These Two Steer Wrestling World Champions Will Never Forget Their First Times at the Vegas NFR

Through the Gold Buckle Buzz series, writer Brian Hurlburt takes us into the hearts and minds of PRCA World Champions who clinched titles during the 2024 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo®. As part of the 40th anniversary of the Las Vegas NFR, several 1985 PRCA and WPRA World Champions are also featured in the 2025 series.

They may have won their titles four decades apart, but the memories of clinching their first PRCA Steer Wrestling World Championships are unforgettable for Ote Berry and J.D. Struxness. Both earned their first gold buckles on the iconic dirt of the Thomas & Mack Center—and both in the final go-round.

Berry’s come-from-behind title was sealed in Round 10 of the 1985 NFR—the first-ever held in Las Vegas. Struxness struck gold in his sixth NFR appearance by narrowly defeating Will Lummus. He clinched his title on the final night by finishing second in the go-round, jumping to eighth in the aggregate. That finish earned him just enough to edge out Lummus by $1,508.

In June 2025, Berry and Struxness returned to Las Vegas for an NFR promotional event in preparation for the 40th anniversary of the NFR in Las Vegas Dec. 4-13, 2025. The gathering brought together 1985 and 2024 world champions to reminisce and look ahead to the future.

“It’s cool for us who won in 1985 to be back here and be part of this,” Berry said. “We’re the old has-beens, I guess you could say. To be recognized brings back so many memories of when we were champions. I told the guys last night—to put it in perspective—if the 2025 champs get to come back in 40 years, most of us older champs will probably be gone. Events like this keep traditions alive. I think our generation maybe looked back more at rodeo traditions, but getting to rub elbows with these new champions is special. Most of them are very grateful.”

Struxness is one who appreciates the past. He looked up to legends like Berry as he pursued his dream of winning a world title.

“There are so many generational talents in steer wrestling. To have someone like Ote Berry here with us today is awesome,” Struxness said. “I also looked up to guys like Steve Duhon, Luke Branquinho, Rope Myers, and others. I got to compete against a few of my idols, like Luke, at the end of his career. That’s the cool thing about rodeo—it’s such a tight, small world, and we get to meet our idols.”

In 1985, Berry and his fellow competitors had no idea what to expect at the new Thomas & Mack Center. But the legend of the venue was already beginning—even before the NFR came to the city that glitters.

“We heard a lot of stories about how small the building was, and we weren’t used to venues that tight,” Berry recalled. “None of us had ever been in a venue like that. The unknowns of that first year were a challenge. Not only was it my first NFR, but it was also the first in Las Vegas. I didn’t have the Oklahoma City experience to lean on, so I tried to prepare and expect the unexpected.”

For Struxness and today’s generation of cowboys and cowgirls, winning the NFR in Las Vegas is the culmination of years of blood, sweat and tears.

“It’s every cowboy’s dream to win a world title in Vegas—and just to compete in the NFR,” Struxness said. “For us who grew up watching the NFR on TV, all we knew was Las Vegas, the Thomas & Mack Center, and the bright lights. To compete in the same building as they did 40 years ago is awesome. You can’t beat that history—and getting to be here with the champs from the very first one is unreal.”

Berry, who won three world titles, remains closely connected to the NFR. He runs the Junior NFR Steer Wrestling and has witnessed the event’s transformation firsthand.

“Moving the NFR to Las Vegas took rodeo to the next level,” Berry said. “It made it more than a sport and brought in entertainment. It wasn’t just the good ol’ boys anymore—it became more serious. More athletes started working harder because the money was better. They treated it more like a business than a hobby. And now, just look at where it is today.”

As of July 18, Struxness ranked 13th in the World Standings and is in position to defend his title while soaking in the 40th anniversary celebration of the NFR in Las Vegas.

“Las Vegas and the PRCA keep stepping it up with payout increases and everything they do for us,” Struxness said. “I look forward to what’s in store for this year—it just keeps getting better every time.”