The National Finals Rodeo (NFR) is the "superbowl" of rodeo, inviting only the 15 top cowboys and cowgirls to compete. In 2011, 19 contestants from the Eagle County Fair & Rodeo went on to the NFR.  In 2012 over 30 contestants that entered the Eagle County Fair & Rodeo went to the NFR.  Check out some of the top contestants we've had the pleasure of having at the Eagle County Fair & Rodeo in recent years.

Bareback Riding 

Will Lowe
Born: 12/24/1982 Gardner, Kan.
Joined PRCA: 2001
PRCA Career Earnings: $1,819,221.00
World Titles Won: 3 (2003, 2005-06)
WNFR Qualifications:10 (2002-11)
Current Residence: Canyon, Texas
2011 World standings place: 2nd
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 3rd
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $97,500
2011 earnings: $235,134
Wrangler NFR average titles: 2 (2006-07)
Education: Vernon (Texas) College, Associate of Science Degree

  
Casey Colletti
Born: 12/21/1985 Pueblo, Colo.
Joined PRCA: 2006
PRCA Career Earnings: $242,789.00
World Titles Won: 0
WNFR Qualifications:1 (2011)
Current Residence: Pueblo, Colo.
2011 World standings place: 5th
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 5th
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $82,644
2011 earnings: $155,762
Education: Garden City (Kan.) Community College, Associate of Farm & Ranch Management Degree 
 
Ryan Gray 
Born: 7/11/1983 Laramie, Wyo.
Joined PRCA: 2002
PRCA Career Earnings: $1,072,134.00
World Titles Won: 0
WNFR Qualifications:7 (2005-11)
Current Residence: Cheney, Wash.
2011 World standings place: 6th
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 9th
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $44,519
2011 earnings: $137,257
Education: Odessa (Texas) College, Associate of Business Management Degree, Texas Tech University (Lubbock), Bachelor of Agriculture Leadership Degree(December 2006) 

 
Brian Bain
Born: 2/10/1982 Bend, Ore.
Joined PRCA: 2007
PRCA Career Earnings: $204,350.00
World Titles Won: 0
WNFR Qualifications:1 (2011)
Current Residence: Culver, Ore.
2011 World standings place: 9th
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 13th
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $18,173
2011 earnings: $108,200 

 
 Jason Havens 
Born: 3/15/1977 Clarkston, Wash.
Joined PRCA: 1997
PRCA Career Earnings: $832,329.00
World Titles Won: 0
WNFR Qualifications:5 (2004, 2007, 2009-11)
Current Residence: Prineville, Ore.
2011 World standings place: 12th
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 8th
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $10,096
2011 earnings: $88,848
Education: Walla Walla (Wash.) Community College, Montana State University (Bozeman), Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology 

Wes Stevenson 
Born: 9/25/1979 Kaufman, Texas
Joined PRCA: 1998
PRCA Career Earnings: $1,027,417.00
World Titles Won: 0
WNFR Qualifications:7 (2002, 2004-06, 2009-11)
Current Residence: Lubbock, Texas
2011 World standings place: 13th
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 10th
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $15,144
2011 earnings: $85,964
Education: Texas Tech University (Lubbock), Western Texas College (Snyder)

Royce Ford
Born: 12/27/1981 Kersey, Colo.
Joined PRCA: 2000
PRCA Career Earnings: $1,061,401.00
World Titles Won: 0
WNFR Qualifications:8 (2003-09, 2011)
Current Residence: Briggsdale, Colo.
2011 World standings: 15th
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 14th
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $4,615
2011 earnings: $65,495 

Saddle Bronc Riding 

Taos Muncy 
Born: 6/28/1987 Albuquerque, N.M.
Joined PRCA: 2006
PRCA Career Earnings: $778,528.00
World Titles Won: 2 (2007, 2011)
WNFR Qualifications:4 (2007, 2009-11)
Current Residence: Corona, N.M.
2011 World standings place: 1st
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 2nd
2011 NFR earnings: $94,471
2011 earnings: $249,914
Education: Oklahoma Panhandle State University, Goodwell, Okla., majoring in agricultural business

 Jesse Wright
Born: 6/21/1989 St. George, Utah
Joined PRCA: 2008
PRCA Career Earnings: $448,165.00
World Titles Won: 0
WNFR Qualifications:2 (2010-11)
Current Residence: Milford, Utah
2011 World standings place: 2nd
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 1st
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $160,962
2011 earnings: $241,374
NFR average titles: 1 (2011)
Education: College of Southern Idaho (Twin Falls)

