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  • American Hat Presents: Mackenzie Geesen

    American Hat Presents: Mackenzie Geesen

    Mackenzie Geesen is proud to be chosen as an American Hat ambassador. “I will be encouraging to the younger people and set an example. This will be part of my life for a long time, so I take pride in what I’m doing every day.”

    Mackenzie Geesen has been involved in rodeo her whole life. “My parents have been involved in rodeo their whole life too,” said the 13-year-old from Kersey, Colorado. “They started hauling me and my little pony, Poncho, when they were still competing.” At first, she was led around, and then she got to the point when she went to a little local gymkhana and started doing the events by herself. She moved up in horses as her ability increased, and each horse had a special place in her life. “Pistol was a big step up and got me where I am now.” She and her family traveled to Georgia for the National Junior High School Finals and the trip continued to family memories. “We got to go to the beach for the first-time last year – getting to go in the ocean, even though it’s scary … and collect sea shells. I made a seashell necklace out of a breakaway string.”
    She plays basketball and volleyball and for the first time this year, she did track. “I did the mile and 800 – both of those are hard because you have to figure out your pace.” She learned a lot about herself during those long runs. “If you say you can’t do it, your body will give up. By the time you are running around the track for the fourth time, you want to quit. But you have to finish, and that’s in your mind. If you say you can’t do it, then you won’t.”
    Kersey is east of Greeley by about 20 miles. “Kersey is staying small,” she said of the town. “Mom (Heidi) works at the sale barn on Wednesday. My dad shoes horses. They work for Randy Miller and we work his cows in Colorado.” The family runs through the herd often, checking for salt, water and mineral as well as rotating between pastures. “My brother and I work out there too.” As much as she loves the country, Mackenzie loves the bright lights and the travel. “Winning is fun, but getting to meet all the new people. I was working my horse in the round pen (during the National Junior High Finals), and this girl came up and we started talking. Now she’s my friend – that’s what’s fun about it.” She is like her mother in that regard. “At some of the barrel races we got to, she is talking to everyone, and we can’t get out of there,” she laughs.
    Those same people are what are shaping Mackenzie and her younger brother, Cooper’s lives. “What’s helped me the most are the people that helped me – my family and Laura Lambert and the Terrells (owner of Pistol), and Erin Johnson. The tradition of rodeo is once again being passed through to the next generation. “We always give the glory to God – I wouldn’t have any of this without God.”

  • Back When They Bucked with Ed Sundby

    Back When They Bucked with Ed Sundby

    Ed Sundby averaged 70,000 miles a year on his 1966 Ford pickup with a little white topper camper, while he rodeoed, and he loved every minute of it.
    And to make money for entry fees, the North Dakota cowboy did some Roman riding as a specialty act.
    Born in 1952 to Orvin and Ginger Sundby, he was raised in Williston and started out in horse shows and doing the cow cutting. But it was too slow-paced for him.
    “That wasn’t enough action for me,” he said, so he started with Little Britches Rodeo, then progressed to high school, college, amateur and the professional ranks.
    In high school, he was a steer wrestler, bareback rider and cutter, then added saddle bronc riding and bull riding.
    He was the 1968 North Dakota High School Rodeo All-Around winner, and in college won the bareback riding for the Great Plains Region three times (1970-71, 74), twice while at the University of North Dakota-Williston, then at the National College of Business (NCB) in Rapid City.
    He and his dad believed in practice.
    His dad, who never competed much but had been a steer wrestler, built an indoor arena.
    The Sundbys borrowed bucking horses from Marvin Brookman and Jack Fettig, and had plenty of steers.
    “There were nights when I would bulldog fifty head of steers,” Ed said. “Dad would haze for me. He enjoyed it as much as I did.”
    Then, he’d ride two or three bareback horses, and the next night, switch to saddle bronc riding. It was good practice time. “When I practiced, I practiced with a purpose. You have to, if you want to go on with rodeo.”
    Even in the winter, they practiced, seven nights a week. The only time they didn’t was if it got to -5 degrees F, because they thought at that temperature it was too hard on the horses. The barn wasn’t heated, but with the bucking stock and steers, it was comfortable, he said.
    Orvin liked it as much as his son did. “He was down in the barn with us, every night. He really loved it.” Orvin believed in hard work; his work day started at 5 am, and after work, they’d be in the barn practicing till 10:30 or 11 pm each night.
    While in high school, Ed added a bit of Roman riding to his repertoire. He had been Roman riding a mare and her son, a gelding, in the practice arena at home.
    As he got better at it, he was asked to perform at rodeos, mostly amateur, with his pay going towards his entry fees.
    For a time, he put his younger brother Lynn, thirteen years his junior, on his shoulders as he Roman rode and jumped the horses.
    The UND-Williston college rodeo team practiced at the arena, as did many of Ed’s friends, including college teammates Mark Ellis, Don Schwalbe, and Rick Woodward.
    Between his time at UND-Williston and NCB, he sat out of college for a year, while he worked for his future father-in-law.
    Ed had met Connie Schatz, also a high school rodeo contestant, at a high school rodeo, and he jokes that she chased him. “She was running after me,” he laughed, “and she just wouldn’t leave me alone.” While she finished high school, Ed worked for her dad, till she was college age. Then the two of them went to Rapid City’s NCB.
    They courted for several years before marrying in 1974. “She had to chase me for a couple years before she caught me,” he joked. But in seriousness, he said, “She was always the one for me.”
    After college, the couple moved to Williston. Ed began pro rodeo competition, but felt the obligation to get a job, rodeoing on weekends. “I thought, if you’re married, you should have a job,” he said.
    For several years, he was a heavy equipment operator. Then his dad, who owned a federal meat processing plant, asked him to join the business. When Orvin passed in 1982, Ed and a partner, Gene Storoe, purchased it. When Gene wanted out, Ed got out as well, selling the company.
    Then he went into the oilfield business in the abandoned well segment for several years, including buying and selling equipment.
    After that, he managed Schatz Truck Stop in Minot for 18 years, then went back to the oilfield, till he retired in 2019.
    Ed had become a Rodeo Cowboys Association (forerunner to the PRCA) member in the early 1970s, while in college, and continued to rodeo for the next decade.
    He competed at a few N.D. Rodeo Association events, but at the time, cowboys couldn’t do both associations: they had to choose one. So he chose the pros. “And it was the right move for me. I did all right.”
    At first, he did the steer wrestling and the three roughstock events, but by 1976, he concentrated solely on the steer wrestling and bareback riding.
    He traveled across the western half of the nation, from Denver to Edmonton, and from Calgary to Texas. He and Connie’s honeymoon was at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, where he joked, “I was going to leave her at Alcatraz, but they didn’t want her.”
    In college, he made lifelong friends, rodeoing with Paul Tierney, Monte Melvin, Billy Zurcher and Doug Corrington on his rodeo team. “College was great,” Ed said. “We didn’t get a lot of schooling in.”
    He didn’t drink or smoke and attributes his good health to that fact. “I’ve never had a drink and never had a cigarette,” he said. “I was serious about what I wanted to do.” Hauling his steer wrestling horses was part of the motivation to not drink. “I always drove,” he said. “I never let anybody else drive, and I wanted to know where my hat was the next morning and where my vehicle was.”
    He rodeoed against Tom Miller, who was a student at Black Hills State University (Rapid City, S.D.) from 1967-1971.
    Ed “rode awfully well,” Tom said. “He was very correct in the way he rode. He just didn’t buck off many.” Tom remembered Ed always having a smile on his face. “Ed was very much a gentleman and a good person. Still is.”
    Ed has made sure to give back to the sport. He held bulldogging schools for young people at the family arena in Williston, and judged rodeos, including high school events in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana, and some pro rodeos as well.
    He figures it was his duty to contribute. “I felt it was a way to give back,” he said, “to the people who helped me.”
    Ed’s last ride was in 1982 in Sidney, Montana. Between work and a family, it was time to stay closer to home.
    He and Connie have two sons: Ty, who lives in Bismarck, N.D., and Cody, a former PRCA and PBR bull rider who lives in Williston. They have two grandchildren and a great-grandson.
    The couple spends winters in Gold Canyon, Arizona and summers in Hill City, S.D.
    He enjoyed the sport. “When I went to a rodeo, I loved going. If I won anything, it was a bonus.”
    The friends are life-long. “They’re amazing, and they’re for life. It’s like college. You never forget your college buddies, and rodeo is the same way. If you see them after 30 years, you pick up right where you left off.
    Does he miss it? “I’d have to say I do. If I was 18, I’d love to start all over.”
    Ed is a 2016 inductee in the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, a 2018 inductee in the University of North Dakota-Williston Sports Hall of Fame, and a PRCA Gold Card Member.

