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  • Phillipsburg Rodeo Gives Annual College Scholarship

    Phillipsburg Rodeo Gives Annual College Scholarship

    Ft. Hays rodeo students benefit from Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo

    PHILLIPSBURG, KAN. (March 13, 2017) – Two Ft. Hays (Kan.) State University (FHSU) students have been awarded scholarships courtesy of the Phillipsburg Rodeo Association.

    Kaitlyn Dinges, Ness City, Kan., and Wyatt Livingston, Oxford, Neb., are recipients of $500 scholarships towards their education at Ft. Hays State.

    Dinges, who will graduate in May of 2018, is working towards a major in agricultural business and economics certificate. The twenty-year-old cowgirl competes in the barrel racing and breakaway roping, and in high school, was involved in FFA, Kansas High School Rodeo, was a Kay’s Member, a member of FCCLA, and on the president’s honor roll.

    After graduation, she plans on working on her master’s degree in agricultural economics at West Texas A&M in Canyon, Texas, with the possibility of getting her doctorate. She may teach, or might pursue a career in agriculture risk management.

    Receiving the scholarship is important to her, as she has made the goal of graduating debt free from college and will graduate in three years instead of four. “It’s super expensive to rodeo and go to college, and make ends meet,” she said. “With taking as many hours as I am, I have to make up the difference in my tuition.” She hasn’t taken out any student loans, either. “I’ve worked my butt off, trying to get as many scholarships as I can. If I’m able to graduate debt free, it’ll make a huge impact on my life down the road.”

    Dinges, whose sister Danielle (Dinges) Foos was the 2010 Miss Rodeo Kansas, has attended the Phillipsburg rodeo in the past.

    She is the daughter of Darren and Brenda Dinges.

    Wyatt Livingston is one of two recipients of scholarships awarded to Ft. Hays State University rodeo athletes by the Phillipsburg Rodeo Association. The Oxford, Neb. cowboy is majoring in agricultural business. Photo by Logan Becker.

    Wyatt Livingston is the second recipient of a Phillipsburg Rodeo scholarship. The college sophomore competes in the team roping as a heeler, and is majoring in agricultural business.

    In high school at Southern Valley south of Oxford, Neb., he was a member of FFA, FBLA and Nebraska High School Rodeo, played football and wrestled, and showed cattle and horses in 4-H. He was on the honor roll and was a member of the Oxford Volunteer Fire Department.

    During the summers, he competes in the Kansas Pro Rodeo Association, the U.S. Team Roping Championships and the Mid-States Rodeo Association.

    He has attended the Phillipsburg rodeo the past ten years, as a guest of his girlfriend’s parents, sponsors of the rodeo. He loves watching the team roping. “The most entertaining thing for me, as a team roper,” he said, “is to see the big gun team ropers. I like to see the big names rope.”

    The scholarship means a lot to him, he said. “Fort Hays (State University) doesn’t give us money for entry fees (per the rules of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association). They pay for our fuel and motels, but we still have to pay entry fees, food expenses and horse and hay expenses.” He works part time for a veterinarian in Hays.

    He will graduate in May of 2018, and hopes to work on the family farm and ranch near Oxford.

    He is the son of Julie Sherwood and Jeff Livingston.

    Since 1997, the Phillipsburg Rodeo Association has awarded scholarships to FHSU students who compete in rodeo. The Phillipsburg Rodeo Association is the organization behind Kansas’ Biggest Rodeo, which will be held August 3-5, 2017. For more information on the rodeo, visit www.KansasBiggestRodeo.com.

     

  • CHAMPIONS RODE THEIR WAY TO THE TOP DURING RODEOHOUSTON® SUPER SERIES I — MARCH 9, 2017

    CHAMPIONS RODE THEIR WAY TO THE TOP DURING RODEOHOUSTON® SUPER SERIES I — MARCH 9, 2017

    — HOUSTON —  It was a wild night in NRG Stadium as cowboys and cowgirls battled it out during the RODEOHOUSTON Super Series I Championship. The athletes competed for the top four spots in each event to advance to the Semifinals on March 22 and 23.

    TIE-DOWN ROPING

    Caleb Smidt of Bellville, Texas, snagged the title of the RODEOHOUSTON Super Series I Tie-Down Roping Champion. Smidt said he is working hard to prepare himself for the Semifinal Round.

    “I’m feeling great,” Smidt said. “I’m going to practice at my house and continue to work hard, stay healthy and most importantly stay prepared.”

     

    Advancing to a Semifinal Round:

    Caleb Smidt: Bellville, Texas — $7,000

    Tuf Cooper: Decatur, Texas — $ 3,750

    Stran Smith: Childress, Texas — $2,750

    Marcos Costa: Childress, Texas — $2,750

     

    BAREBACK RIDING

    Mason Clements took home the Super Series I Bareback Riding Champion title. Clements expressed his gratitude and said he was going to continue to compete and stay hungry for the next round.

    “I’m very happy with the results,” Clements said. “Without a good horse under me, I wouldn’t be able to do what I can do. I’m very thankful. ”

     

    Advancing to Semifinal Round:

    Mason Clements: Santaquin, Utah — $6,000

    Richie Champion: The Woodlands, Texas — $ 5,083

    Bobby Mote: Stephenville, Texas — $3,833

    Blake Smith: Zap, North Dakota — $3,000

     

    TEAM ROPING Ryan Reed and Dugan Kelly are the Super Series I Team Roping Champions. Reed and Kelly performed well together in the moments when it counted the most.

     

    “Everything about it is great,” Kelly said. “It makes you feel like a professional athlete when you ride in this arena.”

    Reed showed enthusiasm after their win and said this was something he had been looking forward to for a long time.

    “It’s my first time here,” Reed said. “It has been my dream since a little kid to rope here.”

