The Short Score: From the NFR Open to Salinas - The Score from The Team Roping Journal

Some of the biggest money to be won in the 2026 season was captured during the month of July, including the NFR Openand the California Rodeo Salinas.Jake Smith and Nicky Northcott took home the NFR Open win in Colorado Springs after a 4.3 in the sudden-death finals, pocketing $16,000 a man. While not partners throughout the year, Northcott edged out Smith's partner in the race for the Wilderness Circuit year-end title in 2025, pairing them up for the NFR Open.Rodeo action moved quickly from the Rocky Mountains to the West Coast with the California Rodeo Salinas where Canadians Dawson and Dillon Graham conquered five head in 44.1 seconds for the win and $14,528 apiece. Between the five head, chute draw and the longest score in rodeo of 35 feet, Salinas is a far cry from the hockey rinks in Canada.Jake Smith and Dawson Graham join this episode of The Short Score to talk through their wins.___This episode is brought to you by SmartEquine and ColiCare—an innovative approach to hindgut health and colic prevention. Designed with research-backed ingredients and a unique support program, when your horse is counting on you, you can count on ColiCare.ColiCare combines targeted digestive support with a program designed to help you stay ahead of potential issues—not just react to them. It’s built on research, formulated to support a healthy gut environment, and backed by a unique benefit: eligible horses enrolled in the program may receive up to $15,000 in colic surgery reimbursement.Whether you’re hauling, training hard, or just managing day-to-day stressors, your horse’s digestive system is constantly under pressure. ColiCare is designed to help you manage those risks with confidence.Visit SmartEquine.com to learn more about how ColiCare can support your horse’s long-term.