Not only are the Holidays fast approaching, but it is National Finals Rodeo time! Tonight will be Round 7, so I thought it would be fun to dedicate this Wednesday's blog to NFR fun facts. 

The NFR (National Finals Rodeo) happens every December and the best rodeo athletes around the world attend. Typically, they bring the top 15 in each event to battle it out for the world title. It is a super fun time and is like the horse world super bowl. There are many fan favorites and special duos that the crowd goes wild for. It is a big event that has so much meaning and action!

Did you know that the Thomas & Mack Arena is actually a basketball arena? Each December, they transform it into a place for these contestants to compete. They have to haul in dirt to fill the stadium and it takes more than 2,000 tons to do it! The dirt can range 12"-15" thick and has to be spread all over the arena and outside for stalls. 

During the NFR, more than 700 animals are kept at the Thomas & Mack Center. This includes bucking stock, steers, contestant horses, calves, and grand entry/flag horses. Can you imagine feeding and maintaining all those critters? On average, they will go through 60 tons of grain, up to 120 tons of hay, and 70 tons of grass.

The World Champion's Gold Buckle is a huge accomplishment and a lot goes into creating them. The buckles are provided from Montana Silversmiths and requires 110 hours to complete one of those buckles. They are solid sterling based with solid gold as well. One buckle weighs a pound and they are valued at $17,500 each. 

This year is the 32nd anniversary of the NFR. It has been apart of the western history for many years, but its growth this year is tremendous! The payout for the contestants this year will be about $10 million. Wow! In 1985, the payout was at $1.8 million, that is a huge jump! 

The back numbers of the contestants actually have more meaning than what we think. They are not given out at random, they actually represent the total prize money won during their rodeo season. 

One thing that blows my mind is transporting all these animals to the event. It would take an army! Stock contractors are actually paid over $8,000 per head to haul them to the NFR. 

For something as big as the NFR, it takes a lot of people and companies to make it all happen. There are more than 50 sponsors associated with the National Finals Rodeo. It definitely takes a village! 

Will you be watching round 7? If so, who is your fan favorite? Let us know down below and we hope you enjoy these fun facts!