Rodeo finals slated for MGM

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      The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association is set to make its debut at the MGM Grand with the Copenhagen Cup Finale of the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour.
      Eighty of the best professional rodeo athletes in the world are expected to compete in the rodeo's three performances in the Grand Garden Arena Thursday through Saturday. All three performances will begin at 8 p.m.
      Season ticket packages and individual performance tickets priced at $15, $30, $60 and $150 per performance are on sale now and can be purchased through the MGM Grand Garden Arena box office and all TicketMaster locations. To charge by phone, call TicketMaster at 474-4000.
      The Copenhagen Cup Finale is the championship event of the PRCA's Wrangler ProRodeo Tour, which included eight PRCA-sanctioned rodeos. Only the top 10 contestants on the Wrangler ProRodeo Tour/Copenhagen Cup Series Standings qualified for the Copenhagen Cup Finale. Points were earned by placing at the eight qualifying rodeos.
      The first rodeo was held in Denver, Colo., in January, with the final qualifying event being held in Lufkin, Texas on April 29. Other Tour stops included Rapid City, S.D.; San Antonio; Tucson, Ariz.; Houston; Laughlin and Red Bluff, Calif.
      Reigning world champions scheduled to compete in the Finale include Fred Whitfield, Billy Etbauer, Lan LaJeunesse, Speed Williams, Rich Skelton and Sherry Cervi. Former National Finals Rodeo competitors along with 19 other world champions are also scheduled to participate. The event will also include $470,000 in prize money and bonuses.
      The following are a few of the events and the athletes most likely to perform in their respective areas:
      Calf Roping -- Fred Whitfield -- four-time world calf roping champion; Cody Ohl -- two-time world calf roping champion; Joe Beaver -- five-time world calf roping champion.
      Saddle Bronc Riding -- Billy Etbauer -- three-time world saddle bronc riding champion; Dan Mortensen -- Five-time world saddle bronc riding champion.
      Bareback Riding -- Lan LaJeunesse -- Reigning world bareback riding champion; Mark Gomes -- 1998 world bareback riding champion and current Copenhagen Cup leader.
      Team Roping -- Speed Williams and Rich Skelton -- Won team roping world titles last three years, PRCA team roping season earnings record, $172.385; Clay O'Brien Cooper -- Seven-time world team roping champion.
      Bull Riding -- Cody Custer -- World Champion in 1992; Gregory Potter -- Current Copenhagen Cup leader; 1999 PRCA regular season earnings leader.
      Barrel Racing -- Sherry Cervi -- Reigning world barrel racing champion; earned $245,369 (most in a single event, male or female) during the 1999 season; Kristie Peterson -- Four-time world barrel racing champion; current Copenhagen Cup Finale leader; Charmayne James -- 1984-1993 World Barrel Racing Champion.
      The championship event from the MGM Grand will be aired in prime time on TNN in two tape-delayed, two-hour shows Saturday and Sunday.