Last rodeo ever at Jim Norick Arena in OKC

Cover photo: Bronc riding at the last PRCA rodeo at the Jim Norick Arena. Photography by Paxson Haws/The Norman Transcript.

One final performance at a former home for the National Finals Rodeo closes the book on pro rodeo at the Jim Norick Arena in Oklahoma City.

With the historic site for rodeo and equestrian sports set for demolition, McCoy Rodeo presented the last PRCA-sanctioned rodeo at the fabled building on the OKC Fairgrounds over the weekend.

History of Jim Norick Arena

Formerly known as the Oklahoma State Fair Arena (or the “Fairgrounds Arena”), the building opened in 1964. A year later, the arena first hosted the National Finals Rodeo in 1965.

Dallas hosted the inaugural NFR in 1959 at the Texas State Fair Coliseum, where it remained through 1961. The Finals moved west to Los Angeles in 1962 at the LA Sports Arena.

Oklahoma City bid on the NFR in 1964, which is the same year the State Fair Arena opened on the Fairgrounds complex. The National Finals moved to the arena in 1965. The State Fair Arena was later renamed after a city mayor, becoming the Jim Norick Arena in 1971.

Photo: National Finals Rodeo at the Jim Norick Arena in 1971. Courtesy of The Oklahoman.

Jim Norick Arena hosted the NFR until the event moved to the Myriad Convention Center (dubbed “The Myriad”) in 1979. The National Finals left Oklahoma City for Las Vegas in 1985, where it remains to this day inside the Thomas & Mack Center (aside from 2020 when the rodeo was held at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX).

Decades after hosting the NFR, Jim Norick Arena hosted countless events such as rodeos, horse shows, equestrian events, sporting events, and concerts. That includes Elvis Presley and The Grateful Dead.

A new indoor arena is set to open later this year to replace the Jim Norick Arena.

The last rodeo

Over the weekend, Jim Norick Areana hosted its last PRCA rodeo with the Oklahoma City ProRodeo presented by stock contractor McCoy Rodeo. Fittingly, some Oklahomans won the Prairie Circuit rodeo in OKC.

Paul David Tierney, who calls Oklahoma City home, placed first in tie-down roping and the all around. Tierney won $1,563 in the tie-down roping, after splitting the win with Hagen Houck. Tierney also competed in team roping.

Riley Duvall of Checotah, OK won in the steer wrestling with a time of 4-flat. Leslie Smalygo of Skiatook, OK had the fastest time in barrel racing with a 15.39-second run. Josiah Chisum of Sand Springs, OK won the bull riding with a 86-point ride.