WATCH THE NFR VIA LIVE STREAM ON THE COWBOY CHANNEL – Click here for details
The 65th annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo kicks off its 10-night run at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, December 7. The competition will come to an exciting conclusion Saturday, December 16 when World Champions will be crowned. The Wrangler NFR, which is at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Dec. 7-16, will have a record-setting payout of more than $11.5 million. This amount includes guaranteed prize money of $1.2 million for NFR qualifiers. Round winners take home $30,706 per round and average winners earn $78,747. Each go-round will pay a total of $99,053, while the average total will pay $297,159 per event. The stock contractor pay – which is 30% of the contestant payout – increased to $3,450,451. …more information here
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National Finals Rodeo Breakaway Roping – Shelby Boisjoli Enjoys Strong Day One
Canada has already made its presence felt at the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. As the breakaway ropers invaded the South Point Hotel and Casino for the first five rounds of their NFR, Shelby Boisjoli-Meged protected her spot at the top of the season leaderboard. The former Albertan – now Stephenville, Texas resident – was part of a three-way split of first in round two and then capped off the day with a fifth-round win, courtesy of a 2.0 second run. She placed in four of the five rounds putting her fourth in the average. Despite one no-time today, Boisjoli-Meged amassed $16,379 to take her season earnings to $181,000 giving her a $25,000 lead over second-place roper, Hali Williams. Two-time Canadian Champion, Kendal Pierson had an up and down day at her first WNFR. The Wardlow, Alberta talent collected two cheques, splitting 5/6 in the first round for $1226 and adding a solid 4th for a $2452 payoff in the final round. A couple of no-times have the NFR rookie out of the average heading the second and final day of competition. Check back tomorrow for Breakaway Roping wrap-up highlights.