PRCA Rodeo News and Notes

By Courtesy PRCA
Posted Tuesday, November 6, 2007

· Great Lakes’ best head to Louisville. Qualification for the 2008 Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo continues this weekend with the Dodge Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo, Nov. 8-10 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky. It’s the fourth of 12 circuit finals rodeos that will ultimately send the country’s top riders and ropers to the DNCFR.

Action from the three-round rodeo starts each day at 7:30 p.m. ET
At the 2007 DNCFR, the stakes to win were even higher than in past years. Event winners not only received a one-year lease to a new Dodge pick-up truck, but also received an automatic berth in the first two Ariat Playoff Series rodeos in Caldwell, Idaho, and Puyallup, Wash. There, the DNCFR winners had a chance at some big paychecks and, if things went well, an opportunity to advance further into the Playoff Series.

Year-end winners in each of the PRCA’s 12 circuits, as well as the average winners at each circuit finals rodeo, earn a berth to the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo, held each March in Pocatello, Idaho. The top 24 contestants in each event battle it out at the DNCFR for the title of national champion.

The PRCA circuit system was created in 1975 to recognize competitors who might never have a chance to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The circuit cowboys and cowgirls compete throughout the year in a designated circuit (usually near their home), and top competitors from each circuit qualify for their circuit’s finals.

· Wrangler NFR specialty acts. The specialty acts for this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo have been selected. Nikki Moran, Blake Goode and Jason Goodman will be entertaining the fans at the Thomas & Mack Center during the television breaks of the Wrangler NFR’s two live performances. Those performances are Round 4 on Dec. 9 and Round 10 on Dec. 15.

· Meet and Greet at Convention. For the first time ever, the PRCA National Convention will host a Meet and Greet session at its Trade Show that will be open to the public. Rodeo fans who make the trip to Las Vegas for this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo can stop by the South Point Hotel, Casino and Spa on Dec. 6 from 12-2 p.m. PT and walk through the Trade Show exhibit halls and interact with their favorite barrelman, clown, bullfighter, announcer or specialty act. This will be the first opportunity for the general public to attend the Trade Show in the 61-year history of the PRCA National Convention.

· Wrangler NFR media credentials. Media personnel interested in covering the 49th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Dec. 6-15 in Las Vegas, must have a completed credentials application form sent to the PRCA by Nov. 15. Applicants should fax the application to the PRCA Communications Department at (719) 548-4889.

A credentials packet for the Wrangler NFR was sent out recently. For additional copies, please contact the PRCA Communications Department at (719) 528-4746.