As most of the country slowly eases into spring, rodeo competitors are already well into their competitive season. Each time a cowboy steps into the arena, he is hoping for a big paycheck to pad his earnings on the trail to National Finals Rodeo glory. Only the top 15 competitors in each event earn a coveted back number to the NFR, so each event, big or small, helps in the hunt. The relatively calm weather in May played host to rodeos across the country, including stops in Nevada, California and Arizona. The Golden State is a hotbed of rodeo activity, with multiple events playing out across the state in the past 30 days. If you haven't headed to the fairgrounds to see your favorite cowboy compete this season, now is the time. Check out the PRCA's event schedule to find a rodeo near you.

Rodeo is a sport that may have started in a small corner of the country, but it has spread into a worldwide phenomenon. One of the fastest growing sports on the planet, rodeo draws in competitors and spectators from every part of the globe. Traditional rodeo spots such as Texas and the southern states are hopping with events, but even less common locales such as New Jersey and picking up the rodeo vibe. Even the great state of Oklahoma hosted a whopper of an event in May - the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. The rodeo season is in full swing, and cowboys and cowgirls chasing one of the elite 15 spots in the National Finals Rodeo are hitting the circuit hard to make it to Las Vegas. Is your favorite cowboy or cowgirl in the running?

April holds the designation of hosting the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo, and the 2013 event was one for the record books. Top competitors such as Casey Colletti and Luke Branquinho showed their stuff, bringing home thousands in cash and prizes. Team roping was one of the most popular events at this year's rodeo, with dozens of teams vying for the top spot. Shane Erickson and Jade Corkill took home the top prize, earning just under $14,000 in a single event. The bull riding capped off the festivities, and up and comer John Young bested the field for almost $18,000 toward his National Finals Rodeo run. If you missed this year's event, be fore to check out the RCNFR's webpage for next year's event dates.

Warmer weather for cowboys and cowgirls means it's time to kick their rodeo game into high gear. As the days get longer and the horses shed their wooly winter coat, more and more rodeos pop up at arenas around the country. Warm weather and clear skies bring our the fans in Mississippi, Texas, and California, with die-hard competitors hitting up as many rodeos as possible on the road to the National Finals. Even those chilly northern rodeos are seeing capacity crowds, with cowboys filling the arenas and spectators jamming the stands. More rodeos means more money, and every penny is a step closer to the dream of earning a gold buckle.