakaway roping, and Walla Walla, Washington, has $10,000 added this weekend.)

WPRA World Standings (As of August 29, 2022)

World standings coverage is brought to you all season long by our friends at Cactus Ropes.