If you were wondering why we have been so quiet lately, its because we have been taking in the 52nd Annual National Finals Rodeo (NFR). The ten day extravaganza is wrapping up and I thought it was time for a update.
Country Comes to Vegas
The NFR means the best in Country Music will probably make an appearance. Former rodeo girl turned recording superstar and my favrotie redhead, Reba McEntire opened the event with the National Anthem.
Reba may have opened it all, but it took a few nights before the place really started to rock. Opening Day 8, the National Anthem was sung by Pat Boone (yes, he is still around). Fan favorite Charlie Daniels followed and brought the house down with his Devil Went Down to Georgia. Complete with laser light show. It was awesome. That alone was worth the price.
It’s nice to have the royalty of Country Music do their thing, but its the cowboys, the horses and bulls that the 17,000 fans want to see every night. It’s also one of the many reasons Las Vegas really does need a new, larger arena…. Being that this is the Finals, only the best get to make it here. And that’s what makes this event so much better than your ordinary rodeo.
Unlike your ordinary rodeo, this one runs like clockwork. They keep it all moving with very little, if any down time between runs, between events. It’s a very fast two hours of bucking, roping and wrangling. The packed house means there is also an electricity in the air adding to the festive environment.
Records Were Meant to Be Broken
The goal here is to win as many of the events as possible and walk away with the money, a few buckles and a saddle or two…. For some, there is a secondary goal, maybe even one larger than the buckle. Breaking records
Trevor Brazile came to capture his eighth All-Around Cowboy title. Breaking NFR/PBR legend Ty Murry ‘s record. Ty and his wife Jewel were in the audience to witness the event.
Finally, we have an unlikely hero of sorts. The much neglected barrel racers. The lady’s of the NFR. This year they were getting some much needed attention as several of them were shattering money records and sponsorships. What was once an event that meant “potty break” for many, was now a “must watch” event.
The chase between Lindsay Sears and Sherri Cervi became a one woman watch. Two-time World Champion Barrel Racer Sherry Cervi is putting the finishing touches on world title No. 3. In Round 8, Cervi broke the arena record of 13.52 seconds with a blistering 13.49-second run on her 8-year-old Palomino mare Stingray.
Once it’s all said and done, I will put together a better update with more photos in the sports section.
Go Ahead, Stalk Us