The Bull Riding Event During the National Finals Rodeo is among the top seven events held by PRCA. It is the place for the top fifteen competitors in each event to compete and become the world champion.
Despite all the love it receives, some people may not like to talk much about it outside of the United States as anti-rodeo supporters are against rode and Bull Riding events.
But guess what? Every day, more and more people like the National Finals Rodeo events and watch them live on TV.
It has become a popular rodeo event, with thousands cheering for their favorite cowboys.
What is the National Finals Rodeo and Bull Riding Event?
The premier rodeo event National Finals Rodeo (NFR), is the final rodeo event of PRCA season, held every year in the first week of December. PRCA’s top 15 money-winners in each event are showcased during this event.
Every professional cowboy awaits a year to get a win on their preferred event, including the Bull Riding event during the national finals. Moreover, It is quite popular in many parts of the USA and attracts millions of spectators from abroad.
Let’s take 2021, for example; the event attracted more than 170,000 paying spectators. Meanwhile, the single-day attendees were 17,788, the highest number in the count since 2014.
What is a Bull Riding Event in NFR?
Bull riding Event in NFR is one of seven total events held in the National Finals Rodeo. During this event, the top cowboys take their shot at getting the best scores out of 100 by riding the toughest bucking bulls on the ranch.
However, their dreams are all put in the most challenging 8–seconds where they need to keep their hold on the bull and earn their spot in the history of the World’s best bull riders.
Top 15 Bull Riding Event Winners in NFR
Since we are discussing the Bull Riding Event During the National Finals Rodeo, we can’t ignore talking about cowboys who have become Bull Riding NFR Average Champions at the NFR.
So without stretching this article, here are the top 15 bull riding event winners in the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) based on their professional rodeo success and the honors they received:
1. Donald Gay
| Born | September 18, 1953 |
| From | Mesquite, Texas |
| Career | American former professional rodeo cowboy |
| Bull Riding NFR Win | 1x Wins |
| Honors | ProRodeo Hall of Fame, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, PBR Ring of Honor, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum – Rodeo Hall of Fame, Legends of ProRodeo, Molalla Walk of Fame, Bull Riding Hall of Fame |
Donald Gay, or Donnie Gay, is a former American professional rodeo cowboy and an 8x PRCA bull-riding world championship winner. He made a record by becoming the Bull Riding Champion eight times.
He also won The Bull riding event at NFR in 1976, besides establishing a record by qualifying for the NFR thirteen times, an unbroken record. In 1979, he was honored with the ProRodeo Hall of Fame honor.
However, he isn’t the only member of his family to receive the honor. His father, Neal Gay, was also a well-known rodeo competitor to receive this honor.
2. Ted Nuce
| Born | January 19, 1961 |
| From | Somewhere From America |
| Career | American former professional rodeo cowboy |
| Bull Riding NFR Win | 1 Win |
| Honors | 1996: PBR Ring of Honor |
The retired American professional rodeo cowboy Ted Nuce was among the few Bull Riders to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo several times. He won his first Bull Riding event at NFR in 1985 with his outstanding skills over mighty bucking bulls.
However, he did manage to achieve 5 NFR bull riding championship wins. Ted’s love for Bull riding and his outstanding rodeo career made him a legend in the history of Rodeo.
3. Sage Kimzey
| Born | August 19, 1994 |
| From | Strong City, Oklahoma, United States |
| Career | Professional bull rider |
| Bull Riding NFR Win | 3x Wins |
| Honors | PRCA Bull Riding Rookie of the Year, PRCA Ram Top Gun Award winner, CBR World Champion, NFR Bull Riding Average champion, PRCA World Champion bull rider, Calgary Stampede bull riding champion, PRCA Bull Riding Rookie of the Year, PRCA Ram Top Gun Award winner, CBR World Champion, NFR Bull Riding Average champion, PRCA World Champion bull rider, Calgary Stampede bull riding champion, PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour Champion, The American Rodeo bull riding champion, PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour Champion, The American Rodeo bull riding champion |
Sage Kimzey is an active American Professional Rodeo Cowboy. Being an active professional bull rider, Saze has won 3 Bull Riding Event During the National Finals Rodeo and qualified for it eight times.
He has already achieved eight different Awards /Honors several times.
Sage is a Bull Riding freak who loves to ride bucking bulls and score good points over them. Overall, he is a skilled professional bull rider who is determined to achieve more titles and honors before facing his retirement.
4. Ty Murray
| Born | October 11, 1969 |
| From | Phoenix, Arizona, US |
| Career | American former professional rodeo cowboy |
| Bull Riding NFR Win | 1x Wins |
| Honors | Bull Riding Hall of Fame, Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame, Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame, California Rodeo Salinas Hall of Fame, Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, PBR Ring of Honor, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, ProRodeo Hall of Fame, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, Calgary Stampede Guy Weadick Award, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum – Rodeo Hall of Fame, Cowboy Capital Walk of Fame |
Ty Murray is another bull rider with incredible feats, with 3 NFR event wins in the bull riding categories. Ty has won World Champion professional rodeo nine times as a professional rodeo cowboy.