  • Field set for Championship Finals at Cheyenne Frontier Days               

    Field set for Championship Finals at Cheyenne Frontier Days               

    CHEYENNE, Wyo., July 29, 2023 — A sold-out rodeo crowd of more than 15,000 watched the final contestants in the Semi Finals at Cheyenne Frontier Days advance to Sunday’s Championship Finals.

    Saturday was filled with surprises during the rodeo in every event. The bareback riding win went to reigning world champion Jess Pope from Waverly, Kansas. Pope got on the Three Hills Rodeo horse named Short Stuff Bucks for 86.5 points. That gives him the opportunity to win the title here for the first time. While seeing Pope do well here is no surprise, watching his friend and traveling partner Tim O’Connell come up short was. O’Connell nearly bucked off before the eight-second buzzer but managed to score 79, just short of qualifying for Sunday’s finals. The Zwingle, Iowa, native is a three-time world champion and a three-time champion here. He has won the last two titles in Frontier Park and was hoping to make it three in a row.

    In the breakaway roping KeAnn Hayes was the first competitor out, put her name at the top of the leaderboard and it stayed there. The Blanchard, Oklahoma, cowgirl had a time of 3.5 seconds and will be hoping to add her name to the history books as a champion at the “Daddy of ‘em All.”

    Jake Pratt may be from Ellensburg, Washington, but winning the tie-down roping here would be really special for him. After graduating from high school, he moved to Laramie to attend the University of Wyoming. He qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo while in Laramie and has fond memories from the Cowboy State. He had the fastest time on Saturday at 12.3 seconds and will rope again on Sunday.

    South Dakota’s Cole Elshere and Lefty Holman who grew up in California tied in the saddle bronc riding. Elshere rode the Summit Pro Rodeo horse named Big John. Holman got on United Pro Rodeo’s Awesome Sauce. When the judges added up their scores, they each had an 85 by their names. Both have qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo but have yet to win a title here.

    There was also a tie in Saturday’s team roping at 8.9 seconds and all four men hale from Oklahoma. Curry Kirchner from Ames did the heading for Billy Jack Saebens from Nowata to set the pace. Three teams later, Corben Culley (header) from Muse, and Blayne Horne (heeler) from McAlester had an identical time.

    The winner in the steer wrestling was Dakota Eldridge from Elko, Nevada. The nine-time NFR qualifier stopped the clock in 6.6 seconds and has a chance to win his first buckle from Cheyenne. Eldridge got to see his nephew, Lefty Holman, win in the saddle bronc riding.

    Leslie Smalygo finished as the reserve champion in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association barrel race here last year. She had the fast time on Saturday and the Skiatook, Oklahoma resident will be a favorite for the championship.

