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WHAT’S INSIDE

6 Message from the President

A look back with Las Vegas Events President Tim Keener at an epic 40th anniversary celebration of the NFR in Las Vegas.

7 NFR Scene

Two dozen pages of dynamic and interactive photos capture the best NFR off-the-dirt moments.

34 Best in Show

View the best booths from Cowboy Christmas and how 347,000+ shoppers loved it all.

36 Champion Moments

Hear the emotional and meaningful words from the 2025 PRCA World Champions, mere moments after receiving their gold buckles. 44 The Queen

Meet the new Miss Rodeo America, Olivia Favero, who shares a first-person account of the life-changing moment.

Rodeo’s Next Up

The YETI Junior NFR always lives up to the hype and continues to go next level.

50 Not Just NFR

During the NFR, Las Vegas is home to other top rodeo competitions with millions on the line.

52 Giving Back Always Feels Good

Each year, NFR stars give back to the Las Vegas community and make an amazing difference.

54 General Manager Moments

Allen Rheinheimer reminisces about the 2025 Wrangler NFR with behind-the-scenes insights.

Bareback World Champion

Rocker Steiner and Barrel Racing World Champion Kassie Mowry lived golden moments at the 2025 Wrangler NFR. Rocker kept the family tradition alive because his father, Sid, won a PRCA Saddle Bronc World Championship in 2002, while Rocker's Grandfather, Bobby, won a PRCA Bull Riding World Championship in 1973. Mowry defended her 2024 world title.

LETTER from the PRESIDENT

Epic 40th Anniversary of NFR in Las Vegas Takes Over Las Vegas

hen I reflect upon the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, the first thing that comes to mind is celebration—specifically, spotlighting 40 years of NFR history in this city. Our goal was to make the 40th anniversary more than just a moment, and it blossomed into a year-long salute to the history of the NFR in Las Vegas.

That vision truly came to life over the summer and into the fall when we began bringing back the original 1985 PRCA World Champions and pairing them with the 2024 PRCA champions. It wasn’t just about honoring the past—it was about connecting it to the present.

Those 1985 champions represent a roll call of rodeo royalty: Charmayne James, the late Lewis Feild, Ote Berry, Jake Barnes, Clay O’Brien Cooper, Brad Gjermundson, Joe Beaver, and Ted Nuce. They participated in ceremonies at South Point, engaged with current contestants and champions during the NFR, and shared stories about how the sport has evolved. That interaction gave today’s competitors a rare opportunity to ask questions and learn from the people who laid the foundation for where rodeo is today.

The final statistics reveal another compelling part of the 2025 NFR story—success and continued

growth. We welcomed 175,846 fans, the highest attendance since 2014, and marked 379 consecutive sellouts at the historic Thomas & Mack Center. In 2014, the Thomas & Mack Center was renovated, resulting in the loss of some seating areas, but we now offer additional options for fans to attend through the NFR Access Only ticket program. Those have become increasingly popular and allow fans the chance to experience the electricity of being inside the Thomas & Mack Center.

Beyond the arena, Las Vegas once

again transformed into a country & Western festival. Cowboy Christmas presented by Pro Fantasy Rodeo at the Las Vegas Convention Center drew more than 347,000 attendees. The only official NFR marketplace featured more than 300 exhibitors, the 10th anniversary of the Junior NFR, the RMEF Hunter and Outdoor Christmas Expo, countless autograph signings, live music and interview shows, a Christmas Village, and much more. Now, we can’t wait to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Cowboy Christmas in 2026.

Around Las Vegas, more than 125 concerts, viewing parties, and spin-off events were held at 25-plus sponsor resorts. For those 10 days and nights, Las Vegas truly became a 24-hour country & Western destination—and party.

As we close the book on 2025, we give thanks to our Las Vegas Events team, the NFR production staff, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, the NFR contestants, our fans and sponsors, and everyone else who went Western with us. Thank you, and we can’t wait to see you again.

IT IS A TREAT TO WATCH ESTABLISHED STARS AND UP-AND-COMERS HONOR AMERICA BY SINGING THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER PRIOR TO EACH WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO PERFORMANCE.

'40 YEARS IN VEGAS’

Warming up backstage—trick roping style.

Sportsmanship at its best! A high-five between competitors says it all at the

Best in Show

Two booths razzled and dazzled the best at the 2025 Cowboy Christmas presented by Pro Fantasy Rodeo

BY JACK NOWLIN

Possibly the most difficult task to accomplish during the 10 days of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo® – other than riding an NFR bucking bull – is to select the two Best in Show honorees at Cowboy Christmas presented by Pro Fantasy Rodeo. There is a sea of quality each year among the 346 exhibitors at the Las Vegas

Convention Center, the home of the only official gift show of the Wrangler NFR. Without farther ado, here are the top booths that, along with the other exhibitors, wowed 347,571 attendees.

