ProRodeo Sports News - August 2, 2019

HEART OF THE NFR

Enough to Wear Pink cause has raised a staggering $28 million for breast cancer research. “When we started the campaign in 2004, we were overwhelmed by the support from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, as well as businesses, rodeo athletes, rodeo committees and Western com- munities across the country,” says Wheatley, a breast cancer survivor and matriarch of a rodeo family. “What seemed like an impossible dream to raise $50 million by our 20th Anniversary in 2024 is well on the way to becoming a reality.” Dec. 12: 32nd Annual Pro Rodeo League of Women Style Show & Luncheon (at South Point Hotel Casino and Spa) ProRodeoLeagueofWomen.com This special annual event is hosted by South Point hotel owners Michael and Paula Gaughan, and organized by the Pro Rodeo League of Women. More than $1.9 million has been raised to benefit the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. Dec. 12-13: World of Rodeo Reun- ion (at The Orleans Hotel-Casino) 406.223.6503 The World of Rodeo Reunion is the “reunion of all reunions” and brings together dozens of rodeo legends for an annual celebration that has attracted more than 4,000 attendees over the years. This year, organizers are adding the statement, “We are the West!” That entails expanding our reunion to include horsemen, cattlemen, western artists, muse- ums, musicians, all horse disciplines and much more. You won’t find another gathering of the sport of rodeo and western heritage with as many big names from the world of country music, movie actors, rodeo cowboys and cowgirls all interacting with rodeo fans. “It’s all about visiting, friendship and having a good time with folks we haven’t seen for years,” says event organizer Larry Jordan.

Nick Guy helps riders at the Exceptional Rodeo, an annual highlight

WE ARE AN INDUSTRY OF GIVERS WHO GIVE THEIR LIFE AND TIME TO MAKE RODEO HAPPEN. — BOB TALLMAN SAYS.

Nightly: UNLV Rodeo Raff le (at the Thomas & Mack Center) Info: Annual Wrangler NFR ticket raff le UNLVRodeo.com The UNLV rodeo team, which has produced a world champion barrel racer (Nellie Miller) and bull rider (Justin McBride), mans a booth at the Thomas & Mack Center during all 10 nights of the NFR. Fans are encouraged to stop by, say hello and purchase raff le tickets for the op- portunity to win a pair of seats for each of the 10 NFR performances. TBD: George Strait Tough Enough to Wear Pink Wrangler Golf Tour- nament (at Ref lection Bay Golf Club)Ref lection Bay PRIVATE Grant a Gift Autism The annual Grant-A-Gift Autism event leaves such a lasting and sig- nificant impact that the Wrangler NFR champions who visit with the children affected by Autism are as deeply affected by the encounters as the children themselves—maybe even more so. “The 10 rounds of the NFR will be gone just like that, but this is life-

changing,” world champion steer wrestler Tyler Pearson says about his 2018 experience with Grant a Gift. “I’d turn out for 10 rounds of this anytime to help the kids, because it will stay with them forever.” Golden Circle of Champions Launched in 2016 in conjunction with the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo, the Golden Circle of Champions raises awareness and funds to assist local children and their families battling life-threatening cancer. Last year, a new twist was added when a network of rodeos banded together to send select patients stricken with cancer and their families to Las Vegas to attend the Wrangler NFR, where they were treated to a true VIP experience. This year, a new group of honorees will receive the same VIP treatment. Exceptional Rodeo The Exceptional Rodeo returns to the Wrangler NFR for the 37th consecutive year, once again giving special-needs children the chance to experience roping, bulldogging, barrel racing, and bull and horse riding, all while interacting with Wrangler NFR cowboys, Miss Rodeo America contestants and other nota- ble rodeo personnel.

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Photo: Steve Spatafore.