What Does it Takes for an Athlete to Make the National Finals Rodeo?

Daily Rodeo breaks down what it takes for a cowboy or cowgirl to achieve their dreams and earn a spot in the Wrangler National Finals rodeo.

Alex Cawthon | Sep 12, 2023

What Does it Takes for an Athlete to Make the National Finals Rodeo? /

As the last few weeks of the regular 2023 PRCA season comes to an end, the fight for a spot inside the top-15 is intense.

Every year it comes down to the last days and the very last rodeos of the season to determine who gets to go to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in December hosted at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

These cowboys and cowgirls have spent the last three months on the road with very few days off, competing at rodeos daily to earn their ticket to the NFR. During “Cowboy Christmas,” which spans over the week of the fourth of July, many contestants competed at multiple rodeos per day trying to earn money to count towards the PRCA and Women Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) standings.

Although these competitors rodeo year-round, the summer is different than any other rodeos they go to throughout the year. The “summer run” consists of all-night drives across states to make it from one place to the next, plane charters, borrowing horses, and being away from their families.

These athletes pay their dues over the summer to showcase their talent under the bright lights in Vegas. They all just hope at the end of the summer they are one of the top-15 in each event that qualifies.

Not only is going to the NFR a dream come true for most competitors, but it also is a huge bonus for the athlete's sponsors. It benefits the sponsors by providing good publicity and advertising. The NFR is a great opportunity for athletes to compete for high-paying nightly go-round wins, average wins, and potentially a gold buckle at the end of the week.

These last few weeks play a pivotal part in the athletes' as they hope to make their dreams come true.

Published Sep 12, 2023

ALEX CAWTHON

Alex Cawthon is a writer for Sports Illustrated's Rodeo Daily. She is also an accomplished rodeo athlete and business leader driven by the desire to achieve greatness. Born and raised in Rockwall, TX where she learned the importance of family and enjoying the simple things in life. Growing up Alex focused on her academics as well as fine-tuning her abilities as an athlete, which led her to a rodeo scholarship at Tarleton State University. She competed in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) in the Southwest Region during her time in college rodeo. In addition to a long list of rodeo accomplishments, Alex’s reputation for excellence as well as her grit and determination garnered awards and high-profile brand deals. When not competing full-time as a rodeo athlete, Alex applies her intense work ethic to thrive in the classroom. She graduated from Tarleton State University with a bachelor's degree in Agribusiness in 2022 and will graduate in December 2023 with a Master's in Business Administration. Now based in Stephenville, Tx, Alex continues to make her mark as she establishes a career in the oil and gas industry. In addition, Alex utilizes her expertise and connections to support the sport she loves, as she joins forces with Sports Illustrated as a writer for their acclaimed feature, Rodeo Daily. Beyond Alex’s accomplishments in and out of the arena, to her core, she is tenacious, focused, and driven. Her deep roots in the Western industry have not only shaped her professional journey, but also instilled an unwavering commitment to tradition, excellence, and innovation.