Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – by the Numbers
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – It was one of those very rare weeks when there were no PRCA rodeos, allowing a few moments of quiet reflection on what lies ahead in just 30 days before being launched into the sound and fury that is the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
The Dec. 3-12 rodeo – this sport’s answer to the Super Bowl and World Series – is back at the Thomas & Mack Center with some pretty big numbers to celebrate. This is the silver anniversary of the rodeo’s move to Las Vegas, and it comes with plenty of gold – a rodeo-record purse of $5.75 million.
2: Josh Peek is the only other cowboy besides Brazile to qualify for the Wrangler NFR in more than one event, making the cut in both steer wrestling and tie-down roping.
233,504: That’s the number of dollars bareback rider Clint Cannon banked this year in setting a PRCA regular-season earnings record for any individual event. He was never bucked off the entire season, a total of more than 200 rides.
2: Team roping partners Chad Masters and Jade Corkill both set regular-season earnings records for their event. Masters, who had some early season success with heeler Michael Jones, finished the year with $127,749, and Corkill earned $118,277.
3: With Masters, Kelsey Parchman and Keven Daniel, there are a trio of native Tennessee team roping headers in the Top 10. The Volunteer State has never enlisted three cowboys in any individual event before.
8: It has been eight years since a bull rider (Blue Stone) last won back-to-back world titles, but reigning World Champion J.W. Harris has an $110,831 lead over second-place Steve Woolsey entering the Wrangler NFR – the largest lead in any event.
8,021: That’s the number of dollars separating steer wrestling leader Lee Graves from defending World Champion Luke Branquinho – the smallest lead in any event.
18: If Branquinho can make up the difference and retain his title, he will be the first steer wrestler to repeat since Ote Berry from 1990-91.
21: Saddle bronc rider Billy Etbauer, 46, extended his own record for most NFR appearances in his event, having now qualified every year since 1989. Some other familiar faces weren’t so lucky: Allen Bach, who leads all team ropers with 27 NFR appearances, failed to make the field this year, as did tie-down roping record holder Mike Johnson (23) and steer roper Guy Allen (32). “The way the world has become, it is hard to find places where you don’t see a power line, people or vehicles,” said Branquinho.
Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Missoula, Mont., the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. The Elk Foundation and its partners have permanently protected or enhanced more than 5.2 million acres, an area larger than Connecticut, for hunting, fishing and other recreation. The Elk Foundation has more than 150,000 members, a staff of 150 and 10,000 active volunteers.
PRCA Manager of Corporate Partnerships Dave Jordan, also an avid outdoorsman, sees the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation as an ideal sponsor for ProRodeo, and one with which its members and fans will easily relate.
“We’re so thrilled to be working with this great organization,” Jordan said. “Many of our members and fans have a great appreciation for what the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is doing, and will continue to do, to preserve elk habitat.”
To learn more about the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, visit www.elkfoundation.org or call 1-800-CALL ELK.
Wright documentary showing Dec. 8 at the South Point Hotel
A showing of the documentary Born to Ride: Cody Wright and the Quest for a World Title is scheduled for 11 a.m. Dec. 8 at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa in Las Vegas.
The 60-minute film, co-produced and directed by Jon Smith, chair of the Department of Communication at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, and written by Lyman Hafen, chronicles Wright’s year-long journey in 2008 to win a world title. The Utah crew was on-hand last December in Las Vegas when Wright won the gold buckle in a dramatic showdown with five-time World Champion Billy Etbauer, and the documentary includes that footage as well.
For more information on Wright and the Wrangler NFR, visit ProRodeo.com.
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