ProRodeo Sports News - Nov.20, 2020

TEXANS AT THE NFR

Leighton Berry celebrated after splitting the win at the Parker County Sherrif’s Posse Frontier Days and PRCA Rodeo in Weatherford, Texas, July 11. Joe Duty photo

New Venue, Different Route Texas cowboys look forward to home-state Finals

BY KEVIN CARMODY, Special to ProRodeo Sports News T hanks to the coronavirus pandemic, the journey just to navigate through the 2020 season and qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo was an accomplishment. And for a group of more than 25 cowboys who call Texas home, the journey to arrive at this year’s Wrangler NFR site at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, will be unlike any other. No one-way road trips that span two days. No paying for valet parking. No constant commutes to and from the arena, hotels and points in between via ride-sharing services. No Las Vegas bright lights this time around. “It’ll definitely be cheaper for us (Texans) this year and easier to get there with our horses,” said Ty Harris, one of eight tie-down ropers who hail from Texas. “Obviously, we all wish it was in Las Vegas, but with everything going on, we’re just thankful we are getting a good opportunity to finish off the year right.”

ALL HAIL TEXAS Harris’ upcoming journey from San Angelo to Globe Life Field will take about four hours. His debut trip to Las Vegas last year took 17. And he’s not the only one who gets a shorter trip. In September, it was announced that the 2020 edition of the Wrangler NFR would be moved to Arlington after coronavirus restrictions in Nevada prevented the annual event from being staged in front of fans at theThomas & Mack Center, the rodeo’s home since 1985. The NFR was born in Texas in 1959 when the Dallas State Fairgrounds played host for the event’s first three years. Starting Dec. 3, it’ll be a brand-new experience – the first non-baseball event at the new facility – for everyone, from grizzled veterans to greenhorns. “Vegas was the pinnacle when I was growing up, but I think it’s pretty cool that I’m one of 15 (team roping) headers in the world going to rodeo in a place where no one has ever been,” said Stephenville’s Charly Crawford, who will make his 10thWrangler NFR appearance. “It’s not going to be as dramatic for the guys who have never been there before, so in a way, we’re all on a level playing field.”

ProRodeo Sports News 11/20/2020

WRANGLER NATIONAL FINALS RODEO

54