In playoff sports, once the postseason rolls around, the regular season means nothing. In rodeo, money won at some backwater rodeo counts just as much as money won at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. The difference, of course, is there’s so much more to be won in Vegas. There’s very little reason to think a cowboy who has performed well all year will suddenly fail to do so in Las Vegas. That’s why we’re going with the favorites, or picking chalk as the saying goes—with only a few exceptions.
BAREBACK RIDING
THE RACE:
Carrying an almost $50,000 lead into Las Vegas is no small feat for the three-time and reigning world champion, Kaycee Feild. His stated goal is to win seven consecutive world championships. Joe Alexander officially won five, and two years he would have won world titles, but the PRCA had changed the way the championship was decided to whoever won the average at the NFR from a season total standard. In his mind, Feild recognizes Alexander’s total as seven.
Picking him based solely on his goal would be foolish, of course. We’re picking him because for the past three years he’s completely dominated the bareback riding in Las Vegas. We see no reason that won’t continue.
The Pick: Kaycee Feild
World Titles: 3
Wrangler NFRs: 7
Biggest 2014 Win: Reno (Nev.) Rodeo