2025 Year-End Edition

NFR NEWS & NOTES

BENNY BINION, SHAWN DAVIS AND DAN MORTENSEN IMMORTALIZED AT THOMAS & MACK CENTER

Three ProRodeo Hall of Famers were immortalized in the Thomas & Mack Center during the 2025 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The late Benny Binion and Shawn Davis, and seven-time PRCA World Champion Dan Mortensen were named as this year’s Vegas NFR Icons.

The trio was honored during the NFR Icons Reception ahead of Round 2 on Dec. 5 at the Cowboy Corral attached to the Thomas & Mack Center. “Las Vegas has done so much for the sport of rodeo and for the PRCA,” Mortensen said. “Just to be recognized for what I was able to pull off is a pretty neat deal.” Binion (represented by his son Jack Binion), Mortensen and Davis also received special recognition on the dirt of the Thomas & Mack Center in Round 3, Dec. 6, that included a commemorative bronze statue and a ceremony to unfurl a banner in the rafters. Mortensen was honored during Round 2 on Friday, Dec. 5. The Billings, Mont., saddle bronc rider won six PRCA World Championships (1993-95, 1997-98 and 2003) to tie Casey Tibbs’ event record, and won the 1997 PRCA All Around World Championship. Mortensen qualified for the NFR 16 times, with his first qualification in 1990 as the Rookie of the Year. The only NFR he missed in 17 seasons as a PRCA member was in 2004 when he broke his ankle late in the season while sitting atop the World Standings. “It’s neat to be here with my family,” Mortensen said of making the trip back to Las Vegas. “The bronc riding is just outstanding right now. There are a lot of talented saddle bronc riders, and it’s great to come down and see a lot of people I knew and rode with in the past.” From left: Dan Mortensen, Shawn Davis and Jack Binion. (PRCA photo by Lara St Jacques)

EXCEPTIONAL RODEO RETURNS TO THOMAS & MACK CENTER The Exceptional Rodeo returned for the 42nd time before Round 8 of the Wran gler National Finals Rodeo Dec. 11. Upwards of 40 students with disabilities from Las Vegas area schools spent the morning on the dirt of the Thomas & Mack Center with a group of NFR qualifiers, contract personnel, flag girls and volunteers from the rodeo world. The kids went station-to-station and participated in roping, hobby horse barrel racing and simulated bull riding with assistance from PRORODEO competitors. “This is really cool,” three-time NFR qualifier Riley Pruitt said. “Last time I was here, I came out and did this. It’s a good atmosphere. It’s great for these kids here to get to experience this life that we live.” The principal of Exceptional Rodeo, Adam Daurio, hosts events at PRCA rode os across the country. But the event in Las Vegas is the highlight of the program. “Every Exceptional Rodeo event is special because every time there’s something that comes out of it that you’ve never seen before,” Daurio said. “If you think about it cumulatively over the last 43 years, the Exceptional Rodeo has helped over 12,000 kids have this experience. That’s what makes this really special.” NFR barrelman Dusty Myers showed up in full regalia to provide laughs and smiles alongside bullfighters Dusty Tuckness, Cody Webster and Austin Ashley.

Dusty Tuckness and Cody Webster were among the many contract personnel and ath letes volunteering for the Exceptional Rodeo at the 2025 Wrangler NFR. (PRCA Photo by Click Thompson)

“This is the best part of my week,” Myers said. “I get to do these Exceptional Rodeos all over the world. But to have it here in Las Vegas at the NFR, where the world champions are, means a lot. Because these kids are world champions in our hearts.”

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