The Rodeo Round Up

Its all about the ride

Update to the WNFR speculation

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As so many folks are talking about the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo moving from Las Vegas after the 2014 season I hope folks take time to fully understand what is happening and what is not.

Here is a link to one of the most unbiased articles that I have seen thus far and explains everything that has happened so far and what is still on the table.  This article has points of view from both sides of the table and explains everything as good as it can be up to this point.

I credit both sides for answering questions for the same article so people can see what is actually going on between the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and Las Vegas Events.

Take time to read up on the situation before you cast judgement either way.  I understand that all of us will have our own opinions but we all need to be educated on what is actually happening before we cast our own judgements.

http://m.lvsun.com/blogs/kats-report/2013/dec/16/vegas-ready-sweep-out-wnfr-prca-says-hang-there-co/#.UrBmUYZ8Xx4.facebook

Feel free to follow up as I will post anything I might find useful in the future regarding this ongoing story line that is unfolding.

Is the WNFR actually moving???

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The pot is brewing after the 2013 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo ends in Las Vegas.  On Sunday the PRCA Board of Directors voted to look into the possibility of moving the National Finals Rodeo to Orlando, Florida starting in 2015.  This current “contract” is set to have the National Finals in Orlando through the year of 2025 which is a ten year initial contract.  What will this mean to the relationship between the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association and Las Vegas Events that has lasted 29 years?  Now some say it is a good move and some are completely shocked by the announcement.

Now keep in mind that this is not a 100% done deal as of this story’s posting.  The board and the PRCA have 90 days to sign the contract into a binding agreement which also gives Las Vegas Events that time as well to come back and make a better offer than what is on the table currently.  I have a feeling that Las Vegas Events will not let the biggest event to their local economy move away that easy.  As far as folks know this is all due to a stall in negotiations between the Professional Rodeo Cowboy Association and Las Vegas Events.  The offer on the table that Las Vegas Events gave to the PRCA was felt to be a very low and slap in the face offer by the Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association.  There are other offers out there that are up to $10 million more than what the new contract offer was to stay in Las Vegas but the board decided Sunday to move to Orlando who’s offer was close to $4 million more than the current offer on the table.  It will be interesting to see what this means to the contestants as well as the fans if the Wrangler National Finals actually does move to Orlando in 2015.

Now here is the kicker.. there are so many reports circulating around that the deal is finalized and will happen no matter what but that is not the case at all.  Below is a link to the local newspaper in Orlando that talks about what exactly happened earlier today.  Once you read it I hope it will put a new perspective on everything going on with the proposed move of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.  Check out this link to see what has happened with the county board and the PRCA Board of Directors so far.

http://www.ravallirepublic.com/sports/rodeo/article_3114ea26-464a-5562-98b1-66f85ee0f63e.html

As I said before everyone is jumping at the gun a little too early on this issue.  Believe me I was one of them as well when I first got the phone call from a colleague of mine that has been covering the WNFR in Las Vegas with me for years.  After I got back to my room tonight and did some research of my own I now believe I know a little more about the situation other than the hear say that is circulating around the media outlets currently.

Make sure to keep checking back throughout the next few weeks as i will post any new news and updates that I find to be factual as soon as I know something.  Remember folks it is still a long ways from being a done deal and I feel the PRCA Board of Directors is going to have some explaining to do to its members for cancelling out on Las Vegas before they have anything set in stone for sure.  For now only time will tell what this will do to the sport of Professional Rodeo and all those involved in it even if you are just a fan and attend the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

A few words of appreciation ….

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  The Rodeo Round Up had a great time covering the 2013 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.  I have made some great contacts that will allow me to continue my journey into the 2014 season.  I wish to thank each and every sponsor and supporter of this show that helped me make all things possible. First of all I would like to say a huge thank you to Rockin’ Rhinestones Tack for their financial support and consideration.  Anna Matson and her entire staff are nothing but top notch folks that do a fantastic job making any western lifestyle animal look great! Secondly, I would like to say a special thank you to Chris Rassmussen and the crew from Lost Spur Trailers in Fairbault, MN.  Without your contributions and willingness to help out where ever needed this entire season and trip to Las Vegas would never have been possible.  If you are in need of a trailer in the Midwest area make sure to check out my friends at Lost Spur Trailers and tell them I sent you!! Lastly, a huge shout out and thank you goes out to my personal friends Greg and Mattie Starbeck.  Without your help in all aspects of the show and your financial support and understanding there is no way possible I would have had as great of a year as I did in Vegas covering all the action for each and every one of you!  If you are interested in supporting and sponsoring a very talented female bull rider for the upcoming year please consider making Mattie Starbeck your choice. There are many opportunities to come on board and sponsor The Rodeo Round Up in the upcoming 2014 season.  We have many options available including set sponsorship prices as well as customized packages for certain events as well.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have or if you are interested in coming on board as a intricate part of the Rodeo Round Up team!!

