PRCA News Stories

Tyson Durfey wins second round at National Finals Rodeo
[Dec. 8, 2008] The City of Lights continues to be a profitable place for tie-down roper Tyson Durfey...The Savannah, Mo.-born cowboy who now lives in Colbert, Wash., roped and tied his calf in 8.6 seconds Sunday night at the Thomas & Mack Center to place second in the fourth go-round worth $10,006. It boosted his National Finals Rodeo earnings to more than $40,000 - an average paycheck of $10,000 a round By Ted Harbin

Cow Palace cancels Grand National Rodeo
[Dec. 6, 2008] The majesty and spectacle of the Grand National Rodeo, Horse and Stock Show will not return to the Cow Palace next year because the annual event has been canceled. The show is expected to be revamped and return in 2010, said Henry Kuechler, president of the entertainment venue's board of directors.

Tyson Durfey off to fast start in rodeo’s championship
[Dec. 5, 2008] Wearing his traditional pink shirt, Tyson Durfey busted out of the chutes Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in the opening round of ProRodeo's championship, the National Finals Rodeo...The Colbert, Wash., cowboy roped and tied his calf in 7.7 seconds and held the tie-down roping lead until Oklahoman Hunter Herrin posted a 7.5 to win the first round. Still, the Missouri-born Durfey finished second and earned the $13,251 paycheck that came along with it. By Ted Harbin

10 Ariat Athletes National Finals Rodeo -Bound
[Dec. 4, 2008] Although the house usually has an edge in Vegas, it’s a safe bet you'll see a lot of cowboys walking away winners at this year's Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). And 10 of those contenders are Ariat-sponsored athletes, each gunning for a title in the world's premier rodeo event as it descends upon Sin City from Dec. 4-13, 2008. By Jennifer Hellickson, Ariat International

BP joins RodeoHouston SUPER SERIES in major partnership
[Dec. 3, 2008] Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo™ officials announced today that BP has signed a major deal to become the first-ever title sponsor of the RodeoHouston Super Series, the world's richest regular-season Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association rodeo. By Kate Bradley, RodeoHouston

Whitfield makes 18th appearance at the “Super Bowl” of Rodeo
[Dec. 2, 2008] Eight-time world champion Fred Whitfield is ready to throw his first loop at his 18th National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. This year's event marks the 50th annual NFR and action gets underway on Dec. 4 and runs through Dec. 13, when the world champions in each event will be crowned. By Ann Bleiker

THE FIRST NATIONAL FINALS, 1959 - A FIFTY YEAR TRADITION
[Dec. 2, 2008] It had taken over three years of ‘cussin’ and discussing by the Board Members of the Rodeo Cowboys Association to vote in favor of having a bonafide National Finals. As Jim Shoulders remembered it, Casey Tibbs was the first cowboy to talk about having a Finals for rodeo. Baseball had the World Series, why didn’t rodeo do the same? By Gail Woerner, Rodeo Historian

Cherokee rodeo owner noted for 50 years of work
[Nov. 30, 2008] Folks around Cherokee, Iowa, have been giving thanks for years that Bob Barnes was raised here. Barnes, 79, has helped attract tens of thousands of people to his hometown through the years with the Cherokee PRCA Rodeo...Well, now this "bucking bronc" of a man is being honored at the PRCA National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas this week. It's the 50th straight year his company has had stock at the prestigious event.

Las Vegas bull rider Colin McTaggart is hoping to cash in at the NFR
[Nov. 21, 2008] While there's really no such thing as a home-field advantage in rodeo, bull rider Colin McTaggart is eager to do well in his hometown and on rodeo's biggest stage.

Historic 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Will Be Available on DVD
[Nov. 11, 2008] On December 4th the doors of the Thomas and Mack Arena will open to the 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Word around the rodeo circuit is that this is set to be one of the best events in the history of the PRCA. Several exciting events have happened within the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association since the last NFR. All good! There is a new man at the helm of the association, Karl Stressman. Karl is certainly not new to the sport of rodeo and to what it takes to put on a top-notch event. Karl is taking the helm at a time when the PRCA has been forced by circumstances to take a close look at their organization and the future of rodeo and the results have been a new positive look at the future. By Cindy Meyers, Rodeo Attitude

My first trip to the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas
[Nov. 10, 2008] A year ago we sent Courtney Bilderback along with her father, Johnny Dollar, Rodeo Attitude VP to Las Vegas to cover the National Rodeo Finals. For those who don’t know the NFR is the culmination of a year of hard work and competition for the members of the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association (PRCA), rodeo’s version of the NFL or NBL. Rodeo Attitude has spoken with several ticket companies who told us that there are still tickets available for the 50th Annual National Finals Rodeo. By Courtney Bilderback, Rodeo Attitude

The Academy of Country Music Partners With Wrangler National Finals Rodeo to Be Held December 4-13, 2008 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas
[Nov. 10, 2008] For the third consecutive year, the Academy of Country Music will host the Academy of Country Music Stage at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) held in Las Vegas from Thursday, December 4th through Saturday, December 13th. New country artists will take the Academy of Country Music Stage in the Cowboy Corral, a special area created by Las Vegas Events, to entertain NFR fans inside the Cox Pavilion at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The event is free to NFR fans and open to all ticket holders.

Miss Rodeo America Pageant Brings in Cowgirls from 27 States
[Nov. 7, 2008] For 54 years, the Miss Rodeo America Pageant has hosted hundreds of beautiful and talented cowgirls from across the country. Hopefuls converge annually for a weeklong competition to select a representative to promote America's Original Professional Sport - rodeo. By DeAnna Power, Miss Rodeo America Inc.

PRO RODEO CHAMPIONS CROWNED FOR PRAIRIE CIRCUIT
[Oct. 26, 2008] Cowboy Jared Keylon is modest. The By Ruth Nicolaus