There’s something uniquely electric about Round 4 of the National Finals Rodeo. It sits at an interesting point in the competition far enough in that the pressure starts to tighten, but not quite late enough for the standings to lock into place. It’s the moment where someone’s momentum can explode, or just as easily, evaporate. And this year’s Round 4 delivered exactly that kind of drama: big rides, bold comebacks, and the kind of grit you only see when the stakes are high.
You could almost feel the tension before the first gate cracked open. Riders knew that a single mistake could send them tumbling down the rankings, while one standout performance could thrust them right back into the spotlight. And as the dust settled, Round 4 proved to be a night of redemption, resilience, and beautiful chaos everything fans love about the NFR.
Wacey Schalla Steals the Show in Bareback Riding
Bareback riding has always been one of those events where a split second decision can decide everything. In Round 4, Wacey Schalla delivered the kind of ride that makes you pause, lean forward, and whisper “Oh, that’s going to score big.”Clocking in at 87.25 points, Schalla didn’t just win the round he made a statement. It was controlled, powerful, and daring, the kind of blend that separates a good ride from a memorable one.
On the opposite end of the energy spectrum, Sam Petersen kept things consistent. He didn’t need fireworks; he needed reliability, and he delivered exactly that with an 84.5 point ride that earned him yet another paycheck. Three consecutive nights of cashing checks is no small achievement. In rodeo terms, consistency is currency and Petersen is earning interest.
Steer Wrestling: A Tale of Redemption and Persistence
If Round 4 had a theme, “redemption” might be the closest fit, and nowhere was that more evident than in steer wrestling.Will Lummus came into the night carrying the weight of earlier missed opportunities. Two out of three previous runs didn’t go his way, and in an event as unforgiving as steer wrestling, that can rattle a competitor. But Lummus flipped the narrative with a go round victory that reminded everyone why he’s always considered a dangerous contender. The crowd felt it too when a cowboy fights his way back, the arena energy shifts.
Close behind him, Ty Erickson kept himself well within world title striking distance, landing a 5.0 second run that wasn’t flashy but was undeniably clutch. Erickson has that calm, steady presence that rodeo veterans tend to develop. His performance didn’t scream for attention, but it whispered something even more dangerous: “I’m still in this.”
Team Roping Thrives on Comebacks and Clean Runs
Team roping often feels like a two person dance performed at full sprint, and in Round 4, two teams delivered performances that were both sharp and synchronized.Both Tyler Wade & Wesley Thorp and Dustin Egusquiza & Levi Lord put up identical 3.8 second runs, splitting the win and pocketing more than $32,000 each. But what made these runs special wasn’t just the speed it was the redemption arc behind them. Each team had battled earlier no times, a tough psychological hurdle, yet they came into Round 4 like nothing had happened.
There’s a lesson there, one that applies far beyond the arena: sometimes the best way to erase a mistake is simply to rope, ride, or push forward like it never existed.
What Round 4 Tells Us About the Road Ahead
As thrilling as Round 4 was, its real impact lies in what it signals for the upcoming rounds. With only so many nights left to shape the standings, performances like Schalla’s or Lummus’s could become pivotal moments in the larger story of the NFR.The night also reminded fans of something important: the NFR isn’t won on one spectacular performance, but on the delicate balance between boldness and consistency. Riders like Petersen and Erickson are proving that sometimes the quiet climb is just as effective as the fireworks.
And if Round 4 is any preview, we're heading into the next rounds with the perfect recipe tight races, hungry athletes, and the lingering possibility that anything can still happen.
The Beauty of Unpredictable Competition
Round 4 wasn’t just another night at the Thomas & Mack Center it was a reminder of why the NFR remains one of the most thrilling events in rodeo. It’s unpredictable. It’s emotional. It’s human.From big comebacks to razor thin margins, Round 4 gave us a little bit of everything. And that unpredictability is exactly what keeps the arena loud, the fans locked in, and the standings impossible to predict.
As we head into the next rounds, one thing is clear: no one is safe, no lead is secure, and no performance is guaranteed. And honestly? That’s what makes it so much fun.