ProRodeo Sports News - March 17, 2023

Tickets are on sale for 2023 NFR Open set for July 11-15

BY THE NUMBERS 1983

Tickets for the 2023 NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo, July 11-15 in Colorado Springs, Colo., are on sale online, now. The NFR Open powered by RAM, will be one of the biggest rodeos of the 2023 ProRodeo season with $1 million in payouts to contestants, livestock and other PRCA members. More than 200 top contestants from each of the U.S. and Canadian Circuits, plus national champions from Mexico will be competing in Bareback Riding, Steer Wrestling, Team Roping, Saddle Bronc Riding, Breakaway Roping, Tie Down Roping, Barrel Racing and Bull Riding, culminating with a semifinals and finals on Saturday, July 15 when the national circuit champions will be crowned. “The NFR Open is one of the most significant rodeos of the year,” said Tom Glause, CEO of the PRCA. “Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and the Colorado Springs community made this an outstanding rodeo in 2022 and we are excited to build upon Steer Wrestler will be sidelined an extended period of time after suffering a knee injury at La Fiesta de los Vaqueros in Tucson, Ariz., Feb. 26. Edler said the injury occurred while competing in the short round, where he registered a no time. “It was in the short round in Tucson, and I was coming back fourth of fifth in the average,” said Edler, 29. “I caught up in a great spot and the steer just stepped into me a little. I actually made the steer crumble down a bit on me and immediately knew I tore my ACL and also partially tore my meniscus.”

that momentum in 2023.”

The NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo will take place July 11-15, with evening performances Tuesday through Saturday, and matinee performances Friday and Saturday. The Tuesday evening and Friday matinee performances are new additions to the lineup to satisfy demand for more performances after last year’s sell outs. Evening performances will start at 7 p.m. (MT) with matinee performances starting at noon and parking is free. Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo Board President, Scott Johnson, said, “This year’s Rodeo is going to be incredible, with the top talent in the sport coming here to compete. The addition of two performances gives families and working folks more opportunities to come enjoy this with us. And from what I hear, the national champs from Mexico are coming to take home the title. It is going to be another great one.” Tickets are on sale online now at pikespeakorbust.org and sellouts are expected. The injury required Edler to undergo surgery on March 6. He currently sits 28th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $11,234. He said the recovery process is expected to be at least five months, but he’s holding out hope to return to the arena this season. “I don’t know that my season is over. I’ve already started my physical therapy,” he said. “I’m going to work hard and try to get back before the NFR Open (July 11-15).” He said injuries happen in every sport, it ultimately comes down to staying positive and working even harder to get back to where you were.

The year ProRodeo Hall of Famer Roy Cooper won the Triple crown, capturing PRCA World Championships in all around ($153,391); tie-down roping ($122,455) and steer

roping ($30,530). 2003

ProRodeo Hall of Fame tie down roper Cody Ohl sets a Wrangler National Finals record with a 6.5-second run in Round 10 at the Thomas &. Mack Center in Las Vegas. Ohl won a total of four rounds at the NFR and collected his fourth PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Championship. The record has since been tied by ProRodeo Hall of Famer Trevor Brazile (Round 8, 2015) and Shad Mayfield (Round 6, 2022) 2011 The year bareback rider Kaycee Feild and tie-down roper Tuf Cooper followed in the father’s footsteps – ProRodeo Hall of Famers Lewis Feild and Roy Cooper – and became world champions for the first time. Kaycee has won a PRCA record six bareback riding world championships (2011 14, 2020-21) and Tuf has four world titles to his name – three in tie-down roping 2011-12, 2014) and one in all-around (2017).

World champ Jacob Edler out with knee injury Jacob Edler, 2022 PRCA World Champion

New additions to PRCA Board of Directors The PRCA Board of Directors has some new additions in 2023. Larry McConnell and Cory Wall are now the Other PRCA Board Members include contestant directors Jacobs Crawley (riding events); Chet Johnson (riding events); Matt

rodeo committee directors and Stace Smith of Stace Smith Pro Rodeos is the new stock contract director.

Reeves (timed events); Troy Pruitt (timed events); stock contractor director Keith Marrington; and contract personnel director Josh Edwards.

ProRodeo Sports News 3/17/2023

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