The greatest Western sports spectacle is the National Finals Rodeo, a 10-round championship that features only the very best from a 12-month season.
Right behind it is the CINCH Timed Event Championship, the most unique and memorable equine-based event in the world of rodeo. Twenty men. Five events. Five go-rounds. Three days.
TwisTed Rodeo
Now in its 33rd year, the Timed Event is a test of talent, stamina and one’s mental capacity to handle all the challenges that come his way. Trevor Brazile is always the favorite because he competes in three of the five events on a daily basis – heading, tie-down roping and steer roping.
He also has world titles in each of those disciplines, and he joins Dale Smith as the only two men to have ever qualified for the National Finals in all four roping disciplines – he earned his first team roping qualification in heeling in 1998. Oh, and he’s earned a record seven Timed Event crowns to go along with his 23 PRCA world championships.
But the field is loaded with exceptional all-around talent, including past champs like Josh Peek (1), Kyle Lockett (2), reigning champ Paul David Tierney (2), Daniel Green (3) and K.C. Jones (5).
How tough is the Timed Event? Only 12 men have ever taken the crown, and six of those are going to be at the Lazy E Arena this weekend. But they aren’t the only ones who will contend. There are some salty veterans in the mix and a few young guns that could make a whale of an impact.
But that’s what makes the Timed Event such a great championship. It all kicks off at 9 a.m. Friday with the first round of the inaugural Jr. Ironman Championship, which will include 10 cowboys ages 15 to 20 competing in all the events except steer roping.
It just adds to the excitement.