The WNFR presented by Polaris RANGER® is the season-ending championship event for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and is widely acknowledged to be the world’s premier rodeo. Held annually since 1959 – and since 1985, every December at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas – the Wrangler NFR is ProRodeo’s richest and most prestigious rodeo, and it showcases the very best cowboys, barrel racers and livestock in the world. All you need to know how to watch NFR online.
The National Finals Rodeo is broadcast live on CBS Sports Network (DISH channel 158, DirecTV channel 121). To watch NFR online Subscribe here - NFR LIVE
The Wrangler NFR consists of 10 rounds – one round on each of 10 consecutive days; each contestant competes once each day. Cowboys and barrel racers earn money by placing first through sixth in any round, and pick up more money by placing first through eighth in the average (cumulative times or points earned during the 10 rounds). At the end of each Wrangler NFR, there are two champions in each event (four for team roping): the average winner, who won the Wrangler NFR by having the best cumulative time or score for that event over the 10 rounds, and the world champion, who finished the year with the most money (including what he or she earned at the Wrangler NFR). For each event, the average winner and world champion may be the same person or different people.
The Helena steer wrestler led the PRCA World Steer Wrestling standings heading into the 2016 National Finals Rodeo, but struggled in Las Vegas – placing in only three of 10 rounds – to finish seventh in the year-end standings.
Just one year later, Erickson will head back to the NFR with an even bigger world lead in chase of his first gold buckle. Erickson finished the 2017 PRCA regular season, which ended Sunday, with $163,151.94, well ahead of second-place Olin Hannum with $110,951.16. Erickson, the 2011 PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year, is making his fourth consecutive trip to the Finals.
Every year, the Cinch Roping Fiesta in San Angelo features the sport’s elite and pays them well for their fast times.
At the 64th annual competition on Oct. 26, Caleb Smidt, the 2015 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association tie-down roping world champion from Bellville, pocketed $31,300 as the result of finishing in the money in the Match Roping and Invitational Tie-down Roping title races.
Smidt earned a $20,000 check for clinching the coveted Match Roping title. He edged 2005 world all-around champion Ryan Jarrett, 172.49 seconds to 204.70 seconds, after both men had made 12 runs.
Smidt also lassoed an $11,300 check after finishing second in the Invitational Tie-down Roping title race.
Smidt is scheduled to compete in the 2017 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in tie-down roping. He has earned four trips to the Las Vegas championships (2013, 2015, 2016 and 2017).
Two-time National Finals qualifier Reese Riemer of Stinnett clinched the Invitational Tie-Down Roping title and earned $16,000. Riemer finished fourth in the second round, second in the third round and second in the final (short) round on his way to clinching the average/aggregate title.
On the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association circuit, Kelly Bruner of Millsap is ranked No. 1 in the WPRA’s 2018 pro rodeo world barrel racing title race.
At the WPRA World Finals last weekend in Waco, Bruner won the second round ($2,794 in prize money) and finished second in the short-go final round ($1,552) on her way to clinching the barrel racing average title ($4,191) in the Card Holder Race.
After winning the title at the Oct. 19-22 finale, Bruner is ranked No. 1 in the 2018 WPRA pro rodeo world barrel racing standings with $14,959 in 2018 regular season earnings.
The WPRA’s 2018 regular season began Oct. 1. Prize money earned at WPRA approved barrel races between Oct.1, 2017, and Sept. 30, 2018, count toward qualifying for the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which will be conducted in December 2018 in Las Vegas.
The professional cowboys vote for the honors. That makes horse owners like McNeely proud.
“Still part of my family, yep,” said McNeely. “He’s 13 years old now. A big grey horse that weighs probably 15 or 16 hundred pounds.”
Virgil was born, bred and raised on the Blackfeet Reservation by McNeely.
“I sold him as a 2-year-old to Maury Tate at a bucking horse sale, and Maury sold him to Vern McDonald up there in Lac La Biche, Alberta,” McNeely said.
McNeely is a fan of the film “Tombstone,” which recalls the story of the OK Corral. He named Virgil after one of the Earp brothers.
Lockhart has made 80 runs in Sin City, and he’s about to have a lot more. Lockhart says she’s counting on Old Faithful.
“Louie’s the man for Las Vegas. Louie’s the man.”
The 51-year-old says you’re only as good as your horse. And as long as she has the power, she wants to continue to compete in rodeos.
“I guess that’s my God given talent is to ride these horses so I guess I will use it to my ability as long as I can as long as they (looking towards Louie) allow me too.”
If you want to watch for Lisa, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo takes place on Dec. 7-16.
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