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- Zeke Thurston scored 74.5 points, aboard Vold’s great bay horse Pedro, in the first WNFR go-round.
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- Miss Rodeo Canada 2015 Samantha Stokes, circles the arena at the Thomas and Mack on Day One of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
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- Orin Larsen, of Inflis, MB, scoring 81 points, aboard Growley Brothers Rodeo’s Wild N Blue.
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- Timber Moore, of Aubrey, Texas, claimed a time of 7.10 seconds to split third/fourth place with Cade Swor of Winnie, Texas.
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- Canada’s top PRCA Rookie Saddle Bronc Rider – Calgary Stampede Champion Zeke Thurston, of Big Valley, Alta., carries the Canadian flag in the opening performance of the 2015 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
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- Team Ropers Aaron Tsinigine of Tuba City, Arizona and Ryan Motes of Weatherford, Texas claimed a time of 4.10 seconds and won a first place check of $26,730.77 in the first go-round.
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- Two-time WNFR Qualifying Team Roper Junior Nogueira, of Scottsdale, Arizona, salutes his absent team roping partner Jake Barnes, in the opening performance of the 2015 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
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- The grand entry horse checks out the crowd, while the American National Anthem plays on in the first performance of the 2015 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
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- Canadian Champion Steer Wrestler, Tanner Milan of Cochrane, Alta., and the Canadian WNFR Qualifiers salute the crowd in the opening of the first performance.
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- Orin Larsen of Inglis, MB., aboard Growney Brothers Rodeo’s Wild N Blue, greats the WNFR pick up men after scoring 81 points in the first go-round.
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- 22-Time World Champion Trevor Brazile of Decatur, Texas, wins the Tie-Down Roping with a record setting first go-round time of 6.8 seconds.
LAS VEGAS – A crowd of 16,793, packed the Thomas and Mack Centre for the opening performance of the 57th Annual Wrangler National Finals Rodeo sponsored by Pendleton Whisky. Over the next ten nights 119 competitors are in the “Entertainment Capital”, vying for their chance at the $10 million payout and the 2015 World Championship titles.
One of the biggest stories of the finals so far, is the unfortunate incident suffered by seven-time World Champion Team Roper, Jake Barnes. Barnes is recovering from a traumatic brain injury and broken ankle, after a horse fell on him while he was practicing at his Scottsdale, Ariz., arena on Nov. 27. Four-time WNFR Qualifier JoJo LeMond replaced Barnes to partner with two-time WNFR Qualifying Heeler Junior Nogueira of Scottsdale, Ariz. LeMon is the first injury replacement at the WNFR since 20-time WNFR Qualifier and seven-time Canadian Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Rod Hay withdrew in 2010 (after breaking his femur in 25 pieces).
Canadian Contestants in World Standings:
7th Bareback Riding: Orin Larsen, Inglis Man.
12th Saddle Bronc: Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alta.
14th Bareback Riding: Clint Laye, Cadogan, Alta.
14th Steer Wrestling: Tanner Milan, Cochrane, Alta.
15th Barrel Racing: Deb Guelly, Okotoks, Alta.
15th Saddle Bronc: Tyrel Larsen, Inglis, Man.
WNFR Go-Round Winners:
Bareback: Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa, abaord D&H Cattle’s Dilly Bar, 84.5 points
Steer Wrestling: K.C. Jones, of Decatur, Texas, 3.4 seconds
Saddle Bronc Riding: Wade Sundell of Coleman, Okla., 86.5 points aboard Andrews Rodeo’s Fire Lane
Team Roping: Aaron Tsinigine of Tuba City, AZ, & Ryan Motes of Weatherford Texas, 4.10 seconds
Tie-Down Roping: Trevor Brazileof Decatur, Texas, 6.8 seconds
Barrel Racing: Cassidy Kruse of Gillett, Wyo., 13.84 seconds
Bull Riding: Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont., 86.5 points on Smith Harper & Morgan’s Magic Bullet
Top Stock of the Night:
Bareback: Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Betty Boop
Saddle Bronc: Kesler Rodeo’s Nickels and Dimes
Bull Riding: Growney Brothers Rodeo’s Crystal Deal