Sneak Peak: 2023 NFBR Calf Pens Set

In preparation for the first five rounds of competition at the 2023 Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping, competitors, directors, and stock contractors spent Monday afternoon setting what is called the “pens” for the breakaway calves. 

This process actually started about a month ago when the calves were roped at a jackpot in Ponder, Texas. Here, the ropers got to preview the calves and how they would perform.

“The calves were strong when we broke them in at the jackpot,” said Taylor Munsell, the season’s seventh-ranked cowgirl.

If her take remains true of the cattle in Las Vegas, then horsepower and a good start will be the key to winning in the rounds.

The 60 head of cattle brought to the  South Point Arena & Equestrian Center by stock contractor Lanham Mangold were split into three “pens”. Each pen consists of 20 head of calves with 15 designated to be roped and five as extras. Each of those five “extras” is ranked from most to least desirable.

The pens were categorized by the WPRA Roping Director Lynn Smith:

• Pen 1 – The best calves that have been to a few more jackpots. This pen will run in Rounds 1, 4, 7, and 10
• Pen 2 – These calves are good with a few being stronger than the rest. This pen will compete in Rounds 2, 5, and 8
• Pen 3 – This is the set that is “softer,” meaning they probably won’t run as hard as the rest. These calves will be seen in Rounds 3, 6, and 9.

The goal of setting pens and running the cattle through the day before is to sort off any calves that don’t seem to fit the rest. This provides the ropers the best possible chance of the field being fair for all. Truly, the last thing anyone wants is for a calf to take someone out of the average because they didn’t get a fair chance.

Guaranteed, Monday was a study day for the top 15 breakaway ropers. Each one had their eyes on the calves as they went through and took notes so that when the draw was posted, they knew what to expect from the chosen stock for the round. 

The ropers, along with their support team, will be watching the calves compete during the first five rounds and noting whether they break hard and run straight so that when the calves come back in later rounds, the competitors have a vision of what to expect.

Nearly every one of the top 15 stated that one of their goals for the NFBR was to be “on the barrier” or to “get a good start.” 

These ropers know that one of the keys to being the champion when the competition ends is leaving little to no room for error at the barrier. They all agreed that with strong cattle, they better not be late to the line.