Waylon Bourgeois’ first National Finals Rodeo hasn’t been all that dreams are made of, but it’s been pretty good. He has earned $131,000, the most recent of which came from finishing in a tie for second place during Friday’s ninth round with an 85.75-point ride on Penthouse Pro Rodeo’s Cosmic Stardust.
(PHOTO BY GREG WESTFALL)

 

LAS VEGAS – A little reminder is a good thing.

Bareback rider Waylon Bourgeois must’ve needed one, so Penthouse Pro Rodeo’s Cosmic Stardust provided it during their 85.75-point ride in Friday’s ninth round of the National Finals Rodeo. He finished tied for second and reeled in another Las Vegas payday worth $25,431.

“I got on that horse at Cheyenne in the short round there in July, and I aced her,” he said, referring to a great personal performance. “It made it seem a lot easier than what she really is. (Friday’s round) is our one pen, a little bit easier horses, so I had that thought in my head. So, I nod my head, got a really good mark out, and she hit me (with her rump).

“I’m so glad she did, because it reminded me, ‘Hey, it’s time to go to work.’ I did.”

The unexpected jolt provided the perfect lift as this year’s NFR winds to a close. With his Friday night paycheck, Bourgeois increased his Sin City earnings to $131,044.

“Getting another check over here at the NFR is what we dream about doing,” said Bourgeois, competing at the championship for the first time. “That’s what we’re here for is to come in and do our best and win as much as possible.”

It’s not as easy as it seems. The competition is fierce, with only the top 15 bareback riders from the regular season earning the right to compete in Las Vegas. The Church Point, Louisiana, cowboy entered the fray 12th in the world standings. He’s climbed to sixth with $258,907 with one night remaining on the season.

The challenge is further exacerbated by the best 105 horses selected to perform at the NFR. They’re set up in five pens, from easy like Friday’s herd to the most difficult, “the eliminators,” which were featured Thursday.

“Yeah, these horses were a lot easier than last night,” he said Friday. “Last night’s were ‘the eliminators’ and tonight were ‘the hoppers,’ and there’s a super big difference in those two pens.”

The best in the business should be able to ride a variety of bucking horses, and the NFR offers a test to prove it. He will be matched with Frontier Rodeo’s Breaking News during Saturday’s final go-round of this year’s NFR.

“I’m just trying to soak it in, because these 10 days have just flown by,” Bourgeois said. “I can’t remember all the rounds because they’ve flown by so fast. I’m feeling super confident in my riding. The more you get on, the better you feel.

“The money feels super good, and it’s not over. I got my first go-round buckle win (in the third round), and I wasn’t done then. I want another one. It feels good to have that money in my pocket, but I’m still hungry and ready for more.”