2025 BEST BOOTH WINNERS

On the final Friday of Cowboy Christmas, two exhibitors – West of Texas and Crooked Horn Co. – were singled out as Best in Show.

“Both of our Best in Show winners showcased their brands and elevated the overall experience at Cowboy Christmas presented by Pro Fantasy Rodeo in 2025,” said Cowboy Christmas Operations Manager Cheryl Kocvara. “Crooked Horn, in just their second year at Cowboy Christmas, has been a welcome addition and brought so much energy and Christmas cheer to the show.

“In addition, our friends at West of Texas have been part of our show for eight years and continue to evolve and grow their booth space. They are a true family legacy, passing the responsibility of the booth from

mother to daughter in 2025. The booth features a friendly Western ambience and more.”

With an Elvis Presley impersonator and two Vegas showgirls leading the way, both exhibitors were presented with their Best in Show plaques by Kocvara and other members of the Las Vegas Events staff. The recognition caught the teams at both booths by surprise.

“It was very exciting,” said Taylor Hill, who helps run Crooked Horn along with her mom, Sherri Hill. “I was getting my phone out to video them as they walked by, and then all of a sudden they stopped at our booth. We were very thankful.”

West of Texas owner Kelly Resheke had similar feelings.

“I don’t think it hit any of us in the moment what was really happening until they were right at the booth and we saw the beautiful plaque that Cheryl awarded us,” Resheke said.

The Best Booth contest winners received a prize package that included a commemorative plaque, inclusion in NFR Experience social media channels,

and profiles in NFR publications.

Crooked Horn Co. and West of Texas also received a $1,000 discount toward their 2026 booth renewals.

CROOKED HORN CO.

In just their second year at Cowboy Christmas, Sherri Hill and her staff at Crooked Horn Co. proved to be quick studies on what it takes to stand out among hundreds of booths.

“Two years ago, we received late notice that we got in, so we had three months to prepare,” Hill recalled. “We spent every single day and night building our booth. We wanted it to be warm, and inviting, and not just a place where people come to shop –it’s a statement piece.”

Crooked Horn Co. checked off all those boxes this year in Las Vegas. What began as a small motherdaughter operation shortly after the death of Sherri’s husband, has blossomed into a go-to shop for women looking for “Western-inspired pieces with a chic twist.”

“We curate the highest-quality products we can for our customers,” Sherri said. “We try not to carry product that is available somewhere else. The product has quality, it’s at a reasonable price, and you can wear it in the corporate world, on a date, or on the ranch.”

Earning a spot in Cowboy Christmas has been on the vision board for the company and a main goal.

“We’ve dreamed about being at Cowboy Christmas for five or six years,” Sherri admitted. “When you’re on the waiting list, you’ve got to set yourself apart from others. What do you sell? What do you do differently for customers? What makes you stand out?”

After last year’s rush to get their booth ready, Sherri, Taylor, and the Crooked Horn Co. staff took full advantage of having a full year to prepare for this year’s show.

“This time we could ask, ‘What would sell in Vegas?’” Sherri said. “‘What would make our customers in Vegas want to come back?’ We had time to think about what we could change at our booth. We wanted a hero statement at our booth to say, ‘This is us.’”

They found it.

“We partnered with Old Gringo Boots and created a booth that’s

“Winning Best in Show felt very humbling and very rewarding that all of the hard work we’ve been doing over the years was finally recognized.”

—Kelly Resheske

exclusive to us and Old Gringo,” Sherri added. “We wanted to not only showcase us but our partners, because it’s about the friendships we make and the continued partnerships we have with our suppliers and vendors.”

Those friendships and relationships have paid dividends throughout the years for Crooked Horn Co.

“We pride ourselves on the customer experience,” Taylor said. “They walk in and come out feeling happier and better about themselves. We try to focus more on the experience we provide.”

WEST OF TEXAS

Based in Redlands, Calif., West of Texas has been a mainstay at Cowboy Christmas since 2017. Sandi Resheske started the business in 2013 before handing it over to her daughter, Kelly, two years ago.

West of Texas embraces the Western lifestyle while adding a touch of “California cool” to its products — Native American jewelry; clothing for men, women,

and children; cowboy boots; hats; and home décor.

“It’s truly a family affair because everyone helps out,” Kelly said. “We’re buying the material, we’re designing it, we’re building it. We are very closeknit and family-oriented.”

When West of Texas opened its new store in Redlands in April 2024, the Redlands Chamber of Commerce noted the secondgeneration business was “where oldfashioned customer service and the latest fashion trends meet.”

That description rang true at its Cowboy Christmas booth, which showcased jackets, dresses, shirts, and accessories displayed in a welcoming style.

