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  • Cesar de la Cruz

    Cesar de la Cruz

    There are few things Cesar de la Cruz enjoys more than winning rodeos and ropings, unless it’s spending time with his family. He remembers roping the dummy as a kid with now wife, Arena. They grew up roping together and after winning a couple of Open ropings together, he knew she was a pretty good catch. They married in 2008, and have two sons, Camilo, 4, and Gio, 2.
    “My kids are so much fun right now and I don’t want to miss any of it,” he said. “Milo is a real comedian and keeps us entertained in the pick up going down the road. He reminds me of myself when I was little. I want to be the best dad I can be.”
    De la Cruz grew up in Tucson, Ariz., and though he lived in town, he always had access to a lead steer and donkey to rope. Cesar credits his uncle, George Aros, a 4-time NFR qualifier, for helping him along the path to professional rodeo. He credits his grandfather for his cowboy roots.
    “My grandfather was a really good cowboy. He told me a story about when his father took out to a deep sandy wash to bust a wild horse. He was eight years old. We wouldn’t dream of doing that with kids now days.”

    De la Cruz qualified for his first NFR at the age of 22 and now at 30, has over $1,000,000 in career earnings with the PRCA. He readily admits the rodeo life isn’t for everyone and can resemble a gypsy existence. It helps that he’s able to travel with his family most of the time.
    “Right now in my rig I have a miniature pony, three heel horses, a pygmy goat, a snake my son caught, and a tadpole that he’s hoping will grow into a frog,” laughs Cesar. “We’re a full fledged mobile petting zoo.”

    Currently Cesar is roping with the talented Brock Hanson. This works well for the duo as they live just thirty minutes apart, enabling them to practice together easily. On a good practice day they may run 80 to 100 steers.
    Cesar admits to owning a “herd” of horses and is especially fond of his old bay horse, Johnny Ringo. Though he was an outlaw when he got him, his uncle George assured him how nice the horse was. He was just five and little, but tough.
    “When I bought him, he was rearing over in the heeling box,” explains de la Cruz. “To get him over it I would run 50 slow steers a day, sometimes at a walk. He’s Doc O’Lena bred and super nice. Horsepower is everything in this game.”
    At any given time de la Cruz has at least five horses he could pick up and take to the NFR. Right now he has twelve horses in various stages of training.
    “During the summer when we’re going hard, I like to keep three horses with me and split them up in different parts of the country. That way I don’t have to put so many miles on just one horse.”

    COWBOY Q&A

    How much do you practice?
    As much as possible. Now that I’m roping with Brock, it’s handy because he lives 30 minutes away so we practice several times a week when we’re home.
    Do you make your own horses?
    I try to. I’ve bought a few that have been started. My style is a little different so I try to find a horse that’s just started. It’s hard to change an older horse. I enjoy training horses and have done it all my life.
    Who were your roping (rodeo) heroes?
    Clay O’Brien Cooper is a hero of mine for many reasons. When I was real young Steve Northcott won the world and had a video called “It Takes Two” where he would rope a goat, a donkey and then a steer. That’s how I learned how to rope.
    Who do you respect most in the world?
    The Lord, Jesus Christ, he is my savior. My mom, my wife. There are lots of people I admire and respect.
    Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
    My uncle George has been a major influence in my rodeo career. He gave me the guidance to reach the pro level.
    If you had a day off what would you like to do?
    Play golf – I’m a huge fan. I’m going to get my boys into it as much as possible. I watch it a lot on TV. I can relate to golfers because they have to travel like we do.
    Favorite movie?
    Lonesome Dove, The Cowboys
    How would you describe yourself in three words?
    Refuse to Lose – I hate losing more than I like winning.
    What makes you happy?
    My kids and family.
    What makes you angry?
    Roping a leg or missing for big money;
    If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
    I would buy a place in Arizona to spend the winter, and a place in Montana to spend the summers.
    What is your worst quality – your best?
    I’m hard on myself and have a temper when I don’t do well. My best is I’m a perfectionist. I like my horses looking good and try to do the best by my family.
    Where do you see yourself in ten years?
    Hopefully wintering in Arizona and spending summers in Montana. When I quit rodeoing I’d like to teach people to rope.

  • Marcy Henderson

    Marcy Henderson

    Marcy Henderson lives near the town that claims to be the home of the World’s First Rodeo, held July 4, 1869. Deer Trail is 55 miles east of Denver, Colo., and Marcy grew up 20 miles from there. Her mother, Moni, and Dad, Mark, moved there from Eastern Colorado 17 years ago. “We actually live on the north end of the Black Forest,” she said, of their ranch in the pine trees. Mark manages the Orovaca Cattle Company, a 30,000 ranch by Agate, 20 minutes from their house. 

    “We run about 1,000 head of mama cows,” said the former rough stock rider that introduced Marcy to the rodeo life. “I rode all three bucking events, but the majority was saddle bronc—through high school and straight into full time rodeo after high school; mainly amateur in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Nebraska.” He won the Colorado State Rodeo Association title in 1989. 

    In 1990, he was in a head on car accident with a drunk driver while heading to a rodeo. It crushed his legs pretty bad, and he was told he would never walk again. After therapy and numerous surgeries, he beat that prognosis after a couple years. “It was hard to swallow, but we had some good people around us—and we kept going on,” he said. “We found a different venue to go on and made the best of a bad thing. We’ve had numerous surgeries and pain and it’s one of those injuries that won’t be normal. We stay horse back as much as we can so we don’t have to walk.” 

