The barrelman, pick-up man, bullfighters and photographers for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Dec. 3-12, were announced by the PRCA, Oct. 16.

RELATED: Wrangler® NFR 2020 Moves to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas

Additionally, the photographer for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Nov. 6-7, and the photographer for the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Dec. 8-10, were announced:

They are as follows:

Bullfighters
Cody Webster
Dusty Tuckness
Nathan Jestes

Barrelman
John Harrison

Pick-up Men
Jason Bottoms
Shawn ‘Too Tall’ Calhoun
Brent Sutton

Photographers
Wrangler NFR
Steve Gray
Roseanna Sales
Clay Guardipee
Alaina Stangle

Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping
Rod Connor
Wrangler® National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR)
Joe Duty

The rest of the contract personnel for the Wrangler NFR at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, Dec. 3-12, were announced Sept. 24.
They were:
Announcers: Roger Mooney, Andy Seiler, Bob Tallman
Music Director: Benje Bendele
Secretary: Sunni Deb Backstrom
Assistant Secretary: Amanda Sanders
Timers: Toby Dunlavy, Courtney Morehead, Shawna Ray

Courtesy of PRCA

It’s common for rodeo athletes and fans to use the hashtags “grateful” or “blessed.” Each year, that gratefulness is expressed at the annual PRCA Awards Banquet before the start of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

The final online ballot process will be open Oct. 19-23 for applicable voting PRCA members. Eligible voters will need to keep an eye on their email’s inbox for voting information on Oct. 19.

The winners for each category will be announced at the PRCA Awards Banquet at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, Dec. 2.

RELATED: Wrangler® NFR 2020 Moves to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas

The following men, women and committees are the nominees:

Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award
Cindy Rosser
Duane Reichert
Edie Longfellow
Gene Hyder
Kay Gay

Stock Contractor of the Year
Beutler & Son Rodeo Co.
Cervi Championship Rodeo
Frontier Rodeo Company
Pete Carr Pro Rodeo
Stace Smith Pro Rodeos

Announcer of the Year
Andy Stewart
Bob Tallman
Randy Corley
Wayne Brooks
Will Rasmussen

Secretary of the Year
Amanda Sanders
Brenda Crowder
Eva Chadwick
Sandy Gwatney
Sunni Deb Backstrom

Bullfighter of the Year
Cody Webster
Dusty Tuckness
Evan Allard
Nathan Jestes
Wacey Munsell

Pickup Man of the Year
Chase Cervi
Jason Bottoms
Josh Edwards
Matt Twitchell
Rex Bugbee

Clown of the Year
Cody Sosebee
JJ Harrison
John Harrison
Justin Rumford
Keith Isley

Timer of the Year
Amy Muller
Brenda Crowder
Jayme Pemberton
Shawna Ray
Toby Dunlavy

Music Director of the Year
Bradley Narducci
Brandy Edmonds
Jill Franzen Loden
Josh Hilton
Randy Mayer

Photographer of the Year
Dale Hirschman
Dan Hubbell
James Phifer
Matt Cohen
Robby Freeman

Comedy Act of the Year
Gizmo McCracken
John Harrison
Justin Rumford
Keith Isley
Matt Tarr

Dress Act of the Year
Haley Ganzel Proctor
John Payne
Madison MacDonald & Piper Yule
Rider Kiesner & Bethany Iles
Tomas Garcilazo

Small Rodeo of the Year
Alamosa, Colo.
Blackfoot, Idaho
Jerome, Idaho
Mesquite, Texas
Yuma, Colo.

Medium Rodeo of the Year
Belle Fourche, S.D.
Burwell, Neb.
Cave Creek, Ariz.
Coleman, Texas
Guymon, Okla.

Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year
Cody, Wyo.
Deadwood, S.D.
Dodge City, Kan.
Gooding, Idaho
Prescott, Ariz.
Spanish Fork, Utah

Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year
Arlington, Texas
Denver, Colo.
Fort Worth, Texas
Rapid City, S.D.
San Antonio, Texas

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (October 13, 2020) – The date is set, and the cowboys and cowgirls will be in the arena. The 2020 Wrangler® National Finals Rodeo (NFR) participants will be introduced to the world and receive their back numbers on December 1 at the NFR Welcome Reception at Dickies Arena, the home of the Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo.