     

    Advancing to Semifinal Round:

    Ryan Reed: Whitman, Arizona; and Dugan Kelly, Paso Robles, California — $12,000

    Jojo Lemond: Andrews, Texas; and Quinn Kesler, Holden, Utah — $8,000

    Charly Crawford: Stephenville, Texas; and Walt Woodard, Stephenville, Texas — $7,500

    Colby Lovell: Madisonville, Texas; and Justin Davis, Cottonwood, California — $6,000

     

    SADDLE BRONC RIDING

    Layton Green took home the win at RODEOHOUSTON Super Series I in the Saddle Bronc Riding event. Green said that although he resides in Houston, this particular one is still his favorite to compete in.

    “It’s a fun rodeo,” Green said. “You don’t have to travel a lot and you can stay in one spot and hang with your friends.”

     

    Advancing to Semifinal Round:

    Layton Green: Meeting Creek, Alberta, Canada — $6,000

    Coburn Bradshaw: Milford, Utah — $5,750

    Hardy Braden: Welch, Oklahoma— $3,000

    Jake Watson: Hudson’s Hope, British Columbia, Canada — $2,000

     

    STEER WRESTLING

    KC Jones of Decatur, Texas, won the Super Series I Steer Wrestling Championship. Jones was excited about his win because he said RODEOHOUSTON is his favorite rodeo to attend, and to do well here means a lot.

    “This is special because it’s the first time riding that mare,” Jones said. “I’m really proud of her, so to come to one of the biggest rodeos in the world and have good results means a lot.”

     

    Advancing to Semifinal Round:

    KC Jones: Decatur, Texas — $4,000

    Casey Martin: Sulfur, Louisiana — $3,750

    Cody Cassidy: Donalda, Alberta, Canada — $3,000

    Gary Gilbert: Boyd, Texas, — $2,750

     

    BARREL RACING

    It was a close race between Colorado native Sammi Bessert and Kathy Grimes, of Medical Lake, Washington, but it was Bessert who was named the Super Series I Barrel Racing Champion.

    “I love running my horse here,” Bessert said. “They treat us so good here and they do such a great job.”

     

    Advancing to Semifinal Round:

    Sammi Bessert: Grand Junction, Colorado — $6,000

    Kathy Grimes: Medical Lake, Washington — $6,000

    Taylor Langdon: Aubrey, Texas — $4,000

    Kelli Collier: Hereford, Texas — $2,500

     

    BULL RIDING

    Garrett Smith from Rexburg, Idaho, was named the Super Series I Bull Riding Champion. Smith was proud of his win and said there is nothing he loves more than performing in the rodeo.

    “This place is amazing,” Smith said. “There’s not a better rodeo. It’s what we love. It’s what we’re trained to do and I guess we are just stuck with it.”

     

    Advancing to Semifinal Round:

    Garrett Smith: Rexburg, Idaho — $3,000

    Clayton Savage: Yoder, Wyoming — $3,000

    Aaron Pass: Kaufman, Texas — $2,500

    Cain Smith: Adams, Oregon — $2,500

     

    The top four from each event, from each Super Series will advance to a Semifinal Round. The top four from each event in the Semifinal rounds will advance to the RODEOHOUSTON Super Series Championship, Saturday, March 25. The remaining six from each event in the two semifinals will compete in the Wild Card Round, Friday, March 24, where the top two from each event will advance to the Championship. Each event champion will walk away with a $50,000 payout, in addition to previous winnings. The RODEOHOUSTON Super Series continues through March 25, with the RODEOHOUSTON Super Shootout: North America’s Champions® presented by Crown Royal, on Sunday, March 26.

     

    The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Show has committed more than $430 million to the youth of Texas. For more information, visit rodeohouston.com and connect with #RODEOHOUSTON online via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube for all of the latest news. The 2017 Show runs March 7 – 26.

  • Tierney times three

    Tierney times three

    March 5, 2017 / Guthrie, Oklahoma – Jess Tierney closed out a wild and eventful final round of the 2017 CINCH Timed Event Championship to become the 13th winner of this storied competition.

    More importantly, though, is that he became the third member of his family to claim this prestigious and elusive title, joining his four-time champion father, Paul, and his two-time titlist brother, Paul David.

    “I couldn’t be happier for my brother,” Paul David said. “Now we all have a Timed Event buckle to wear.”

    In all, the family owns seven of those gold buckles, a cherished piece of hardware that is the epitome of multi-talented cowboys. Paul won his first title in 1987, when Jess was just 5 years old. He added crowns in 1991, ’97 and ’00. It’s a family tradition they’d like maintain. With the winner earning $100,000, they have good reason

    “This event is just the greatest event,” Jess said. “It could’ve paid 2 bucks, and I would’ve showed up. I just wanted to win this event. With them adding that kind of money, it’s just life-changing for us.”

    When his dad won his first crown, the winner’s take was $40,000. When Paul David won his first title in 2014, it paid $50,000. While the financial incentive is greater, the call for the competitors is in the title: Timed Event Champion. Paul David won his second title a year ago and carried the lead into Sunday’s final go-round. In fact, he held the lead through the 23rd run of the championship, then saw it slip.

    When he took his jump in bulldogging, the steer slipped away. He ran the length of the nearly 400-foot arena to remount. By the time he caught the steer and downed it, 41.7 seconds had ticked off the clock. He fell to fourth in the 24-head aggregate, and Coloradoan Josh Peek moved into the lead.

    In the final event of this year’s Timed Event, Jess Tierney proved why steer roping his strongest event. He roped and tied his animal in 16.4 seconds. When Peek struggled and stop the clock in 33.9 seconds, Tierney earned the coveted crown.

    “We went from one leading it to dropping to fifth,” Paul said. “Then the one that was third ended up winning it, but that’s the Timed Event.”

