A part of the NFR expertise is getting to fulfill a number of the largest rodeo stars within the sport. Whereas in Las Vegas, we didn’t miss out on this chance.
While you’re in Las Vegas for the Wrangler Nationwide Finals Rodeo, you will get nearly any rodeo star’s autograph should you discover the place they’re signing for the day. From accommodations and casinos to Cowboy Christmas, Nation Christmas, and in all places in between, you’re positive to run right into a rodeo celeb signing not less than as soon as.
Whereas I used to be visiting, I used to be in a position to get 4 autographs whereas roaming across the Cowboy Channel’s Cowboy Christmas. The athletes I used to be lucky sufficient to fulfill and procure autographs from included Fallon Taylor, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Jimmie Smith, and Junior Nogueira. Right here’s the recap.
Photograph by Lisa Bushmire
Fallon Taylor
Date and Time of Signing: December 6, 2024 at 1:00PM
The place: Ranch Costume’n Sales space at Cowboy Christmas
Fallon Taylor is a world champion barrel racer with a whole lot of 1000’s of followers throughout her social media accounts. On the younger age of 13, Fallon certified for her first Nationwide Finals Rodeo in 1995. She then certified once more in 1996, 1997, and 1998. In 2009, Fallon was in a horse accident that left her paralyzed for 3 days with a fractured c-2 vertebrae. Slowly, she taught herself tips on how to stroll and ultimately experience once more. In 2013, her extremely embellished mare, Flos Heiress, was named the WPRA/AQHA Barrel Racing Horse of the 12 months. In 2014 and 2018 she was again with vengeance as Fallon and “Babyflo” had been named the WPRA Barrel Racing World Champions.
@go_riding @Marcella assembly Fallon Taylor at Cowboy Christmas #lasvegas #nfr #nfrfashion #horses #horsesoftiktoktok #goriding #cowgirl #cowgirllifestyle #western #rodeo #cowboychristmas #lasvegasconventioncenter #fallontaylor #barrelracer #barrelracing ♬ authentic sound – go_riding
Assembly Fallon was a neat expertise. To begin with, she’s extraordinarily tall — to be honest, that’s coming from somebody who’s 4’11” so she could also be common top, however to me, she appeared very tall. Her demeanor was form and bubbly but additionally very enterprise. She knew what it took to see all her followers — a pleasant hi there, autograph the paper, take a fast pic, after which on to the subsequent one.
The half that was probably the most touching to me was how a lot of a task mannequin she was to all of the adolescents standing in line. These younger cowgirls had been ecstatic to see her, it was most certainly the spotlight of their journey. They had been within the Ranch Costume’n store sifting via objects to search out the proper piece for Fallon to signal. They had been so giddy to fulfill their idol. It was fantastic to see how after lengthy strains of followers she greeted the final particular person with the identical bubbly character with which she greeted the primary particular person. You possibly can learn extra about Fallon Taylor right here.
I used to be in a position to get my niece, Kamille, an autographed poster for her birthday. Kamille was leaping with pleasure when she noticed it!
Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi
Date and Time of Signing: December 6, 2024 12:00PM
The place: Purina Sales space at Cowboy Christmas
Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi joined the Ladies’s Skilled Rodeo Affiliation (WPRA) in 2003. That very same yr she was named the WPRA Barrel Racing Rookie of the 12 months. Brittany holds three wold championship titles: 2007, 2009, and 2023. She’s received the NFR common title twice, again to again in 2006 and 2007. Brittany certified for the NFR 15 instances from 2003 to 2023. Her profession earnings are over $3.3 million.
@go_riding @Marcella assembly @Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi at Cowboy Christmas #lasvegas #nfr #nfrfashion #horses #horsesoftiktoktok #goriding #cowgirl #cowgirllifestyle #western #rodeo #cowboychristmas #lasvegasconventioncenter #brittanypozzitonozzi #barrelracer #barrelracing ♬ authentic sound – go_riding
Assembly Brittany occurred upon likelihood. One minute we had been looking purses, the subsequent we circled to Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi sitting on the Purina sales space with out a line. First, how does the present world champion not have a line wrapped across the sales space? Secondly, how does one of many nicest high-level athletes I’ve ever met not have individuals dying to fulfill her? Their loss.
I’m not joking after I say Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi is a particularly candy and real particular person. She was so form, didn’t rush you and was comfortable to have a bit chit chat. I’m so glad I met her as a result of my encounter together with her made her one in all my all-time favorites.
Jimmie Smith
Date and Time of Signing: December 6, 2024 at 1:00PM
The place: Ranch Costume’n Sales space at Cowboy Christmas
Jimmie Smith is a part of staff Ranch Costume’n, so I used to be in a position to meet her after I met Fallon Taylor. On the younger age of 28, Jimmie’s profession is simply beginning. Jimmie joined the WPRA in 2018 and certified for one NFR in 2020. In 2018 she was named the WPRA Rookie of the 12 months. I’m positive within the years to come back, we’re going to see nice issues from Jimmie Smith.
Fairly as ever and candy as will be, it was an actual bonus getting to fulfill her with Fallon Taylor. She was extra quiet and gentle spoken, which I admire in an individual and was so nice to be round. I’m rooting for her to be the subsequent drive to reckon with. I truthfully want I might have gotten just a few extra minutes to talk together with her.
Junior Nogueira
The place: Cowboy Christmas
Junior Nogueira is a heeler within the self-discipline of staff roping. In 2014, he was the PRCA Rookie of the 12 months. In 2016, he clutched the World Champion All-Round Cowboy title. In 2021 and 2022 he was titled the World Champion Heeler. His profession earnings are over $2 million.
This was one more form soul I simply occurred to move. I truthfully didn’t know a lot about him on the time and needed to look him up after the actual fact. I really feel like, as a cowgirl, that is semi-common. I do know a lot of the statistics and names of the barrel racers, however I’m a bit rusty on the opposite occasions — or not less than I used to be till I skilled all of it first hand. I’ll say, being the heeler of a roping staff could be some of the troublesome positions in all the NFR. You’re relying on another person AND it’s a must to rope two tiny toes of a transferring calf. That takes some critical ability.
General, it was enjoyable assembly a number of the greatest rodeo stars within the trade. They had been all form and comfortable to signal autographs. Seeing how every of their personalities differed was a reminder that we’re all human and all completely different. I’ll be excited to look at these athletes because the proceed their careers in rodeo.