Haylee Taylor

Las Vegas, like many places worldwide, has felt the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its events calendar.

Cowboy Christmas, an annual retail gift show traditionally held in December at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the National Finals Rodeo (NFR), will not take place in 2020.

This cherished event, featuring Western-themed crafts and art, typically attracts over 250,000 visitors each year, making it a significant gathering. Unfortunately, it is now another casualty of the pandemic.

Las Vegas Events, the organization responsible for coordinating special events during the rodeo, confirmed on Tuesday that the show’s cancellation is irrespective of whether the rodeo itself occurs in Las Vegas.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) had previously announced on August 19 that they were exploring options for hosting the rodeo. Historically, the Las Vegas NFR has been one of Las Vegas’s most successful special events.

The PRCA, based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, stated that a decision regarding the rodeo’s location and whether or not fans will be in attendance will be made by September 30. The consideration includes the possibility of holding the event in Las Vegas without fans or searching for an alternative host city.

The PRCA mentioned last week that holding the event in Las Vegas with fans would not be feasible. They are also assessing the possibility of relocating the event to another city for 2020, where events like Cowboy Christmas, designed for spectators, could be accommodated.

However, hosting the rodeo without fans in Las Vegas poses challenges for Las Vegas Events, as ticket sales revenue contributes significantly to the prize pool.

All exhibitors will receive full refunds for their participation in the event.

While it is unfortunate that Las Vegas is unable to host the #WranglerNFR with fans in 2020, we would like to get your feedback on the PRCA's plans for potentially hosting in another destination.

TAKE THE SURVEY HEREhttps://t.co/fHr4HtKER6 pic.twitter.com/BvBmaZd549

— Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (@LasVegasNFR) August 21, 2020

Las Vegas Events representatives have expressed their willingness to collaborate with the PRCA to explore the feasibility of hosting Cowboy Christmas in conjunction with the rodeo if it takes place in another location. They aim to finalize these plans by the end of September.

Cowboy Christmas, one of NFR’s most successful and beloved ancillary events in Las Vegas, has evolved into a sprawling 440,000-square-foot shopping and interactive experience. With over 350 exhibitors from across the United States, it caters to the Western lifestyle, offering live entertainment, specialty food and beverages, and Western-themed exhibits.

The RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, one of the biggest rodeos of the PRORODEO season and one that will have a total distribution of $500,000, will take place in Greeley, Colo., in September.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the RAM NCFR, originally scheduled to take place in Kissimmee, Fla., in April, will instead move to Greeley for the 2020 season and is scheduled for Sept. 10-13.

“The RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo is one of the most significant PRORODEOS of the year,” PRCA CEO George Taylor said. “It was imperative we have this event, and the committee in Greeley is going to help that by stepping up to host it.”

The RAM NCFR is the most prestigious rodeo under the PRCA circuit system and will crown the circuit champions. The RAM NCFR is also one of the highest-paying events in PRORODEO. While the Greeley Stampede was canceled this season, hosting the RAM NCFR in September will have a substantial economic impact.

“The Greeley Stampede is thrilled to host the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo,” said Chad P. Sanger, Chair of the Greeley Stampede. “We will take strict precautions to offer the event as safely as possible while bringing an economic benefit to our city.”

The RAM NCFR will feature contestants from each of the 12 U.S. circuits plus Canada and Mexico, bringing more than 200 contestants to Island Grove Regional Park for five competition rounds over the four days. The event will culminate with a semifinals and finals on Sunday, Sept. 13, when the national circuit champions will be crowned.

The RAM NCFR will return to Kissimmee in 2021. It is scheduled for April 9-11 and will again be a key ingredient for cowboys shooting to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.

“We were disappointed that issues related to COVID-19 prohibited Osceola County from hosting the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo this year,” Osceola County Chairwoman Viviana Janer said. “We’re glad to see the circuit finals will take place in Greeley, and plans are already in process to again host this fantastic event in 2021.”

Courtesy of PRCA

Prescott Frontier Days®, Inc. proudly hosts the 133rd edition of the World’s Oldest Rodeo® at the iconic Prescott Rodeo Grounds. This time-honored event has been a cherished tradition since its inception in 1888, consistently taking place over the 4th of July weekend and featuring a thrilling lineup of eight captivating performances. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the results from June 29 to July 5, and don’t hesitate to check back for real-time updates!

