Powell, Cowley and Meeteetse men participating

Three area cowboys will take part in the 2014 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which begins today (Thursday) in Las Vegas.

Rodeo competitors nationwide strive all year to enter the 10-day event, which is considered the “world series” of rodeo. Millions of fans follow the competition in person, on TV and online.

The Chute Boss

Rural Powell resident Tom Neuens, 51, will be returning to the NFR for his second straight stint as chute boss. Neuens’ job is an important one, as he oversees the entire rough stock end of the NFR arena, which includes animals for bareback, saddle and bull riding.

Neuens also works with judges, confirms the contestant order, deals with transportation of animals and makes sure those animals are in the right chutes when competitions begin.

Neuens got his feet wet three years ago when he served as assistant chute boss, but moved to his current position last year thanks to nearly three decades of involvement with the NFR.

“I’ve never gotten to compete in the NFR, but I’ve gotten close,” Neuens said. “Still, I’ve been doing this for about 25 years, and I feel good about what I’m doing. I know the rodeo ... I love the rodeo.”

The Bullfighter

When the NFR events begin, Meeteetse resident Dusty Tuckness, 28, will have one of the toughest assignments in Vegas. For the last 14 years, Tuckness has served as a bullfighter, or in other words, the main line of defense between an angry bull and its grounded rider. This marks his sixth NFR.

Tuckness' job is to get between a bull and a cowboy that has either fallen off or dismounted. Ultimately, in attempting to protect a rider’s life, he will put his own in danger.

“It’s a very unselfish job ... you’re not out there for yourself, you’re out there for someone else,” Tuckness said.  “It’s a very unpredictable job. You never know what to expect or what’s going to happen.”

As to be expected, injuries can occur in a year in the rodeo ring, and he certainly hasn’t been an exception.

“You’re going to get beat up,” Tuckness added. “I’ve had shoulder surgery, broken quite a few bones, but that’s just part of the job.

“I don’t really think about it. I’ve got a job to do and that’s my main priority and focus. I step out there with the confidence and focus that I’ve got a job to do.”

The Bareback Rider

Cowley native J.R. Vezain will be making his third consecutive appearance at the NFR when bareback riding begins. Vezain, a relatively accomplished cowboy considering his age (22), has six wins (and one co-champion finish) under his belt this season with a season-earnings total of $465,071.

Heading into NFR action, Vezain is ranked 10th in the world standings but the young cowboy isn’t letting his lowest ranking of his three NFR appearances lower his expectations.

“I’m a little behind right now, I’m in 10th right now and have some ground to make up,” Vezain said. “But I’m feeling really confident. I’m going to ride every horse to the best of my ability and remember that it’s just a blessing to be here. I’m going to make the most of it.”

Vezain said that despite his ranking, he still has his sights set on winning the average when the NFR comes to an end. He would like to win the world title in his event, but is keeping his goals in perspective and letting the rest take care of itself.

“I want to jump out there and win the average. And then the cards will lay where they lay after that,” Vezain before adding: “With that said though, I set out to win the world on January 1st. I don’t make the goal to make the NFR, I make the goal to win the world.

“Making the NFR is great, that’s fine and dandy, but I don’t set out to make the NFR, I set out to win the world every time I nod my head.”

For daily results, stories and notes from the NFR, along with updated bios on all rodeo contestants, visit www.prorodeo.com.