55TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL FINALS RODEO SHOWCASES STANDOUT TALENT IN ROUND 2

Posted on January 19, 2025January 19, 2025 by Lazy E Arena

The thrilling conclusion to the 2024 International Professional Rodeo Association season at the International Finals Rodeo (IFR) displayed an impressive level of talent at the Fabulous Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., featuring the International Professional Rodeo Association’s (IPRA) best athletes.

All eyes were on Blayn Hughston (McBain, Mich.) during IFR55’s opening event, the bareback riding. The Western Texas College and 2024 Jack Wiesman Award winner continued his success during Round 2 with a round win atop “Z56 Rocket Launcher.”

Eli Troyer (Scottsville, Ky.) went to the top of Round 2 in the steer wrestling with an impressive 3.90-second run. The multievent cowboy will collect over $3,700 in prize money for his Go-Round 1.

Also taking home their second consecutive go-round win were header Jake Wells (Rainsville, Ala.) and heeler Bryer Hamilton (Cleveland, Tenn.), securing the Round 1 and Round 2 win with a smooth, 5.0-second run.

It was a true family affair for the Troyers, with a win in the saddle bronc riding for Timothy Troyer (Weatherford, Okla.). Troyer took home the coveted Montana Silversmith’s buckle with an impressive 83.25-point ride atop “George’s Bad Cat.”

Andrew Burks entered the 55th annual IFR leading the competitive tie-down roping pack and will continue his lead after taking home the first-round and second-round win with an 8.40-second run in Round 2.

Seeing double in the breakaway roping! It was a tie for the top between Jessie Nooren (Mossley, Ont.) and Kyla Matthews (Athens, Tenn.) with a pair of quick 2.20-second runs.

It was a true horse race in barrel racing, with IPRA rookie and Oklahoma native Brandie Inman (Nowata, Okla.) taking the top honors in Round 2. She stopped the clock with an impressive 16.118-second time.

Three-time IFR World Champion and Oklahoma native Deklan Garland (Marlow, Okla.) proved victorious once again during the second round with a standout 83.50 atop the bull “Miller Time.” This is his second consecutive round win of IFR55.

During this exciting 55th annual edition of the IFR, the top 15 of the association’s best will square off in four riveting performances of rodeo action. Accomplished Western sports athletes will compete for one of the most coveted titles in Western sports—the IPRA World Championship—and a share of the impressive $500,000 total payout.

With all the IPRA title races in close contention and 10 IPRA world titles on the line, the IFR promises a thrilling showcase of Western sports. Individual tickets start at $20, and all-session packages start at $68. Fans can purchase tickets now for individual performances or all-session packages.

The event schedule is as follows:

Jan. 16-18: Performances at 7:30 p.m. CT

Jan. 19: Performance at 2 p.m. CT; doors open at noon for OG&E Kids Day

The IFR will feature top athletes competing in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping (heading and heeling), saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, breakaway roping, barrel racing, and bull riding.

For more information about the IPRA and IFR55, please visit https://www.ipra-rodeo.com/ifr.

– IPRA –

About the IPRA:
Since 1957, the IPRA has sanctioned hundreds of rodeo opportunities across North America. As the second-largest professional rodeo association, the IPRA also crowns yearly world champions at the International Finals Rodeo, currently held at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla. The IPRA proudly supports the growth of youth rodeo as the parent organization of the International Finals Youth Rodeo. For media and communications inquiries, contact IPRA Director of Communications Julia Dondero at 775-737-1431 or [email protected].

48th BFI Returns as Part of $4 Million BFI Week

Posted on January 17, 2025January 17, 2025 by Lazy E Arena

Wrangler BFI Week, which last year paid team ropers a record $4.35 million in cash, will run two arenas for the first time when it returns to Guthrie, Oklahoma, March 26 through April 1.

“Just four years after we moved BFI Week from Reno to Guthrie, we had a 153 percent increase in roper numbers,” said BFI co-owner Daren Peterson. “And we went from paying $1.5 million in Reno to more than $4.3 million last year. Every roping has seen growth, so it was evident that two arenas will just help ropers get to dinner earlier. Except for The Feist – we’ll continue BFI tradition and keep that in the main Lazy E arena so fans can watch every run.”