Flint Rassmussen chats with Jason Hetland

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He’s best known as the entertainer for the PBR, but even at the NFR Flint Rassmussen has his fans! Jason catches up with Flint before he hits the stage for his daily “Out of the Barrel ” show

JW Harris Clinches His fourth

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They said JW Harris was too old to win another Bull Riding Champion.  On Friday night, he proved the nay-sayers wrong.  Riding Wild Card Rodeo’s Little Shyster for 87.5 points to win his fourth gold buckle and JW thinks he has another 10 more years worth of riding still in him.

Talking with Jason Hetland after the win, he also talks about the extra money he and the other bull riders pooled together to give to the bull fighters for all they do keeping them safe every night.

Round 9 2013 WNFR recap

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Friday Night in Las Vegas at the WNFR Go Round #9

Gretchen Kirchmann (4theride.com) and Jason “Tex” Hetland recap Round nine of the 2013 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

  • The first champion crowned is now four-time World Champion Bull Rider J.W. Harris
  • Cody Wright (saddle bronc )claims his first round win, after watching his younger brothers – twins Jake and Jesse Wright – win five rounds
Event
 Contestant Score WNFR Place WNFR $$

Bareback Riding Ryan Gray 85.5  9 $47,475.96
Steer wrestling Stan Branco 3.5  8 $50,480.76
Team Roping(HD)
 Kaleb Driggers 3.6  9 $52,283.66
Team Roping (HL)
 Travis Graves
Saddle Bronc
  Cody Wright 81  9 $44,170.66
Tie-Down Roping
  Shane Hanchey  7.4  1 $86,989.19
Barrel Racing
  Lisa Lockhart 13.65  4 $52,884.61
Bull Riding
  jw harris/trevor kastner  87.5  1/7

 

 

Lane Frost’s parents Elsie and Clyde talk with Jason Hetlan

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Jason Hetland has a very special sit down with the Rodeo legend Lane Frost’s parents Elsie and Clyde. We talk about everything from Aaron Watson’s tribute song to their son to all the memorials that are around the country.

I get their perspective on the movie “8 Seconds” that portrays his life and the amount of respect and recognition that Lane brought to the sport of Professional Rodeo.

Lane Frost was a professional bull rider and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) member, who died in the arena at the 1989 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo as a result of injuries sustained riding the bull “Takin’ Care of Business”.

After Lane’s death, Cody Lambert, one of his traveling partners, and a founder of the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), created the protective vest that all professional cowboys now must wear when riding bulls.

In 1994, the biopic movie based on Frost’s life, 8 Seconds, was released. Luke Perry portrayed Frost in the movie. Lane’s best friend Tuff Hedeman was played by Stephen Baldwin.

Frost is buried next to his hero and mentor Freckles Brown at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Hugo, Oklahoma.

2012 World Champ barrel racer Mary Walker

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Last year’s Queen of the WNFR 2012 World Champion barrel racer Mary Walker talks with Jason Hetland about everything from her Cinderella story last year to this year’s WNFR. Even though it has not been what she has wanted she is still having the time of her life and is rooting for her fellow contestants.

