The Arena Getting Prepared For Round One Friday Afternoon
Photo Credit: Tom Donoghue
As the gates opened up early in the afternoon yesterday the excitement and anticipation of a history western sports entertainment weekend could be felt everywhere you went. All of the fanfare that started Thursday night now turned to the festival grounds as the 82nd annual Helldorado Days Rodeo was set to kick off. Not only were the best livestock selected to come to Las Vegas for this event but some of the very best cowboys and cowgirls in western sports descended upon Sin City for this historic weekend.
Like I said earlier the roster of rodeo superstars was amazing as round one began yesterday afternoon. Even though Las Vegas is known for being the host of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December yesterday proved that this fantastic city can host just about anything that the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association can throw at them. We are lucky enough to have some close friends that live here and continue to provide us with an unique look into the happenings of this long standing rodeo event!
The Livestock Was Ready To Go And Proved Themselves In Round One
Photo Credit: Tom Donoghue
As the summer sun shined down on those rodeo fans and athletes that joined together to begin a full day of rodeo and bull riding action the rodeo livestock could feel the heat as well. When the animals feel frisky it is sure to be a long day of competition for those cowboys scheduled to face them throughout the performance. If the above picture gives you any indication as to how things would go it is a safe bet that if you were not here to witness this live along with us you missed a day that you will always remember.
Yesterday’s round one was only the beginning as two more rounds remain as the Helldorado Days Rodeo will conclude after three days of action on Sunday afternoon. This rodeo committee spared no expense as they brought some of the most iconic rodeo contractors to town so showcase some of their most prized equine and bovine athletes in both this event and the Professional Bull Rider’s Last Cowboy Standing event that gives fans two nights of bull riding action later in the evening again tonight!
The Contestant Lists Were Stacked With Talent In Round One
Photo Credit: Tom Donoghue
The rodeo athletes that have had this specific event on their bucket list for many years finally got the opportunity to compete here in 2016 and many of them made the most of it with huge rides in round one. That being said, this is a three day event and the scores posted yesterday must hope and pray that the scores they posted will stay within the payout rankings through two more rounds of competition. That will be hard task as many past WNFR contestants and world champions are scheduled to take their chance at fame in the next two days!
Tonight there were all seven of the classic rodeo events that were on display and many notable names lead the event coming into this afternoon’s round two. In the bareback riding it was Pueblo, Colorado’s Casey Colletti that would take the early lead with an 86 point ride. Blake Knowles will lead the steer wrestling with a blazing 4.5 second run while Clint Robinson would lay down an 8.8 second run in the tie-down roping. In the saddle bronc it would be Jacobs Crawley that would put 84 points in the board and WPRA sensation Jackie Ganter would take the lead in the barrel racing with an 14.5 second run. Last but not least it would be reigning and defending PRCA Bull Riding World Champion Sage Kimzey that would take the lead in his event with a solid 80 point ride!
Round two of the 82nd annual Helldorado Days Festival and Rodeo is set to begin in just a few short hours followed by the conclusion of the Professional Bull Rider’s Last Cowboy Standing event. Our entire Rodeo Round Up team will once again be in attendance to bring you all of the breaking news and nightly event recaps of these two fantastic events. Tomorrow afternoon this historic weekend will conclude with the third and final round of the PRCA’s portion as the rodeo will crown champions on Sunday afternoon!
It is quite easy to follow all the breaking news and excitement with the Rodeo Round Up simply by copying this website into your favorites in your web browser for easy one-click access to event statistics. You can also like and follow us on Facebook here, or by liking and following us on Instagram and/or Twitter at @therodeoroundup. Jason has also made it easy for you to be a part of his interviews by opening up a listener comment line. If you have a question for a certain rodeo star simply call in and leave your name, where you are from, who the question is for and what your question is and he will do his best to get it answered for you during his interviews!
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