RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo – 15 of California’s Best to Participate

The 2013 RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo starts tomorrow in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at the Oklahoma State Fair Arena (April 4-6, 2013).

Fifteen (15) of California's best PRCA and WPRA Circuit cowboys and cowgirls will put it all out there as they participate in the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo (website)!

These cowboys and cowgirls have been working and traveling non-stop all year to earn the right to participate in this prestigious event.  Please join us as we wish each and every one of the contestants and their families Good Luck!  We also send out special "Go Get Um" wishes to each and every California Circuit Cowboy and Cowgirl!  Your families, friends, and your fans back home will be rooting for you !!!!

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Tie Down Roper Blake Hirdes, had to withdraw from the RNCFR which opened the door for Kyle Lockett to participate in two events -Team Roping and Tie Down Roping - For full story please visit website.

The following lists all CA Circuit contestants participating in the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo!  Again - Good luck to all !! (All bios are courtesy of the PRCA (website) and WPRA (website).  For full list of all contestants, draw sheets, and event schedules please visit our friends at the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo (website)

CONTESTANT	HOME TOWN	EVENT(S)	BIO
Marcus Battaglia	Ramona, CA	Team Roping Header
Mert Bradshaw	Eagle Point, OR	Saddle Bronc	Bio
Luke Branquinho	Los Alamos, CA	Steer Wresting	Bio
Bryce Brown	Greenview, CA	Bull Riding
George Gillespie IV	Placerville, CA	Bareback Riding	Bio
Blaine Linaweaver	Irine, CA	Team Roping Header	Bio
Kyle Lockett	Visalia, CA	Team Roping Heeler & Tie Down Roping	Bio
Sammy Matthews	Springville, CA	Bull Riding
Joaquin Real	Woody, CA	Saddle Bronc	Bio
Christina Richman	Glendora, CA	Ladies Barrels	Bio
Ryle Smith	Oakdale, CA	Tie Down Roping	Bio
Tyson Thompson	Bradley, CA	Bareback Riding	Bio
Ethen Thouvenell	Napa, CA	Steer Wresting	Bio
Brianna Trepanier	Agua Dulce, CA	Ladies Barrels
Caleb Twisselman	Santa Margarita, CA	Team Roping Heeler	Bio

Also look for Miss Rodeo California, Dakota Skellenger, who will be in Oklahoma City representing the great State of California, the PRCA California Circuit, and the great sport of Rodeo!

About the PRCA Circuit System and the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo

(courtesy of our friends at prorodeo.com)

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is the premier event in rodeo, and contestants who make it there often get the majority of rodeo headlines. Yet there are many top cowboys who never make it to Las Vegas. The reasons are as varied as the contestants, but for most, the responsibilities of home, jobs or businesses keep them tied to a specific geographic region.

In other words, not everyone can, or wants to, travel thousands of miles each year for a chance at a gold buckle at the Wrangler NFR, but rodeo is still in their blood and they are driven to compete professionally. These contestants make up the majority of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s membership. Enter the PRCA’s regional circuit system and its championship, the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo (RNCFR), formerly known as the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo (DNCFR).

In 1975, the PRCA created a format that breaks up the United States into 12 circuits. Those circuits include as few as one state, such as the California, Texas and Montana Circuits, to as many as 13 states – the First Frontier Circuit in the northeastern part of the country. In 1987, the circuit system was incorporated, and Dodge became the title sponsor of all 12 circuit finals rodeos and the Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo. In 2010, the Dodge brand rodeo initiative went to the newly formed Ram Series of the Chrysler Group. Ram has title sponsorship of all 12 PRCA Circuit Finals Rodeos and, beginning in 2012, the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo (RNCFR).

As the regular season ends, top competitors from each event qualify to compete in their circuit finals rodeos – several of which set attendance records in 2011. Champions from those rodeos, as well as the year-end winners from each circuit, are then invited to Oklahoma City to vie for RNCFR championships. This year’s RNCFR is April 4-6, 2013.

Each contestant can compete inside and outside of his circuit throughout the year; his earnings count toward the world standings no matter where the rodeo was, but only the points he earns at rodeos within the circuit he designates at the beginning of the season are applied toward his place in the circuit standings. (Money earned at the regional circuit finals, Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo and All American ProRodeo Finals, presented by Pendleton Whisky, does not count toward world standings.)

The tournament-style RNFCR determines the national circuit champions in each event. The competition produces exciting challenges for the athletes and vivid entertainment for the fans. All 24 qualifiers from the 12 circuits compete in the two preliminary rounds of the rodeo. The top eight contestants from each event advance to the semifinal round, with all previous scores and times thrown out. The top four move on to the final round, a sudden-death competition that determines the national circuit champion in each event. Because the top four contestants begin that final round with a clean slate, each one has an equal opportunity to claim a RNCFR title.

Event winners each receive a $20,000 voucher toward a new Ram Truck in addition to their winnings.