National Finals Rodeo Description

The National Finals Rodeo separates the men from the boys in world class rodeo competition.

The NFR or National Finals Rodeo is an annual 10-day event held in early December which crowns the best cowboys and cowgirls in the world. Since 1988 the event has been held in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Thomas and Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Prior to that time the prestigious rodeo called Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, its home for over 20 years. Participants compete for world championship titles in events of their choice. It is the final rodeo event in the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association) season.

Rankings/Events

Events like bull riding remain a big draw at the NFR.

The top 15 money winners in the PRCA are invited to compete at the NFR and vie for world championship titles. There are seven main events at the NFR. Bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping (formerly known as calf roping), bull riding and ladies barrel racing.

Format

Most cowboys hope for the "ride of their life" in Las Vegas.

The finals consist of 10 rounds of competition. One round is held daily. Prize money is paid out to the top eight finishers in each round. How much these top finishers earned during the year is added to their NFR earnings; this total amount determines the World Champion in each event.

All-Around Cowboy

Two-event stars get special notice.

The coveted world all-around rodeo champion title is awarded at the end of the NFR to the cowboy who earned the most money at the finals. He also must have competed in more than one event during the year and at the NFR.

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Prize Money

Riggin' up right and bustin' broncs pays off big at the NFR.

According to Jim Bainbridge, the senior public relations coordinator for the PRCA, the purse money is divided equally among the seven events, and goes up by $125,000 each year. In 2010, NFR prize money is expected to top out at close to $6 million.

Buckles Galore

A gold belt buckle from the NFR is a cowboy's Christmas.

The famous gold NFR belt buckles are given out to each World Champion. Other buckles are given to nightly round winners, the all-around cowboy and the NFR Champion (the participant who won the most money at the NFR that year).

Tickets

Rodeo fans are hard core and loyal.

Tickets are hard to come by for this legendary event. The 17,500 seat Thomas and Mack arena sells out every year.

References

• Real Western: The World of Pro Rodeo
• NFR Experience: History of the NFR
• Jim Bainbridge; Senior Public Relations Co-ordinator; PRCA; Colorado Springs, Co.