Some grumbling done on Facebook about the NFR (National Finals Rodeo) going back to Las Vegas this December. There are those that live in Texas and/or in Arlington, that want it to stay there. Due to the virus, it was held there (Arlington) in Dec. 2020, but it's "home" has been in Las Vegas, at the Thomas-Mack Center, for years. It's coming back to Vegas this coming December and Vegas is going "all out" for it..........and, I do mean "all out". Bottom Line is, Arlington didn't/couldn't have the same kind of NFR that Vegas does. The other grumbling be done is the possibility of virus requirements, mainly face masks. Like wife and I, some have absolutely no problem, if required, to wear a face mask there. Yes, it can be hard to breathe with and talk thru, but, if required, will have ours with us. Have no problem wearing it on our flight to Vegas. Some rodeo fans are stating on Facebook, "if face masks are required, we aren't going". Well, to wife and I, "that's entirely up to you". We will be in Vegas for three days and four nights during the beginning/first weekend of the NFR. We are planning on doing lots of things in those three days. Lots and lots of rodeo fans will be there.
Nothing really to comment about. You are going to the big one and it is what you love to do and no doubt will have a good time. I don't care where they hold it and I am not on Facebook anymore to read the grumbling. I don't enjoy rodeos where you need binoculars or have to watch them on big screens. I won't even go to Pendleton Roundup anymore. Way too many people and affordable seats are so high it scares me with my Mal de Barquement and balance loss plus you can't really see anything without binoculars. Also, the sanitation in crowds is poor and they frown on carrying a flask of Everclear for hand sanitizing. I don't care if others wear a mask and not. I fear intestinal flu more than other viruses. Also, I hate using public restrooms that have seen hundreds if not thousands between cleaning. I hope you have a great time and stay safe.
Well, Faye, we have never/ever had to use binoculars at a rodeo to see what was going on in the arena. Now, on the other hand, the seating at the Thomas-Mack Center is pretty high, so people may use binoculars then. We don't know, because we've never gone to the NFR at the Thomas-Mack Center. We always watch the round on tv's/big screens inside a lounge at the hotel we are staying at. Actually, crowds don't bother us and we always buy a higher priced seating ticket so I can get better pictures. We never sit up high at a rodeo.
Yesterday, arranged an extra day to stay in Vegas. Took darn near three hours to change flight return (to DIA), hotel and car rental reservations, but got it done. My wife's older sister, will have a Timeshare there, but we wanted to be around the rodeo crowd. She will be at the Timeshare for an extra two days, after we leave, but will spend that time at the pool. She is no where near the rodeo fan that we are. Today, we will be watching the Finals at the Washington State Fair on the Cowboy Channel. We know darn near every contestant that is in the Finals, including Cory Solomon, John Douch, Sage Kimzey and the Wright brothers.
That's probably because you know absolutely nothing about rodeo. But, that's ok, wife and I have met some folks that are like that. Then again, I sometimes wonder about your life. LOL
We had never seen the Pendleton Roundup, but I now know exactly what you mean. Watching a replay of Friday afternoons go-around, a Team Roper "header" wound up on the in-field grass........off of his horse. When the Cowboy Channel interviewed the winners of the round, the "header" stated that roping at Pendleton is much like "pasture roping". But, even though the rodeo does look like a joke, we will watch the Finals today (Saturday). Anyway, it's going to be 90 degrees outside, so, watching the Finals inside, with A/C on, would be better. We've had the Cowboy Channel since March, have watched numerous rodeos "live" and have really got to know almost all of the contestants that will be heading to the NFR in Vegas in December. Actually, pretty stunning that Will Lowe is still competing in Bareback Riding. Then again, Luke Branquinho is still throwing steers after 20 years. His last World Title was in 2014. Up next will be Salinas Rodeo. Wonder how good that will be. The pro-rodeo season is winding down very fast. Circuit Finals are next month. IOW, we are very, very serious rodeo fans and love knowing most of the contestants.
