ProRodeo Sports News - Oct. 18, 2024

MANAGER’S MESSAGE TRACY RENCK

Tracy Renck is the Manager of Communications and Media. He previously served three years as the editor of the ProRodeo Sports News , and before that he spent seven years as a media coordinator at the

PRCA. He has three decades of experience in sports journalism.

PRCA ProRodeo file photo Vin Fisher Jr. is the active leader in National Finals Steer Roping round wins at 34, and he will try and add to that total when he competes at the 2024 NFSR in Mulvane, Kan., Nov. 1-2.

Action-packed NFSR set to unfold in Mulvane T he buzz in PRORODEO right now is about the qualifiers for the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge. The 120 contestants will take aim at coveted gold buckles Dec. 5-14 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Before the Super Bowl of PRORODEO kicks off in Sin City – there is another big Finals event on tap first. wasn’t enough money to be won at the NFSR to catch the leader. That’s not the case anymore. Back in 2021 when Cole Patterson won his inaugural steer roping gold buckle, he earned an NFSR-record $85,761. Realistically, cowboys who have strong NFSRs should earn around $40,000 to $50,000. That’s not only a great payday, but also a check that could vault someone to a world championship. Like the Wrangler NFR, whoever performs best at the NFSR will

The National Finals Steer Roping takes place Nov. 1-2 at the Kansas Star in Mulvane just outside of Wichita. The action gets underway at 7 p.m. (CT) each night. Unlike the NFR, which has one round a night for 10 nights, things are much more compact at the NFSR, which makes it unique. The Top 15 steer ropers in the world compete in Rounds 1 through 5 on Friday and 6 through 10 on Saturday. So, if you get on a heater – the timing could not be better. Rounds keep clicking off and checks are to be had. Conversely, if things start going bad a cowboy has to fight the fight before all is lost on Day 1. Especially since the round money and average money is better than ever. Round winners will take home $10,718 and the second ($8,870); third ($7,022); fourth ($5,174); fifth ($3,326) and sixth ($1,848) place finishers also get checks. Staying in the average also is crucial simply because of the payout. The average champ collects a $32,016 check; second ($26,496); third ($20,976); fourth ($15,456); fifth ($9,936) and sixth ($5,520) all will get to visit the pay window. Back in the no-so-distant past seemingly whoever arrived at the NFSR as the season leader usually walked away the world champ because there

likely be the 2024 PRCA Steer Roping World Champion, and that’s how it should be. It’d be no fun if steer ropers arrived in Mulvane and were just competing for second place. Here are some more storylines to digest as cowboys prepare to compete at the Kansas Star this year. • Scott Snedecor comes in as the winningest active roper at the NFSR, thanks to collecting $606,507 in his decorated career, which includes four world championships. • Trevor Brazile, who won eight steer roping world titles, is the top career earner at the NFSR with $697,280. • Vin Fisher Jr. is the active leader in NFSR round wins at 34, followed by Snedecor at 31. The top two round winners in NFSR history are legends Guy Allen (48) and Trevor Brazile (36). • Fisher Jr. is returning to Mulvane in 2024 looking to add to that round win total and possibly claim his first career gold buckle. There should be no shortage of excitement and drama in Mulvane and on Nov. 2 the new star at the Kansas Star will step into the spotlight. Let the Countdown begin.

12 ProRodeo Sports News 10/18/2024

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