The details on the 2023 NFBR calves have been released, and the black bovines are set to make their debut at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center Monday, Dec. 4 at the run-through.
If I had to describe them in one word, I would say ‘sharp,’” WPRA Western Roping Director Lynn Smith said. “We’ve got to see them once at a jackpot in Ponder, Texas, and picked through them. We culled off 20 head at the jackpot, and Monday evening in the South Point we’ll cull off another 10 or so and set the pens from there.”
Cattle sorting
Provided by Lanham Mangold, the calves will be evaluated Monday at 6 p.m. and broken into three pens of 18.
“The strongest pen will go in Round 1 since they have to go in the No. 4, 7 and 10 Rounds,” Smith said. “The other pens will only go three times. We’re going to work really hard to get the pens set evenly so nobody is at a disadvantage. They’re really uniform, so other than setting the medium plus pen for the four runs, the rest may be pretty close.”
Keeping the calves fresh
The NFBR competition will overlap with the Miss Rodeo America Pageant, meaning sponsor banner logistics may be tricky—but Smith is hopeful an arena wrap that will highlight the outgate for the calves and keep them running straight.
2023 NFBR Schedule
Monday, Dec. 4
- WPRA Luncheon and Breakaway Back Number Ceremony – noon PT
- Breakaway calf run-through – 6 p.m. PT
Tuesday, Dec. 5
- Rounds 1–5 in the Southpoint Arena – 2 p.m. PT
Wednesday, Dec. 6
- Rounds 6–10 in the Southpoint Arena – 2 p.m. PT
Coverage of the 2023 NFBR is made possible by the incredible support from our friends at Equinety. Read more 2023 NFBR News.
