1. Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore., 3.3 seconds, $17,885; 2. Luke Branquinho, 3.4, $14,135; 3. Sean Mulligan, Coleman, Okla., 3.6, $10,673; 4. Stockton Graves, Newkirk, Okla., and Jason Miller, Lance Creek, Wyo., 3.9, $6,058; 6. Jake Rinehart, Highmore, S.D., $2,885.

1. Kaycee Field, Payson, Utah, 87.5 points on JK Rodeo Co.’s Molly, $17,885; 2. Ryan Gray, Cheney, Wash., 86, $14,135; 3. Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., and Wes Stevenson, Lubbock, Texas, 85.5, $9,087; 5. Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., 84.5, $4,615; 6. Cody DeMers, Kimberly, Idaho, 83.5, $2,885.

Once a contestant has qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, he/she belongs to a prestigious fraternity. If they’ve qualified at least three times, they’re in an elite group. On Friday night outside the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, saddle bronc riders Steve Dollarhide (eight times) and Bret Franks (three) were getting ready[...]

I was pretty busy Thursday night, so I wasn’t able to get as many photos as I would’ve liked. I think I’ll solicit some assistance tonight. Fortunately I know good photographers who’d be willing to help us. Until then, check out our photos HERE. Here’s a sample.

LAS VEGAS – When Stockton Graves failed to qualify for the 2010 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, it marked the first time since 2004 the Oklahoma cowboy missed ProRodeo’s championship event. He’s making up for lost time this year. Graves, who turns 33 Monday, scored 4.3-second run to finish in a tie for fifth place in[...]

LAS VEGAS – Sometimes the best way to tackle any challenge is to take advantage of situations. Team ropers Jhett Johnson and Turtle Powell did that Thursday night, roping their steer in 4.3 seconds to finish in a tie for second place in the opening go-round of the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo – they[...]

LAS VEGAS – Tyson Durfey is feeling fresh, ready and relaxed in his fifth straight qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. It showed Thursday night in the first go-round of ProRodeo’s championship event. Durfey, of Colbert, Wash., roped and tied his calf in 7.9 seconds, which was good enough for a tie for fifth[...]

LAS VEGAS – Four contestants from Team MGM Grand made a big statement Thursday night by winning the opening go-round of the 2011 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Steer wrestler Jason Miller, tie-down roper Cody Ohl and barrel racers Brittany Pozzi and Lindsay Sears left the Thomas & Mack Center with the fastest times in their[...]

LAS VEGAS – Casey Colletti knows the enormity of the event in which he’s competing this week. He takes nothing for granted, and he’s having a lot of fun in the City of Lights. That paid off Thursday when Colletti, a bareback rider from Pueblo, Colo., matched moves with the Carr Pro Rodeo horse Black[...]

LAS VEGAS – It took three trips to Las Vegas and 21 bulls, but Seth Glause earned his first go-round victory at the Wrangler National Finals on Thursday night. Glause rode Five Star Rodeo’s Gangster for 86 points to win the opening round of the 2011 grand finale, collecting a $17,885 check in the process.[...]