The end of another year and many team ropers and rodeo fans will be caught up in the frenzies of Las Vegas either at the South Point Hotel Spa and Casino for the World Series of Team Roping Finale or at the Thomas & Mack Arena for the exciting Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. If it’s team roping and rodeo that suits your fancy, you want to be in Vegas the first two weeks of December.
I had the chance to visit with Denny Gentry a little about this year’s World Series Roping Finale. The entries are up at about a 4 percent increase over last year’s competition and the ropings will be paying outstanding for those that are fortunate enough to put some runs together. The #8 roping is showing the most growth and will be paying out over $1 million in that roping alone.
The payoff this year will be bigger and better all the way around with all of the ropings paying over $1 million and a couple of ropings paying over $2 million. What a treat to be at the famed South Point Arena and all of the luster of Las Vegas and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.
In all there will be over 4,000 individual ropers attending this year’s ropings at the South Point. Many of these ropers will circle from all over the US through Arizona on their way to Vegas to get a little practice and warm up prior to the Big Apple in Vegas town.
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Of course if you aren’t into roping there are plenty of other things to do at the South Point. The Spa is a treat in itself and will get one all relaxed and ready to go on a shopping spree at the trade show right on property in the South Point exhibition hall.
Golf is also a favorite with a lot of us during this week as well as many other trade shows around town. If the weather is nice, the tours of the Grand Canyon and desert parks are also a nice diversion from the rodeo scene.
Many of the shows that we hear or see on RFD radio or television will be doing live recordings and telecasts from various locations throughout the week. Check out their schedule online or in the many flyers that will be circulating around the events.
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What is really the big attraction this week is seeing who can capture the most of the big prize money at the Thomas & Mack and walk away with the world title. With the lucrative payoff again this year it is not possible to see any shoe-ins of who is going to win the World. With the go rounds paying over $26,000, things can change in a couple nights of competition. Then of course there is the huge average payoff and that is a large sum of money that can put you over the top when it comes to year-end standings. If it’s anything like the last couple of years we’ll all have diverse predictions as to who could do what if only they would do this. It’s a fun two weeks and we look forward to seeing many of you there. Be sure to pick up a couple issues of the Ropers Sports News while down in Vegas. Take one for yourself and a friend. Remember, a subscription to Ropers Sports News makes for a fine Christmas gift.
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I hope that any of you that were affected by the fires all over the country are doing okay. If we can help here in any way to fulfill some of your needs, please let us know through RSN or on social media. Our deepest condolences to those of you who lost so much.
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Hope you all have a great holiday season and please travel safe during the holidays and don’t forget your year-end maintenance on all of your equipment and horses. This will ensure you are ready to go come 2019.
From all of us here at Ropers Sports News, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.