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The PRCA is thrilled to unveil the esteemed contract personnel who will be overseeing the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping event at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center in Las Vegas on December 5-6.

Here are the selected individuals for various crucial roles:

• Chute Boss: John Gwatney
• Announcers: Anthony Lucia and Will Rasmussen
• Secretary: Amanda Corley Sanders
• Timers: Amy Muller and Vicki Pack
• Usher: Corey Kidd
• Photographer: James Phifer
• Music Director: Jill Franzen Loden

Notably, this marks Gwatney’s fourth time as the chute boss, while Lucia returns for his second stint as an announcer after his role in 2021. It’s Rasmussen’s debut as an announcer at the NFBR.

Amanda Corley Sanders and the timers, Mueller, Pack, Kidd, and Phifer, are all making their inaugural appearances at the NFBR. Franzen Loden returns for her second term as the music director, having previously served in the same capacity in 2021.

The Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping will witness the top 15 breakaway ropers competing for a substantial prize pool of $250,000 during the thrilling two-day, 10-round performance.

This marks the second consecutive year that the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping is hosted at the South Point.

In 2020, the National Finals Breakaway Roping unfolded at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, in conjunction with the NFR, with Jackie Crawford claiming the world championship. In 2021, the NFBR took place at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, where Sawyer Gilbert emerged victorious. Last year, Martha Angelone secured the world title at the South Point.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – After honing his talent on his PRCA permit and in the college ranks, Nick Pelke bought his PRCA card for the 2023 season and he’s enjoying the ride.

Especially after Thursday night.

The Wisconsin rookie bareback rider had an 84.5-point ride on Beutler & Son’s Black Kat, a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo horse, to get the high score of the day.

“They have won a lot of money on that horse and been a lot of points and I sure enough knew I had a chance coming here knowing that I had that horse in the first round,” said Pelke, 23. “Hopefully I will be able to go on and continue through this and have a good chance at winning this thing.”

Pelke, who is representing the Great Lakes Circuit, will make his second ride at noon Friday to try and advance out to the semifinals Saturday.

“I went to the (National Circuit Finals Rodeo in 2020) in Greeley and then I have been to the last two NFR Opens,” Pelke said. “I think this NFR Open is a great opportunity for us. It is right after the Fourth (of July) and if you go ahead and get your circuit count from the year before and have a good circuit finals it can really help a guy out in the middle of the summer with as much money that is added.

“I put it on my list to make sure I get my count and hopefully keep coming back.”

Pelke acknowledged cracking out as a rookie this year has been everything and more for him.

“When I bought my rookie card, I told myself I was going to go as hard as I could to try and make a run at the (NFR),” he said. “It has been awesome. Being out on the road and seeing the country, there’s no better office view than rodeo if you ask me.”

Pelke arrived in the Springs 39th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $26,826. He is 11th in the Bareback Riding Resistol Rookie of the Year Standings.

“Every rookie wants to make a run at rookie of the year,” Pelke said. “I think this group of bareback riders is really stout. There are a bunch of us going down the road who all could make the (NFR) I think. Keenan (Hayes) has a pretty good jump on everybody right now, but all the rookies are going to keep going hard and they all ride good and you’re going to see a handful of us at the NFR.”

More than 200 of the top rodeo contestants from each of the 12 U.S. and Canadian Circuits, plus national champions from Mexico will converge on Colorado Springs, Colo., until July 15 for the 2023 NFR Open powered by RAM.

The NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo kicked off Tuesday night and runs through July 15. It is one of the biggest rodeos of the ProRodeo season with $1 million in payouts to contestants, livestock and other PRCA members.

Other top performers on Thursday were breakaway roper Samantha Fulton (2.3 seconds); steer wrestler Cade Goodman (4.1 seconds); team ropers Nelson Wyatt/Tyler Worley (5.8 seconds); saddle bronc rider Kade Bruno (83 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Sky Fall); tie-down roper Haven Meged (9.1 seconds); barrel racer Abigail Knight (17.15 seconds); and bull rider Austin Herrera (82 points on Honeycutt Rodeo’s Dennis).

The remaining four performances of the NFR Open will be broadcast live on The Cowboy Channel and stream on the PRCA on The Cowboy Channel Plus App, July 14-15.

Courtesy of PRCA

Don Mayo, a former National Finals Rodeo bareback rider, peacefully passed away on May 21 at the age of 84. His remarkable life was marked by his unwavering determination, overcoming adversity, and leaving an indelible mark on the rodeo world.

Born on August 23, 1939, in Grinnell, Iowa, Don Mayo was raised on a bustling family farm, where hard work was a way of life. From a young age, he toiled alongside his parents, Charles and Bernice Haynes Mayo, tending to crops, hogs, and cattle. Even before the sun rose, Don would feed hogs and milk cows, instilling in him a work ethic that would shape his future.

Don’s life took an unexpected turn when, at the age of 12, he stumbled upon an article in Life Magazine featuring Casey Tibbs, a flamboyant rodeo cowboy known for his flashy attire and a purple Cadillac. Captivated by the thrilling world of rodeo, Don made a firm decision to pursue his dream of becoming a rodeo star. With his younger brothers, Paul, Bob, and Roger, he began practicing on the farm’s cattle, honing his bareback riding skills. Don’s passion soon led him to compete in a local amateur rodeo, where he won the bareback riding event and a modest $18 prize. That taste of victory sealed his fate and ignited a lifelong dedication to rodeo.