 Cody Wright
Born: 4/1/1977 Toquerville, Utah
Joined PRCA: 1998
PRCA Career Earnings: $1,776,142.00
World Titles Won: 2 (2008, 2010)
WNFR Qualifications:9 (2003-11)
Current Residence: Milford, Utah
2011 World standings place:4th
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 8th
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $66,202
2011 earnings: $214,142
Wrangler NFR average titles: 1 (2010)
Education: College of Southern Idaho (Twin Falls)

 Bradley Harter
Born: 4/1/1977 Toquerville, Utah
Joined PRCA: 1998
PRCA Career Earnings: $1,776,142.00
World Titles Won: 2 (2008, 2010)
WNFR Qualifications:9 (2003-11)
Current Residence: Milford, Utah
2011 World standings place:4th
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 8th
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $66,202
2011 earnings: $214,142
Wrangler NFR average titles: 1 (2010)
Education: College of Southern Idaho (Twin Falls)

 Jacobs Crawley
Born: 5/27/1988 Ennis, Texas
Joined PRCA: 2011
PRCA Career Earnings: $179,445.00
World Titles Won: 0
WNFR Qualifications:1 (2011)
Current Residence: College Station, Texas
2011 World standings place: 9th
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 6th
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $37,500 
2011 earnings: $95,633
Education: Texas A&M University (College Station), majoring in industrial and systems engineering

Cody DeMoss  
Born: 1/14/1981 Crowville, La.
Joined PRCA: 2000
PRCA Career Earnings: $1,403,385.00
World Titles Won: 0
WNFR Qualifications:8 (2003-07, 2009-11)
Current Residence: Heflin, La.
2011 World standings place: 10th
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 15th
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $0
2011 earnings: $78,891
Education: Northeast Texas Community College (Mount Pleasant), Associate of Farm & Ranch Management Degree 

Health DeMoss
Born: 1/14/1981 Crowville, La.
Joined PRCA: 2000
PRCA Career Earnings: $1,403,385.00
World Titles Won: 0
WNFR Qualifications:8 (2003-07, 2009-11)
Current Residence: Heflin, La.
2011 World standings place: 10th
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 15th
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $0
2011 earnings: $78,891
Education: Northeast Texas Community College (Mount Pleasant), Associate of Farm & Ranch Management Degree

 Sam Spreadborough
Born: 4/8/1981 Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia
Joined PRCA: 2003
PRCA Career Earnings: $278,748.00
World Titles Won: 0
WNFR Qualifications:2 (2010-11)
Current Residence: Snyder, Texas
2011 World standings place: 14th
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 13th
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $0
2011 earnings: $45,017
Education: Western Texas College (Snyder), Associate of Welding Degree 

 Steven Dent
Born: 4/23/1986 North Platte, Neb.
Joined PRCA: 2006
PRCA Career Earnings: $761,851.00
World Titles Won: 0
WNFR Qualifications:4 (2007-08, 2010-11)
Current Residence: Mullen, Neb.
2011 World standings place: 4th
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 4th
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $62,452
2011 earnings: $161,924
Education: Ranger (Texas) College

Bull Riding 

 J.W. Harris
Born: 7/14/1986 Coleman, Texas
Joined PRCA: 2005
PRCA Career Earnings: $1,209,882.00
World Titles Won: 3 (2008-10)
WNFR Qualifications:6 (2006-11)
Current Residence: Mullin, Texas
2011 World standings place: 2nd
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 5th
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $78,317
2011 earnings: $209,361
Wrangler NFR average titles: 2 (2008, 2010)

 
 Chandler Bownds
Born: 7/31/1991
Joined PRCA: 2011
PRCA Career Earnings: $122,748.00
World Titles Won: 0
WNFR Qualifications:1 (2011)
Current Residence: Lubbock, Texas
2011 World standings place: 8th
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 9th
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $49,904
2011 earnings: $121,562
Education: Panola College (Carthage, Texas)

  Clayton Foltyn
Born: 3/21/1985 Wharton, Texas
Joined PRCA: 2004
PRCA Career Earnings: $606,726.00
World Titles Won: 0
WNFR Qualifications:2 (2005, 2011)
Current Residence: El Campo, Texas
2011 World standings place: 11th
2011 Wrangler NFR place: 15th
2011 Wrangler NFR earnings: $10,673
2011 earnings: $104,894
Education: Western Texas College (Snyder)