Photo by Patricia Branan-Wendell
LAS VEGAS, NV – Tonight is the night…the 2014 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo sponsored by Pendleton Whisky kicks off tonight at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas. The WNFR will air live tonight on CBS Sports Network at 10:00pm ET. Jeff Medders and Butch Knowles will be announcing. Joe Beaver and Don Gay will be sharing the mic to bring the viewers at home some great insight into the riders and stock.
Bareback Riding starts the night with 18 great riders. Kaycee Field from Spanish Fork, UT, 2013 Bareback rider of the year, will defend his championship out of the chute riding Sutton Rodeos’ horse Cactus Juice. Hot on Kaycee’s heels is Steven Peebles from Richmond, OR riding Flashcard owned by Champion Krokow Rodeos.
In the Saddle Bronc event, EQI Sponsor Connect rider, Cole Elshere from Faith, UT will be trying his best to unseat Cody Wright from his number one spot going into this event. Cole leaves the chute on Sundance owned by Flying 5 Rodeo. Cody Wright hopes to hold onto his spot in the standing riding Kickn’ Peanuts owned by Burch Rodeo.
Trey Benton III of Rock Island, TX, EQI Sponsor Connect rider, is going into Bull Riding second in the standings. Trey will be trying to unseat Sage Kimzey of Strong City, OK from his first place in the standings. Sage was the winner of the 2013 Permit Challenge and just one year later is #1 in the world standing going into the WNFR. Trey is riding Cowboy Cool of Rafter H rodeo Livestock and Sage is riding Cross The Wyoming Line of Summit Pro Rodeo.
EQI wishes all the cowboys and cowgirls a successful and safe ride tonight! Don’t forget to tune in to watch the live event tonight on CBS Sports Network.