.This finals will be like no othe!!!  So heartbreaking .... I can see how they can keep  a barrel racer by herself, but not bull rider.  So I'm sure the rules has to be for everyone, tho they could have made the rulse different for what the event was for!

It is my understanding that if someone test positive before the start, #16 moves up.  If someone tests postive after the start, they will continue without a replacement.

All the contestants knew weeks ago about the testing. They knew the consequences if they tested positive. They were told two weeks ago to quarantine and social distance. 

Every contestant was given the $10,000. Donna Kay and Caleb were both given another $10,000 ($1,000 per round they weren't able to compete in due to being COVID positive). So they went home with a total of $20,000.

Jessie and Cory replaced DK and Caleb since the NFR hadn't started. Now if someone tests positive and gets sent home, they still get $1,000 per round they are unable to compete in due to COVID.

Sounds like the NFR is trying to be more then fair to all the contestants this year.. Glad to hear that Donna Kay and Caleb didnt have to go home with empty hands.

That's a huge payday for not even having to saddle your horse.  

Does anyone know why they are saying "points" instead of dollars?  Last night, they mentioned each round is worth 26,000 points or somthing to that effect instead of dollars.  It may be a PR thing but I'm just curious...

If I understand correctly the points equal what the normal Vegas payout would be. .  Because the payout is less, they went with a points system.

I think the round paid $15K for 1st last night. 

Did I make any sense LOL 

Donna Kay Rule is a class act!  Our hearts break for her but she is already a champion in my opinon! 

I had not heard that the rounds were paying less.  That makes perfect sense.  Thank you

What does the average pay this year? ?

I agree! 

Jessie had a pretty respectable run last night given her and Cool Whip's short notice and not much prep.  I hope she wins a big fat check or two for her ability to cowgirl up!!  

I really like Jesse and Cory - so nothing again them but I do kind of think they should have just let 14 compete then. I wonder what happens if one of the replacements come positive? Will they get 1k for each round even though they werent "technically" supposed to be there. 

I am not sure how long this rule has been in effect, but I do remember a few years back, Jake Barnes broke an arm or leg or something heading into the finals, and since he couldn't go, the #16 guy (Jo Jo Lemond) was put in his place, so this rule has been around for awhile... Let me go see if I can find out how long ago that was

I think a #16 went last year in the saddle bronc riding.  May have been barebacks but one did go last year also. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5zhQoma2RU

2015 

If my memory is right, I want to say JoJo and Jr almost won the world that year they had such a great finals... Anyone that finishes in the top 20  is salty in any event.

I guess the way I look at it though, Donna for example could test negative tomorrow and still make 8 rounds... since people are be pulled at anytime, you would think they could be added back in too. Especially with the inaccuracy to these tests... broken arm is more of a closed story type situation. 

ETA: or someone gets a false positive. Gets pulled for night 7 and is good for 8 or 9. 

I may have missed it somewhere, but who won the first go round in barrels last night? 

Hailey & Sister

Lisa Lockhart had a faster time but darn barrel fell over.  It was a beautiful run otherwise. 

Well how cool is that , Thank you much  ..