With the final weekend of the 2026 ProRodeo regular season down to its last day, three tie-down ropers are fighting for the final two spots at the National Finals Rodeo: 2025 Rookie of the Year, Tyler Calhoun, 2026 Rookie of the Year Leader, Kyan Wilhite and 10-time NFR qualifier, Cory Solomon, separated by just $2,189.83, and the bubble fight runs straight through the Governor’s Cup semifinals in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo in San Bernardino, California.
Thirteen ropers have clinched their spot in the Thomas & Mack. Everyone below Solomon in the world standings has been mathematically eliminated, including Beau Cooper, Tom Crouse, Dylan Hancock and Cole Clemons.
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Calhoun Jumps From 19th to 14th in Sioux Falls
Calhoun came to Sioux Falls 19th in the world with $115,491.81. He stopped the clock at 7.5 seconds in the second round for $9,400, tied for fourth in the average at 17.1 seconds on two head, and advanced to the semifinals.
Every semifinalist is guaranteed at least $4,500. The four who don’t advance to the finals are paid $4,500 each, and the four-man finals pay $34,000, $26,000, $17,000 and $9,000. With his guaranteed $4,500, Calhoun sits 14th with $129,391.81. Without any of the guaranteed money, Calhoun currently sits in the No. 15 seat with $124,891.81.
If Calhoun makes the four-man finals, he’s in. The $9,000 minimum there would take him to $133,891.81, which Wilhite can’t catch.
If he misses the finals, he’s stuck at $129,391.81 and has to watch San Bernardino. He falls out only if both Solomon and Wilhite pass him. Solomon would do that by making the finals in Sioux Falls or placing sixth or better at San Bernardino. Wilhite would do it by placing 13th or better there.
Wilhite’s Amarillo Check Matters
Wilhite placed sixth at the Amarillo Tri-State Fair and Rodeo in 8.6 seconds for $1,269, and that check could be the difference in his season. He sits 15th with $128,853.53 and is entered at San Bernardino.
Wilhite holds his spot as long as he finishes ahead of either Solomon or Calhoun. The most he can reach with a San Bernardino win is $133,450.13, so his fate also depends on what happens in Sioux Falls.
Solomon Needs Sioux Falls or a Flight West
Solomon kicked off the Governor’s Cup with a 10.9-second run in the first round. He came back with an 8.8 in the second round and snuck into the semifinals eighth in the average at 19.7 seconds on two head.
Even with the guaranteed $4,500 from Sioux Falls, Solomon sits 16th with $127,201.98. That’s $1,651.55 behind Wilhite and $2,189.83 behind Calhoun. Without the guaranteed money, Solomon sits 16th with $122,701.98.
A third-place finish or better in the Sioux Falls finals clinches his spot. Fourth in the finals ($9,000) would get him in too, unless Calhoun also makes the finals and Wilhite places fourth or better at San Bernardino.
If Solomon misses the four-man finals, he’s expected to fly to San Bernardino for the performance. There he needs to beat Wilhite’s check by more than $1,651.55. If Wilhite doesn’t place, eighth or better would do it. If Calhoun misses the Sioux Falls finals, sixth or better at San Bernardino would also get Solomon past him.
Who’s In, Who’s Out
Quade Hiatt is the last roper locked into the top 15 with $135,147.58. For him to fall out, Calhoun, Wilhite and Solomon would all have to pass him, and Wilhite can’t get there.
Hancock was a no-time on his first calf in Sioux Falls and was 18.7 seconds in the second round, which knocked him out of the average. He’s entered at San Bernardino, but he’d need $9,133.69 to pass Wilhite, and first place there pays an estimated $4,596.60.
Shad Mayfield won Stephenville in 7.6 seconds and tied for the win at Pasadena. He’s 13th with $134,890.69, without any guaranteed money from Sioux Falls. With the guaranteed $4,500, he will move to 11th with $139,390.69. Bryce Derrer is currently third at San Bernardino and could pass him.
Projected World Standings
Unofficial. Includes official checks posted through Sept. 26 and the guaranteed $4,500 for each Sioux Falls semifinalist.
| Place | Name | Hometown | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riley Webb | Denton, Texas | $340,748.17 |
| 2 | Haven Meged | Miles City, Mont. | $241,626.14 |
| 3 | Joel Harris | San Angelo, Texas | $216,340.19 |
| 4 | Kincade Henry | Mount Pleasant, Texas | $216,253.36 |
| 5 | Shane Hanchey | Sulphur, La. | $179,870.73 |
| 6 | Ty Harris | San Angelo, Texas | $172,234.08 |
| 7 | Trevor Hale | Perryton, Texas | $165,628.95 |
| 8 | Brushton Minton | Witter Springs, Calif. | $160,869.01 |
| 9 | John Douch | Huntsville, Texas | $149,500.87 |
| 10 | Zack Jongbloed | Iowa, La. | $146,797.01 |
| 11 | Shad Mayfield | Clovis, N.M. | $139,390.69 |
| 12 | Bryce Derrer | Portales, N.M. | $137,669.66 |
| 13 | Quade Hiatt | Canyon, Texas | $135,147.58 |
| 14 | Tyler Calhoun | Richards, Texas | $129,391.81 |
| 15 | Kyan Wilhite | Clovis, N.M. | $128,853.53 |
| 16 | Cory Solomon | Prairie View, Texas | $127,201.98 |
| 17 | Beau Cooper | Stettler, Alberta | $121,067.40 |
| 18 | Tom Crouse | Gallatin, Mo. | $120,916.14 |
| 19 | Dylan Hancock | San Angelo, Texas | $119,719.84 |
| 20 | Cole Clemons | Okeechobee, Fla. | $114,017.18 |
Governor’s Cup Results
Round 1: 1. Kincade Henry, 7.5 seconds, $12,533; 2. Joel Harris, 7.7, $9,400; 3. (tie) Shane Hanchey and Haven Meged, 8.0 each, $4,700 each; 5. Shad Mayfield, 8.7; 6. Trevor Hale, 8.8; 7. (tie) Tyler Calhoun and John Douch, 9.6 each; 9. Riley Webb, 9.8; 10. Cory Solomon, 10.9. No time: Dylan Hancock, Ty Harris
Round 2: 1. Riley Webb, 7.2 seconds, $12,533; 2. Tyler Calhoun, 7.5, $9,400; 3. Trevor Hale, 8.3, $6,267; 4. Joel Harris, 8.4, $3,133; 5. Cory Solomon, 8.8; 6. Haven Meged, 8.9; 7. Shad Mayfield, 9.7; 8. Shane Hanchey, 9.9; 9. Kincade Henry, 12.6; 10. John Douch, 17.0; 11. Dylan Hancock, 18.7. No time: Ty Harris
Average (advancing to semifinals): 1. Joel Harris, 16.1 seconds on two head; 2. Haven Meged, 16.9; 3. Riley Webb, 17.0; 4. (tie) Trevor Hale and Tyler Calhoun, 17.1 each; 6. Shane Hanchey, 17.9; 7. Shad Mayfield, 18.4; 8. Cory Solomon, 19.7.
The last two tie-down roping spots at the 2026 NFR will be decided by the end of the day. Calhoun and Solomon rope in the Sioux Falls semifinals, and Wilhite ropes in the San Bernardino performance.