PRCA Press Releases

Professional Rodeo Cowby Association News and Notes January 5, 2009
[Jan. 5, 2009] Tuf Cooper joins cousin Stran Smith in Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo field; Odessa College alumnus Ryan Gray has fine homecoming at SandHills Stock Show & Rodeo and UPCOMING EVENTS By Courtesy PRCA

World Champions crowned at 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
[Dec. 14, 2008] The final Saturday of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is always the most special day in ProRodeo, and that was certainly the case at the 50th anniversary event. Gold buckle dreams were realized by a select group of PRCA contestants in front of 17,879 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Justin McDaniel, Luke Branquinho, Matt Sherwood, Randon Adams, Cody Wright, Stran Smith, Lindsay Sears and J.W. Harris all earned the title of World Champion, a feat they will never forget. By Neal Reid, PRCA

Wright clinches first saddle bronc riding world title with Round 9 win at 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
[Dec. 13, 2008] A year ago, saddle bronc rider Cody Wright came into the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo leading the Crusher Rentals PRCA World Standings, but saw his hopes of a world title dissolve after being disqualified for missing his horse out in the 10th round. He won't have to worry about losing his grasp on glory in the 10th round this year after clinching his first world title thanks to a win in Round 9 and a third consecutive buckoff by five-time World Champion Billy Etbauer. Wright, who leads the Wrangler NFR average, won Round 9 of the 50th Wrangler NFR in front of 17,784 at the Thomas & Mack Center with an 85-point ride on Frontier Rodeo's Wild Bill, while Etbauer was sent flying by Frontier Rodeo's Flint Hills. By Neal Reid, PRCA

Tryan, Petska tie world record on way to Round 8 victory at 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
[Dec. 12, 2008] The grandest stage in ProRodeo can often inspire greatness, and that certainly was the case in the team roping during Round 8 of the 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center. Travis Tryan and Cory Petska not only won the round, but also thrilled the 17,463 in attendance by tying the PRCA world record with a blistering 3.5-second time. Their mark ties the record shared by Blaine Linaweaver and Jory Levy (2001), Clay Tryan and Patrick Smith (2005) and Colter Todd and Cesar de la Cruz (2008). By Neal Reid, PRCA

Mote ties record, takes over top spot in standings with third win at 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
[Dec. 11, 2008] Two-time and reigning World Champion Bareback Rider Bobby Mote is having a great time at the 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The Culver, Ore., cowboy not only won his third round at this year's $5.625 million event, but he did it by tying the Wrangler NFR record for the second time in three days. By Neal Reid, PRCA

2009 Wrangler Milion Dollar Tour Announced
[Dec. 10, 2008] The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is proud to announce its 2009 Wrangler Million Dollar Tour, which showcases the association’s top contestants in a series of the nation’s top professional rodeos. The Million Dollar Tour will feature a new two-stage playoff format that will heighten the drama of the championship chase.

Brazile clinches sixth career all-around world title, sets money record in Round 6 of 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
[Dec. 10, 2008] Trevor Brazile's legacy continues to grow. The Decatur, Texas, cowboy clinched his sixth career all-around world title in Round 6 of the 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in front of a crowd of 16,652 at the Thomas & Mack Center after his lead over second-place Steven Dent became insurmountable at the $5.625 million event. The feat ties Brazile with Larry Mahan and Tom Ferguson as six-time world champion all-around cowboys and puts him within one of Ty Murray's all-time record of seven. By Neal Reid, PRCA

Tonozzi, Harrell win Round 5 to continue stellar Wrangler National Finals Rodeo performance with third round victory
[Dec. 9, 2008] There are two roller coasters in Las Vegas for visitors to enjoy, but team ropers Garrett Tonozzi and Kinney Harrell have found a roller coaster of their own at the 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo inside the Thomas & Mack Center this year. By Neal Reid, PRCA

Gorsuch, Welsh win second rounds at 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on Memorial Night
[Dec. 8, 2008] I''s becoming clear that Dean Gorsuch loves bulldogging in the Thomas & Mack Center. The 2006 world champion steer wrestler won his second round in a row at the 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in front of 17,149 fans at the $5.625 million event on Memorial Night. Gorsuch, of Gering, Neb., earned another round buckle after stopping the clock in 3.7 seconds, three-tenths of a second quicker than Cash Myers. Gorsuch has now earned $33,534 in Las Vegas this year, second only to 2004 World Champion Luke Branquinho ($36,599), who is leading the Wrangler NFR average and Crusher Rental PRCA World Standings heading into Round 5. By Neal Reid, PRCA

Trio of former world champs highlight winners in Round 3 at 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
[Dec. 7, 2008] Five-time World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Billy Etbauer came into the 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo a man on a mission. He is attempting to tie Casey Tibbs and Dan Mortensen for the most saddle bronc riding world titles in PRCA history with a sixth gold buckle, and he's well on his way. By Neal Reid, PRCA

PRCA honors best at awards dinner
[Dec. 6, 2008] The Grand Ballroom at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa was abuzz the night of Dec. 3, as the PRCA paid tribute to its members with its annual awards dinner. More than $100,000 in cash and prizes was awarded to deserving PRCA contract personnel in a number of categories the night before Round 1 of the 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

Tyson Durfey wins second round at National Finals Rodeo
[Dec. 6, 2008] A year ago during his first trip to the National Finals Rodeo, Tyson Durfey earned a respectable $26,310 over 10 rounds of competition...In two nights at this year's grand finale at the Thomas & Mack Center on the University of Nevada-Las Vegas campus, the Savannah, Mo.-born tie-down roper has already surpassed that total. By Ted Harbin

Tonozzi, Harrell claim second consecutive win at 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo
[Dec. 6, 2008] It took just two rounds for the 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo to get its first multiple-round winners. For the second consecutive night, team ropers Garrett Tonozzi and Kinney Harrell roped quicker than any other team at the $5.625 million event at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, winning Round 2 with a 3.9-second run. By Neal Reid, PRCA

Excitement abounds during opening round of 50th Wrangler NFR
[Dec. 5, 2008] If the first day of the 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is any indication, rodeo fans are in for a wild ride the next nine days in Las Vegas. A packed house of 17,341 fans created an electric atmosphere as the $5.625 million event kicked off at the Thomas & Mack Center, and the contestants and stock responded in fine form. By Jim Bainbridge, PRCA