All-around cowboy: JC Mortensen, $3,755, bareback riding and bull riding.

Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Tanner Aus, on Vold Rodeo’s Beaver Valley, and Ty Breuer, on Vold Rodeo’s Misty Frontier, 87 points, $5,854 each; 3. Jake Brown, 86.5, $3,755; 4. (tie) Logan Patterson and Zach Hibler, 86, $1,988 each; 6. (tie) Clayton Biglow and Jesse Pope, 85, $994 each; 8. (tie) Logan Corbett and Mason Clements, 83, $331 each.

Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Jacob Edler, 4.1 seconds, $2,224; 2. Taz Olson, 4.4, $1,934; 3. Jacob Talley, 4.6, $1,644; 4. (tie) Tyke Kipp and Dirk Tavenner, 4.7, $1,209 each; 6. Chance Honey, 4.8, $773; 7. Jule Hazen, 5.0, $483; 8. Stetson Jorgensen, 5.1, $193. Second round: 1. Scott Guenthner, 3.7 seconds, $2,224; 2. (tie) Tristan Martin and Gary Gilbert, 4.3, $1,789 each; 4. Riley Duvall, 4.5, $1,354; 5. Luke Branquinho, 4.6, $1,064; 6. (tie) Cade Goodman, Blake Mindemann, Justin Shaffer and Jace Melvin, 4.7, $363 each. Average: 1. Jacob Edler, 9.6 seconds on two head, $3,336; 2. Jacob Talley, 9.7, $2,901; 3. Cade Goodman, 10.2, $2,465; 4. Cade Staton, 10.5, $2,030; 5. Tyler Waguespack, 10.6, $1,595; 6. Riley Reiss, 10.7, $1,160; 7. Cody Devers, 11.0, $725; 8. Ty Erickson, 11.3, $290.

Team roping: First round: 1. Aaron Tsinigine/Kyle Lockett, 5.0 seconds, $2,400 each; 2. Curry Kirchner/Chad Mathes, 5.5, $2,087; 3. (tie) Erich Rogers/Paden Bray and Derrick Begay/Ty Romo, 5.6, $1,617 each; 5. Charly Crawford/Logan Medlin, 5.7, $1,148; 6. Kaleb Driggers/Cory Petska, 5.8, $835; 7. Nick Sartain/Blaine Vick, 5.9, $522; 8. Clay Tryan/Jake Long, 6.0, $209. Second round: 1. Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, 5.0 seconds, $2,400 each; 2. Levi Simpson/Shay Dixon Carroll, 5.5, $2,087; 3. Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres, 5.6, $1,774; 4. (tie) Tanner Baldwin/Nano Garza and J.D. Yates/Cullen Teller, 5.7, $1,304 each; 6. (tie) Jake Cooper/Caleb Anderson, Edward Hawley Jr./Myles John and Pedro Egurrola/Trevor Nowlin, 5.8, $522 each. Average: 1. Clay Tryan/Jake Long, 11.9 seconds on two head, $3,600 each; 2. Edward Hawley Jr./Myles John, 12.0, $3,130; 3. (tie) Erich Rogers/Paden Bray and Charly Crawford/Logan Medlin, 12.2, $2,426 each; 5. J.D. Yates/Cullen Teller, 12.3, $1,722; 6. Tanner Baldwin/Nano Garza, 12.6, $1,252; 7. Nelson Wyatt/Levi Lord, 13.0, $783; 8. Cody Snow/Junior Nogueira, 13.4, $313.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Wyatt Casper, 83.5 points on Vold Rodeo’s I’ma Be, $6,796; 2. (tie) Cort Scheer and Ryder Wright, 83, $4,531 each; 4. Logan Cook, 82.5, $2,492; 5. (tie) Zeke Thurston and Kade Bruno, 82, $1,359 each; 7. Jacob Lewis, 81.5, $906; 8. Tanner Butner, 81, $680.

Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Lane Livingston, 8.4 seconds, $2,513; 2. Shad Mayfield, 8.6, $2,185; 3. Seth Cooke, 8.7, $1,857; 4. Ryan Jarrett, 8.8, $1,529; 5. (tie) Cody McCartney, Kincade Henry and Marcos Costa, 8.9, $874 each; 8. Reid Zapalac, 9.0, $218. Second round: 1. Hunter Herrin, 7.9 seconds, $2,513; 2. Zack Jongbloed, 8.1, $2,185; 3. Adam Gray, 8.4, $1,857; 4. Ike Fontenot, 8.9, $1,529; 5. (tie) Blake Ash and Cody Craig, 9.2, $1,038 each; 7. (tie) Shad Mayfield and Cheyenne Harper, 9.3, $382 each. Average: 1. Hunter Herrin, 17.4 seconds on two head, $3,769; 2. (tie) Shad Mayfield and Adam Gray, 17.9, $3,031 each; 4. Zack Jongbloed, 18.3, $2,294; 5. (tie) Ryan Jarrett and Ike Fontenot, 18.4, $1,557 each; 7. Kincade Henry, 18.7, $819; 8. Jake Pratt, 18.8, $328.

Barrel racing: First round: 1. Wenda Johnson, 16.91 seconds, $2,818; 2. Dona Rule, 17.20, $2,415; 3. Cheyenne Wimberley, 17.32, $2,013; 4. (tie) Shelley Morgan and Fallon Taylor, 17.34, $1,543 each; 6. Megan Swint, 17.36, $1,073; 7. Jimmie Smith, 17.39, $805; 8. Ashley Castleberry, 17.45, $537; 9. Lori Todd, 17.49, $403; 10. Amber Moore, 17.52, $268. Second round: 1. Emily Miller, 17.05 seconds, $2,818; 2. Lori Todd, 17.09, $2,415; 3. Wenda Johnson, 17.20, $2,013; 4. Halyn Lide, 17.30, $1,744; 5. (tie) Amanda Butler and Tanya Jones, 17.33, $1,208 each; 7. (tie) Shelley Morgan and Cindy Smith, 17.37, $671 each; 9. Jimmie Smith, 17.38, $403; 10. (tie) Megan Swint and Jacqueline Ganter, 17.39, $134 each. Average: 1. Wenda Johnson, 34.11 seconds on two head, $2,818; 2. Lori Todd, 34.58, $2,415; 3. Shelley Morgan, 34.71, $2,013; 4. Megan Swint, 34.75, $1,744; 5. Jimmie Smith, 34.77, $1,342; 6. Fallon Taylor, 34.81, $1,073; 7. Cheyenne Wimberley, 34.95, $805; 8. Amberleigh Moore, 34.98, $537; 9. Cindy Smith, 35.06, $403; 10. Halyn Lide, 35.10, $268.

Steer roping: First round: 1. Garrett Hale, 11.2 seconds, $1,448; 2. Scott Snedecor, 11.5, $1,198; 3. J.P. Wickett, 12.1, $949; 4. (tie) Dalton Walker, Tony Reina and Chance Kelton, 12.7, $466 each. Second round: 1. Landon McClaugherty, 9.6 seconds, $1,448; 2. Trenton Johnson, 10.6, $1,198; 3. Bryce Davis, 11.6, $949; 4. (tie) Cole Patterson and Don Eddleman, 12.1, $574 each; 6. Roger Branch, 12.6, $250. Third round: 1. J. Tom Fisher, 10.7 seconds, $1,448; 2. Jess Tierney, 11.2, $1,198; 3. Billy Good, 11.7, $949; 4. (tie) Rocky Patterson and J.P. Wickett, 12.1, $574 each; 6. Ryan Willberg, 12.5, $250. Average: 1. Garrett Hale, 41.6 seconds on three head, $2,172; 2. Chet Herren, 41.9, $1,797; 3. Tuff Hardman, 43.1, $1,423; 4. Ryan Willberg, 45.2, $1,048; 5. Trenton Johnson, 46.5, $674; 6. Scott Snedecor, 46.7, $374.

