NFR NEWS

Adios Pantalones and Aldridge had the Winning Hand During the Fourth Round on Sunday in Las Vegas

By Ann Bleiker

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Things got real for first-timer Tricia Aldridge during the fourth round of the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. She and her palomino stallion Adios Pantalones turned in the fastest time thus far stopping the clock in 13.42 seconds, putting themselves in world title contention.

Aldridge of Sanger, Texas, is making her first NFR appearance and thus her first ever victory lap around the Thomas and Mack arena and it will not be one she will soon forget.

“It feels amazing,” stated Aldridge. “I knew he could do it. He has been super strong, and my team has been doing an amazing job in the back taking care of him. I joke that he feels like King Kong back there. I think he is starting to settle into the work a little bit.”

Aldridge and Adios were the fourth duo out tonight and they capitalized on a good draw and the fact that the jockey is feeling better.

“I started out this trip with the flu,” Aldridge continued. “I knew as I got to feeling better, I would be able to ride him better. I feel like I was a little more present today. I feel like if I was ever going to have a horse for this, he is the one.”

This year’s theme of the Wrangler NFR has been celebrating the 40 years in Las Vegas and the winner of the fourth round in 1985 was none other than Charmayne James aboard the legendary Scamper stopping the clock in a time of 14.54 seconds. During the first round this year, James was recognized for being the 1985 World Champion.

Scamper was a phenomenally popular horse in his day, earning ProRodeo Hall of Fame induction decades before his jockey. Now, Adios is a fan favorite in his own right at his first NFR.

“I love the grand entry and seeing all the signs for him,” noted Aldridge. “I have been Adios’ mom for a long time, so I am used to him being more popular than me.”

Reigning world champion Kassie Mowry had another solid run on Sunday night. She and Will stopped the clock in a time of 13.86 seconds. While she didn’t land in the money, she held her spot leading the average with a total time of 54.92 seconds on four runs. First-timer Katelyn Scott is second in the average with a time of 55.00 seconds.

Speaking of the average, Andrea Busby set the record at her first NFR in 2024 with a total time of 144.12 seconds on 10 runs. She made her first trip to the pay window in 2025 during the fourth round finishing sixth in the round in a time of 13.82 seconds. She was also dazzling in her star-studded blue shirt. All the top 15 are not only competing for cash in the arena but a chance to be named the 2025 Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed Award winner presented by The Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. Fans can vote nightly for the best dressed at www.wpra.com. The winner will be announced prior to the start of the 10^th round. The winner is determined by a combination of fan and committee votes.

Sunday night was Memorial Night and four WPRA members who had qualified for the NFR during their careers were honored. They included Florence Youree, Fay Ann Horton Leach, Donna Krening and Sammy Thurman Brackenbury.

Fifth round action gets underway, Monday, December 8 at 5:45 p.m. PT LIVE on the Cowboy Channel.

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Rd 4 results: 1. Tricia Aldridge, Sanger, Texas, 13.42 seconds, $36,668; 2. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, Redcrest, Calif., 13.55, $28,980; 3. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, 13.68, $21,882; 4. Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 13.69, $15,377; 5. Katelyn Scott, Odessa, Texas, 13.77, $9,463; 6. Andrea Busby, Brock, Texas, 13.82, $5,914

Average leaders: 1. Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, 54.92 seconds on four runs; 2. Katelyn Scott, Odessa, Texas, 55.00; 3. Tricia Aldridge, Sanger, Texas, 55.08; 4. Julie Plourde, Krum, Texas, 56.24; 5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, 56.39; 6. Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 59.87; 7. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 59.91; 8. Hayle Gibson-Stillwell, Redcrest, Calif., 59.97

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