    When bull riders get hurt, there may be an option for a healthy rider to take his place. That’s what happened in the bull riding. Bryce Jensen, a recent high school graduate from Huntsville, Texas, competed in the Quarter Finals, advanced to the Semi Finals where he was the winner on Saturday. He scored 89.5 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Redneck Romeo and will compete for the title on Sunday. If he wins, he will be one of the youngest CFD champions on record.

    Stetson Wright, from Beaver, Utah, who won the last two saddle bronc riding titles in Frontier Park won’t be able to repeat. He rode here in that event on Saturday and fell short of the top six scores that advance. He was among Friday’s bull riders and will have an opportunity to win that title for the second time in his career. He also is a favorite to win the prestigious all-around award that goes to the contestant who wins the most money in more than one event.

    Rodeo action at Frontier Park starts at 12:45 on Sunday where champions in all of these events will be crowned.

     

     

     

     

    CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 29, 2023)- The following are unofficial results from Semi Finals  (eighth performance) and Finals qualifiers at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Saturday, July 28.

     

    Bareback Riding: 1, Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan.,  86.5 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s Short Stuff Bucks, $3,144. 2, Waylon Bourgeois, Church Point, La., 85.5, $2,182. 3, Kade Berry, Weatherford, Texas, 84.5, $ 1,715. 4, (tie) Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, Canada, and Richmond Champion, Stevensville, Mont., 84, $905 each. 6, (tie) Trevan McAllister, Ronan, Mont., and Keenan Hayes, Hayden, Colo., 83.50, $238 each. Finals qualifiers:  Pope, Bourgeois, Kade Berry, Larsen, Champion, McAllister, Hayes, Donny Proffit, Diamondville, Wyo.; Ben Kramer, Max, N.D.; Jacek Frost, Browns Valley, Calif.; Kade Sonnier, Carencro, La.; Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas; Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif.; and Cole Reiner, Buffalo, Wyo.

     

    Breakaway Roping: 1, KeAnn Hayes, Blanchard, Okla., 3.5 seconds, $5,983. 2, Joey Williams, Volberg, Mont., 3.8, $4,533. 3, Anna Callaway, Billings, Mont., 4.3, $3,263. 4, Misti Brown, Valentine, Neb., 4.8, $2,175. 5, Kayelen Helton, Stephenville, 5.2, $1,269. 6 , Brandy Schaack, Chadron, Neb., 5.4, $907. Finals qualifiers:  Hayes, Williams, Callaway, Brown, Helton, Schaack, Bryana Lehrmann, Lexington, Texas; Willow Wilson, Baggs, Wyo.; Bradi Good, Abilene, Texas; Shayla Hall, Belle Fourche, S.D.; Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, and Cassidy Boggs, Stephenville, Texas.

     

    Tie Down Roping: 1, Jake Pratt, Ellensberg, Wash., 12.3 seconds, $5,200. 2, Westyn Hughes, Caldwell, Texas, 13.5, $4,300. , 3, Carsyn Sunvision, McDade, Texas, 13.6, $3,400. 4, Trent Creager, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 13.7, $2,500. 5, (tie) John Douch, Huntsville, Texas, and Tate Thomas, Sterling City, Texas, 16.8, $ 1,250 each. Finals qualifiers:  Pratt, Hughes, Sunvision, Creager, Douch, Thomas, Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif.; Marcos Costa, Tolar, Texas; Quade Hiatt, Canyon, Texas; Luke Potter, Maple City, Kansas; Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont., and Britt Bedke, Oakley, Utah.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, (tie) Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif., United Pro Rodeo’s Awesome Sauce, and Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D., on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Big John, 85 points, $2,645 each. 3, Cameron Messier, Herald, Calif., 84.5, $1,642. 4, (tie) Stu Wright, Coalville, Utah; Dylan Hancock, Clarendon, Texas,  and Tegan Smith, Winterset, Iowa, 83.5, $730 each. Finals qualifiers:  Holman, Elshere, Messier, Wright, Hancock, Smith, Q Taylor, Casper, Wyo.; Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont.; Ryder Sanford, Sulphur, La.;  Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas;  Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah, and Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D.

     

    Team Roping: 1, (tie) Curry Kirchner, Ames, Okla., and Billie Jack Saebens, Nowata, Okla.; and Corben Culley, Muse, Okla., and Blayne Horn, McAlester, Okla., 8.9, $  each. 2, Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla., and Buddy Hawkins II, Stephenville, Texas, 9.3, $ each. 4, Clayton Van Aken, Yoder, Wyo., and Cullen Teller, Ault, Colo., 9.4,  $2,500 each. 5, Mitch Barney, Blair, Neb., and J.W. Nelson, Alta, Iowa, 9.8, $1,600 each. 6, Edgar Aguilar, Greeley, Colo., Edgar Villegas, Denver, Colo., 10.2, $900 each. Finals qualifiers:  Kirchner and Saebens, Culley and Horn, Ward and Hawkins, Van Aken and Teller, Barney and Nelson, Aguilar and Villegas, Bubba Buckaloo, Kingston, Okla., and J.R. Gonzales, Maypearl, Texas; Matt Sherwood , Pima, Ariz., and Dylin Ahlstrom, Hooper, Utah; Jr. Dees, Aurora, S.D., and Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas; Billy Bob Brown, Carbon, Texas, and Kirby Blankenship, Lampasas, Texas; Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga., and Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prude, Brazil; and Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz., and Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo.