Moreover, he has been among the top rodeo cowboy contestants for two decades (the 1980s to 2000s).
His notable feats include becoming seven times PRCA All-Around World Champion and two times PRCA Bull Riding World Champion.
5. Tuff Hedeman
| Born | March 2, 1963 |
| From | El Paso, Texas, US |
| Career | American former professional rodeo cowboy |
| Bull Riding NFR Win | 2x Wins |
| Honors | Cowboy Capital Walk of Fame, ProRodeo Hall of Fame, El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame, PBR Ring of Honor, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame, Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, Bull Riding Hall of Fame, Molalla Walk of Fame, Rodeo Hall of Fame of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum |
Tuff Hedeman has three event wins in the NFR, including Bull Riding. He is one of the best professional cowboys in the Rodeo’s history. During his entire career, Tuff has included some remarkable feats in his name.
He was also the first American Bull Rider from Texas, El Paso, to reach $1,000,000 in 1993.
Despite claiming numerous awards and Honors, Tuff was inducted into the Rodeo Hall of Fame of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in 2020.
6. Jim Sharp
| Born | October 6, 1965 |
| From | Kermit, Texas |
| Career | Former American Professional Bull Rider |
| Bull Riding NFR Win | 3x Wins |
| Honors | 2016 Bull Riding Hall of Fame, 2010 PBR Ring of Honor, 2009 Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, 2006 ProRodeo Hall of Fame, 2004 Texas Rodeo Hall of Fame, 2000 Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, 1988 Cowboy Capital Walk of Fame |
The American Hall Of Fame and Former Bull Rider Jim has won 3 Bull Riding Event During the National Finals Rodeo. Moreover, he was the first Bull Rider in 1988 to ride All-10 bulls at the NFR. With his record-breaking performance, he earned his first PRCA World Title.
Jim has claimed several Honors, including the Bull Riding Hall of Fame, which he was honored with in 2016. Jim Sharp is among the best Bull Riders in NFR history to score incredible feats.
7. Charles Sampson
| Born | July 2, 1957 |
| From | Los Angeles, California |
| Career | Former American Professional Rodeo Cowboy |
| Bull Riding NFR Win | 1x Wins |
| Honors | 2019 Bull Riding Hall of Fame, 2009 Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame, 2008 Rodeo Hall of Fame of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, 2004 PBR Ring of Honor, 2003 National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum and Hall of Fame, 1996 ProRodeo Hall of Fame |
Charles is a former American professional rodeo cowboy who loves riding bucking Bulls. He has claimed four NFR event wins and holds multiple awards and Honors before stepping down from his career and taking retirement at the age of 40.
In 2019, Charles was officially honored with the Bull Riding Hall of Fame honor.
8. Cody Teel
| Born | March 11, 1992 |
| From | Kountze, Texas |
| Career | American Professional Bull Rider |
| Bull Riding NFR Win | 2x Wins |
From Kountze, Texas, Cody Teel is one of the top professional bull riders (cowboy) who took an interest in it when he was nine. He has 2 Bull riding Event wins at National Finals Rodeo, the first in 2013 and the second in 2015. As of 2023 World Standings, Cody ranks 63 with 21 event counts / 21 Outs /5 Rides.
During his professional bullriding career, Cody has earned more than $2 million. As young as he is now, Cody has the potential to bring more NFR wins and claim notable awards and honors.
9. Lyle Sankey
| Born | December 22, 1964 |
| From | Grass, Montana |
| Career | Former Professional American Bull Rider |
| Bull Riding NFR Win | 2x Wins |
| Honors | Montana Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame, including several other awards and honors |
Lyle is a former professional rodeo cowboy who won the National Finals Rodeo Bull riding event. His first win was back in 1978, and his second was in 1980.
Although Sankey retired from professional Bull Riding, he remained associated with his profession as a rodeo coach and stock contractor.
Lyle Sankey has supported many young riders and helped them develop their skills and achieve great success as a professional cowboy. Lyle was honored with the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame and the Montana State University Hall of Fame honor.
10. Denny Flynn
| Born | April 21, 1951 |
| From | Charleston, Arkansas |
| Career | American former professional rodeo cowboy |
| Bull Riding NFR Win | 3x Wins |
| Honors | 2002 PBR Ring of Honor, 2010 ProRodeo Hall of Fame, 2010 Rodeo Hall of Fame of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 2017 Bull Riding Hall of Fame, 2019 Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame |
Denny is a retired American professional rodeo cowboy with two Bull Riding event wins at the National Finals Rodeo. He achieved incredible feats before retiring from his professional career at age 34.
His love for Bull riding brought him many notable honors, as well as the Bull Riding Hall of Fame in 2017.
