When reality meets the dream: rookies at the National Finals Rodeo
I’ve always been interested each year by contestants who are making their first appearances at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, and this year is no different.
It’s a fascinating dynamic when an athlete’s lifelong dream is realized and they are thrust into the spotlight on the world’s grandest stage for the first time.
Every boy and girl who grows up in a rodeo family fantasizes about competing at the Wrangler NFR, and it’s pretty special when it happens for them.
Of the 120 cowboys and cowgirls competing at the Thomas & Mack Center this year, 29 are Wrangler NFR rookies, and every event has a first-timer. They may have been to Las Vegas one December in the past to watch the Finals, but 2012 is their maiden voyage in the center of the spectacle.
They felt the thrill of 17,460 rowdy fans cheering as they rode into the arena as part of the Grand Entry, and there’s no doubt the experience is one they will never forget.
Not only did this year’s "rooks" compete, but they fought through the pressure and the nerves to thrive in Round 1. A total of 14 Wrangler NFR rookies earned paychecks in six of the seven events, combining for $115,580 in earnings.
The first-time crew was highlighted by barrel racer Mary Walker riding AQHA Horse of the Year Latte to a Round 1 victory in 13.75 seconds. The 53-year-old from Ennis, Texas, couldn’t believe how her first Wrangler NFR began.
"Oh my gosh, you just cannot imagine how good it feels," Walker said of her big win. "You always think about winning rounds at the biggest rodeos, but you don’t think much about winning your first round at the NFR your first time. It’s a dream come true for every barrel racer who gets here, but to wait 53 years to get here and be one of the oldest women, I’m just amazed."
Not to be outdone, team roper Brock Hanson joined forces with partner Ryan Motes to split first place with a run of 4.7 seconds and pocket $16,343. This is just Motes’ second qualification for the world’s richest rodeo, so the inexperienced team’s tie with Kaleb Driggers and Jade Corkill was especially impressive.
For Hanson, who hails from Casa Grande, Ariz., making a run in the Thomas & Mack Center was a surreal experience.
"You can try to prepare yourself and practice, but you don’t get the feelings and the emotions you do when you’re three teams back and they’re calling your name," said Hanson, who is 10th in the team roping heading world standings going into Round 2. "I couldn’t have asked for a better blessing. It’s awesome."
I asked the natural question about how nervous Hanson was before he nodded his head to make his first Wrangler NFR run.
"I would be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous," Hanson said. "I was trying to keep telling myself that I’d prepared my horse well enough, and I had full confidence in my partner. I just told myself to just handle my business and do what I’d been training to do."
Bareback rider Winn Ratliff nearly personified his first name in a literal sense, taking second place and $14,429 after spurring C5 Rodeo’s Good Times for 85.5 points. He told me the reality of competing in the $6.125 million rodeo is still setting in, even after earning a five-figure pay day.
"It was amazing," said Ratliff, of Leesville, La. "It hasn’t sunk in, and I don’t know when it’s going to hit me. I’m just proud to be able to say that I’ve been here and that I was one of the top guys one time in my career.
"I’m just blessed to be here, and my goal is to compete and do my best. I’m just enjoying the moment."
Jake Wright tied twin brother Jesse – the world standings leader – for second place in the saddle bronc riding with a score of 84.5 on Flying Five Rodeo’s Spring Blues to earn $12,662. He is no stranger to the Finals, seeing his oldest brother, Cody, win two world titles in 2008 and 2010 and Jesse compete in Las Vegas each of the last two years, and now he’s a Las Vegas check-winner just like them.
It was a heck of a first night, and I can’t wait to see what the next nine bring.
Neal Reid is a freelance writer based in Colorado Springs, Colo., who spent five years as editor of the ProRodeo Sports News and who has written for USA Today, ESPN, ESPNW, American Cowboy, Western Horseman and The Associated Press. This is his ninth Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.