Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas Through 2024

Las Vegas Events and PRCA Agree on Extension to Keep the Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas Through 2024

World’s richest and most prestigious rodeo to continue its run of 270 consecutive sold-out performances in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS (January 24, 2014) - Following unanimous votes by the Las Vegas Events Board of Trustees and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Board of Directors, both organizations jointly announced today that they have reached an agreement to keep the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas through 2024. The new agreement will begin following the 2014 Wrangler NFR.

Per the agreement, LVE will guarantee $16.5 million annually in purse and sponsorship for the Wrangler NFR. From 2015-19, the contestant purse will be $10 million, while stock contractors will receive $3 million annually. The contestants will be guaranteed $10,000 each year, which will not be offset by contestant winnings. From 2020-24, there will be cost-of-living increases to each purse and guarantee.

Additional elements of the agreement include a season-long sponsorship program with the PRCA, presenting sponsorships of the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo and 12 RAM Circuit Final Rodeos, as well as the National Finals Steer Roping, if it is held in Las Vegas.

“Perhaps the best aspect of this agreement,” said PRCA Chairman of the Board Keith Martin, “is that it benefits every PRCA member – contestants, stock contractors, committees and contract personnel. There is an investment here to advance the PRCA’s circuit system and help the sport continue to grow.”

“For nearly 30 years, Las Vegas has built a strong partnership with the PRCA and its contestants,” said Bill McBeath, chairman of the Las Vegas Events Board of Trustees. ”This new agreement clearly demonstrates the commitment that Las Vegas has to the PRCA, to the overall growth of the sport of rodeo and to the contestants. We feel that the new agreement is beneficial to all parties, and we’re very pleased to continue to host this iconic event for an additional ten years.”

“This is truly a historic day for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the sport of professional rodeo,” said PRCA Commissioner Karl Stressman. “The PRCA Board of Directors and this administration has been through a long and at times painful process of due diligence and careful consideration in looking out for the very best interest of every member of this association and this great sport. It hasn’t always been easy, but what we’re announcing today makes it all worthwhile. We could not be happier, and look forward to working with our partners in Las Vegas on continued growth and prosperity for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.”

The Wrangler NFR, known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, has sold out 270 consecutive performances and attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding. Qualification is based on the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association World Standings. In 2013, the event had a total attendance of 176,558 over the ten days of competition in Las Vegas, resulting in a non-gaming economic impact of $87.9 million for the destination.

“Since 1985, more than one million visitors have traveled to the world’s premier destination to experience the energy and excitement of two great brands – Las Vegas and the NFR,” said Rossi Ralenkotter, president/CEO of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. “This new agreement will ensure NFR and its loyal fans will be back to Las Vegas for another decade of unrivaled experiences.”

In 2014, the Wrangler NFR will run from Dec. 4 through 13 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

“We are relieved that we were able to assemble an agreement that both ensures that the Wrangler NFR will remain in Las Vegas for the long term and that all parties will prosper,” said Pat Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events. “We look forward to working with all of our partners in growing the NFR Experience for rodeo fans in Las Vegas.”

For more information on the Wrangler NFR, please go to www.prorodeo.comor www.NFRexperience.com

Wrangler NFR in Las Vegas Through 2024

Million Dollar Bulls Compete in PBR

Three 2012 Million Dollar bulls trained by The Jaynes Gang ready to buck tonight at Oklahoma City PBR! Reese Cates will match up against Larry & Rhonda Reid’s bull Stuntin Like My Daddy Dakota Beck will go against Skippy & Linda Johnston’s bull FLAB SLAB and Nathan Schaper will try to show he is the real deal when he attempts to conquer Gary & Laurie Fortier’s bull Under Par. The stock contractors sure have changed in our sport as these three owners are from Texas, Alaska and Canada and they all own their own businesses and stock contracting is their hobby. Additionally the potential revenue for bulls before they ever get to PBR has increased and these three bulls are good examples: Under Par has already earned $148,656 Stuntin Like My Daddy $111,198.63 FLAB SLAB has only earned $4,320 but he is peeking late. Just last week JW Harris was 91 points on this bull. Tell your friends about these matchups and you can watch it all take place by watching the stream at www.pbrnow.com

Million Dollar Bulls Compete in PBR

Jarrett grabs another NFR paycheck

LAS VEGAS – When he isn’t roping at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Ryan Jarrett is watching it.

“Calf roping and barrel racing are two of the most watched events at the NFR,” said Jarrett, an eight-time qualifier who grew up in Summerville, Ga., and now lives in Comanche, Okla. “The crowd loves it, and it’s good watching.

“It’ll get your motor running.”

The cowboy’s motor has been running for nine straight nights, placing five times, including two go-round victories – he won the eighth round with a 6.7-second run, and shared the fourth-round win victory with six-time champ Cody Ohl.

On Friday night, Jarrett outlasted a tough calf for a 7.8-second run and a third-place finish in the ninth go-round. It added $11,118 to his NFR payroll, which has surpassed $67,000.

“I’ve had two or three calves I should’ve won money on,” he said. “I’m not saying they were calves to win first on, but they were dang sure something you could place third or fourth on. I’ve left money on the table.”

That’s not a good thing in Las Vegas. That’s why his run was so vital Friday night.

“I got all of the barrier you could possibly get,” Jarrett said, referring to the rope in front of the timed-event chute that is released when the calf is allowed its appropriate head start – had he been a split second sooner, he would’ve suffered a 10-second penalty.

