The 2018 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association season is drawing to a close, the only event left on the schedule is the 2018 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). The NFR is described by many as the super bowl of rodeo events and it is the one title that all cowboys long for on their resumes.
The NFR is hosted annually during the first full week of December in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Thomas & Mack Center situated on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus has played host to this event since 1984. The inaugural NFR took place in 1959 in Dallas, Texas.
The NFR is the ultimate grueling test for cowboys and cowgirls that have world champion aspirations. The NFR consists out of 10 rounds in each respective event with $26 000 up for grabs during each round. The total prize money up for grabs at will be over 10 million dollars in 2018.
The iconic rodeo event brings the best of the best in the rodeo world together to compete for a world championship. Sage Kimzey is one of the star cowboys that is set to compete at the 2018 NFR. Kimzey has been a dominating force during the 2018 season and odds are that this trend will continue at the NRF. Kimzey has accumulated just short of $300 000 riding his bull during the 2018 season, raking in nearly twice as much as Parker Breding who is second on the bull riding money list.
Tim O’Connell is another star that is set to compete at the 2018 NFR, O’Connell is the leading bareback rider in the world and he is looking to win his third consecutive world championship. The race for the title in the bareback riding standings is much closer with 2nd place rider Caleb Bennett only $15 000 behind.
The Las Vegas NFR also plays host to some of the most talented female rodeo athletes. Carman Pozzobon from British Columbia, Canada is the current leader in the barrel racing event. Pozzobon will be making her first trip to the NFR.
Consistency throughout the year during the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association season definitely gets rewarded at the NFR. The top 15 money winners in 8 respective events during the course of the season stamps their ticket to the NFR. Here is a list of the top 15 athletes in each event that will be competing for the ultimate prize in Rodeo.
Bareback Riding
- Tim O’Connell
- Caleb Bennett
- Clayton Biglow
- Orin Larsen
- Bill Tutor
- Richmond Champion
- Kaycee Feild
- Steven Dent
- Jake Brown
- Mason Clements
- Tilden Hooper
- Ty Breuer
- Shane O’Connell
- R Vezain
- Wyatt Denny
- Will Lowe
Steer Wrestling
- Curtis Cassidy
- Tyler Pearson
- Scott Guenthner
- Ty Erickson
- Will Lummus
- Tanner Brunner
- Hunter Cure
- Bridger Chambers
- Jacob Talley
- Tyler Waguespack
- Blake Mindemann
- Riley Duvall
- Blake Knowles
- Kyle Irwin
- Nick Guy
Team Roping – Headers
- Clay Smith
- Kaleb Driggers
- Dustin Egusquiza
- Clay Tryan
- Cody Snow
- Bubba Buckaloo
- Chad Masters
- Derrick Begay
- Aaron Tsinigine
- Luke Brown
- Riley Minor
- Tyler Wade
- Erich Rogers
- Lane Ivy
- Rhen Richard
Team Roping – Heelers
- Junior Nogueira
- Paul Eaves
- Kory Koontz
- Joseph Harrison
- Trey Yates
- Travis Graves
- Cory Petska
- Wesley Thorp
- Jake Long
- Brady Minor
- Clint Summers
- Chase Tryan
- Buddy Hawkins II
- Cole Davison
- Quinn Kesler
Saddle Bronc Riding
- Jacobs Crawley
- Ryder Wright
- Isaac Diaz
- Rusty Wright
- Zeke Thurston
- Brody Cress
- Clay Elliott
- Wade Sundell
- Cort Scheer
- Sterling Crawley
- CoBurn Bradshaw
- Jake Wright
- Joey Sonnier III
- Taos Muncy
- Chase Brooks
Tie-Down Roping
- Shane Hanchey
- Tuf Cooper
- Tyson Durfey
- Jake Pratt
- Ryle Smith
- Trevor Brazile
- Cooper Martin
- Caleb Smidt
- Cory Solomon
- Marty Yates
- Reese Riemer
- Matt Shiozawa
- Rhen Richard
- Sterling Smith
- Ryan Jarrett
Barrel Racing
- Hailey Kinsel
- Nellie Miller
- Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi
- Lisa Lockhart
- Stevi Hillman
- Taci Bettis
- Kylie Weast
- Jessica Routier
- Ivy Conrado
- Tammy Fischer
- Kelly Bruner
- Tracy Nowlin
- Amberleigh Moore
- Jessica Telford
- Carman Pozzobon
Bull Riding
- Sage Kimzey
- Parker Breding
- Dustin Boquet
- Roscoe Jarboe
- Chase Dougherty
- Jeff Askey
- Boudreaux Campbell
- Garrett Tribble
- Tyler Bingham
- Trey Benton III
- Cole Melancon
- Koby Radley
- Joe Frost
- Eli Vastbinder
- Trevor Kastner
The 2018 NFR will be a star-studded event, make sure not to miss any part of the action when the 2018 NFR World Champions are crowned.
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