Blane Cox Clinches First NFR Open Berth After 12 Years—And He Did It for His Dad
WACO, Texas — Tie-down roper Blane Cox finally punched his ticket to the NFR Open after a 12-year chase, sealing the qualification with a commanding average win at the Texas Circuit Finals in Waco (Oct. 7–10, 2025). Cox placed in all four rounds and finished 38.7 seconds on four head, earning $8,448 on the week—enough to secure his first career NFR Open qualification through the circuit system.
The NFR Open—formerly the National Circuit Finals Rodeo—is PRCA’s championship for circuit winners and average champions. Competitors qualify by winning their circuit’s year-end title or its circuit-finals average across the eight rodeo disciplines.
Cox’s week started with a statement: an 8.6 in Round 1 for $2,330. He followed with 10.6 (split 4th), 10.4, and a 9.1 to lock down the average buckle by more than 15 seconds. The Waco performance completed a long-running goal—and an emotional one. On social media, Cox dedicated the milestone to his father, noting his parents have attended every Texas Circuit Finals he’s roped at over the past 12 years.
With the Texas Circuit Finals concluded, Cox will carry momentum into the NFR Open, where circuit champions from across the country converge for one of PRCA’s richest circuit-level championships