LAS VEGAS — Rocker Steiner entered the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge as the bareback riding leader in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. But he faced adversity early on.
Steiner finished outside the money in the opening round. Then, in Round 2, he recorded a no-score after an injury derailed a ride that looked poised to send him to the pay window.
The 20-year-old bareback riding superstar found his rhythm in Round 6 and brought 16,708 fans to their feet at the Thomas & Mack Center. Steiner earned his first round win of the competition with an 89-point ride on Korkow Rodeo’s Tater Tot.
“It’s very hard to train so hard for so many months and ride all year long to come to the NFR number one, and then something very unfortunate like getting knocked out while riding happens,” Steiner said. “So, to come off of that with some decent scores and then get a round win is a great feeling.”
Steiner earned $33,687 for his eight seconds of work, bringing his NFR earnings total to $79,004 and moving him back to the top spot in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $312,323.
Steiner knew Tater Tot presented the opportunity for an NFR-changing ride.
“I knew it was great, and that was definitely going to be the one to win it on,” Steiner said. “Whenever you get a little more experience, you kind of know what a great ride feels like and how many points it’s going to be.”
The go-round victory marked Steiner’s first since Round 9 of the 2023 National Finals Rodeo.
“I was very thankful to draw that horse and to be able to ride like I did today,” Steiner said. “And I’m very thankful to be going over to take an interview really quick and go to the South Point.”