Gearing up for National Finals Rodeo

National Finals Rodeo team roper contestant Turtle Powell from Stephenville, Texas, walks with his dog, Ziggy, while his horse trails him at the National Finals Rodeo livestock corrals near the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus on Tuesday. Powell and his dog have been traveling the rodeo circuit for 13 years. The 10-day NFR kicks off Thursday. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

John Hollingsted works on the stage at the Wrangler NFR Pro Rodeo in front of the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday in preparation of the 10-day National Finals Rodeo, which kicks off Thursday. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Women take video during the National Finals Rodeo team roping practice at Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday. The contestants will analyze the video of their ride and how the steer moves. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Jace Davis, left, and Braylon Tryan, both 5, watch National Finals Rodeo team ropers practice at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday. Their fathers, Justin Davis and Chase Tryan, are competing in the team roping event. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

National Finals Rodeo team roping contestants practice on Tuesday at the Thomas & Mack Center. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

National Finals Rodeo team roper contestants are in the cool-down tent behind the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

National Finals Rodeo team roper contestant is shown during practice at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

National Finals Rodeo team roper contestant Justin Davis and his son, Ryder, 3, ride at the Thomas & Mack Center on Tuesday. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

National Finals Rodeo team roper contestant Charly Crawford, right, and his fiance, Jackie Hobbs, pose at the National Finals Rodeo livestock corrals near the Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV on Tuesday. (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The 2013 National Finals Rodeo kicks off Thursday at the Thomas & Mack Center on the UNLV campus and runs through Dec. 14.

Competitions every night will feature top cowboys.

Fans can enjoy many activities away from the rodeo action, with Cowboy Fanfest, Downtown Hoedown, Cowboy Christmas Gift Show, concerts and more.

Ten-time all-round world title holder Trevor Brazile returns to defend his title. Elko native Dakota Eldridge takes part in his first NFR in steer wrestling.