The Exceptional Rodeo, in which NFR contestants — cowboys, cowgirls and bullfighters — pair up with Clark County special needs students, was once again a big hit.
Patrick Everson
Freelance reporter
Patrick Everson covers sporting events as a freelance writer in Las Vegas.
Tuf Cooper barely reached his 15th NFR appearance, earning his berth as the last competitor in the field. Rodeo has long been his primary focus. But when his daughter, Tru Fashion, was born last September, that changed.
A trio of injuries, lengthy downtime and grueling rehabilitation have all been a significant part of bull rider Sage Kimzey’s life the past year and a half.
Barrel racer Sue Smith fully believed she would make a return appearance to the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas Mack Center. Just not this soon.
Colter Todd was regarded as one of the premier headers in team roping before retiring in 2008. But he returned to the National Finals Rodeo in 2023.
Steer wrestler Dalton Massey felt he had the necessary experience to turn the corner in 2023. What he needed was a horse that would put him in position to win.
Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi has reached the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 17 times. The path to her 2023 NFR appearance just took a slightly different route.
Nearly everyone in the Wright bloodline rode bulls at some point. They all gave it up to focus on saddle broncs. Everyone, that is, except for Stetson.
You can’t argue with the results. For decades, Cowboy Christmas has been synonymous with the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
Perhaps it’s just a coincidence, but if so, it’s a pretty good one. Unrivaled tie-down roper Cody Ohl joins saddle bronc king Billy Etbauer in the 2023 class of Vegas NFR Icons.
Here’s a look at the rodeo competitors coming to Las Vegas for the National Finals Rodeo, with a breakdown of how the races shape up in each discipline.
A roughstock cowboy still competing at a high level in his 40s? That’s a little unusual. And still competing in his late 40s? Well, that’s about as rare as a $3 bill. Billy Etbauer is that $3 bill
Stetson Wright is in a position to win his third consecutive all-around world champion cowboy title in Las Vegas at NFR.
Qualifying for the NFR capped an enjoyable season for the Kimzey brothers, who traveled together much of the year.
On Thursday night, Biglow did what no other bareback rider in Wrangler NFR history has done: Win a go-round for the fourth straight night.