    Marcy was just a year old and although he hung up his rodeo spurs, he helped Marcy get started. “I grew up riding at the ranch just for fun but I was afraid to lope,” she said. She joined 4-H and started doing gymkhana events and gradually worked her way into rodeos in fifth grade. After his rodeo career ended, Mark satisfied his competitive nature by entering dog trials with Border Collies, and Marcy took it up with him. She was ten when her dog got old enough he needed to be retired from the dog trials and Mark gave Marcy an option. “She could get a dog or a horse,” he said. “She thought about that for about a week and chose the horse—she said she could work dogs when she got older. “I was so competitive and so driven with it (rodeo); you don’t know if that’s what you want your child to jump into. We’ve had to make our own horses, with a lot of help with great people, and I don’t care where you go — when you nod your head you are 
    just as good as everyone else every given day. That’s the rules of rodeo. Basically we’ve been dogging, rodeoing and ranching and that’s about it,” sums up Mark about life in the Henderson household. 

    “My parents took me to National Little Britches Rodeos and Colorado State High School rodeos,” Marcy said. “Up until my sophomore year, I only had one horse, Flash. We competed in barrels, poles, goat tying, breakaway, dally ribbon roping, and trail. Things clicked for us and even though we never won any year end titles, I loved it.” Marcy spent a lot of Tuesday nights at Lancasters Arena roping. “Lee would put on roping lessons and there were ten to twenty of us there.” Marcy remembers her childhood fondly. “One year on my birthday I got to rope and take private piano lessons the same day.” Marcy got a young horse from a family member. Willy was ranch broke and with help from the Vick family, Willy became Marcy’s pole bending horse. “Flash had 
    to be put down over the fourth of July, right before I went to college. I used Willy until my junior year, and then he ruptured his small intestine and we had to put him down. It was pretty bad, but I learned not to take good horses for granted.” Six Guns came along right before the Little Britches Finals in 2008. “I breakaway roped and tied goats off him. He was a great horse and I’m trying to retire him in the near future.” 

    Marcy was fortunate that both her parents went to all the rodeos with her. “We had a small living quarters trailer and we’d go every weekend.” Her mom never missed a rodeo. She works as the office coordinator for Rocky Mountain Natural Meats—a bison and beef processing plant in Henderson, a 75 mile one way drive. “I love my job and I love where I live,” she says of the commute. Moni grew up a city girl and married a cowboy. She loves the western lifestyle and the life of the road that she experienced with Mark and Marcy rodeoing. “I still make Mark and Marcy my hobby, and I get excited to go with her.” She admits that when Marcy was done with high school rodeo, she struggled to fill the void. “We moved from the neighborhood — we weren’t going anymore.”

    Marcy had a rodeo scholarship to Northeast Junior College and after two years, transferred to Chadron. “It was too far away from home,” she said. “So I transferred to Colorado State University and finished my degree in Ag Business.” She works for JR Simplot as a crop advisor. “I make recommendations with fertilizer and pesticides, and sell the product,” said the 24-year-old. “Everyone is trying to feed a world of 9 billion and weeds and pests are becoming tolerant and to reach the goal creates more invasive product,” she admits. Her job works with her as far as rodeo goes. “They are very flexible with my rodeo schedule.” She rodeos for the Colorado Pro Rodeo Association where she holds the position of Breakaway Director. “I have a passion for breakaway roping and I wanted to make sure the event was taken care of.” She is buying her card this year to compete in the Kansas Pro Rodeo Association, the Wyoming Rodeo Association 
    and holds her WPRA card as well. “I’m excited to get started on rodeo again. I don’t like sitting at home,” she said.  

  • Barrel Racer Rides for a Cause at the National Western

    Barrel Racer Rides for a Cause at the National Western

    By Susan Kanode

    For the National Western Stock Show

                DENVER, Colo. (Jan. 19, 2014) — With two action-packed performances at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo on Friday, fans had plenty of time to make some noise.

                Without a doubt, the most excited they got was during the barrel racing at the evening performance. On the same night as the Claire Davis Memorial Horse Show was held in the Events Center, barrel racer Kendra Dickson from Aubrey, Texas dedicated her performance at the rodeo to the young woman who lost her life from a gunshot wound sustained at her high school on Dec. 13. She lived for another eight days.

                Dickson, who is well known in rodeo circles for her caring nature and philanthropy was all decked out in black and gold and even had gold fringe on her horse’s tack representing the colors of the Arapahoe High School Warriors.

                The crowd in the Denver Coliseum erupted when Boyd Polhamus announced that Dickson was riding for Davis. To top it off, Dickson and her roan horse Dover stopped the clock in 15.52 seconds, the second fastest run of the rodeo here so far. And she gets to make another run here Saturday morning.

                “The people I’m staying with are friends of Claire’s family,” Dickson said. “God laid it on my heart that I should do this.”

                Dickson is also riding for Taylor Tornado a young boy with cancer. She has pledged a percentage of her earnings to Taylor Tornado Blows Away Neuroblastoma and the Claire Davis Fund.

                Edging Dickson out of the number one spot by just one-one hundredth of a second was Rachel Primm from Washoe Valley, Nev. The college rodeo standout had a 15.51.