Ullman Peterson Events will switch things up and launch BFI Week this year on Wednesday, March 26, with the All-Girl team roping and breakaway roping. Defending team-roping champs Kenzie Kelton of Arizona and Whitney DeSalvo of Arkansas will try to three-peat in Guthrie after banking $23,000 last year with contestant numbers having doubled.

Following that will be two days of youth ropings including the Hooey Junior 10.5 (capped at 6 heelers) on Thursday, March 27, and the five-head Hooey Junior Open roping on Friday, March 28. The Junior 10.5 is one of the fastest-growing ropings in the country, and out-paid the Junior Open last year with a $60,000 first-place paycheck. Still, Kenzie’s brother Ketch Kelton, then 18, took $78,000 cash back to Arizona thanks to placing first and second in the Junior Open and third in the BFI.

The 15.5 will be held Friday after the Junior Open. Spencer Mitchell and Chase Helton split $65,000 to win that last year. The public is invited later that evening to Edmond’s Hilton Garden Inn for the annual 6 p.m. BFI Dinner and Calcutta, with doors opening at 5 p.m.

Then on Saturday morning, March 29, the 48^th Annual BFI will kick off with its customary long head start and six go-rounds for roughly 125 of the best teams in the world. In 2024, perennial rodeo champs Kaleb Driggers and Junior Nogueira checked off their bucket-list BFI win after nine years of trying when they cashed a check for $160,000 plus a truckload of prizes.

The following Sunday morning, March 30, starts with a church service pastored by Trey Johnson and a hosted breakfast for all contestants. That’s also the day of the richest roping – the added-money 12.5. Last year, Cole and Birch Eiguren split a whopping $200,000 cash for their win.

The traditional Businessman’s 11.5 roping for the over-30 crowd (capped at 7 heelers) kicks off the action Monday, March 31. It also doubled in growth last year, thanks to its three-steer consolation payoff and 10 Incentive, which guarantees the champs $7,500.

That will be followed by the pick-or-draw 10.5 Over 40 (capped at 6 heelers). And BFI Week will wrap up on Tuesday, April 1, with the 9.5 Over 40 (capped at 5.5 heelers) followed by an 8 (capped at 4.5 heelers) with a 7.5 Incentive (both being pick or draw).

Pre-entries for BFI Week must be postmarked by March 1, 2025, but all ropings except the BFI can also be entered on-site with a $100 late fee per team. Tickets to watch the 48th BFI go on sale Feb. 14, 2025. To download entries and find more details, visit bfiweek.com.

55TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL FINALS RODEO KICKS OFF IN THRILLING FASHION

Posted on January 17, 2025January 17, 2025 by Lazy E Arena

The thrilling conclusion to the 2024 season at the International Finals Rodeo (IFR) kicked off in stellar style on Jan. 16, 2025, at the Fabulous Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Okla., featuring the International Professional Rodeo Association’s (IPRA) best athletes.

All eyes were on Blayn Hughston (McBain, Mich.) during IFR55’s opening event, the bareback riding. The Western Texas College and 2024 Jack Wiesman Award winner kicked off his third IFR in a big way, winning the first round with an impressive 81.50-point ride atop “Bougie Bob.”

The first round of steer wrestling belonged to Caleb Little (Dexter, Ky.), who won with a smooth 5.2-second run. The IFR52 Average Champion looks to continue his winning ways through the conclusion of the rodeo on Jan. 19.

Team roping was also off to an impressive start, with a quick time of 4.80 seconds taking home first-round honors. Jake Wells (Rainsville, Ala.), who has won rounds in the previous two IFRs, teamed up with three-time IFR qualifier Bryer Hamilton (Cleveland, Tenn.) to take the Round 1 win.

The man with the No. 1 back number and single-season earnings record holder, Kody Rhinehart (Rienzi, Miss.), found success once again at the Fabulous Lazy E Arena. He rode to the top of Round 1 with an impressive 83.00-point score atop “Smoke Show.”

Andrew Burks entered the 55th annual IFR leading the competitive tie-down roping pack and will continue his lead after taking home the first-round win with an 8.20-second run.

All eyes were on New York cowgirl Sierra Clement (Hudson Falls, N.Y.), who was fast and smooth, capturing the Round 1 win with a 3.30-second run.

It was a true horse race in barrel racing, with IPRA rookie and Tennessee native Bayleigh Choate running home with the Round 1 win after a quick 16.150-second run.

