Cole Clemons entered Heber City, Utah, for the 2024 Wilderness Circuit Finals Nov. 1-2, with a $4,203 lead, but the No. 2 man Riley Webb gave him a run for his money, winning the average with a 24.4 on three head.
Webb, the reigning world champion, left the Wilderness Circuit Finals with his first circuit average win in the tie-down roping, qualifying him for his first NFR Open in July. The 21-year-old Denton, Texas, cowboy placed second in the first round, split the third-round win and won the average, taking home $7,790.
While Webb beat out Clemons, 20, by five-tenths of a second in the average, his year-end lead held strong. Clemons remained consistent all four rounds to earn his second consecutive year-end circuit title, a trip to the 2025 NFR Open in Colorado Springs and $7,167.
Back-to-Back Circuit Champ
A year ago, Clemons was a Texas Circuit kid who not only qualified for his first circuit finals but also won the year-end title with $29,199 won on the season. In 2024, Clemons switched things up and claimed the Wilderness Circuit.
“I think it’s pretty cool to win the year-end in two different circuits,” Clemons said. “I think Texas and Wilderness are two of the best circuits. I mean, the Wilderness Circuit had Riley Webb, Dylan Hancock, Zack Jongbloed and Shane Hanchey, and all those guys made the NFR. I think it’s pretty cool to win when you’re competing against those guys.”
Clemons had a successful finals, winning the first round and placing in the second round and the average.
“They ran us in the order of the standings, so I roped last in the first round,” Clemons said. “Riley was second to last, so he was the only one that had a chance to catch me in the year-end. Riley was 7.7 and winning it, so I had pressure on me right at the start. I decided to go at one and I was 7.5 and won the round—but Riley still ended up second, so it didn’t give me any room for mistakes.”
After Webb went 9.0 seconds on his second calf, Clemons could finally breathe.
“I kind of messed one up in the second round, but I still ended up finishing second,” Clemons said. “Riley tied one really fast in the third round, so I knew I wasn’t going to win the average. I just went in and knocked my third-round calf down to make sure I won the year-end, and it all worked out.”
Chance at Redemption
Clemons rode Joe, the grade, blue roan gelding he rode most of the season, to his circuit finals win.
“This was the first place I rode him since Stephenville,” Clemons said. “He’s been turned out for a while and he felt good, but he did feel a little rusty. So, I’m going to start riding him and tuning on him to make sure he’s ready for the Finals.”
After a less-than-ideal NFR Open last year, Clemons is excited to go back and hopefully get some redemption.
“It was a goal to get to the NFR Open last year, and it ended up being kind of a letdown,” Clemons said. “I got there and I didn’t do worth a dang; I had two no-times and didn’t win anything. I’m glad I get to go back and get some redemption because it is such a good rodeo.”
First Timer
Webb qualified for his first circuit finals on his permit in 2021 in his home turf: the Texas Circuit. He found luck in 2024 in the Wilderness circuit, winning $44,194 on the season and securing his first circuit finals average win.
Webb got the weekend started with a 7.7 in Round 1 to win second behind Clemons. After some bumps in the road in Round 2, Webb knew he had to go for it in the third round.
“I didn’t draw the best on my second calf,” Webb explained. “I kind of jerked her down and had to get her up, but I was 9.0 and made a decent run. On my third calf, I was second to last out. I was seven-tenths behind Cole in the average, so I knew I needed to make a good run. I went 7.7 and split the round with Dylan Hancock and won the average.”
Winning Streak
Webb started the 2025 ProRodeo season on a high note between the circuit Finals and taking the win at the Cook’s Garage Pro Rodeo in Lubbock, Texas.
“It felt really good to get the average win,” Webb said. “Getting to go to the NFR Open for the first time with one of my best friends (Clemons) is pretty cool. I got to split the third round with my other best friend, Dylan Hancock, and then went first and second in the average with Cole. It’s awesome. It was a winning week for me, winning Cook’s Garage, as well. It’s nice to start the 2025 season off winning.”
Marked Up Cat
Riley rode his gelding Marked Up Cat, aka “Rudy,” to his wins at the circuit finals.
“He worked good at the circuit finals,” Webb said. “We’re in Phoenix, Arizona, for the Hondo Rodeo this weekend and I’m riding him there. When we get back, I’m going to keep him legged up for the NFR. I’ll run a few practice calves on him and keep him sharp so we can hopefully hit Las Vegas running.”