This evening event will effectively start the 2020 NFR and will set the pace for 10 days of rodeo that will match the year’s greatest competitors in each of the sanctioned events. The event is one of the most anticipated moments at the NFR before the chutes open.

“This is where it all starts,” Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price said. “The very best cowboys and cowgirls from this last year, along with the greatest names in rodeo will gather to kick off the 2020 NFR. We are so proud to host this event in a spectacular facility right here in the cultural center of Fort Worth. We are honored to be bringing the NFR back home this year to the real home of rodeo!”

The NFR moved to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, this year so the event could have a live audience.

The selection of back numbers signifies the contestants’ qualification to the NFR. It is a rite of passage and a confirmation of their success over the past year. All the training, discipline and preparation have brought these athletes – the very best of the best – to this event.

The Welcome Reception will start at 6 p.m. on December 1 and will be open to PRCA 2020 Convention attendees. Fans not attending the convention can purchase tickets to the reception for $30 beginning November 1.

Courtesy of PRCA

The official gift show of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and prestigious junior rodeo are staples of the NFR Experience

With the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo’s move to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas for 2020, two of its most popular ancillary events – Cowboy Christmas and the Junior World Finals – are also on the move for one year. Las Vegas Events has partnered with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) to host Cowboy Christmas inside the Fort Worth Convention Center and the Junior World Finals at the Cowtown Coliseum.

Both events will run concurrently with the Wrangler NFR, Dec. 3-12, 2020. The Fort Worth Convention Center is located 20 minutes from Globe Life Field. Cowtown Coliseum is in the Fort Worth Stockyards, just minutes from downtown. Built in 1908, the historic Coliseum was home to the world’s first indoor rodeo. Today, the Stockyards are undergoing a renaissance with restoration of more historic buildings from the Old West.

“While it’s unfortunate we will not present Cowboy Christmas in Las Vegas, we look forward to sharing this unique Western shopping and lifestyle experience with our fans in Fort Worth,” said Las Vegas Events President Pat Christenson.

Held every year since 1986, Cowboy Christmas has grown into the ultimate shopping and interactive experience. Attendees will find unique products, including custom-made jewelry, western wear, boots and spurs, furniture, original art, handmade crafts and home goods. Cowboy Christmas also offers the best source for official Wrangler NFR and PRCA merchandise. Admission to Cowboy Christmas is free.

“Fort Worth is thrilled to host Cowboy Christmas and the Junior World Finals this December,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price. “As the city of cowboys and culture Fort Worth is the ideal location for these events, and we can’t wait for visitors to experience our rich heritage and hospitality.”

To add the overall experience at the Fort Worth Convention Center, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s Hunter & Outdoor Christmas Expo will be co-located with Cowboy Christmas. The show is one of the largest outdoor and hunting-related expos in the country.

In addition to the shopping, attendees will find a variety of entertainment and offerings. The Rodeo Live Stage will host four live daily shows, including RFD-TV’s Western Sports Roundup, Outside the Barrel with Flint Rasmussen, Cowboy Revival with host Shane Minor and RMEF’s Cowboy Calcutta. NFR Central, an area featuring interactive displays, will host the NFR Extra podcast broadcasting daily.

More than 250,000 square feet of exhibit space for 250 exhibitors and interactivity will be utilized for the show. Full daily schedules, parking information and hours of operation will be announced at a later date.

The Junior World Finals will be held for the fifth consecutive year. There will be qualifiers and finals in nine events (with various age groups per event): bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, girls and boys breakaway, pole bending, team roping, tie-down roping and barrel racing. More than 700 entries are expected to compete in the Junior World Finals.

For more information on Cowboy Christmas, Junior World Finals and the Wrangler NFR 2020, please visit www.NFRexperience.com or through social media at /LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR.

