Team roping’s consistency kings Andrew Ward and Buddy Hawkins sit at the top of the WCRA’s 2023 Reliance Ranches Virtual Rodeo Qualifier (VRQ) Bonus standings.
Ward has amassed 8,866 points on the head side and Hawkins 9,784.5 on the heels. If they can continue to lead the pack, Ward and Hawkins are on track to take home the $25,000 Reliance Ranches VRQ Points Champion Bonus.
The gap isn’t uncatchable, however. With 6,813.5 points, Kayelen Helton sits second, only 2,052.5 points behind Ward. Lorraine Moreno’s 8,364 points sits her second on the heel side, narrowly behind Hawkins by only 1,420.5 points.
The qualifying events and points period ends November 26, 2023.
READ: WCRA Breakdown
2023 Reliance Ranches VRQ Bonus Standings
| Headers | Heelers | |||
| 1 | Andrew Ward | 8866 | Buddy Hawkins | 9784.5 |
| 2 | Kayelen Helton | 6813.5 | Lorraine Moreno | 8364 |
| 3 | Nelson Wyatt | 6780.75 | Jessy Remsburg | 5296.5 |
| 4 | Beverly Robbins | 5763.65 | Sally Ball | 5199 |
| 5 | Sydney Ball | 5289.5 | Jackie Crawford | 5036.5 |
| 6 | Martha Angelone | 5196.5 | Kennlee Tate | 4977.25 |
| 7 | Tracey Nelson | 4774.75 | Jimmi Jo Montera | 4746.2 |
| 8 | Riley Kittle | 4746.75 | Jace Helton | 4293.25 |
| 9 | Bailey Gubert | 4644 | Whitney DeSalvo | 4289 |
| 10 | Megan Gunter | 4625.25 | Kaylee Billingsley | 3750.2 |
| 11 | Emma Carrell | 4407.25 | Tammy West-White | 3719.25 |
| 12 | Kenna Francis | 3632 | Jade Corkill | 3636 |
| 13 | Madison Webb | 3628 | Shane Edmonson | 3270 |
| 14 | Kaitlyn Torres | 3442.25 | Rylie Smith | 3045.5 |
| 15 | Katelyn Perkins | 3293.3 | Stephen Britnell | 2990.5 |
Refresher: What Is the VRQ Bonus Program?
The Reliance Ranches VRQ Bonus pays out cash bonuses to the top four athletes in each discipline who earn the most VRQ points. The collective $405,000 in bonus cash will be available to all athletes who nominate their 2023 rodeo efforts in their respective discipline through the VRQ towards a 2023 WCRA event.
The VRQ points are earned based on the athlete’s finish in each rodeo event. The top four athletes in each discipline with the most VRQ points at the end of the year will be eligible for the bonus.
The payout for the VRQ Bonus program is as follows:
- First Place: $25,000
- Second Place: $10,000
- Third Place: $7,500
- Fourth Place: $2,500
READ: Nominations Open for WCRA Rodeo Carolina
