Las Vegas Weekly

December 12, 2009 · 4:02 PM

NFR Day 9 Photo Gallery: The stage is set for tonight’s final round

By Robin Leach

Day nine of the 2009 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at Thomas & Mack Center on Dec. 11, 2009.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

It’s the Super Bowl of their sport for the cowboys and cowgirls wrapping up the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo tonight at Thomas & Mack Center. Ten glorious days of Las Vegas competition come to an end when the new world champions are crowned.

New MGM spokesman Trevor Brazile is out to win his record seventh all-around world champion title that would tie him with the King of the Cowboys Ty Murray.

Our contributing photographer Tom Donoghue was arena-side last night for Day 9 and shot this remarkable new photo gallery. Tom was there as team roping broke two world records, so the “Get Your Prayers Together” theme must have worked.

Cody Hancock, the 2000 bull-riding world champion, won the final round with an 89.5-point ride on Ballistic. Then in an unexpected incident, he was knocked unconscious when the bull’s horn struck the side of his head as the whistle blew.

Cody was carted out of the arena and taken to a Las Vegas hospital. He was reported as being conscious and responsive as he left the building. Cody still plans to jump atop a bull for tonight’s finals -- these competitors have courage, strength and heart!

We’ll have the championship results tomorrow morning, along with Tom’s final night photo gallery.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

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