Even though there is only one women's event at the WNFR, since the inception of the award in 2010 two women, Sherry Cervi (2013) and Mary Walker (2012), have been the recipient of the Ram truck and a special Montana Silversmith Top Gun buckle, and a Top Gun-branded gun from Commemorative Firearms. Cervi and Walker joined Bareback Rider Kaycee Feild and All-around cowboy Trevor Brazile as Ram Top Guns.

Going into Round 9 Lisa Lockhart ($92,100) and Fallon Taylor ($90,414) have mathematically lost their battle with Bull Rider Sage Kimzey ($126,733), who won Round 9, clinching the Average and becoming just one of 7 bull riders to have ever won 4 go-rounds at an NFR. Because the Top Gun Award goes to the top earner in one event, Trevor Brazile is sitting in both 6th and 19th place for this year's award with $76,929 for the Tie Down Roping and $58,233 for the Team Roping.

This year the Ram Top Gun Award will take home a 2015 Ram Bighorn crew cab dually to get down the rodeo trail.

A special Top Gun-branded gun from Commemorative Firearms with the handle and the barrel branded with the Top Gun Award insignia.

Sherry Cervi and Stingray at the WNFR 2014. Photo by Kenneth Springer

The crowd gathers to wait for the doors to open for the luncheon.

Raffle tickets are bought for a chance to win a saddle.

Elsie Frost, mother of World Champion Lane Frost, who died as a result of being horned by a bull 25 years ago, takes tickets for the saddle raffle.

For the silent auction items are set out to be viewed. They have a description that shows who donated the item and how much the retail value is followed by a space for people to put their names and their bids.

Live auction items are displayed for people to get to view the items with a description and a retail value. Then there is an auctioneer on stage that auctions them off to the highest bidder. One of the items was an autographed Charlie Daniels fiddle.

Tie-died chaps donated by barrel racer Fallon Taylor brought in $1,100 in the silent auction where they were displayed on stage by Miss Rodeo America.

Shada Brazile took her husband Trevor's competition shirts and had an autographed quilt made for the Justin Crisis Fund auction.

There is a room full of clothes that are all organized according to the production schedule for the fashion show.

Jana Bean and Nancy Hunter take stage direction from the choreographer during fashion show rehearsals.

Mary Walker, flanked by Christy Loflin and Britany Diaz, sport Panhandle Slim Rock & Roll Cowgirl duds back stage at the fashion show.

Wrangler's All-Around Baby collection designed by the WPRA's own Shada Brazile was showcased on stage. Shada and Trevor Brazile's daughter Style was all decked out in Wrangler while her mother watched from her mark on stage.

Each attendee to the luncheon received a Wrangler bag filled with goodies.

The lunch was provided courtesy of the South Point Hotel and Casino owners, Michael and Paula Gaughn.

Did You Know?
Home State Girls

All of the WPRA barrel racers cover a lot of miles during the rodeo season. Some cowgirls made most of their money in their own neck of the woods like Carlee Pierce, who won a lot of checks in her home state of Texas and Dakota girls Britany Diaz (ND) and Lisa Lockhart (SD) spent a lot of time getting money for Vegas up north in Canada. Other cowgirls like Fallon Taylor seemed to cover most of the country getting to the WNFR this year.

While the biggest concentration of WNFR 2014 cowgirls do hale from the state of Texas with six, a lot of different states are represented here with two cowgirls from Colorado and one barrel racer from Arizona, Florida, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah.

- Sherry Cervi Marana, Arizona
- Christy Loflin Franktown, Colorado
- Christine Laughlin Pueblo, Colorado
- Kaley Bass Kissimmee, Florida
- Trula Churchill Valentine, Nebraska
- Kassidy Dennison Tohatchi, New Mexico
- Britany Diaz Solen, North Dakota
- Lisa Lockhart Oelrichs, South Dakota
- Fallon Taylor Whitesboro, Texas
- Mary Walker Ennis, Texas
- Carlee Pierce Stephenville, Texas
- Samantha Lyne Cotulla, Texas
- Michele McLeod Whitesboro, Texas
- Jana Bean Ft. Hancock, Texas
- Nancy Hunter Neola, Utah

Style and brother Treston have kid's back numbers with a 1 and 86 from NFR 2013 when both their mother and father both competed at the Thomas & Mack.

