International Finals Rodeo 47 Kicks Off In Oklahoma City

International Finals Rodeo 47 Kicks Off In Oklahoma City

International Finals Rodeo (IFR 47) is set to kick off in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, on Friday night.

Jan 12, 2017 by Cassie Emerson Emerson
International Finals Rodeo 47 Kicks Off In Oklahoma City
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK -- The Oklahoma State Fair Arena welcomes the world's best cowboys and cowgirls as they gallop into Oklahoma City to compete in eight different events for the 47th International Finals Rodeo.

3 Days of Action-Packed Professional Rodeo:
Friday, January 13, 7:30 PM
Saturday, January 14, 1:30 PM & 7:30 PM
Sunday, January 15, 1:30 PM

Top rodeo athletes in the International Professional Rodeo Association from the United States, Canada and Australia, will vie for world championships in bull riding, bareback and saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, steer wrestling, team roping and cowgirl breakaway roping.

In the bull riding, the competition could not be closer between Tennessee cowboy Corey Bailey and Canadian Dusty McMullen. It's also a tight race in the saddle bronc event with Canadian Louis Hemart going head-to-head with Oklahoman Shane Hand. The same goes for the bareback riding between Illinois native Joe Courville and last year's IFR winner, Trey Moore of Alabama.

Reigning world champion all-around cowboy Justin Thigpen has been dominating the tie-down roping this season. In steer wrestling, Canadian Tyler Foster has the lead, but a rookie from Tennessee by the name of J.W. Ery is hot on his heels.

Last year's reserve world champion barrel racer, Kindyl Scruggs, has battled reigning world champ Carrie Putnam to take a strong lead going into the IFR. Team roping header Gable Hilderbrand and former world champ Stephen Britnell lead in their events, and Tennessee cowgirl Megan Rinehart commands the breakaway roping, but reigning world champion Lindsey Hughes from Oklahoma is poised to advance on her lead at the IFR.

Much will be decided in the arena at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds this weekend. The International Professional Rodeo Association is proud to entertain fans and grow the sport of rodeo in America and beyond.

In addition to world-class events featuring the top rodeo competitors in the sport, IFR 47 also offers a host of annual events and attractions, including the Bucking Stock Sale, IFR Convention & Trade Show, Western Shopping Mall, Miss Rodeo USA Pageant and other events.

Social media has been buzzing about the Miss USA Pageant. 



Sunday from 11:30 AM to 1 PM is OG&E Kids Day. This event allows kids to visit the arena floor for autographs, pictures and simulated rodeo events such as stick horse barrel racing and dummy roping. Children 12 and under receive a free cowboy hat.

Individual and all-session tickets for IFR 47 can be purchased at the State Fair Jim Norick Box Office or by calling (405) 948-6800.

For additional information about IFR 47 and IPRA, visit www.ifrodeo.com or call the IPRA at (405) 235-6540.

-Information Provided Courtesy of IPRA

Like what you see? Sign up for our newsletter to stay current on all the latest rodeo news and your favorite content from FloRodeo.