Eight-time NFR qualifier and four-time PRCA director of bareback riding Caleb Bennett joined Western Sports Roundup to discuss everything that goes into selecting the stock for the National Finals Rodeo.
Bennett starts with a list of about 400 stock contractors and based on conference calls with every bareback rider in the Top 15, he narrows the list down to 105. Each phone call is about 2-3 hours and Bennett is on 4-6 calls every week leading up to the final selections.
Bennett is also responsible for sorting the pens at the Wrangler NFR and he says this year was different because typically it is taken into account how horses buck at the Thomas & Mack Center, but because of the venue change, some other horses are going to get a chance at Globe Life Field.
You can see the full list of NFR bareback horses here.