Orin Larsen Aims for Redemption at Ninth Consecutive National Finals Rodeo

Las Vegas, NV – As the dust settles at the iconic Thomas & Mack, Canadian bareback rider Orin Larsen is gearing up for his ninth consecutive appearance at the National Finals Rodeo (NFR). With a No. 6 world ranking and a wallet padded with $147,237 in total earnings, Larsen is poised for a comeback after an injury sidelined him during the 2022 season.

Larsen’s determination to relive the glory of 2019, where he clinched the World Title and finished fourth in the Average, has been fueled by notable victories and impressive rides throughout the 2023 season.

Biggest Paydays:

1. California Rodeo Salinas – $11,078
   Larsen’s journey to the NFR was solidified with an 82-point ride at the California Rodeo Salinas, where he wowed the crowd with an 89-point performance in the Finals. His total of 171 points on two head secured him the No. 1 spot in the Average.
2. Cinch Playoffs Governor’s Cup (South Dakota) – $9,750
   Consistency paid off for Larsen in Sioux Falls, as he battled through the Go-Rounds to reach the Semifinals with a total of 163.5 points on two-head. Although the Finals didn’t go as planned, Larsen’s performance in Sioux Falls became one of his highest paying rodeos of the regular season.
3. Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo – $8,500
   An 86-point ride in Salt Lake City propelled Larsen into the Gold Medal Round, where his 87.5-point ride on Outlawbuckers Rodeo’s Free Shipping earned him a Silver Medal and contributed $7,000 to his $8,500 total winnings.

Highest Marked Rides:

1. Ponoka Stampede (Alberta) – 90.75 Points
   Larsen’s highest marked ride of the year, a spectacular 90.75 points at the Ponoka Stampede in Alberta, outshone competitors and secured a victory over World No. 3 Kade Sonnier.
2. Sundre Rodeo (Alberta) – 89.5 Points
   Riding on home turf in Sundre, Alberta, Larsen claimed one of his five wins in Canada with an 89.5-point ride on Calgary Stampede’s standout horse, Agent Lynx.

Notable Wins:

1. Missoula (Montana) Stampede – 88.5 Points
   In August, Larsen triumphed at the Missoula Stampede with an 88.5-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo and Phenom Genetics’ Bronc Riding Naton, adding nearly $4,000 to his winnings.
2. New Town Rodeo (North Dakota) – 88 Points
   Post-Cowboy Christmas, Larsen’s 88-point ride on Mosbrucker Rodeo’s Dreams End in New Town, North Dakota, secured him a victory and a $5,288 payday by a point and a half.

As Larsen enters the NFR arena, fans and competitors alike will be watching closely to see if the Canadian cowboy can parlay his successful regular season into a memorable performance on rodeo’s grandest stage.

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