     

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev., 6.6 seconds, $4,060. 2, Billy Boldon, Oglala, S.D., 7.6,  $3,360. 3, Walt Arnold, Coleman, Texas, 8.1, $2,660. 4, Chisum Docheff, Mead, Colo., 8.7, $1,960. 5, (tie) Tate Petrak, Martin, S.D., and Newt Novich, Twin Bridges, Mont., 8.8, $980 each. Finals qualifiers:  Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D.; Rowdy Parrott, Bellville, Texas; Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La.; Don Payne, ; Tristan Martin, La.; and Cameron Moorman, Glen Ullin, N.D.

     

    Barrel Racing: 1, Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla., 17.27 seconds, $5,248. 2, Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D., 17.28, $4,343. 3, Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, 17.53, $3,438. 4, Tarryn Lee, St. David, Ariz., 17.56, $2,533 . 5, Michelle Merrick, Buckeye, Ariz., 17.61 seconds, $1,629. 6, Shyann Lucas, Jackson, Wyo., 17.65, $905. Finals qualifiers:  Smalygo, Kosel, Mowry, Lee, Merrick, Lucas, Sue Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho; Lacinda Rose, Willard, Mo.; Taycie Matthews, Wynne, Ark.; Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla.; Sharon Harrell, Wickenburg, Ariz., and Tara Seaton, Winslow, Ariz.

     

    Bull Riding: 1, Bryce Jensen, Huntsville, Texas, 89.5 points on Stace Smith Rodeo’s Redneck Romeo,  $3,109. 2, Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho, 88.5, $2,355. 3, Garrett Smith, Rexberg, Idaho, 88, $1,696. 4, Ky Hamilton, Mackay, Queensland, Australia, 86, $1,131. 5, Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah, 85.5, $660 . 6, Riggin Shippy, Colome, S.D., 83.5, $471 . Finals qualifiers: Jensen, Hutchings, Smith, Hamilton, Frost, Shippy, Cannon Cravens, Porum, Okla.; Tyler Taylor, Stephenville, Texas; Trey Holston, Fort Scott, Kansas; Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont.; Stetson Wright, Beaver, Utah, and Cullen Telfer, Plant City, Fla.

     

    The following events do not have Semi Finals.

     

    Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: (first round winners) 1, Caleb Brangham, Big Piney, Wyo., 85 points, $1,242. 2, Hunter Greathouse, Santa Fe, Texas, 82, $941. 3, Lavern Borntreger, Elsmere, Neb., 79, $677. 4, (tie) Isaac Richard, Eunice, La.; Slade Keith, Stanfield, Ariz., and Denton Mars, Freedom, Okla., 78, $301 each. (second round winners) 1, Coleman Shallbetter, Gunnison, Colo., 82 points, $1,242. 2, (tie) Cauy Masters, Leon, Iowa, and Clancy Glenn, Parma, Idaho, 79, $810 each. 4, Caleb Newell, Vernon, Texas, 78, $452. 5, Blake Steuck, Hume, Mo., and Tayson Jones, Howes, S.D., 75, 4226 each. (overall winners – total on two) 1, Keith, 151 points, $1,242. 2, Newell, 148, $941. 3, Masters, 146, $677. 4, Richard, 145, $452. 5, Borntreger, 144, $263. 6, Glenn, 139, $188.

     

    Wild Horse Race: 1, Team Roanhorse, $550. 2, Team Agin, $413. 3, Billy Scharton, $275. 4, NDN Outlaw, $137.50.

  • Pozzi Tonozzi Crosses $3 Million in Career Earnings with Gold Medal Performance in Salt Lake City

    Pozzi Tonozzi Crosses $3 Million in Career Earnings with Gold Medal Performance in Salt Lake City

    Photos by Ric Andersen, Courtesy Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo

    Nothing is sweeter than Gold in the world of rodeo whether it be a gold buckle for world champions at season end or gold medals at the Only Gold Medal Rodeo in the World in the heart of Salt Lake City.

    For two-time world champion Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi she continues to add to her legacy and on Monday night, July 24 she added a Gold Medal to her collection and crossed the $3 million mark in career earnings as the cherry on top. Just this summer she has won Reno, Calgary and now the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo to extend her lead in the WPRA World Standings. She won a total of $17,688 in Salt Lake City that will not appear in the world standings until next week’s standings are released since the rodeo ended on Monday.

    Pozzi Tonozzi of Lampasas, Texas was the last barrel racer on the cloverleaf pattern and stopped the clock in a quick 16.79 seconds to earn her first gold medal.

    “There are no words to describe what I am feeling right now,” stated Pozzi Tonozzi just after coming off the medal stand. “This is definitely an exciting time for me. This win ranks right up there as this is a great rodeo and pays well. Plus, it is fun to win a gold medal. This summer has been incredible.”

    She captured the title aboard Jets Top Gun “Benny” owned by Busby Quarter Horses. Sired by Blazin Jetolena, Benny, has carried Pozzi Tonozzi to all her major wins this summer and hopes to carry her to a third gold buckle.

    “I am so thankful for this horse. I have never felt a horse like this before and how he goes around the barrels. I am thankful for the Busby’s, my husband and my daughter. This is so awesome,” stated Pozzi Tonozzi.

    Jordon Briggs, who won Gold in 2022 finished silver in a time of 16.91 seconds and Rachelle Riggers landed on the medal stand for the first time with a 17.19.

    Pozzi Tonozzi bought her WPRA card 20 years ago, but she is experiencing a whole new list of new wins (Reno, Calgary, Salt Lake City) in 2023.

    “I didn’t realize I still had so many first left but it is fun.”

    Pozzi Tonozzi now joins Sherry Cervi and Lisa Lockhart as the only WPRA members to cross $3 million in career earnings.

