PRORODEO Sports News - November 22, 2024

NFR PREVIEW

R.C. Landingham has his eyes on a gold buckle in 2024 after a successful regular season. His last trip to Las Vegas came in 2022. PRCA ProRodeo file photo

Waiting Game NFR qualifiers take different paths to Las Vegas

BY ALEX RILEY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News T he final competition of the 2024 PRORODEO regular season concluded on Sept. 29. The first yellow bucking chute at the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge will open on Dec. 5. And for National Finals Rodeo qualifiers, that 65-day span is almost as difficult to navigate as the marathon it took to earn one of those coveted Top 15 spots in their respective events. There is no textbook for what to do in the gap between qualifying for and competing at NFR, but one thing is abundantly clear – everyone plans to use the time to get ready for what’s coming. “Being in the gym just keeps you mentally prepared and that’s kind of the most important thing for me is just making sure I’m doing what makes me feel good mentally and physically, but mainly mentally. That’s my whole thing is the mental side of it,” said five-time bareback riding qualifier R.C. Landingham.

The Hat Creek, Calif., product was one of several athletes headed to NFR who mentioned fitness, diet and mental focus as the top priorities they’ll key on in preparation for the 10-day event. After nine months of traversing the country to potentially compete at rodeos every weekend, the grind can be taxing, and downtime is certainly appreciated. The key, however, is making sure that respite is productive. “Mentally, it’s kind of up to you. You try to stay sharp between the ears and keep the basics in mind and just relentlessly apply them over and over and be ready by the time December rolls around,” said four-time PRCA World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Zeke Thurston. Both Landingham and Thurston voiced sentiment on mental preparation, while also working on the physical side. Landingham has plans to compete at a few circuit rodeos to stay fresh, while Thurston, a Big Valley, Alberta native, will take part in the Canadian Finals Rodeo in October as a live action tune-up. For veteran steer wrestler Dakota Eldridge, the two months in-between are less about making runs and more about honing in.

ProRodeo Sports News 11/22/2024

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