Bull riding: * 1. (tie) Dallee Mason, on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Last Cigarette, and Daylon Swearingen, on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Reality Check, 84.5 points, $7,222 each; 3. (tie) JC Mortensen and Garrett Smith, 82.5, $3,869 each; 5. (tie) Zain Fitzgerald and Dustin Boquet, 82, $1,724 each; 7. Shad Winn, 79, $1,188; no other qualified rides. *(all totals include ground money).

Total payoff: $285,491. Stock contractor: Vold Rodeo. Sub-contractors: Rosser Rodeo, JK Rodeo, 4L & Diamond S Rodeo, New Star Pro Rodeo, United Pro Rodeo and Flying U Rodeo. Rodeo secretary: Mikey Jo Duggan. Officials: Clayton Macom, Allan Jordan Jr and Rocky Steagall. Timers: Mary Borgen and Michelle Corley. Announcer: Randy Corley. Specialty acts: Jennifer Nicholson, Bec Circosta, Spencer Rose, Bailey Gabel and Mark Swingler. Bullfighters: Quirt Hunt and Luke Kraut. Clown/barrelman: Mark Swingler. Flankmen: Scott Pickens, Jim Kenney, Tony Amaral and Fred Boettcher. Chute bosses: Jim Dewey Brown and Kirsten Vold. Pickup men: Ty Atchison and Dalton Ward. Photographers: Brooks Benjamin and Dale Miller. Music director: Joshua Hilton.

The ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy announced July 2 that the Class of 2020 Induction Ceremony scheduled for Aug. 1 in Colorado Springs, Colo., and associated activities will be cancelled due to the extreme restrictions placed on events in Colorado from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The press release read as follows:

We are so sorry to have to make this decision as this was not the outcome we were hoping for.

Unfortunately, we would be unable to have the kind of numbers of attendees to truly honor the class as well as have the events be successful and worthy of the honor it is meant to be. Without the ability to have the entire families and many friends of the Inductees attend, we have made the decision to cancel and move the events to next year.

“We did not enter into this very difficult decision lightly,” said Kent Sturman, Director of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Museum of the American Cowboy. “None of us wanted to make this decision but it is best under the circumstances.”

The ProRodeo Hall of Fame is going to work diligently to plan a robust and successful event for this amazing class to be held in 2021. Watch for more details as decisions are made throughout the year.

Courtesy of PRCA

In a regrettable decision made on July 2, the Ellensburg Rodeo Board has opted to cancel this year’s Labor Day Weekend rodeo event.

The year 2020 has brought unprecedented challenges, and the board diligently explored every conceivable avenue to ensure the event’s continuation. Ultimately, the board concluded that it was impossible to host the world-renowned Ellensburg Rodeo while prioritizing safety and responsibility.

Over the past three months, the entire board dedicated countless hours to planning and preparation, with the hopeful goal of staging the 97th annual rodeo.

This cancellation encompasses all traditional Labor Day weekend activities, including the Division 1 Xtreme Bulls event, parade, and concert.

Historically, the Ellensburg Rodeo was only canceled once before, from 1942 to 1944, during World War II.

The board of directors found that the challenge of maintaining community and spectator safety while adhering to ever-evolving requirements and directives became increasingly daunting. Prior to this decision, the board had been working closely with the Kittitas County Health Officer, State Representatives, Kittitas County Commissioners, Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce, and various other partners.

“This was destined to be a particularly special year with the Ellensburg Rodeo’s induction into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. However, the safety of our community takes precedence, especially in light of the current COVID-19 risks. Our decision not to proceed was the right one,” stated Jerry Doolin, President of the Ellensburg Rodeo. “We also understand that this choice will have financial repercussions for our entire community. Therefore, any donations we receive will be channeled directly to the volunteer organizations that have been instrumental in making the Labor Day experience unforgettable.”

Further information regarding refunds and the donation program will be forthcoming in the coming days. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the entire community, fans, sponsors, Gold Buckle Members, Top Hands, Ellensburg Rodeo Posse, and our devoted volunteers, all of whom have generously contributed their time to this historic event. Although we won’t be commemorating our 97th year in person, we will be celebrating our rich history through donations and community service.

Planning for 2021 will commence immediately, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to “Watch Em’ Buck” next Labor Day Weekend.