Some take the back number as inspiration for fashion. Six-time WNFR qualifier, Fallon Taylor, had a special cowboy hat made with her back number painted it. The hat was made by Glam & Grit and they used a replica of Fallon's 1995 WNFR back number to create this custom hat.

Winston Churchill said, "No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle". Our WNFR barrel racers would agree with that, but the rodeo trail requires a lot of time in the driver's seat getting from rodeo to rodeo. Many of the cowgirls have their dog as their main travel companion. These girls love their horses, but they sure adore their dogs, as well.

Britany Diaz's Australian Shepherd/Blue Heeler mix, Sadie, is celebrating her 12th birthday here at the NFR in Las Vegas. She has been with Britany about as long as her 14-year old mare Rootie.

3-Time NFR Qualifier Trula Churchill is flanked by her blue roan gelding Worm and her blue merle dachshund, Captain. Photo by Chris Davis.

Jana Bean loves spending time with, Okie, her Corgie.

German Shepard, Bella, is never far from three-time WNFR Qualifier Christy Loflin, who says that she is the best dog ever.

Sherry Cervi takes her French Bulldog Franny with her as she hits the rodeo trail. Unfortunately, little Franny didn't get to make the trip to Las Vegas this year as she is home recovering from minor surgery. But, she is definitely missed on the Cervi team.

The Pro Rodeo Officials set the barrel pattern at the WNFR. They use rope that is tied to a stake to mark the spot for each of the three barrels and to mark the two spots where the electronic eye sets to measure the barrel times.

Butch Kirby checks the stake that marks the barrel at the Thomas & Mack.

The WPRA Official Rule Book defines a Standard Barrel Pattern, but allows for specified changes for smaller pens, like the NFR arena at the Thomas & Mack.

The 2014 WNFR Barrel Pattern Measurements were signed off by Pro Rodeo Officials: Joe Bob Locke, George Gibbs, Cliff Overstreet and Skip Emmitt. The NFR barrel patterns measures at: 60.5 feet between barrel one (1) and two (2); 70 feet between barrel one (1) and three (3) and between barrel two (2) and three (3); 63.6 feet from barrels one (1) and two (2) to the score line The electric eyes, which have no required measurements, are set at: 18' between the fence and the electric eye; 42.8' between the start line and the electric eye

Did You Know?
Rodeo is a Family Affair

Rodeo is as much a lifestyle as it is a sport. At the NFR 2014 there is a lot of focus on the Wright Brothers who filled four of the Top 15 spots in the Saddle Bronc Riding, but family plays a big part in getting anyone to the NFR. Some families compete and travel together, some hold down the home front while the rodeo athletes in the family are on the road, others weave their time back and forth from home to the rodeo trail in support of their loved one securing an NFR qualification. A few lucky NFR qualifiers have family members who, themselves have formerly been NFR contestants or even world champions and have knowledge and teachings they pass on.

Four-time World Champion Sherry Cervi and her husband, 11-time WNFR team roper, Cory Petska are the only husband-wife pair at NFR 2014. Photo by Kenneth Springer

Lisa Lockhart competes at the same rodeos as her tie-down roper Grady Lockhart. They hit the rodeo trail each season with their three kids Alyssa (14), Thane (12) and Cade (9) and cover a lot of miles together. Photo by Kenneth Springer

There are two gold buckles in the Walker household. Mary Walker and Latte won the World in 2012, which was the first of her three WNFR qualifications. Her husband Byron Walker is a 16-time WNFR qualifier winning the World in 1981. Byron was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and Mary is an inductee at the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame.

North Dakota is where two-time WNFR qualifier Britany Diaz (2011, 2014) calls home with her new husband, Saddle Bronc Rider Isaac Diaz, who competed at the WNFR in 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013. They hope to compete here together in 2015.