                The crowd also went wild for one of their own at the afternoon performance when Joey Dickens from just up the road at Loveland had a blazing fast tie-down roping run at the matinee performance. He stopped the clock in 7.9 seconds, the fastest run of the rodeo so far.

                Markus Mariluch from Elko, Nev., also had the high-marked ride in bull riding Friday afternoon. He scored 88 points on Diamond S Bucking Bulls’ Summer Nights.

                There are three performances here on Saturday at 11 a.m., 3:30 and 8 p.m.

    DENVER, Colo., (Jan. 19, 2014) – The following are unofficial results from the National Western Stock Show Rodeo.

    Second Performance —

                Bareback Riding: 1, Brian Bain, Redmond, Ore., 83 points on Burns Rodeo’s -707 Boeing. 2, Micky Downare, Hartsel, Colo., 81. 3, Luke Creasy, Levelland, Texas, 80. 4, Kody Lamb, Sherwood Park, Alberta, 77.

                Steer Wrestling: 1, Joe Buffington, Wheatland, Wyo., 5.2 seconds. 2, Brian Snell, Wheatland, Wyo., 5.4. 3, Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif., 5.8. 4, Wade Sumpter, Fowler, Colo., 6.0.

                Team Roping: (three times) 1, Cole Cooper, Loma, Colo., and K.C. Curtis, Monroe, Utah, 6.3. 2, Ryan VonAhn, Sac City, Iowa, and J.W. Beck, 14.8. 3, Quisto Lopez, Beeville, Texas, and Keagan, Duncan, Midland, Texas, 15.8.

                Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Hardy Braden, Welch, Okla., 83 points on Burns Rodeo’s April Snow. 2, Kaleb Asay, Roan Wash, Wyo., 78. 3, Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 77. 4, Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, 76.

                Tie-Down Roping: 1, Joey Dickens, Loveland, Colo., 7.9 seconds. 2, Ryan Bothum, Caddo, Okla., 8.8. 3, Mitch McAdow, Littleton, Colo., 10.2. 4, Mark Black, Pinedale, Wyo., 10.7.

                Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Andrea Cline, Springtown, Texas, 15.63 seconds. 2, Nicole Riggle, Scottsdale, Ariz., 15.80. 3, Ginger Greene, Jefferson, Colo., 15.83. 4, Gretchen Benbenek, Aubrey, Texas, 15.91.

                Bull Riding:  1, Markus Mariluch, Elko, Nev., 88 points on Diamond S Bucking Bulls. 2, Trevor Kastner, Ardmore, Okla., 84. 3, Brett Stall, Detroit Lakes, Minn., 80. 4, Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont., 76.

                Third Performance —

                Bareback Riding: 1, David Clapp, Sedalia, Mo., 79 points on Calgary Stampede’s Kauai Coconut. 2, (tie) Taylor Price Huntsville, Texas, and Jake Brown, Hillsboro, Texas, 78 each. 4, Josi Young, Buhl, Idaho, 77.

                Steer Wrestling: 1, Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah, 4.3 seconds. 2, Clayton Hass, Terrell, Texas, 6.3. 3, (tie) Sterling Wallace, Justin, Texas, and Austin Courmier, Oakwood, Texas, 7.2 each. 4, Chisum Docheff, Longmont, Colo., 8.6.

                Team Roping: 1, David Motes, Tolar, Texas, and Evan Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif., 5.9 seconds. 2, Donny Scantling, Buffalo, Wyo., and Seth Anderson, Hurley, S.D., 6.1. 3, Drew Horner, Plano, Texas, and Buddy Hawkins II, Columbus, Kan., 11.6. 4, Nick Becker, Garden City, Kan., and T.W. Wilson, Limon, Colo., 13.7.

                Saddle Bronc: 1, Ryan MacKenzie, Jordan Valley, Ore., 81 points on Calgary Stampede’s Sergeant Whitney. 2, J.D. Johnson, Tremonton, Utah, 80. 3, (tie) Max Filippin, Battle Mountain, Nev., and Brady Nicholes, Hoytsville, Utah, 76 each.

                Tie-Down Roping: 1, Chant DeForest, Wheatland, Calif., 8.7 seconds. 2, Russell Cardoza, Terrebonne, Ore., 9.2. 3, Blair Burk, Durant, Okla., 9.4. 4, Bryson Sechrist, Apache, Okla., 9.9.


    Women’s Barrel Race:     1, Rachel Primm, Washoe Valley, Nev., 15.51 seconds. 2, Kendra Dickson, Aubrey, Texas, 15.52. 3, C.J. Vondette, Rifle, Colo., 15.54. 4, Hanna Montey, Eaton, Colo., 15.67.

                Bull Riding: 1, Brady Portenier, Caldwell, Idaho, 81 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Black Out. 2, (tie) Cody Campbell, Summerville, Ore., and Dylan Dicey Vick, Escalon, Calif., 80 each. 4, Cody Sierks, Brewster, Neb., 73.

