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LAS VEGAS – Now entering its 38th year in Las Vegas, the Wrangler NFR kicks off on Dec. 7 and runs for ten consecutive days. The event features the Top 15 PRCA contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping and bull riding, plus barrel racing (WPRA).

The autograph session schedule is as follows:
Friday, Dec. 8 – Barrel Racers at Golden Nugget (The Grand Foyer)
Saturday, Dec. 9 – Tie-Down Ropers at MGM Grand (Main Lobby)
Monday, Dec. 11 – Team Ropers at Horseshoe (Guy Fieri’s Flavortown Sports Kitchen)
Tuesday, Dec. 12 – Steer Wrestlers at The D (Bar Canada)
Wednesday, Dec. 13 – Bull Riders at Treasure Island (Gilley’s Saloon)
Thursday, Dec. 14 – Bareback Riders at New York-New York (Beerhaus)
Friday, Dec. 15 – Saddle Bronc Riders at Resorts World (Wrangler Dawg House)

Known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, the Wrangler NFR attracts the top 120 contestants in the world to compete for a share of the $11.5 million purse and the coveted PRCA Gold Buckle. In 2022, the event had a total attendance of 173,350 over the 10 days of competition at the Thomas & Mack Center and has sold out more than 350 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 prorodeo.com or through social media @PRCA_ProRodeo.

Courtesy of NFRExperience.com

Following the Canadian Finals Rodeo, Jake Gardner needed to reset.

The bull rider from Fort St. John, British Columbia had run into some bad luck at the CFR in early November, getting bucked off during four of his six rides at the season-culminating event.

He came into the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals in Regina, Saskatchewan hoping for an opportunity to regroup mentally and get back on track.

Consider that mission accomplished.

Gardner was the only cowboy to ride all four bulls he faced at the event, resulting in an aggregate score of 336.5 points and a payout of $9,886.

“I just came here and kind of relaxed a bit. I just wanted to have fun, ride my bulls and kind of finish the year off good and get a head start on the 2024 season, so it was good all around,” Gardner said. “I had a very fun week. I drew really good, and I capitalized on my draws, so it worked out.”

After placing third in the opening round with a ride of 83 points, Gardner took control over the final three rounds, scoring an 83.5 in the second go and 82.5 in the third. The exclamation point came in the finals as his effort of 87.5 points was the highest scored ride of the entire rodeo. No other cowboy was able to cover more than two bulls at the event, allowing Gardner to easily claim the aggregate and overall circuit titles.

The Maple Leaf victory was the perfect parlay for Gardner as he transitions from one season to the next. For the 2023 campaign, the up-and-coming bull rider finished 44th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings, with a little over $47,000 in earnings for the season. His earnings were a career best as he finished inside the top 50 for the first time since 2021.

“I felt like this is probably one of the best seasons I’ve had in my career thus far. I learned a lot and I’m progressively getting better at things I need to get better at,” Gardner said. “Bull riding is a tough sport – you’re diamonds one day and dust the next, but the main thing is to keep a positive mental attitude and I feel like I did good on that this year and things worked out.”

With some early earnings already on his ledger for the 2024 campaign, Gardner has one more event scheduled to close out the 2023 calendar before taking a holiday break and restarting in January.

More importantly, he’s got some much-needed confidence, which he hopes will lead to even greater heights.

“Getting this money is pretty important. I really want to win a Canadian title, so it’s good to get a jump on that. And I really want to make the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, so it’s good to get some money in those standings as well,” Gardner said. “I just need to keep picking away and hopefully it works out.”

Other winners at the Maple Leaf Circuit Finals Rodeo were bareback rider Ty Taypotat (333 points on four head); steer wrestler Stephen Culling (17.5 seconds on four head); team ropers Kavis Drake/Denim Ross (13.4 seconds on three head); saddle bronc rider Sawyer Eirikson (326 points on four head); tie-down roper Stran Dunham (36 seconds on four head); breakaway roper Lawrie Saunders (11.2 seconds on four head); and barrel racer Taylor Manning (54.8 seconds on four runs).

Courtesy of PRCA

The Grievance Committee has released its decision, reversing the previous grievance granted to Coleby Payne. The rulling allows Tyler Worley to compete as the 15th qualifier in the heeler category for the 2023 National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge, Dec. 7-16 in Las Vegas.

PRCA is committed to treating all members fairly, including providing members with the opportunity to raise questions about PRCA rules and guidelines.

Courtesy of PRCA

As the excitement builds for the upcoming National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, rodeo enthusiasts and competitors alike are gearing up for one of the most anticipated events of the year. With a staggering $99,053 up for grabs in each event every night, over the course of 10 intense rounds, it’s no wonder why the NFR holds a special place in the hearts of rodeo fans. In total, the purse for all 10 rounds reaches an impressive $11,501,505, thanks in part to the $10,000 bonus each contestant receives just for qualifying for the NFR.

One of the most exciting events to watch at the NFR is team roping. In this thrilling discipline, both the header and heeler have the chance to earn individual payouts without having to split their winnings. For instance, the first-place team in a given go-round can take home a hefty $30,706 each, adding to the already significant financial incentives for success. This format places immense pressure on each team member to perform with speed, precision, and skill in order to secure their spot in the winner’s circle, both for individual rounds and the overall average.

The 2023 NFR has brought about some interesting changes in the team roping category. Some of the top ropers found themselves in situations where their original partners did not qualify for the NFR, leading to the need for new partnerships amongst the top-15 competitors. These changes promise to inject even more unpredictability and excitement into an already fiercely competitive event.

The Thomas and Mack Arena will once again play host to this electrifying showdown, with 10 rounds of action-packed, heart-pounding competition set to captivate audiences. The anticipation is palpable, as fans eagerly await the teamwork, skill, and camaraderie on display when these talented ropers and their trusty steeds take to the arena.

Here are the 2023 NFR Team Roping Partners:

1. Tyler Wade and Wesley Thorp
2. Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira
3. Derrick Beagay and Colter Todd
4. Nelson Wyatt and Jonathan Torres
5. Dustin Esquiza and Levi Lord
6. Clint Summers and Jake Long
7. Clay Smith and Paden Bray
8. Marcus Theriot and Cole Curry
9. Jake Clay and Tyler Worley
10. Luke Brown and Hunter Koch
11. Coleman Proctor and Logan Medlin
12. Rhen Richard and Jeremy Buhler
13. Erich Rogers and Paul Eaves
14. Andrew Ward and Buddy Hawkins II

Tanner Tomlinson and Patrick Smith

With the spirit of competition, sportsmanship, and the love of rodeo in the air, the 2023 NFR promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent, determination, and teamwork in the team roping category. Rodeo fans can hardly wait to witness these incredible partnerships in action and see who will rise to the occasion to claim the coveted titles and cash prizes.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is gearing up for an exhilarating experience as the Denny Sanford Premier Center prepares to host a thrilling Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event in September 2023.

In a joint announcement on Monday, the state, Experience Sioux Falls, and Cinch revealed that the prestigious 2023 Cinch Playoffs will unfold at the Premier Center. This action-packed three-day event is scheduled to run from September 28 to September 30, 2023, and will showcase a range of rodeo disciplines, including bareback riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, bull riding, and breakaway roping.

Each discipline will see twelve dedicated contestants vying for the coveted Governor’s Cup, with a remarkable $1 million payout at stake. The top 15 athletes emerging from this event will secure their spots in the prestigious Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

For further details and updates, visit the Pro Rodeo website to stay in the loop on this thrilling rodeo event!