LAS VEGAS (November 21, 2022) – For the first time, The Cowboy Channel will feature a series of Rodeo Deep Dive Panel discussions during its NFR Tailgate Party on the Ariat Rodeo Live Stage. The daily panels will start at 1:55 p.m. PT daily at The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas and feature a variety of current and former Wrangler National Finals Rodeo® champions, legends in the sport, industry leaders and many more.
The NFR Tailgate Party, which runs from 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. PT each day, will focus on the Rodeo Deep Panels starting at 1:55 p.m. PT. Hosted by Fanchon Stinger and Katy Lucas, the panels will delve into the personalities and behind-the-scenes stories and experiences that shape the world of rodeo.
The Rodeo Deep Dive Panel discussions will include the following themes and special guests:
Thursday, Dec. 1 – Theme: Bull Riding Kingpins
Featuring Josh Frost, Tuff Hedeman and Sage Kimzey
Friday, Dec. 2 – Theme: Three Generations of Steiner Family Tradition
Featuring Rocker Steiner, Sid Steiner and Bobby Steiner
Saturday, Dec. 3 – Theme: Keepers of the Rodeo Records Flame
Featuring Trevor Brazile, Ty Murray and Stetson Wright
Sunday, Dec. 4 – Theme: Rodeo Committee Roundup
Featuring Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo (David Petty of Claremore, Oklahoma), Pendleton Round-Up (Nick Sirovatka of Pendleton, Oregon) and Days of ’76 Rodeo (Ted Thompson of Deadwood, South Dakota)
Monday, Dec. 5 – Theme: Living Legends of Barrel Racing
Featuring Lisa Lockhart, Sherry Cervi and Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi
Tuesday, Dec. 6 – Theme: Bullfighting GOATS
Featuring Rob Smets, Joe Baumgartner and Dusty Tuckness
Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Theme: Rodeo Royals Talk Rodeo Business, Then, Now and Into the Future
Featuring Donnie Gay, Kirsten Vold and Reno Rosser
Thursday, Dec. 8 – Theme: Rodeo’s Big Men Bulldoggers
Featuring Ote Berry, Luke Branquinho and Tyler Waguespack
Friday, Dec. 9 – Theme: Rodeo Family Ties
Featuring Dakota Eldridge, Lefty Holman and Dawson Hay
Saturday, Dec. 10 – Thank God for Magnificent Mentors
Featuring Marty Yates, JJ Hampton and Kincade Henry
Each day, the Ariat Rodeo Live Stage also will feature additional programming (all times PT and subject to change):
RMEF Calcutta – starting at 10 a.m.
Cowboy Revival with hosts Shane Minor and Alecia Davis – starting at 11 a.m.
Outside the Barrel with Flint Rasmussen – starting at 12:15 p.m.
Free to the public, Cowboy Christmas is open 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (PT) daily at the Las Vegas Convention Center, South Halls and features more than 350 exhibitors and interactive elements for rodeo fans.
Sold out for more than 340 consecutive performances in Las Vegas, the Wrangler NFR attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding (there will be 16 contestants in bull riding in 2022). Under the new contract with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association that runs through 2025, the purse in 2022 is more than $10.9 million. Qualification is based on the 2022 PRCA World Standings.
For more information on the Wrangler NFR and The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas, please visit NFRexperience.com or through social media at /LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR. For the latest Pro Rodeo news and Wrangler NFR coverage, please visit prorodeo.com or through social media at @PRCA_ProRodeo.
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About Las Vegas Events
Founded in 1983, Las Vegas Events is a private, not-for-profit organization funded by hotel room tax. Through its Signature Event initiative, LVE has created a model to integrate all elements of special events and formally improve communication between event producers and Las Vegas’ hotel properties and sponsors. Since 1991, Las Vegas Events has produced, presented or supported more than 800 events.
About the Wrangler NFR
The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR), considered the world’s premier rodeo, features 10 straight days of the best in PRCA PRORODEO competition, with a total of 120 contestants competing every night in seven events. Each December, the top 15 contestants, based on the PRCA | RAM World Standings, in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding qualify to compete at the Wrangler NFR.
About The Cowboy Channel
The Cowboy Channel is the Official Network of ProRodeo, and the Home of the National Finals Rodeo, broadcasting live from Las Vegas every December. Headquartered in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, The Cowboy Channel is the first 24-hour television network dedicated to western sports and the western lifestyle. The programming features a wide variety of “live” coverage from major western sporting events showcasing the world’s toughest and most talented cowboys and cowgirls. The Cowboy Channel reaches 42 million homes on cable/satellite systems on Altice, Charter Spectrum, DISH, DIRECTV®, AT&T U-Verse, Cox, Comcast, Mediacom, Verizon FIOS TV, and many other rural cable systems. The Cowboy Channel and live broadcasting of the ten days of NFR can also be streamed online via The Cowboy Channel Plus at COWBOYCHANNELPLUS.COM, DIRECTV NOW, Roku, iOS, Android, Firestick, Apple TV, and Sling TV’s Heartland Extra package.
Facebook: @CowboyChannel | Twitter: @Cowboy_Channel | Instagram: @TheCowboyChannel