Although she is placing in the money, she is not winning the rounds.  In the meantime, Mary Walker is enjoying watching and cheering on another rookie who is having a fairy-tale year here; Record breaker rookie Taylor Jacob

NFR Barrel racer mary walker

Round 7 Update 2013 WNFR

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Wednesday Night in Las Vegas at the WNFR Go Round #7

Gretchen Kirchmann (4theride.com) and Jason “Tex” Hetland recap Round Seven of the 2013 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo

  • Kaycee Feild (bareback riding) passed four-time champ Bobby Mote for first in the world standings with $168,250
  • Cody Ohl claimed (tie-down roping) his fourth round win of the week  and equaled Trevor Brazile’s round-seven record of 6.7 seconds
  • Taylor Jacob (barrel Racer) has equaled or broken every round record in her four wins and is a WNFR Rookie.
  • Only five bull riders stayed on for eight seconds

Round 7 – 2013 WNFR Winners

Event
 Contestant Score WNFR Place WNFR $$

Bareback Riding  Kaycee Feild 83.0 1 $47,876.60
Steer wrestling  Matt Reeeves 3.1 9 $37,259.62
Team Roping(HD)
  Luke Brown 12.0 7 $36,207.93
Team Roping (HL)
  Kollin VonAhn  12.0  7 $36,207.93
Saddle Bronc
 Jake Wright  84.5 3 $68,810.10
Tie-Down Roping
  Cody Ohl  6.7 6 $72,566.11
Barrel Racing
  Taylor Jacob 13.47 6 $82,431.90
Bull Riding
   Cody Teel 85.0  2 $48,677.89

 

 

Jason Meets Miss Western Wishes Francheska Bannan

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Jason Hetland talks with Western Wishes WNFR Girl Francheska Bannen in the WNFR Media Room.  Jason Hetland and the Rodeo Round Up was fortunate and blessed to be part of the Western Wishes grant at the 2013 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Francheska Bannan got the VIP treatment for the three days her and her family were in town to take in the WNFR. Jason and Francheska created a special bond that will last a lifetime. I encourage you to check out this great organization and support the great things it does for people with terminal illnesses and adversities.

Transcript

Jason:  Hi ladies and gentleman, Jason Hetland here, with the Rodeo Round-Up downstairs in the media room for the 2013 Wrangler’s National Finals Rodeo (“WNFR”) with my little girlfriend for the week.  Arn’t cha? huh?

This is the Western Wishes kid that we’ve been talking about all week long, Francheska.  Francheska, are you having fun?

Francheska:  Yes

J:  What’s been your favorite part of the week so far?

F:  Flying on the plane

J:  Flying on the plane? Now did you make a cowboy boyfriend while you’ve been here in Vegas?

F:  No

J:  I think you did cause I saw it with my own eyes.  Who’s your favorite cowboy?

F:  Cort Sheer

J:  Cort Sheer, that’s right.  And you know, what did Cort do?  You were Co-hosting Alexis’s show weren’t you?

F:  (nods head)

J:  And what did Cort do after the show?  What did you guys do together backstage?

F:  Ah, we played

J:  Oh wait, so you said you didn’t have a cowboy boyfriend here in Vegas but you had a play date with Cort Sheer?

F: (Blushing) No!

J:  No, so what did you do then just play with some toys?

F:  Yes

J:  Yea…  And when you went shopping yesterday from all the great sponsors who proudly support Western Wishes, what was your favorite thing that you got?

F:  Hmmm…the bear

J:  The bear with all the different outfits right?

F:  Yea

J:  Yea, and you’ve been hanging out with us a bit.  These people who get to watch this, they don’t even get the access that you get.  You’ve met so many superstars here in Las Vegas and you don’t know what that means to people.  So what, why are you a Western Wishes kid?  You’re a fighter right?

F:   Yea

J:  And what did you have?

F:  Cancer

J:  Yea, and how old are you?

F:  6

J:  And you’ve been cancer free for awhile now haven’t you?  You won the battle didn’t you?

F:  Yea

J:  And are we celebrating?

F:  (big smiles)  Yea

J:  Well ladies and gentleman, Jason Hetland here with the Rodeo Round-Up downstairs in the media room with your 2013 Wrangler’s National Finals Rodeo with the very beautiful and proud to call her “my biggest girlfriend”, Make a Wish and the Western Wishes, but you made a wish for the Western Wishes and it came true didn’t it?

F:  Yea

J:  Was your wish to come here?

F: Yea

J:  Alright.  Western Wishes.  Great job Donna Lynn. Donna, thank you so much!   On behalf of Francheska, this is Jason Hetland with the Rodeo Round-Up

 

 

Mission of Western Wishes

Dedicated to children and young adults faced with adversity who live and appreciate the western way of life. Western Wishes celebrates the courage, spirit, and determination of these individuals by granting wishes and highlighting accomplishments.

western wishes Francheska Bannan