    Yes, it is. The day began with five cowboys in contention for the title. It came down the final few runs of the five-round, three-day championship to decide this year’s winner of the “Ironman of ProRodeo.”

    “My best friend is Jace Crabb,” Jess said of his partner in heading and heeling. “Fourteen years ago I said, ‘Someday I’m going to get to go to that Timed Event, and you and I are going to win it together.’ We’ve come here this long, and we finally won it.”

    It’s just another great story in a great family CINCH Timed Event Championship legacy.

    The 2017 CINCH Timed Event Championship is sponsored by CINCH, Priefert Ranch & Rodeo Equipment, YETI Coolers, Montana Silversmiths, ABI Equine, RAM, Carroll Original Wear, P&K Equipment,  Cavender’s, American Farmers and Ranchers Insurance, Nutrena,  MacroAir, National Saddlery, Cross Bar Gallery, John Vance Motors, Pendleton Whisky, CSI Saddlepads, AQHA, Western Horseman Magazine, Spin to Win Magazine, Guthrie CVB, Made In Oklahoma Coalition, Sherwin-Williams, La Quinta Edmond and the Fairfield Inn & Suites – Edmond. Hampton Inn – Guthrie.

    The 2017 CINCH Timed Event Championship is a Lazy E Production. For more information on the CINCH Timed Event Championship or other Lazy E events, contact the Lazy E Arena, 9600 Lazy E Drive, Guthrie, OK  73044, (405) 282-RIDE, (800) 595-RIDE or visit www.lazye.com.

     

    RESULTS
    First round:     1. Trevor Brazile, 56.3 seconds, $3,000; 2. Clay Smith, 61.2, $2,000; 3. Shay Carroll, 63.7, $1,000.

    Second round: 1. Trevor Brazile, 54.7 seconds, $3,000; 2. Paul David Tierney, 56.5, $2,000; 3. Josh Peek, 56.7, $1,000.

    Third round: 1. Paul David Tierney, 53.0 seconds, $3,000; 2. Jess Tierney, 62.1, $2,000; 3. Trevor Brazile, 63.0, $1,000.

    Fourth round: 1. Josh Peek, 49.6, $3,000; 2. Shay Carroll, 59.1, $2,000; 3. Paul David Tierney, 61.1, $1,000.

    Fifth round: 1. Shank Edwards, 58.7 seconds, $3,000; 2. Jess Tierney, 59.9, $2,000; 3. Marcus Theriot, 60.0, $1,000.

    Average: 1. Jess Tierney, 326.8 seconds, $100,000; 2. Clay Smith, 332.8, $25,000; 3. Trevor Brazile, 336.2, $15,000; 4. Josh Peek, 339.8, $7,500; 5. Paul David Tierney, 350.7, $5,000; 6. Jordan Ketscher, 363.7, $5,000; 7. Shay Carroll, 432.2, $4,500; 8. Shank Edwards, 481.4, $3,000.

    Total money: 1. Jess Tierney, $104,000; 2. Clay Smith, $27,000; 3. Trevor Brazile, $22,000; 4. Josh Peek, $14,000; 5. Paul David Tierney, $13,500; 6. Shay Carroll, $6,000; 7. Marcus Theriot, $5,500; 8. Jordan Ketscher, $5,000; 9. Shank Edwards, $3,000

  • Five to battle for Timed Event title

    Five to battle for Timed Event title

    March 4, 2017 / Guthrie, Oklahoma – The final round of the 2017 CINCH Timed Event Championship is going to be a dogfight.

    Five men are within 22 seconds of each other as they race for the $100,000 first-place prize, with reigning champ Paul David Tierney leading the way. He has roped, tied and wrestled 20 animals in a cumulative time of 251.7 seconds.

    Trevor Brazile moved from first to fifth after a disastrous steer wrestling run but his aggregate time is 273.4. In between are runner-up Clay Smith, Jess Tierney and Josh Peek. Of the top five, three have claimed this title before – Brazile owns the most with seven, while Paul Tierney has two and Peek has one.

    “A lot of things can happen,” Paul Tierney. “You’ve just got to keep it smooth and snare those bulldogging steers.”

    Brazile had a 20-second lead over the field heading into steer wrestling. When the steer escaped his grasp, the Texan sprinted the length of the Lazy E Arena, gathered his horse, jumped onto the steer along the west wall and downed it in 55.1 seconds. He remains in contention.

    “I think it makes it funner, keeps you more competitive and trying a little harder,” Paul Tierney said of the battle for the title. “You sometimes get to laying off, and you make mistakes that way. I like it this way.”

    Peek turned in the fastest round time so far this weekend when he stopped the clock five times in 49.6 seconds to win the fourth go-round. He added $3,000 to his earnings. More importantly, he felt good about how he competed Saturday night.

    “I haven’t done what I normally do at this event,” said Peek, the 2010 champ. “I’ve just tried to sit back and make smooth runs, and that’s not my style. My style is to be aggressive, know my talent and use it.

    “This is a great confidence-builder for me going into tomorrow.”

    The 2017 CINCH Timed Event Championship is sponsored by CINCH, Priefert Ranch & Rodeo Equipment, YETI Coolers, Montana Silversmiths, ABI Equine, RAM, Carroll Original Wear, P&K Equipment,  Cavender’s, American Farmers and Ranchers Insurance, Nutrena,  MacroAir, National Saddlery, Cross Bar Gallery, John Vance Motors, Pendleton Whisky, CSI Saddlepads, AQHA, Western Horseman Magazine, Spin to Win Magazine, Guthrie CVB, Made In Oklahoma Coalition, Sherwin-Williams, La Quinta Edmond and the Fairfield Inn & Suites – Edmond. Hampton Inn – Guthrie.

