Ep. 56 - National Finals Rodeo Pre-Show 2020
Everything you need to know to stay up to date with the 2020 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Arlington, Texas, as well as some cool opportunities with the That Western Life podcast!
(December 6, 2020) - It’s the 2020 National Finals Rodeo and, as most fans are feeling, the rodeo world is VERY excited to be able to have their Super Bowl of rodeos but this year it has a twist - it’s in Arlington, Texas! COVID-19 has had a crippling effect on the rodeo season as we know it, meaning that any rodeo that could happen, had all the best riding through the entry gate and climbing on the back of the bucking chutes.
What has the cancellation of the majority of the rodeo season meant? It means that contestants not in the winter rodeo heavy areas of the south found it nearly impossible to make enough rodeos to even have a chance at winning enough money to get to the National Finals Rodeo.
Speaking of Money Won...
The That Western Life rodeo team works hard throughout the NFR to bring the most accurate set of data, predictions and analysis’ during the 10 day event. When it comes to the 2020 rodeo season, however, there were already a lot of interesting and “weird” numbers to note when compared to last year. Here’s a few:
ALL AROUND RACE
The all around race is closer than in years past with only three in the race, located in the top four, versus six last year of the top eleven last year.State Spread
With the impacts of COVID and rodeo cancellations, there haven’t been rodeos spread around the country and the number of states represented or the diversity of athletes from around the nation, is limited when compared to years past.The Wright Family
Ryder, Rusty and Stetson Wright are in the Top 15 BUT Spencer Wright was number 17 and, if he had made it, the Wright family would have made up just shy of 33% of the entire Saddle Bronc field.Sage Kimzey and Bull Riding
In 2019, he showed up in the first place slot with $245,000 won and this year comes in with about $95,000 in the same hole. This makes the bull riding a close race and he’s aiming for his seventh consecutive world title as he races for Donny Gay’s race. With a lower number of rodeos, he’s healthy, rested, and has spent more time preparing for this year’s NFR.Barrel Racing on a Standard Pattern
This is going to be a lot more work on these horses over the ten days so the back up horses or the secondary horses could play a big role this year. They also announced that they are going to rake after eight to keep the ground great.
Podcast extra - we are very excited to see Tiany Schuster back and to support Jimmie Smith in her first NFR!Heeling Race
The second closest race of the season with only $23,000 between #1 through #15. This will be a tight race and the only event closer is the inaugural breakaway finals.Steer Wrestling Race
Last year, Matt Reeves entered at #12 in the standings with $79,500.00 and comes in in 2020 in first place just shy of $87,000.00. There is less than an $8,000.00 between the two years and the difference is last versus first.
Unique This NFR
Points versus money won.
The World Champion has always been counted monetarily after the rodeo season ends, combined with National Finals Rodeo winnings. In 2020, however, they don’t have the same amount of added money to the rounds and the average due to the move to Texas from Las Vegas. They wanted the contestants to still have the same amount of distance they could make up in the standings, so they have changed to a points system to give them the original amount of money they could have won, even though their actual check for the round won’t show that amount.Cowboy Channel
We are very excited to have the Cowboy Channel bringing us all things rodeo and excited for our TWL supplemental co-host Katy Lucas who is going to be producing all things NFR. What you can find on the show, courtesy of our friend Jeff Medders who was on the show before is, Outside the Barrel with Flint Rasmussen, NFR Rodeo Pre-Show, the LIVE rodeo broadcast, and then the NFR Post-Show.
Special shoutout to supplemental co-host Katy Lucas who is producing at the NFR this year with the Cowboy Channel!Miss Rodeo America - Where are they now?
In honor of the Miss Rodeo America pageant which isn’t happening this year with most of the state titles, including Miss Rodeo America herself, getting a contract extension for another year, we are releasing a couple episodes of our Miss Rodeo America - Where are they now? Episodes.Prizes on Instagram for the IG Quizzes
Just like last year, we are excited to share our quiz questions so read the blogs, subscribe to the podcast, jump over to That Western Life’s Instagram or Facebook to answer the questions and play along for some cool prizes! You can also leave us a review on iTunes and the funnier they are the better chance they’ll get shared on the show!
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