2018 NFR Las Vegas, Day 1 — PHOTOS
The National Finals Rodeo started its annual 10-day run at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday.
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A showgirl during the opening night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Tilden Hooper of Carthage,Texas rides "Redzilla" while competing in bareback riding during the opening night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Sterling Crawley of Stephenville, Texas gets bucked off of "Copper Cat" while competing in saddle bronc riding during the opening night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Chase Brooks of Deer Lodge, Mont. competes in saddle bronc riding during the opening night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Trey Benton III of Rock Island, Texas rides "VJV Whiskey Hand" while competing in bull riding during the opening night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Wade Sundell of Boxholm, Iowa rides "Lock & Load" while competing in saddle bronc riding during the opening night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
![](https://www.reviewjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/11504395_web1_ROD-NFR_120618cs_010.jpg)
Orin Larsen of Manitoba, Canada rides "Imperial Beach" while competing in bareback riding during the opening night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
![](https://www.reviewjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/11504395_web1_ROD-NFR_120618cs_011.jpg)
Carman Pozzobon of British Columbia, Canada competes in barrel racing during the opening night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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An aerialist performs during the opening night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Shane O'Connell of Rapid City, S.D. rides "Night Fist" while competing in bareback riding during the opening night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
![](https://www.reviewjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/11504395_web1_ROD-NFR_120618cs_014.jpg)
Sage Kimzey of Strong City, Okla. gets upended by "Mortimer" after completing his bull ride during the opening night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
![](https://www.reviewjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/11504395_web1_ROD-NFR_120618cs_015.jpg)
Tyler Bingham of Honeyville, Utah gets bucked off of "Joker" while competing in bull riding during the opening night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
![](https://www.reviewjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/11504395_web1_ROD-NFR_120618cs_016.jpg)
Kyle Irwin of Robertsdale, Ala. competes in steer wrestling during the opening night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
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Jake Long of Coffeyville, Kan. competes in team roping during the opening night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
![](https://www.reviewjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/11504395_web1_ROD-NFR_120618cs_019.jpg)
Chase Brooks of Deer Lodge, Mont. rides "Alpha Dog" while competing in saddle bronc riding during the opening night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
![](https://www.reviewjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/11504395_web1_ROD-NFR_120618cs_020.jpg)
Competitors get ready for the start of the first night of the National Finals Rodeo after the opening ceremony at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2018. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Updated December 6, 2018 - 10:38 pm
The National Finals Rodeo started its annual 10-day run at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday.
Check out the photo gallery above.
More NFR: Follow at reviewjournal.com/nfr and @RJ_Sports on Twitter.