LAS VEGAS — A rank pen of bulls presented a challenge during Round 4 of the Wrangler National Finals presented by Teton Ridge on Sunday before 16,945 spectators at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The bulls won 11 matchups during the round, creating an opportunity to pick up ground money as the night progressed.
Four cowboys weathered the storm, including Josh Frost.
The Randlett, Utah, cowboy made the most of the moment with an 86.5-point trip on Sutton Rodeos’ One Chance to earn the round win and move to the top of the PRCA | RAM World Standings.
“It was really good,” Frost said. “I was super excited about that bull. And every night here you get your draw and think you’re going to win the round. So, it’s pretty fun to get ‘er done finally after four (rounds).”
Frost raked in $37,219, bringing his total to $296,860 in the world standings and the score pushed him to second in the NFR Average.
As the round wore on – and the field whittled down – Frost focused on his bull instead of the chance to pick up ground money.
“It doesn’t matter what those other guys do,” Frost said. “It’s easy to get caught up in watching everybody else and thinking about the money you can win, but if you aren’t focusing on your bull, you’re going to be laying in the dirt.”
The four-time NFR qualifier relied on his experience behind the yellow bucking chutes to stay grounded rather than hit the ground.
“From the time I got here and from the time I got my draw last night, I was just visualizing that bull and visualizing my ride,” Frost said. “Then when you get behind the chutes, you really have to dial in and focus because there’s a lot of distractions back there.”
Frost has picked up $85,796 at the NFR in the first four rounds – the most of any competitor in the event. He’s sixth in the RAM Top Gun Award standings.
“I’ve been here and won the average and been bucked off on all ten before,” Frost said. “I’ve got four years of experience coming in here. It dang sure helped me keep my head and know where I needed to be mentally