Rodeo Fame Winter 2016 WNFR Special Edition | Page 5

EDITOR'S LETTER It always surprises me how fast it 'comes and goes' and here it comes again - National Finals Rodeo season! if you have never been to the National Finals Rodeo, it is definitely bucket list-worthy! Ten days long and worth all the luggage fees you might pay (just how many pairs of boots can one suitcase hold?). This year will definitely be a different viewing experience, though. In case you did not hear, many of the top names in professional rodeo branched off and started another association called the Elite Rodeo Athletes (ERA). World champions like Bobby Mote and Kaycee Field, to name just a couple of the stars on the ERA list, will be noticeably absent from the Thomas and Mack this year. If you want to hear the scoop on why and how this split happened (that story is just too long to tell here) visit www.rodeofame.com for the inside scoop. As for the 2016 WNFR- Brazil's cowboy, Junior Nogueira, is one to watch. It's very exciting to see him leading the race in the Team Roping and All-Around (he also competes in Tie-Down Roping) because for a long time he looked up to athletes like Jake Barnes, Allen Bach, and Clay O'Brien Cooper, but now it's his turn to compete at that same level. He is a kindhearted, loving and hardworking cowboy that has earned his spot at the top. Enjoy the performances! April Patterson Editor-n-Chief EDITOR-IN-CHIEF April Bach Patterson COPY EDITOR Alyssa Barnes WRITERS/REPORTERS Erin Jusseaume, Lori O'Harver, Kim Zierlein LAYOUT & DESIGN Chantel Miller ADVERTISING [email protected] SUBSCRIPTIONS Denim Clark [email protected] ADVISORY BOARD Judy Nelson COVER PHOTO Tuff Magic Promotions, @TuffMagicPromotions RODEO FAME PO BOX 95 • Azle, TX 76098 SHOUT OUT to Hailee and Casey King from Escalon, California - attending their first WNFR for their honeymoon. Have fun and check out the Hooey Party at Brooklyn Bowl December 2 and 9!