About Las Vegas Events

Founded in 1983, Las Vegas Events is a private, not-for-profit organization funded by hotel room tax. Through its Signature Event initiative, LVE has created a model to integrate all elements of special events and formally improve communication between event producers and Las Vegas’ hotel properties and sponsors. Since 1991, Las Vegas Events has produced, presented or supported more than 750 events.
www.lasvegasevents.com

About the Wrangler NFR

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR), considered the world’s premier rodeo, features 10 straight days of the best in PRCA PRORODEO competition, with a total of 120 contestants competing every night in seven events. Each December, the top 15 contestants, based on the PRCA | RAM World Standings, in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding qualify to compete at the Wrangler NFR.
www.prorodeo.com

The Wrangler® NFR is moving to Arlington, Texas in December 2020! Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, will host the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 2020 – the first non-baseball event at this amazing park. Event organizers confirmed the event will comply with all health and safety protocols for attendees. Wrangler NFR 2020 will scheduled to held Dec. 3-12, 2020, and fans can follow official PRCA updates throughout the event at www.prorodeo.com.

Tickets

• Tickets for Wrangler NFR 2020 will go on sale to the public September 25, 2020 via texasrangers.com/NFR.
• Wrangler NFR Season Ticket holders will be invited to purchase tickets early, September 16-20, 2020.
• More ticket information

TV / Livestream / Broadcast

• Wrangler NFR events and the PRCA awards ceremonies will be broadcast on the PRCA media partner, The Cowboy Channel. The PRCA on Cowboy Channel Plus app users will also be able to stream events both live and recorded.
• Visit NFRupdates.com, TheCowboyChannel.com and CowboyChannelPlus.com for more information

Globe Life Field

Important Information

• Q&A about Wrangler NFR 2020
• Wrangler® NFR 2020 Moves to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas
• Official NFR Experience 

Other Events

• Registration for the 2020 PRCA Convention Coming Soon
• ProRodeo Hall of Fame Gold Buckle Gala – Monday, Nov. 30th
• NFR Contestant Back Number Ceremony – Tuesday, Dec. 1st
• PRCA Annual Awards Banquet- Wednesday, Dec. 2nd
• Cowboy Christmas

*Event and venue information is pending, please check back for details.

**INFORMATION SUBJECT TO CHANGE**

• Where can I purchase tickets?

TexasRangers.com/NFR. Tickets go on sale to the general public September 25. Advance presale tickets for season ticket holders go on sale September 16. Special ticket instructions for season ticket holders will be sent via email.

• How many tickets can I buy at once?

To aid in social distancing, all tickets will be sold in groups of four with space between groups. Season ticket holders with fewer than four tickets will be given the opportunity to purchase a block of four seats.

• What will the guidelines be regarding social distancing, masks, health guidelines?

All local and state recommended guidelines will be followed.

• Where can I park?

Parking passes for this event can be purchased at TexasRangers.com/NFR when purchasing event tickets. Additional event information and a parking map will also be available on this site.

• If I don’t have tickets, how do I watch?

All performances will be covered by The Cowboy Channel live and simulcast on RFD-TV. The performances will also be streamed on the PRCA on Cowboy Channel Plus app. Visit cowboychannelplus.com or nfrupdates.com for more info.

• What happens if there are changes in the pandemic between now and December? Will I be able to get a refund if the restrictions on a gathering like this will change?

Globe Life Field will communicate any changes and subsequent instructions via TexasRangers.com/NFR and Globe Life Field social media.

• For questions about ticketing and the event, who should I contact?

In an effort to limit contact, mobile tickets are preferred. If you are unable to access your mobile ticket, please visit the Southeast box office at Globe Life Field on event day and staff will be happy to assist you. For questions regarding the purchase of tickets, please call 972-RANGERS or email SpecialEvents@TexasRangers.com. For questions regarding PRCA or NFR, please visit www.prorodeo.com.

• There have been so many other events alongside the NFR in Las Vegas, what is planned for the new venue?

Ancillary events will be included, such as Cowboy Christmas, Buckle Ceremonies, etc. Specifics pertaining to those events will be announced at a later date. Look for updates on ProRodeo.com for everything NFR.

• What is the location for the 2020 PRCA Convention?

That will be announced at a later time.

• Will there be a ProRodeo Zone at the new venue?

Yes, the ProRodeo Fan Zone presented by Polaris will be at Globe Life Field.

• Will there be a Spurs & Spikes golf tournament in the new location?

Plans for Spurs & Spikes are being made now.

• Are there special security arrangements being made for NFR 2020?

The health and safety of all who enter Globe Life Field is of the utmost importance. All staff and guests must go through appropriate screening before entering the building.

