National Finals Rodeo Begins in Las Vegas

Wyoming once again will be well represented at this year's National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. Cheyenne East High school grad Brody Cress is in the NFR for the 3rd time in the saddle bronc and won $7333 in Thursday opening round as he tied for 4th with an 86. Cress came into the NFR 9th in the world standings. Former Sheridan College Cowboy Zeke Thurston had a great opening round in the saddle bronc with an 88 to take first place and a check for $28, 230.70 Thurston was 2nd in the world standings coming into the NFR at this rate, he may win the buckle.

In the team roping, Ty Blasingame, who is calling Casper home nowadays, had a 5 and 5 with his teammate Travis Lee Graves and did not earn any money. Blasingame entered the National Finals 9th in the world in the header portion of the team roping.

Former Central Wyoming College Cowboy Ty Breuer had a no-score on Thursday in the bareback. He started the night in 12th place in the world standings. Former Eastern Wyoming College hand Riley Pruitt had a 10.3 on Thursday night in the tie-down roping which left him out of the money. Pruitt was 8th in the world standings entering the NFR

On the award side of things in Las Vegas, Meeteetse native Dusty Tuckness was named the bullfighter of the year for the 10th time. He's worked many rodeos

in Wyoming as well as across the country and Tuckness is the best of the best.

Hank and Lori Franzen from the Powder River Rodeo Company from Riverton have a lot to be proud of. The longtime stock contractors won the prestigious Remuda Award given to the contractor with the best and most consistent pen of bucking horses. The Franzens has been the long-time contractor for the Belle Fourche Round-Up which was named the PRCA small rodeo of the year in 2019. Also, Susan Thomas of the Central Wyoming Fair and Rodeo in Casper was named the Committeeman of the Year in pro rodeo