  • Kenny & Mary Ann Brown

    Kenny & Mary Ann Brown

    Kenny and Mary Ann Brown, who have known each other since they were 15, have been at the National Finals Team Roping every year. They travel all over the east coast to the ropings. “Their commitment is a strong one. They don’t miss them back there – from Florida to Memphis,” said USTRC President, Kirk Bray. Kenny and Mary Ann traveled 22 hours to attend the National Finals Team Roping, held the end of October in Oklahoma City.
    “We stop about every six to eight hours, and walk the horses for half an hour, and make sure they have water,” said Kenny. “They are troopers, they are on the trail so much its second nature.”
    The couple spends their days roping. “We practice, eat lunch, practice, eat dinner,” admits Mary Anne. They haul four horses all spring and summer, and by fall they sell the practice cattle and any trading horses and head to Sarasota, Fla, to the JJJ Ranch.
    Kenny Brown grew up 50 miles from Washington, in Keedysville, Maryland. “My dad, Kenny Brown, Sr., had a rodeo company (Triple K Rodeo Company), and raced horses,” he said. He grew up in the horse business along with his two brothers, Kevin and Keith. He tried rough stock, and after breaking a few bones, gave it up. He also steer wrestled a bit. He was also a member of the American Pro Rodeo Association, which his father helped start. “My ARA card number is 39 and I won the APRA 15 times. My ARA card number is 39.” Kenny worked in New York City, where he had a precious metal refinery in 1987. “I was around jewelry people and there has to be a process to recover the gold out of the dirt so I opened a refinery to do that.” He sold it ten years later and has concentrated on team roping ever since. The #6 Elite Heeler won the First Frontier Circuit six times, four heeling and two heading, the last time in 2001. He makes his living now trading rope horses and putting on roping schools. He ropes in the USTRC ropings, traveling at least five hours to get to a roping. “Johnny Johnson with JX2 has most of the ropings on the east coast and we go to all of his. His ropings are really good and they are customer friendly.”
    Mary Ann was born in Ohio, and spent summers on the family ranch in Montana. “I’ve rodeoed since I was in Little Britches,” said the #4 Elite. “I then went on junior rodeos, then high school. I qualified all four years of high school to the National High School Finals – from 1985-88.” She entered all the events and continued working on her dad’s ranch in Idaho after high school. Mary Ann went to the USTRC Finals this past October leading the Cruel Girl Standings, which is a huge accomplishment for someone who lives on the east Coast. They put the miles on a Dodge one ton and pull an Elite living quarters, 12’ short wall. “We lived in a 6’ short wall before that – we were on the road for three months – we lived in that for 12 years,” said Mary Ann, adding, “we are best friends and we love what we are doing. That’s the only way it would work I think.”
    Since Kenny has rodeoed his whole life, he has developed an eye for a good rope horse. “I’ve sold several horses that end up at the NFR and USTRC Finals. If you don’t have a great horse, you don’t win.” The Head Horse and Heel Horse of the Year for First Frontier Circuit came from Lightning B. “We find them, fix a few things, and sell them.” He has built his reputation up to people that buy on his word. “Most horses I buy I’ll watch at two or three ropings and then see if they are for sale.”
    Their goals for the future are to move somewhere warm and closer to the ropings, and eliminate the 22 hour drive to Oklahoma City for the USTRC Finals. “We’ve been looking for property around Stephenville,” said Kenny. “It’s central for all the ropings we go to and I know a lot of people. We’ll still head to Florida for a few months – it’s such a great facility and great people.”
    For this year, they have a pen full of longhorns that they purchase from a local rancher that raises them, and they are settled into the routine of practice, eat, sleep, and practice. “I love it,” admits Mary Anne. “Anything to do with my horse, I love.”
    “It’s addiction with a capital A – they need a roper rehab,” concludes Kenny. “There’s nothing else I’d rather do.”

    A special thank you to our sponsors: Cactus Ropes, Coats Saddlery and Lubrysin.

  • Zach Dicken

    Zach Dicken

    Zach Dicken is the bareback riding director for the TCRA. “My job will be to raise money for sponsorships and coordinate the stock – just make sure things are running smoothly on my end,” said the fire fighter from Lubbock, Texas. “I work for Lubbock Fire and Rescue and am a full time horse shoer on my days off.” After college, he went to Fire Academy and back to the EMT school. He got hired on his first attempt and has been working there for five years. “Lubbock has a really good fire department. We have a good city council; our pay is good, our equipment is good, and everyone is really behind us. We are are really blessed here in Lubbock.”
    He goes to amateur rodeos in the summer; between work, shoeing, and rodeo, he is not around much in the summer. The 31 year old has been riding barebacks for a long time. “I started when I was 14,” he said. “I’ve got a bad wrist and a bad back, but other than that, I’m good to go.” He made the National High School Finals twice, in 1999, and again in his senior year, 2001. He went to college and qualified for the Playoffs, and broke his wrist, and missed the college finals. “I was pretty hurt through college so I never got anything done,” he said. He graduated with a degree in Wildlife Biology and Animal Science from Texas Tech, after going to Vernon for two years.
    His rodeo career began in east Texas, and he entered the high school and UPRA rodeos. “I wanted to rope calves; I told my dad that, and he came home the next day with a bareback riggin’. He said that was a lot cheaper than a rope horse.” His dad, Dwayne Dicken, is a farrier and firefighter back home in Merit, Texas. Zach is married to Amber – they have been married five years in September. She is a school teacher and got introduced to horses through Zach. The couple has two horses and she rides around the place. “No rodeos are in her future which is good because I probably couldn’t afford it,” he said.
    Zach is hoping to win the TCRA this year – he was leading going into the Finals last year and didn’t have the Finals he wanted to have. He has always stuck close to home to rodeo. “If I could have stayed a little more healthy, I would have really liked to go rodeo – I stayed close to the house and I wish I would have traveled a little. I always had to work – and couldn’t leave my shoeing business to go down the road.”
    He and his wife are building a house on a piece of land they bought. He is going to work his way through the Fire department by taking his Equipment Operator test and then think about starting a family. “If my kids want to rodeo, then we’ll take them.”