I'm really beginning to wonder how/where wife and I can meet serious PRCA rodeo fans that know contestants and each event like we do. There are two Facebook rodeo Groups, one about the Wrangler NFR and the other about rodeo in general that we got accepted into. One Group only has 10 people and I'm the only one that does a "discussion" and the other had quite a number, but none do any "discussions" at all. I looked at the 10 members of the one Group and they all look like they came from the middle of Los Angeles or NYC! The young lady that started up the one about he NFR, posted a picture of a English Hunter/Jumper (horse/rider), which has absolutely nothing to do with PRCA rodeo. Thinking about starting up our own Group and requesting serious rodeo fans to become a part of it.
Bull riding is the most-watched PRCA rodeo event with bronc riding second. If you are looking for a group of PRCA rodeo fans then you need to be ready for most of the talk to be about bull riding. Also, be ready for most of the talk to be about horses more than the riders. Barrel racers credit their horses with their success. Our local upcoming Emily McKinnies credits her horse Lucky with her new success. She made an amazing ride in Pendleton. It is rare to see a horse and rider like those two. I wish you good luck, but I don't think most PRCA rodeo fans will want to discuss just the stars they have seen or know. For most, it is about the ride.
Yes, people love bull riding. Wife and I know some of the top bull riders, like Stetson Wright, who won at Pendleton. In fact, he won the bull riding, saddle bronc and all-around titles there. Cowboy Channel announcer, Justin, said he'd need a van to take home all of the stuff he won. Anyway, we basically know all of the top saddle bronc, bareback and bull riders in PRCA rodeo. IOW, the Top 15. But, since I was a team roper, timed events are our big choice. When I was doing it, I did know one saddle bronc rider very well that only lived some 40 miles from me. In fact, he is the one that got me into roping instead of saddle bronc riding. And, from the rodeo's I covered in the southern part of the Sierra (now, California) Circuit, I knew a few bulldoggers as well as some team ropers. Actually, my Roping School instructor was both a team roper and a calf (now called "tie-down") roper. Many timed-event dudes aren't that interested, or interested at all, in rough stock riders. Heck, by the time bull riding came on, my "heeler" and I already had our horses unsaddled, loaded up in the trailer and headed for home. Top contractor rough stock is always important to a rough stock rider, but it's also up to the rider at how good he rides. A great "draw" can mean a nice paycheck for a rodeo, but a bad "draw" or ride can mean a very low score and no money gained. Remember, the scoring goes 1/2 for the stock and the other 1/2 for the rider. We've seen Top 15 rough stock riders draw a lousy horse or bull and win nothing, then have seen one of the Wright brothers draw a great horse or bull and win it all. Same goes for a timed event dude. A steer can "sit up" right out of the chute and the dogger either miss the steer or ride right on by it........IOW, bad steer draw. Seen a heavy calf that can hardly be flanked and/or kick at the tie and the ropers time is too high to win anything. Just like rough stock, "luck of the draw" can be very well the key to winning. So, Faye, when I say wife and I are very serious rodeo fans, anyone can see that due to what we know. Someone could easily say, "sounds like you two were involved in rodeo before". I'd say "yep, I was, but my wife never was, but sure loves it".
Clovis California is next door to where I live in Fresno. They have an Annual Clovis Rodeo that I have never attended. I am not into Rodeo and could care less.
Just now, I can't remember the name of the bronc/bull rider I saw who pulled the ligament connection from the bone in his arm just hanging on that tight. I was really impressed at how good he was and that he went back to riding after surgeries and rehab. He was quite famous. Mann? McMahon?... I worry that, along with a lot of other things, there are not enough rodeo riders coming up. We used to have junior rodeos here that were fun but no longer. Madison square garden might draw enough sponsors and camera angles to try to entice an audience. But I see motor cycles being used to herd cows. eventually drones?