    In the breakaway roping Justine Doka, who is married to PRCA team roper Derrick Begay, finished atop the medal stand in a time of 2.0 seconds. Doka kicked off the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo performances on July 19 winning the performance in a time of 1.8 seconds to easily advance to the Gold Medal Round. Doka advanced for a shot at gold landing eighth in the progressive round held the week before. Doka will add $12,840 to her season earnings from Salt Lake alone and will definitely make a big jump in the standings. She entered Salt Lake ranked 94th with $7,591 so her gold medal performance should serve as a game changer for her career.

    Zoie Bedke took silver in 2.3 seconds and Erin Johnson won bronze in 2.4 seconds in Salt Lake City.

  • Whitaker hoping for big payday at “Daddy of ‘em All”

    Whitaker hoping for big payday at “Daddy of ‘em All”

          

    CHEYENNE, Wyo., July 23, 2023 — Cheyenne Frontier Days is known for taking rodeo contestants out of their comfort zones.

    Frontier Days boasts a big arena and animals have a lot of ground to cover. Nowhere is that more evident than in the timed events and it often takes a “never quit” mentality to get the job done. No one knows that better than Kyle Whitaker who has been a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association since 1995. Whitaker moved to the top of the leaderboard in steer wrestling with a 7.1-second run and is moving onto the Semi Finals.

    The Nebraska native has been coming to Cheyenne nearly every year since then and in the early days would also enter the tie-down roping and saddle bronc riding. His prowess in rough stock and timed events has earned him the prestigious Linderman Award a record six times.

    Now when he competes, he specializes in steer wrestling and that paid off for him here. He now lives in Bozeman, Montana, where he works as the rodeo coach at Montana State University. If his success here continues, he could win his first championship at the “Daddy of ‘em All.”

    Tuesday’s saddle bronc riding competition was extremely competitive with a star-studded field, but the riders had their challenges in the big arena as well. Shorty Garrett, from Eagle Butte, South Dakota,  ended up at the top of the board with 85.5-point ride on his second horse of the day. He got on a re-ride after an equipment failure and made the best of it. His success came aboard Stace Smith Rodeo’s horse named Levi the Boss.

    Lefty Holman from Visalia, California, and Orin Larsen from Inglis, Manitoba, both kept their momentum going here. Last Sunday, Holman was crowned bareback champion and Larsen won the saddle bronc riding at California Rodeo Salinas. They both will be advancing to the Semi Finals here after finishing second in their respective events.

    The bareback riding winner was Bill Tutor from Huntsville, Texas, who has one Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification to his credit. Tutor was one-half point ahead of Larsen at 85 on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Cracked Pepper. Larsen also won the bareback riding in Frontier Park in 2016.

    Taycie Matthews from Wynne, Arkansas is another Salinas champion who competed here today. The reigning National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association champion is loving being in Wyoming again. She won her college title in Casper last month. Matthews, who is a junior at the University of West Alabama, was 11th in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world standings in mid-July and is hoping to secure her first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification. A win here would certainly help her do that. PRCA photo by Click Thompson

    Quarter Finals 5 begins on Wednesday at 12:45 where new contestants in every event will be vying for their spots in the Semi Finals.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 25, 2023)- The following are unofficial results from the Quarter Finals (fourth performance) and Semi Finals qualifiers at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Tuesday, July 25. Payoff subject to change.

     

    Bareback Riding: 1, Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas, 85 points on Stace Smith Rodeo’s Cracked Pepper, $2,448. 2, Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, Canada, 84.5, $1,836. 3, Brayze Schill, West Columbia, Texas, 83, $1,224. 4, Donny Proffit, Diamondville, Wyo., 80.5, $612.

     

    Breakaway Roping: 1, Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas., 3.5 seconds, $2.901. 2, Bradi Good, Abilene, Texas, 4.1, $2,176. 3, Willow Wilson, Baggs, Wyo., 4.7, $1,450. 4, Cadee Williams, Weatherford, Texas,  5.1, $725.

     

    Tie Down Roping: 1, Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont., 9.9 seconds, $2,000. 2, Jake Pratt, Ellensberg, Wash., 10.4, $1,500. 3, Shad Mayfield, Lipan, Texas, 10.6, , $1,000. 4, Britt Bedke, Oakley, Idaho, $500.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D., 88.5 points on Stace Smith Rodeo’s Levi The Boss, $ 2,354 . 2, Stu Wright, Coalville, Utah, 85., $1,766 . 3, Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif., 84 points, $1,177 . 4, Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas, 82, $589.

     

    Team Roping: 1, Lane Goebel, Marshall, Minn., and J.W. Beck, Moville, Iowa, 8.3 seconds, $2,000 each; 2, Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz., and Dylin Ahlstrom, Hooper, Utah, 9.4 seconds, $1,500 each. 3, Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla., and Buddy Hawkins II, Stephenville, Texas, 8.9, $1,000 each. 4, Billy Bob Brown, Carbon, Texas, and Kirby Blankenship, Lampasas, Texas, 9.6, $500 each.

     

     

     

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Kyle Whitaker, Bozeman, Mont., 7.1 seconds, $2,000. 2, Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta, Canada,  7.5, $1,500. 3, Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev., 8.0, $1,000. 4, Logan Wiseman, Paola, Kan., 8.5, $500.

     

    Barrel Racing: 1, Taycie Matthews, Wynne, Ark., 17.70 seconds, $2,413. 2, Jessi Fish, Washington, Texas, 17.77, $1,810. 3, Merritt Potter, Moody, Texas, 17.89, $1,206. 4, Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 17.93, $603.

     

    Bull Riding: 1, Fulton Rutland, Westville, Okla., 87 points on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Smokin Hot, $2,977. 2, Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla., 86, $1,798. 3, Maverick Potter, Waxahatchie, Texas, 85.5, $1,199. 4, Riggin Shippy, Colome, S.D., 84, $599. Other Semi Finals qualifiers: Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah, 82, and Connor Murnion, Jordan, Mont., 78.5.