Jana Bean and her husband, Breck, grew up on horses. Their son Jim Breck lives with them in Ft. Hancock, Texas where they raise and train barrel racing, team roping and tie-down roping horses.

Two-time WNFR qualifier Michele McLeod has a house full of barrel racers. She and her husband, John, have three daughters Katelyn, Lindsey and Jenna. Daughter Lindsey won the National High School Rodeo Association title in barrel racing in 2014 on Skye, the horse Michele won Round 5 on at the WNFR.

Fallon Taylor's parent's Shelton and Dian whose Dynasty Equine program produced Neffy that brought Fallon to 4 WNFR qualifications (1995-1998). Neffy is a full sister to Babyflo who Fallon rode at NFR 2013 and has won Rounds 1 and 4 of NFR 2014.

Trula Churchill is being cheered on at the WNFR by her Mom and Dad, Richard and Janet, and her brother Jimmie. Her husband, Linn Churchill is a PRCA Steer Wrestler, who qualified for the WNFR in 2006.

Samantha Lyne is pictured with her mother Sarah and her father Phil. Samantha has rodeo in her blood being raised by a rodeo legend. Phil Lyne is the only cowboy to win the average title at both ends of the arena in the same year, in 1972 where he took the average in bull riding and tie-down roping.

Kassidy Dennison was raised in a rodeo family and you'll often find mother and father on the road with her. Her siblings make it out to support her at rodeos, as well. She has a lot of family and friends in the stands waving the Navajo Nation flag and using one of her hasthags on social media, like #goFastKass or #FlyLikeAnEagle in honor of her horse, who helped her win Round 3.

They say that championships are won in the rodeo arena, but champions are made in the practice pen. No doubt, the Top 15 are at home in a practice pen. At the Thomas and Mack arena in Las Vegas where the National Finals Rodeo is hosted there are three arenas that all contestants use. There is a warm-up pen that is located between the arena and the barns behind the building. There is a tent at the top of the alley that is referred to as the Grand Entry tent, and, of course, the rodeo arena. The warm-up pen and the grand entry tent are always open to contestants. The rodeo arena is closed most of the time, but there are a few opportunities for contestants to get their horses on the arena ground.

There is a Grand Entry rehearsal that takes place in the Thomas and Mack rodeo arena for what many describe as the wildest grand entry you'll ever ride in. 8-time World Champion Joe Beaver, who emceed the WPRA Star Celebration, joked that the barrel pattern may be the same but the grand entry is something that you have never experienced.

There are five times in which the barrels are set in the standard clover-leaf pattern where the WNFR barrel racers are able to ride around the barrels. During the practice sessions only one girl is able to ride at a time while the rest of the girls wait in the alley for their turn. Barrel practice is open for one hour each day and any of the Top 15 who wishes can come and make fast runs or do slow work with their horses.

There are also times when contestants can get into the area to ride without the barrels set up. These open ride times in the rodeo arena usually follow the hour after barrel practice. Some barrel racers only come to ride at this time to get their horses in the pen when they can just ride and let them relax.

During Barrel Racing Practice the barrels are set up on the official pattern and arena access is limited to just the Top 15 Barrel Racers. The Open Contestant Ride times are open for all NFR Contestants and no barrels are in the arena.

The grand entry tent is right at the end of the alley to the arena. This is open all the time for contestants to ride. This is the area where everyone assembles before the grand entry every night.(PRCA photo by Larry Smith)

For many cowgirls the toughest part of the barrel race is getting their horse down the alley. WNFR Barrel Practice is a chance to get horses in the alley when the stadium is empty and quiet.

Sherry Cervi grabbed a jolt of a java before taking Stingray into the arena at last year's barrel practice. The temperatures were much colder, so the girls were bundled up. This year the weather has been much cooler.

Fallon Taylor has come to the early 6am barrel practice in a onesie from her Ranch Dress'n.

Some barrel racers do slow work with their horses, some make runs while some do a mix. Trula Churchill rounding the second barrel on her roan gelding "Worm".