• With the move away from Las Vegas, are any of your sponsors sitting out NFR 2020?

No. All sponsors are engaged and excited to be part of the 2020 Wrangler National finals Rodeo. We hope to expand that with sponsors in the North Texas region.

• Will media be permitted to cover the event?

Media are encouraged to cover the event.

The Wrangler® National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is moving to Texas in December 2020! Arlington’s Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers, will host the Wrangler NFR 2020 – the first non-baseball event at this extraordinary park. Event organizers confirmed the event will comply with all health and safety protocols for attendees. Wrangler NFR 2020 will take place Dec. 3-12, 2020, and fans can follow official PRCA updates throughout the event at www.prorodeo.com.

RELATED: Q&A about Wrangler NFR 2020 – Everything you need to know

“We are so pleased to be at this amazing stadium for the most celebrated event on the rodeo calendar,” said George Taylor, chief executive officer of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). “We are committed to delivering a spectacular event for our fans and we are thrilled to be in Texas for it.”

“We are excited for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo to take place this year at Globe Life Field,” said Allen Montgomery, Vice President General Manager, Wrangler Western Wear. “The health and safety of the fans, cowboys and cowgirls is of the highest priority, and we are grateful to the participating organizations for their work to put together a comprehensive plan that will allow everyone to enjoy a safe and fun event.”

“We are honored that the PRCA selected Globe Life Field to host the 2020 Wrangler Nationals Final Rodeo and are thrilled to be a small part of bringing this world-class event back to Texas,” said Neil Leibman, chief operating officer of the Texas Rangers. Globe Life Field officials have emphasized that recommended health and safety standards are being met. Safety measures will include a mask requirement at all times while inside Globe Life Field and there will be additional hand washing and sanitizing stations throughout the building.

Seats will be sold in groups of four with separation between groups. Contact-limiting measures, such as mobile tickets, have been implemented throughout the event. There will also be metal detector screenings and a no bag policy at entries on performance nights. Globe Life Field is encouraging all guests to check the CDC and the Texas Department of State Health Services websites for any guideline changes prior to the event.

The Arlington and Fort Worth convention and visitors’ bureaus and sports commissions are rolling out the welcome for this one-of-a-kind event and both cities have worked hard to bring the Wrangler NFR to Globe Life Field.

“From cattle drives, museums and even the names of our professional sporting teams, our love of cowboy culture runs deep here in Tarrant County,” Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams said. “I can think of no better choice for the Super Bowl of rodeo than to be hosted here in the heart of North Texas. Arlington and Fort Worth have so many family friendly attractions and rich experiences to offer rodeo fans who will be traveling from across the country to cheer on these professional cowboys as they strive to set new records and achieve their American Dream in the arena.”

Nearby Fort Worth will also play host to the Wrangler NFR 2020 experience, as the annual PRCA Convention will be held November 30 to December 3, 2020, in addition to the Cowboy Christmas and a slew of other fan-favorite events.

“We are a rodeo city and we’ve roped a big one,” Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price said. “The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is an incredible win for our region and another example of how Fort Worth can host major events safely during this unprecedented time. This summer, Fort Worth has hosted major, national events in golf, racing and bull riding. Sporting events like the Wrangler NFR are a vital part of our visitor economy that creates jobs and supports our recovery.”

The NFR was born in Texas and the first three years of the event were held at the Dallas State Fairgrounds beginning in 1959. Years later, the event moved to Las Vegas and has been staged at the Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV in Las Vegas since 1985. That venue is not available for live entertainment with fans this year due to coronavirus restrictions in Nevada.

In a survey earlier this summer, rodeo fans said overwhelmingly that they wanted an NFR venue that would accommodate fans.

“Part of what makes Globe Life Field work for us is the ability to bring in fans and deliver the full NFR experience,” Taylor said.

Organizers pledge to preserve the NFR experience that fans love and that has necessitated a one-year move out of Las Vegas.

The PRCA began looking for an alternate venue earlier in the summer. The State of Texas, the Texas Rangers and Globe Life Field stepped up. Ultimately, this has been a thoughtful partnership between Texas, Globe Life Field, the cities of Arlington and Fort Worth, the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau, Visit Fort Worth, and the Sports Commissions of both Arlington and Fort Worth.