  • Mindy Elrod

    Mindy Elrod

    Mindy Elrod, from Sanger, Texas, competes in the breakaway roping in the IPRA. “My dad trains horses so I started roping when I was five or six,” said the 33-year-old who lives in north central Texas. Mindy competes in barrel racing as well, and has two prospects in training so she can compete next year. She also team ropes, but hasn’t competed since 2005. “I did all of it in high school,” she said. “I’ll probably start back with the World Series Ropings.” Mindy grew up in Oklahoma. Her family moved to north Texas when she was 13. “My dad (Jess) college rodeoed at Southeast Oklahoma and trains roping and calf roping horses and some reined cow horses (Elrodquarterhorses.com). He shows in the AQHA shows. Fortunately I’ve been blessed to have good horses and someone that can fix them.” Jess was an NIRA finalist and a college rodeo champion, and has trained and shown more than ten World Champions and more than 27 Reserve Champions in roping classes. Her mom, Sheryl, works at a bank, and was an Oklahoma high school rodeo finals qualifier in 1975-76 and World Show Qualifier in 1991-92. Jess and Sheryl started Elrod Quarter Horses right about the time they married, around 1980. They’ve become the best of partners, offering exceptional training, breeding and showing opportunities for the world’s best performance horses.
    Mindy won the Breakaway Championship for Texas State High School Rodeo her sophomore year (1997), and won the Windy Ryan twice, second once. “I took a break for the past ten years – I’d rope for about two or three weeks and rope in the Ryan,” she said. “I had some life changes and started rodeoing again last year; my goal was to make the UPRA Finals.” She ended up winning it, as well as the average at the CPRA Finals. She didn’t buy her IPRA card until late in the season, but her plans are to make the IFR this year. “I just barely missed the finals last year, but I plan to be there this year.” She is entering the weekly sanctioned rodeo in Fort Worth at the stock yards.
    She credits her parents for helping her attain her rodeo goals. “My parents work hard and taught me everything I know. I have never wanted for anything and have been fortunate to have good horses and help right here at home that most kids didn’t have.” Mindy has watched competition get tougher over the years. “You have to be mounted and you and your horse have to be sharp.” She has trained herself to be sharp by lots of practice. “It’s reaction. You practice until you get everything down to reaction and mind control. It has to be instinct. The past two or three weekends, I’ve gotten away from that and overthought things. You have to take the first shot that you have. You can’t let things outside the arena affect what you do inside the arena.”
    Even though Mindy qualified for the National High School Finals, she never went. Instead, she went to college at Texas Women’s University in Denton and ended up with a degree in business administration education and a minor in science. She teaches high school at South Lake Carrol. Her class, Principles of Information technology, teaches all of Microsoft Office. “I teach six classes, three each day.”
    Her goals for this year include the IFR, the UPRA Finals and the CPRA Finals. “I also hope to have two barrel horses going for next year (2015). You don’t know what life has to offer unless you take that leap of faith.”

  • Barrie Smith

    Barrie Smith

    Barrie Smith has been winning all of her life. Growing up in Gilbert, Arizona, Barrie began winning buckles and saddles at an early age. In high school and college, Barrie competed in Goat Tying, Barrel Racing, Breakaway and Team Roping. She was the National Goat Tying Champion for three years (74-76) in high school. She attended Central Arizona College and won the NIRA Women’s All-Around titles in ‘78 and ‘79, as well as a Goat Tying Championship in ‘78.

    Barrie has continued to win everything from Barrel Futurities to every major All Girl Roping in the country including the Windy Ryon and the Wildfire Ranch ropings. She has been crowned the USTRC Cruel Girl Champion header – twice. If pressed, you might get her to talk about her wins, but not likely. Barrie is friendly, happy and overly modest.
    “I don’t dwell on my what I’ve won,” says Barrie. “It’s fun today, and then it’s history. The best is when I win with my husband.”
    But win she does, and everyone wants her as a partner. She’s cool, calm, consistent and usually riding one of the best horses in the building. She is the perfect example of hard work plus positive attitude equals success.
    Barrie recognizes the positive influence of having been surrounded by good ropers. Her husband, Brad Smith, won a world championship in 1978. Her brother-in-law is Clay O’Brien Cooper, 7-Time World Champion, and her brother is Bret Beach, 3-Time NFR Qualifier (twice heading, once heeling).
    Barrie and Brad own and operate two ranches. Their ranch just south of Stephenville, Texas is 640 acres, and they also have a 100+ acre ranch in Beulah, Colorado. Both ranches produce hay, keeping the couple busy in addition to their construction company.
    The Smiths have two children, a son, Sterling, who qualified for his first National Finals Rodeo in 2013 in the Tie Down. Their daughter, Shelby, has almost completed her Marketing degree at Tarleton University.
    Though it’s a busy life, Barrie enjoys riding every day and working cows when needed. She loves to train and is a good hand with a horse, a fact that is obvious when she competes.
    “I love riding good horses. Obviously I don’t want to be the first to get on a young horse anymore. But I do love riding young horses and getting them started.”
    A perfect example is the 12-year old sorrel Turtle Powell rode at the 2013 National Finals helping him earn over $70,000. Dashin Otoe was raised by the Smiths and mostly ridden by Barrie and Shelby at rodeos and jackpots before being sold to Powell.
    Over the years Barrie has hauled many kids, including her own, to Junior rodeos and events. She continues to help youngsters and occasionally gives lessons.

