Wrangler National Finals Rodeo: Nutrena Horse(s) of the Year
The 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo kicks off today in Las Vegas. From barrel racing to breakaway roping to steer wrestling, it is THE event for rodeo fans. In each horse event, the AQHA presents the Nutrena Horse of the Year — check them out!
The 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Teton Ridge will take place December 5th-14th at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. All 10 performances will be airing on The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV. There will also be a livestream on The NFR Experience. The rodeo starts at 5:45 p.m. PST (8:45 p.m. EST) every night.
The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) will showcase the top 15 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping and bull riding. The WNFR will also feature the top contestants of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association in barrel racing and breakaway roping.
Contestants that qualify for the WNFR in timed events are mounted on elite equine athletes. To recognize the contributions of these top horses, the American Quarter Horse Association presents the Nutrena Horse of the Year awards. The recipients of these annual awards are nominated and voted on by the top twenty-five PRCA and WPRA contestants in their respective events. A Horse of the Year award is one of the most distinguished honors a rodeo performance horse can receive.
Here are the pedigrees of the winners of the 2024 Nutrena Horse of the Year awards:
Barrel Racing – Force the Goodbye – “Jarvis”
Jarvis is a 2018 gelding bred in Oregon by Janelle Yutzie Blubaugh. He is by The Goodbye Lane and out of VF Forcit First, by Burrs First Down. He is owned by the late Michael Boone and ridden by Kassie Mowry.
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Team Roping Header – Espuela Bro – “Spur”
Spur is owned by Tyler and Jessi Wade. He is ridden by Tyler Wade. Spur is a 2007 gelding bred by Joe and Cathy Murray in California. He is by Blue Light Ike and out of the Thoroughbred mare Brio Victress, by Sucha Pleasure.
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Team Roping Heeler – Kadabra King – “Turbo”
Turbo is owned by Patrick and Christi Smith. He is ridden by Patrick Smith. Turbo is a 2010 gelding bred in Texas by Wayne and Carolann Hodges. He is by Abrakadabracre and out of Quixote Jessie, by Holidoc.
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Steer Wrestling – Finding Meno – “Crush”
Crush is owned by TC Equine LLC. He is ridden by Ty Erickson, JD Struxness and Rowdy Parrott. Crush is a 2011 gelding bred by Mark and Holly Curtis in Idaho. He is by Finding Nemo and out of Streakin Rascal, by Streakin Dash. Before he was a steer wrestling horse, Crush earned an AQHA Register of Merit in racing. He made nine starts, won one race, and earned $9,611 on the track. Notably, Crush placed third in the 2013 Idaho Cup Futurity.
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Tie-Down Roping – Figure to Fly – “Lollipop”
Lollipop is owned and ridden by Shad Mayfield. She is a 2010 mare bred by Marty and Felicia Miller in Oklahoma. Lollipop is by Popular Resortfigure and out of Fastino, by Freedom Flyer.
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Breakaway Roping – Stylish Drifter – “Dutch”
Dutch is owned and ridden by Josie Conner. He is a 2009 gelding bred by Mike and Linda Silveira in California. He is by Playin Stylish and out of Gold Cloud Miss, by White Lightning Ike.
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Steer Roping – Unbreykable – “Big Country”
Big Country is owned and ridden by Kelton McMillion. He is a 2016 stallion bred by J. Goedertier and Christina Riley in Texas. Big Country is by Halreycious and out of Smooth Pass Play, by Smooth as a Cat.
Pickup Man – Guys High on Fame – “Tuffy”
Tuffy is owned by Tyler and Vanessa Kraft. He is ridden by Tyler Kraft. Tuffy is a 2015 gelding bred by Jesse Jensen in South Dakota. He is by Lions Share of Fame and out of Frenchman Spiffy Gal, by Frenchmans Guy.
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Be sure tune in to The Cowboy Channel or RFD-TV to watch these top equine athletes compete at the WNFR over the next 10 days!
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