Official Wrangler NFR 2021 Recap: Day 1

Performance recap for December 2nd and event schedule for December 3rd, 2021.

This is the moment that we have all been waiting for! The first performance of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada has come and gone and it is only just the beginning. Cowboy Lifestyle Network is excited to be able to give you the full day in review including the Round Winners for each performance, daily entertainment, and places you need to check out. Make sure to follow us on your favorite social media platform for all the behind-the-scenes fun.

Events Around Town on December 3rd

Junior World Finals

The Junior World Finals presented by YETI will host more than 850 contestants within the Wrangler Rodeo Arena over the 10 days in December. Located in the heart of Las Vegas each contestant competes at the Las Vegas Convention Center. These young athletes will compete for more than $1 million in combined cash and prize payout on their quest to claim a coveted Montana Silversmiths championship buckle. The Junior World Finals break their events into sections so starting yesterday and going until the 6th, you can catch all the young cowboys competing in the saddle bronc, bareback and bull riding.

Bullfighters Only World Championship

Bullfighters Only (BFO) is pleased to officially announce its new partnership with Resorts World Las Vegas.  Since 2015, Vegas crowds have been thrilled with the unmatched adrenaline-pumping action of Bullfighters Only, plus the fun party that accompanies the event.  On Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 9-11 at 1:30 PM, the bravest athletes in the world take on the most feared fighting bulls for over $75,000 in cash and the ultimate prize, the title of BFO World Champion. Eighteen (18) athletes will compete in a tournament-style format trying to earn their way to the Hooey Championship Round. Make sure to catch the finals today and tomorrow, then the 9-11 as well!

Cowboy Christmas

The only official gift show of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas is a Las Vegas tradition since 1986. The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas features more than 500,000 square feet of show floor and 350+ exhibitors from across the United States. Attendees can find unique products including custom-made jewelry, western wear, boots and spurs, furniture, original art, handmade crafts, and home goods. To add to the overall experience, attendees can also enjoy a number of interactive experiences, including the Ariat Rodeo Live Stage and the YETI Junior World Finals. And, new this year, the show will open on Wednesday, December 1 from 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. for a special preview and tree lighting ceremony and then run December 2-11 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily.

Ned LeDoux Special

Featured on Outside the Barrel with Flint Rasmussen

• 11:15 a.m. — 12:15 p.m.
• The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas
• Las Vegas Convention Center, South Halls
• Ariat Rodeo Live Stage
• Free Admission/Open to the Public

Autograph Signings

Wrangler NFR Autograph Session — Barrel Racers

• 12 p.m. — 2 p.m.
• Golden Nugget — The Grand Event Center Foyer
• Free Admission/Open to the Public
• First come/first served; contestants depart at 2 p.m.

Recurring NFR After Parties

Gary Leffew’s Bucking Ball

• December 2 — 11
• 5 p.m. — midnight
• December 2 — 11
• 4:30 p.m.
• Live viewing party followed by Gary Leffew’s Bucking Ball
• Free live music on December 2 — 4 and 9 — 11
• Downtown Las Vegas Events Center
• Free Admission/Open to the Public

The Mirage Presents Rodeo Vegas

• December 2 — 11
• 5:45 p.m. — 12:30 a.m.
• Live viewing party followed by free concerts nightly from Country Music’s Biggest Stars.
• Daily drink specials and giveaways
• Must be 21+ to enter
• The Mirage Race & Sports Book
• Free Admission/Open to the Public
• For more information, click here

MGM Grand Gold Buckle Zone

• December 2 — 11
• 8 p.m. — 2 a.m.
• Level Up
• Live entertainment featuring free concerts nightly!
• Free Admission/Open to the Public
• For more information, click here!

Wrangler NFR Go Round Buckle Presentations hosted by Flint Rasmussen & Joe Beaver

• December 2 — 10
• 9:30 p.m. (with live broadcast on The Cowboy Channel)
• Free Admission/Open to the Public
• South Point Showroom
• Free concerts to follow each night in the South Point Showroom: Aaron Watson, Dec. 2-5 / Chancey Williams, Dec. 6-8 / Randall King, Dec. 9-10

Concerts

There are plenty of great concerts in town, and a large number of them are free. But you can’t miss some of the legends that will be performing during this year’s WNFR. Shania Twain at Planet Hollywood, George Strait at T-Mobile Arena, and Gary Allan at Hard Rock are just a few of the artists that will be in Vegas during the rodeo. To see the full list and get more information go to nfrexperience.com. 

Concerts for December 3rd

• Ned LeDoux at the Silverton
• Reba, Brooks & Dunn at Caesar’s
• Cody Jinks at the Cosmopolitan
• Little Big Town at the Virgin Hotels
• George Strait at T-Mobile Arena
• Shane Smith & the Saints & Ian Munsick at the Brooklyn Bowl

NFR Round 1 Winners

Congratulations to all of the Round Winners for the first night of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo!

Bareback Riding: Jess Pope |  90.5-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Night Crawler

Steer Wrestling: Dirk Tavenner and Riley Duvall | Tied with 3.7 seconds

Team Roping: Tyler Wade & Trey Yates | 4.0 seconds

Tie-Down Roping: Shane Hanchey | 7.4 seconds

Saddle Bronc: Zeke Thurston & Chase Brooks | Tied with 88.5 Point Rides

Barrel Racing: Cheyenne Wimberley and Amanda Welsh | 13.77 seconds

Bull Riding: Ky Hamilton & JB Mauney | Tied with 87.5 Point Rides

A huge congratulations to all the winners from last night’s performance, we can’t wait to see what everyone brings to the table for night number two. See y’all there!

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