Ep. 23 - NFR Round 1 Recap
December 6, 2019 (Las Vegas, Nevada) - There were some surprises and some major highlights to start off Round 1 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the Super Bowl of Rodeos, happening Las Vegas, Nevada from now through December 14th. Contestants are vying to not only take a chunk of the $84,615.38 paid out NIGHTLY in each event, but also a part of the $253,846.15 average payout per event. To put that amount in perspective, Tanner Brunner arrived in Sin City with $74,950.31 in earnings in that event and first in the average, if won outright, could get you $67,269.23!
Make sure to join us daily on Instagram and Facebook stories to answer our five-part NFR Round Quizzes and then listen to the podcast the very next morning to see how “in the know” you are!
Round 1 Quiz Questions & Answers
Our daily quizzes involve current rodeo facts, NFR happenings, rodeo terminology and history!
What day is Rascal Rodeo’s rodeo happening?
Sunday, December 8th is the correct answer! They are still taking volunteers and we hope that you join them on their adventure! You can also listen to more about the Rascal Rodeo program in our Episode 24 of the That Western Life podcast where co-host Katie Schrock interviews founder and CEO Ann-Erica Whitemarsh!
Rascal Rodeo: Facebook, Instagram
What big event did the PRCA announce in the CEO’s address at the 2019 PRCA Convention?
The correct answer was the Jr. NFR which a majority of you got right. Last year’s big announcement was the match-up simulator that we haven’t heard much since then. It was a big project, however, so we look forward to seeing how that shakes out in the coming years! There are many questions about the Jr. NFR and the overreaching impacts that it will have on the world of youth rodeo programs like high school rodeo, peewee rodeo, as well as the WPRA with their inclusion of barrels and breakaway into the association without sanctioning it with the WPRA as it is currently on the adult level.
What is fishing?
Majority of you knew this but we had fun creating a roughstock version of this term! “Fishing” is a term used in the roping events to describe when a cowboy shakes and wiggles the rope to manipulate what would have been a missed catch or an illegal one to a legal catch for a qualified time.
How many world titles has bull rider Sage Kimzey won?
With 80% of you getting this correct, the future hall of famer has won five world titles but has publicly addressed ever since his rookie year that he wants to win beat Donny Gay’s record of eight! While it seemed like he was well on his way, Stetson Wright may have something to say about this year’s world title race in the bull riding. A rookie, Stetson also has an All Around World Title on the line and isn’t backing down!
How many states have hosted the NFR?
The one question that stumped the fans, this is the only question missed on the Round 1 Quiz! Only 36% of you got it right that the NFR has been held in FOUR locations. Most commonly, fans think of Oklahoma, where it was held prior to coming to Las Vegas in 1985. However, the rodeo had been in Texas previously and then a one year stint in Los Angeles before Oklahoma took it for a number of decades!
Fan Questions: Round 1
Why is the Miss Rodeo America Pageant so long?
Rachel’s answer? Dance practice.
With over 30 young women competing from across the country for the title of 2020 Miss Rodeo America, the four judges don’t have an easy task as they analyze these young women in a two-part horsemanship contest on random draw horses, a two-part interview series, an hour long fashion show broadcasted live on the Wrangler Network, a written test, and numerous other events.
A great representation of what their year would look like as Miss Rodeo America, the rigorous schedule, media interviews, autograph signings and event appearances showcase to the judges what that young lady may look like as the next lady to wear the prestigious crown of the First Lady of Rodeo!
Who could be the Cinderella of the NFR and win their event and title?
Katie’s answer on this is based off of her workbook. Since the first round is, just that, the first round, it can be kind of hard to see what it could look like at this point. Tyler Wade, a team roping header, came in placing 14th and won the first round. If the rodeo ended tonight he would also, obviously, win the average and subsequently win the world title.
In a similar situation is steer wrestlings Bridger Chambers who came in 13th overall and tied for second in this round. If the NFR ended tonight, he would take first place! Those are two Cinderella names to watch!
Round 1 Event Recap
Bareback
Tim O’Connell’s horse went skyhigh and clipped Powder River Rodeo’s Hank Franzen on the backside. The cowboys on the back of the chutes were quick to throw a rope on the horse and use pure human strength to get him back in the chute. A terrifying situation, this is the same kind of situation that resulted in a broken back for Stephen Peebles who is currently commentating the bareback event for those of you watching from home on CBS Sports or an affiliated channel.
Richmond Champion, married to figure skating Olympian Paige Lawerence Champion earlier this year, has his head right with sports psychology that he attributes to his new bride. It paid off and, after taking the round lead, he took a re-ride to come back and set a Round 1 score record! The young gun made famous winning the first million dollar challenge at what was formerly known as the RFD-TV’s the American, we expect big things from Richmond at this year’s NFR.
Saddle Bronc
A wild night of missed markouts, six contestants didn’t get a qualified ride to start off the NFR. Remember, this will play a key role in the world championship race as that NFR average money gets allocated. Out of the remaining set, there was a two-way tie for second and a three-way tie for fourth!
Tie Down Roping
Have yourself a night boys! First time NFR qualifiers Taylor Santos and rookie Haven Meged came up BIG tonight! Shane Hanchey took first in the round, the former World Champion has had a seemingly quiet year but was awarded earlier in the week for the PRCA Communications Award for Best Print Medium for the Cowboy Journal!
Team Roping
See our notes above about Cinderella’s.
Barrel Racing
Entering her first National Finals Rodeo, Emily Miller astride her beautiful gray horse “Chongo,” took the round lead! If the rodeo ended tonight, winning both the round and leading the average, this first timer would have herself a Gold Buckle!
Absolutely consistent were Nellie Miller and Lisa Lockhart. An interesting comment about these ladies is that Nellie entered the NFR with the fewest number of rodeos to enter of all the contestants AND she was in first place when they arrived! Nellie used 28 rodeos to get to the NFR, Lisa Lockhart used 47 and Hailey Kinsel used 49. On the flip side, Emily Miller used 79, Cheyenne Wimberly used 89 and Jennifer Sharp used 94!
It doesn’t matter how many rodeos it took to get to the NFR, it just matters to get there and we are excited to see what happens in Round 2! Especially for two horses that designate the Thomas & Mack as one of their favorite places to be that had one and two knocks respectively on the first night: Hailey Kinsel’s Sister and Amberleigh Moore’s Paige.
One PRCA Rule Change, Remove or Create
On every podcast episode we ask our guests for one rule that they would change, remove or create to the PRCA or WPRA. Keeping up with tradition, we are sharing our thoughts or our fans’ suggestions on each episode of the NFR Podcast rounds.
Katie’s rule for the day is that, for the first few rounds of the NFR, they should showcase a video highlighting what is happening during the Miss Rodeo America Pageant for the fans at home to catch them up to speed. Miss Rodeo America is the only mainstream pageant that doesn’t have a national televised presence. It would make a wonderful halftime show!