PRCA Rodeo News and Notes April 21, 2008

By Courtesy PRCA
Posted Tuesday, April 22, 2008

DNCFR changes dates for 2009
Organizers of the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, presented by U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, have moved the dates of the national championship back two weeks for 2009 to April 8-11 so that the Pocatello, Idaho, rodeo no longer conflicts with RodeoHouston. In recent years, many competitors have had to make the difficult decision whether to pull out of either the DNCFR or the $1.3 million rodeo at Reliant Stadium, in some cases at mid-rodeo.

Masters on the mend
Reigning World Champion Header Chad Masters is on the road to recovery after undergoing surgery March 26 to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right leg. Masters, of Clarksville, Tenn., had the surgery, which was performed by Dr. Tandy Freeman of the Justin Sportsmedicine Team, at Mary Shields Hospital in Dallas and has been doing physical therapy in recent weeks.

“The rehab’s been slow, but things are good,” said Masters, who continues to lead the Crusher Rentals PRCA World Standings thanks to his RodeoHouston win. “I’ve been trying to stay on top of my work. I’ve been getting a lot of work done and stuff done around the house.”

Masters tore his ACL in Fort Worth, Texas, earlier this year and also had a partially torn meniscus. He spent a few weeks on crutches and is currently wearing a knee brace. He will be re-evaluated by Freeman in two weeks and hopes to return to action soon, health permitting.

“I’d love to go back to kind of my hometown rodeo in Franklin (Tenn.) in mid-May, but if I’m going to re-hurt it, I don’t want any part of that,” said Masters, who had also mentioned the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo as a possible returning point.

Wrangler NFR tickets
All remaining single performance tickets for the 50th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo will go on sale May 1. Tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Each ticket is $41.50 and there is a four ticket limit per household.

Fans may purchase these tickets online at www.NFRexperience.com or by calling toll-free at 1-866-388-3267. The 2008 Wrangler NFR is scheduled for Dec. 4-13.