National Finals Rodeo charges out of the chute for 2013

By JASON BEAN and JOHN LOCHER LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

11 years ago

Contestants at the National Finals Rodeo take part in the opening ceremony on the first night of the event at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Fans take their seats before the start of the first night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

An Elvis tribute artist performs during the opening ceremony on the first night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A rider hold up the flag during the opening ceremony on the first night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Contestant Shane Slack, center, waives to the crowd during the opening ceremony on the first night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Trevor Brazile, right, and Cody Ohl try out their ropes on the first night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Trevor Knowles celebrates after making a time of 3.1 seconds in the steer wresting event on the first night of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. Knowles had the faster time of the night. (John Locher/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The American flag is honored during day 1 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Dec. 5, 2013. (Jason Bean/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Fans take in the action during day 1 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Dec. 5, 2013. (Jason Bean/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

An Elvis impersonator entertains the crowd during day 1 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Dec. 5, 2013. (Jason Bean/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Miss Rodeo America 2013 Chenae Shiner enters the arena during day 1 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Dec. 5, 2013. (Jason Bean/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Contestants salute the crowd before the start of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Dec. 5, 2013. (Jason Bean/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

A young fan gets a front row seat during day 1 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Dec. 5, 2013. (Jason Bean/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The saddle bronc competition gets ready to run during day 1 of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on Dec. 5, 2013. (Jason Bean/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The National Finals Rodeo opened its 10-day run Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center.

The top 15 contestants from each event in this year’s Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association tour compete nightly in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding.

Trevor Brazile will be trying to win his eighth straight all-around title and add to his 18 world titles.

All the country entertainers, Fan Fest and other events make Las Vegas the center of the cowboy universe until the gold buckles are awarded Dec. 15.