Requiring talent, grace, and a unique bond with a horse, trick riding has always been a part of rodeo's specialty acts and is known for its ability to fascinate the crowd and entertain people across the world.

The first ever North American Trick Riding Championship will be held in Las Vegas during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo at Cowboy Christmas at the Las Vegas Convention Center on December 5-6.

The championship has competitors who have qualified at various events across North America. The qualifiers had the following age divisions: girls 8 and under, 9-12, 13-16, and 17 and up; boys 8 and under, 9-12, 13-16, and 17 and up. Each qualifier consisted of three rounds, where each rider performed a minimum of five runs (except for the 8-and-under division). The lowest scoring run was deleted from each round, and then the combined total score over three rounds determined who qualified for the North American Trick Riding Championship.

During the competition, contestants could expect high scores by performing the following: 

• Demonstrating an above-average amount of lift and speed during groundwork routines
  
• Adding a degree of difficulty by incorporating bonus combination tricks and performing on the corner of the arena
  
• Holding balance tricks through the corner of the arena
  
• Pressing balance/strap tricks to the edge of the "Wall of Momentum" 
  
• Removing one's feet from strap tricks whenever possible before the completion of the run
  
• The speed in which riders enter and exists the trick
  
• Arena awareness and management/placement of routines beginning and completion in the arena
  
• The speed in which the transitions between tricks are performed
  
• Adding a degree of difficulty or one's finish to the exit or completion of the trick
  
• Demonstrating exceptional showmanship, grace, and presence, including pointed toes, smile, flexibility, and strength

Watch North American Trick Riding Championship LIVE | North American Trick Riding Championship Full Schedule
The best trick riders from the United States and Canada will face off at this year's North American Trick Riding Championship from the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the Cowboy Christmas Event Series, FloRodeo will LIVE stream the event December 5-6 on FloRodeo and the FloSports Roku and Apple TV 4 app.

How to Watch

ON TV: Now Available on FloSports Roku and Apple TV 4 
STREAMING: Available only on FloRodeo - $20 monthly or $150 yearly. Yearly FloPro access is to ALL FloSports sites. SIGN UP HERE