NFR Average Champion and two-time NFR qualifier Riley Pruitt dominated the Mountain States Circuit Finals last weekend, taking home both the average and year-end titles.
Pruitt, 33, last made the NFR in 2019 when he finished fourth in the world with $226,445 won. He had a substantial lead of $16,151 over J.D. McCuistion coming into the Mountain States Circuit Finals, held in Loveland, Colorado, Oct. 25-26. The Gehring, Nebraska cowboy won the second round and placed in the third round to win the average with a time of 25.7 on three head, walking away with $6,172 and an NFR Open qualification.
Game Plan
Pruitt had one plan headed into the finals—to win as much as he could.
“In the first round I was going way too fast and made mistakes,” Pruitt said. “I came back in the second round and drew a good calf, made a good run and won the round. On my third-round calf, I saw more than I should have. I was late but still placed in the round.”
Pruitt tied his second-round calf in 7.4, earning him $2,244. In the third round, he finished fourth, banking $561.
Trouble At The Rodeo
Pruitt was aboard the 2024 Mountain States Circuit Tie-Down Horse of the Year to his wins at the circuit finals. The 7-year-old gelding, Trouble At The Rodeo, AKA “Snowman” is by Mi Ways Frenchman, and out of Laughing Chicado who is by Alamitos Chicado.
“I got him a couple of years ago when he was 5,” Pruitt said. “My mom ran barrels on him for three or four months, and then I decided to start roping on him. I liked him, so I bought him and have spent the last year and a half training him. He’s not like other horses, he adapts to any situation really well, which is nice. He’s super smart, always wants to work, and doesn’t really get in my way. I’m lucky to have him under me.”
In addition to bein a calf horse, Snowman is gearing up for a future with Pruitt’s daughter Chloe.
“My mom and dad do a good job at buying nice young horses,” Pruitt said. “We got lucky with Snowman. He’s a nice barrel horse, but he’s an even better calf horse. I lucked out with him, but the best part is how calm and gentle he is with my daughter. She will be 7 before too long, so I bet he will make a really nice barrel horse for her in a few years.”
NFR Open
The last time Pruitt qualified for the NFR Open, it was called the National Circuit Finals Rodeo and was held in Kissimmee, Florida.
“The last time I made the NFR Open was in 2019,” Pruitt said. “It was still held in Florida and earlier in the year. I did well down there and made the finals that year. You can win quite a bit of money which is huge right after the fourth run. There are not a whole lot of rodeos you can go to that only take 24 guys and have that much money on the line. The odds of winning money are good so I’m looking forward to it.”
2025 Rodeo Plans
Pruitt tried to hit as many circuit rodeos as he could in 2024 to season Snowman before the 2025 season kicked off.
“My game plan this year was to get a lot of runs on Snowman,” Pruitt said. “I’d like to make it back to the NFR, because it will pay so much next year. My goal this year was to try and get a horse finished, that I get along with. I’ve gotten to the age now where it’s just easier if I can make a horse, because I know everything about them. Snowman is going to be part of a group of horses that I haul next year. It’s going to be a really good group, and I’m real excited for it.”
After a knee injury a couple of years ago, Pruitt is finally feeling healthy and ready to get back out on the road this winter.
“You’ve got to have a good winter, and I’ve always had really good winters,” Pruitt said. “I’m excited for this winter because I’ll have a couple of horses for any situation that I need, which is huge. Some horses do well in every setup, but it’s hard on a calf horse to go to that many rodeos and make them last. I will have a few good ones on the trailer next year and it should be fun.”
