Posted: Friday, June 28, 2024

#172 2023 World Champion Bull Rider Ky Hamilton

The 2023 Wrangler NFR was a roller coaster ride for Ky Hamilton but he came out on top. Ky shares his story about winning his first world title and what it has meant to him. He also talks about what it is like traveling but also being best friends with Stetson Wright. We get to find out how that relationship began, how it has evolved, and how well Ky real knows the Wrights.

Posted: Tuesday, June 18, 2024

#171 8X PRCA World Champion Stetson Wright

Stetson Wright surprises us again and again! He shared the complete story of his injury and how his perspective changed after Round 2 of the 2023 NFR. He talks about the different dynamics of the Wright Family and how being the son of a champion has only pushed him to be better. He also shares a little bit about his daughter Kingsley, his thoughts on social media and what his hopes are for 2024.

Posted: Friday, May 31, 2024

#170 NFR Director of In-Arena Video Production Brian Williams

Brian Williams has served as the NFR Director of In-Arena Video Production for three general managers – Shawn Davis, Boyd Polhamus and Allen Rheinheimer. He shares his story of moving to Las Vegas, how he got into this career and what it was like attending a rodeo for the very first time. After being around the NFR for over 20 years, he shares thoughts on what makes the in-arena experience so important to the NFR and its loyal fans.

Posted: Friday, May 17, 2024

#169 Television Host Janie Johnson

Posted: Friday, May 10, 2024

#168 3X PRCA World Champion Bareback Rider Tim O'Connell

Life doesn't always go as planned, but you make the best of it, and that is exactly what Tim O'Connell is doing! Tim talks us through the full story of his injury that will take him out for the rest of 2024. However, Tim also shares the beauty in his story and how this year will be one of many first for himself and his family.

Posted: Tuesday, May 07, 2024

#167 3X NFR Qualifier Lefty Holman

You can certainly hear the laid back but energetic attitude of this cowboy. Lefty shares a whole lot about his life on the road, his life back home with family, and what it is like to be in Las Vegas. He explains the reason behind the gold lions, the white boots and the more recent cornrows.

Posted: Friday, April 19, 2024

#166 Frontier Rodeo Company Heath Stewart

It is all things business with the Frontier Rodeo Company. Heath Stewart talks about the company's background, how he started in the business, and how they have progressed to 9X Stock Contractor of the Year.  Even with many accolades, the goal is to provide great bucking stock for years to come. 

Posted: Friday, April 12, 2024

#165 4X NFR Qualifier Josh Frost

Not only is Josh Frost a 4X NFR Qualifier but he has also won four straight Linderman awards! He talks through his story of how competing in every event as a kid has brought him to those accomplishments while working hard to have a structured routine throughout the year to find his path to success.

Posted: Friday, April 05, 2024

#164 PRCA CEO Tom Glause

Tom Glause has served as the CEO of the PRCA since Oct. 8, 2021. During his career, his commitment to the sport of rodeo has been unwavering. He is a current PRCA Gold Card Member and was previously a PRCA contestant. Under his direction, PRCA-sanctioned rodeos have experienced record attendance and growth.

Posted: Wednesday, March 27, 2024

#163 NFR General Manager Allen Rheinheimer

It’s time to fire up the NFR Extra Podcast for 2024. Our first guest is NFR General Manager Allen Rheinheimer. Allen has been involved in the NFR for more than 20 years and has even more experience in equine events. Take a listen to the guy that makes sure everything on the dirt of the Thomas & Mack Center runs smoothly and efficiently.  

Posted: Monday, December 04, 2023

#162 Vegas NFR Icon - Cody Ohl

Ohl put his stamp on ProRodeo in 1994 by winning Rookie of the Year and earning his first trip to the NFR. It would take Ohl a few years to win his first gold buckle. He edged out Fred Whitfield to capture the 1997 tie-down world title and roared through the 1998 season, capturing his second title. He had another record-setting year in 2001 as he added steer roping and team roping in order to compete for the All-Around title. In the ninth round of the NFR, Ohl missed his calf on the first loop. A second loop caught the calf by the hind legs. As Ohl dismounted, he twisted his knee, tearing two major ligaments. He had to be carried out of the arena by the Justin Sportsmedicine Team. However, he had amassed enough money earlier in the week to secure both the tie-down title and the All-Around title. He accepted both buckles from crutches on the 10th night. He went on to capture his fifth and sixth tie-down roping titles in 2003 and 2006. He still owns the record for the most NFR rounds won with 52.

Posted: Monday, December 04, 2023

#161 Vegas NFR Icon - Billy Etbauer

One of the most popular cowboys of his generation, Etbauer won five saddle bronc world titles (1992, 1996, 1999, 2000 and 2004) and garners respect for both his go-for-broke style and his humility during his career that covered parts of four decades. A native of Huron, South Dakota, he was the middle brother of three world-class bronc riders. Etbauer qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo® in his second year as a professional in 1989. He went on to make the field a record 21 consecutive years, win 51 NFR rounds and surpass $3 million in career earnings. He still shares the NFR record with his 93-point ride on Kesler Championship Rodeo’s Cool Alley in 2003. He tied the record a year later on a 10th-round ride that clinched the last of his five gold buckles.

