Puyallup, August 20, 2025
News Summary
The cutoff for the 2025 Cinch Playoff Series in Puyallup, Washington, has been established, determining the 24 teams competing for a total purse of $75,000. Top four finishers will advance to the Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, with individual competitors potentially earning $20,420. The event not only has financial stakes but is also critical for athletes aiming for year-end championship qualification. Notable qualifiers have emerged, while some strong contenders, unfortunately, missed the cut, making this event a pivotal moment in the season.
Puyallup — The cutoff for the 2025 Cinch Playoff Series in Puyallup, Washington, has been set, establishing the 24 teams that will compete for a total purse of $75,000. The top four finishers at Puyallup will advance to the Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls, and individual competitors on top teams could earn as much as $20,420 per person if they win both long rounds and the Finals.
Key outcomes and stakes
The field at Puyallup comprises the top 23 teams from the PRCA Playoff Series standings plus the winners from the NFR Open. The event serves as a final qualification gateway to the Governor’s Cup and is a pivotal opportunity for athletes on the bubble to change their season trajectories. Success at Puyallup carries both immediate prize money and the chance to continue toward the year-end championship in Sioux Falls.
Who made the cut
Several established and rising teams secured Puyallup berths. Teams highlighted among qualifiers include Tyler Tryan and Denton Dunning, who are positioned fifth in the Playoff Series standings, and Cody Snow and Hunter Koch, who sit 15th in the world standings. Dustin Egusquiza and Levi Lord also qualified, taking the spot previously occupied by the second-place team from Colorado Springs.
Notable contenders and near-misses
Riley and Brady Minor, although ranked 29th and 28th in the PRCA Playoff Series standings, are assessed as strong contenders at Puyallup because they sit seventh in the world standings with $107,986.02 on the year and posted strong results at the NFR Open. Several athletes who are highly placed in world standings did not secure Puyallup positions: Lightning Aguilera and Wyatt Cox, ranked 13th and 18th in the world standings respectively, failed to qualify and face a more difficult path in their battle to reach a Top 15 season finish. Sid Sporer, 14th in the world with $84,331.84 this year, missed the Puyallup cut and sits 27th in the Playoff Series standings.
Other teams that barely made the field include Jeff Flenniken and Buddy Hawkins, who occupy the 23rd spot in the PRCA Playoff Series standings and face financial gaps they hope to close at Puyallup. Will Woodfin, ranked 37th in world standings, views Puyallup as a crucial opportunity to positively impact his season position.
Division specifics and All-Around race
In the Bareback Riding division, Jess Pope sits 16th in the standings and is less than $1,000 away from the 15th position, making Puyallup especially important for his season. The All-Around World Title remains contested, with Shad Mayfield currently leading but other competitors close enough for Puyallup and subsequent events to influence final outcomes.
Format, qualifying path and points
The Playoff Series standings are driven by seasonal rodeo results, with points allocated from major stops including Odessa, San Antonio, and Salinas among others. The structure for Puyallup brings the top 24 contestants from those standings into the Puyallup event, where the top 4 will move on to the Governor’s Cup. Puyallup’s role as a cutline event means its results determine which teams remain in mathematical contention for year-end honors.
Broadcast and accessibility
Fans can follow the action live on broadcast platforms available for the series and through streaming options that carry the Playoff Series coverage.
What this means going forward
Puyallup will be decisive for teams on the bubble. Prize money up to the advertised per-person payout can materially change season earnings and standings. Teams that qualified with narrow margins will use Puyallup to attempt to climb into secure positions for the Governor’s Cup, while those who missed the cut must rely on other routes or wait for the next season to improve their Playoff Series placement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many teams qualified for the 2025 Cinch Playoff Series in Puyallup?
Twenty-four teams qualified: the top 23 from the PRCA Playoff Series standings plus NFR Open winners.
What is the total purse and potential top payout per person?
The total purse at Puyallup is $75,000, and top teams could earn up to $20,420 per person if they win both long rounds and the Finals.
How many teams at Puyallup advance to the Governor’s Cup?
The top four finishers at Puyallup advance to the Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls.
Which notable competitors failed to qualify at Puyallup?
Lightning Aguilera and Wyatt Cox, who are ranked 13th and 18th in the world standings, failed to qualify. Sid Sporer, ranked 14th with $84,331.84 for the year, also missed the cut and sits 27th in tour standings.
Where can audiences watch the Puyallup event?
Events are available live on broadcast channels and through streaming options that carry the Playoff Series coverage.
Which rodeos contribute to the PRCA Playoff Series standings?
Seasonal rodeos including major events such as Odessa, San Antonio, and Salinas contribute points to the PRCA Playoff Series standings.
Key features at a glance
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | 2025 Cinch Playoff Series Cutoff — Puyallup |
| Teams | 24 teams (Top 23 PRCA Playoff Series + NFR Open winners) |
| Total purse | $75,000 |
| Top individual payout (potential) | Up to $20,420 per person for winners of long rounds and Finals |
| Advancement | Top 4 at Puyallup advance to Governor’s Cup (Sioux Falls) |
| Notable qualifiers | Tyler Tryan & Denton Dunning; Cody Snow & Hunter Koch; Dustin Egusquiza & Levi Lord |
| Notable non-qualifiers | Lightning Aguilera & Wyatt Cox; Sid Sporer (missed Puyallup cut) |
| Broadcast | Live broadcast and streaming carriage available for Playoff Series |
Timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status / Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 (Season) | PRCA Playoff Series regular-season rodeos including Odessa, San Antonio, Salinas | Completed / Standings set qualifiers |
| 2025 (Cutoff announcement) | Puyallup field of 24 teams finalized | Determined from Playoff Series standings and NFR Open results |
| 2025 (Puyallup) | Puyallup Playoff Series competition — top 4 advance | Event plays decisive role for Governor’s Cup qualification |
| 2025 (Governor’s Cup) | Governor’s Cup in Sioux Falls — final championship field assembled | Next stage for top qualifiers |
Simple visual statistics
World standings examples and comparative earnings (visualized):
| Competitor / Team | World Rank | Relative Position (visual) |
|---|---|---|
| Riley & Brady Minor | 7 |
|
| Lightning Aguilera | 13 |
|
| Wyatt Cox | 18 |
|
| Cody Snow & Hunter Koch | 15 |
|
| Will Woodfin | 37 |
|
Year-to-date earnings comparison (sample):
| Competitor | Earnings (USD) | Visual |
|---|---|---|
| Riley & Brady Minor | $107,986.02 |
|
| Sid Sporer | $84,331.84 |
|
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- The Team Roping Journal: Bubble Teams Face High Stakes in 2025 Puyallup Field
- Wikipedia: Puyallup, Washington
- The Cowboy Channel: Puyallup Cinch Playoffs Preview
- Google Search: Puyallup Cinch Playoffs
- Sports Illustrated: Who Advanced from Cinch Playoffs Puyallup First Bracket
- Google Scholar: Cinch Playoffs Puyallup
- The Team Roping Journal: Final Hours in Puyallup Playoff Series Push
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Puyallup Playoff Series
- Barrel Racing News: Cinch Playoffs Puyallup Tonozzi Results
- Google News: Cinch Playoffs
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