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The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s National Finals Rodeo is set to start Wednesday, Dec. 3 and continue to Dec. 13. The PRCA’s premier event has been jeopardized by an outbreak of the equine herpes virus type 1. The virus is highly contagious and can be deadly to horses. So far, at least seven horses have died or been euthanized because of the mutated form of the virus. The virus is spread through direct horse to horse contact, as well as through indirect contact. Bio security measures are the best way to stop the spread of the disease, including thorough disinfecting of shared items such as water buckets and tack and isolating suspected infected horses. Barrel racing horses seem to have been the most affected so far. The latest outbreak appears to have been spread at the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Finals and Elite Barrel Racing event in Waco, Texas in early November, according to the Equine Disease Communication Center website.
Several horses were infected, and multiple horses have died as a result. Two of the horses infected but without symptoms are in Spokane County.
While the NFR is still slated to go, the breakaway roping event was moved to Fort Worth and will be held Dec. 23-25. The Benny Binion Bucking Horse and Bull sale will take place, but with video instead of live animals. Multiple events around the country have been postponed until the outbreak is considered contained.
The PRCA is requiring a seven-day veterinarian inspection certificate. Horses are to be monitored daily, and a no travel advisory has been issued for horses at the NFR.
While the EHV outbreak is worrying, this year’s NFR has the potential to be exciting, with two riding event cowboys qualifying in two events, setting up a race for the All-Around title. Stetson Wright and Wacey Schalla are also ranked No. 1 and 2 in the bull riding.
Wright, of Beaver, Utah, leads the All Around with $391,670 in winnings to Schalla’s $358,995. Schalla, of Arapaho, Oklahoma, barely leads the bull riding with $352,956 to Wright’s $350,174. Money from the PRCA’s Rank 45 Extreme Bull Riding events does not counts towards the All Around. Schalla finished second in Extreme Bulls for the year, with $104,046 and Wright No. 4, with $76,209.
Wright is ranked No. 12 in the saddle bronc riding and Schalla is No. 13 in bareback riding. Wright, 26, is an eight-time PRCA World Champion, with five All Around titles, two bull riding championships and one saddle bronc title.
The Minor brothers, Riley and Brady, of Ellensburg, who won the team roping at the Newport Rodeo qualified for the NFR in team roping. Riley is No. 12 in heading and Brady is No. 11 in heeling each with $125,025 in PRCA winnings.
Other northwest qualifiers include Sam Peterson of Helena, Montana, No. 2 in bareback riding; Jessee Brown of Baker City, Oregon, No. 2 in steer wrestling; Shelby Boisjoli-Meged of Miles City, No. 3 in breakaway roping;Tristen Hutchings of Mountview, Idaho, No. 4 in bull riding; Kade Bruno of Challis, Idaho, No, 4 in saddle bronc riding; Meagan McCloude-Sprague of Marsing, Idaho, No. 5 in barrel racing; Stetson Jorgensen of Blakfoot, Idaho, No. 9 in steer wrestling, TJ Gray of Dairy, Oregon, No. 8 in bull riding; Sage Newman of Melstone, Montana, No. 8 in saddle bronc riding, Cooper Cooke of Victor, Idaho, No. 10 in bareback riding; Joey Williams of Volborg, Montana, No. 1o in breakaway roping; Haven Medved of Miles City, Montana, No. 13 in tie down roping; Rawley Johnson of Swan Valley, Idaho; No. 13 in bull riding and Ty Erickson of Helena, Montana, No. 14 in steer wrestling.
Anita Ellis of Blackfoot, Idaho, was ranked No. 8 in barrel racing but suffered a head injury and will not be able to compete at the NFR.
The top 15 in each event based on money won qualify for the NFR. Because the NFR pays so much several times the No. 15 contestant has won the world championship after having a good NFR.
Several Canadians also qualified, including four in the saddle bronc riding, three team ropers, a tie down roper and a steer wrestler. Lighter, Faster, Stronger
