Jake Barnes was bleeding in three places within his brain, his ankle broken and a hand badly injured. His horse had fallen during a training run and stepped on Barnes, leaving the 56-year-old and seven-time world champion team roper in a dangerous and traumatic place.
NFR results from Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.
When Vickie Carter rode into the arena at the Thomas & Mack Center on Thursday night, she made her official debut at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. It was yet another milestone in what’s been an incredible journey for the 60-year-old rookie barrel racer.
It wasn’t just a night of firsts for Tim O’Connell. It’s been a year of firsts that keeps getting better all the time.
Take a look at the WNFR daily events and entertainment listings.
Entering the 57th National Finals Rodeo, which opens its 31st annual 10-day run in Las Vegas today at the Thomas & Mack Center, six reigning world champions are poised to repeat as champs this year.
In 1987, when I was the new guy on the sports staff, I was assigned to cover the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center, because that was what the new guy did. A quiet man from Utah named Lewis Feild was awarded the gold buckle for being the best all-around cowboy.
Two years ago, the threat of major change loomed over the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. All parties involved were trying to hammer out a deal to keep the event in Las Vegas, but the prospect of a cross-country move to Orlando, Fla., loomed thick.
As much as the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo has become a staple of Las Vegas’ December calendar, so too has Cowboy Christmas. The shopping, entertainment and interactive bonanza has provided a great way for rodeo fans — and even regular folks interested in Western lifestyle — to fill up their daylight hours while waiting for the next go-round of the WNFR.