     

    The following events do not have Semi Finals.

     

    Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Cauy Masters, Leon, Iowa, 79 points. 2, Caleb Newell, Goodwell, Okla., 78, 3, Blake Steuck, Hume, Mo., 75. 4, Lavern Borntreger, Elsmere, Neb., 65.

     

    Wild Horse Race: 1, Kenny Electric, $550. 2, Mo Green, Inc., $412.50, 3, Team Nowland, $275.

     

     

  • FIND YOUR CALLING

    FIND YOUR CALLING

    Horse finds perfect job as a trick riding animal for Helena cowgirl

    Helena, Mont. – July 17, 2023 – A special horse has found a new direction to go in her life.

    When Big Bonnie, a buckskin mare, was young, she didn’t fit anywhere. Because she was big at seventeen hands high, weighing 1,600 lbs., and smart, she could be intimidating, the people around here were unsure of her. There seemed to be nothing that the mare was willing to do.

    When Big Bonnie was five years old, she was purchased by CR Kunesh, who had been her farrier. Her previous owner had called her “a handful,” he said, but he had always admired her. “She was a well-built big mare,” he said.

    And when her owner wanted to sell her, nobody wanted her but Kunesh saw her potential. He didn’t need any more horses, but the owner asked what he’d give for her. “Fifty dollars,” he said, and for that price, she became his horse.

    Kunesh, who guides elk hunts in the fall, rode her for three months on hunts, long days in the mountains. He knew she was good. “I really liked her. She was amazing,” he said.

    But Big Bonnie was about to get a new home and a new job.

    The mare “had a whole lot of energy with no place to go with it, and she was super intelligent,” he said. She needed a year-round job, not just three months a year guiding hunts.

    In stepped Kunesh’s neighbors, nationally known trick rider Madison MacDonald-Thomas and her husband, Keegan Thomas, who live in Helena.

    Madison had admired the buckskin, but had no need for another horse, till several of her trick riding horses were on the injured list.

    Trick riding horses have to be trustworthy. They’re supposed to gallop around an arena, all while their rider is hanging off of them in precarious positions, without the reins in her hand.

    But Madison had a sense that Bonnie could do it.

    “She was big and beautiful,” she said, “and her previous owner couldn’t find a job for her. I asked if I could try her, because sometimes those horses work.”

    And Bonnie worked great. Now she’s part of Madison’s herd, one of the horses she trusts as she performs at rodeos across the country.

    Madison read Bonnie’s personality and came to understand that the big mare doesn’t respond positively when a rider pulls on the bit.

    “If you hang in her mouth, she doesn’t take that very well.

    “I can throw her the reins and she does her circle (in the trick riding). I stay out of her mouth,” she said.

    Keegan gave the horse to Madison as a Christmas gift in December of 2021, and the mare took to the trick riding almost immediately.

    “She loves running the circle (in the arena),” Madison said. “When she learned the pattern, it took nothing to teach her the tricks. She was so happy to run her little circle and stop. She’s tuned into one of my best horses.”

    Madison, who is 5’4”, looks tiny when she’s on Big Bonnie.

    “Everybody laughs when I ride her because I look like a fly on her back.”

    Big Bonnie’s gift is the trick riding; Madison said she’s not well suited for anything else.

    “Honestly, she’s not fun to ride outside the arena. I wouldn’t want to do any other discipline on her. She’s broke, but she loves trick riding.”

    Bonnie loves to run, Madison said, and likes big rodeo arenas where there’s plenty of space to go full speed. “She’s so big, she stretches out and runs. She floats. It’s amazing.”

    The horse, who seemed to have no purpose in life, now has a job.

    “She was always a nice horse,” Kunesh said. “She just needed a job.

    “Trick riding was the last thing I thought she’d do. But she’s found her calling.”

    Big Bonnie will be one of the horses Madison rides as she trick rides at the Last Chance Stampede & Fair in Helena July 26-29.

    The Night Show on July 26 is Nelly, with three nights of rodeo July 27-29.

    Tickets for Nelly are $60 in advance and $65 on July 26. Rodeo tickets vary in price from $21-$26.

    Night Show and rodeo tickets are available online at LCCFairgrounds.com, at the gate, and at the fairgrounds ticket office. Fees apply.

    For more information, visit the website or call 406.457.8516.

  • ProRodeo Hall of Fame inducts star-studded 2023 class

    ProRodeo Hall of Fame inducts star-studded 2023 class

    COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Stars converged Saturday as the 2023 ProRodeo Hall of Fame class was immortalized.

     Steer wrestler Luke Branquinho, a five-time PRCA World Champion, headed up a star-studded 2023 induction class for the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

     Branquinho is joined by two-time PRCA World Champion Saddle Bronc rider Cody Wright (2008 and 2010), PRCA World Champion Team Roper Doyle Gellerman (1981), pickup man Kenny Clabaugh, rodeo notables Butch Knowles and Tom Feller and standout bareback horse Nightjacket, rodeo committees from the St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo and Cowtown Rodeo in Pilesgrove, N.J., and barrel racer Sherry (Combs) Johnson, the 1962 WPRA World Champion and WPRA notable Fay Ann Horton Leach.

     The 2023 Ken Stemler Pioneer Award, which recognizes those who have provided groundbreaking, innovative ideas and forward thinking that help the development, advancement, and success of the PRCA and or the Hall of Fame and their missions is being awarded to Bryan McDonald, former bull rider and National Finals Rodeo judge. His foresight on day money and work with PROCOM have set the industry apart.

     

    Branquinho is now a Hall of Famer

     

    Branquinho, who was known for his booty shake, qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 14 times – 2001-04, 2006-15 – and won the average three times in 2008, 2011 and 2014. He has the record for most NFR rounds won by a steer wrestler at 25.

