You must have heard it. The National Final Rodeo 2019 is to be held in Las Vegas, Nevada in December 2019. But what are National Finals Rodeo and all about this? We break it for you step by step.
National Finals Rodeo (NFR)
The National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is an international cowboys’ competition event that has been held for a very long time. NFR as it is often referred to as features 120 competing cowboy contestants from all over whose main intention is to outdo each other in various events for a grand price of international titles.
NFR is like the super bowl of the cowboys. It is the final showdown of the very best of the best cowboy athletes. Before the NFR cowboys compete in and complete various challenging rodeo events across the United States of America.
Upon completion of these events, the 120 selected participants then come to the NFR for the ultimate – final event. At this event (NFR) these contestants then outdo each other I various cowboy games categories for the grand prize of the PRCA World; All-Around Championship Title.
NFR started way back in 1959 and has since become quite popular. It began in Dallas, Texas among the native cowboys before moving to Los Angeles, California in 1962 and later Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1965. Finally, NFR found its way to the Las Vegas platform in 1985 where it has remained since.
How to watch NFR 2019
You can catch 10 straight nights of NFR pure action from the CBS Sports Network which is also the main channel with the absolute TV rights to air the NFR 2019 Wrangler Championship in Las Vegas. The event starts on14th of December 2019 at 10 PM EST/ 7 PM EST.
If you cannot get hold of the CBS Sports Network, you can go with ProRodeoTV for less than $7 a channel.
Nonetheless Rural Radio Sirius XM will also be airing the event while WNFR Official Broadcaster also takes their sixth year on the 2019 NFR event. For NFR diehards that want to watch online without a cable connection, using television apps that carry CBS Sports Network is the best option.
You can, therefore, use DirecTV Now, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV and PlayStation Vue. The fans that live outside the US including Canada, Mexico, UK, and Brazil can sign up for a VPN or go with the aforementioned TV apps that support CBS Sports Network. Find Out About NFR tickets.
National Finals Rodeo: Categories
The contestants who compete for the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) award will go head to head on a number of categories. The one who wins the most titles in these categories becomes the PRCA World; All-Around Championship Title holder. The events include:
Bareback Riding
Bareback riding is a very similar event to the cowboy’s bull riding. It quite entertaining but also one of the most dangerous events in rodeo; the rule of the game is simple though. The rider tries to stay on the horse for as long as they can.
Steer Wrestling
A steer will be released in the arena before a rider rides into the arena on his horse. The rider is known as the bulldogger. The bulldog ger’s main challenge is to grab onto the horns of the steer and take the animal down. This has to be done on the animal’s left side to stop the running timer.
Team Roping
Two riders try to tie up the steer by both the head and the feet. The rider who goes for the head is called the Header and the one who aims for the feet is called the Heeler. The header always goes first before the healer can rope the steer’s feet.
Once this is done, it will be time for the riders to face each other in order to stop the clock. It is the most exciting event.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Saddle Bronc Riding is also quite entertaining rodeo event. The rider uses their skills and strength to ride the bucking horse for about eight seconds. They have to show great control and also balance within these 8 seconds and must only grab the horse with one hand.
Tie-Down Roping
The rider will have to tie up a calf before the timer can stop. However, the calf has to stay in the knot for over 6 seconds before the timer can stop.
Bull Riding
Probably the most infamous event at the rodeo, the rule is simple, the bull rider has to stay on top of the bull for as much time as they can and the one who stays on the bull the longest wins above the rest.
Conclusion
So, what are National Finals Rodeo and all about this? It is this simple: the one competitor who walks home with the most titles bag the PRCA World; All-Around Championship Title.