The NFR Experience: Autograph Signings
Part of the NFR experience is getting to meet some of the biggest rodeo stars in the sport. While in Las Vegas, we didn’t miss out on this opportunity.
When you’re in Las Vegas for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, you can get just about any rodeo star’s autograph if you find where they’re signing for the day. From hotels and casinos to Cowboy Christmas, Country Christmas, and everywhere in between, you’re sure to run into a rodeo celebrity signing at least once.
While I was visiting, I was able to get four autographs while roaming around the Cowboy Channel’s Cowboy Christmas. The athletes I was fortunate enough to meet and obtain autographs from included Fallon Taylor, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Jimmie Smith, and Junior Nogueira. Here’s the recap.
Photo by Lisa Bushmire
Fallon Taylor
Date and Time of Signing: December 6, 2024 at 1:00PM
Where: Ranch Dress’n Booth at Cowboy Christmas
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Fallon Taylor is a world champion barrel racer with hundreds of thousands of followers across her social media accounts. At the young age of 13, Fallon qualified for her first National Finals Rodeo in 1995. She then qualified again in 1996, 1997, and 1998. In 2009, Fallon was in a horse accident that left her paralyzed for three days with a fractured c-2 vertebrae. Slowly, she taught herself how to walk and eventually ride again. In 2013, her highly decorated mare, Flos Heiress, was named the WPRA/AQHA Barrel Racing Horse of the Year. In 2014 and 2018 she was back with vengeance as Fallon and “Babyflo” were named the WPRA Barrel Racing World Champions.
@go_riding @Marcella meeting Fallon Taylor at Cowboy Christmas #lasvegas #nfr #nfrfashion #horses #horsesoftiktoktok #goriding #cowgirl #cowgirllifestyle #western #rodeo #cowboychristmas #lasvegasconventioncenter #fallontaylor #barrelracer #barrelracing ♬ original sound – go_riding
Meeting Fallon was a neat experience. First of all, she’s extremely tall — to be fair, that’s coming from someone who’s 4’11” so she may be average height, but to me, she seemed very tall. Her demeanor was kind and bubbly but also very business. She knew what it took to see all her fans — a nice hello, autograph the paper, take a quick pic, and then on to the next one.
The part that was the most touching to me was how much of a role model she was to all the adolescents standing in line. These young cowgirls were ecstatic to see her, it was most likely the highlight of their trip. They were in the Ranch Dress’n shop sifting through items to find the perfect piece for Fallon to sign. They were so giddy to meet their idol. It was wonderful to see how after long lines of fans she greeted the last person with the same bubbly personality with which she greeted the first person. You can read more about Fallon Taylor here.
I was able to get my niece, Kamille, an autographed poster for her birthday. Kamille was jumping with joy when she saw it!
Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi
Date and Time of Signing: December 6, 2024 12:00PM
Where: Purina Booth at Cowboy Christmas
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Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi joined the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) in 2003. That same year she was named the WPRA Barrel Racing Rookie of the Year. Brittany holds three wold championship titles: 2007, 2009, and 2023. She’s won the NFR average title twice, back to back in 2006 and 2007. Brittany qualified for the NFR 15 times from 2003 to 2023. Her career earnings are over $3.3 million.
@go_riding @Marcella meeting @Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi at Cowboy Christmas #lasvegas #nfr #nfrfashion #horses #horsesoftiktoktok #goriding #cowgirl #cowgirllifestyle #western #rodeo #cowboychristmas #lasvegasconventioncenter #brittanypozzitonozzi #barrelracer #barrelracing ♬ original sound – go_riding
Meeting Brittany happened upon chance. One minute we were browsing purses, the next we turned around to Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi sitting at the Purina booth without a line. First, how does the current world champion not have a line wrapped around the booth? Secondly, how does one of the nicest high-level athletes I’ve ever met not have people dying to meet her? Their loss.
I’m not joking when I say Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi is an extremely sweet and genuine person. She was so kind, didn’t rush you and was happy to have a little chit chat. I’m so glad I met her because my encounter with her made her one of my all-time favorites.
Jimmie Smith
Date and Time of Signing: December 6, 2024 at 1:00PM
Where: Ranch Dress’n Booth at Cowboy Christmas
Jimmie Smith is part of team Ranch Dress’n, so I was able to meet her when I met Fallon Taylor. At the young age of 28, Jimmie’s career is just starting. Jimmie joined the WPRA in 2018 and qualified for one NFR in 2020. In 2018 she was named the WPRA Rookie of the Year. I’m sure in the years to come, we’re going to see great things from Jimmie Smith.
Pretty as ever and sweet as can be, it was a real bonus getting to meet her with Fallon Taylor. She was more quiet and soft spoken, which I appreciate in a person and was so pleasant to be around. I’m rooting for her to be the next force to reckon with. I honestly wish I would have gotten a few more minutes to speak with her.
Junior Nogueira
Where: Cowboy Christmas
Junior Nogueira is a heeler in the discipline of team roping. In 2014, he was the PRCA Rookie of the Year. In 2016, he clutched the World Champion All-Around Cowboy title. In 2021 and 2022 he was titled the World Champion Heeler. His career earnings are over $2 million.
This was yet another kind soul I just happened to pass. I honestly didn’t know much about him at the time and had to look him up after the fact. I feel like, as a cowgirl, this is semi-common. I know most of the statistics and names of the barrel racers, but I’m a little rusty on the other events — or at least I was until I experienced it all first hand. I will say, being the heeler of a roping team might be one of the most difficult positions in the entire NFR. You’re counting on someone else AND you have to rope two tiny feet of a moving calf. That takes some serious skill.
Overall, it was fun meeting some of the best rodeo stars in the industry. They were all kind and happy to sign autographs. Seeing how each of their personalities differed was a reminder that we’re all human and all different. I’ll be excited to watch these athletes as the continue their careers in rodeo.
