PRORODEO Sports News - November 22, 2024

MANAGER’S MESSAGE TRACY RENCK

Tracy Renck is the Manager of Communications and Media. He previously served three years as the editor of the ProRodeo Sports News , and before that he spent seven years as a media coordinator at the

PRCA. He has three decades of experience in sports journalism.

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Ryan Jae PRORODEO fans look on during the awards ceremony at the 2024 National Finals Steer Roping in Mulvane, Kan. Cole Patterson captured his third gold buckle at the Kansas Star Arena.

NFSR has found a home at the Kansas Star I t is no secret that finding a home for the National Finals Steer Roping wasn’t easy in the past for the PRCA. From 1959 until 2013, the NFSR had countless homes for one reason or another. Both events take place at the Rotunda right down the escalator from the arena. On Friday, Nov. 1 at the Kansas Star, a Ladies Luncheon took place, and it was run by women who run businesses and households, have a passion for steer roping and know how to run a first-class luncheon. Inside the arena, the competition was as good as it has ever been. All 15 steer ropers earned at least $15,197 – and to break that down even more five steer ropers earned at least $44,000 at the NFSR.

The list consists of Clayton, N.M. (1959-60); Laramie, Wyo. (1961 and 1973-83); Douglas, Wyo. (1962); Pawhuska, Okla. (1963-64 and 1971-72); Vinita, Okla. (1965-66); McAlester, Okla. (1967-68); Pecos, Texas (1969-70); Guthrie, Okla. (1984-2000 and 2009-13); Amarillo, Texas (2001-2005); and Hobbs, N.M. (2006-2008). Well, the NFSR definitely found a home sweet home in 2014. Since then, the NFSR has taken place at the Kansas Star in Mulvane, Kan., 20 miles from Wichita. It has been a fantastic venue for the NFSR, and that was once again the case Oct. 31 through Nov. 2. The Kansas Star welcomed the 15 best PRCA steer ropers with open arms. There was a back number ceremony Oct. 31 at the Kansas Star where all the contestants and contract personnel were recognized. That was an historic evening as PRCA CEO Tom Glause announced – that for the first time – steer ropers will be able to compete in their first Playoff Series, culminating at the end of September in Sioux Falls, S.D. There were plenty of reasons why the latest NFSR was successful, it was a village of people who helped make it run smoothly. People like longtime chute boss John Gwatney. In recent years, Gwatney has been instrumental in advancing the NFSR with things like a pre-event tailgate party with guests and of course the Buckle Presentation after each night of competition.

The top NFSR money earners were Scott Snedecor ($82,325); J. Tom Fisher ($59,458); Cole Patterson ($56,525); John E. Bland ($54,998); and Slade Wood ($44,580). The total purse was an NFSR-record $525,000. “I really like that arena, your stalls, the hotel, the casino and restaurants are all right there together,” said J. Tom, the 2022 PRCA Steer Roping World Champion, about the setup in Mulvane. “My favorite part is the convenience and how easy it is to get your family from the room to (the Kansas Star Arena). Then, to get up in the morning and walk out of your hotel room and go right to your stall and feed your horse. “To go from the hotel to the casino, you just walk down the hall and there it is. It is a great place. I like the (Kansas Star) Arena a lot. The Kansas Star gets more welcoming and better every year and of course the best thing about it is getting to rope for that kind of money (at the NFSR) is incredible. It is something we never thought would happen.” And, right on cue the 2024 NFSR delivered a fantastic finish with Patterson claiming his third gold buckle. Steer roping has never been better.

12 ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2024

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