Rookie Bareback Rider makes opening statement at the start of the National Finals Rodeo

First the feet flew. As soon as they touched the ground, the hat also touched the ground.

With a celebratory scream and the toss of his headgear, bareback rider Weston Timberman brought the sold-out crowd at Thomas & Mack Arena to life at the start of the opening round of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on Thursday. His 87-point ride against J Bar J humpback horse Drunk Bunny secured the highest score of the night and gave the Resistol Bareback Riding Rookie of the Year in Las Vegas an early lead.

“I came in knowing no one could beat me, and I think that showed tonight,” Timberman told the Cowboy Channel in a post-ride interview.

The duel with Drunk Bunny was a familiar experience for Timberman, as he pulled the horse twice in 2023. He scored 84 points at the Meagher County Labor Day Rodeo in White Sulfur Springs, Montana, after scoring 87 points at the 2023 Bear Paw Roundup in Chinook, Mont., about a month earlier.

Even though there was a long break between the third part, the wait was worth it. Timberman held off fellow rookie Bradlee Miller, who became the fourth rider to score an 86.5 against Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Renovo Shady Nights. Three other competitors – Taylor Broussard, Cole Franks and Dean Thompson – all finished in third place with 85 points.

Timberman is trying to reach rarefied air that few Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association athletes can claim. Back in June, the cowboy from Clarendon, Texas, captured his second consecutive College National Finals Rodeo title in bareback riding for Clarendon College. Now he’s trying to become the first person since saddle bronc rider Taos Muncy in 2007 to win CNFR and NFR championships in the same season.

It would also be the second consecutive year a rookie won the Bareback World Championship, as Keenan Hayes took home the gold buckle in 2023. Timberman came into the NFR ranked sixth in the PRCA world rankings. After one round and winnings of $33,687, he has moved up to third place, less than $3,000 shy of his $200,000 winnings for the season.

Even though there is still a long way to go, the young man certainly has confidence in his side early on.

“My first time is pretty cool so far,” Timberman told The Cowboy Channel.