Big mid-September rodeo purses in places like Pendleton and Abilene presented opportunities for more than those cowboys chasing a berth to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR)—they also helped breathe life into circuit finals aspirations for ProRodeo competitors across the country.

While the contenders are already decided in almost half the circuits, in the other half, ropers are still chasing dollars in the final weeks of the regular season, hoping to give themselves a leg up for circuit championships or to sneak into the circuit finals rodeos.

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Coming in Hot in the Texas Circuit

Cole Clemons continued his solid position atop the leaderboard in the Texas Circuit as the circuit winds to its September 25 conclusion with a flurry of rodeos from Amarillo to Stephenville, with stops at co-approved offerings from Louisiana to New Mexico.

With full-time guys making their way back home to Texas from the summer run, the bottom end of the standings began to shuffle in mid-September. World leader Riley Webb and World Champ Marcos Costa picked up big checks in Abilene to climb their way into contention for a spot in Waco, home of the Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo on October 10–13.

Costa leaped from 18th to seventh while Webb climbed from 16th to 10th. Clay McCuistion also fared well, moving from 13th to ninth.

John Douch is now on the bubble at 12th in the circuit standings, a gap of just $448 separating him from Robert Mathis and a few more dollars back to Weldon Watson and Monty Lewis as this one goes down to the wire.

Texas Circuit Standings as of September 18, 2023

Chasing California Circuit’s Jordan Ketscher

The California Circuit had two rodeos on tap in mid-September and multi-event hand Doyle Hoskins was the big money winner. He won both Laton and Marysville, pocketing $1,730 to inch up the standings.

The field continues to chase Jordan Ketscher who has won more than $18,600 so far this year.

There are four rodeos left before the end of the season and plenty of contenders to move into the top 12 ahead of the California Circuit Finals, held on New Year’s weekend in Red Bluff. KC Miller is in the hot seat at 12th, just under $200 ahead of Jade Church.

California Circuit Standings as of September 18, 2023

Still Hunting Top Spots in the Southeastern Circuit

With a few rodeos on the schedule again, there were some changes to the Southeastern Circuit standings. Macon Murphy won a little to move to second, closing in on long-time leader Blake Chauvin.

There is just a tick over $2,000 from Chauvin to eighth-ranked Booker McCutchen, making this a race to watch during the Southeastern Circuit Finals Rodeo in Davie, Florida, November 10–13.

Not surprisingly, the bubble is interesting, too, with a bunch of contestants still in the hunt for a spot amongst the top 12 as the circuit closes out with a few rodeos from Louisiana to Florida.

Southeastern Circuit Standings as of September 18, 2023

Trent Turner Jumps Three Spots in First Frontier Circuit

Trent Turner had the most profitable month in the First Frontier Circuit. Turner jumped from sixth to third thanks to a pair of wins at the Painted Pony Series in New York and good checks in Levant, Maine.

Reigning champ Zane Kilgus holds a commanding lead as the season winds down, and a handful of guys are battling for the last spots in the top 12.

The First Frontier Circuit Finals happens in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Farm Show on January 11–13 in Harrisburg.

First Frontier Circuit Standings as of September 18, 2023

Shane Hanchey Dominates Wilderness Circuit with $20,000 Lead

The Wilderness Circuit is all but wrapped up with just one rodeo (Mona, Utah, September 29–30) left on the docket for the 2023 regular season.

Shane Hanchey pretty much has closed the door on the field with more than $51,000 won this summer alone. His closest competition is Zack Jongbloed, nearly $20,000 back.

While Hanchey is locked in at the top, there’s still a race on to see who will compete at the Wilderness Circuit Finals Rodeo in Heber City, Utah, come November 3–4. Eleventh-ranked Colton Kofoed helped his cause with a good check in St. George on September 16, putting some distance between himself and 12th-ranked Stetson Vest.

Just a smidge over $900 separates Vest from 15th-ranked Brayden Roe, with 16th-ranked Waid Dalton just another $200 behind Roe, leaving five guys in contention for the final spot.

For reference, Mona paid $2,594 to the winner a year ago.

Wilderness Circuit Standings as of September 18, 2023

Last Chance in the Great Lakes Circuit

Like the Wilderness, the Great Lakes Circuit is down to one more rodeo, one last chance to qualify for the Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo to be held in Louisville, Kentucky, on November 9–11.

Cody Huber and Chance Oftedahl traded the lead throughout the season but Huber pulled away during the final month with wins in Ashland, Glenwood City and Dayton to close with a lead of $7,000. Huber has three circuit titles already.

On the bubble are Dawson Turner (11th), Haze Wright (12th), Steve Kuntz (13th) and Hadley DeShazo (14th) who are only $900 apart. The final rodeo will happen September 22–23 in Madison, Indiana.

Great Lakes Circuit Standings as of September 18, 2023

Aloha State’s Kalai Nobriga Tops Turquoise Circuit Leaderboard

In the Turquoise Circuit, one of the circuit’s most lucrative rodeos, the New Mexico State Fair & Rodeo in Albuquerque, finished up and Hawaiian transplant Kalai Nobriga was the lone circuit competitor to make it into the money. In fact, he won enough to take the lead from Hayden Ford by about $800.

With two weekends and seven rodeos left, Tristan Mahoney is holding down the 12th position in the standings, clinging to a lead of $44 over Colten Wallis.

The Turquoise Circuit Finals is held in Camp Verde, Arizona, on November 3–4.

Turquoise Circuit Standings as of September 18, 2023

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