PHOTOS: 2016 NFR in Las Vegas
Zeke Thurston competes in the saddle bronc riding event during the final go-round of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, in Las Vegas. Thurston was named average and world champion for the saddle bronc event. David Becker/Las Vegas News Bureau
Levi Simpson raises his hat after being named the average and world champion of team roping during the final go-round of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, in Las Vegas.David Becker/Las Vegas News Bureau
Bull rider Sage Kimzey reacts after his ride during the final go-round of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, in Las Vegas. Kimzey was named the world champion of bull riders. David Becker/Las Vegas News Bureau
Tyler Waguespack reacts after competing in the steer wrestling event during the final go-round of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, in Las Vegas. Waguespack was named the world and average champion in the steer wrestling. David Becker/Las Vegas News Bureau
Mary Burger looks on during the final go-round of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, in Las Vegas. Burger was named the world champion barrel racer. David Becker/Las Vegas News Bureau
Tim O'Connell displays his gold buckle he won for the bareback riding event during the final go-round of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, in Las Vegas. O'Connell won the world and average titles. David Becker/Las Vegas News Bureau
Jake Wright flys off his mount as he competes in the saddle bronc riding event during the final go-round of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, in Las Vegas. David Becker/Las Vegas News Bureau
Chuck Schmidt dismounts after competing in the saddle bronc event during the final go-round of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, in Las Vegas. David Becker/Las Vegas News Bureau
Bull fighter Dusty Tuckness covers himself as he protects bull rider Tyler Smith during at the final go-round of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, in Las Vegas. David Becker/Las Vegas News Bureau
Junior Nogueira competes in the team roping event during the final go-round of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, in Las Vegas. Nogueira was named the all-around champion. David Becker/Las Vegas News Bureau
Tim O'Connell competes in bareback riding event during the final go-round of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, in Las Vegas. O'Connell won the world and average titles. David Becker/Las Vegas News Bureau
Tyson Durfey tips his hat as he receives his tie-down roping world champion buckle during the final go-round of the National Finals Rodeo at the Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, in Las Vegas. David Becker/Las Vegas News Bureau
Bull rider Sage Kimzey celebrates his winning ride during the first night of the National Finals Rodeo Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at the Thomas & Mack Center. Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
Tie-down roper Caleb Smidt competes during the first night of the National Finals Rodeo Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at the Thomas & Mack Center. Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
Steer wrestler Bill Bugenig competes during the first night of the National Finals Rodeo Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at the Thomas & Mack Center. Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
Bareback rider Evan Jayne leaves the chute during the first night of the National Finals Rodeo Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at the Thomas & Mack Center. Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
Bull rider Scottie Knapp competes during the first night of the National Finals Rodeo Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at the Thomas & Mack Center. Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
Bull rider Jordan Spears gets thrown from his bull during the first night of the National Finals Rodeo Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at the Thomas & Mack Center. Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
Bareback rider R.C. Landingham gets sideways during the first night of the National Finals Rodeo Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at the Thomas & Mack Center. Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
Bull rider Tyler Smith gets thrown from his bull during the first night of the National Finals Rodeo Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at the Thomas & Mack Center. Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
Saddle bronc rider Zeke Thurston competes during the first night of the National Finals Rodeo Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at the Thomas & Mack Center.Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
Audra Baber from Henrietta, Texas, rides a mechanical bull during the first night of the National Finals Rodeo Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at the Thomas & Mack Center. Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
Eight-year-old Ike Clayson of Riverside, Idaho practices his roping on a remote-controlled mechanical calf at the NFR Cowboy Christmas gift show in the South Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. With just under 350 exhibitors from across the United States and Canada, the Cowboy Christmas features unique products, including custom-jewelry, western wear, boots and spurs, furniture, original art, handmade crafts and home goods. Mark Damon/Las Vegas News Bureau
Finely decorated saddles are offered at the NFR Cowboy Christmas gift show in the South Halls of the Las Vegas Convention Center on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016. With just under 350 exhibitors from across the United States and Canada, the Cowboy Christmas features unique products, including custom-jewelry, western wear, boots and spurs, furniture, original art, handmade crafts and home goods. Mark Damon/Las Vegas News Bureau
Alabama performs at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in Las vegas, NV on December 2, 2016. Erik Kabik Photography/ MediaPun
Mark Miller of Sawyer Brown performs during the 30th Annual Downtown Hoedown at the Fremont Street Experience Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau
Aaron Watson performs on the Third Street Stage during the 30th Annual Downtown Hoedown at the Fremont Street Experience Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016. Sam Morris/Las Vegas News Bureau