“We put a lot of pride into our booth and what it looks like,” Kelly said. “Just being considered for Best Booth was exciting, but when we saw Cheryl and Elvis and the showgirls coming, I think we were stunned for a moment. Winning Best in Show felt very humbling and very rewarding that all of the hard work we’ve been doing over the years was finally recognized.”

Mere moments after winning their gold buckles, the PRCA World Champions shared what the moment meant to them

special scene unfolds each year in the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo® media area when each new PRCA World Champion takes a few moments to share their deepest thoughts about what it means to hold a Gold Buckle.

Some are overwhelmed and have trouble putting it into words.

Some are so amped up they are still shaking with excitement.

Some can’t wipe the smiles from their faces, even while talking.

And some are, well, all of the above.

STETSON WRIGHT ALL-AROUND & BULL RIDING

If Stetson Wright had listened to the haters, he would have either been sitting in the Thomas & Mack Center stands with the fans or at home in Utah instead of chasing his dreams in saddle bronc and bull riding.

After a hellacious hamstring injury about a year prior to the 2025 NFR, all Wright heard was that his career was over and it was time to give up rodeo—that he would be stuck with only eight world titles.

“They told me that none of this would never happen again, but the good news for me is that I don’t believe in what people say because I know what I’m capable of,” Wright said.

Wright proved them wrong, earning his ninth and 10th PRCA World Championships. He is still chasing the elusive Triple Crown— winning bull riding, saddle bronc and the all-around world titles in one season—but capturing two of the three after hitting rock bottom is a pretty remarkable comeback.

“These world titles for sure mean more than any of the others,” Wright said. “I’m a very greedy person and never satisfied. I’m always wanting more, and all this did was give me more motivation. I’m already thinking about 2026. I know it takes a lot to get there, but I’m going to keep fighting for it.”

The Wright name is synonymous

with rodeo and the NFR. Stetson has been coming to Las Vegas since before he could walk to watch his father and uncles compete. Now, the NFR is why he does what he does.

“The NFR means everything to me,” Wright said. “It’s what gets me out of bed every morning. All I have to do is think about the NFR, and it helps get me through the long night drives, very little sleep, and getting banged up all year long. When I’m down in the dumps, I think about the Thomas & Mack Center and it cheers me back up and makes me want to make a run at it again. Thinking about Vegas rejuvenates me.”

STATLER WRIGHT

SADDLE BRONC RIDING

While brother Stetson claimed two more gold buckles, Statler Wright, 22, earned his first world title by the slimmest of margins over another brother, Ryder. After the full regular season and 10 nights at the NFR, Statler was crowned PRCA Saddle Bronc World Champion by just $346. He did it with flair, jumping from ninth in the world

standings entering the NFR to the top spot.

“This is just the start of my career, and I’ve only been riding broncs for five years,” Statler said. “To be able to step up here and be a world champ—shoot—I don’t know what to say. The sky’s the limit now, I guess.”

The Wright brothers made history in saddle bronc riding during the 2025 Wrangler NFR. For the third time, three Wrights finished 1-2-3 in a single performance. It marked the first time Statler, Ryder and Stetson accomplished that feat together.

Some might assume a family rivalry could create tension around the dinner table, but Statler says otherwise.

“It’s amazing to have guys in my corner like that—guys who are gunning for me but also rooting for me,” Statler said. “It means everything to do this with my brothers. In my eyes, they are the greatest bronc riders in the world. To be right there with them says a lot. We rodeo together all year, and they are hard to beat. I think that’s why we thrive here—we have each other’s

backs and we’re used to competing against each other every single day, whether at a rodeo or at home in the practice pen. What we have is really special.”

The Wright family now owns 18 PRCA World Championships.

Stetson has 10 world titles—six all-around (2019-2023, 2025), three bull riding (2020, 2022, 2025) and one saddle bronc (2021).

Ryder has three saddle bronc world titles. Cody Wright has two saddle bronc titles (2008, 2010).

Jesse Wright won a saddle bronc title in 2012. Spencer Wright earned a saddle bronc title in 2014.

Statler claimed his first in 2025.

RILEY WEBB TIE-DOWN ROPING

Riley Webb owns Las Vegas and the Wrangler NFR.

Webb captured his third straight PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Championship in 2025, with no signs of slowing down heading into 2026. Winning in Las Vegas has been his calling card since his Junior

NFR days.

“This is my 10th year competing in Las Vegas,” Webb said. “I went to every Junior NFR from age 12 until I turned 18 and got my pro card. Those Junior NFRs were great stepping stones and really prepared me for the NFR. It’s a tradition now—being in Las Vegas every December. We bring the whole family. My mom and dad still help put on the Junior NFR, and we love being here this time of year.”

Webb’s season earnings of $555,544 set an all-time record.