Mary Walker lets Latte take a slow stroll through the barrel pattern in NFR 2013. This year Mary has been going to the open riding time instead of barrel practice.

Shelton Taylor, father of Fallon, and Wendy Potter, Sherry Cervi's mother talk over coffee at the early morning barrel practice while their daughters ride in the rodeo arena.

Did You Know?
Exceptional Cowboys and Cowgirls Get Time on Rodeo Dirt

Each year NFR Contestants are invited to come to the Exceptional Rodeo where they get to meet some very special cowboys and cowgirls and help them hone their rodeo skills. Dozens of special-needs kids are brought to the arena at Cowboy Christmas located at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The children are given hats and ropes and then they hit the rodeo arena that is surrounded by a crowd seated in the stands, horses ready to be ridden and a professional announcer calling all of the events.

The NFR contestants partner with an exceptional child and then show them the ropes in barrel racing, bull riding, and roping, and they learn how to ride a horse, all in the hopes of helping fulfill every American child's dream of being a cowboy.

The barrel racers really enjoy this event, and many are able to take the time from their busy NFR schedules to spend some time helping these kid's rodeo dreams come true. Christy Loflin, Christine Laughlin, Nancy Hunter, Jana Bean, Lisa Lockhart, Samantha Lyne, Michele McLeod, Fallon Taylor and Kaley Bass all got to enjoy the kids today.

Fallon Taylor gives this special cowboy a ride on a nice palomino horse.

Christy Loflin gives this little bull rider pointers on good rodeo form.

Christine Laughlin gets some time in with a future steer roping champion.

Lisa Lockhart is able to bring her cowgirl to barrel racing victory.

Nancy Hunter was able to give her cowgirl a good steer ride to add to her rodeo resume.

Jana Bean's rope totin' cowgirl wanted some company on the steer.

Jana Bean's rope totin' cowgirl wanted some company on the steer.

Sherry Cervi making a 13.66 second run in Round 2 at NFR 2013. Photo by Kenneth Springer.

Did You Know?
Funds to Carry You Through

Rodeo cowboys and cowgirls are not guaranteed a paycheck when they ride or rope. Rodeo is a rough sport and these athletes keep competing through minor injuries, but sometimes there are serious injuries. These injuries alone can be devastating, but can also cause great financial burden. In 1989 Justin Boots partnered with the PRCA and WPRA to establish the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund (JCCF).

Since its inception the JCCF had awarded in excess of $6.7 million in need-based financial assistance to more than 1000 injured rodeo athletes and their families. Injured cowboys and cowgirls can apply for assistance, which takes several factors into account, such as the severity of injury, the number of dependents and the applicant's financial situation.

As a non-profit charity organization The Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund does fund raising through fun events like the Annual Cowboy Down Hill. World Champion Barrel Racer Sherry Cervi has hosted the Mike Cervi Jr. Memorial Pro Classic charity roping for four years, which honors her team roper husband who was killed in a plane crash in 2001.

Rodeo Cowboys and Cowgirls hit the slopes to raise money for the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund each year in the Annual Cowboy Down Hill.

The National Finals Rodeo is a big fund raising time for the JCCF each year. The Bob Tallman WNFR Charity Bowling Tournament takes place during the WNFR where contestants and former champions bowl to raise money for the Crisis Fund.

World Champion bull rider Gary Leffew bolwing for charity.

How can you help?

Sales of the official WNFR gear from sweatshirts to ball caps support the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund. Go to prorodeogear.com and shop and upon checkout they will allow you to add a donation onto your purchase. Pick up this cool NFR 2014 barrel racer shirt and give a little at checkout to help injured barrel racers.

Did you know that you can donate to the JCCF when you sell an item on Ebay? You can choose to donate a portion of the proceeds of your Ebay sale to the through Ebay Giving Works.

The Pro Rodeo League of Women hosts a fashion show and luncheon that includes an amazing auction. If you're in Las Vegas, you can attend the event this Thursday, December 11th at 11am PT at the South Point Hotel and Casino. Tickets are $40 at the door. Come and eat lunch, watch the western fashion show and make a bid on some amazing items.

