GUTHRIE, Okla. – World champions were crowned and history was made as the curtain closed on the 55th annual International Finals Rodeo at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., on Sunday, Jan. 19. Championship Sunday served as the final conclusion to the 2024 International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) season.
Taking home the coveted 2024 IPRA World Champion title is Peach State cowboy Tanner Phipps of Dalton, Georgia. Entering the IFR with a significant lead, he continued to find success at the Lazy E Arena and captured the title. This marks his third consecutive IPRA world title. Phipps ended the 2024 season with earnings of $68,212.42. Blayn Hughston of McBain, Mich., excelled during IFR55, taking top honors in all four performances and winning the final performance with a score of 83.25 atop the horse "Wild Willy."
Home-state cowboy Cody Doescher of Webber Falls, Okla., claimed victory once again at the Lazy E Arena, earning his first IPRA world title in steer wrestling. Doesher, familiar with big wins at the Lazy E Arena, can now add an IPRA World title to his extensive résumé, earning $33,084.31 throughout the 2024 season. Chase Crane of Boynton, Okla., took home round four honors with a 4.4-second run.
Team roping header Heath King of Leicester, N.C., entered IFR55 in the driver's seat of the world title race, maintaining a commanding lead that proved untouchable. He secured his second consecutive world title in team roping heading, concluding the 2024 season with $47,953.16 in total earnings.
On the heeling side of team roping, all eyes were on IPRA veteran Stephen Britnell of Knoxville, Tenn., who also entered IFR55 with a significant lead. His lead proved victorious, earning him his eighth IPRA World Champion Heeling title and concluding the 2024 season with $48,590.61.
Reigning IPRA World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Kody Rinehart from Rienzi, Mississippi, further solidified his success by securing the 2024 IPRA World Champion title after an intense competition against reserve world champion and 2024 IPRA Rookie of the Year Spur Montag from Belmont, Ohio. Rinehart also set a new record for single-season earnings in the regular season, totaling $74,773.93 by the end of the year IFR55.
Andrew Burks held his top position throughout the prestigious rodeo week, earning a spot in the winner’s circle. By winning half of the rounds, Burks increased his lead and secured the esteemed title with earnings of $54,178.74 for 2024 season.
Three-time world champion Kyla Matthews of Athens, Tenn., entered the IFR in fourth place and fought her way to victory. Her aggressive roping earned her the 2024 IPRA World Champion Breakaway Roper title, amassing $31,074.09 during the season.
Kindyl Scruggs of Southaven, Miss., led the IPRA standings all year and continued her successful run to the winner's circle at the Lazy E Arena. Maintaining her lead, Scruggs earned her second world title with $42,154.96 in earnings for the 2024 season.
IPRA rookie Brody Robinson of Galax, Va., emerged victorious when the dust settled at the Lazy E Arena, earning his first IPRA World Champion Bull Rider title in his rookie year, with $46,653.57 in earnings throughout the 2024 IPRA season.
For more information about the IPRA and IFR55, please visit ipra-rodeo.com/ifr.
