What Is Some History About The First National Finals Rodeo (NFR)?

The first National Finals Rodeo (NFR) was held in December, 1959 in the Livestock Coliseum on the fairgrounds of the State Fair of Texas in Dallas, TX.

The first National Finals Rodeo was sanctioned by the Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA), an organization formerly known as the Cowboys’ Turtle Association and that would later be known as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA).

Qualifying and Events

The top 15 contestants (as determined by money earned at rodeos during the regular, 11 month rodeo season prior to NFR) in each of the 5 standard rodeo events were qualified to compete at the first NFR.

At that time, the 5 standard rodeo events were:

• Bareback bronc riding
• Calf roping (later known as tie-down roping)
• Saddle bronc riding
• Steer wresting
• Bull riding

Prize Money At The First National Finals Rodeo

The 69 contestants at the first NFR (see below) competed for entry fee money plus $57,500 added by the State Fair of Texas.

Contestants At The First National Finals Rodeo

There were a total of 69 contestants from the United States and Canada competing at the first NFR. The number of contests from each state and Canada were:

United States

• Arizona - 5
• California - 5
• Colorado - 2
• Idaho - 5
• Louisiana - 1
• Montana - 2
• Nebraska - 1
• Nevada - 2
• New Mexico - 6
• North Dakota - 3
• Oklahoma - 12
• Oregon - 1
• South Dakota - 1 (Casey Tibbs)
• Texas - 14
• Utah - 1
• Washington - 2
• Wisconsin - 1
• Wyoming - 2

Canada

• Canada - 3

National Finals Rodeo World Champions - 1959

The World Champions at the 1959 National Finals Rodeo (as determined by the most money earned during the regular season plus winnings at the NFR) were:

• Bareback Bronc Riding - Jack Buschbom, Wisconsin
• Steer Wresting - Harry Charter, Idaho
• Bull Riding - Jim Shoulders, Oklahoma
• Calf Roping - Jim Bob Altizer, Texas
• Saddle Bronc Riding - Casey Tibbs, South Dakota

The all-around championship (the most money earned in 2 or more events) was won by Jim Shoulders, Oklahoma.

National Finals Rodeo Locations

• 1959 through 1961 - Dallas, TX
• 1962 through 1964 - Los Angeles, CA
• 1965 through 1984 - Oklahoma City, OK
• 1985 through 2019 - Las Vegas, NV
• 2020 - *Arlington, TX
• 2021 to Present - Las Vegas, NV

* In 2020, state and local restrictions related to the Covid 19 pandemic prevented the NFR from being held in Las Vegas, NV. It was moved to Arlington, Texas where it was held at Globe Life Field, a baseball park that serves as the home ballpark of the Texas Rangers baseball team. Globe Life underwent a major, if temporary, transformation to provide a location for the 2020 NFR.

Below: 5-time World Champion steer wrester Luke Branquinho competes in the steer wresting during the third round of the 2004 National Finals Rodeo. He won World Champion titles in 2004, 2008, 2011, 2012, and 2014.

By Mike Copeman [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Below: The Marine Corps Mounted Color Guard rehearsing for the 2012 National Finals Rodeo.

By Lance Cpl. Samuel Ranney (https://www.dvidshub.net/image/804312) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

You Might Also Like

You might also like a little history about prayer at the National Finals Rodeo.