By: Jimmie Smith

The College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) is set to kick off next week, and contestants have already started to arrive at the Casper Events Center in Casper, Wyoming, to prepare for the finals.

The CNFR is where the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) crowns individual event champions in saddle bronc riding, bare back riding, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, barrel racing, breakaway roping, and goat tying. National team championships are also awarded to the men's and women's teams that earn the most points over the course of the finals. Over 400 cowboys and cowgirls from more than 100 universities and colleges compete in Casper each year. Contestants compete all year in one of the NIRA's 11 regions for a chance to compete at the CNFR every June.

The top three students in each event and top two men's and women's teams from the 11 regions advance to the CNFR each year. The regions include the Big Sky Region, Central Plains Region, Central Rocky Mountain Region, Grand Canyon Region, Great Plains Region, Northwest Region, Ozark Region, Rocky Mountain Region, Southern Region, Southwest Region, and the West Coast Region. Just qualifying to compete at the CNFR is quite an accomplishment, so it is guaranteed to be tough competition at the CNFR.

Who will be crowned the 2017 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association champions?

2017 CNFR Schedule:

Friday, June 9

7:30 AM
Work timed event cattle & goats (7:30-9 Goat Tying; 9-10:30 Steer Wrestling; 10:30-11:30 Breakaway; 11:30-12:30 Tie Down; 12:30-Finish Team Roping)
Location: Events Center
 
2 PM
Draw Stock for 1st and 2nd Go-Round
Location: Events Center
 
5 PM
Jackpot Rodeo
Location: Events Center
 

Saturday, June 10

8-10 AM
Pancake Breakfast
Location: City Park
 
Noon-3 PM
Mandatory Contestant Check-in
Location: Events Center -- Summit Room
 
3 PM
Coaches Meeting
Location: Events Center -- Summit Room
 
3:15 PM
Mandatory Contestant Orientation Meeting
Location: Events Center -- Arena seating
 
4-6 PM
Arena Time
Location: Events Center -- Arena
(4-4:30 Barrel Racers, 4:30-5 Goat Tyers, 5-6 Open)
 

Sunday, June 11

10 AM
Cowboy Church Service
Location: Fairgrounds
 
1 PM
"Bulls, Broncs & Breakaway" -- Matinee
Location: Events Center
 
4 PM
"Bulls, Broncs & Breakaway" -- Evening
Location: Events Center
Ribbon day at the rodeo!  Representing all types of cancer.
Bring the whole Family for CNFR Family Day.
 

Monday, June 12

7 AM
Slack
Location: Events Center
 
7 PM
Scholarship Awards Banquet and
1st Go-Round Ring Presentation at banquet
Location:Parkway Plaza

Tuesday, June 13

7 AM
Slack
Location: Events Center
 
7 PM
1st Performance
Location: Events Center
 

Wednesday, June 14

9 AM-3 PM
Softball Tourney
Location: Softball Field
 
7 PM
2nd Performance
2nd Go-Round Ring Presentation after Steer Wrestling
Location: Events Center

Thursday, June 15

9 AM
Golf Tournament
Location: Paradise Valley
 
7 PM
3rd Performance
Location: Events Center

Friday, June 16

8 AM
NIRA Coaches Breakfast
Location: Parkway Plaza
 
7:00 p.m.
4th Performance
Location: Events Center
 

Saturday, June 17

8 AM
Short-go leaders TV head shots
Location: Events Center
 
9-10:30 AM
Special Olympics
(Volunteers Needed!)
Location: Events Center
(Volunteers needed!)
 
11:30 AM
Cinch Style Show
Location: Parkway Plaza
 
2 PM
Cowboy Church Service
Location: Fairgrounds
 
7 PM
Championship Round
3rd Go-Round Ring Presentation after Steer Wrestling
Championship awards immediately following rodeo
Location: Events Center
 

Here is the 2017 Position Draw for contestants:

 

 
You can stay tuned to FloRodeo for continuing coverage or you can check out CNFR.com for the latest information.

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