Over the past three NFRs, he recorded a combined time of 244.9 seconds on 30 head—an average of 8.16 seconds per calf. He also became the first cowboy since ProRodeo Hall of Famer Roy Cooper (1980-84) to win three consecutive tie-down world titles.

Along with Cooper, Webb joins an elite list of ropers with three or more consecutive titles: Dean Oliver (five, 1960-64), Don McLaughlin (four, 195154), Glen Franklin (three, 1965-68) and Toots Mansfield (three, 1939-41).

“It’s special to be the first to three-

“THIS IS JUST THE START OF MY CAREER, AND I’VE ONLY BEEN RIDING BRONCS FOR FIVE YEARS. TO BE ABLE TO STEP UP HERE AND BE A WORLD CHAMP— SHOOT—I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. THE SKY’S THE LIMIT NOW, I GUESS.”

–

peat since Roy Cooper,” Webb said. “Roy passed away this year, but he was instrumental in my life growing up. I was lucky enough to rope with him and his family. To be mentioned alongside him in the record books is a true honor.”

ROCKER STEINER BAREBACK RIDING

When Rocker Steiner saw his father, Sid, after winning his first gold buckle, their embrace and backslaps echoed throughout the NFR media center. Rocker had just added to the family legacy—Sid won a steer wrestling world title in 2002, and Rocker’s grandfather, Bobby, claimed a bull riding world title in 1973. The hug was decades in the making.

“This is everything I’ve ever wanted and everything I’ve ever dreamed about,” Rocker said. “This is what I worked for, bled for, cried for. It wasn’t necessarily about the

“I GREW UP WATCHING THE BEST IN THE SPORT, AND I WENT TO BED WATCHING THE NFR. BEING AT THE NFR IS IN US. IF YOU DO THIS FOR A LIVING, THE NFR IS SOMEWHERE DEEP DOWN INSIDE YOU.” – Jake Long, Team Roping

gold buckle—I was doing this for my family. I want them to know their son was the best at something. I won a world title in wakeboarding, but this is so much bigger. I want them to know I worked as hard as I possibly could and never gave up.”

Perhaps the only thing brighter than his Gold Buckle is Rocker’s personality. He’s full throttle, all the time. His 2025 NFR was a roller coaster—entering with an $80,000 lead in the world standings, nearly letting it slip through his hands, but then battling his emotions in the later NFR rounds to earn the title.

When “Lose Yourself” by Eminem played as he sat in the chute for Round 10, Rocker knew it was his moment because the same song played during his father’s 2002 title run.

“They played that song for my dad in 2002, and it’s always been my song,” Rocker said. “My dad always told me you get one shot, one opportunity. When the song came

on, I almost started crying. All I ever wanted was to be like my dad.”

ANDREW WARD & JAKE LONG TEAM ROPING

Andrew Ward and Jake Long really didn’t expect to be winning a Gold Buckle when the final night of the Wrangler NFR started and the team ropers entered the chute. But after a round 10 run of 3.9 to share the round win and clinch their first NFR average championship together, they were PRCA World Champions.

The two were grateful for the opportunity and will never forget the 2025 NFR.

“I’m so grateful to be in the record books, and it’s just an honor to be out here roping against the best guys in the world with such a great partner,” Ward said.

Ward and Long decided to team up this offseason after roping with different partners last season. This marked Ward’s sixth trip to the NFR and Long’s 15th qualification to compete at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Their offseason decision paid off, as Ward finished with $373,838 to win the heading title and Long earned $372,092 to win the heeling championship. Ward and Long’s earnings are new singleseason records in heading and heeling, respectively.

To put it mildly, they hit the jackpot in Vegas.

“I grew up watching the best in the sport, and I went to bed watching the NFR.” Long said. “Being at the NFR

is in us. If you do this for a living, the NFR is somewhere deep down inside you. When we see the yellow chutes for the first time and get your rope out here and then to win a world title and be amongst those guys, our heroes, it’s an honor. There have been great team ropers who did not get to win a world title, so for us to let it go our way this week and be able to be in the record books, it’s a dream come true.”

Ward also appreciates what Vegas is

all about.

“The NFR is amazing and allows us to financially be able to provide for our families,” Ward said. “If you can have a big week out here and be blessed enough to have a big week, it can really make a difference in your life. We all dream about being here, so I don’t think that the little kid’s ever going to die in us. It is just magical here. It’s like a little kid going to Disney World or something for the first time.”

TUCKER ALLEN

STEER WRESTLING

What a week. What a ride. What a horse. What a Wrangler NFR.

All Tucker Allen could do is thank God for his unbelievable performance during the NFR when he rode 10 head in 46.4 seconds to win the average by an astonishing 10.4 over Rowdy Parrott. The average title and the money that goes along with it, plus the other money he earned in Vegas, combined to thrust Allen to the PRCA Steer Wrestling World Championship and a season-

record $398,913 in earnings.