    COWBOY Q&A

    How much do you practice?
    Usually every day.

    Do you make your own horses?
    Yes

    Who were your roping (rodeo) heroes?
    II was around good ropers all the time: my husband, Clay Cooper, my brother Bret Beach.

    Who do you respect most in the world?
    There are a lot of people I respect for various things.

    Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
    My husband.

    If you had a day off what would you like to do?
    Go to the movies.

    How would you describe yourself in three words?
    Driven, Happy, Friendly

    What makes you happy?
    People, winning.

    What makes you angry?
    Losing and people who brag.

    If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
    We would probably buy a ranch.

    What is your worst quality – your best?
    Worst is I’m too particular. Best quality is being dependable.

  • Russell Friend

    Russell Friend

    Russell Friend is just starting his fourth year in the Senior Pro association, but he has established himself as a leader, as someone actively promoting the association, and as a top competitor. He has won the Reserve World Champion Bull Riding title for the last three years. He is the representative for the Canadian Senior Pro Rodeo Association and works to insure that rodeo schedules between the two associations mesh. “I represent Canadian Senior Pro Rodeo at the NSPRA board meetings and essentially act as a conduit of information between the two. This function has been quite important in the last six months with all the changes that have taken place in the NSPRA.”

    Russell got started in rodeo after the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. “I was on the Canadian Olympic team competing in wrestling and was asked if I wanted to ride bulls. That was back when the bull riding only events were just starting. I had a lot of success early on here in Canada and took off from there. I was 25 at the time and I set a goal of being able to enter and compete at the best rodeos on earth. And going hand-in-glove with that, I wanted to say I had gotten on some of the best bulls around. That was a pretty cool time.” He was a “carded athlete” in Canada and as such received medical, tuition, and a stipend to train, but the financial reward possible in bull riding far outweighed the government’s support.

    The lifestyle of elite Olympic athletes is best described as Spartan; no fast food, never a drink, and pure diligence to a training regimen. “There were several years where I went without any fast food. With bull riding, I could have a cheeseburger once in awhile; I could have camaraderie with other rodeo athletes, and I get paid based on my own success! And I enjoyed bull riding!”

    He has enjoyed the travel associated with rodeo and compares it to his life as an Olympic athlete. “I’ve traveled all over the world competing in wrestling but I couldn’t tell you much about the people or locations other than the airport and the gym. With rodeo I can stop and meet people and see the country. I love that.”

    Attitude in bull riding is critical as Russell explains, “The guy that wants to ‘ride bulls’ is different from the guy who wants to be a ‘bull rider’. The guy who wants to be a ‘bull rider’ is always looking to improve and learn more about the sport. The guy that wants to ‘ride bulls’, is accepting what he’s given.” Russell spends hours in keeping himself fit and ready to compete. “You have to be fit. You have to have core strength and fantastic balance.” He uses his wrestling skills to keep himself ready for bull riding. As a testament to his discipline to conditioning, Russell just won his 18th Provincial Wrestling Championship at age 43, against all age competitors. “No other wrestler has won 18 Provincial titles in Canada. Wrestling puts your body in positions that test your core strength and balance.” His philosophy about training is that if he’s working out early in the morning or late at night, there’s a good chance your competition is not. He strongly believes in the adage, “The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare.” Russell is grateful to all the cowboys he competes against, “Those guys push everyone to do more preparation and ride better.”

    He makes his home in Irrcana, Alberta with his wife Jennifer and son, Cash. Between bull riding events, Russell operates an oil field fencing company. He is also the president of the newly formed Bull Riders Canada, (www.bullriderscanada.ca) the largest bull riding organization in Canada.

  • Robby Farias

    Robby Farias

    Robby Farias has been a member of the association for the last two years and also competes in the PRCA, World Series Team Roping, and USTRC. He likes going to the Rocky Mountain events because he knows he can count on good cattle and a short score. “It’s mostly local guys with some out-of-state guys. They are always fun rodeos that are fast paced.” Most often Robby ropes heads and is rated as a 7 header; 8 heeler in the USTRC books.

    Robby got started team roping when he was 14 years old with the help of his dad and uncle, Ross Farias. “They both rodeoed for a living for a while and were both real good ropers. I competed in high school rodeo for one year in Hawaii and then went into the pro rodeos. I team roped quite a bit in Hawaii; jackpots and US ropings.”

    Born and raised in Hawaii, the 21-year-old roper now makes his home in Decatur, Texas after moving from Spanish Fork, Utah. “I moved from Hawaii to Utah when I was 17. I’m living at Allen Bach’s place now and doing a lot of roping and work with Allen. He definitely knows what it takes to get to the Finals and he has helped me a bunch.” His present situation matches up perfectly with one of Robby’s long term goals which is to one day make the NFR and he is getting some insight and lessons from one of the best in the game. But he knows the NFR doesn’t come easy and he is planning on making an all out effort to get to 75-plus rodeos to make that goal a reality.

