PSN_Dec3 2028

LOOKING BACK AT 40 YEARS OF THE NFR IN LAS VEGAS By PRCA Staff

Joe Beaver at the 1985 NFR. (PRCA photo by James Fain)

T here will be plenty of fanfare when the 2025 Wran gler National Finals Rodeo gets underway Dec. 4-13 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. This year will be even more special as Las Vegas is cel ebrating its 40th year of hosting PRORODEO’s marquee event. The PRORODEO Sports News staff put together a list to celebrate the greatest NFR moments in Las Vegas. 1985 The House that Joe Built: Joe Beaver became the first Resistol Rookie cowboy to win a PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Championship in his rookie season since Roy Cooper accomplished the feat in 1976. Charmayne, Scamper win in dramatic fashion: Charmayne James, and her $1,500 feedlot horse Scam per, won their second of 10 world titles. James was only 16 years old when she won her second world champion ship. During Round 7 on Dec. 13 of the NFR, drama was at a fever-pitch when Scamper lost his bridle. James and Scamper continued the run despite the broken bridle and amazingly won the round with a 14.40-second run.

The bridle malfunction happened when Scamper caught it on the gate, dislodging the screws that secured the bit and reins. 1986 Steer wrestler Duhon wins championship, clocks 3.0-second run: Steve Duhon won his first PRCA Steer Wrestling World Championship in 1986. His Round 5 3.0-second run broke the NFR record of 3.1 seconds set by Ricky Huddleston in 1985. 1987 Ford matches Alexander the Great: Bareback rider Bruce Ford tied legend Joe Alexander – known as Alexander the Great – by winning his fifth PRCA World Championship, jumping over season-leader Clint Corey. Ford, 35, placed in six rounds – including wins in the ninth and 10th rounds – and claimed the fourth average title of his career.

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PRORODEO SPORTS NEWS