3 from Oregon make NFR cut

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 3, 2018

It appears that only three contestants from Oregon — and none from Central Oregon — have qualified for the 2018 National Finals Rodeo.

Based on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s unofficial world standings as of the Oct. 1 cutoff, only Canby bull rider Chase Dougherty, Heppner steer wrestler Blake Knowles and Salem barrel racer Amberleigh Moore have made the cut for the 60th NFR, set for Dec. 6-15 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

The top 15 contestants on the earnings list in each event qualify for the finals. Dougherty ranks fifth in bull riding ($109,349); Knowles is 13th in steer wrestling ($75,457); and Moore is 13th in barrel racing ($89,127).

Terrebonne’s Russell Cardoza, a six-time NFR qualifier, ranks 14th in the world all-around standings ($51,351), but he is not among the top 15 in any event and therefore does not qualify for the finals.

—Bulletin staff report