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PRCA Saddle Bronc Riding World Championships seem to follow the Wright family around. The Wright’s have a combined seven gold buckles in the storied event, after Stetson captured his first saddle bronc riding world title in 2021.

A decade ago in Las Vegas, it was his uncle Jesse Wright stealing the show at the Thomas & Mack Center, on the way to his first world championship.

Entering Round 10 in 2012, Jesse found himself in a three-way battle for the gold buckle. After Wade Sundell recorded a no-score, it came down to a dual between Wright and Cody DeMoss.

Following Jesse’s ride, the judges read out a score of 80.5 points for Wright. The eight-second trip earned Wright a split of fourth place, which was enough to hold off DeMoss by just $797 for the world title. He said looking back on the moment, it took a while for the reality to set in that he was a PRCA World Champion.

“It was really a dream come true for me in that moment,” said Wright, an eight-time Wrangler NFR qualifier. “It didn’t really set in there for a while. I put a lot of hard work and dedication into it. So, for it to finally become a reality, I was pretty stoked about it.”

At 33 years old he said he still has plenty of riding left in the tank as he looks to return to championship form after an injury-riddled 2022 ProRodeo season.

“I was hoping to get another one (world championship) by now),” he said. “I guess I still got a little bit of time to do that before I hang it up. So, hopefully I can get back into shape and get myself another one won. I think I can keep riding until I’m 40 pretty easily.”

Courtesy of PRCA

With the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge on the horizon – Dec. 1-10 in Las Vegas – what better time to take a quick trip in the time machine to remember Ben Bates, a former NFR qualifier.

Bates joined the Rodeo Cowboys Association in 1959 and qualified for the NFR in steer wrestling in 1968 and 1970.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pounder called Mexia, Texas, home and parlayed his athletic ability outside the rodeo arena into being a Hollywood stuntman. As a stunt double, Bates was best known for his work substituting for Gunsmoke star James Arness for more than 25 years.

Bates passed away Oct. 4, 2017, at the age of 84.

Bates’ long career included doubling spots for the television series “How the West Was Won,” (for which he was also a stunt coordinator), “McClain’s Law,” “Bosom Buddies,” “The Fall Guy,” and “Matt Houston.” He also appeared in the film “The Legend of the Lone Ranger.”

Gunsmoke was once the longest-running scripted show in TV history. The western ran for 20 seasons from 1955 to 1975, producing 635 episodes.

The long-time stunt double Bates was quoted in the 2001 James Arness: An Autobiography book, noting that each year, Arness “would make them pay me more money, and the outstanding way he treated me is something I will never forget.”

Bates, who served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, spent some time as the Marlboro Man in print and television ads after being spotted at a rodeo.

Courtesy of PRCA

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association® and Las Vegas Events announced the 2022 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo® presented by Teton Ridge will see an increase in the payout at the world’s largest rodeo in December for the second consecutive year.

The Wrangler NFR, which is at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Dec. 1-10, will have a record-setting competition payout of more than $10.9 million. This amount includes guaranteed prize money of $1.2 million for all NFR qualifiers and $9,700,098 in competition prize money.

Based on the updated purse in 2022, the increase will see round winners take home $28,914 per round and average winners earn $74,150. Each go-round will pay a total of $93,270, while the average total will pay $279,811 per event.

The stock contractor pay – which is 30% of the contestant payout – increased to $3,270,030.

Below, is a breakdown of this year’s payout at the Wrangler NFR.

2022 WRANGLER NFR PAYOUT

Total Prize Money: $10,900,098
Guaranteed Prize Money: $1,200,000
Competition Prize Money: $9,700,098

PER GO-ROUND, PER EVENT
1st: $28,914
2nd: $22,851
3rd: $17,255
4th: $12,125
5th: $7,462
6th: $4,664

Total payoff per event, per go-round: $93,270

AVERAGE PER EVENT
1st: $74,150
2nd: $60,159
3rd: $47,568
4th: $34,976
5th: $25,183
6th: $18,188
7th: $12,591
8th: $6,995

Total payoff for average per event: $279,811

Courtesy of PRCA

When rodeo fans arrive at the Thomas & Mack Center for the return of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo they will have multiple entertainment options to enjoy prior to and following each rodeo performance. Known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, the Wrangler NFR runs from Thursday, Dec. 1 through Saturday, Dec. 10.

For ease of travel, rodeo fans have the option of utilizing the complimentary NFR Express Shuttle Bus service from 24 sponsor hotel properties and The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas. Upon arrival, fans will be greeted with rodeo-themed areas extending both outside the arena and within the confines of the building.

On the outer grounds of the Thomas & Mack Center, the ProRodeo Zone will greet fans with PRCA sponsor-activation tents and live music. As fans move toward the entrance, they will pass through the StubHub Fan Zone, an area that includes additional sponsor tents, the official ProRodeo and Wrangler NFR merchandise trailer, food and beverage options, video screens and tables for attendees to congregate.

Further enhancing the fan experience, two outdoor video boards on the face of the arena will broadcast Wrangler NFR moments, highlight videos, interactive content and contestant interviews.