Fallon Taylor's Ranch Dress'n store made tie-dyed chaps that several contestants will wear during the WNFR. Sherry Cervi and J.W. Harris wore the chaps in grand entry during Round 4, and others will join in all week. Former NFR Qualifier Shada Brazile had a quilt made of her All-around Champion husband's western shirts.

World Champion Sherry Cervi sports tye-dyed chaps that will be donated to an auction for the Justin Cowboy's Crisis Fund. (Photo courtesy of Sherry Cervi)

First-time WNFR qualifiers at WNFR 2014. (Left -Right) Christine Laughlin, Nancy Hunter, Samantha Lyne, Jana Bean, Kassidy Dennison . Photo by Kenneth Springer.

Bugs made his debut at the Thomas and Mack in 2011 with 7-time NFR qualifier Angie Meadors (pictured left) and now returns here, pictured on right, with first-time NFR qualifier Jana Bean. Photos by Kenneth Springer.

Lisa Lockhart with her WNFR Qualifier saddle from Performance Saddle Company. Photo by Kenneth Springer

Detailed tooling make this Performance Saddle Company barrel saddle so striking.

Some barrel racers take their saddles back to their training programs and train and compete in them. Fallon Taylor took the Dusty Barrett Barrel Saddle back to Texas after the 2013 WNFR and joined Christie Loflin in riding a Barrett Barrel Saddle.

Fallon Taylor at home at Dynasty Horse Ranch with her Barrett Barrel Saddle.

In 2014 Kassidy Dennison is making her first trip to the WNFR and she drew the Barrett Saddle. Barrett says, "We custom mold the hard seat in each saddle to keep the close contact with your horse." Dusty custom builds every saddle. He spent 65 hours over a 3 week period building this saddle for the WPRA Saddle Rotation Program.

(Left - Right) Kassidy Dennison with the Barrett Barrel saddle (Photo by Kenneth Springer), and Kassidy with saddle maker, Dusty Barrett, at the WPRA Star Celebration.

Did You Know?
Million Dollar Cowgirls

The National Finals Rodeo 2014 has two Million Dollar Cowgirls in its ranks. Sherry Cervi is a four-time World Champion who came in to this year's competition in 9th place with $93,048.33 56. The Arizona cowgirl has amassed $2,795,330 in career earnings. She became just the second barrel racer to win the Top Gun Award given to the NFR contestant who wins the most money in a single event.

The other Million Dollar Cowgirl at NFR 2014 is Lisa Lockhart who rode into Las Vegas holding on to the #3 spot in the World with $121,617 in annual earnings. This added to her career earnings bringing her across the million dollar mark at $1,370,487.

Sherry and Lisa join five other Million Dollar Cowgirls: World Champions Charmayne James, Kristie Petersen and Brittany Pozzi.

Million Dollar career earners Sherry Cervi and Lisa Lockhart strike a pose in front of the WNFR bucking chutes. Photo by Kenneth Springer.

(Left to Right) Kristie Petersen, Charmayne James, Brittany Pozzi

To kick off the 10-day Wrangler National Finals Rodeo the WPRA hosted the Star Celebration where they honor the rodeo committees and contract personnel who were shining stars in 2014. They also gave our special awards, like the NFR Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize years of service and dedication to the Association, which was warded to rodeo announcer Bob Tallman.

The WNFR Qualifiers are each introduced and interviewed by tie down roping champion Joe Beaver, then they are presented with the their WNFR Qualifier Saddles. They also receive so many gifts that they have to recruit help to carry it all after the Star Celebration ended.

Fallon Taylor, who is #2 in the World Standings, being interviewed by Joe Beaver at the WPRA Star Celebration. Photo by Kenneth Springer

Kassidy Dennison and her happy helpers carrying the amazing products from the WPRA sponsors. Photo by Kenneth Springer

Each girl received a custom pair of Justin Boots with the 30th anniversary logo embroidered on the front and WPRA embroidered on the side. Their Montana Silversmith business card holder will keep them professional as they kick off the 2015 rodeo season. Their horses weren't left out though. Hartley DeRenzo Thoroughbreds from Ocala, FL will keep the girls' barrel horses hooves in good shape with Pro-Care Plus, and their Equidae Horse Feed will help keep each horse fueled as they go down the rodeo trail.