It was a come from behind victory and the first gold buckle of his career.

“I mean, obviously, that’s something (winning the average and a world title) I worked for, but to be able to execute, it’s just a blessing,” Allen said. “We all daydream about doing it, but to be able to do it is a whole different story. You hope it can go that well, but when it goes that good, it’s pretty exciting. God is good. That’s all I’ve got to say. With Him all things are possible. I hope kids can see me and say, ‘You might have been a smaller guy for this event, but if you work as hard as you possibly can and put faith in God, anything’s possible.’”

Allen also knows that the only place he wants to be each December is in Las Vegas for the NFR.

“The NFR is the best week of rodeo,” Allen said. “This is the pinnacle of the sport. There is no better place to be in rodeo than right here.”

Allen rode the Nutrena Horse of the Year presented by AQHA,

KASSIE MOWRY

BARREL RACING

Winning one world title is no easy feat. To return a year later and defend that title is an accomplishment not too many have achieved. Kassie Mowry etched her name on that list that includes only nine ladies now dating back to 1952. The last to achieve the feat was Hailey Kinsel from 2018-2020.

“I am still surprised and shocked,” Mowry said. “Coming in, I really didn’t have any expectations. Leaving Jarvis at home, I tried to make the best of it and have a good time. I truly had a great time.”

One year ago, she had a magical run at Thomas & Mack Center, winning five rounds in a row and placing second in three others. She did so aboard Force The Goodbye, a horse she simply calls Jarvis.

Due to the uncertainty around the EHV-1 outbreak in 2025, she chose to leave Jarvis at home, but her grey horse CP He Will Be Epic proved more than up to the challenge.

“Will is Mr. Dependable and I just really know what to expect when I get on him,” Mowry said. “I feel Will gets overshadowed a lot because of Jarvis. He is considered a back-up horse for me, but in a lot of people’s barn, he would be first string.”

Besides Will, Mowry also rode Cornbread and won rounds on both. While Will carried her to the winner’s circle on opening night, it was Cornbread – owned by Mindy Holloway – that carried her to the win in the sixth round.

“I knew I was going to have to come in here and grow as a jockey,” Mowry said. “That is not normally what I have to do because I usually come on horses I have trained. This is really good for me. I am happy about how I rode Cornbread.”

A downed third barrel in the 10th round by Mowry, who was leading the aggregate, had everyone gasping and waiting to see if she had done enough for that second world title. When final calculations were completed, she finished the year with $403,882.

“This means a lot because this was tough to come in on another horse,” noted Mowry. “Jump riding is not my strong suit, so I was proud of myself to bring out the best in Cornbread. He was crucial for me to get this second gold buckle.”— Mowry story by Ann Bleiker.

An Unforgettable Week to Enjoy the Ride

BY OLIVIA FAVERO, MISS RODEO AMERICA 2026

As I look back to the moment when I was crowned Miss Rodeo America 2026, I have a grateful heart. The entire week was truly special. Every moment of the pageant—the interviews, the horsemanship, the appearances, the conversations—felt like the culmination of years of preparation.

By the time the coronation arrived and Callie Mueller, Miss Rodeo America 2025, crowned me on that afternoon at South Point, I knew I had given everything I had. I laid all my cards on the table, trusted my preparation, and felt at peace knowing I would be proud of my performance regardless of the outcome. That sense of calm confidence is something I will treasure forever.

THE MOMENT THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

When my name was called as the winner, time seemed to slow down and speed up all at once. I thought, Oh my gosh, this is really happening. That’s you. Step forward. Take the crown. It was overwhelming in the best way. Gratitude filled me instantly—for my family, my mentors, my directors, my friends, and every person who helped

me reach that moment.

LIVING MY MOTTO: ENJOY THE RIDE

All year as Miss Rodeo Utah, I adopted the motto Enjoy the Ride something I wanted to share with everyone. It was a perfect bridge between me and the people I encountered. Whether someone rides horses, plays sports, performs music, or pursues any passion, everyone has their

own “ride.” As Miss Rodeo America, I am excited to keep encouraging people to embrace their journeys and chase their dreams.

MY FIRST “RIDE” INTO THE THOMAS & MACK CENTER

During the 8th performance of the NFR, I rode onto the Thomas & Mack Center arena dirt for the first time as the new Miss Rodeo America. It was unforgettable. In previous years, I had been a flag girl, but this year was even more meaningful to hit that hallowed dirt. Being in the middle of the arena, under the bright lights of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, presenting the American flag, my entire body shook—not from fear or nerves, but from excitement and gratitude. It’s a tremendous honor to carry the flag at any rodeo, but doing it at the NFR as Miss Rodeo America for the first time is something I will always cherish. What made it even more special was on that night, both the Canadian and American anthems were sung, which allowed me extra time to take in the significance of the moment. But I also had to stay focused.

