Can anyone replace rodeo’s Trevor Brazile? Here are some cowboys vying for the honor.

When the chutes opened at the 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo last weekend, fans were searching for the next big star.

Twenty-five time world champion Trevor Brazile, who has dazzled crowds for more than 20 years, is a spectator this year after entering into semi-retirement in 2018, leaving the title for the world’s top cowboy up for grabs.

Traditionally, a competitor must win either a record number or a substantial amount of world all-around titles on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit to be classified as one of the sport’s all-time greats.

Some other former superstar cowboys were the late Jim Shoulders, who clinched a then-record fifth world all-around title in 1959, Larry Mahan, who earned a then-record sixth all-around title in 1973, Tom Ferguson, who snared a then-record-tying sixth all-around title in 1979, and Ty Murray, who corralled a then-record seventh all-around title in 1998.

Brazile broke Murray’s record of seven in 2010 when he clinched his eighth world all-around title. He went on to snare six more all-around gold buckles.

So, who will replace Brazile?

At the beginning of the year, it appeared that Brazile’s brother-in-law, four-time world champion Tuf Cooper, was the apparent heir. Cooper clinched the all-around title in 2017 and Brazile finished second in the race. Last year, Cooper finished second behind Brazile, who is from Decatur.

Cooper, who has homes in Weatherford and Decatur, is best known for his tie-down roping skills. Three of his four titles are in tie-down roping. But in 2017, he became a world class steer roper, which made him a serious all-around contender.

Cooper’s resume indicates he could become the sport’s next big star, but rookie Stetson Wright is one to watch. Wright, who competes on a world class level in both saddle bronc riding and bull riding, has made a sensational splash during the 2019 regular season.

The 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo began last Thursday and runs through Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus.

Wright, a Utah cowboy, has qualified for the 2019 National Finals in bull riding and he entered the National Finals Rodeo on Thursday night ranked No. 1 in the 2019 world all-around title race with $182,999.

Clay Smith, an Oklahoma cowboy who clinched the team roping heading world title last year, entered in second place in the all-around standings with $161,363. Cooper was ranked third with $159,755 and he’s competing in the NFR in tie-down roping. Caleb Smidt, a two-time world champion tie-down roper from Bellville, was ranked fourth with $145,189.

If Wright clinches the 2019 all-around title, it would be the first time that a bucking stock rider has won the prestigious award in 21 years.

Mahan, who competed in bucking stock riding events, said it will be exciting to again witness a battle between a roughstock rider and timed event competitors who are vying for the all-around title.

“Now, we have the two ends of the arena, not two or three guys in the timed events going for the all-around,” Mahan said. “Maybe it’s time for a big change.”

Since 1999, the year after Murray won his last all-around title in 1998, a timed event competitor has snared the world all-around championship.

“It’s been a timed event sport now for a long time because there hasn’t really been anybody that’s been able to shine in more than one event in the riding events,” Mahan said.

Wright said he would like to become pro rodeo’s next top cowboy.

“I’m going to try to do that,” Wright said. “That’s what I’ve dreamed of my whole life. But I have to take it day by day and bull by bull and hopefully one day I’ll get there.”

Other area NFR competitors

Cooper also is hoping to earn a fourth tie-down roping title at this year’s NFR. He entered in fourth place in the tie-down roping world standings with $105,592 in earnings. Smidt entered ranked No. 1 in tie-down roping with $131,899.

Cooper is among 10 North Texas competitors who have earned a trip to the 2019 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

In order to qualify, a competitor had to finish in the top 15 in a single event when the regular season concluded on Sept. 30.

The DFW area qualifiers are tie-down ropers Marty Yates of Stephenville, Tyson Durfey of Brock and Michael Otero of Weatherford; team ropers Tyler Wade of Terrell, Ryan Motes of Weatherford and Cole Davison of Stephenville; barrel racers Stevi Hillman of Weatherford and Cheyenne Wimberly of Stephenville; and saddle bronc rider Sterling Crawley of Stephenville.

Cutting horse update

Tarin Rice of Poolville and a horse named CR Gotcha Covered clinched the National Cutting Horse Association 2019 open division title. The duo earned $13,759 at the World Finals in Fort Worth and earned $84,273 throughout the year.

In the non-pro division, Ali Good of Ringling, Oklahoma, clinched the world title with $97,044 in annual earnings. She rode a horse named Cat Atat Tat at the World Finals. The duo earned $16,415 through the four-day World Finals.

The World Finals, which was conducted in the W.R. Watt Arena, concluded on Saturday. The World Finals featured the sport’s top weekend competitors and the show was held in conjunction with the NCHA Futurity, which is being held in the Will Rogers Memorial Coliseum.

Veteran Michael Cooper of Weatherford, and a horse named Bohemiann Rhapsody, will advance to the NCHA Futurity open division semifinal round after turning in a two-ride score of 440.5. Cooper’s 440.5 was the highest aggregate score from the first and second rounds.

During the semifinal Saturday, Cooper will attempt to advance to Sunday’s open final round, which is the first jewel of the NCHA’s Triple Crown Series. The Futurity, which features debuting 3-year-old horses, is the sport’s most prestigious show.