Meet Your 2016 Bareback Riding Champion

Shawn Perkins came into the 2016 NRA Finals on a roll. In the regular season he took home checks from 15 different rodeos. Perkins had just over a $100 lead on Troy Kirkpatrick, leaving the bareback riding a race to the finish. In round one both Perkins and Kirkpatrick rode but were unable to cash in. This was opening a door for last year’s champion Tristen Hansen. Hansen mathematically still had a shot at back-to-back titles. In round 2 Perkins again rode but was not able to place in the top 4 making his lead over Hansen decrease fast. At this point Tristen needed the round 3 win and needed Perkins to get bucked off. Shawn knew he needed to ride this horse just to be able to hold the standings lead. The Roberts, MT cowboy made another ride and was able to post a score but again was unable to cash in on some round money. Perkins was able to get some average money and keep the lead for the year-end standings. We know it wasn’t the finals Perkins was hoping for but he was able to keep his lead he worked so hard during the regular season to earn and is the 2016 NRA Bareback Riding Champion. Congratulations Shawn!