    The 2017 CINCH Timed Event Championship is a Lazy E Production. For more information on the CINCH Timed Event Championship or other Lazy E events, contact the Lazy E Arena, 9600 Lazy E Drive, Guthrie, OK  73044, (405) 282-RIDE, (800) 595-RIDE or visit www.lazye.com.

     

    Third round: 1. Paul David Tierney, 53.0 seconds, $3,000; 2. Jess Tierney, 62.1, $2,000; 3. Trevor Brazile, 63.0, $1,000.

    Fourth round: 1. Josh Peek, 49.6, $3,000; 2. Shay Carroll, 59.1, $2,000; 3. Paul David Tierney, 61.1, $1,000

    Average leaders: 1. Paul David Tierney, 251.7; 2. Clay Smith, 261.3; 3. Jess Tierney, 266.9; 4. Josh Peek, 267.7; 5. Trevor Brazile, 273.4.

     

  • $1.7 million San Antonio Rodeo comes to a close

    $1.7 million San Antonio Rodeo comes to a close

        SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 25, 2017) – The San Antonio Rodeo started on Feb. 9 with 400 contestants hoping to leave the AT&T Center with big paychecks.

    That dream came true for the Xtreme Bulls champion on Saturday afternoon and the rodeo champions on Saturday night. The day started out with an exciting performance of bull riding where Colorado’s Ty Wallace rose to the top.

    Wallace rode Powder River Rodeo’s Shocker for 90 points. That eight-second effort netted him a whopping $25,380. And while he didn’t win the bull riding at the rodeo, he still earned $14,613 bringing his San Antonio total winnings to $39,993.

    The stars were shining on Amberleigh Moore and her great mare “CP Dark Moon” in the AT&T Center as well. Moore, from Keizer, Ore., and the eight-year-old horse that she calls Paige won all three rounds in her preliminary bracket. Then, they won a round and tied for first in the two semifinals competitions. She led the standings coming into the finals by over $2,000.

    Taking the first barrel with left-hand turns and the next two to the right, she had the fastest time on Saturday night once again at 13.98 seconds. She had made five victory laps around the AT&T Center horseback. Her sixth one was standing in the back of a Ford truck. She earned $29,339.

    “I was talking to her the whole trip,” Moore said. “It’s amazing that she could hear me with the fans in here, but she did and she did everything I asked her to.”

    Paige was also honored as one of the Animal Athletes at the San Antonio Rodeo. That got Moore another $1,500 bonus. Moore is leaving San Antonio as the highest earning contestant in the rodeo’s history.

    Bareback riding saw unheard of scores at the top of the leaderboard. Tyler Nelson, from Victor, Idaho, won first place in the finals with a 91.5-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Full Baggage. That got him $14,476 for the night and total earnings of $25,881 for the biggest win of his career.

    World champion and current standings leader, Tim O’Conner from Zwingle, Iowa finished half a point behind Nelson with 91. Tanner Aus from Granite Falls, Minn., had a 90 and the final check went to Richmond Champion from The Woodlands, Texas, with an 89.

    “This was the best bareback riding I’ve ever witnessed, “O’Connell said. “Where else can you go and score 91 points and finish second? That was phenomenal.”

    Hunter Herrin, from Apache, Okla., was a repeat champion and he did it with speed. The tie-down roper tied his own arena record with a 6.6-second run Saturday night. He won $22,734.

    Kaleb Driggers from Albany, Ga., is a three-time team roping champion in the AT&T Center and he’s won it with three different partners. He finished at the top of the standings this year with the reigning world champion all-around, Junior Nogueira from Presidente Prudente, Brazil. The each earned $21,692.

    Plans are already underway for the 2018 San Antonio Rodeo which will be held Feb. 8 – 24.

     

    Bareback Riding – Tyler Nelson, Victor, Idaho, $25,881

    Steer Wrestling – Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont., $21,604

    Team Roping – Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prudente, Brazil

    And Kaleb Driggers, Albany, Ga., $21,692

    Saddle Bronc Riding – CoBurn Bradshaw, Beaver, Utah, $24,927

    Tie-Down Roping – Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., $22,745

    Barrel Racing – Amberleigh Moore, Keizer, Ore., $29,339

    Bull Riding – Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho, $27,033

     

     

    SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 25, 2017) — The following are final results from the San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo, the 12-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year. Complete results are available at sarodeo.com

     

    Finals followed by total money (20th performance) —

     

    Bareback Riding: 1, Tyler Nelson, Victor, Idaho, 91.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Full Baggage, $14,476. 2, Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa, 91, $10,857. 3, Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn., 90, $7,238. 4, Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas, 89, $3,619. (total money) 1, Nelson, $25,881. 2, O’Connell, $21,407. 3, Aus, $14,438. 4, Champion, $13,242.

     

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont., 3.8 seconds, $14,476. 2, Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., 4.1, $10, 857. 3, Scott Guenthner, Provost, Alberta, 4.3, $7,238. 4, Jon Ragatz, Beetown, Wis., 4.5, $3,619. (total money) 1, Erickson, $21,604. 2, Peek, $18,270. 3, Ragatz, $11,817. 4, Guenthner, $11,693.

     

    Team Roping: 1, Luke Brown, Stephenville, Texas, and Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan., 4.0 seconds, $14,476. 2, Kaleb Driggers, Albany, Ga., and Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prudente, Brazil, 4.3, $10,857. 3, Bubba Buckaloo, Kingston, Okla., and Travis Woodard, Stockton, Calif., 4.4, $7,238. 4, Jake Cooper, Monument, N.M., and Jim Ross Cooper, Stephenville, Texas, 5.4, $3,619. (total money) Driggers and Nogueira, $21,692. 2, Brown and Long, $21,034. 3, Buckaloo and Woodard, $13,974 4, Dustin Egusquiza, Mariana, Fla., and korty Koontz, Stephenville, Texas, $11,334.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, (tie) Hardy Braden, Welch, Okla., on Beutler and Son Rodeo’s Nutrena’s Wound Up and CoBurn Bradshaw, Beaver, Utah, Calgary Stampede’s Stampede Warrior, 87.5 points and $12,666 each. 3, Nat Stratton, Goodwell, Okla., 87, $7,238. 4, (tie) Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Okla., and Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas, 86, $1,809. (total money) 1, Bradshaw, $24,927. 2, Braden, $22,076. 3, Stratton, $13,974. 4, Crawley, $12,074.

