The NFR is a Wrap in Vegas, How the Montanans Performed

The timing actually worked out very well, I had to get a surgery done on my nose and it had me laid up in the house for the past week. But talk about timing- I ended up being laid up right in the middle of the National Finals Rodeo (NFR) down in Vegas.

Since I was stuck at home and couldn't really do much, I'm very thankful the NFR was on for entertainment. Almost just as fun watching the NFR, was watching the social media reactions from across Montana- especially from some of the Montanans who are very well connected to the rodeo business. I especially enjoyed the J Bar J Pro Rodeo updates out of Eastern Montana on Facebook.

The big news for the Montanans is that Helena's Sam Petersen came away with a big win. And this was his first ever trip to the NFR. According to MontanaSports.com, Peterson (just 22 years old) "broke through to win the average title in bareback riding as the NFR wrapped up Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center."

Check out the great quote he gave them too: "I've fought long and hard to be here, and I feel like I dang sure capitalized on the moment," Petersen told MTN Sports after his round. "I proved that I was the baddest bareback rider in town for 10 days. I'm pretty sure I'm the first average champion (in bareback from Montana) since Deb Greenough. To have that accolade is something really cool."

Former world champ Haven Meged from Miles City also came away with a buckle from the NFR (photo below). And Helena's Ty Erickson did very well with a round 6 win also. Check out this report from MTN Sports for a full wrapup of how the Montanans did down there.

On the social media side of the house, I enjoyed Dick Britzman from Glasgow sharing some updates. One of the funniest NFR highlights for me was when a horse named "Drunk Bunny" refused to leave the chute. That stubborn drunk bunny must have earned the name...drunk bunny ended up storming out for a good ride the second time...but I thought it was hilarious that the drunk bunny refused to move at first. (And apparently the horse has performed VERY well at multiple NFRs now)

Here's the Wrangler NFR World Champions, according to the Cowboy Channel: 

Rocker Steiner - Bareback

Tucker Allen - Steer Wrestling

Andrew Ward & Jake Long - Team Roping

Statler Wright - Saddle Bronc Riding

Riley Webb - Tie-Down Roping

Kassie Mowry - Barrel Racing

Stetson Wright - Bull Riding