The rodeo world is headed to Las Vegas for the NFR—and Cinch RSNC will be right there with them Dec. 5–7, 2025, as ranch sorters take over the Plaza Hotel & Casino for three thrilling days of competition.
The Cowboy Town Showdown & Challenge of the Champions Invitational is the first event of its kind, giving riders the chance to sort by day and soak in all the NFR festivities by night—from Cowboy Christmas shopping to rodeo watch parties and more.
Quick clicks for Cowboy Town Showdown info
The Basics
What: A three-day Cinch RSNC Ranch Sorting event at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, from Dec. 5-7. The event provides a range of classes for ranch sorters of all levels and features a one-of-a-kind Challenge of the Champions Invitational where the top 10 ranch sorters in each division will compete. With the NFR also happening at the same time, there will be nightly watch parties held in the hotel for everyone to enjoy the rodeo action!
Who: Produced by Cinch RSNC, the event welcomes ranch sorters of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced competitors, with various classes catering to different expertise levels.
When: 🗓️ Dec. 5-7, 2025
- Start Time: 8:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. Sunday
Where:📍Core Arena, Plaza Hotel & Casino
1 N Main St.
Las Vegas, Nevada, 89101
Nevada Entry Health Requirements
New Nevada entry measures, in place through Jan. 1, 2026, include:
- Entry permits required for horses entering Nevada.
- USDA-accredited veterinarians must obtain entry permits through the Nevada Department of Agriculture before horses travel into the state.
- Applications are easily accessible online at ndaentrypermits.nv.gov
- A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) that includes the statement:
“No animals presented on this CVI have been on a premise with a confirmed case of EHV-1 within the last 21 days.”
Challenge of the Champions Invitational
The Challenge of the Champions is an elite program that brings together the top 10 contestants from each RSNC division (Open, Amateur, Novice, and Rookie) to compete head-to-head at the Cinch RSNC World Finals each June.
Now, at this inaugural event, we’re inviting the top riders mid-season to compete for their share of $64,000! Designed to showcase the very best in ranch sorting, this special competition highlights consistency, teamwork, and skill across multiple rounds of high-level competition.
Event Format
- Contestants from all four divisions compete in a Round-Robin format.
- Each contestant rides nine times per round for a total of 27 rides.
- Points earned in these rounds determine advancement.
- The top 50% of riders move on to the Championship Round Robin (clean slate).
- The remaining 50% advance to the Consolation Round Robin (clean slate).
Facebook Event Page
Stay updated on event announcements, connect with fellow competitors, and get real-time updates by joining the official Facebook event page.
How to Watch
Follow the action from any device, anywhere with Ride TV! Find the livestream details HERE, and follow the prompts!
Class Schedule
Friday, Dec. 5
(Start Time: 8:30 am PST)
- Challenge of the Champions Round 1
- All Levels
- #12
- Mil-Spec #6/4 INC
Saturday, Dec. 6
(Start Time: 8:30 am PST)
- Challenge of the Champions Round 2
- Hyer #11 Rookie
- Beginner Sort
- #18 3-Man 2-Gate
Sunday, Dec. 7
(Start Time: 9:00 am PST, Cowboy Church 8:00 am)
- #15 3-Man 2-Gate
- Challenge of the Champions Round 3 & 4
On the Ground Info
Setup and Check-in Info
Move in begins Thursday, Dec. 4 at 3:00 p.m.
Ranch sorters must be moved out by Monday, Dec. 8 at 11:00 a.m.
Stalls, Shaving & Hotel
- Rooms must be booked by Nov. 20
- All room and stall sales are managed directly by the Plaza Hotel & Casino
- Ranch sorters must have a room at the Plaza Hotel & Casino to reserve stalls
- To reserve rooms:
- Click here or
- Call (800) 634-6575 — booking code: SRS25
- After rooms are reserved, an OpenStalls.com password will be provided to book stalls
Paperwork
Current Coggins and Health Papers required for all out-of-state riders.
NFR Watch Parties
When the daily sorting wraps up, the nightly NFR fun is just getting started! The Plaza Hotel & Casino will host two NFR Watch Party experiences giving rodeo and ranch sorting fans the perfect way to keep the action going. Choose between the family-friendly Plaza Showroom Watch Party or the brand-new Gold Buckle Bar, an adults-only venue that turns NFR nights into a true Vegas experience.
Plaza Showroom (all ages)
- The original, family-friendly spot to catch every round of the NFR.
- Big-screen viewing, giveaways, and nightly entertainment.
- A relaxed space to meet up with friends, celebrate wins, and enjoy the rodeo atmosphere.
Gold Buckle Bar (21+)
- The ideal stop for those who want to experience Las Vegas energy after the day’s events.
- A new, elevated hangout just for adults.
- Enjoy NFR action on big screens, great drinks, and live bands each night.
Join the Fun
Coming Up
After the All-Star Super Sort, be sure to catch other upcoming Cinch RSNC events. Mark your calendars for the next ranch sortings coming your way!
On our watch list:
- Southeast Regional: January 23-25, Perry, GA
- San Antonio Stock Show & Rode: February 23-24, San Antonio, TX
— H&R —
