ProRodeo Sports News - September 2, 2022

EDITOR’S LETTER TRACY RENCK Nothing like yellow bucking chutes at Wrangler NFR

T here’s no question cowboys disagree on some things. That’s anybody. Very rarely do people agree on everything. However, there’s one thing all cowboys agree on. It is the reason they travel countless hours and thousands and thousands of miles through America and Canada. The reason they compete with broken bones and no sleep. The reason they practice their craft every chance they get. It’s to compete in the yellow bucking chutes at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at theThomas &Mack Center in Las Vegas. The 2022Wrangler NFR is Dec. 1-10 in Vegas. “From a rodeo perspective there’s nothing better than sitting there in Las Vegas in those yellow bucking chutes,” said veteran bareback rider Casey Colletti, 36. “It’s everything you dream of everyday all year through the season and your whole life – just to get to that point. It’s amazing.” Colletti, of Pueblo, Colo., qualified for the Wrangler NFR three times from 2011-13. Veteran bareback rider Tanner Aus also relishes the comfort and excitement of being in the famed yellow bucking chutes. “Being in those yellow bucking chutes is pretty tough

bronc rider Rod Hay, a 20-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (1989-90, 1992-2008, 2010), is well aware of the significance of the yellow bucking chutes. Dawson has qualified for the NFR twice in 2019 and 2021 and he’s on the bubble of making his third trip to the Finals in 2022. “The atmosphere is just unbelievable in there,” Dawson said. “The energy in that building is like no other rodeo.” The Wright family has a storied history of competing in the NFR’s yellow bucking chutes. The family has won 11 gold buckles. Stetson (three all-around, 2019-21, one saddle bronc riding, 2021, one bull riding, 2020); Ryder (two saddle bronc riding, 2017, 2020); Cody (two saddle bronc riding, 2008, 2010); Spencer (one saddle bronc riding, 2014) and Jesse (one in saddle bronc riding, 2012). “Shoot, you can’t beat it,” said Ryder about going for glory in the NFR’s yellow bucking chutes. “That’s what we work for all year. It is just awesome.” The final push to make the NFR has begun – in full

Tracy Renck is the editor of the ProRodeo

Sports News . He previously served more than seven years as a media coordinator at the PRCA. He has three decades of experience in sports journalism with the last several consumed by ProRodeo.

force. Contestants are scratching and clawing to claim one of the covetedTop 15 spots in their respective events by season’s end Sept. 30. There’s no doubt after Sept. 30 many contestants will be euphoric after qualifying for the Finals, whether it is their first time or 20th time. Meanwhile, other contestants will be walking down the lonely street of dreams, full of broken hearts. That’s the price cowboys pay to get a chance to compete in those yellow bucking chutes.

to compare to anything else,” said Aus, 32. “I have been there six times to the NFR (in 2015-17, 2019-21) and the feeling doesn’t change and I hope it never does.” Dawson Hay, 24, a star Canadian saddle bronc rider, and son of saddle

ProRodeo Sports News 9/2/2022

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