    When Robby is getting ready to make that fast run, he takes time to be sure everything is right. “I really think about the score a lot. I make sure my horse is standing straight; when he’s standing straight, I know that he’ll come out right. It may take two or three times to get him set right, but I want everything right before I nod my head.” He knows that as with any timed event, his horse is crucial to his success. “I think I have a really good horse and I can get out really good on him.  He’s 22 years old and I’ve been riding him since I was 15. When you get out right, you don’t have to reach so much.” Being consistent is important to Robby and he makes sure he does everything the same way every time, including the black glove. “I always wear a black glove. They’re kind of hard to find, but I always make sure I’ve got one. That may be a little bit over the top, but I like to get into the groove.”

    His parents are Bob and Tobi Farias and he has a sister, Rachael. He says that his father has been his biggest influence. “He’s the one that really got me started and taught me everything I know about roping. He always made sure I had good horses to ride, made sure I was doing things right, getting plenty of time to practice.”

  • Zack and Jet Toberer

    Zack and Jet Toberer

    The Toberer boys have had the privilege of experiencing rodeo from the west to the east coast. Getting their start in central California, they have now made a home in Raeford, N.C., and will compete in their second year with the JrSRA. “It has the toughest competition available and it gives us the chance to compete against the best competitors around,” said Zack, 15.

    Zack, a sophomore, competes within the senior age division in the tie down roping, team roping and chute dogging. “He is currently working on expanding to the steer wrestling and will compete once we get a horse for him,” said mom. Younger brother, Jet, a fifth grader, competes within the junior age division in the calf riding, breakaway, goat tying and team roping. “I want to win the calf riding and all-around titles and maybe take a shot at a buckle in the team roping,” said Jet, 11.

    Both parents (Mike, who teaches U.S. military special forces how to pack, and Michele, the family ranch manager who books events and makes arrangements for horse boarding) rodeoed throughout high school, so naturally, have raised their four kids with a rodeo lifestyle, but it wasn’t within the arena that competition began. Mike, a world champion and two-time reserve world champion mule packer, got Zack into youth competitions at around the age of six. The youngster went on to winning two youth world championships and two reserve youth world championships, at the Bishop Mule Days Celebration. By the age of nine, Zack got interested in roping, and with the help of Jerold and Leo Camarillo, was competing full force. “I hope to compete in packing again someday and go back to Bishop, but I am just focusing on rodeo right now,” said Zack.

    While Jet made pack trips, he never competed at Bishop. “We had quit going by the time he was old enough to compete,” explained Michele. A little brother’s watchful eye spurred Jet into action, but it was bull riding that was on the brain. Having entered the mutton bustin’ prior, Jet decided that he was “big” enough to start calf riding at five years old. “A good friend of ours [PBR contractor, Ryan McClure] saw a natural talent in him and started helping,” said Michele. At the same time, Zack was in need of a roping partner so taught Jet to rope and he later started roping with the Camarillo‘s. “Calf riding is my favorite. I want to ride in the PBR someday,” said Jet.

    In their first year with the JrSRA, both boys qualified for the finals. Zack was able to finish in the top four in both tie down and team roping, with partner Ty Worley. “I mostly heel. I find it to be more fun and challenging in getting in time,” he said of his favorite event. Jet took the reserve champion calf riding title and then finished in the top four of the breakaway standings. “I owe it all to our family and friends who have helped us along the way. We couldn’t have done it without them,” he said.

    The Toberer boys have even gotten the opportunity to see how behind the scenes of a rodeo works as the family recently hosted a NCHSRA event at their home facility of Mountain Mule Packer Ranch. “It was a lot of work, but fun,” said Zack, who ended up winning the tie down roping and team roping both nights. While Zack will continue to work both associations, Jet will join dual forces next year with the junior high division.

    Zack hopes to attend Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Tex. “I’m not sure what I want to major in, yet, but I would eventually like to go on to do good in the pros and eventually coach roping,” he said. For now though, he hopes to conquer as much as he can within the JrSRA. “I would like to win the all-around. I started off good, so would like to get back on a roll and keep winning,” he said.

    The brothers will be joined by their sister (Grace, 8) next season. “She has just started running barrels and the boys have started her on roping,” said Michele. When the time is right, the boys will exert their expertise on to their youngest sister (Faith, 3). “We have our parents and Jerold to thank for all that they’ve done. They have made it possible for us to rodeo,” said Zack. “I would also like to thank my sponsors Rope Smart and Rope-For-Less for supplying me with the necessary tack to go on.”

  • Brenda Delano

    Brenda Delano

    In her approximate six years as a member of the Kansas Professional Rodeo Association (KPRA), Brenda Delano has worked her way to the top of the standings to qualify for the finals four times. “It’s all in the rodeo people, who quickly become friends. Everyone is so nice and it becomes like a second family,” Brenda said of the association. The 57-year old cowgirl spends a majority of her time horseback, riding young horses and selling them when she gets the opportunity. “I’ve been blessed with nice horses,” she says.

    She also finds the time to work on the farm outside of Bird City, Kan., with her husband (Patrick). “We lease our farm ground out, but there is still plenty of work to do,” she said. Patrick, who also holds a fulltime job as a physician assistant for the past 20 years, does not rodeo, but gives his full support to his wife in her rodeo choices. “He stays home while I’m hauling to take care of all of the animals,” said Brenda. With Patrick holding down the fort, Brenda often takes to the road alone. “It can get lonely. It would be nice to have a driver, because I get so tired,” she admitted. The couple have two daughters (Tori, a cardiac nurse, and Danielle, an Apple Bees Manager), who have never rodeoed, but are very supportive. “I didn’t ride a lot when they were growing up, and by the time I started back up, they were more into their high school activities,” explained Brenda.