11. Jim Shoulders
| Born | May 13, 1928 |
| Died | June 20, 2007 |
| From | Tulsa, Oklahoma |
| Career | American professional rodeo cowboy and Rancher |
| Bull Riding NFR Win | 1x Wins |
| Honors | Molalla Walk of Fame, The Bull Riding Hall of Fame, Legends of ProRodeo, Texas Trail of Fame, Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame, Pendleton Round-Up and Happy Canyon Hall of Fame, The St. Paul Rodeo Hall of Fame, The Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame, Professional Bull Riders (PBR) Ring of Honor, ProRodeo Hall of Fame, The Oklahoma Hall of Fame, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in its Rodeo Hall of Fame, The Madison Square Garden Hall of Fame |
James A. Shoulders, mainly known as Jim Shoulders, was an American Professional Rodeo cowboy and a ProRodeo Hall Famer. He was the first cowboy to win three events (bareback bronc, bull riding, and all-round), including the Bull Riding Event at NFR.
He was also a record maker as he once set a record by winning 16 world championships. However, Guy Allen later recreated history by becoming the one to win 18 world championships.
Overall, Jim Shoulders is among the best and most fearless bull riders. Unfortunately, Jim left us on June 20, 2007, at 79.
12. J.W. Harris
| Born | July 14, 1986 |
| From | Coleman, Texas, United States |
| Career | Former American professional rodeo cowboy |
| Bull Riding NFR Win | 2x Wins |
| Honors | The Bull Riding Hall of Fame |
James William Harris, known mainly by J.W. Harris, is a former American professional rodeo cowboy from Coleman, Texas. During his career span, he has won the Bull Riding event at NFR twice, once in 2018 and second in 2010.
Besides, he achieved the PRCA Bull Riding World Champion four times.
Without any second thought, he was considered among the best cowboys in Rodeo history. Even today, after his retirement in 2021, James is enlisted among the best in the Rodeo’s history.
13. Lane Frost
| Born | October 12, 1963 |
| Died | July 30, 1989 |
| From | La Junta, Colorado, U.S. |
| Career | Former American professional rodeo cowboy |
| Bull Riding NFR Win | 1x Wins |
| Honors | ProRodeo Hall of Fame, PBR Ring of Honor, Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, National Cowboy & Western, Heritage Museum – Rodeo Hall of Fame, Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame, Bull Riding Hall of Fame, Molalla Walk of Fame |
Lane Clyde Frost was an American professional rodeo Bull Rider considered one of the best Bull Riders ever to live. He won a Bull Riding event at NFR in 1986.
Moreover, he also scored qualified rides on the 1990 ProRodeo Hall of Fame bull Red Rock. Besides accomplishing many wins and great feats, Lane suffered several injuries.
However, Lane sustained a severe injury on 1989 Cheyenne Frontier Days and was later diagnosed at a local hospital, where he took his last breath.
14. Scott Mendes
| Born | July 4, 1969 |
| From | Visalia, California, United States |
| Career | Former American professional rodeo cowboy |
| Bull Riding NFR Win | 1x Wins |
| Honors | National High School Rodeo Finals Qualifier, Nevada High School State Champion Bull Rider, PRCA Texas Circuit Finalist, PRCA Wilderness Circuit Finalist, Wrangler World of Rodeo Champion Bull Rider, PBR World Finals Qualifier, PRCA World Champion Bull Rider, Bull Riding Hall of Fame |
Scott Mendes is a retired rodeo cowboy from Visalia, California. He used to ride bulls professionally and had a successful rodeo career. In 1997, he won the Bull Riding event at the NFR, a significant achievement in his rodeo career.
Besides, he also qualified for the National Finals Rodeo five times and received many awards and honors throughout his career. He retired in 2005 after achieving many incredible feats.
15. Warren Granger
| Born | January 18, 1921 |
| Died | March 20, 1987 |
| From | Wheatland, Wyoming, U.S. |
| Career | Former American professional rodeo cowboy |
| Bull Riding NFR Win | 1x Wins |
| Honors | West Best Cowboy Award, ProRodeo Hall of Fame, Brown received a trophy in that is in Denver for his “lifelong contribution to the sport of rodeo, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum – Rodeo Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, Cheyenne Frontier Days Hall of Fame, Bull Riding Hall of Fame, Molalla Walk of Fame |
Warren Granger, aka Freckles Brown, was a Hall of Fame American Professional Rodeo Cowboy. His professional career lasted 37 years, from 1937 to 1974. He became Bull Riding NFR Average Champion in 1967 in Soper, Oklahoma.
Moreover, Warren has achieved many feats and claimed several awards besides many honors. However, Warren Granger died on March 20, 1987, at 66.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this article highlights 15 cowboys to win Bull Riding Event During the National Finals Rodeo. The top 15 cowboys who participate in this event try to score high while riding mighty bucking bulls. Since 1959, several cowboys and cowgirls have won the NFR events, including Bull Riding.
This article lists fifteen Bull Riders who have successfully won the event. However, many other bull riders are not mentioned in this article. If you have more names in mind, please share them in the comment section.
We will try to create a dedicated and informative article on them.