     

    “I don’t even know if words can describe it,” Branquinho said. “A guy starts his rodeo career just wanting to be the best that he can and win a world championship and to win five is pretty special. Then to be able to consider myself as one of the greatest with what you guys are saying being inducted into the Hall, I don’t have words to describe it. Some of my heroes are in there obviously, John W. Jones Jr. and John W. Jones Sr., and a lot of the California cowboys that helped put ProRodeo on the map and to be able to be in that Hall with them is very special.”

     

    Branquinho was still digesting that he was being immortalized as one of rodeo’s greats.

     

    “To be in the same building as the legends of the sport is still a little bit surreal, that I’m going to be in there with them,” Branquinho said. “When a person starts this journey of rodeo, being a hall of famer is not necessarily the goal. You just try and go out there and win as much as you can and support your family and hopefully at the end of the day you are called a great champion and to be put in the Hall of Fame, that means you accomplished all that and more.”

     

    Although Branquinho had countless memorable rodeo moments – he pinpointed living the life of a PRCA cowboy is what he enjoyed most.

     

    “The memories going down the road is something I will never forget,” Branquinho said. “When you’re rodeoing, the people you meet, and the friends you are traveling with they become your family. No matter what part of the country you are in you can pick up a phone and get help if you need it. Running in the Thomas & Mack and looking up and seeing the family that supported you 365 days out of the year to try and achieve those goals and being able wave to them after the 10th round knowing you just accomplished something very few people do is incredible.”

     

    Cody Wright still can’t believe he got HOF call

     

    The Wright family has been the gold standard for PRCA saddle bronc riding for years.

     

    That excellence guided Cody Wright, a two-time PRCA World Champion in 2008 and 2010, into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame on Saturday.

     

    “It is pretty unbelievable to be put into something like this with all the other guys who are in there and it’s crazy that I will be added to them,” Wright said.

     

    Wright never saw the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as the end goal.

     

    “I never did see this happening for me,” Wright said. “I never imagined all this was going where it was going. I was just a young kid with dream. I just wanted to rodeo and have fun and it has turned into so much more.”

     

    Wright comes from the storied Wright family of saddle bronc riders as his brothers Jesse (2012) and Spencer (2014) also won PRCA World Championships as have his sons, Ryder (2017 and 2020) and Stetson (2021). Stetson has won a total of seven world championships – four in all-around (2019-22), two in bull riding (2020 and 2022) and one in saddle bronc riding in 2021. His youngest son Statler Wright is in his second year on his PRCA card, and his career has been highlighted by two wins at the storied Reno (Nev.) Rodeo in 2021 and 2022.

     

    “Being able to do this with my family has probably been the most memorable thing and watching all their accomplishments along with all of mine,” Cody said. “There’s nothing better than to see your kids and your family do great as well. I always feel like the better they do, the better I do.”

     

    Gellerman honored to be part of ProRodeo Hall of Fame

     

    Doyle Gellerman has been a staple in the team roping world for the last 40 years and will now forever be enshrined as an inductee into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

     

    “It has sunk in all right and it sunk all the way in when it happened (July 15),” Gellerman said. “This is something I never thought would happen to me. I never thought I would ever be going into the Hall of Fame, but here I am going in and what a great honor. It means the world to me.”

     

    In 1981, Gellerman, a header, roping with partner Walt Woodard, shared the team roping world championship. Gellerman and Woodard each ended the season with $48,818 – back when only one team roper typically earned a gold buckle. Not until 1995 were separate PRCA header and heeler world championships awarded.

     

    The title fulfilled a dream for Gellerman.

     

    “I would have to say winning the world championship and the friendships I have,” Gellerman said when asked of his fondest rodeo memories. “I probably had 400 or more text messages or calls from people who I met from rodeo congratulating me. Winning the world championship was my main goal. I did want that one.”

     

    Just a few years before Gellerman and Woodard were the 1979 co-reserve world champions. Gellerman was also reserve world champion in 1990, and he was the 1995 header reserve world champ.

     

    He qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 25 times, the fifth most by any team roper in PRCA history. 12 of those selections came while Gellerman and Woodard were roping together from 1977-85 and they teamed up again from 1992-94.

     

    Kenny Clabaugh realizes HOF induction

     

    Kenny Clabaugh has always been known for helping others, whether that was inside the arena or out of it.

     

    By nature, Clabaugh wasn’t about the spotlight at all, hence his nickname “The Invisible Man.” He didn’t seek attention nor boast about his accomplishments throughout the years. That was just who he was.

     

    However, after being selected as a pickup man for the National Finals Rodeo seven times, he didn’t go unnoticed by the ProRodeo Hall of Fame selection committee. Clabaugh got the call of a lifetime from the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and was inducted Saturday.

     

    “Oh my gosh, this means everything,” Clabaugh said. “I’m still in a state of shock. I never thought I would ever be close (to being in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame).”

     

    Clabaugh was selected to work the NFR in 1983, 1986-88, 1990-91, and 1994. He had the opportunity to pick up a handful of guys who are already in the Hall and even one joining him in 2023. The honor makes him only the second pickup man to ever be inducted, joining Charles “Lefty” Wilken, who was inducted in 1999 after 10 trips to the Finals.

     

    The Wyoming cowboy worked many rodeos throughout his ProRodeo career, which came to an end in 2000. He was a pickup man at the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo in Rapid City, S.D., with partner Steve Sutton for nearly 30 years.

     

    “The people, the rodeos, the cowboys, it was all good,” Clabaugh said. “The key for me was I had good partners and good horses.”

