When the 48th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) kicks off on November 30th in Las Vegas, Nev., there will be three cowboys, one cowgirl and 42 head of horses there representing Canada.
Reigning world champion steer wrestler Lee Graves (Calgary, Alta.) is back this year to defend his title and he’ll be joined by saddle bronc riders Rod Hay (Wildwood, Alta.) and Glen O’Neill (Didsbury, Alta.) as well as barrel racer Lindsay Sears (Nanton, Alta.), who’s making her first appearance at the WNFR.
For Graves, Hay and O’Neill, it marks their eighth, 17th and tenth appearances, respectively.
Unlike the Canadian Finals Rodeo, which is held in a sudden-death format, the WNFR combines money won during the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s regular rodeo season with money won at the $5.375 million, ten-day WNFR to decide the world titles.
Coming into the finals Graves is sixth in the world standings with $75,003, trailing Dean Gorsuch (Gering, Neb.) who has $111,059.
Hay and O’Neill are sixth and ninth with $97,306 and $75,722 in their accounts. Cody DeMoss (Heflin, La.) leads the saddle bronc race with $145,544.
Sears is eighth with $66,331, trailing Brittany Pozzi (Victoria, Tex.) who earned $129,380 during the 2006 season.
As for stock, 42 of the 200 saddle bronc and bareback horses selected this year belong to Canadian stock contractors.
The Kesler family, consisting of Kesler Championship Rodeo and Kesler Rodeo Co., will bring the largest group, with 12 broncs and 10 bareback horses. The Calgary Stampede will bring 11 head altogether, with four broncs and seven bareback selections. Vold Rodeo Ltd. has five, two broncs and three barebacks, and Franklin Rodeo will show up twice in each event, for four.
The WNFR runs from November 30 to December 9. We will be issuing nightly press releases highlighting how our Canadians are faring as well as updating www.rodeocanada.com after each performance.
STOCK LISTS
SADDLE BRONC HORSES
Calgary Stampede: John Wayne, Liquer Whiskey, Knight Rocket, Gallant Warrior
Franklin Rodeo: Leaning Tower, Blue Too
Kesler Rodeo Co.: Strawberry Alley, Take A Break, Smiling Cat, Country Cat, Toll Free
Kesler Championship Rodeo: Coffee Break, Shady Cat, Cool Alley, Bonus Alley, Royal Visit, Order Alley, Seat Sale
Vold Rodeo Ltd.: Raveen, MF4
BAREBACK HORSES
Calgary Stampede: Coconut Roll, French Wake, Fearless Warrior, Gorgeous Connie, Grated Coconut, Knife Money, London Mist
Franklin Rodeo: Pop a Top, Black Fox
Kesler Rodeo Co.: Instant Request, Country Wages, Collecting Stars, Sky Reach, Painted Smile, Sports Select
Kesler Championship Rodeo: Street Dance, Just 4 U, Alley Trail, Alley Ways
Vold Rodeo Ltd.: Devil Woman, Centennial, One and Only
NATIONAL FINALS RODEO TO AIR ON OLN
Once again this year, OLN will be airing the WNFR in Canada. Each round will be shown with a one-day delay, at 9:00 EST and PST. Here is a complete list of airtimes:
Round One: Fri., Dec. 1 at 9 p.m. EST/PST; Round Two: Sat., Dec. 2 at 9 p.m. EST/PST; Round Three: Sun., Dec. 3 at 9 p.m. EST/PST; Round Four: Mon., Dec. 4 at 9 p.m. EST/PST; Round Five: Tues., Dec. 5 at 9 p.m. EST/PST; Round Six: Wed., Dec. 6 at 9 p.m. EST/PST; Round Seven: Thurs., Dec. 7 at 9 p.m. EST/PST; Round Eight: Fri., Dec. 8 at 9 p.m. EST/PST; Round Nine: Sat., Dec. 9 at 9 p.m. EST/PST; Championship Round: Sun., Dec. 10 at 9 p.m. EST/PST
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