We’re just days away from 2018 and it’s time to take a look back at the great year of rodeo 2017 turned out to be. We’re counting down the best of 2017 before we ring in the New Year, starting with some of the best runs and rides of the season.

Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira: 3.3 Seconds At WNFR

After round nine of the WNFR, Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira joined the likes of only two other teams that have ever roped a steer in the time of 3.3 seconds. Driggers had the steer wearing it just as the barrier rope released and Nogueira heeled the steer on the first legal hop, with his signature “pull back” following shortly after.

When you sit back and think about it, it logically seems impossible to do all of that in the event that has so many tasks to accomplish before the judge drops the flag, so there was no question that it would be making FloRodeo’s list of the best runs and rides of 2017.

Straws Milan: 2.9 Seconds At KDays Rodeo In Edmonton, Alberta

We’ve seen this move before from Straws Milan: Milan touches steer, crowd blinks, steer is on the ground. The big man from Cochrane, Alberta, laid one down in 2.9 seconds at the inaugural KDays Rodeo in Edmonton, Alberta.

In doing so, Milan tied the Canadian steer wresting fast-time record, a time that had not been touched on Canadian soil in the 23 years since Dave Gibson made his 2.9 second run at the Stavely Pro Rodeo in 1994.

Clay Elliot: 92 Points in Pollockville, Alberta

In the classic event of rodeo, every time you reach a high 80-point ride it is one to remember, but clearing 90 is something else entirely. This year at the first-ever Hardgrass Bronc Match in Pollockville, Alberta, Clay Elliot set his feet and threw his bronc rein out with flair on every jump, paving his way to a 92-point score aboard Calgary Stampede’s "Tiger Warrior."

Tiger Warrior later proved to be an all-or-nothing horse at this year’s WNFR, as CoBurn Bradshaw scored 89.5 points to win the second round before giving Heith DeMoss a no-score when the Calgary Stampede horse returned for a rematch in round seven. 

Tim O’Connell: 92 Points In Garden City, Kansas

It may not have been the largest check he received all year, but it was the highest scoring ride of the 2017 season for the cowboy that was on route to becoming a two-time world champion bareback rider. The Beef Empire Days rodeo saw a 92-point matchup between Tim O’Connell and Korkow Rodeo’s "Onion Ring."

The horse was tried as both a saddle bronc and bareback horse in the earlier stages of its career, and has been increasing its stock score average each year since it hit the scene. After this top ride, it’s safe to say Onion Ring may be staying in the bareback pen for the foreseeable future.

Hailey Kinsel: 13.11 Seconds at WNFR

It was a treat to be a barrel racing fan during round three of the 2017 WNFR. Those in attendance got to witness history in the making when Hailey Kinsel and DM Sissy Hayday broke the arena record.

It was hard to pick out any faults in the run that Kinsel and Sister made during that 13.11 seconds, they simply turned three barrels cleanly… faster than anyone has ever done before.

With such a short 13-second run, it raises the question: will we ever see a 12-second run at the WNFR?