     

                   Tie-Down Roping: 1, Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., 6.6 seconds, $14,476. 2, Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., 7.1, $10,857. 3, Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla., 7.8, $7,238. 4, Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas, 7.9, $3,619. (total money) 1, $22,745. 2, Hanchey, $19,696. 3, Smidt, $11,389.

     

    Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Amberleigh Moore, Keizer, Ore., 13.98 seconds, $14,476. 2, Kathy Grimes, Medical Lake, Wash., 14.11, $10,857. 3, Nellie Miller, Cottonwood, Calif., and Taylor Langdon, Aubrey, Texas, 14.16, $5,428 each. (total money) 1, Moore, $29,339. 2, Grimes, $23,474. 3, Langdon, $12,272. 4, Ivy Conrado, Hudson, Colo., $9,980.

     

    Bull Riding: (two rides) 1, Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho, 91 points on D&H Cattle Company’s Sweet Pro Bruiser, $19,905. 2 ,Scottie Knapp, Albquerque, N.M., 88, $16,286. (total money) 1, Jarboe, $27,033. 2, Knapp, $20,206. 3, Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah, $15,706. 4, Ty Wallace, Collbran, Colo., $14,613.

     

     

  • Frost four for four at San Antonio Rodeo

    Frost four for four at San Antonio Rodeo

     

    SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 21, 2017) — Joe Frost may have only made two victory laps around the arena at the San Antonio Rodeo, but he has won more money here than any other contestant so far.

    Frost finished at the top of Bracket 2 and got a huge paycheck when he was the only rider to stay on his bull for eight seconds in the third round. That netted the Randlett, Utah, resident $5,703. He entered Semifinals 1 with a big lead and added to it. Frost, a three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier has ridden every bull that he has attempted here and is now four for four rides. He has total earnings of $13,567 and still has one more bull to get on in the semifinals.

    “I love San Antonio,” Frost said. “I’ve come close to winning the title here before. I ride for first every time. It doesn’t always work out like it is now, but I’d like to make three more victory laps.”

    There were three successful rides Tuesday night and Frost was at the top of the list with an 88.5-point ride on 4L and Diamond S Rodeo’s Foolish and Cruel. He earned $4,633 for the effort.

    Frost will have his second bull in Semifinals 1 on Wednesday night. The top five money winners will advance to Saturday night’s finals and he has enough money won to be assured a spot. He also has a spot at the $100,000 Xtreme Bulls competition on Saturday afternoon.

    A contestant that is getting used to making victory laps here is barrel racer Amberleigh Moore from Keizer, Ore. Riding her Quarter Horse mare CP Dark Moon that she calls Paige, she won all three rounds in Bracket 3 and won the first round of the semifinals as well. Moore has $11,120 here so far and has also secured a spot in the finals.

    World champion bareback rider, Tim O’Connell is continuing his path to a second championship here. He won the National Western Stock Show Rodeo in Denver and the Fort Worth Stock Show Rodeo. He won two rounds in Bracket 1, placed second in another to advance to the semifinals. He finished in first again Tuesday night with an 87-point ride on Bar T Rodeos Twice Shy to win $4,277. O’Connell is the third person to have already earned over $10,000.

    Last year’s tie-down roping champion is on pace for a repeat title in the AT&T Center. Hunter Herrin, from Apache, Okla., stopped the clock in 6.9 seconds to win $4,277. He now has command of the leaderboard with $8,269.

    Wednesday night’s rodeo will be the second round in Semifinals 1. Contestants will be counting the money they won here hoping to be one of the top five that get to compete at Saturday night’s finals.

     

     

    SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 21, 2017) — The following are results from the San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo, the 12-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year. Complete results are available at sarodeo.com

     

     

    Semifinals 1 followed by total money —

     

    Bareback Riding: 1, Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa, 87 points on Bar T Rodeo’s Twice Shy, $4,277. 2, Chad Rutherford, Lake Charles, La., 83.5, $3,208. 3, Evan Jayne, Marseille, France, and Wyatt Bloom, Bend, Ore., 82 and $1,604 each. (total money) 1, O’Connell, $10,549. 2, Rutherford, $7,485. 4, Bloom, $5,596. 5, Tyler Scales, Severance, Colo., 5,418.

     

     

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo., 4.0 seconds, $4,277. 2, Sterling Lambert, Fallon, Nev., 4.1, $3,208. 3, J.D. Struxness, Appleton, Minn., 4.2, $2,138. 4, (tie) Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis., and Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb., 4.5, $535 each. (total money) 1, Peek, $7,413. 2, Lambert, $6,059. 3, Struxness, $4,708. 4, Guy, $4,526.

     

    Team Roping: 1, Kaleb Driggers, Albany, Ga., and Junior Nogueira, Presidente  Prudente, Brazil, 4.4 seconds, 4,277. 2, Garrett Rogers, Baker City, Ore., and Jake minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 4.9, $3,208. 3, Dustin Egusquiza, Mariana, Fla., and Kory Koontz, Stephenville, Texas, 5.0, $2,139. 4, Jake Cooper, Monument, N.M., and Jim Ross Cooper, Stephenville, Texas, 5.5, $1,069. (total money) 1, Egusquiza and Koontz, 5.0, $8,126. 2, Driggers and Nogueira, $6,558. 3, Rogers and Minor, $6,629. 4, Bubba Buckaloo, Kingston, Okla., and Travis Woodard, Stockton, Calif., $5,132.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Hardy Braden, Welch, Okla., 88 points on Hell’s Fire Hostage, $4,277. 2, Tyrel Smith, Sand Coulee, Mont., 86.5, $3,208. 3, Clay Elliott, Nanton, Alberta, 84.5, $2,139. 4, Layton Green, Meeting, Creek, Alberta, 83.5, $1,069. (total money) 1, Braden, $9,409. 2, Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, $6,558. 3, Smith, $6,059. 4, Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas, $5,988.

     

                   Tie-Down Roping: 1, Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., 6.9 seconds, $4,277. 2, Marcos Costa, Childress, Texas, 7.2, $3,208. 3, Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, 8.6, $2,138. 4, Jerrad Hofstetter, Shallowater, Texas, 8.8, $1,069. (total money) Herrin, $8,269. 2, Costa, $6,059. 3, Hofstetter, $5,061. 4, Shiozawa, $5,560.

     

    Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Amberleigh Moore, Keizer, Ore., 13.86, $4,277. 2, Sabra O’Quinn, Ocala, Fla., 14.16, $3,208. 3, Sammi Bessert, Grand Junction, Colo., 14.19, $2,138. 4, Nicole Riggle, Scottsdale, Ariz., 14.22, $1,069. (total money) 1, Moore, $11,120. 2, Bessert, $6,416. 3, O’Quinn, $6,059. 4, Riggle, $4,491.

     

    Bull Riding: (three rides) 1, Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah, 88.5 points on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Foolish & Cruel, $4,633. 2, Guthrie Murray, Miami, Okla., 88, $3,564. 4, Kurtis Turner, Washington, Utah, 87.5, $2,495. (total money) 1, Frost, $13,568. 2, Murray, $6,798. 3, Turner, $4,966. 4, Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah, $3,136.

     

  • Kristy Lee Cook

    Kristy Lee Cook

    Kristy Lee Cook didn’t grow up in a rodeo or hunting family, but once she discovered those passions, she planted herself firmly in both worlds. Originally from Oregon, the 33 year old presently makes her home in Amarillo, Texas. Kristy is a country singer and songwriter who made her debut through American Idol, and has since released an album and four singles. She’s hosted the Outdoor Channel’s “Outdoors 10 Best” and Versus Channel’s “Goin’ Country”, while she’s currently the host of “The Most Wanted List”. The show is finishing its third season on the Sportsman Channel in March, with filming for the fourth season underway. “I really love sharing the outdoors with friends and family, and being able to go on adventures with people who have always wanted to do those things,” says Kristy. “That’s what started the show. I’ve gotten to check a lot of things off my bucket list and take other people along to check things of theirs. Capturing it on TV is even more rewarding, and sharing those memories with friends and family for the rest of my life.”
    Kristy plans and organizes every episode of the show, and season three promoted elk, mule deer, and even Tahr hunting in New Zealand. “I’d like to try an Alaska hunt for something different next season,” she adds. Kristy’s sister, Terina Dutton, appeared on Kristy’s first TV show “Goin’ Country”, while their brother, Sonny Cook, has come on to “The Most Wanted List”. “My brother was really excited when I started hunting since he was the only one in the family that did it. He tried getting me to hunt years back, but I didn’t start until I was probably twenty-two. My boyfriend at the time wasn’t into horses and I wasn’t into hunting, so we decided to make a trade and get into each other’s hobbies. That started my hunting life!”
    Near her home in Texas, the hunting opportunities include coyotes, hogs, and whitetail deer. Kristy often hunts coyotes with her boyfriend, Lee Orr, who does predator control for ranchers. “The coyotes are so over-populated here because they are the predator; there’s not very many mountain lions or wolves. There are hundreds of coyotes in a small area, and I think they’re coming in close to these ranches and going after livestock because the food is easier to hunt,” Kristy explains.
    She and Lee recently took part in a weekend-long coyote hunting contest, while they hunt whitetail deer on one of the ranches Lee works for. “We take the Rangers out and load the feeders with Record Rack. Lee got a whitetail deer recently, and I was with him on his hunt, which was very cool. We use Record Rack to keep the deer around and keep them healthy. They’re a reputable company and their product works, and that’s why I’m stoked to have them also be a part of my TV show.”
    When she’s not on her latest hunting trek, Kristy is patterning and seasoning a pair of stallions in the barrel racing. She grew up riding her friend’s horses and learning to work cattle and even move pipes and water lines on her friend’s family ranch. “I think it’s really rewarding and very challenging to make your own horses, and it’s really awesome when you’ve worked so hard to have a really good run,” says Kristy. She refers to the stud she raised from a baby, Tazer, as her miracle horse. In his six years, Tazer has broken his jaw, which was repaired with 300 stitches, colicked, overcome a problem with his suspensory ligament, and lacerated his right eye, which is 100% blind due to glaucoma. Kristy has mainly been running her horses in jackpots and barrel races around Texas, but her goal is to enter them in rodeos in the future. “I’m working so hard to rodeo on Tazer because I think his testimony of not giving up and his will to live is really powerful!”

    Kristy competing at a jackpot rodeo in Clovis, NM – Christpher Cook

    Though Kristy had taken a break from her music to work on horses and focus on her show, she’s written several songs in the meantime and plans to start recording soon. “It’s been nice to take a break from the road and spend time with the horses and get them where I want to go – it was hard to get them legged up and working and then leave for a month,” she says. “You can be overworked in an area sometimes, and all you need is a break to come back stronger. I’m excited to get some music going again.”

  • Roper Review: Ryan Pratt

    Roper Review: Ryan Pratt

    A big part of a sales rep job is traveling and being away from home. Ryan Pratt travels fifteen to twenty days each month as a rep for Nocona, American Hats, and Fast Back Ropes. Ryan, 42, lives in Shelbyville, Tennessee, with fiancé, Kristen, and his “territory” includes Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. While it may not appeal to most who are accustomed to working regular hours each week, it does have benefits.
    “I am able to take my horse and rope and stay with friends,” explains Pratt. “I love the western industry and enjoy what I do. I sell boots, hats, and ropes. It’s really just visiting my customers and having conversations about the products.”
    Ryan, and younger brother, Ross, were born into a rodeo family. Their father, Rod Pratt, qualified 14 times in the Steer Roping at the NFR. Their mom, Nanci Pratt, ran barrels in the PRCA. The family operated a feed yard in Burlington, Colorado until Ryan’s grandfather became ill. The family then moved to Colby, Kansas to help run the family ranch.
    As a child, Ryan competed in Little Britches rodeo and the Rocky Mountain Junior Rodeo Association until the move to Kansas when he was twelve. He went on to High School rodeo in all three timed events, earning a scholarship at Colby Community College. Ryan finished his education at Eastern New Mexico University with a degree in Ag Education.
    “After college I hit the rodeo trail until my daughter was born in 2001, then I moved back to Kansas.” explains Ryan.
    Working at trade shows for Roper Stetson eventually led Ryan to his current job. When not on the road, Ryan, a #7E heeler, can be found competing at PRCA rodeos in the Great Lake Circuit, IPRA rodeos, or USTRC or World Series team ropings. He also teaches several roping schools each year.
    “It’s very difficult to compete without the help of sponsors,” says Pratt. “Lubrisyn, Fast Back Ropes, and Heel-O-Matic support me and I am grateful to have access to premium products that give me an edge during competition.

    COWBOY Q&A

    How much do you practice?
    Not as much as I would like due to work and travel.
    Do you make your own horses?
    Yes.
    Who were your roping heroes growing up?
    Mike Beers, Clay O’Brien Cooper, Rod Pratt.
    Who do you respect most in the world?
    God.
    Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
    God.
    If you had a day off what would you like to do?
    Rope.
    Favorite movie?
    Lonesome Dove.
    How would you describe yourself in three words?
    Loyal. Hardworking. Happy go lucky.
    What makes you happy?
    Getting to rope.
    What makes you angry?
    Not getting to rope.
    If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
    Pay off bills and invest the rest.
    What is your best quality – your worst?
    My best quality is loyalty. Worst quality is impatience.

  • ProFile: Jeremy Sparks

    ProFile: Jeremy Sparks

    Jeremy Sparks was a familiar face in the rodeo world for more than a decade. The bullfighter from Arkansas retired in 2010 and took a corporate job back in Arkansas where he lives with his wife, Jamie, and their six year old twin boys, Jett and Jude. Elevate Publishing has recently debuted a book about his life entitled Go West, 10 Principles That Guided My Cowboy Journey. “I kept a journal since I was little bitty and did that too as a bull fighter. Leveraging the journals and news clippings that I collected helped me put this together,” said the 39 year old, who is the only pro bullfighter ever endorsed by the Pentagon. Jeremy fought bulls while being part of the Air Force active duty and is still a part of the National Guard.
    “When I first had the idea about this book and got serious writing it, I wanted to share a few principles, like faith, courage, and integrity. I thought about telling stories to the principles but when I asked God to help me, it just started flowing.” Go West has been number one on the Amazon best seller list. “It had a really good showing out of the gate.” His original idea of telling stories became intertwined with how God used him throughout his career. His honesty with sharing his failures and triumphs makes Go West a must read. He tells about his divorce and subsequent move of his ex-wife and their son, Jas, to Hungary. “I wanted to leave my sons something to remember my life by, and this book was a great way to do that.”
    Jeremy has a Go West Study Guide that is in production now and he envisions cowboys on the road reading the book and doing the study guide together. “Resources geared towards the western lifestyle and rodeo athletes are few. My desire is to provide a unique offering that helps cowboys and cowgirls pursue their calling. Each section is interactive and full of practical life application.”
    His next goals include getting out and speaking. “Jamie and I want to share our story and offer inspiration to all the people. I’m living proof that if God can use me, He can use anyone.”

  • Kellie Collier

    Kellie Collier

    article by Holly Wilson

    Kellie Collier is a Hereford, Texas native with an impressive rodeo resume.
    She was originally introduced to the sport by her mom, Kathleen, and fell in love with the rodeo lifestyle.
    As a student at Happy High School, Kellie competed in multiple events and is a four-time National High School Rodeo Association Finals qualifier. She continued the tradition during her two years at Texas Tech, where she also made the College National Rodeo Finals.
    “I’ve always run barrels, but I also breakaway roped, team roped and ran poles. Last year in the college finals I won the All-Around,” Kellie said, “I got to go to the national finals in the barrels and the breakaway.”
    Kellie finished the 2016 College National Finals Rodeo sitting sixth in the barrel racing with a 14.16.
    Now, Kellie is pursuing a full-time position on the rodeo road. Some of her recent accolades include a win at Redding Rodeo, a third place finish at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and a 13th place overall finish in the 2016 WPRA standings. She is currently sitting 9th in the 2017 standings.
    “I’m trying to take the pro rodeo circuit a little more seriously this year,” Kellie said.
    This was made possible, in part, by her family. They have supported her throughout her rodeo career, and continue to do so.
    “My mom has always been my coach,” Kellie said, “She’s helped me with my highs and my lows and taught me everything I know.”
    And while her mom is by her side on the rodeo road, Kellie’s dad, Matt, supports her from afar.
    “My dad doesn’t have a rodeo background at all, but he’s my biggest fan. He gets mad if we don’t send him videos and call him right after,” Kellie said with a laugh, “He stays home as much as he can to make it possible for me to go.”
    At just 20 years old, Kellie has her sights set high with a goal of making the 2017 National Finals Rodeo.
    “My biggest plan right now is to rodeo as hard as I can and make the NFR,” Kellie said.
    A Hereford, Texas native, Kellie competes on the Wilderness Circuit with her horse Streakin Easy April.
    Kellie admits that it’s a tough road out there, and staying mentally focused is her biggest challenge.
    “That’s probably the hardest part, is staying mentally focused and staying positive. It’s very very important for me to keep my head on and keep my horse comfortable in any situation,” Kellie said, “It’s a tough, tough mental game.”
    However, nine-year-old “Lolo” has plenty of experience in high-pressure situations. She’s been run at the Thomas & Mack, and has numerous other accolades under her belt. “She’s making my dreams come true, making all of this possible. Having a horse of this caliber, that can compete against the best of the best,” Kellie said. “She has made my dream real, making me believe that I really can run at the Thomas & Mack someday.”
    When Kellie and her mom spotted “Lolo” almost three years ago, they knew she would be the horse to make her childhood dreams come true.
    “You know it was kind of a ‘Oh my gosh we have to have her’ kind of thing,” Kellie said, “It was a known from the start, as soon as we saw her, we knew. My mom has a great eye for horses, and she’s always mounted me so well.”
    One of the aspects that drew the Colliers to Lolo was her kind eye and willing nature.
    “When we saw Carlee Pierce run her at the NFR, and handle the situation and the ground, we loved her style. You could tell how sweet and willing she is, especially when you look in her eye,” Kellie said, “You could just tell.”
    Over the past several years, Kellie and Lolo have strengthened their bond and developed a strong relationship.
    “She’s really set my goals, she’s made my dreams come true. I want to be able to repay her for that and do everything to keep her the happiest she can be,” Kellie said, “I’ve been so blessed and lucky to have a chance to own this mare.”

    Kellie Collier with Lolo – courtesy of family

  • Recruiting Season

    It is recruiting season in many sports including college rodeo. This is a very busy time of year for coaches, practices, spring rodeos, fundraising and recruiting. It is an exciting time of year as well, building for the future.
    From previous experience recruiting is not an exact science. In fact recruiting difficulties carry over to all sports. Five star recruits, walk-ons and everyone in between start with a clean slate as soon as they walk on campus. But they do not all come equipped with the tools to be successful at the next level. Some come with tons of talent, some come with character, a few come with both. Send me the ones with lots of character who just need the opportunity to be successful.
    Recently I came across an interesting statistic, 37 of the 44 NFL Pro-bowl selections this year were three-star or lower recruits out of high school. Like I said recruiting is not an exact science, even for football programs that have huge budgets and hired professionals just to scout talent and recruit. The 37 recruits worked their way to success on the highest level and rest assured that it was not an easy journey. Through their character and development of their talent they were able to face many difficult times to find their way to the elite level they compete on now.
    What talent scouts and recruiting experts struggle with on every level struggle with is sorting through the high school success and finding the true character of their recruits. How determined are they to be successful? How hard are they willing to work to be successful? How goal orientated are they? How good of a student are they? How fierce of a competitor are they? Can they motivate themselves on a daily basis? Can they avoid social distractions? Are they satisfied with their previous successes?
    These are all good recruiting questions that are not easy for the coach to find answers to. From the high school level to the pro draft these questions may go farther in determining future success than the measurable numbers.
    In the past I have had walk-ons with very little experience, and scholarship athletes with a great high school resume. The walk-on had the key character tools that we all look for, the talented kid had just relied on talent. Over the course of the first year the gap in performance was closed between the two based on the character of the athletes. By the second year the walk-on was out performing the high school star and had been selected a team captain by his peers. By the third year the walk-on was competing at the CNFR and the high school star had progressed very little from when he first arrived. (By the way the walk on did earn his scholarship after his first semester of school).
    I have watched this unfold in the past, I see it currently, and I know I will see it in the future. This proves that no matter how much success you had in high school or early in your career you have to keep working. The hardest workers will find a way to be great no matter what sport or profession they choose. Character and hard work are the best equalizers, don’t let others beat you in these areas…

  • 5 Minute Southwest Layered Salad & Chili and Cheese Enchiladas

    Southwest Layered Salad – Photo courtesy of iheartnaptime.net

    5 Minute Southwest Layered Salad

    recipe courtesy of Carolyn (Heckman) Thompson from the Pioneer Journey Cookbook

    Ingredients:
    6 c. torn romaine lettuce
    1 15-oz. can black beans, drained
    & rinsed
    1 11-oz. can whole kernel corn, drained
    1/2 c. thick and chunky salsa
    1/2 c. Kraft Three Cheese Crumbles
    1/2 c. Ranch dressing
    1 c. tortilla chips

    DIRECTIONS: Place lettuce on serving platter or in bottom of glass serving bowl. Cover with layers of beans, corn, salsa, and cheese. Drizzle with dressing; sprinkle with chips. Makes 4 servings.

    Chili & Cheese Enchiladas

    recipe courtesy of Catherine Hustead Roe from the Wall Drug Cookbook, 2nd Edition

    Ingredients:
    1½ c. shredded cheddar cheese, divided
    1 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
    ½ c. chopped onion
    3 Tbsp. diced green chilies
    8 (6”) flour tortillas
    1 (15 oz.) can Hormel Chili No Beans

    DIRECTIONS: Heat oven to 350°. In bowl, combine 1 cup cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, onion and green chilies. In center of each tortilla, place about 1/3 cup cheese mixture. Roll up tightly; place seam-side down in greased 12”x8” baking dish. Spoon chili over tortillas and cover. Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese. Cover; let stand 2 to 3 minutes or until cheese is melted. Serve with sour cream and salsa, if desired. Serves 4.

    Chili & Cheese Enchiladas