Posted: Thursday, November 30, 2023

#160 Singer/Songwriter Ian Munsick

Ian Munsick is taking the music industry by storm as he paints his portrait of the American West. Ian shares how important it is to him to show the authentic side of Western culture through his music. He explains how he truly got started in the industry and what memorable moments he has had since then. He also shares about his visits to Las Vegas for the Wrangler NFR and what this year's NFR will look like with his special event, opening performance, and concerts.

Posted: Tuesday, November 07, 2023

#159 President of Hooey Brands Joey Austin

Hooey Brands started in 2009 as just two different hat designs, Joey Austin dives into how and why the brand started. He shares unique stories about how it has grown into its current company and what is most important to the brand overall. Joey also gives insight into BFO and the Hooey Party that happens in December during the Wrangler NFR. 

Posted: Tuesday, October 31, 2023

#158 Singer/Songwriter Kylie Frey

A country music singer, a songwriter, an anthem singer, a barrel racer, a flag girl but ultimately a cowgirl. Kylie Frey has worked hard to do it all and has made a name for herself in the most authentic way. She explains how she has stayed true to herself as she continues to work through the music industry.

Posted: Friday, October 20, 2023

#157 CEO - Plaza Hotel & Casino Jonathan Jossel

There is a lot of history in Las Vegas and particularly in Downtown Las Vegas. CEO Jonathan Jossel was able to give us an inside look plus more. He shares about how he personally got to Las Vegas from Europe, how important it is to keep the history alive and what they are trying to do to make Plaza and Downtown Las Vegas unique from the rest of the city.

Posted: Wednesday, October 18, 2023

#156 Steer Wrestler Dalton Massey

A cowboy and a carpenter, Dalton Massey keep himself busy all year long. Dalton shares a bit about his history, how he got into rodeo and doesn't shy away from talking about traveling amongst the rest of the steer wrestlers. Dalton qualified for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo this year so we got him to open up about coming to Las Vegas for the first time. 

Posted: Friday, October 06, 2023

#155 Steve Decker with Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

We dove into something customary in the Western Lifestyle but it is such a large operation that not everyone fully understands. Steve Decker with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation explains who and what the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is but also why it exists and how it operates. Steve also talks about their deep-rooted investment in rodeo and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Posted: Friday, September 29, 2023

#154 Saddle Bronc Rider Dawson Hay

Rodeo and hockey are pretty big in the Hay Family. Dawson talks about growing up in Canada, playing hockey, and watching his father become a well-known professional saddle bronc rider. He shares stories about how attending rodeos with his father and watching him in Las Vegas truly inspired him to become the bronc rider that he is today. Dawson also gives us a sneak peek into his life now with his wife Lily and baby girl Honey.

Posted: Friday, September 22, 2023

#153 Singer & Songwriter Jenna Paulette

Jenna Paulette is a cowgirl at heart. She tells us all about growing up in Lewisville, Texas and how she spent lots of time in Thackerville, Oklahoma helping with the family ranch. She talks about how she found her voice and her journey into country music. 

Posted: Friday, August 11, 2023

#152 The Roundtable

The Roundtable features Jess Pope, Caleb Smidt, Zeke Thurston and Tyler Waguespack. These four champions talk about how they got started in rodeo, what motivates them now, the toll rodeo takes on their bodies and what else keeps them busy throughout the year.

Posted: Monday, August 07, 2023

#151 Miss Rodeo America 2023 Kennadee Riggs

What a joy Miss Rodeo America Kennadee Riggs is! Kennadee shares many stories from what it was like growing up with 5 siblings, serving a mission in Brazil, her experience taking on the Miss Rodeo America Pagent, and what it is like now on the road. Her passion and faith-driven personality shines throughout the episode. 

Posted: Thursday, July 27, 2023

#150 7X PRCA World Champion Stetson Wright

The accolades for this world champion cowboy continue. Stetson Wright explains why he is more dedicated than ever, how his mindset on winning has changed and what keeps him going. He also opens up and shares fun stories about his daughter playing t-ball, buying his mom a Jeep and life on the road with Ky Hamilton.

Posted: Thursday, July 20, 2023

#149 4X PRCA World Champion Tie-Down Roper Caleb Smidt

Caleb Smidt opened up and had a candid conversation. He talked a lot about his star horse Pockets and walked through their career together. Then he shared stories about the family and what is to come in the future for this world champion tie-down roper.

Posted: Thursday, July 13, 2023

#148 3X World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider Zeke Thurston

You are going to hear a little bit of everything from Zeke Thurston. He talks about Canadian food, living in both Texas and Canada, rodeo travel, cattle business, the new baby on the way, Vegas, and of course the Wrangler NFR.