    Growing up in an agricultural background, on a farm only a short distance from where she lives now, Brenda was introduced to the cowboy lifestyle early on with her dad (Harold Leroy Connett) competing in the calf roping within the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “Dad always had cattle, horses and farmed, so it was easy to jump right in there,” Brenda said. Although, she is the youngest of three sisters, she was the only sibling to inherit the arena itch. “I just always stuck with my passion,” she said. Granting that Brenda had been riding since she was a young child, she got her initial start in competition while in high school. “I was a member of the gymkhana club, where I did numerous events and was the high-point senior girl three times in a row,” she said.

    Since that time, she has expanded her list of associations to the National Barrel Horse Association, where she was named the 2002 Kansas State Champion. She has also been found competing in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association within the Prairie Circuit in 2003-2004. “I competed on a horse that I had raised and called Rocket. He was a very nice horse, but I ended up selling him and haven’t found a horse to match him yet,” said Brenda of her current pause with the organization. Along side of the KPRA, she currently competes in the Nebraska State Rodeo Association, where she has qualified for the finals for the past two years. “It is such a challenge. Rodeo has so many variables to it with many different situations, which makes it challenging for you and your horse,” she said of why she prefers to rodeo. “If you don’t have a horse that can handle all of the variables, you may have a harder time.”

    With the 2014 season kicking off in full force, Brenda will have a full schedule. She will compete on her finished 14-year old mare (“Blazie” Fast Freckles), whom she raised, but will also keep herself busy with a handful of young horses that she is getting started. “My main project is a five-year old futurity horse that I’m working on. I see a lot of potential and hope to see great things,” she said.

  • Cindy Wall

    Cindy Wall

    Cindy Wall is no stranger to the top of the standings within the Central Plains Rodeo Association (CePRA), having qualified for the finals all three years of her membership within the organization. The mother of five has burst out of the gate to take a strong lead in the barrel racing for 2014, having already surpassed her total 2013 year-end winnings by approximately $150. “It’s the people that make the organization. They are run well and they are willing to work with the contestants,” she said of what keeps her coming back to the CePRA. “Of course, I like that they are located great for me, but all year-round they do a great job.”

    With a father in the military, Cindy spent most of her childhood overseas, and wasn’t able to get on her first horse until she was ten years old. “I was an army brat and never had horses,” she explained. “I finally got on my first horse in Berlin, Germany with the British. I rode off and on from there, but never rode western until after college.” Upon getting married and moving to Kansas, where western-style riding is almost mandatory, Cindy began her new journey. “I guess I was around 26 years old when I started running barrels,” she said. Through her progression and climbing the ranks through 3 and 4D barrel races, Cindy found comfort in the rodeo arena and was found capturing the fastest time of the 2013 CePRA finals, along with being a recent pistol winner of the KPRA/CePRA Gunslinger Rodeo Series. “It’s definitely the atmosphere, my adrenaline really gets running at rodeos and I think that they make for grittier horses that run harder, compared to the well groomed ground at barrel races,” she said.

    To add to Cindy’s remarkable tale, she has the unique opportunity of hauling with her daughter (Katie, 21), who finished second in the CePRA year-end standings last year. “We are each other’s biggest supporters and biggest competition, which makes us a great team,” said Cindy. “While Katie will always be my daughter, she is also my best friend, which is a nice new stage in our relationship.” The pair have set a busy schedule for the rest of the season, having filled their WPRA permits on the last race together in the previous season, they plan on hitting the road hard to earn their way to the Prairie Circuit Finals as rookies, along with qualifying for the CePRA finals. “We have fun, but stick to business. It’s a special thing to be able to compete and share the experiences together,” she said. Katie is currently attending the nursing program at Newman University and will graduate next year. “She’ll move into the real world and have to get a job, so this may be our last chance to go at it hard,” said Cindy. “We’ll just have to really take advantage and enjoy the moment.

    Outside of the arena, the Mulvane, Kan., resident earns her way through a 10-year partnership with her husband (Mike) in a consulting company (Better Enterprise Solutions). “It’s been great. We’ve scraped through the tough times and are still going strong,” she said. While Mike works in the field with nuclear and power plants all over the country, Cindy runs the office and heads up all of the administration work.

    When it comes to the arena, Mike has picked up the title of “coach”. “He has an amazing eye for technique and helps Katie and I through it all,” she explained. “He also has an amazing eye for horses and, actually, hand picked the ones that we each compete on. It has truly been a blessing to have found the horses that we have, and it will be hard to fill their shoes.”

    The couple of 25 years, have a total of five children between them. Their four sons, an age difference of 20 years from oldest to youngest, have all enjoyed the horse experience, but focused a majority of their time on wrestling. “I have been a wrestling mom for 23 years,” said Cindy, while standing outside of the practice room. While three (Tyson, 30, Isaac, 27, and Chris, 23) are no longer on the mat, Cindy continues to attend the meets for her 10-year old son (Carson). “My family are as much supportive of me as I am of them. I couldn’t do it without them,” she stated.