News & Notes From the Rodeo Trail, August 21
Las Vegas Events announced on Aug. 18 that tickets for the 2nd Annual Vegas NFR Icons Tribute Luncheon honoring Billy Etbauer and Cody Ohl are on sale.. The luncheon, hosted by Butch Knowles and Jeff Medders, is set for Friday, Dec. 8 at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, starting at 12:30 p.m. (PT).
For more details on the 2nd Annual Vegas NFR Icons Tribute Luncheon and to purchase tickets, click here.
One of the most popular cowboys of his generation, Etbauer won five saddle bronc world titles (1992, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2004) and garners respect for both his go-for-broke style and his humility during his career that covered parts of four decades. A native of Huron, South Dakota, he was the middle brother of three world-class bronc riders. Etbauer qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo® in his second year as a professional in 1989. He went on to make the field a record 21 consecutive years, win 51 NFR rounds and surpass $3 million in career earnings. He still shares the NFR record with his 93-point ride on Kesler Championship Rodeo’s Cool Alley in 2003. He tied the record a year later on a 10th-round ride that clinched the last of his five gold buckles.
Ohl put his stamp on ProRodeo in 1994 by winning Rookie of the Year and earning his first trip to the NFR. It would take Ohl a few years to win his first gold buckle. He edged out Fred Whitfield to capture the 1997 tie-down world title and roared through the 1998 season, capturing his second title. He had another record-setting year in 2001 as he added steer roping and team roping in order to compete for the All-Around title. In the ninth round of the NFR, Ohl missed his calf on the first loop. A second loop caught the calf by the hind legs. As Ohl dismounted, he twisted his knee, tearing two major ligaments. He had to be carried out of the arena by the Justin Sportsmedicine Team. However, he had amassed enough money earlier in the week to secure both the tie-down title and the All-Around title. He accepted both buckles from crutches on the 10th night. He went on to capture his fifth and sixth tie-down roping titles in 2003 and 2006. He still owns the record for the most NFR rounds won with 52.
Following the luncheon, there will be additional activities to honor their celebrated careers. During the Dec. 8 and 9 performances of the Wrangler NFR, each of the rodeo champions will be honored on the hallowed dirt of the Thomas & Mack Center. The presentation will include each receiving a 14″ commemorative bronze statue and a ceremony to unfurl a banner in the rafters at the Thomas & Mack Center.
The in-arena schedule for the icons is as follows:
Friday, Dec. 8 – Billy Etbauer
Saturday, Dec. 9 – Cody Ohl
In addition, LVE will develop a promotional campaign to promote the two legends and build a daily activation calendar to build anticipation for the ceremony inside the Thomas & Mack Center that evening, including visits to The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
For more information on the Wrangler NFR, please visit NFRexperience.com or through social media at @LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR. For the latest ProRodeo news and Wrangler NFR coverage, please visit prorodeo.com or through social media @PRCA_ProRodeo.
In recognition of the support that PRCA-sanctioned rodeos contribute to local, regional and national charities, Hesston by Massey Ferguson presents the Sowing Good Deeds contest. The contest is a chance to share the stories of rodeo teams across the country who are doing good in their communities.
One rodeo committee will win a Massey Ferguson® tractor for the great work they do.
Contest Details:
• Open to all PRCA-sanctioned rodeo committees, regardless of size
• Participating rodeo committees must apply for the Sowing Good Deeds program and meet certain criteria
• Participating rodeos will receive a Hesston by Massey Ferguson Sowing Good Deeds banner to hang in their arena
• Entries are due Sept. 30, 2023, and the top five finalists will be announced on or round Oct. 13, 2023.
Visit this link to enter:
https://www.masseyferguson.com/en_us/discover-mf/mf-community/community/sowinggooddeeds.html
Past winners of the Sowing Good Deeds initiative are the Reno (Nev.) Rodeo (2022), Burke (S.D.) Stampede (2021), Caldwell (Idaho) Night Rodeo (2020), Santa Maria (Calif.) Elks Rodeo (2019), and Sikeston (Mo.) Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo (2018), Clovis (Calif.) Rodeo (2017).
Courtesy of PRCA