Las Vegas, Nevada, United States

Dec 15, 2021 12:30 PM

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Tom Donoghue/Polaris/Newscom

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Tom Donoghue

bull, cowboy, cowgirl, horse, las Vegas, rodeo, #EDT, SPO

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December 10, 2021 - Las Vegas, Nevada, United States: The National Finals Rodeo (NFR), organized by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), is the premier championship rodeo event in the United States, showcasing the talents of the PRCA's top 15 money-winners in each event as they compete for the world title. The NFR is held each year in the first week of December, at the Thomas & Mack Center on the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. 7 events and 10 championships are sanctioned by the PRCA. Barrel racing is sanctioned by the Women's Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA). Bareback Riding, the rider must stay on the horse for 8 seconds to be considered a successful ride. Steer Wrestling where the rider jumps off his horse onto a Corriente steer and 'wrestles' it to the ground by grabbing it by the horns. The contestant that wrestles the steer to the ground the fastest wins. Team Roping, the only team rodeo event. Two ropers capture and restrain a full-grown steer. One horse and rider, the "header," lassos a running steer's horns, while the other horse and rider, the "heeler," lassos the steer's two hind legs. The team that ropes their steer the fastest wins. Saddle Bronc Riding - similar to bareback riding, but the rider uses a specialized western saddle without a horn (for safety) as well as a bronc rein and has to stay on the bucking horse for 8 seconds. Tie-Down Roping - also called calf roping, is based on ranch work in which calves are roped for branding, medical treatment, or other purposes. It is the oldest of rodeo's timed events. The cowboy ropes a running calf around the neck with a lariat, and his horse stops and sets back on the rope while the cowboy dismounts, runs to the calf, throws it to the ground and ties three feet together. The contestant that ropes his calf the fastest wins. Barrel Racing - is a timed speed and agility event where horse and rider gallop around a cloverleaf pattern of barrels, making agile turns without knock