The Boys Are Back

Dustin Egusquiza, Coleman Proctor, Patrick Smith, and Tanner Tomlinson all return to the Thomas and Mack Arena in Las Vegas for the 2023 National Finals Rodeo. 

Egusquiza, who is sitting at #4 in the world standings with $138,348 in earnings in 2023, has a new partner, Levi Lord, and is roping better than ever. He ended the year with more runs of 3.7 seconds or faster than any other header. 

Egusquiza is looking at his fourth straight top-10 finish. He ended 2021 #3 in the world and 2022, at #7. Heading into the NFR, he’s ranked #4 PRCA world standings.

“I’m feeling pretty good about it,” Egusquiza said of Vegas. “I’ve got two great horses that I'm going to have the option of riding out there. Levi’s been roping great. We’re ready to get out there and hopefully do some winning.”

Coleman Proctor is sitting at #7 in the world standings with partner Logan Medlin. This is his 8th trip to the NFR. Last year in Vegas, Proctor finished eight in the NFR average, with 39.1 seconds on seven head. He placed in five rounds and outright won Rounds 5 and 8.

“I felt like last year the first five I spun as good as I could. That was the job I went out to do and then I wavered there in the middle rounds,” Proctor said. “I know the recipe for doing it. Now it’s just a matter of being able to turn 10 of them."

Ultimately, it comes down to execution. Proctor said he is ready.

“I have a better understanding of what I need to be doing on my side of the ball to allow us to be successful,” Proctor said. “And ultimately what it’s going to take to win the gold buckle.”

Patrick Smith and Tanner Tomlinson were crowned the 2022 average winners with an NFR record 53.0 seconds on 10 head. The duo placed in seven rounds including a pair of wins in Rounds 3 and 10.  Round 3 saw them set an NFR record with a 3.6-second run. 

Their average win last year was a first for Tomlinson, who was also making his first appearance at the NFR. For Smith, it was his third NFR average win. The veteran roper will probably hurdle the $2.5 million career earnings mark this month.  

Heading into Vegas, Tomlinson is sitting at #9 in the world standings with winnings of $118,705.98.

Smith will likely cross $2.5 million in career earnings at the 2023 NFR (he needs $53,000) as he searches for that elusive Gold Buckle.