NFR Live with barrel racer Carlee Otero — WATCH LIVE

Hayden Welsh chooses not to dwell on what could have been. Back in January, he made the decision to remain on his permit, a move that seemed prudent.

The itinerant Texas cowgirl doesn’t come from privilege or money. So when she decided to see how far her love of horses would take her in a long-shot bid to qualify for the NFR, sacrifices were made.

For 17 years now, Wrangler NFR bullfighter Dusty Tuckness has made it a point to give some of his time to the Exceptional Rodeo. This year, that time came Thursday morning at the Thomas Mack Center.