The calf didn’t have a great track record. In previous runs, the animal would run toward the roper instead of staying at the end of the rope, so the Oklahoma cowboy had a game plan to stop that from happening.

“I wanted to be in her face when she swapped around,” he said. “I got a great start, got her turned around to the outside. I got everything set up for a decent flank, then I bobbled a little and didn’t get her strung the first time.”

In the matter of moments, Jarrett debated the appropriate tie: a full two wraps and a half hitch to secure it or gamble with one wrap and the half-hitch.

“I went ahead with two, and I’m glad I did,” he said. “She sure tried the tie during the six seconds.”

In addition to a head start, the animal is allowed six seconds after the run to make sure the tie is secured; should the calf kick free, the contestant is saddled with a no time.

He’ll hope for the best case scenario in Saturday’s 10^th go-round when he makes the final run of the 2013 campaign.

“I hope I draw a good calf and win some money,” Jarrett said, noting that he had moved to eighth in the all-important average race after Ohl suffered a 29.5-second run in the ninth round. “It would be great to get two checks (in the round and the average) from the 10^th round.”

Jarrett grabs another NFR paycheck

QUICK TRIP TO THE AUTRY MUSEUM

QUICK TRIP TO THE AUTRY MUSEUM

By

Gail Woerner

            My life as a rodeo historian is one fun event after another!  I can’t say there is anything I don’t enjoy whether it is a rodeo, cowboy reunion, rodeo clown reunion, an induction or a western museum unveiling a new statue or a special gathering.

I recently had an opportunity to a gathering of seniors that were involved in western movies in some way.  It was held at the Autry Museum located in Griffith Park in Los Angeles.  So many rodeo cowboys got involved in western movies in the early days when the rodeo season had a lag time I wanted to attend and meet some of these fine people.

Over 70 people attended and represented movie careers as actors, producers, screenwriters, directors, stuntmen and women, videographers, camera operators and more.  Ron Word heads up this group that is just about as rowdy as a rodeo clown reunion so I settled right in.  After welcoming the group Word announced Clu Gulager was celebrating his 85th birthday and a rousing “Happy Birthday” was sung by everyone, followed by a tasty birthday cake.  Clu was quick to thank everyone in English and the Cherokee language, of which he proudly told is in his heritage.  He also said the days he spent as a cowboy on the Oklahoma range herding cattle were some of the happiest memories of his life.  Nothing makes him prouder, except his children.

Following this Word invited Peggy Stewart, age 91, who was a leading lady to Gene Autry, to the podium.  He explained in one of their movies Peggy was placed in a car and Autry jumped his horse over the car.  Word asked, “Peggy did Republic Pictures always put their leading ladies in jeopardy of getting injured like that?”

A big grin came across her face and Peggy answered, “Yes.”

She also told how much fun Gene Autry was to be around, and how working at Republic Pictures was so enjoyable because it was just like a family.  She admitted the bigger studios such as Universal and Columbia didn’t have the same close feeling as Republic Pictures.

I visited with Peggy Stewart afterward and told her I had trick rider and stuntwoman/actress Polly Burson’s story in an upcoming book that is being published now by Wild Horse Press, and will be out in January.  She knew Polly quite well and was so complimentary of Polly and her abilities.  Polly was a Tad Lucas Memorial Award honoree as well as a Golden Boot recipient.

Afterwards everyone went outside to have a photo taken.  Everyone was given free admittance to the Autry Museum although some took time to visit and enjoy renewing their friendships from the past and telling of their remembrances.  It was so very similar to senior cowboys and cowgirls getting together at a reunion I felt right at home.

“Johnny Crawford, former child actor and Gene Ryals, actor.”

I can’t possibly name everyone that attended, but some of the names you might recognize are: Johnny Crawford, former child actor; Peggy Stewart, in a movie last year with Adam Sandler; Gene McLaughlin, trick roper, actor and stuntman, who was inducted into the Rodeo Historical Society Hall of Fame in September; Clu Gulager, actor; Bruce Boxleitner, actor; Martin Kove, actor; Edward James Olmos, actor; Jan Sheppard; Mayf Nutter, actor and musician; Lindsey Bloom, actress; Gene Ryals, actor; Cliff Emmich, actor; Cliff Emmich, actor; Steve Stevens, agent for actors and Larry Mahan and Casey Tibbs; Jim Byrns, screenwriter; and Clyde Lucas, producer (just to name a few).

“Peggy Stewart, Gene Autry’s leading lady in early western movies, and Gene Ryals, actor.”

By the way, don’t go anywhere near Los Angeles without making a stop at the Autry Museum.  It is chocked full of history of western movies, outstanding art, and the cultures of the early day westerners, including the Hispanic and American Indian stories.

There were numerous groups of school children visiting the museum and docents were stationed throughout the museum with small movable stands where they could talk to the students about the texture of animal skins, an early utensil or piece of machinery.  These‘hands on’ experiences for our youth will allow them to remember what they saw forever.

Between groups I visited with a delightful Docent, Alice Alan, age 85, that has been volunteering at the Autry for over ten years.  She enjoys the days she spends at the museum.  She admits the experience and the opportunities there keep her mind keen and alert.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

“The western movie group gathered in front of the Autry Museum.”

 

All Photos courtesy of Gene Ryals.

QUICK TRIP TO THE AUTRY MUSEUM