When rodeo fans enter the building, one of the arena’s highlights is the 36,000-square-foot hospitality area at the northwest end of the arena. The Aces High – Saloon & Exhibit will feature a saloon and a 2,500-square-foot, glass-enclosed balcony with Strip views. The Cowboy Channel will host the NFR Pre-Show starting at 5 p.m. and the NFR Post-Show immediately following the end of the performance each night. An additional highlight will be an all-encompassing exhibit detailing the 36-year history of the NFR in Las Vegas. Access to Aces High – Saloon & Exhibit is available to all fans with a Wrangler NFR ticket for that evening’s performance and also will feature the live broadcast of the rodeo each night, including a large-screen projection.

Meanwhile, on the arena’s southeast side opposite Aces High, fans can enjoy all the activities and amenities of the returning Cowboy Corral, which takes over the adjacent Cox Pavilion with live music, a huge bar and plenty of space to sit and relax or kick up your heels. The live entertainment will include pre and post-event performances by Will Jones (Dec. 1-3), Dillon Carmichael (Dec. 4-6) and Ben Gallaher (Dec. 7-10). Doors open at 4 pm and the live music starts at 4:45 pm.

Sitting right outside of Cowboy Corral is the Bull & Barrel Saloon, featuring its own bar and food service and the Hall of Champions with tributes to former NFR champions.

The entertainment will continue throughout the evening as fans begin to settle into their seats. Prior to each performance, there will be an opening act, followed by the singing of the National Anthem. The attention will then turn to the dirt, as the best contestants in the world test their skills and seek the coveted Gold Buckle, awarded to the world champions.

The Wrangler NFR attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding to compete for a share of the increased purse and the coveted PRCA Gold Buckle. In 2021, the event had a total attendance of 169,539 over the 10 days of competition at the Thomas & Mack Center and has sold out more than 340 consecutive performances in Las Vegas.

For more information on the Wrangler NFR, please visit NFRexperience.com or through social media at /LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR. For the latest PRORODEO news and Wrangler NFR coverage, please visit WatchNFR.com or through social media @PRCA_ProRodeo.

Rodeo fans looking for transportation to and from the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo will have the option to utilize the complimentary shuttle bus service – the NFR Express – with routes from the Las Vegas Convention Center and NFR official host hotels on the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown to the Thomas & Mack Center.

From Thursday, Dec. 1 through Saturday, Dec. 10, shuttle buses will pick up at The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas located at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This one-way route will run from the Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall directly to the Thomas & Mack Center.

Also beginning on Dec. 1, the NFR Express will begin complimentary routes to and from the NFR sponsor hotels. There are now fourteen routes, covering 24 hotel properties.

“The NFR Express continues to be the most efficient means to get to the Thomas & Mack Center,” said Pat Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events. “In addition to the routes that service our hotel partners, there is a one-way shuttle that allows fans to move from The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas to the arena. Due to increased traffic and parking congestion in and around the Thomas & Mack Center, we encourage fans to consider this complimentary mode of transportation.”

In 2022, all Wrangler NFR performances begin at 5:45 p.m. (PT). NFR Express will begin pick-ups at 4 p.m. (PT) and include return service until 9:45 p.m. (PT). There is no shuttle bus service during the actual rodeo performance from 6 p.m. through 8:15 pm.

Rodeo fans are urged to utilize the NFR Express for round-trip transportation. In addition, fans are asked to allow approximately 15 minutes for traffic conditions from each hotel pick-up point. The NFR Express routes and pick-up points are as follows:

Route 1 – One-Way Express Shuttle
The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas – Las Vegas Convention Center, South Halls (East Entrance)

Route 2

MGM Grand – Northeast corner of Guest Parking garage
Tropicana – North entrance

Route 3

Sam’s Town – Rear entrance (behind the food court)

Route 4

Mandalay Bay – Shark Reef entrance
New York-New York – Main entrance

Route 5

Resorts World – Rideshare Lot adjacent to Main Entrance
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas – Main entrance

Route 6

The Orleans – Valet entrance

Route 7

Gold Coast – Valet entrance
Palms – Front entrance
Rio – Convention Center Circle Drive

Route 8

Golden Nugget – Carson Tower entrance
Plaza – Welcome Sign (Main St. & Carson Ave.)

Route 9

The D – Valet entrance
Downtown Grand – Valet entrance

Route 10

Caesars Palace – Colosseum group pick up
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas – Bus area at main entrance

Route 11

The Mirage – North valet entrance
Treasure Island (TI) – Bus loading zone, near the South Valet

Route 12

Sahara Las Vegas – Paradise entrance
Westgate – North Tower entrance

Route 13

Harrah’s – Bus depot (adjacent to valet)
Planet Hollywood – Bus depot (adjacent to valet)

Route 14

South Point – Main entrance

For more information on the Wrangler NFR and The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas, please visit NFRexperience.com or through social media at /LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR. For the latest ProRodeo news and Wrangler NFR coverage, please visit WatchNFR.com or through social media at @PRCA_ProRodeo.