ProRodeo Sports News - June 21, 2024

SHORT ROUND

NFR Open to remain in Colorado Springs until 2031 Staying Put

Five-time PRCA World Champion Steer Wrestler Tyler Waguespack is expected to miss an extended period of time after suffering a left arm injury at the Sisters (Ore.) Rodeo, June 8. The injury was a detachment of the bicep tendon and it occurred during his second run of the rodeo. Waguespack told ProRodeo.com it was a freak injury and one that required surgery. “When I came through the line on my second run at Sisters it felt like a baseball had almost hit me in the crease of the arm,” said Waguespack, 33. “I remember thinking how in the world did the barrier wrap around and hit me in the arm. Then when I went to get down on my steer, I didn’t have any strength in my left arm. “Then it kind of dawned on me at that point that I had something messed up. When I was walking back, I had kind of figured that I tore my bicep. The next morning, I got on a plane back to Salt Lake City, had an MRI, and went under the knife Monday morning to have surgery.” R epresentatives from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo (PPOBR), along with other community leaders and local media gathered in front of the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., June 18 to make an announcement about the future of The NFR Open in Colorado Springs. “The NFR Open is one of the most significant ProRodeos every year,” said Tom Glause, CEO of the PRCA. “Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and the Colorado Springs community check all the boxes needed for an event like this. A great rodeo, with a lot of community support and the NFR Open has been a tremendous success since moving to Colorado Springs in 2022. I’m even more excited for the future to have this lucrative rodeo in the hometown of the PRCA for the next seven years. The NFR Open and the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo are a great fit.” Chris Whitney, President, Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Board of Directors went on to say, “This is a great day for our Rodeo and for our community. The opportunity to host and continue to host The NFR Open is an honor. We’ll be inviting the best in the sport of professional rodeo from all over the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to compete here. We’re also inviting fans from all over the country and beyond to come and enjoy this legacy event with us.”

The NFR Open is the most prestigious rodeo under the PRCA circuit system and will bring more than 200 of the top cowboys and cowgirls in the world to compete at the Norris Penrose Event Center. It is also one of the highest paying regular season rodeos in the PRCA and a key stop to propel contestants to the National Finals Rodeo. The NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo will take place July 9-13, 2024, at the Norris Penrose Event Center. Tickets are on sale online now and event organizers expect sellout crowds. Visit www.pikespeakorbust.org for more information.

Tyler Waguespack to miss action with arm injury

Waguespack said his recovery timeline is uncertain, but he will be out most of the summer run. “The doctor told me it was going to be a three month recovery before surgery, but after surgery he said it’s possible I could be back before that,” Waguespack said. “I’m hoping to be back sooner than that and hopefully be able to salvage the last eight weeks of the season. I think I would still give myself a chance at the NFR with that.” As of June 20, Waguespack sat 16th in the PRCA

Waguespack

| RAM World Standings with $32,679. He has qualified for nine straight Wrangler National Finals Rodeos dating back to 2015. “It’s a setback, but God has a plan for all of us. Who’s to say he wasn’t making me sit down for a little bit to avoid having a worse wreck out there this year,” Waguespack said. “So, it’s no big deal. I’ll hopefully take just two months off and be back going. If it’s longer than that then so be it. I don’t think the Thomas & Mack (Center) has seen the last of me. I’ll be back and be ready before too long.”

ProRodeo Sports News 6/21/2024

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