People often underestimate how much horsemanship it takes to keep the horse still in front of a crowd. It is a difficult task. Horses feel everything—the noise, the adrenaline, the energy. Luckily, the horse I had was excellent and the practice and rehearsal time the night before was a huge help.

HONORING HISTORY AT THE NFR

Being crowned Miss Rodeo America during the 40th anniversary of the NFR in Las Vegas makes this year even more meaningful. The Thomas & Mack Center is filled with decades of history—champions, icons, and unforgettable moments. The first few days after being crowned started a whirlwind for me and it was humbling to help honor the history of the PRCA, Las Vegas and Miss Rodeo. I signed autographs at Cowboy Christmas, visited sponsor booths, completed my official photo shoot, and started building relationships with my directors.

SEE YOU SOON …

Throughout 2026, I am excited to travel to meet fans across the country, support committees and contestants, and keep living in the moment … and enjoying the ride.

GOING NEXT LEVEL

The Junior NFR gets bigger and better each year, and the roughstock events spotlight that evolution

by JACK NOWLIN

What started in 2015 as a relatively small event bringing together some of the best young bareback and saddle bronc riders in the country has grown into THE rodeo for future Wrangler National Finals Rodeo® hopefuls.

The roughstock portion of the season-ending YETI Junior National Finals Rodeo, which crowned its champions on December 8 in ten divisions – three each in bareback and saddle bronc and four in bull riding – is now a showcase for the top youth talent in the world.

Overall, the Junior NFR features about 700 competitors roping and riding in nine disciplines: bull riding, saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing and pole bending. The event celebrated 10 years in 2025.

Lacie DeMers, producer of bareback riding and saddle bronc, has been there from the beginning.

“The first year we helped Kirby Cannon and his crew put it on, and the next year we took it on solo,” DeMers said during the 2025 YETI Junior NFR, which was held at the Wrangler Arena at Cowboy Christmas and during the 10 days of the NFR. “It’s been quite a growing experience. The biggest thing that has impressed me is taking an event and evolving it to the next level. Bareback and saddle bronc riding have always been around, but there was never the equipment for it. That first year, kids were just scrambling to make

it happen. Now, it has evolved to the point where these kids have everything they need, like custom gloves and neck rolls built for them. When we started out, kids had to share equipment, not because they couldn’t afford it, but because there wasn’t enough available.”

DeMers also has seen an improvement in the horses the kids compete on, not just at the Junior NFR but throughout the country. That, in turn, has led to more kids getting opportunities to practice on quality stock without having to drive across the country to find horses that matched their growing skills and to compete in qualifiers.

“It used to be that we only had a few qualifiers, so these kids only had an opportunity to get on a few times a year to get to Vegas,” DeMers said. “Now, we’re seeing more talent every year because the kids have evolved

“The Junior NFR is definitely blowing up, and a lot of kids are saying they want to try it. It’s making rodeo bigger, for sure.”

– Wyatt Freeman, Competitor for 10 Years

throughout the regular season. There are still not qualifiers in everyone’s backyard, but they are in a lot more of them than they used to be.”

Midwest Mini Buckers, based

in Iowa, is a prime example. This year’s Junior NFR also featured stock contractors 406 Rodeo out of Montana, CT Rodeo out of Idaho, and Rafter 6P and BC Rodeo out of Canada, among others.

Midwest Mini Buckers has been instrumental in the increase of talented young bronc riders from Iowa in recent years. Six bronc riders from the Hawkeye State made the short go-round this year, including senior bareback champion Cash Blanchard and senior saddle bronc champion Wade Magner.

“Kristal and Eric Clemens would drive their son, Westin, from Iowa to Montana on a regular basis just so he could ride at our events and get qualified for the Junior NFR,” DeMers said. “They realized they couldn’t keep doing that, and there were more kids who wanted to do this, so they slowly picked up a

couple horses here and a couple ponies, and started a program in Iowa to make it happen. And that’s what it has taken – a group of people – like a giant volunteer committee that has come together to build this industry.”

Wyatt Freeman of Weston, Utah, competed at this year’s rodeo for the 10th and final time. From the beginning, he had faith the Junior NFR would continue to grow.

“I knew it would grow as long as we kept it clean and kept it respectful, because there was a lot of potential here,” he said. “It pushes every single one of us to get better every day. It’s a dogfight every time you nod your head. It’s definitely blowing up, and a lot of kids are saying they want to try it. It’s making rodeo bigger, for sure.”

Proof of that could be seen at the NFR, which featured a handful of bareback riders — including NFR average champion Sam Petersen — who can trace their rodeo roots to the Junior NFR. Keenan Hayes, the 2024 world champion, is another alumnus.

