National Finals Rodeo

It's December again, and to many people it brings the sights, scents and sounds of the holiday season. But to a large contingent of cowboys and cowgirls, December means the National Finals Rodeo, and the end to another long year of competition. This December 6^th -15^th thousands of rodeo enthusiasts descend on Las Vegas, Nevada for the 10 day long spectacle, and in the end hundreds of thousands of dollars will be won, and new world champions will be crowned.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboy's Association hosts rodeos across the United States throughout the year, and cowboys and cowgirls compete in 9 events, earning money and points in the hopes of making it to the NFR. At the end of the season, the top 15 competitors in each event attend the Finals, competing in 10 rounds (or go-rounds as they are known) over 10 nights. At the end of the 10 nights of competition, the money the competitors have won during the NFR is added to their existing yearly total, and the highest money earners in each sport are crowned World Champions. A 10^th championship is also awarded to the top all-around performer, who earns the most money in more than one event. The NFR is the culmination of 52 weeks worth of hard work and determination, and often makes or breaks a competitor's career in rodeo.

The NFR is host to a wide range of competitors, from 18 year old novice riders to people well into their 50's and 60's. It's a diverse sport, with men and women from all walks of life competing and earning the right brag that they competed at the highest level of professional rodeo on the planet. The NFR hosts events such as Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, Team Roping and Barrel Racing, and offers the competitors and spectators alike exciting, action-packed hours of fun and entertainment.

The National Finals Rodeo this year showcases some of the highest money earners in the sport to date. Trevor Brazile, an excellent all-around cowboy, already has over $280,000 in earnings before the National Finals Rodeo even begins. Brittany Pozzi-Pharr now ranks as the single season, pre-NFR money earning cowgirl, raking in well over $165,000 in a single event. Seasoned competitors and rookie cardholders seem to be making good use of their skills this season, making millions of dollars in earnings.

This year's National Finals Rodeo holds a special significance to myself and my hometown of Pueblo, Colorado. The #2 ranked all-around cowboy is Josh Peek, a young man who grew up here, and who I showed and rodeoed alongside for most of our childhood. Josh comes from a family steeped in horseback traditions, and followed in his parent's footsteps, learning to rope and ride at a very young age. Josh is a very talented young man, and we'll all be pulling and rooting for him from our little corner of Colorado.

The National Finals Rodeo will, as always, play host to the most knoweldgable, most talented, and most successful cowboys and cowgirls in the sport of professional rodeo today. Money will be won, dreams will be achieved, hearts (and the occasional bones) will be broken on the 10 day journey to the world championships. And the end of the 10^th night, the cream will rise to the top, and 10 new world champion cowboys and cowgirls will be crowned. I'll certainly be turning in to watch the action. Will you?