“The State of Texas knows how to do this,” Taylor said. “We’ve been impressed with how well this has come together for our rodeo cowboys and rodeo fans.”

The Wrangler NFR is a 10-day event that includes the fan-favorite Cowboy Christmas as well as the PRCA National Convention. The schedule also includes nightly Buckle Presentations, Benny Binion’s World Famous Wrangler NFR Bucking Horse Sale, the PRCA Awards Banquet and Gala and the Pro Rodeo League of Women Style Show and Luncheon.

Tickets for Wrangler NFR 2020 will go on sale to the public September 25, 2020 via texasrangers.com/NFR. Wrangler NFR Season Ticket holders will be invited to purchase tickets early beginning September 16, 2020. Wrangler NFR events and the PRCA awards ceremonies will be broadcast on the PRCA media partner, The Cowboy Channel. The PRCA on Cowboy Channel Plus app users will also be able to stream events both live and recorded.

The Cowboy Channel is the official media partner for the PRCA and Wrangler NFR 2020. Cowboy Channel will host a more detailed discussion of their broadcast plans at their offices tonight, September 9, at 7 p.m. (Central Time) at their Fort Worth studio. The Cowboy Channel is located at 130 East Exchange Avenue, Fort Worth.

Courtesy of www.prorodeo.com nfrexperience.com

National Finals Rodeo could held without fans, or be move from Las Vegas this year. There will be a NFR this year, but where it could be held is up in the air.

The super bowl of rodeo event has been held at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas since 1985.

The Professional Cowboys Rodeo Association (PRCA) hosts the event, but posted a statement on its website Wednesday that the NFR could move to a different city or be held without fans in attendance, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The statement says there will be an NFR and rodeo champions will be crowned.

But it goes on to say holding the NFR in Las Vegas with fans is not probable, although it could be held without fans

More options include holding it in a new host city that might allow fans to attend.

There are several events held in conjunction with the NFR including the annual PRCA convention, Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame gala, NFR contestant back number ceremony and the annual PRCA awards banquet.

The statement says the PRCA will be working to accommodate people who already bought hold NFR season tickets.

A final decision is expected by Sept. 30.

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is the season-ending championship event for the PRCA and is widely acknowledged to be the world’s premier rodeo, showcasing the best cowboys, barrel racers and livestock in the world.

The Top 15 contestants in the standard rodeo events – bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping (headers and heelers), saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, WPRA barrel racing and bull riding – qualify to compete at the Wrangler NFR based on money won during the regular season including the ProRodeo Tour, the 12 RAM Circuit Finals Rodeos and the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, and for many bull riders, PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour earnings.

The Cowboy Christmas gift show planned for December in Las Vegas will not be held in Las Vegas this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Representatives of Las Vegas Events, the special events coordinator for the rodeo, said Tuesday that the show would be canceled regardless of whether the rodeo occurs in Las Vegas.

The PRCA announced Aug. 19 that it is exploring options for holding the rodeo, which annually has been one of the most successful special events on the Las Vegas calendar.

The Colorado Springs, Colorado-based PRCA said a decision would be reached by Sept. 30 as to whether to have the rodeo in Las Vegas without fans in attendance or search for another venue in another city.

Holding the rodeo without fans would be problematic for Las Vegas Events because ticket sales revenue generates millions of dollars in prize-pool money.

Representatives of Las Vegas Events said if the rodeo is held in another destination, Cowboy Christmas could be hosted there. LVE said it would work closely with the PRCA to determine the feasibility of including Cowboy Christmas in its plan for 2020 by the end of September.

One of the most successful and popular ancillary events of NFR in Las Vegas, Cowboy Christmas has grown into a 440,000-square-foot shopping and interactive experience.

With more than 350 exhibitors from across the United States, Cowboy Christmas caters to the Western lifestyle and includes live entertainment, specialty food and beverage, and Western exhibits.

Cowboy Christmas typically runs concurrently with NFR and has a total attendance of more than 250,000, the release said.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association announced on Aug. 19 that a final decision would be made on the location of the Wrangler NFR by Sept. 30.

If the Wrangler NFR is held in another destination, Cowboy Christmas could be hosted in that location, Las Vegas Events said.

Courtesy of: https://www.reviewjournal.com/ https://www.fox5vegas.com/ https://news3lv.com/