When I was a kid my dad took me to a few rodeos, local events in which cowboys would compete by riding some bulls and roping some calves.

I never really put too much thought into it - as I wasn’t really a cowboy nor was my dad, both of us were city kids. But they were fun outings none the less.

Until last year when I had the chance to attend the NFR/National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. It’s a whole different experience. A friend of mine had some National Finals Rodeo tickets and asked if I wanted to go, and not one to turn down a free ticket to what seemed like a fun event where I could watch some grown men try to ride some really huge cows and drink a beer at the same time - I accepted.

Well, this was like no rodeo event that I’d ever seen. It was a bit like the superbowl of rodeos. The top cowboys and riders from around the country were there to compete and try to take home some serious prizes. If only I’d known when I was a kid the money these cowboys were starting to make these days, I might have asked for my own pair of boots. Some of these guys are making six figures and I don’t even think they ever really have to go out cattle rustling on the open range. Pretty much just living the life of a country rock star traveling from city to city riding bulls.

Not bad for a bunch of country boys.

Anyways - if you get a chance to see the NFR event in Vegas, be sure to check it out as it’s a lot of fun, and even if you’re not big on bull riding - there’s always a good number of mullets wandering around waiting to be seen.