Ram National Circuit Finals Results, and Clements wins first bareback riding NCFR title

 Mason Clements hadn't been to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo since 2015. And that time didn't end memorably for the Utah cowboy.

Well, it did, but not for a good reason.

The 2018 NCFR at Silver Spurs Arena will be one that Clements remembers for a long time.

Clements won the bareback riding NCFR buckle on Sunday with an 86-point ride on Hi Lo ProRodeo's Wilson Sanchez in the finals. Clements tied with Tim O'Connell, who had 86 points on Korkow Rodeo's Onion Ring, but Clements got the win by having the higher score in the semifinals (an 85-point ride on Rafter G Rodeo's Assault).

Clements and O'Connell each earned $6,634 for the finals. Clements took home a total of $19,237 for the April 5-8 rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla. And like all the winners from the NCFR, Clements received a $20,000 voucher toward a new RAM Truck.

"To come back stronger, more confident, hungrier to win than ever and then win, it's a good feeling," Clements said.

It was a significant difference from his trip in 2015. He missed his second horse that week. Then on Sunday, with no semifinals to partake in, Clements went wake-boarding. He tore his ACL and had a rough rest of the season.

"I missed my second horse out to come back to the eight-man, and it crushed my dreams to make the finals that year," Clements said Sunday. "I got injured after that."

The start to the 2018 season has been the best start of his career. He entered the weekend sitting second in the PRCA World Standings with $42,520.

"I've stayed healthy, I've stayed strong, I've stayed focused," Clements said.

As for wake-boarding, Clements probably won't be doing that for a while.

"You live, and you learn," he laughed. "I've been a little smarter with my extracurricular activities and taking care of my body and taking care of business first."

 

Breding wins big in bull riding

Parker Breding made it a pair of NCFR hat tricks on Sunday.

The 25-year-old from Montana got on three bulls in one day on his way to winning his third NCFR title. His final ride was an 83.5-point ride on Brookman Rodeo's Chicken Dance.

No surprise, he took home the most money of any bull rider (or any competitor) on the weekend, cashing in for $29,567, which included ground money. 

"This is amazing; I came down here wanting this really bad," Breding said. "I needed a money boost, because I'm up there toward the top of the standings, but I need to keep winning more and this helps."

 

Olson/Kasner win team roping

Logan Olson and Matt Kasner roped their steer in 5.4 seconds in the finals, the same as Andrew Ward and Reagan Ward, but Olson and Kasner's 5.4-second time in the semifinals pushed them over the edge.

It was the first NCFR titles for Olson and Kasner, who took home $20,090, tops among team ropers.

 

Cooper wins tie-down roping

Tuf Cooper's 7-second performance in the tie-down roping finals landed the Texas cowboy his first NCFR buckle.

Cooper, the reigning all-around world champion, took home the most money among tie-down ropers, earning $18,005.

 

Floyd's fast time earns big money

Steer wrestler Chason Floyd made his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo last year. His NCFR title on Sunday could set him on his way to NFR No. 2.

Floyd won the NCFR buckle in 4.2 seconds, earning $7,581 for the win. He and Bridger Chambers each finished with a steer wrestling-best $17,058.

 

Saddle bronc riding title goes to Diaz

An 86-point ride on Dakota Rodeo's Bartender served Isaac Diaz the NCFR saddle bronc riding title.

Diaz split the finals with Wade Sundell, who also went for 86 points on Rafter G Rodeo's Low Bucks, but Diaz was claimed champ because of a higher score in the semifinals.

Diaz took home $14,594 from the rodeo, while Sundell took home the most money among saddle bronc riders with $18,669.

 

Top Stock of the NCFR

Rafter G Rodeo's Assault helped carry Mason Clements to the bareback riding title. That was one of the reasons Assault was named the top bareback riding horse of the NCFR.

Lancaster and Jones Pro Rodeo's El Patron was named top bull of the NCFR, while Silver Spurs Rodeo's Best Hope was the saddle bronc riding top horse. 

                                                                                              ~ PRCA Media