Where did this year go? That’s what many who are on the outside of the Jack Daniel’s World Standings Top 15 have to be thinking as the Wrangler NFR continues to creep closer. Cash Myers was one of those unsure of his December travel plans.

As the 2005 rodeo season nears the end, the clock begins to tick faster and faster for those not in the Top 15 of the Jack Daniel’s World Standings. No one has felt the pressure more than Cash Myers, who heading into the final week of October was ranked second in the all-around world standings, but not in the top 15 in his signature event of steer wrestling or in tie-down roping.

For him to have a chance at the all-around title in December, he knew he had to secure a berth in either steer wrestling or tie-down roping at the $5.2 million Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Myers (Athens, Texas) entered the 56th annual American Royal Rodeo in Kansas City, Mo., knowing it was a do-or-die situation. With more than $168,000 in prize money, a win in the steer wrestling could propel him into the Top 15.

Myers backed into the box in the first round and threw his steer in 4.0 seconds to win the round and a check worth $1,773. He finished out of the money in the second round but sealed the deal in the final round placing second with a 4.0 run to win the average title with 12.7 on three head.

All totaled he picked up $4,988 and moved from 16th in the Jack Daniel’s World Standings to lucky number 13.

“Tonight was a big deal,” said Myers after his average victory in Kansas City. “I won the first round, so that parlayed me into the Top 15. I figured if I won the average then a berth in the NFR would be a done deal.”

Myers, who did not qualify for the $500,000 Pace Picante ProRodeo Classic in Dallas (Nov. 11-13) can breath a little easier knowing he is 13th in the standings and there are only two people below him — Frank Thompson and Ryan Jarrett, who qualified for Dallas.

Myers credits his steer wrestling horse, Ranger, for giving him a chance at qualifying for the Wrangler NFR.

“He’s the man,” Myers said. “He’s really come along and I just feel great with him. There’s been a lot of pressure here at the end of the year, but I’ve got lots of confidence in him.”

Myers will now head to California for the Brawley Cattle Call Rodeo (Nov. 12-13) for his final rodeo before the Wrangler NFR. Earlier this year, Myers earned a berth in the National Finals Steer Roping in Amarillo, Texas (Nov. 18-20).

Myers will be joined by three-time all-around champion Trevor Brazile at the NFSR. Money won at the NFSR will be added to their all-around standings, so a strong showing by each one will be crucial in determining the 2005 All-Around Champion.

Brazile (Decatur, Texas) qualified for the Wrangler NFR in the tie-down roping, but failed to win enough money to qualify in the team-roping event. He is ranked 25th in the team roping heading standings.

On the other side of the coin was six-time world champion tie-down roper Fred Whitfield, who leads the Jack Daniel’s World Standings.

Whitfield (Hockley, Texas) entered the American Royal Rodeo looking to extend that lead and he did just that, winning the average title in 26.1 on three head. He finished in a four-way tie for fourth in the first round with a run of 8.9, but cut that time by a full second to finish in a two-way tie for first in the second round, with Doug Pharr. He finished just one spot out of the money in the final round with a time of 9.3, but the run was fast enough to give him the average title by four-tenths of second over Pharr (Resaca, Ga.).

“This was an important win for me,” said Whitfield, who won $4,845. “Picking up nearly $5,000 here is going to put me over $110,000, giving me an $8,000 lead going into Dallas. If I can pick up that much more in Dallas I should go into the finals in the lead.”

World Champion Bull Rider Dustin Elliott got a big boost of confidence heading down the homestretch of the rodeo season. Elliott (North Platte, Neb.) shared the average title in Kansas City with Cord McCoy (Tupelo, Okla.) with 171 points on two head. McCoy finished ahead of Elliott in the first round posting an 85-point ride aboard Bailey Rodeo’s Little Joe, while Elliott rode Vold Rodeo’s Motley for 83.

Elliott returned for the final round scoring 88 points on Bailey Rodeo’s Toy Tiger to win the round, while McCoy finished in a tie for third with an 86 on Vold Rodeo’s Motley — the same bull Elliott rode in the first round. Elliott picked up $4,308, while McCoy won $4,212.

Elliott is ranked second in the world standings, while McCoy is 12th.