Wrangler NFR Bucking Sale Returns

With new dates, a new venue and new leadership, the Benny Binion’s World Famous Wrangler National Finals Rodeo Bucking Sale makes its return to Las Vegas after a one-year hiatus.

Scheduled for Dec. 4-5 at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa, the sale promises to be better than ever, while at the same time maintaining its mission of serving as a fundraiser for the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. In the sale’s initial 21-year run, hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised for the Hall of Fame, including $180,000 from the Binion family since 1998.

“That’s how we fund our awards program with the stock contractors,” said PRCA stock contractor Sammy Andrews of Andrews Rodeo Company. “The money we make out of that determines what we can donate to the Hall and what goes back to the stock contractors.

“Last year, we weren’t able to give anything (to the Hall). Our goal this year is to be able to regenerate (the sale) and get it going where we can continue to donate.”

Stifled by parking issues at the Thomas & Mack Center – brought on by a growing UNLV campus – and unable to find a home in 2007, the sale aligned with the South Point, which in 2007 signed an eight-year agreement with the PRCA to become a national sponsor.

Now, organizers and contractors alike see a much different picture when the sale resumes for its 22nd edition later this year.

“This is going to be our own event, and the South Point will be a great partnership,” said Sonny Hansen, the sale manager who also serves as rodeo coach at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Ore., and as a PRCA pickup man. “This gives us a few more opportunities to do more things that we couldn’t do at the Thomas & Mack Center due to the time limit we had. We’ll be more flexible, plus the South Point is the most popular hotel and casino during the (Wrangler) NFR. That certainly seemed like the hangout spot as far as I am concerned.”

Traditionally, the sale was held during the second week of the Wrangler NFR. In 2008, the sale will be held prior to the first two rounds of the 50th Wrangler NFR and in conjunction with the PRCA National Convention, also held at the South Point, Dec. 1-4.

One goal of the new sale is to incorporate PRCA specialty acts and bullfighters into each day’s schedule of events, doing so with plenty of rodeo committee members in attendance.

In addition to buyers and sellers, the annual sale also serves a larger purpose in rodeo.

“To lots of people, the sale is a big reunion,” Andrews said. “You don’t have to sit in any one spot, and you can visit with people you can see only once a year. We’re all excited that it’s back.”

During its run, the sale was an immensely popular event for rodeo fans, contractors and livestock buyers. Approximately 4,200 head of livestock were sold from 1987-2006 at the sale for a combined $10,433,900.

In 2006, more than $660,000 was brought in at the two-day sale, with more than 230 animals being sold. A record $764,175 in sales was recorded in 2005, with more than $721,000 coming in at the previous year’s event. Several superstar animals were sold during the sale’s first 21 years, including Biloxi Blues, the 2006 PRCA Bull of the Year, which was sold by Gary Hedeman to Harlan Robertson in 2004.

The bucking sale is named in honor of Benny Binion, a 1988 ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee, legendary Las Vegas businessman and notable rodeo supporter. Binion, who passed away in 1989, was instrumental in the Wrangler NFR’s move from Oklahoma City, Okla., to Las Vegas in 1985 and played a significant role in the evolution of ProRodeo through the years. He was named ProRodeo Man of the Year by the PRCA in 1985 for his dedication to the sport.

For details on consignments, contact Hansen at 208.571.3738.

Check back to www.prorodeo.com for additional details on Benny Binion’s World Famous Wrangler NFR Bucking Horse and Bull Sale, including times and ticket prices.

Source: www.prorodeo.com

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