4-2-21 Digital PSN - Hi Res

RAM NCFR PREVIEW

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Roseanna Sales

Cowboys prepare for their runs during the 2019 RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla.

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RAM NCFR welcomes health care workers Health care workers will find a small token of thanks from the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla. The rodeo will provide more than 500 tickets to health care workers with Advent Health, Orlando Health and Osceola Regional as a thank you for the work they have done over the last year during the COVID-19 pandemic. The health care heroes will attend the April 8 performance (closed to the public) at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee. They will receive a contact-less ticket via their phone that will admit the health care workers and their families. “Being a Silver Spurs member as well in Kissimmee, we love being able to bring the community in and do things to help the community here,” said Parker Kempfer, a saddle bronc rider from nearby Melbourne. “We really appreciate all the work they’ve done to fight this virus. My family has all endured it, and thankfully come out, but we’ve lost some distant relatives and friends to the virus.” Kempfer knows this opportunity would be a small way to give back to those in the region. “It’d be awesome for them (the health care workers) to come in and watch rodeo and see what we do and enjoy themselves,” Kempfer said. The RAM NCFR has performances open to the public April 9-10. All winnings from the rodeo will count toward the PRCA | RAM World Standings.

season where the RAMNCFR moved to because of COVID-19 issues. CHECKING OFF THE BOXES Kempfer is fromMelbourne, Fla., about 45 minutes from Kissimmee. Knowing anything he earns in Kissimmee will count toward the world standings is a big boost for the 25-year-old, in his second full PRCA season. Like Meged, Kempfer made sure to get to his circuit rodeos. “That was a huge motivator for sure to win the Southeastern Circuit with the circuit finals counting and the RAM Finals counting,” Kempfer said. “It’s a great opportunity for a guy to break through and have a great shot of making the NFR. It’s definitely a good goal to have.” Being so close to home will be an added benefit. “That is really nice,” Kempfer said. “Anytime you get to sleep in your own bed it does’t get much better than that. It feels like being at home.” In 2019, Meged didn’t get to explore Kissimmee and the surrounding area. He was flying back and forth competing at both the RAMNCFR and a college rodeo. That won’t be a problem this season. “It’s nice to stay down there and hang out at Disney World and things like that,” Meged said. “I haven’t experienced that yet, but I’d like to this year. I’m done with college. I’ll be able to focus on roping and hanging out down there.” Meged is hoping the circuit finals continue counting toward the world standings. He’s seen the benefits firsthand. “It’s a great incentive, especially my rookie year, I wasn’t in the top (of the standings) and hadn’t had a great winter,” he said. “But going down there was a big jump-start because I was a rookie and came from the (RAMMontana) Circuit Finals off that. It’s a great deal for anybody, especially rookies, to get in there and make sure they have the circuit finals made and to have a chance at winning all that money.”

ProRodeo Sports News 4/2/2021

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