Jody Reese Designs used her classy and eccentric designs to create a custom NFR halters for each girl. These WPRA barrel horses are fast, and that takes a lot of hard work, which can leave a horse sore. Back On Track ceramic therapy will help them feel like new. While Back on Track will help from the outside, the Formula707 supplement will keep the horses on track with Daily Essentials. The girls also got a fun and personalized silver concho that was created by Coasties Conchos with an action shot of each girl from a winning run during the rodeo season.

Louis Nunez gave the girls Formula 1 Noni to help keep their horses' immune system strong, their gut healthy and help them recover and balance their behavior. Each barrel racer receives a qualifier saddle from the WPRA saddle rotation program, which they can proudly display on their Rhinestones N Rodeo saddle racks that are made from wood and adorn a metal WNFR/WPRA cutout with a barrel racer silhouette.

Chuck Gawle at Flying C Promotions donated Renew Gold, Daily Gold and Redmond Rock to each of the WNFR Barrel racers, which will help keep them nourished while reducing their starch intake. The Ali Dee Collection is full of sassy and fun western wear that they girls will be able to wear out on the road. Who wouldn't want a backpack filled with cowgirl and horse treats? The folks at Barrel Horse News know exactly what barrel racers need to fill their barn with treats. The girls will have fun deciding if they will spend Brett Baize's generous $1,100 gift Get Patched certificate to reduce inflammation and increase energy for themselves or for their horse since they have thermal imaging products for both.

Did You Know?
Rodeo Trail Takes a lot of Heart and Promise

Every Year the Top 15 Barrel Racers in the world vote on The Horse with the Most Heart award. The sport of rodeo is based on heart and grit, so this is a really special award. This year's honor went to Dasher Dude "Rootie", the 14-year old mare out of Texas High Dasher (Sire) and April Dell Dude (dam) ridden by Brittany Diaz. Rootie and Brittany came into the WNFR in n5th place with $102, 947 won in the 2014 season. Diaz who reigns from Solen, ND had big wins in Canada that paved her path to Las Vegas. Rootie also won Horse of the Year for the Canadian Pro Rodeo Association and came in second, behind Kaley Bass' horse Cowboy, for the AQHA Horse of the year in 2014, as well. Britany is very proud of her mount and honored that the WNFR Qualifiers are as proud of Rootie's accomplishments as she is.

Brittany Diaz accepting The Horse with the Most Heart Award from Calf Roping champion Joe Beaver who emceed the WPRA Star Celebration in honor of her horse Rootie. Photo by Kenneth Springer

The Rising Star Award, presented each year by former NFR qualifier, Lana Merrick, is given each year in honor of her late horse that ran on NFR dirt in 1987 and 1989, Scoti Flit Bar, as a way of recognizing the year-long achievements of a horse that is appearing at the NFR for the first time. This award is meant to honor all of the great horses that should never be forgotten. The Top 15 barrel racers voted and picked Kassidy Dennison's 9-year old gelding Sierra Hall of Fame "Eagle" who was sired by Dash Ta Fame with La Ganadora (dam). This is Eagle's first appearance at the Thomas and Mac Arena and Kassidy's, as well. But they are no stranger to winning titles. Kassidy is a seven-time Indian National Finals Rodeo Champion winning her last title last year in 2013. She and Eagle concentrated on making to Vegas in 2014 and picked up the year-end and average titles at the Turquoise Circuit Finals Rodeo and they won the semifinal round at the Ram National Circuit Finals in Guthrie, OK in addition to other big checks that brought her into Las Vegas in 10th place with $92,051 for the year.

Lana Merrick awarding Kassidy Dennison The Rising Star award for her horse Eagle. Photo by Kenneth Springer