Joel Harris stopped the clock at 6.8 seconds in Round 6 of the 2025 NFR, earning $36,668 and winning his first go-round at this year’s Finals aboard Daddys Shiner Cat, “Peso.”
Harris has picked up checks in 3 different rounds this week, but a no-time in Round 4 took him out of the average. In Round 6, everything lined up for Harris.
“I’ve felt pretty good about this week the whole way,” Harris said. “I wouldn’t say I’ve necessarily roped my best, but I think I’ve done the right things. It was just a matter of time of drawing the right calves and getting a little better feel for the start.”
Peso has been a defining factor in Harris’ week, giving him the confidence to stay aggressive from the first performance on.
“I remember early in August thinking how bad I wanted to be at the NFR—not just because everyone wants to be here, but because I have so much confidence in the horse I get to ride,” Harris said. “A lot of people show up and they’re not totally sure, and it’s not their fault. I just stumbled on him last year, and I’m thankful the Birds let me on him again.”
Behind the 6.8
Harris drew one of Trent Walls’ favorite calves in the pen—one he believed would give him a legitimate chance to win the round.
“I thought mine was one of the really good ones,” Harris said. “If I could do my job, I knew I’d have a chance to be back in the winner’s circle.”
When Harris nodded, Peso was ready to work.
“Honestly, my calf was a little slower than I thought,” Harris said. “I came out a little hot on him, and right when I got her flanked I thought, oh man, can I try to be under that 6.4? Then I had trouble crossing her and figured, let’s just try to be under seven flat and I’ll be a happy man.”
He stopped the clock at 6.8 and punched his ticket back into the press room—something he joked felt a little different this year.
“It’s nothing like your first one,” Harris laughed. “But being back in here feels pretty sweet.”
Letting It All Hang Out
Already out of the average, Harris’ mindset was simple: swing hard and let Peso do what he does best.
“I was just thinking go fast,” Harris said. “I wasn’t worried about anything else. Just be aggressive and let it all hang out.”
That aggressive approach has been his anchor through the ups and downs of this year’s Finals.
“I try not to get too deep into it,” Harris said. “You tell yourself it’s just another rodeo, but it’s not. Erring on the side of aggressive instead of cautious—that’s my perspective, and I think it’s gone well so far.”
Growth from 2024 to 2025
Harris feels the strides he’s made in his roping this season are showing up inside the Thomas & Mack.
“I think I’ve improved in a lot of areas,” Harris said. “You only have 10 nights to showcase your work. You don’t know if you’ll win more than last year or fall off your horse. Things happen fast in this sport. But I feel like I’ve improved, and that’s always my goal.”