After graduating from high school in 1957, Don embarked on a challenging journey as a professional rodeo cowboy. Though faced with numerous obstacles, his determination remained unshakable. In 1961, his relentless pursuit of excellence paid off when he qualified for his first National Finals Rodeo, competing in the highly competitive bareback riding event. The following year, Don’s talent reached new heights, finishing as the reserve champion of the world in 1962. In 1963, he was poised to claim the coveted world championship title, but fate had other plans.

Tragedy struck on July 5, 1963, as Don and his younger brother, Paul, were involved in a devastating car wreck. The accident left Don critically injured and paralyzed from the waist down. In a single moment, his dreams of becoming a world champion cowboy seemed irretrievably shattered. However, Don’s indomitable spirit refused to yield. Refusing to be confined to a wheelchair, he embarked on a grueling journey of rehabilitation, determined to walk again. After 18 months of arduous work, Don triumphantly left the hospital, defying the odds and walking on crutches.

Though his rodeo aspirations were forever altered, Don Mayo’s resilience and adaptability shone through as he forged a new path in life. Despite his physical challenges, he emerged as a highly successful businessman in the realms of insurance and real estate. Remarkably, Don also acquired the skill of flying planes, owning four different aircraft that he utilized during his extensive travels while selling life insurance for over three decades.

Don’s enduring legacy extended far beyond the rodeo arena and business world. He became an inspiration to many, admired for his unwavering toughness, grit, and determination. Don’s ability to overcome setbacks and disappointments with a positive attitude resonated with countless individuals, encouraging them never to give up on life’s challenges.

In recognition of his remarkable achievements, Don Mayo was inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City in 2002. His place among the rodeo greats forever solidified his impact on the sport.

In 2002, Don Mayo was honored with induction into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame located in Oklahoma City.

Sadly, Don Mayo’s parents, sister Delores Weaver, and brothers Bob Mayo and Paul Mayo preceded him in death. However, he is survived by his beloved wife of 18 years, Myrlen “Ling” Mayo, as well as his brother Roger Mayo. Additionally, he is remembered by his nephews Beau and Les Mayo, Jim and Mark Weaver, and nieces Mary Whitehead and Diane Heaton.

A memorial service to commemorate Don Mayo’s life will take place on Saturday, June 3, at 2 p.m. (CT) at the Cowboy Church of Erath County in Stephenville.

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.

In a world where moments are fleeting, the art of photography has the power to immortalize them, freezing time in a single frame. Among the countless photographers who have dedicated their lives to capturing moments of brilliance, one name stands out with exceptional brilliance – James Fain. The rodeo community mourns the loss of a true legend, as we bid farewell to the longtime award-winning rodeo photographer who passed away on May 11, 2023.

James Fain was more than just a photographer; he was an artist who had a profound understanding of the sport and its essence. Born with an unyielding passion for the rodeo, Fain wielded his camera like a magician’s wand, conjuring images that breathed life into the moments he captured. For decades, he tirelessly roamed the dusty arenas, chasing the action, and preserving the spirit of the rodeo in all its rawness and grandeur.

As a young man, Fain fell in love with the rugged allure of rodeo. This affection for the sport inspired him to pick up a camera and start chronicling the events he attended. Little did he know that his journey behind the lens would be an extraordinary one, filled with countless memories that would resonate with generations to come.

Throughout his illustrious career, James Fain’s work found its way onto the pages of renowned magazines and newspapers, showcasing the very best of rodeo athleticism and courage. His photographs had a magical ability to transport viewers to the heart of the action, making them feel the adrenaline rush and the unbreakable bond between rider and beast.

Awards and accolades adorned Fain’s career, but it was the admiration and respect he garnered from the rodeo community that truly defined his legacy. He was not just a documenter of the sport but an integral part of its fabric, building relationships with riders, clowns, bullfighters, and fans alike. His warm personality and infectious enthusiasm made him a cherished presence at every rodeo he attended.

In addition to his profound impact on the rodeo community, Fain played a vital role in mentoring aspiring photographers who sought to follow in his footsteps. He generously shared his knowledge, encouraging them to find their unique voice and perspective in the world of photography.

Throughout his career, Fain encountered diverse challenges, yet he always approached them with a delightful outlook. Among the various rodeo events he captured on camera, bull riding and saddle broncs stood out as the easiest, owing to the profound influence of the Wrights. Wyoming’s Evanston Cowboy Days became a remarkable milestone as Fain commemorated his 50th year photographing PRCA rodeos.

Over the years, his photographic expertise earned him tremendous recognition, being honored as ProRodeo’s Photographer of the Year not once, but twice. He had the privilege of covering numerous prestigious events, including the National Finals Rodeo, Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, National High School Finals, College National Finals Rodeo, Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, Oakley Rodeo, Rodeo Houston, as well as various other ProRodeos, Utah High School rodeos, and college rodeos. Fain’s illustrious career left an indelible mark on the world of rodeo photography.

As we pay tribute to James Fain, let us not only remember the remarkable images he gifted us but also the values he embodied. He taught us that capturing a moment was more than just freezing time – it was about cherishing the passion and heart behind every endeavor, be it a rodeo ride or a simple interaction between kindred spirits.

Though James Fain may no longer be with us, his spirit lives on through the photographs that captured the heart of the rodeo and the indomitable passion of those who dedicate their lives to this unique sport. His work will continue to inspire and ignite the flames of passion in the hearts of future generations, ensuring that his legacy remains immortal in the annals of rodeo history.

As the sun sets on the legacy of James Fain, the rodeo community stands united in gratitude for the invaluable gifts he bestowed upon us. Farewell, dear friend, and thank you for the memories that will live on forever.