ProRodeo Sports News - January 5, 2024

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BY THE NUMBERS 5.5M Over the past 37 years, Cowboy Christmas, the official gift show of the Wrangler NFR, has attracted more than 5.5 million attendees. Total attendance at the Central and South Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center – Channel Cowboy Christmas and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Hunter & Outdoor Christmas Expo – was 369,653, up from 279,465 in 2022. 6.5M Since the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo arrival in Las Vegas in 1985, total attendance for the 38 years at the Thomas & Mack Center has surpassed 6.5 million. $75M After the NFR in 2023, the PRCA total payout for the season was just shy of $75 million ($74,502,688) to be exact. That’s up from $65 million in 2022. which incorporates both The Cowboy

Alaina Stangle photo

Ringing in the New Year

Saddle bronc rider Wyatt Casper, from left, bareback rider Keenan Hayes, and bull rider Hayes Weight were the winners of the New Year’s Eve Buck & Ball in Gillette, Wyo., Dec. 31.

Graham, Bolin tabbed with 2023 Resistol Man of the Year honors

During the 2023 luncheon celebration for the Resistol Rookies of the Year on Dec. 12 in Las Vegas, Resistol awarded the “Resistol Man of the Year.” This is awarded to someone within the Western industry that goes above and beyond to further the lifestyle, the sport, and the industry as a whole. The individual ultimately exemplifies the meaning behind the Resistol brand. Previous recipients include Cody Johnson, Billy Pipes, Tandy Freeman, J Pat Evans, George Strait, Red Steagall, Michael Gaughan, Denis Carroll, Karl Stressman, Cody Johnson, Cotton Rosser, Neal Gay, Bob Tallman, and Ryan Growney. This year, to join the names of those who have impacted the industry, CEO of ProEquine Group, Dustin Noblitt, named Dr. Charles Graham and Ricky Bolin each with the 2023 Resistol Man of the Year. This is the second time the award will be co-reigned by two beyond-deserving individuals. Dr. Graham is distinguished as one of the world’s best equine veterinarians, owning and operating the largest veterinarian clinic in Texas at one time. The Texas A&M University alum is known as one of the most influential individuals in the

horse racing industry in Texas and a front runner for the Texas Racing Act from his various leadership roles within the Texas Quarter Horse Association, Texas Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. He has been inducted in the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame and the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame. Bolin’s accolades come from a life in and out of the arena. He is a four-time NFR qualifier and one of the first rodeo athletes to obtain a national sponsorship. After hanging up his bull rope, he started at RHE HatCo, the makers of Resistol, Stetson, and Charlie 1 Horse. Throughout his career, he was named the Salesman of the Year four-times, named the Cavender’s Salesman of the Year, and awarded the Western Image Award. He recently announced his retirement from his position as the General Manager after 34 years. He has been inducted in the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the National Rodeo Hall of Fame. He is actively involved in the Dallas Area Boy Scouts, Cowboys Who Care, and other charitable organizations.

ProRodeo Sports News 1/5/2024

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