Three-time IFR World Champion and Oklahoma native Deklan Garland (Marlow, Okla.) proved victorious once again during the first round, with a standout 83.50 atop the bull “Black Sabbath.”

The event schedule is as follows:

Jan. 16-18: Performances at 7:30 p.m. CT
Jan. 19: Performance at 2 p.m. CT; doors open at noon for OG&E Kids Day

For more information about the IPRA and IFR55, please visit https://www.ipra-rodeo.com/ifr.

https://www.ipra-rodeo.com/downloads/ifr_55_go_1_results.pdf

– IPRA –

2024 INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL RODEO ASSOCIATION YEAR-END AWARDS ANNOUNCED

Posted on January 15, 2025January 17, 2025 by Lazy E Arena

Since 1957, the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) has been dedicated to promoting rodeo excellence across all fronts. The IPRA proudly announces the top five year-end award finalists for their outstanding work in their respective fields.

For the 55th year, the International Professional Rodeo Association (IPRA) will host the thrilling conclusion to the 2024 season at the International Finals Rodeo (IFR), set for Jan. 16-19, 2025, at the Fabulous Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, featuring the IPRA’s best athletes. The year-end awardees were announced and celebrated at the annual Gold Buckle Gala at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City on Jan. 15, 2025.

The following awardees were recognized for their outstanding performance in their respective fields throughout the 2024 IPRA season. We congratulate all winners and nominees on their accomplishments!

IPRA STOCK CONTRACTOR OF THE YEAR

Southern Rodeo Company – Robin Brooks

IPRA MOST ACTIVE STOCK CONTRACTOR

Ken Treadway Rodeo Company

IPRA SECRETARY OF THE YEAR

Danna Gann

IPRA CLOWN OF THE YEAR

Mike Wentworth

IPRA ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR

Mark Northall

IPRA PICKUPMAN OF THE YEAR

Trace Hughston

IPRA BULLFIGHTER OF THE YEAR

Jeremy Coan

BEST NEW IPRA RODEO OF THE YEAR

North Mississippi State Fair Panala Co. Sheriff Rodeo – Batesville, MS

IPRA INDOOR RODEO OF THE YEAR

Keath Killebrew Memorial Rodeo – Jackson, MS

IPRA OUTDOOR RODEO OF THE YEAR

Hughston Cow Camp IPRA Championship Rodeo – McBain, MI

2024 BAREBACK HORSE OF THE YEAR

#F18 “Bay Street” – Painted Pony Championship Rodeo Co.

2024 SADDLE BRONC HORSE OF THE YEAR

#54 “13 Silver Dollars” – Southern Rodeo Co.

2024 BUCKING BULL OF THE YEAR

#057 “Smudge” – Rawhide Rodeo Co.

IPRA COMEDY ACT OF THE YEAR

“Postal Mail Service (PMS)” – Dusty Myers

IPRA DRESS ACT OF THE YEAR

The Trick Roping Kid – Lucas Maynard

IPRA PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

Melanie Fishel

The event schedule is as follows:

January 16-18: Performances at 7:30 p.m. CT
Jan. 19: Performance at 2 p.m. CT; doors open at noon for OG&E Kids Day

For more information about the IPRA and IFR55, please visit https://www.ipra-rodeo.com/ifr.

-IPRA-

Wakefield to Replace Rice at Cinch Timed Event Championship

Posted on January 2, 2025January 2, 2025 by Lazy E Arena

A year after one of America’s greatest horsemen got his first invitation to the Cinch Timed Event Championships – just to go out with a third-round groin injury – Cade Rice will give up his 2025 invite to Nebraska’s Riley Wakefield.

Unfortunately for Rice, who would love to try to win the $100,000 prize as the Cinch Timed Event Champion of the World, he’s set to compete in his first World’s Greatest Horseman competition, of which the finals in Fort Worth on March 1 is the same day the CTEC wraps up. The dates of the CTEC in Guthrie are February 27 – March 1.

“I’d been gearing up for it,” Rice said. “I was dang sure looking forward to it and working on all the events. But I’ve got a horse that’s capable, and the owners said ‘Go for it.’”

