Les Shepperson need not look far to be reminded what a gold buckle looks like.
The 34-year-old steer wrestler’s father, Frank, won the world championship in that event in 1975 and might just be wearing that gold buckle in Las Vegas as you read this.
In front of a sixth-round record-setting crowd at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas on Tuesday, Shepperson put himself in position to give the family a second gold buckle. Shepperson and Gabe Ledoux each brought down their steer in 4. 0 seconds, sharing the sixth-round victory at the Thomas & Mack Center.
“It would mean everything; that’s been my|healthcare professional|personal|my own, personal|search terms|my own , personal|medical professional|published|health care provider|my business|all of my|of my|excellent|my own personal|keyword phrases|a|offered|economical|day-to-day|web page} whole life’s goal growing up, ” said Shepperson, from Midwest, Wyo. “[My father won] before I was born, but I’ve seen pictures and old videos and stuff. He’s always shared stories. ”
Officially, the $16, 343 won by Shepperson Tuesday night leaves him in eighth place in the world standings, trailing world leader Luke Branquinho by $35, 750. But Shepperson, who entered the 10-night rodeo in 11th place, leads the average race – which pays $46, 821 to the winner – with a six-head time of 25. 0 seconds.
With Branquinho in eighth place in the average, Shepperson rose to become a favorite after six nights, though the race will almost certainly come down to the final night on Saturday.
Ledoux helped his cause in similar fashion. Like Shepperson, the 32-year-old put together five solid runs to start the NFR, but he was looking to get tapped off.
“I had placed a little bit down in the rounds the last couple nights and it felt good to win a round, and split it with Les. I needed the money, ” Ledoux said. “You’ve just got to go win everything you can. It’ll be fun. I try not to [look at the standings]. That doesn’t determine anything. You just try to go win. ”
Ledoux came to the NFR ranked eighth in the world, and is currently second in the average behind Shepperson.
For the second consecutive night, the first bareback rider to nod his head and start his ride went on to win the go-round.
Leesville, La., cowboy Winn Ratliff rode Kesler Rodeo’s Star Burst to 83. 5 points to begin the sixth performance and it held up to top the field by one point.
“It’s just an awesome feeling to have the opportunity to come here and then win the sixth round, ” Ratliff said. “My mom said, ‘This is the one; we’re going to the South Point [to collect the go-round championship buckle]. I’ve been real hesitant to think I’d win, just taking it one horse at a time and not get antsy about it. ”
The favorite to win a second gold buckle in a row is Kaycee Feild. The Payson, Utah, cowboy shared second place with three other cowboys in Round 6 and holds a $37, 941 lead over three-time World Champion Will Lowe.
The 25-year-old Feild, who joined the club of ProRodeo cowboys with $1 million in career earnings on Tuesday night, also leads the NFR average race in bareback riding.