The Short Score: From the NFR Open to Salinas

Some of the biggest money to be won in the 2026 season was captured during the month of July, including the NFR Open and the California Rodeo Salinas.

Jake Smith and Nicky Northcott took home the NFR Open win in Colorado Springs after a 4.3 in the sudden-death finals, pocketing $16,000 a man. While not partners throughout the year, Northcott edged out Smith’s partner in the race for the Wilderness Circuit year-end title in 2025, pairing them up for the NFR Open.

Rodeo action moved quickly from the Rocky Mountains to the West Coast with the California Rodeo Salinas where Canadians Dawson and Dillon Graham conquered five head in 44.1 seconds for the win and $14,528 apiece. Between the five head, chute draw and the longest score in rodeo of 35 feet, Salinas is a far cry from the hockey rinks in Canada.

Jake Smith and Dawson Graham join this episode of The Short Score to talk through their wins.

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