Rice, of Lipan, Texas, had taken Brian and Amy Bush’s cutting-bred roan stallion Jungle Cat to several big wins at heeling futurities in 2023. Insiders think the 8-year-old son of High Brow Cat out of a Peptoboonsmal/Mr Gun Smoke mare has a great chance of helping Rice win the $150,000 prize as the NRCHA’s World’s Greatest Horseman.

“I grew up watching Timed Event tapes and idolizing guys that can do all those events at such a high level,” said Rice, who heeled for Ketch Kelton last year during his Jr Ironman victory. “To win that would mean the world to me. It would be great if the dates were set up so I could compete at both.”

Lazy E’s general manager, Dan Wall, guaranteed the accomplished trainer hasn’t seen his last Timed-Event invitation. Rice is fairly busy this spring, anyway. He and his wife welcomed their baby son Ryle Michael Rice just three weeks ago (joining daughter Rhea Scarlett).

In the meantime, Wakefield of O’Neill, Nebraska, has competed at the past two editions of the CTEC, finishing a remarkable third in 2023 after he was called to substitute for Haven Meged at the last minute.

“This time, I feel like I have plenty of time to prepare,” Wakefield said. “I’ll be spending a full month focusing on all five events every day. And I’ll go down to Texas and get a better live-action feel in the tripping. Last year, I maybe came in thinking I was a tripper. I’d been running steers in my 220-foot-long barn at home.

Which is not the same as spotting the Lazy E’s big, strong steers tail around the end of the gate in that arena.”

Wakefield, 28, grew up competing in three timed events, and spent all summer entering all three in Canada. He got the No. 1 back number at the Canadian Finals Rodeo and just narrowly lost the all-around cowboy championship. He spends the most time working at his tie-down roping, but he also won the steer wrestling at the Pendleton Round-Up in 2022.

Wakefield’s ace in the hole will no doubt be the steer horse called Mississippi that he and his dad bought from Todd Everly. Jess Tierney had ridden him at the NFSR and CTEC when he won in 2017. In fact, the only horse Wakefield might need to borrow is a head horse, he said.

“My horses do their job and stay out of my way,” he said. “My heel horse won’t drag his rear end like Cade’s, but he will pin his ears and go to the cow and let me take as many swings as I want over one.”

Wakefield is clear about the fact that this event means more to him than any rodeo.

“This is what I train for; it’s what I do,” he said. “I try not to put it on a pedestal too much so I can keep the right mindset. In fact, I’d actually rather get the prospect of winning it off my mind. Because it’s something I’ve thought about every single day since my dad took me and my brother to watch when I was 11. We were just a couple of Nebraska farm boys, but we craved it.”

THE FIELD IS SET FOR THE 55th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL FINALS RODEO, RETURNING TO THE LAZY E ARENA JANUARY 16-19, 2025

Posted on December 18, 2024January 17, 2025 by Lazy E Arena

During this exciting 55th annual edition of the IFR, the top 15 of the association’s best will square off throughout four riveting performances of rodeo action. Accomplished Western sports athletes will compete for one of the most coveted titles in Western sports-the IPRA World Championship, and a piece of the impressive $500,000 total payout.

Oklahoma native Garrett Tribble, a bull rider from Okemah, leads the competitive field after taking home one of the IPRA’s largest rodeo titles, the Festival Western de Saint-Tite in September. Also representing the Sooner State is steer wrestler Cody Doescher of Webbers Falls, locked in a tight battle for the championship. Doescher will enter the steer wrestling race just thousands of dollars behind North Carolina cowboy and current all-around leader Tanner Lloyd.

The breakaway roping features a highly contested competition, with reigning world champion Kyla Matthews in a tightly locked battle between front runners Maelee Wade and Grace Toberer.

Also returning to the IFR55 after taking home previous world champion honors are saddle bronc rider Kody Rinehart, team roping heeler Stephen Brittnell and header Heath King. All of these reigning world champions return to the Lazy E Arena in the driver’s seat, as they look to add another title to their extended resumes.

With all the IPRA title races in close contention and 10 IPRA world titles on the line, the IFR promises a thrilling showcase of Western sports. Individual tickets start at $20, all-session packages start at $68. Fans can purchase tickets now for individual performances or all-session packages.

The event schedule is as follows:

January 16-18: Performances at 7:30 p.m. CT
Jan. 19: Performance at 2 p.m. CT; doors open at noon for OG&E Kids Day

The Hilton Garden Inn in Edmond, Oklahoma, is the official host hotel. Guests can book using the code “IPRA IFR 2025” to receive a special rate. Reservations must be made by Dec. 13, 2024.

