OKLAHOMA CITY – The thrilling conclusion to the 2024 International Professional Rodeo Association season at the International Finals Rodeo (IFR) displayed an impressive level of talent 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 continued his success during Round 2 with a round win atop “Rocket Launcher.”
Eli Troyer (Scottsville, Ky.) went to the top of Round 2 in the steer wrestling with an impressive 3.90-second run. The multievent cowboy will collect over $3,700 in prize money for his Go-Round 1.
Also taking home their second consecutive go-round win were header Jake Wells (Rainsville, Ala.) and heeler Bryer Hamilton (Cleveland, Tenn.), securing the Round 1 and Round 2 win with a smooth, 5.0-second run.
It was a true family affair for the Troyers, with a win in the saddle bronc riding for Timothy Troyer (Weatherford, Okla.). Troyer took home the coveted Montana Silversmith’s buckle with an impressive 83.25-point ride atop “George’s Bad Cat.”
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 and second-round win with an 8.40-second run in Round 2.
Seeing double in the breakaway roping! It was a tie for the top between Jessie Nooren (Mossley, Ont.) and Kyla Matthews (Athens, Tenn.) with a pair of quick 2.20-second runs.
It was a true horse race in barrel racing, with IPRA rookie and Oklahoma native Brandie Inman (Nowata, Okla.) taking the top honors in Round 2. She stopped the clock with an impressive 16.118-second time.
Three-time IFR World Champion and Oklahoma native Deklan Garland (Marlow, Okla.) proved victorious once again during the second round with a standout 83.50 atop the bull “Miller Time.” This is his second consecutive round win of IFR55.
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.
