ProRodeo Sports News - October 1, 2021

WRANGLER NFR

PRCA ProRodeo photo by Dan Hubbell

Tyler Pearson is back in the hunt for his second PRCA Steer Wrestling World Championship.

More than 20 past champions set to compete at 2021 NFR Champs Return

BY TANNER BARTH T wo months from now, cowboys

“Up there at Thomas &Mack, you can feel it in your legs and bones. It’s an energy that you’ve never felt before. It gives you goose

and cowgirls from across the nation will converge in Las Vegas at theThomas &Mack Center for the 2021Wrangler

bumps just thinking about it.” Two-time World Champion Team Roping Header Clay Smith (2018- 19) said the atmosphere takes what is already a high-pressure situation and multiplies it. But that’s just one reason the Finals are so special. “That building is pretty small, and it feels like the crowd is right on top of you,” said Smith, 30. “So, it kind of puts a little more pressure on you, and hopefully you’re one of those people who does well under pressure in that type of situation.” Those who have qualified for this year’s Wrangler NFR said the 10- day event tests a cowboy’s will. But facing off against the sport’s best stock while competing head-to-head with the Top 15 in the world is a challenge they embrace. “If you don’t ride everything, you’re not going to be a world champion

National Finals Rodeo. The field will feature the Top 15 contestants in each event, with many of those competitors returning with a PRCA world championship gold buckle already attached to their belts. After last year’s event was held in Arlington, Texas, due to COVID-19 the cowboys said they can’t wait to be back in Vegas for what they call an unmatched experience. “There’s energy at the Thomas &Mack that you never get anywhere else,” said Tyler Pearson, the 2017 PRCA Steer Wrestling World Champion. “You know that’s the difference in Dallas, I hazed in Dallas last year for (Tyler) Waguespack and you can be 3.6 and you’d still hear crickets.

ProRodeo Sports News 10/1/2021

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