In addition to the rodeo action, the event will include a back-number ceremony and nightly awards presentations. Additional details will be announced closer to the event.

For more information about the IPRA and IFR55, please visit https://www.ipra-rodeo.com/ifr.

-IPRA-

Big News for 2025: Cinch Timed Event Welcomes Smarty Rodeo and Unveils Ironman Roster!

Posted on December 4, 2024December 6, 2024 by Lazy E Arena

The 2025 Cinch Timed Event Championship, presented by Smarty Rodeo, has finalized the 25 athletes – including eight past champions – who’ll gun for the $100,000 first-place paycheck in Guthrie, Oklahoma, Feb. 27 through March 1.

Defending and three-time champ Paul David Tierney headlines the ’25 roster, which also includes veterans K.C. Jones and Kyle Lockett, plus first-timers Ketch Kelton and John Douch.

“This is my 11^th year at the Lazy E, and I fully expect this to be the deepest lineup of really good, capable cowboys we’ve ever had,” said Lazy E General Manager Dan Wall. “We’ve got some new blood in the mix, and we have world champs on the wait-list who will be ready. A couple guys usually have to pull out due to injury just getting ready for this thing.”

The invitation-only event, now in its 41^st year, is dubbed “The Ironman” for its requirement that cowboys compete in five grueling rounds of five different rodeo events: heading, tie-down roping, heeling, steer wrestling and steer roping. Tierney, 35 and a South Dakota native, has banked $388,500 over his 14 years competing in The Ironman. His brother Jess won the title back in 2017, and their dad, ProRodeo Hall-of-Famer Paul Tierney, won four CTEC titles over three different decades. The Tierneys are to timed events what the Mannings are to football.

“It not only takes a huge physical toll on the body, but these guys have to line up the right horsepower – excellent calf and bulldogging horses,” Wall said. “It doesn’t matter how good a hand you are if your horse takes you out, or if you don’t find good partners to haze and help you team-rope.”

Another family well-versed in good horses and good help are the Keltons of Arizona. Former National Finals Rodeo header and National Finals of Steer Roping qualifier Chance Kelton competed in Guthrie 14 years and finished as runner-up a few times. Meanwhile, his son Ketch, 19, enters the 2025 Ironman as a favorite. He’ll try to become only the fourth rookie to ever win the title, after Mike Beers in 1986, Justin Thigpen in 2019, and Taylor Santos in 2020.

“There’s been a lot of preparation and coaching behind this,” Chance said after Ketch won his first of back-to-back Jr Ironman titles. “He’s prepared his whole life. We’re Timed Event Championship guys; this is what we do.”

Young Kelton, who also broke the Jr. Ironman’s aggregate record over four events, is accustomed to the adrenaline rush of competing in multiple events. The defending national high-school all-around champ made that particular short round in four different events. He’ll have stiff competition in Guthrie, though, from defending Ironman reserve champ Nelson Wyatt of Alabama and 2023 champ Cody Doescher of Texas, among others.

Meanwhile, 48-year-old Lockett of California is a crowd favorite. The seven-time NFR heeler has competed here 23 times previously and won twice, in 2005 and 2011. And Jones makes his 32^nd appearance with five previous Ironman titles under his belt, having raked in $493,500 over the years in Guthrie. At 56, he’s the eldest cowboy gladiator with Ironman wins in three different decades.

“It costs you about $10,000 to show up at the Timed-Event, by the time you come up with practice cattle and horses, pay the entry fee and drive to Oklahoma,” the Wyoming native said. “But it’s worth the money and effort to get ready, if you’re a true all-around cowboy.”

To that end, a new presenting sponsor stepped in this year.

“Now that we’ve expanded outside roping for our training machines, we can help contestants prepare on all sides of this event,” said Amanda Shaffer, vice president of business development at Smarty Rodeo. “Our Smarty Bulldogger simulates both the horse and steer, side by side. And of course, Smarty and Heel-O-Matic have steer and calf trainers. The Timed Event Championships is one of my favorite events of the year to watch.”

Former CTEC champs Thigpen and Erich Rogers will return, as well as Marcus Theriot, whose father Herbert Theriot, a world all-around champion, also competed for years to become the Ironman.