From the competitors to the stock to the equipment, the YETI Junior NFR is bigger — and better.

DeMers credits the parents, stock contractors, and companies now making equipment specific to youth bareback and saddle bronc riders for allowing that to happen. She also notes that none of this would be possible without Las Vegas Events and Junior NFR General Manager Bo Gardner.

“Las Vegas Events does not get enough credit,” DeMers said. “Bo has been on the ground floor of this program since the beginning, and he never got up. He deserves all the credit for this program — the bareback and saddle bronc riding — because he didn’t give up on us. Even if there was a hiccup, he didn’t say, ‘Oh, we can’t do this.’ Instead, he asked, ‘How do we fix it?’ Bo was willing to take a gamble when no one else was. By making that happen, he’s given these kids the opportunity to ride year-round. What he and his team do over these 10 days allows these kids to come here and compete in bronc riding. Is there still room to grow? Absolutely. Are there still improvements that will happen every year? Yes. Sometimes those improvements require change, but everybody needs to be adaptable to make it better for the future of rodeo, because this is the foundation.”

EVENTS AROUND VEGAS

Vegas Jackpots

Each December, millions of dollars and lasting legacies are on the line in competitions besides the Wrangler NFR

BY BRIAN HURLBURT

As anyone reading this knows, Las Vegas goes country and Western for 10 days and nights each December. Epic rodeo competitions are always part of it all. Here’s a recap on a few of them.

ULTIMATE BULLFIGHTERS

LAST MAN STANDING AT RESORTS WORLD

Resorts World—a Las Vegas mega-resort—annually transforms into “Rodeo World” during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo®. Part of the action in 2025 was the addition of the Ultimate Bullfighters Last Man Standing event. Galvin Day earned the prestigious title to win the event and the $50,000 first prize.

“This means everything in the world,” Day said moments after scoring an 88 for his final bull fight. “I have been studying the Word in the Bible pretty heavily lately. Galatians 6:9 says, ‘Let us not become

weary in doing good, for at the proper time we shall reap a harvest if we do not give up.’ I love what I do, and how do I describe this sport? It is a highintensity, high-contact sport against a non-human gladiator. There’s no pause or time out or anything at all when you get in there each time.”

BULLFIGHTERS ONLY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP XI AT DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS EVENTS CENTER

For the first time, the epic Bullfighters Only World Championship XI was held at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center on Fremont Street. It was a threeday festival surrounding the extreme bullfighting competition.

Chance Moorman earned the Bullfighters Only World Title. According to the BFO organization, “There’s no one more dedicated to the art of freestyle bullfighting than ‘Cody Murphy (Moorman’s nickname).’” Bullfighter Daniel Alcala won the Las Vegas championship.

“To say I am grateful would be an understatement,” Moorman posted. “This year has been more than I could ever ask for, and all the glory goes to God because without Him I know

none of this is possible.”

Derek Stevens, owner of the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, was happy to welcome BFO to a deep list of events surrounding the Wrangler NFR at his properties.

“We’re thrilled to host this groundbreaking event at DLVEC. Blending BFO’s high-stakes action with downtown’s energy is an unforgettable experience,” Stevens said.

ARIAT WORLD SERIES OF TEAM ROPING FINALE XIX AT SOUTH POINT ARENA & EQUESTRIAN CENTER

Once again, Vegas jackpots similar to large casino cashouts were earned during the Ariat World Series of Team Roping (WSTR) event at the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center. About $20 million in payouts and 5,000 contestants roped during the event, which included divisions that featured first-place checks of more than $400,000.

It was Arizona’s Garrett Lefebvre and Clancy Wilkerson who took home $407,000 for their win in the #9.5 Ariat Finale at the Ariat World Series of Team Roping after their

32.71-second average time on four head. It was the highest-paying roping of the entire 2025 event and wowed fans and participants at South Point.

“I’m pretty lost for words,” Lefebvre said. “It’s an unreal feeling. That’s what we all come here to do, and anybody can win it, and it just so happened to be us.”

In some of the other mega-payout events, cousins Dylan and Clay Martin of Wyoming won the #8.5 Morton Buildings Finale and $329,000 after running four steers in 35.10 seconds, while Chance Hanna and Dalton Miller walked away with a $362,000 payday for their 32.44-second time on four head in the largest #10.5 in team roping history.

The WSTR’s growth has been spurred on over the last two decades with the help of the team at South Point, led by owner and ProRodeo Hall of Famer Michael Gaughan, General Manager Ryan Growney, and Arena Director Steve Stallworth. New stalls, new arenas, and other state-of-the-art amenities have been built at South Point, allowing the WSTR to continue breaking records in payouts and attendance seemingly each year.

