OKLAHOMA CITY – The thrilling conclusion to the 2024 season at the International Finals Rodeo (IFR) kicked off in stellar style on Jan. 16, 2025, at the Fabulous Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., featuring the International Professional Rodeo Association's (IPRA) best athletes.
All eyes were on Blayn Hughston (McBain, Mich.) during IFR55’s opening event, the bareback riding. The Western Texas College and 2024 Jack Wiesman Award winner kicked off his third IFR in a big way, winning the first round with an impressive 81.50-point ride atop “Bougie Bob.”
The first round of steer wrestling belonged to Caleb Little (Dexter, Ky.), who won with a smooth 5.2-second run. The IFR52 Average Champion looks to continue his winning ways through the conclusion of the rodeo on Jan. 19.
Team roping was also off to an impressive start, with a quick time of 4.80 seconds taking home first-round honors. Jake Wells (Rainsville, Ala.), who has won rounds in the previous two IFRs, teamed up with three-time IFR qualifier Bryer Hamilton (Cleveland, Tenn.) to take the Round 1 win.
The man with the No. 1 back number and single-season earnings record holder, Kody Rhinehart (Rienzi, Miss.), found success once again at the Fabulous Lazy E Arena. He rode to the top of Round 1 with an impressive 83.00-point score atop “Smoke Show.”
Andrew Burks entered the 55th annual IFR leading the competitive tie-down roping pack and will continue his lead after taking home the first-round win with an 8.20-second run.
All eyes were on New York cowgirl Sierra Clement (Hudson Falls, N.Y.), who was fast and smooth, capturing the Round 1 win with a 3.30-second run.
It was a true horse race in barrel racing, with IPRA rookie and Tennessee native Bayleigh Choate running home with the Round 1 win after a quick 16.150-second run.
Three-time IFR World Champion and Oklahoma native Deklan Garland (Marlow, Okla.) proved victorious once again during the first round, with a standout 83.50 atop the bull “Black Sabbath.”
During this exciting 55th annual edition of the IFR, the top 15 of the association’s best will square off in four riveting performances of rodeo action. Accomplished Western sports athletes will compete for one of the most coveted titles in Western sports—the IPRA World Championship—and a share of the impressive $500,000 total payout.
With all the IPRA title races in close contention and 10 IPRA world titles on the line, the IFR promises a thrilling showcase of Western sports. Individual tickets start at $20, and all-session packages start at $68. Fans can purchase tickets now for individual performances or all-session packages.
The event schedule is as follows:
Jan. 16-18: Performances at 7:30 p.m. CT
Jan. 19: Performance at 2 p.m. CT; doors open at noon for OG&E Kids Day
The IFR will feature top athletes competing in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping (heading and heeling), saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.
For more information about the IPRA and IFR55, please visit https://www.ipra-rodeo.com/ifr.