“It takes a lot of patience, concentration and focus,” Marcus said. “I definitely feel like you have to be made for this event to win it.”

Tickets are on sale now, and for discounts at the host hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, reserve by Feb. 5.

2025 Cinch Timed Event Championship of the World Roster:
Paul David Tierney, Nelson Wyatt, Cody Doescher, Jess Tierney, Erich Rogers, Dylan Hancock, Thomas Smith, Marcus Theriot, Blane Cox, Russell Cardoza. Seth Hall, Tyler Pearson, Clayton Hass, Brushton Minton, Billy Good, Kolton Schmidt, K.C. Jones, Cade Rice, Colby Lovell, Justin Thigpen, Clay Smith. Kyle Lockett, Jojo Lemond, John Douch, and Ketch Kelton

NATIONAL RANCH & STOCK HORSE ALLIANCE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MOVES TO LAZY E ARENA IN 2025

Posted on November 25, 2024November 25, 2024 by Lazy E Arena

The National Ranch & Stock Horse Alliance (NRSHA) is pleased to announce that the Lazy E Arena is the new home of the NRSHA National Championship Show. The event is moving to Guthrie, Oklahoma, and will be held in conjunction with The Gathering at the E presented by Equinety, May 14 – 18, 2025.

AQHA and VRH have provided a platform to NRSHA to develop and grow the National Championship. That platform has helped to create the stability needed for NRSHA to take the next step in elevating the show. “We want to thank AQHA for hosting the NRSHA National Show for several years as the Alliance was getting started,” said NRSHA President Charles Pellham. “Now with 11 members in the Alliance, we felt moving to the Lazy E for NRSHA’s premiere show was a step in the right direction for the event to continue to grow.” This move gives the Ranch and Stock Horse Industry two major championships to qualify for each year.

2024 was the inaugural year for The Gathering at the E, and the show quickly gained the reputation as the place to be in 2025 for ranch horse enthusiasts from across the country. The event is owned by the Lazy E and managed by Stock Horse of Texas. The event was designed to promote a fun, family-friendly atmosphere that celebrates the abilities of the ranch horse and riders inside a competition pen and on the trail. The Gathering at the E is a ranch horse show that allows competitors the opportunity to compete in beautiful, wide-open meadows – complete with an authentic water crossing feature, a large outdoor covered arena, and a world renowned, climate-controlled arena in the heart of Oklahoma.

The decision to move the NRSHA National Championship to Lazy E Arena is the icing on the cake for The Gathering at the E. Between SHTX’s full slate of ranch horse classes, an AQHA Versatility Ranch Horse Show, a Ranching Heritage Challenge and now the NRSHA National Championship, you won’t want to miss ‘Gathering at the E’ in 2025!

Stay tuned for more information to be released soon.

ABOUT NRSHA:

The National Ranch and Stock Horse Alliance (NRSHA) was founded by six partnering associations in an effort to preserve and promote ranching traditions and heritage through competitive ranch and stock horse events on a national level. Since its inception, the Alliance has added five additional associations who work together for the good of the ranch horse. The groups come together annually to crown national champions in a variety of ranch horse events. For more about NRSHA, visit www.ranchhorse.net

ABOUT LAZY E ARENA:

The Fabulous Lazy E Arena – just southeast of Guthrie and northeast of Edmond/Oklahoma City – was established in December 1984, just in time for the ’84 National Finals Steer Roping Finals. Originator of the E, E.K. Gaylord II had a vision that both the National Finals Steer Roping Finals and the National Finals Rodeo would happen the same time, in the same area, creating the most epic days rodeo had seen. While the plan only worked for one year, as the NFR moved to Vegas in ’85, the legacy and standards E.K. set from the beginning still carry on today. From giving PBR its start to the Timed Event Championship of the World, the Lazy E has hosted world champions, world championships and personalities galore. In 2005, Gaylord sold the property to a partnership from Nevada, and in October 2013 the property was sold to the McKinney Family from Midland, Texas. The ownership group has long recognized not only the tremendous facility, but also the importance of the Lazy E’s place in Rodeo and Oklahoma history. The Family has committed to maintaining the Lazy E as the World’s premier western entertainment facility. Many updates and renovations are taking place at the Arena which will only enhance the lure of the Lazy E to the general population. www.lazye.com