Big Hearts, Big Smiles, Big Meaning

Even with world championships on the line, NFR competitors are always thrilled to help make a difference

BY BRIAN HURLBURT

It is a difficult task to pick a favorite moment each year during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo®, but one that stands out for this writer is gazing out into the Thomas & Mack Center crowd on the night when kids and families from the Golden Circle of Champions are recognized and treated like rodeo royalty.

Thousands of NFR fans – along with the kids and NFR competitors – wear golden silk bandanas to honor the tenacious fight of youngsters battling cancer. It is a powerful and symbolic gesture that helps inspire all involved.

The night as VIPs at the NFR culminates a whirlwind of activities for the kids, which also included heartwarming time spent during a meet-and-greet and gala with NFR champions.

“It doesn’t get any better than this,” said Tina Tonoscia, Golden Circle of Champions founder. “We are so

fortunate to have champion cowboys and cowgirls spend the day with some of our pediatric cancer patients. The kids are having the time of their lives—learning how to rope, learning how to ride bouncy ponies, and doing all kinds of fun, rodeo-related activities. And the best thing is that they then get to go and experience the National Finals Rodeo.

“Golden Circle of Champions is a program that brings joy to children. We match them up with local rodeo committees across the country, and they get to experience the Western way of life and live the life

we get to live every day as part of the Western industry. There are no words to explain what it feels like to be in that room with those kids and see them light up. The cowboys and cowgirls make them feel so special. We are just so grateful for them and their participation.”

In addition to Golden Circle of Champions, another favorite day for many is the annual Exceptional Rodeo, an event organized for about three dozen children with special needs from the Las Vegas area. Exceptional Rodeo features kids participating in rodeo-style activities, guided by NFR stars.

The adaptive rodeo events include stick-horse barrel racing, riding rocking bulls and broncs, and roping hay-stuffed practice steers. Each activity is customized to allow the kids to have fun and feel like a roughand-tumble cowboy or cowgirl for the day. Being part of the event builds bonds and raises self esteem for the kids.

Exceptional rodeo events are held throughout the country, but the Las Vegas version wouldn’t be the same without bullfighter Dusty Tuckness, who has shared his heart and humor with the kids for 17 years.

“They always say it brightens the kids’ day. I say it brightens my day,” Tuckness said. “We do have a lot going on this week. It’s a long 10 days. But this kind of gives you a reset. To be out here with these kids, seeing those smiles – it just fills my heart.”

Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating History Defined 2025 Wrangler NFR

When I look back on the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo® at the Thomas & Mack Center, I will always remember a difficult and challenging beginning that ultimately led to a terrific result and another wonderful year. This year marked the 40th anniversary of the NFR in Las Vegas and reaffirmed that no city is better suited to host this event. Las Vegas understands how to entertain, how to host, and how to support an event of this magnitude—especially when the entire city goes country & Western. It was also incredibly inspiring to welcome back the 1985 world champions and have them be part of this milestone year.

One of the greatest challenges we faced in the weeks and months leading up to the NFR was managing the Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) outbreak that directly affected horses across our sport. Ensuring their safety required an extraordinary level of planning, coordination, and vigilance. From the outside, the event may have appeared seamless, but behind the scenes it took an immense collective effort. I am proud to say that we were successful, with no incidents at either the NFR or the Junior NFR. Throughout it all, Las Vegas stood by the NFR, and that partnership remains unmatched. The most critical work took place in the days leading up to the NFR and throughout all 10 rounds. We implemented extensive biosecurity

and health protocols for all livestock and horses, working closely with the Texas Animal Health Commission, the Nevada Department of Agriculture, and Dr. Leslie Schur of Desert Pines Equine here in Las Vegas. That collaboration was vital to our success. One of the most important takeaways from this year was the reaffirmed value of the vaccination program we began in 2022. That foresight played a major role in protecting the horses and allowed us to move forward with confidence.

What stood out most to me was the cooperation at every level of the event. Our staff went above and beyond, taking on additional responsibilities and safeguards that had never been required before. The PRCA, Las Vegas Events and

production teams, competitors, contractors, and support staff all worked together with one shared goal: to ensure the NFR was held at the highest possible standard. That level of collaboration truly made the difference.

From a competitive standpoint, the 2025 NFR was exceptional. Nothing was decided early, and every event came down to the final rounds, culminating in a dramatic 10th round with championships still on the line. Seeing it all come together was incredibly rewarding, and our entire team deserves the credit. Crowning our champions and watching dreams come true will always be the greatest victory for all of us.

Having been part of this event for 25 of the 40 years the NFR has been held in Las Vegas, the 2025 NFR will always stand out as one of the most special. I cannot thank our staff and partners enough for what they accomplished. What we achieved together this year truly defined what the NFR is all about.

Allen Rheinheimer, General Manager

On the dirt, December decides it all.

In Las Vegas, you decide it all.

DECEMBER 3 - 12, 2026

THOMAS & MACK CENTER

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA