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  • BEST IN THE BADLANDS

    BEST IN THE BADLANDS

    Badlands Circuit Finals determines champs, qualifiers for the NFR Open

     

    MINOT, N.D. (October 15, 2023) – The gold buckles are on their winners’ belts, the championship saddles are packed in trucks headed home, and the final rodeo of the 2023 season is over for Badlands Circuit cowboys and cowgirls.

     

    The annual Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo was held Oct. 13-15, with two champions crowned in each event: the year end champ (the cowboy or cowgirl who has won the most money throughout the regular season, and the finals champ (the cowboy or cowgirl who won the rodeo in Minot.)

     

    Year end and finals champs qualify to compete at the NFR Open, held in Colorado Springs, Colo., next July. With a payout of over $600,000, the NFR Open is an exclusive opportunity for circuit winners from across the nation to win money and improve in the standings.

     

    Some of the ’23 champs are repeats, continuing their winning ways, and some are just getting a good start to their pro rodeo careers.

     

    Bareback rider Ben Kramer, Max, N.D. won his first circuit titles, claiming both the year end and finals spots. For the finals, he scored 240.5 points on three head, only two and a half points more than the number two man, Shane O’Connell, Rapid City.

     

    The twenty-two year old has had the best year of his rodeo career. He won first place at Badlands Circuit rodeos like Clear Lake, Brookings and Watertown, S.D., and at the big shows as well, having won money at Ft. Worth, San Antonio, and Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days.

     

    Kramer is a third generation bareback rider; his granddad, Jack Kramer, and his dad, Shawn Kramer, also rode. Shawn qualified for the Badlands Circuit Finals three times in the 1990s.

     

    This was Kramer’s fourth circuit finals qualification. He is currently ranked 34th in the world standings.

     

    Another new name topped the list for Badlands winners.

     

    Saddle bronc rider Cash Wilson, Wall, S.D., went home with both the year-end and finals titles, having won the most money during the regular season and earning 242.5 points on three head to win the finals.

     

    The twenty-one year old won checks in each round, tying for second in round one, winning second in round two, and taking first place in the third round.

     

    On Friday night, in round one, he rode the Sutton horse Big E Macksteel. “I could have rode that horse a lot better,” he said. “but I came back Saturday night and made a really good ride. Today I knew I had to do my job. I had a good horse of Korkow’s named Bambino Vold, so I knew I had a good chance.”

     

    Wilson acknowledged the history of North and South Dakota being home to excellent saddle bronc riders.

     

    “I’ve always looked up to these guys,” he said. “There are so many good bronc riders in the Dakotas, it’s hard to name them all. There’s been a lot of great guys who have won the Badlands Circuit, and I’m just happy to add my name to the list.”

     

    Wilson, who finished the 2023 pro rodeo season in 26th place in the world standings, is excited to be heading to the NFR Open. “It’s a great opportunity. There’s a lot of big money up for grabs there. I’m excited to compete at that.”

     

    Steer wrestler Cameron Morman is no stranger to Badlands titles. The Glen Ullin, N.D. cowboy won his eighth and ninth gold buckles this year, having won the year-end and finals titles.

     

    He was aboard Kenny, a seventeen-year-old sorrel who carried Morman to his 2022 wins.

     

    The sorrel “is real quick across the line, and I feel like this arena fits his style,” he said.

     

    Bily Bolden hazed for Morman and for several other steer wrestlers at circuit finals.

     

    The indoor arena at the N.D. State Fair Center in Minot is also a good fit for another horse.

     

    Breakaway roping champ Sawyer Gilbert, who won the finals with 7.7 seconds on three head, was aboard her nineteen-year-old paint horse named Roger.

     

    “He really likes this building,” she said. “It’s indoor and a short setup, and that’s his game. The cattle were a little slower, and he does really, really good with softer cattle, the ones that stop at the end of the rope. He quarters and gets the rope broke away really fast.”

     

    Roger also likes music, which is louder at indoor rodeos. “He likes loud music,” she said. “When we practice on him, we’ll play music, and he’ll play with the lead rope or the fence.”

     

    Gilbert won first place in the second round and fourth place in the third round.

     

    “I drew really good all weekend,” she said, and she was careful not to break barriers, which adds a ten second penalty and ruins any chance a breakaway roper has of winning the rodeo.

     

    During the third performance, as she rode into the breakaway box, she heard the announcer say she had to make a three second run, or faster. “I could have tried to win the round tonight and win the year end (title), but the smart thing to do when you’re winning the average by that much is to get out of the barrier and rope your cow and that’s what I did.”

     

    Gilbert is the 2021 WPRA World Champion breakaway roper. Brooke Howell, Belle Fourche, S.D., was the year-end winner.

     

    In the barrel racing, two veterans claimed wins. Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D., won the year-end title aboard her popular palomino horse Fiery Miss West, “Missy,” and Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., won the finals rodeo, on her well-known gray horse, Promise Me Fame Guys, “Levee.”

     

    Mason Moody dominated the bull riding from the start.

     

    The Letcher, S.D. man came into circuit finals with a commanding lead, and was the only bull rider to make three qualified rides; no one else rode two bulls, and only two men covered one bull (Riggin Shippy, Colome, S.D. and TJ Schmidt, Belle Fourche, S.D.) For his efforts, Moody won both the year end and finals titles.

     

    Other 2023 champions include tie down ropers Grant Turek, St. Paul, Neb. (year end) and Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Neb. (finals), and team ropers Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, S.D. and Cash Hetzel, Lemmon, S.D. (year end) and Jon Peterson, Belle Fourche, S.D. and Trae Smith, Georgetown, Idaho (finals).

    The Badlands All-Around of the Year title went to Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, S.D. The Badlands All-Around title was won by Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Neb.

    Both year-end and average champions will represent the RAM Badlands Circuit at the NFR Open, formerly known as the National Circuit Finals Rodeo, to be held in Colorado Springs in July of 2024. In the event that the same person has won both titles, the second person in the year-end race qualifies for the NFR Open.

    – ### –

     

    3Year end and average winners for the Badlands Circuit

    3rd performance results from Oct. 15, 2023

     

    All-around Champion: Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, SD

    All-around champion for the Finals: Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, NE

     

    Bareback riding

    Bareback Riding Year End Champion: Ben Kramer, Max, ND

    Bareback Riding Average Champion: Ben Kramer, Max, ND

     

    3rd round results:

    1. Ty Breuer, Mandan, ND 85 points on Sutton Rodeo’s Deets; 2. Clay Jorgenson, Watford City, ND 83; 3. Chase Yellow Hawk, Blunt, SD 80; 4. Steven DeWolfe-Shedeed, Buffalo Gap, SD 78.5.

     

    Average results:

    1. Ben Kramer, Max, ND 240.5 points on 3 head; 2. Shane O’Connell, Rapid City SD 238; 3. Chase Yellow Hawk, Blunt, SD 228; 4. Steven DeWolfe-Shedeed, Buffalo Gap, SD 222.5.

     

    Steer Wrestling

    Steer Wrestling Year End Champion:  Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, ND

    Steer Wrestling Average Champion: Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, ND

     

    3rd round results:

    1. Justice Johnson, Bismarck, ND 3.8 seconds; 2. (tie) Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, ND and Reed Kraeger, Waco, NE 4.0 each; 4. Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, NE 4.2.

     

    Average results:

    1. Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, ND 12.1 seconds on 3 head; 2. Scott Kleeman, Killdeer, ND 13.7; 3. Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, NE 14.6; 4. Tyler Thorson, Manning, ND 14.7.

     

    Team Roping

    Team Roping Year End Champion Header: Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, SD

                                                                Heeler: Cash Hetzel, Lemmon, SD

    Team Roping Average Champion Header: Jon Peterson, Belle Fourche, SD

                                                                Heeler: Trae Smith, Georgetown, Idaho

     

    3rd round results:

    1. Jon Peterson, Belle Fourche, SD/Trae Smith, Georgetown, Idaho 4.5 seconds; 2. Jr Dees, Aurora, SD/Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas 4.8; 3. Clay Holz, Niobrara, NE/Matt Zancanella, Aurora, SD 4.9; 4. Trevor Olson, Mud Butte, SD/Jace Engesser, Spearfish, SD 5.0.

     

    Average results:

    1. Jon Peterson, Belle Fourche, SD/Trae Smith, Georgetown, Idaho 20.7 seconds on 3 head; 2. Jr Dees, Aurora, SD/Ross Ashford, Lott, TX 21.0; 3. Guy Howell, Belle Fourche, SD/Riley Curuchet, Kaycee, WY 22.4; 4. Cooper White, Hershey, NE/Tucker White, Hershey, NE 25.4.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding

    Saddle Bronc Year End Champion: Cash Wilson, Wall, SD

    Saddle Bronc Average Champion: Cash Wilson, Wall, SD

     

    3rd round results:

    1. Cash Wilson, Wall, SD 80.5 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Bambino Vold; 2. Cole Elshere, Faith, SD 77; 3. Jade Blackwell, Rapid City, SD 75; 4. Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, SD 70.

    Average results:

    1. Cash Wilson, Wall, SD 242.5 points on 3 head; 2. Cole Elshere, Faith, SD 235; 3. Jade Blackwell, Rapid City, SD 231.5; 4. Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, SD 227.

     

    Breakaway Roping

    Breakaway Roping Year End Champion: Brooke Howell, Belle Fourche, SD

    Breakaway Roping Average Champion: Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, SD

     

    3rd round results:

    1. Taylor Engesser, Spearfish, SD 2.0 seconds; 2. Danielle Wray, Ord, NE 2.2; 3. Kayla Olson, Chadron, NE 2.6; 4. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, SD 2.8.

     

    Average results:

    1. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, SD 7.7 seconds on 3 head; 2. Danielle Wray, Ord, NE 7.9; 3. Brooke Howell, Belle Fourche, SD 9.4; 4. Jessica Holmes, Buffalo, SD 18.2.

     

    Tie-down Roping

    Tie Down Roping Year End Champion: Grant Turek, St. Paul, NE

    Tie Down Roping Average Champion: Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, NE

     

    3rd round results:

    1. Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, NE 8.1 seconds; 2. Grant Turek, St. Paul, NE 8.2; 3. Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, SD 10.9; 4. Thane Lockhart, Oelrichs, SD 11.3.

     

    Average results:

    1. Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, NE 26.6 seconds on 3 head; 2. Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, SD 29.9; 3. Thane Lockhart, Oelrichs, SD 37.1; 4. Ty Moser, Volga, SD 42.6.

     

    Barrel Racing

    Barrel Racing Year End Champion: Jessica Routier, Buffalo, SD

    Barrel Racing Average Champion:  Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, SD

     

    3rd round results:

    1. (tie) Taylor Hanson, St. Onge, SD and Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, SD 13.35 seconds each; 3. Bobbi Olson, Sheyenne, ND 13.42; 4. Lakken Bice, Killdeer, ND 13.51.

     

    Average results:

    1. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, SD 40.61 seconds on 3 runs; 2. Lakken Bice, Killdeer, ND 40.69; 3. Molly Otto, Grand Forks, ND 40.91; 4. Jessica Routier, Buffalo, SD 40.94.

     

     

    Bull Riding

    Bull Riding Year End Champion: Mason Moody, Letcher, SD

    Bull Riding Average Champion: Mason Moody, Letcher, SD

     

    3rd round results:

    1. Riggin Shippy, Colome, SD 78.5 points on Muddy Creek Rodeo’s War Zone; 2. Mason Moody, Letcher, SD 59; no other qualified rides.

     

    Average results:

    1. Mason Moody, Letcher, SD, 228 points on 3 head; 2. Riggin Shippy, Colome, SD 78.5 on 1 head; 3. TJ Schmidt, Belle Fourche, SD 77 on 1 head.

     

    ** All results are unofficial.  For more information, visit www.ProRodeo.com.

     

     

     

  • 5 Star Champions: Mike and Hannah White

    5 Star Champions: Mike and Hannah White

    Mike and Hannah White have known each other since freshman year of college. And through their 24 years of marriage thus far, whether it’s raising their two sons, training horses, starting a business, or coming out of the roping box after a steer at the Bob Feist Invitational, the couple from DeKalb, Texas, knows how to work as a team.
    Both Mike and Hannah come from rodeo families, and feel very fortunate that they had to train their own horses to compete on. “We were extremely blessed that we got to rodeo and our parents worked hard so we could rodeo. But on the other hand, our family didn’t have money to throw away,” says Mike, who is one of five children. He bought and trained colts, and even took a horse that wouldn’t buck out of his brother Pat’s bucking string and trained it to rope.
    Likewise, Hannah has four siblings, and their parents couldn’t afford to buy them all finished rodeo horses. Their grandfather, Jack, who had been a stock contractor on the East Coast and raised quarter horses, along with helping found the Southern Rodeo Association, gave them all the opportunity to train some of his colts. “If we truly made something out of them, he’d sign the papers over to us,” says Hannah. “At the time I hated it because I didn’t understand why my mom and dad couldn’t buy me a finished horse, but now I realize how great that was.”
    Mike and Hannah both went on to college rodeo, though neither one considered team roping more than a fun pastime initially. Hannah competed primarily in breakaway and goat tying while pursuing her nursing degree, and Mike rode bulls and went pro. He won PRCA Rookie of the Year in 1997 and competed in the NFR 1997-1999, winning the average and world title in ’99. Mike also competed in his first PBR Finals in 1999, and qualified for 10 more Finals before deciding he’d had enough serious injuries, and retiring in 2010. He was inducted into the PBR Ring of Honor in 2012.
    Mike’s career change brought the opportunity for the husband and wife to team rope together more than as a hobby. With Hannah heading and Mike heeling, they began entering World Series ropings and the Bob Feist Invitational. They won the #12.5 Oil Field Showdown at the Wrangler BFI, held in Guthrie, Oklahoma, in both 2020 and 2021, taking home over $100,000 both years.
    Team roping also gave them an avenue to give back to their community. They hosted Mike White’s Annual Pasture Roping and Benefit for 13 years, donating the proceeds to Ropin Dreams, an organization that benefits children with serious illnesses or injuries. They’ve been unable to host the benefit since 2021 when the land they used for the pasture roping was sold, but hope to bring the event back. “We’ve helped a lot of people through rough times.”
    Mike’s main heel horse went to college with their oldest son, Logan (19), who is rodeoing at Howard College, but Mike has a 4-year-old that he’s excited to put more miles on. Hannah won both years at the BFI on her gelding Theodore, and rides another gelding named Charlie, who is also becoming a solid head horse. Their youngest son, Morgan (12), won’t be taking over any horses since he is a football and baseball athlete. “We’re great with that and we support him. But I told him if he’s ever interested in roping to let me know, and I’ll have the horses saddled,” says Mike.
    Additionally, there will be three foals on the ground next spring out of Mike and Hannah’s mares. They are starting over after downsizing their breeding program around 2010, when the horse market in Texas hit rock bottom. Their focus these days is the AQHA Riata Buckle stallion incentive program. “I don’t have specific bloodlines, because if a horse rides good, I keep it. And if I don’t like it, I don’t keep it—you can’t ride the papers,” says Mike. He takes in a few outside horses to ride, but is primarily focused on training his own horses, which Hannah rides as well once they are started.
    Whichever horses the couple saddle each day, they have a 5 Star Equine pad on their back. Mike and Hannah joined the 5 Star sponsor team this year, and are excited to be part of a line of products they’ve used for years. The company also sponsored their pasture roping. “What I really like about their pads is that they sit square underneath my saddle and contour to the back, so the saddle isn’t rolling all over the place or cutting my horse in two,” says Hannah. Mike adds that his horses aren’t sore when using 5 Star pads, even when they take some impact when he’s heeling.
    The roping duo’s plans are to continue caring for their family, roping in the World Series and jackpots, and further developing their horse training program, MW Performance Horses. Mike, who is also an auctioneer, is building his customer base in the spray foam industry. “I know if I can get that going, I can free up time to ride those young horses more.”

  • Team Cavender’s Kash Loyd

    Team Cavender’s Kash Loyd

    Imagine battling it out every weekend at high school rodeos in Texas to qualify for the National High School Rodeo Finals to arrive and have it all taken away the first ride out. This occurrence is a reality for now Sophmore bareback rider, Kash Loyd.
    When he got on his first horse of the finals, he covered with a score of 65 points to start the event out. As he grabbed his riggin’ the pick-up men began to move in. They thundered around the corner to pass the bucking chutes. Suddenly, Kash’s leg collided with someone along the chutes who didn’t quite make it out of the way, sending Kash flying over his riggin. In that moment, Kash’s arm snapped. He knew what had happened, and the worst part, he was hung up. The pick-up men moved in and safely got him to the ground, but the outcome led Kash straight to the hospital. He completely broke his radius and the growth plate in his wrist. He was out for the rest of the rodeo.
    “I was frustrated,” Kash said. He pushed to tell his family he could still ride, but they weren’t convinced. He stayed an extra day to support his friends riding before taking a family road trip back to Texas empty-handed. This incident, however isn’t the end for Kash. That ride is motivating him to come back stronger than before. Kash has been working and training with allstar, Tilden Hooper, who often comes to support these young up-and-comers.
    Kash began riding bucking stock when he was just seven years old. “I remember it like it was yesterday,” Kash said. The ponies were rank, but that didn’t scare Kash off. He continued to ride in the Junior Roughstock Association, which only features bucking horse events. When he finally came into high school rodeo, he was in a whole new world. “It was a culture shock,” Kash said. Seeing all of the different events at the high school rodeo was nothing he’d seen before. “It’s not something you get to see every day.” With bareback riding being the first event out, he often didn’t watch the other events, but at many of the finals rodeos he always makes time to watch the other events.
    Kash has grown up near Fort Worth, Texas. He is no stranger to the competition the state brings. Although the competitors are friends, they want each other to get better to better themselves. “We are the elite [in Texas],” Kash said. “If you want to succeed at rodeo, you’re coming to Texas.” This competition helped Kash get comfortable quickly at some of the larger rodeos he’s attended. He didn’t feel the pressure that many others may have in these situations.
    As a successful bareback rider Kash does have some rituals that must be done before each ride. “I am a lion,” Kash says as he gets ready to get down in the chute. He recites his scripture verses to himself to get him in the zone. “As long as I have God on my side, I’m good.” He, unlike most athletes, prefers to have some quiet time or chatting with the other riders rather than listening to music to get ready. He has one superstition that stands out above the rest, and that is why he wears Snoopy socks for each ride.
    Kash joined Team Cavender’s recently and is starting his first year on the team. “They [Cavender’s] give me an extra boost of confidence every time I step into a room or arena.” Kash said. He mentions how nice it is to have people who have his back and help prepare him for the next steps in rodeo and in life.
    When Kash isn’t riding bucking horses, you can find him on the football field, the track field or the golf course. He made the varsity team in all three sports his freshman year. Although he cannot play now with his broken arm he is hopeful to make the team again this spring when he is healed.
    Kash is ready to hit the rodeo road again as soon as he finishes up physical therapy. He is hoping to be back to riding by the beginning of November and aims to be the Rookie of the Year in the Cowboy Professional Rodeo Association and win the Junior World Finals in Las Vegas this December.

  • Back When They Bucked with Dave Garstad

    Back When They Bucked with Dave Garstad

    [ “We had fun when we rodeoed, and it was good to us.” ]

    or fifteen years straight, bull rider Dave Garstad never finished a Canadian rodeo season in less than fifth place in the Canadian standings.
    The Stettler, Alberta cowboy dominated the rodeo scene for more than two decades, beginning in 1959 till he retired in 1980.
    The eighth of nine children born in 1943 to Norwegian immigrants Magna (Juleson) and Olav Garstad, he and his brothers rode one of the family’s milk cows. “She bucked really well without a flank,” Dave said. “She’d turn back and spin right at the gate.” Weighing 1400 lbs., riding her gave the boys the rodeo bug.
    Back then, near Veteran, Alberta, where he was raised, the local farmers and ranchers would have cow riding during the multi-day brandings. Men and boys could pay an entry fee of $3 or $4 and ride. At the age of fifteen, Dave won the contest and $400, which was a lot of money in those days.
    And that success determined his fate in life: rodeo.
    He was a three-event cowboy, riding barebacks and bulls and steer wrestling, but bull riding was his forte.
    Because of his $400 winnings, he could buy a Canadian Pro Rodeo Association membership and compete professionally. But his mother wouldn’t sign for him, as a minor. So George Myren signed the release form and he became a full-fledged member.
    He rodeoed professionally as he finished high school. He had “senior matriculation” – high enough grades to attend university – but he chose to rodeo. Dave still remembers what the school principal told him. “He said, for somebody that had the academic promise that I had, I was wasting my time in the rodeo business.”
    But it wasn’t a waste.
    He rodeoed across the country, and ventured to the States in the winter of 1963, hitting the big shows: Odessa, Denver, Ft. Worth, Amarillo, and on down the line.
    His first time rodeoing in the U.S. was an interesting story. He’d gotten to the rodeo in Big Sandy, Montana, but didn’t have his RCA (predecessor to the PRCA) card. He phoned the RCA office, in Denver at the time, requesting a card on short notice. He got results: Bill Linderman, president of the association, called the rodeo secretary in Big Sandy, giving her Dave’s new card number.
    When he was broke, he worked in the oil patch in northern Alberta and British Columbia to make some money. But there weren’t too many lean years. At first, he was winning $12,000-$15,000 a year, getting on 120 bulls and 60 horses. A person could live on those wages.
    But as he got more experience, he was making $20,000 to $25,000 a year, when a regular income might be $10-$12,000.
    In 1967, he was the Canadian champion bull rider, having won more money than any other bull rider in the country. That year, he won eleven rodeos and placed second at 37. “I won a lot of money, considering the times.” He was sixty cents short of qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo, due to missing two rodeos while he courted Linda, who would be his future wife. “That’s the girl I wanted,” he said, “and I ended up with her.”
    From 1963-1978, he never finished lower than fifth place in the year-end standings in the Canada Pro Rodeo Association.
    Bull riders covered more bulls then, he said. “We didn’t have the misfortune of being thrown off eighty percent of the cattle we got on. You might ride sixty or seventy in a row before being bucked off.”
    Two of his brothers rodeoed with him: Gid and Dave’s twin, Mark. Sometimes they traveled together. Their dad, Olav, passed away when Dave and Mark were nine years old.
    One year, Dave, rodeoing in the Midwest and the South, got on the bulls of 33 different stock contractors, and only got bucked off two of them.
    He was a three-time Southern Circuit CPRA champion, and in 1980, qualified for his first Canadian Finals Rodeo. (The Canadian Finals Rodeo didn’t come into existence until 1974).
    At the Finals that year, during a ride, the bull’s head came up as Dave’s head came down. The bull’s horn broke his left cheek bone and the horn tip crushed his eye, causing him to lose sight in that eye. After that, he retired. He and Linda had two young sons. “We had little kids, (ages three and five) at home, so I had to make some money. You can’t be bumping your head when you’re not physically fit,” he said.
    After rodeo, he was a rig hand in the oil field, then in the 1980s, he went into the service business, monitoring drilling mud for ten years. Intelligent and a quick study, he understood every facet of the drilling business, knew the lexicon and the earth’s formations. He soon became a drilling foreman.
    Typical of bull riders, Dave had his share of injuries. He broke his back once, and as a kid, broke his jaw, requiring him to live on canned milk for a time as his jaw was wired shut.
    His worst injury was at Baird, Texas. After the buzzer, when Dave went to reach for his wrap, the bull bucked into a post, dumping Dave on the ground. The bull stepped on his back, breaking a shoulder blade and ten ribs on the same side. The ambulance driver, who had been drinking, forgot that Baird had a new hospital and drove his patient twenty miles farther than necessary to Abilene, Texas.
    When Dave was released from the hospital, his brother, Gid, drove him to a motel. While there, he sneezed, causing a rib to puncture his lung, so he was back to the hospital. The “big-time” doctor at the hospital refused to see sports-related injuries because he felt they were self-inflicted. But the head surgeon was willing to treat him.
    He was in ICU for a week, and when he flew home, the stewardess checked on him every five minutes, making sure he was OK.
    Linda remembers a funny story from this hospital incident. She called him every morning, before work, to see how he was. One morning on the phone he gasped for air and couldn’t talk. She was upset, thinking he was getting worse. They talked that evening, and he explained: he had been laughing at Archie Bunker on TV. “He laughed so hard he couldn’t breathe,” she said.
    Linda worked as a lab and X-ray technician; the couple had two sons, Ned, and Nate. The family traveled together when they could. The boys “always thought the bull riding should be first,” Linda said, “so they could go to the playground.”
    The best part of rodeo, both Dave and Linda agree, is the people. Dave often traveled with Myrtus Dightman, Mel Hyland, and Tom Silverthorn, among others. “I could count on them,” he said.
    “Rodeo is its own big family,” Linda said. And travel teaches lessons as well. “You learn so many life skills and coping skills out on the road.”
    The couple lived in Big Valley, Alberta for 48 years, before moving to Stettler last year.
    In addition to their sons and their spouses, they have three grandsons and a great-granddaughter.
    Dave said desire is an important part of rodeo. “With any sport, if the desire isn’t there, you can’t do much at all, and in rodeo, that’s really evident.” He was inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2014.
    He thinks about that first check he won, $400 for riding a cow at the ranchers’ branding. His rodeo career started, more or less, by accident. “If I’d have gotten stomped on that day, instead of winning, it would have been much different.
    “We had fun when we rodeoed, and it was good to us.”

  • On The Trail with Monte Downare III

    On The Trail with Monte Downare III

    [ “I feel God is with me every time I nod my head,
    and I know if I want to win I need to be calm, cool and collected.”]

    From the small town of Hartsel, Colorado, comes a cowboy tearing it up across the state in bareback and bull riding. Monte Downare, age 19, is no stranger to claiming wins at high school rodeos. He’s a four-time Colorado champion, ending his high school career as a four-time state champ: twice in the bareback riding and twice in the bull riding (2022, 2023).
    At the National High School Finals Rodeo, in Gillette, Wyo., the family got word his sister, Gracy, age 18, was injured in a horse accident. Despite several fractures and a concussion Gracy insisted the family stay in Gillette and support Monte. He made it to the short go in the bareback riding in fourth place, drawing 843 Lost Lakota from Summit Pro Rodeo. He made a clean 80 point ride to win second in the short round and seventh overall nationally in the bareback riding and brought home two buckles. He is known for his iconic bright yellow chaps, featuring a holstered pistol on the hip and on the bottom the initials, MD3. The MD3 symbolizes that he is Monte Downare the Third. “My dad was a really good bareback rider, and my grandpa made his legacy ranching.”
    When he wasn’t in school or playing sports, Monte was working on the four-generation family ranch with his three siblings; Gracy,18; Kally, 14; and younger brother, Vaughn, 12. The ranch supports five Downare families and continues to thrive through diversification. They invested in ground in Eastern Colorado to winter the cattle. They have a farm in LaJunta to raise the winter feed. The ladies cook the noon meal every day, feeding around 20. They invite friends and family from all over to enjoy the ranching life and be part of the spring branding. They also run buffalo, starting with 6 back in 1964. The herd continues to grow, providing additional income through the sale of meat.
    The Downares started out training saddle horses years ago and soon realized there was a market for trained Belgium teams. Since they use teams to feed in the winter, they started raising the training the horses for sale. A few of the Downare men acquired auctioneering abilities and were hired at various livestock barns. Using those skills and experience, they decided to create their own consignment sale. “We were ranching, and it was back when cattle weren’t worth a whole lot, and so we came together and started this auction,” explained Monte’s dad, Monte. “It has been great; we sell everything from antiques to animals.” The entire family is involved in the auction – from the auctioneering to the clerking. “I’ve been selling my whole life from livestock to buckets of bolts. I started when I was little, selling at consignment sales.” Monte spent a few years chasing his rodeo dreams, leading the standings in the Colorado Pro Rodeo Association along with his brother, Micky. “My brother and I rode bareback horses. We both amateured a little but mostly competed in PRCA.” He had some good years, including winning Denver in 2004. “It got too tough to keep going and support my family so I stayed in the circuit,” he said. “We used to have saddle bums come to the ranch for work…but that day is gone. Rodeo is the last of the cowboy.”
    Of the 14 Downare cousins, four compete in rodeo and many are still too young. “My dad was a rodeo clown and worked for Edger Wilson for years,” said Monte’s mom, Lacy, who also competed. Now both she and Monte are cheering on their son, Monte III, who is a freshman at Casper College. He received a full ride scholarship to ride barebacks and bulls for the Thunderbirds.

    After the high school finals, Monte spent the summer traveling along the CPRA, WRA, and PRCA circuit rodeos. He won his first PRCA rodeo in Steamboat Springs over the weekend of June 23-24. Now he will rodeo in the Central Rocky Mountain Region while studying Fire Services. His goal is to start his PRCA career by winning Resistol Rookie of the Year when the time is right. “I just feel it’s in my blood and I feel it’s my thing,” said Monte. “It’s my passion and what I want to do. My dad, and all his traveling partners, including Kelly Timberman, have inspired me. I think God put me here to rodeo – to make the most of it.”

  • NLBRA World Champion Little Wrangler: Braylin Barratt

    NLBRA World Champion Little Wrangler: Braylin Barratt

    Nine-year-old Braylin Barratt is the proud owner of two world champion saddles, buckles, and numerous awards including her new favorite purple felt hat after her hard work paid off at the 2023 NLBRA Finals. “I was really surprised and I was excited!” says the cowgirl from Cheraw, Colorado. She went into the Finals leading the world all-around in the Little Wranglers and held onto the lead, while also winning the goat tail untying. “Going in, the goat untying was probably her worst event, but she had three great runs there,” says Braylin’s mom, Amber Barratt. “Braylin had practiced a ton on her get off and wraparound, and she did a good job getting it done at the Finals. I’ve had my two other kids going into the Finals number one in the World and then have a bad round and lose the title, so it was nice to see that finally pay off.”
    The 2023 Finals marked Braylin’s third time competing in Guthrie, Oklahoma, where she competed in all of the Little Wrangler events. Her 14-year-old brother, Maverick, and 13-year-old sister, Bristyl, each competed in five events. The siblings are the second generation in their family to compete in the NLBRA. Their mom rodeoed in Little Britches and encouraged them to rodeo when they were old enough. It continues to be a family affair, with their mom and dad, Josh Barratt, helping them practice. Their horses and arena are on their grandparents’ ranch, where they rope and ride daily, and where Josh starts colts and trains cutting horses. Braylin’s Nana and Papa, Dayla and Richard Elliott, have run the ranch for more than 50 years, and support the grandkids in all their rodeo pursuits.
    “Little Britches is family oriented. We can all be there together competing towards the same goals, especially with boys and girls where sports are usually split, like the boys do football and the girls do volleyball,” says Amber. “Everyone is there as a family, and are good, honest people. It’s nice to go where people believe in the Lord and pray before every performance. And most rodeos we go to do church services on Sundays, so that is nice too.”
    Braylin just moved up to the junior girl division and now competes in pole bending, barrel racing, goat tying, breakaway roping, and trail course, which is her new favorite event. She competes on three ponies, Grey Pony, Goose, and Gus Gus. “I help my Nana get eggs, and I drive the feed cart for my dad, grain horses, and I clean pens for my dad and turn back for him for his cutting,” says Braylin. She and her family also help care for their practice goats, calves, and steers.
    Along with rodeo, Braylin stays busy attending Cheraw School. A fourth grader, she especially likes math, where they are studying rounding up numbers currently. She and her brother and sister have a very short walk to school, and Braylin likes to spend her free time with her friends or playing volleyball. Their mom owns and runs a t-shirt screen printing and embroidery business just across the street from their school.
    Braylin is working hard to qualify for the NLBRA Finals again in all her events. “I want to get better at roping and faster at tying like my sister—and beat my sister this year. And I want to thank my mom, dad, sister, brother, Nana, Papa, and the Lord.”

  • Community Coffee: Tristan Martin

    Community Coffee: Tristan Martin

    Editor’s note: Tristan Martin was featured as the On the Trail in the 2022 July issue of Rodeo News Please see link below to read full article:
    https://reader.mediawiremobile.com/RodeoNews/issues/207953/viewer

    [ “Growing up in Louisiana, I didn’t know there was another kind of coffee,” said Tristan Martin, 2x NFR qualifier in steer wrestling. “Every breakfast table and store served Community Coffee.” The cowboy from Sulphur, Louis., won $170,981 last year steer wrestling. We caught up with him during the run in the Northwest. “I just put a big order In for more – these guys up here love it.” Tristan’s favorite is sweet tea. “When I saw them getting involved in rodeo, I reached out to them. It’s a Louisiana brand and you don’t see many of them coming in to help us out.” ]

    Tristan hails from a long line of rodeo greats, including his uncle, Casey Martin, who made five trips to the NFR in steer wrestling. He is the oldest to 57 grandchildren in the Martin family, which gives him access to chute help, practice buddies, and a cheering section just one mile from his house. Tristan married Josee in 2020 and their son, Boudreaux was born right after the NFR in 2021. He went to his first rodeo six weeks after he was born and watched his dad win the 2022 Fort Worth Stock Show.
    This is Tristan’s fifth year on the rodeo road, and he just bought a new horse, so he plans to continue for several years. “I feel like this is a talent God’s blessed me with and it’s a great way to meet people and do what I love.” The only downside is leaving his wife and son at home for long periods. Josee has a really good job as a nurse and that provides the family with health insurance. “There’s lots of family close by so she’s got help if she needs it.”
    He has developed a network of places to stay and made friends in all corners of the country during his tenure on the rodeo road. “It takes years to figure out where to stay and make friends,” he said. “It’s really nice, we base our northwest run out of one place – we can wash clothes and have homemade meals.” He admits it’s hard to receive the notoriety along the way. “I got my name on the side of my truck, and people pull a $1 out of their pocket and have me sign it.”
    Tristan has been giving back by doing clinics to help the upcoming steer wrestlers. “We’ve done one at home for four or five years.” His Uncle Casey, and Tom Carney help. He does a second clinic in North Dakota in the spring.

  • Badlands cowboys, cowgirls enter Circuit Finals Rodeo in first place in respective events

    Badlands cowboys, cowgirls enter Circuit Finals Rodeo in first place in respective events

    Minot, N.D. (September 25, 2023) – The best cowboys and cowgirls in the Dakotas will be in Minot next month for the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo.

     

    And these number ones lead the charge, in their respective events.

     

    North Dakota cowboy Chase Lako leads the tie-down roping. The Mandan man has won more than $17,000, with this the fifth time he has qualified for the Badlands Circuit Finals.

    A financial advisor by day, rodeo is more of a “hobby” for he and his wife Kennedi, a barrel racer.

     

    “It’s a hobby but a serious one,” he said. “My wife and I go to the barn every night and we’re riding five or six horses.” He will ride his nine-year-old gelding named Dunnie, who he trained.

     

    South Dakota cowboy Mason Moody is on top of the pile of bull riders.

     

    The 20-year-old is in his rookie year of PRCA action, and went straight from high school to rodeo. He competed in the PBR last year but decided to switch to professional rodeo this spring, and has done well, having won money at rodeos in Newtown, N.D., Mobridge, S.D., and Hamel, Minn.

     

    “I felt like I could make a pretty good living rodeoing so I decided to pro rodeo and it’s worked out for me,” he said. “I’m definitely paying my bills, and this is definitely something you’ll always remember, when you look back at your rodeo career.”

     

    Moody has more than $31,000 in winnings, ahead of the number two man, Chance Schott, who has won nearly $20,000.

     

    Moody’s first trip to the Badlands Circuit Finals was two years ago, when he was a high school senior. He also qualified last year. He is ranked 36th in the world standings.

     

    In the barrel racing, a fan favorite, Jessica Routier, leads her event.

    The South Dakota cowgirl has won more than $20,000 this year, having done well at Mandan and Killdeer, N.D., and Mobridge and Deadwood, S.D.

     

    She also won the NFR Open (previously known as the National Circuit Finals Rodeo), which gave her a big boost in the world standings. Champs from each circuit finals qualify for the NFR Open, held in Colorado Springs in July. It was “super exciting,” she said, “and a result of winning the circuit finals, and all the more motivation to try to get back there this year.”

     

    For most of the year, she rode Missy, her twelve-year-old mare who is a multiple Badlands Circuit Barrel Horse of the Year winner. She also rode Nicki, a daughter of the mare she won her first Badlands Circuit title on.

     

    Routier, Buffalo, S.D., has won six year-end titles in the Badlands Circuit (2010, 2017, 2019-2022).

     

    Another North Dakota cowboy, Joe Nelson, comes into the circuit finals in first place, in the steer wrestling.

    The Watford City resident had planned to rodeo across the nation, but a horse injury forced him to come home and ride a borrowed horse.

     

    He rode River Voigt’s horse, Woody, and on Woody, won money in Mobridge and Belle Fourche, S.D., Ashley and Killdeer, N.D. and Gordon, Neb.

     

    Nelson rodeoed in the circuit and worked as a horse shoer and electrician.

     

    As a kid, his sport of choice was baseball, not rodeo.

     

    One day, he participated in a youth rodeo, winning the dummy roping, “and it was game on from there,” he said. “I told my parents I was done playing baseball.”

     

    Nelson, who is 28 years old, won the average at the 2019 Badlands Circuit Finals. This is his fourth trip to the finals.

     

    Other leaders coming into the circuit finals include bareback rider Ben Kramer, Max, N.D.; saddle bronc rider Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D.; team ropers Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, S.D. (header) and Cash Hetzel, Lemmon, S.D. (heeler); and breakaway roper Tanegai Zilverberg, Holabird, S.D.

     

    The top twelve contestants in each of eight events, after the pro rodeo season, compete at the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo.

     

    The rodeo is Oct. 13-15, with shows starting at 7 pm on Oct. 13-14 and at 1 pm on Oct. 15.

     

    Tickets are $25 for adult general admission and $10 for kids ages 3-10. Gold buckle seats, the five rows closest to the arena floor, are $35 for all ages. The October 15 performance is Family Day with all general admission tickets at $10. They are available online at RodeoMinot.com, at North Country Mercantile in Minot (2000 20th Avenue SE) and at the gate.

     

    For more information, visit the website at RodeoMinot.com or Facebook and Instagram (search for Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo.)

     

    A complete list of contestants follows.

     

    – ### –

     

    The list of the top 12 men and women in their respective events in the Badlands Circuit, after the regular season is over, qualify to compete at the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo.

     

    Bareback riding

    1. Ben Kramer, Max, N.D.
    2. Shane O’Connell, Rapid City, S.D.
    3. Nate McFadden, Elsmere, Neb.
    4. Andy Gingerich, Aberdeen, S.D.
    5. Clay Jorgenson, Watford City, N.D.
    6. Bobby Reynolds, Humboldt, S.D.
    7. Kaden Clark, Black Hawk, S.D.
    8. Kyle Bloomquist, Raymond, Minn.
    9. Steven DeWolfe-Shedeed, Buffalo Gap, S.D.
    10. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D.
    11. Cole Gerhardt, Mandan, N.D.
    12. Chase Yellow Hawk, Blunt, S.D.

     

    Steer wrestling

    1. Joe Nelson, Watford City, N.D.
    2. Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D.
    3. Tyler Thorson, Manning, N.D.
    4. Kaden Wooters, Elwood, Neb.
    5. Logan Lemmel, Whitewood, S.D.
    6. Reed Kraeger, Waco, Neb.
    7. Scott Kleeman, Killdeer, N.D.
    8. Jake Kraupie, Bridgeport, Neb.
    9. Cole Fulton, Miller, S.D>
    10. Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Neb.
    11. Justice Johnson, Bismarck, N.D.
    12. Joe Wilson, Martin, S.D.

     

    Team roping – headers

    1. Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, S.D.
    2. Braden Pirrung, Hartford, S.D.
    3. Brent McInerney, Alzada, Mont.
    4. Guy Howell, Belle Fourche, S.D.
    5. Cooper White, Hershey, Neb.
    6. Clay Holz, Niobrara, Neb.
    7. Jade Schmidt, Rapid City, S.D.
    8. Tucker Dale, Halliday, N.D.
    9. Jr Dees, Aurora, S.D.
    10. Jon Peterson, Belle Fourche, S.D.
    11. Reece Weber, Valentine, Neb.
    12. Trevor Olson, Mud Butte, S.D.

     

     

     

    Team roping – heelers

    1. Cash Hetzel, Lemmon, S.D.
    2. Jade Nelson, Midland, S.D.
    3. Tanner McInerney, Alzada, Mont.
    4. Riley Curuchet, Kaycee, Wyo.
    5. Tucker White, Hershey, Neb.
    6. Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D.
    7. Conner Herren, Crooks, S.D.
    8. Taylor Brower, Parshall, N.D.
    9. Ros Ashford, Lott, Texas
    10. Trae Smith, Georgetown, Idaho
    11. Matt Kasner, Cody, Neb.
    12. Jace Engesser, Spearfish, S.D.

     

    Saddle bronc riding

    1. Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D.
    2. Lane Schuelke, Newell, S.D.
    3. Kash Deal, Faith, S.D.
    4. Cash Wilson, Wall, S.D.
    5. Taygen Schuelke, Newell, S.D.
    6. Lavern Borntreger, Elsmere, Neb.
    7. Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D.
    8. Jake Foster, Faith, S.D.
    9. Jade Blackwell, Rapid City, S.D.
    10. Traylin Martin, Faith, S.D.
    11. Ty Manke, Rapid City, S.D.
    12. Brady Hill, Onida, S.D.

     

    Breakaway roping

    1. Tanegai Zilverberg, Holabird, S.D.
    2. Brooke Howell, Belle Fourche, S.D.
    3. CY Christensen, Kennebec, S.D.
    4. Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D.
    5. Jessica Holmes, Buffalo, S.D.
    6. Kayla Olson, Chadron, Neb.
    7. Taylor Engesser, Spearfish, S.D.
    8. Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D.
    9. Danielle Wray, Ord, Neb.
    10. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D.
    11. Hailey Kleeman, Killdeer, N.D.
    12. Misti Brown, Valentine, Neb.

     

    Tie-down roping

    1. Chase Lako, Arthur, N.D.
    2. Jason Schaffer, Broadus, Mont.
    3. Ty Moser, Volga, S.D.
    4. Grant Turek, St. Paul, Neb.
    5. Trey Young, Dupree, S.D.
    6. Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, S.D.
    7. Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Neb.
    8. Matt Peters, Hot Springs, S.D.
    9. Brock Belkham, Flandreau, S.D.
    10. Rex Treeby, Hecla, S.D.
    11. Cole Robinson, Moorcroft, Wyo.
    12. Thane Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D.

     

    Barrel racing

    1. Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D.
    2. Hallie Fulton, Miller, S.D.
    3. Lakken Bice, Killdeer, N.D.
    4. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D.
    5. Fonda Melby, Backus, Minn.
    6. Nicole Bice, Killdeer, N.D.
    7. Molly Otto, Grand Forks, N.D.
    8. Taylor Hanson, St Onge, S.D.
    9. Britany Diaz, Desdemona, Texas
    10. Bobbi Olson, Sheyenne, N.D.
    11. Britta Thiel, Belle Fourche, S.D.
    12. Amanda Lewis, Oreana, Idaho

     

    Bull riding

    1. Mason Moody, Letcher, S.D.
    2. Chance Schott, McLaughlin, S.D.
    3. Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D.
    4. Riggin Shippy, Colome, S.D.
    5. Jayden Hicks, Dunn Center, N.D.
    6. Riley Shippy, Colome, S.D.
    7. TJ Schmidt, Belle Fourche, S.D.
    8. Dalton Wright, Keene, N.D.
    9. Levi Schoenbaum, Burke, S.D.
    10. Billy Stephenson, Jasper, Texas
    11. Reid Helgoth, Burwell, Neb.

     

    Unofficial list; subject to change.

     

     

     

  • 2023 Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping Tickets On Sale NOW

    2023 Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping Tickets On Sale NOW

    COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The 2023 Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping is shaping up to be the most competitive Finals yet with at least a third of the field entering this year’s finals with over $100,000 won. A year ago, only the No. 1 ranked cowgirl entered with over $100,000 won. Tickets are now on sale for this must-see championship event.

     

    The NFBR, produced by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), will be held at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center, Dec. 5-6. The roping will begin daily at 2 p.m. (PST) with doors opening at 1 p.m.

    The Top 15 breakaway ropers will compete for prize money of $250,000 during the two-day, 10-round performance. This is the second year in a row the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center will play host to the NFBR.

    “The South Point is a great place for the National Finals Breakaway Roping,” said Jimmie Munroe, WPRA President. “Michael Gaughan and the South Point are so welcoming it is a great place to have it. With it being held during the PRCA convention, it gives so many PRCA rodeo committees from all over the U.S. the chance to attend the National Finals Breakaway Roping to watch the best breakaway ropers in the world compete for a world championship.

     

    “The growth of breakaway roping has been so phenomenal and so well received by all these committees. So, it’s great that they will have the opportunity to come to the National Finals Breakaway Roping at the South Point.”

     

    Breakaway roping has gone from being featured at 30 PRCA rodeos in 2019 to more than 450 in 2023.

     

    “I’m pleased to see the success and growth of breakaway roping since the inaugural National Finals Breakaway Roping in 2020,” PRCA CEO Tom Glause said. “Breakaway roping has experienced rapid growth and it is now featured at more than 450 rodeos annually. It is amazing that the breakaway ropers now have an opportunity to compete for $250,000 at the NFBR.”

     

    General admission tickets are $30 each day, with reserve admission tickets available for $45 per day. Tickets can be purchased online at southpointarena.com, ticketmaster.com, or by using this direct event link: https://am.ticketmaster.com/southpoint/buy?filterType=169, by phone at 866-796-7111 or at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa box office. Tickets are electronic unless purchased at the box office or specified otherwise online or over the phone. Parking at the South Point Hotel and Casino is FREE.

     

    “Anytime you do an event the first time, normally you would have some challenges, but this is what we do,” said Ryan Growney, General Manager of the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa. “I thought the event was well produced and well run. We sold more than 1,000 tickets each day, which was our original goal and I think now that people know about it, hopefully we can grow the audience. We are honored to have this event at our property.”

     

    The South Point Hotel, which is a hotspot for contestants and visitors during the Wrangler NFR, is thrilled to be the event venue for the 2023 Wrangler NFBR. The 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is Dec. 7-16 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

     

    “We just want to create the awareness that the NFBR is a couple of days before the NFR,” said Steve Stallworth, General Manager of the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center. “We know the people who came last year are coming back. We are hoping to continue to grow that audience and get people to come to Vegas a couple of days early. I’m hoping for a big jump in year two.”

     

    The 2020 National Finals Breakaway Roping took place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, in conjunction with the NFR and Jackie Crawford captured the world title. In 2021, the NFBR took place in Las Vegas at the Orleans Hotel and Casino and was won by Sawyer Gilbert.

     

    Martha Angelone took home the title in 2022 and will be back to try and defend her title. She will be facing some stiff competition, one being her sister Sarah Angelone, who will be making her NFBR debut in 2023. In addition, she will face Shelby Boisjoli, who has qualified for every NFBR since its inception in 2020 as well as Hali Williams, who will be making her NFBR debut. Williams is the daughter of eight-time PRCA World Champion Team Roping Header Speed Williams and has been consistently ranked in the top two since March of 2023. She will be looking to add her own gold buckle to the family collection come December.

     

    For more information visit www.wpra.com, www.prorodeo.com or www.southpointcasino.com.

  • Trigg G. Marquiss 1948-2023

    Trigg G. Marquiss 1948-2023

    A Wyoming horse enthusiast who owned two world-champion stallions in his lifetime has passed away at 74. Trigg Marquiss, a native of Gillette, Wyoming, died on August 30 after an ATV accident in Story, Wyoming.

    Marquiss was born Oct. 25, 1948, the middle child of Quentin and “Toots” Marquiss. Both his grandfathers amassed historic ranches along the Belle Fourche River and helped nurture the fledgling town of Gillette. From the Wagensen side came Trigg’s love of horses; from the Marquiss side his quirky humor and inventive spirit.

    Starting around 1973, Marquiss raised cattle and horses on his grandfather Fred Wagensen’s Beaver Creek Ranch southwest of Gillette. He invested in the 1972 blue-roan Quarter horse stallion, Mr. Racerunner that later won a world title, and began raising Leo- and Clabber-Bar-bred horses with his TM brand on the right jaw or Dollar Sign on the left buttock.

    Over Trigg’s 19-year marriage to Denise, they held several production sales “under the chandelier” in Gillette, plus hosted team roping jackpots and raised three children immersed in 4-H, rodeo and horsemanship. Trigg, who collected vintage silver bits and spurs like he did great horses, served on his county’s Land Board, in the Wyoming Quarter Horse Association, and more recently as a founding member of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo’s Gold Buckle Club.

    In 2015, Marquiss invested in the blue-roan yearling Still Get Jealous by One Time Pepto out of a High Brow Cat/Smart Chic Olena mare. Now 9, the stallion is a former NRCHA futurity champ that was selected for herd work in last year’s World’s Greatest Horseman contest. Marquiss loved watching Jealous’ foals grow near his home in Story and would even move them near the highway so travelers could enjoy them, too.

    For the past quarter-century, Marquiss enjoyed summers in Story and winters in Carefree, Arizona, with his wife, JoAnn. And he delighted in his grandson – Trigg’s namesake born on his own 60th birthday. Marquiss “threw a big loop,” or was interested in many different facets of life. He provided horses and Longhorn steers to TV and movie sets. The proponent of “tough love” was at the same time quite proud of the accomplishments of his kids, his grandson, and of the horses he bred and raised.

    He’s survived by his wife, JoAnn; his daughters, Stephanie Gies (Jason) and Stacy Marquiss; his son, Tait Marquiss (Jennifer); his grandson, Trigg Marquiss; and his stepdaughters Jennifer Newson and Jessica Newson. He’s also remembered by his brother, Gary Marquiss; his sister, Glo Clark; and numerous nieces and nephews.

    In lieu of flowers, a lasting contribution in his memory can be made in the form of a donation to the Wyoming High School Rodeo Association (WHSRA), “In Memory of Trigg Marquiss.” Checks can be sent to:  Shelly Thompson; 4180 Rd 44; Yoder, WY 82244.

  • Back When They Bucked with Jerry Beagley

    Back When They Bucked with Jerry Beagley

    Jerry Beagley has enjoyed a Western way of living from the time he was born. He was born in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, October 2, 1954 to Otto and Evelyn Beagley. He was an only child. His dad was foreman for the Chain Ranch, located in Kansas and Oklahoma. The Chain Ranch ran 2,500 mama cows. His dad always had good horses. In addition to his dad being foreman of the Kansas part of this major ranch he was also in demand as a pickup man at various area rodeos.
    When Jerry was 4 years old his dad would put him on calves and run alongside holding him by his belt, so he wouldn’t fall off. Jerry was seven when his parents took him to the 1961 National Finals Rodeo in Dallas. As he watched the cowboys compete he asked his mother, “Do you think I will ever be good enough to compete at the National Finals?” She said, “Of course, son, you will be good enough.” Jerry said his mother never lied to him, so he always knew he could do it. The first big bull he rode was at a rodeo in Turley, Oklahoma at age 12.
    As a youngster he competed in Little Britches Rodeos in goat tying, flag races and more. His sophomore year in high school at an FFA rodeo in Freedom, Oklahoma, they were using feisty wild Hereford cows. The stock contractor told Jerry’s dad Jerry couldn’t ride one of his cows. Jerry’s dad bet him Jerry could. Jerry knew his dad didn’t make a lot of money, and was concerned that if he didn’t ride the cow his dad would lose the bet, and his money. Jerry did ride the wild cow, even though he lost both of his boots during the ride. He made the whistle! He also was the Kansas High School Calf Roping Champion. In 1972 he was the Little Britches Bull Riding Champion and All-Around Champ.
    “I had extremely positive parents” said Jerry. “ They told me I could do whatever I set out to do. They made me believe in myself. ” He was valedictorian of his Medicine Lodge Senior class.
    He attended Fort Hayes (KS) State University and majored in Math. He was on the rodeo team and won the 1974 NIRA Bareback Riding Championship. He transferred to Southeast Oklahoma State University and at the College National Finals, in 1977, held at Bozeman, Montana, he won the Bull Riding Championship and the All-Around.
    Sylvia Mahoney, author of “College Rodeo, From Show to Sport” wrote: “Jerry Beagley’s eighty-two-point ride on Black Satin in the final round led to the bull riding buckle and helped his team win the Men’s Team Championship.” That was the year he decided to start concentrating solely on bull riding.
    Jerry got his Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA) permit in 1974 and his card the following year. Previously he had been making a living competing in amateur rodeos. Before he turned pro he had gone to approximately 120 amateur rodeos each year.
    Jerry’s mother was right when she told him, at age seven, he would be good enough to go to the National Finals. He went to his first National Finals in 1978. He was the Reserve Champion in 1979, just after World Champion Donny Gay, in spite of the fact he was injured after the 2nd round at the Finals. He also qualified for the 1980 and 1982 National Finals.
    Injuries are part of rodeo, some events are more injury-prone than others, and bull riding is one that definitely causes injuries.. Jerry was injured in 1979 when he broke his jaw and had to have stitches in his face due to his injury. The following year, 1980, he qualified again and this time the bull broke his ribs in the second round. He tried for two more rounds to compete but it wasn’t working. Jerry jokingly said, “Yes, I rode bulls — I rode bulls before they began tipping their horns.” This did not deter Jerry from continuing to ride bulls, but when he quit in 1986 he explained it this way, “I quit because I didn’t want to get bitter about something I liked so much. I loved riding bulls.”
    Jerry held Bull Riding Schools in various Midwestern locales. It was going so well he taught bull riding as far west as Hawaii and Florida to the east. But that wasn’t enough for Jerry so he took his Bull Riding Schools to Canada, Australia and Brazil. Jerry said, “Lots of students that sign up will never become bull riders. I tried to teach them how to have the right mental attitude, how to win, how to get from rodeo to rodeo, and much more. I wanted them to leave my school having learned something more than just how to ride a bull for their $200.”
    The era in which Jerry contested was when those serious contenders found ways to get to several rodeos during the same weekend by flying. He got his pilot’s license and flew in small planes to get to as many rodeos as he could. In 1978 he competed in 175 rodeos and 169 rodeos in 1979. He and Brian Claypool, another rodeo competing pilot, flew together a great deal. Claypool was in a plane that went down somewhere in mountains near the California-Oregon border, May 22rd, 1979. Brian and three other cowboys were killed. The wreckage was not found for months until a hunter found the remains in a remote area. Jerry explained, “If I hadn’t opted to stay home and put together an anniversary celebration for my parents, I would have been on that plane.”
    Other cowboys Jerry traveled with were Jerome Robinson, Lane Frost, Ted Nuce, Lyle Sankey, Bobby DelVecchio and Steve Lance . Jerry traveled alone more than he did with other competitors. The work ethic his parents instilled in him early in life kept him on the road getting to as many rodeos as he could possibly get to. In fact, Butch Bratsky said: “They called Jerry ‘Milemarker’ because he got to more rodeos than most cowboys could or would get to.”
    Jerry worked extremely hard to get the Justin Sports Medicine Program up and going because he believed it was important in the world of rodeo. He worked with Dr. J. Pat Evans, the doctor that was responsible for keeping Dallas Cowboys football players healthy for their games. Dr Evans started having medical people available at each rodeo to keep cowboys with minor injuries able to compete, and advising them medically if necessary.
    The Christmas after Jerry turned 18 his dad gave him a hundred dollar bill. Jerry drove to Tulsa and bought as much nylon parachute cord as the money would buy. “I took it back to college and started braiding and creating reins in the dorm. They make great reins and presently I have quite a group of people braiding for me in their homes. It’s called cottage labor and individuals work making items at home, send it to the company and are compensated for their efforts.”
    Jerry owns his own businesses, Jerry Beagley Braiding Company Inc. and Ott Ranch Saddles. He sells horse equipment wholesale, which includes over 400 items, for all kinds of horses – barrel racing horses, calf roping and more. He sells to over 200 stores in the United States. He also sells all over the world, including Canada, Australia, Switzerland and Brazil . Jerry met, at his bull riding school, the man who ended up providing through Jerry’s company the bull riding equipment for bull riders in Brazil. I don’t think it was more than a handshake, but it has been very successful for both of us.” said Jerry. He also met Adriano Moraes, from Brazil, who became the first Professional Bull Riding World Champion three times, 1994, 2001 & 2006. They have had a twenty-plus year friendship. In the early 2000s Jerry received the Small International Import-Export Company of the Year, in Oklahoma.
    Martha Josey competed in barrel racing the same time Jerry was competing in bull riding and they became friends. Martha said, “Years ago at the Mesquite rodeo my hand slipped on the reins, when I was competing. When I finished I told Jerry and he created the ‘Martha Josey Knot Reins’ which have been selling for over 40 years. Jerry has such a good work ethic he could out-rodeo every one else. I can’t say anything that isn’t good about Jerry.”
    Jerry married Beva Farnham, from Canada, and they had two children. Their daughter Martha who competed in rodeo in various events through college, presently she is a full-time mother to two children. Son, Brian, never was interested in the rodeo world, he found his passion in motorcycles and such. He lives in Canada and has two children.
    The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Alumni Association was formed in 1982. Jerry became involved to be able to help students go further in their desired professions. He is a Board member and when U. S. Tobacco dropped their support for college students he became a strong supporter of the fund raising part of the organization making every effort to get more sponsors to provide scholarship monies. Sylvia Mahoney said about Jerry: “He is one of the silent people that is always working to discover new ways for the Alumni Association to raise funds to support the rodeo teams. He donated a saddle to be raffled off to raise funds for the project.”
    Jerry is a self-made man who has accomplished many things in his lifetime. He has given back by his efforts to rodeo in numerous ways. He has helped many young people just starting their rodeo careers. He is revered by those who competed with him and worked with him. He is his own man – an individual, honest, determined and perseveres, while displaying humility. He admits he owes it all to his parents, friends and Jesus.

  • On The Trail with Jennifer Welch Nicholson

    On The Trail with Jennifer Welch Nicholson

    Riata Ranch International

    [ “You earn your reputation in the arena, but you earn your respect in the barn”. ]

    Jennifer Welch Nicholson is the 2023 Tad Lucas Award recipient. “I’m proud that I was able to live my life in such a way that I was considered for this, award” said the 60-year-old trick roper, rider, and Executive Director of Riata Ranch. She will join recipients of this award, presented during the Rodeo Historical Society Hall of Fame Induction, November 10 – 11 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.
    “I didn’t grow up in rodeo, I had to learn this lifestyle from the ground up. I never thought I was that kind of person; I was shy!” Jennifer sees this award as an opportunity to tell her story. “I was just a young girl, and this became my life.” Born on the family ranch in Redding, California, Jennifer’s family moved away when she was quite young. Her parents, Dennis, and Judy Welch, knew their daughter had a passion for horses and hoped that some time at the Riata Ranch, meeting her lifelong mentor, Tom Maier, and learning how to ride, would fill that need and she would eventually grow out of it. Her brother, Mark, was an outstanding award-winning athlete in football, basketball and track Her passion only grew and then a trick rider, Kathy Batchelor, was brought out to the ranch to teach the girls a little bit of western entertainment. “I was enthralled and enamored,” she said about meeting legends like Monty “Hawkeye” Henson. “I never knew of such a character.” When it came time to perform, Jennifer, age 13, and three other young women, comprised the first rodeo trick riding team performing at their first rodeo in Bakersfield with Rodeo Stock Contractors. “We didn’t know anything about rodeo.” The group began to expand their reach and with that they also started riding for the Flying U Rodeo. “It was Cotton Rosser and the Flying U Rodeo where we cut our rodeo teeth. I’m Flying U Rodeo raised!” They went on to perform internationally, building up Western riding in Europe in the early 1980s.
    She went to Riata to learn to ride horses and become a member of Tommy Maier’s’ junior horse show team specializing in reined cow horses – then the trick riding and roping evolved. 2002 was an eventful year for Jennifer and one that changed the trajectory of her life. The owner of Riata Ranch passed away and the property was in bankruptcy. She made the decision to save it and created the new business as a 501 c 3 Non-Profit. The biggest challenge was to rebrand, find new property and build new programs, yet keep the same values and integrity that Riata Ranch was known; Horsemanship, leadership, mentorship, education, and community service. A year later, Jennifer met and decided to marry Chad Nicholson. “I thought I’d met my life partner. And for 17 years that was true.” Between performances, they built Riata Ranch into a mentorship program for young women seeking the refuge and freedom that horses bring. From simple riding lessons to complex disciplines, Riata Ranch grew into more than just a riding program. It connects people to horses, ranching lifestyles and professional rodeo for a day, a week, a month, or lifetime.
    Jennifer learned many life lessons on the Riata Ranch growing up. “It helped me become tough, resilient, and endure crisis.” She learned to have a plan A, B, C, And D. “There is always a way to go – and you have to figure that piece out.” Jennifer lost the love of her life, Riata Ranch almost twice, and her dad got sick and passed away all within a year. “When I came out of it, I was a changed person – we all have choices – you make those based on what you want, and I wanted to keep going.”
    2019 started out like any other year, full of promise and opportunity. But, sadly, in May of that year, Chad was killed in a freak auto accident. And that event changed everything.
    “The Friday night I got word that Chad had passed away I was in Hayward at the Rowell ranch Rodeo in California. Surrounded by Randy and Michelle Corley, Cindy Rosser and a handful of other rodeo family, I was consoled and sent home with the girls.
    I got home stunned and dazed. Earlier in the year, a dear friend and Three Rivers Icon had also passed away and Chad and I had agreed to let the family host a memorial service for Earl McKee that Saturday for 400 people. As his (Earl McKee) service was happening I tried my best to disappear against the wall of my home. It was less than 24 hours, and I was still comprehending the loss of my husband, my partner, my future.
    As the service ended, I went inside feeling numb and not having any idea whether to cry or to be still. Soon, people started coming in with food and buzzing around asking me it there was anything they could for me. At first, I just wanted to scream but I realized they were asking, ‘What can we do for you right at this moment?’ Funny how you can be so unreasonable when you are in the grip of grief and despair. So, when I understand their compassion to help me right at the moment, I knew exactly what I didn’t want to do…I didn’t want to clean, I didn’t want to cook and I didn’t want to pick up dog poop!
    That was my first glimpse into a way to move forward, just not today. Bring it to a simplistic level and ask for help. Don’t bury your head in the sand and just put one foot in front of the other. I really fell apart, but not in public. I kept going and the people around me allowed me to keep going. It was the resilience – life is not fair and hard tough things happen.”
    Jennifer moved forward again. “Everyone gave me a grace period and I had wonderful people around me.” She knew the best way to continue was to build on what she and Chad started at Riata Ranch. “After Chad passed away, I had some down time, and saw things I needed to change. I realized I wasn’t communicating my expectations. I learned to be more upfront about things.” She is working on growing and building relationships and that includes giving more definite clear pictures of what she is doing.
    “I was passive – but sometimes I think it left people with a bigger gap to close.” She realizes that young girls come to her with stars in their eyes. She was the same way. “I tell them that this is a journey, and the commitments are real. We have red, white, blue, and silver levels for these girls to pass – they are benchmarks.” The biggest requirement is true passion. “We can provide any of the actual needs, but we can’t provide the want to.”
    She has developed leadership skills along the way. “It’s more than putting someone in charge, a good leader goes beyond that and realizes the value of their people and that includes having difficult conversations. If there is something I’m trying to achieve, I’ve got to figure out how to have a difference of opinion. The better equipped we are at handling the negatives, the better off we are.”
    Her time is split between traveling, performing, teaching, and administrative duties. “I love teaching, and I like connecting with people.” She is realizing that she has changed – that she meets hard challenges with thoughts on how she chooses her words and what she hopes for the results. “That’s leadership.” She is hoping to swing the pendulum a little more towards home and groom someone to take over the business end so she can teach or perform with the girls.
    “It’s a labor of love that I feel is more important than ever to educate about: teaching people from all around the world about livestock, how our food is produced and our western lifestyle.”