    Knowles immortalized forever in Hall

     

    The voice of Butch Knowles is one of the most recognizable in the sport of rodeo.

     

    Knowles has been in the broadcast booth for every National Finals Rodeo dating back to 1988. His dedication to the sport is one of a kind. His longevity and love for rodeo was recognized by the ProRodeo Hall of Fame selection committee as he was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame on Saturday.

     

    “When I got up here (in Colorado Springs) it hit me like a ton of bricks,” said Knowles about the realization he was going into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. “This is just crazy. I kept waiting for them to call me and say they made a mistake we thought you were Butch Myers or something, but they never called. It’s just crazy. It is nothing you ever think about. When you start out, this is the last thing anybody ever thinks will happen. It is so humbling.”

     

    Knowles may be going into the Hall as a rodeo notable, but he’s known for his work inside the arena as well. He qualified for the NFR in saddle bronc riding in 1981, 1983, and 1986-87. He also won the NFR average in 1987. He said being a Hall of Famer is something that never crossed his mind while riding or announcing.

     

    “The one thing that stands out and it just happened after they announced my induction is all the people who I haven’t seen for years who have wrote nice notes and congratulated me,” Knowles said. “When it is all wrapped up and done, I don’t think there’s any better lifestyle or people to be around than who we deal with on a daily basis. It is amazing.”

     

    Years of rodeo commitment land Feller in Hall

     

    Tom Feller’s passion and decades of commitment and loyalty to ProRodeo were immortalized on Saturday when he was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as a notable.

     

    “It’s one of those things that you can’t believe you’re worthy of really,” Feller said. “It’s overwhelming to me, especially with the category I’m going in with. When they put your name next to guys like Benny Binion, Mel Potter, or Michael Gaughan it’s truly remarkable. I don’t feel I belong with that group because I admire them so much. The things they’ve personally done for rodeo are so incredible.”

     

    Feller is a cowboy through and through. His loyalty to the sport of rodeo and his commitment to ProRodeo programs such as the Justin Sportsmedicine team, the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund and Chairman of the PRCA Board Directors gained him entrance into the Hall.

     

    When Feller obtained his PRCA card in 1974, his highest aspiration was possibly to clown at the National Finals Rodeo someday.

     

    He realized that dream when he was chosen as a barrelman at the National Finals Rodeo in 1981 and was an alternate in 1976, 1982, and 1985. He was also chosen as the PRCA Clown of the Year in 1981 and 1987. For years, Tom worked as a bullfighter with his brother Jim Bob Feller. Tom also wrote a column for the ProRodeo Sports News back in the day.

     

    Tom was born Sept. 10, 1948, in Waco, Texas. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his rodeo career, Feller has served as the director of event marketing for Justin Brands for more than two decades.

     

    Feller, who “rodeoed before sports medicine,” said the Justin SportsMedicine team can’t prevent a cowboy from getting hurt, but they can educate them about how to prevent injuries and can get them back in the saddle again.

     

    “Looking back on my life in rodeo, it just makes me realize I was probably put here for a purpose,” Feller said. “That was to not only be a steward of Justin Brands and the western way of life, but to be a steward to the (Professional Rodeo Cowboys) Association. I’m forever grateful for that.”

     

    Nightjacket forever enshrined

     

    Stock in the sport of rodeo is never undervalued. You could make the argument the roughstock animals and timed-event horses are just as important to success as the athletes that compete on them.

     

    With that being said, there have been 38 animals selected to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame since the first induction class in 1979. That number will rise to 39 in 2023 as the famous “Nightjacket” raised by Jim and Maggie Zinser, who founded J Bar J Rodeo Company, will be inducted into the Hall.

     

    Nightjacket competed at every Wrangler National Finals Rodeo as a bareback horse from 2000-2007. During that time, the horse helped six different cowboys reach the pay window in Las Vegas.

     

    Even with Nightjacket’s success inside the arena, the horse may be more known for his star-studded offspring. Moving from J Bar J to Pickett Pro Rodeo, NFR bucking horses like Fringe Jacket, Straight Jacket, and Night Gazer are direct descendants of Nightjacket.

     

    Even with Nightjacket’s passing in 2013 at the age of 19, many more of his offspring are lighting up the ProRodeo ranks as we speak, carrying on this once-in-a-lifetime horse’s legacy.

     

    Cullen Pickett, who bought Nightjacket in 2009, said the horses’ bloodlines took their bucking stock to the next level. Now, those bloodlines will never be forgotten as an inductee into the Hall of Fame.

     

    “He (Nightjacket) never had a day off. He always showed up and it’s been the same thing with his colts. His colts are just the ones you can count on. It doesn’t matter the arena or the situation. Nightjacket had a great bucking career himself, but his legacy will forever be remembered in the stock that’s come from him.”

     

    Jim Zinser was thrilled to see Nightjacket enshrined.

     

    “Going into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame is such an impressive honor,” Zinser said. “It’s a special accomplishment that means a lot to my family and I.

     

    “In 1970, I had a man call me that I knew and rodeoed some. He had a riding stable in the Detroit (Mich.) area. He said I have this big brown mare that’s just throwing everybody off and I think she would work for you. I said you know I’ll take a chance on her. We started rodeoing with her and I really couldn’t believe how good this horse was. To this day, I’m going to say she is definitely in the top three or four for horses that have ever been on this ranch in 40 years. That horse ended up being Nightjacket’s grandmother.”

     

    Zinser gushed about the talent of Nightjacket.

     

    “You couldn’t believe how good Nightjacket was in the arena, but then when we started breeding him and we were just amazed at how good the colts really were.

     

    “I think Nightjacket is definitely more known for his offspring than his bucking career. I might be a little bit biased, but I think he is definitely right there as one of the all-time great producing stallions in the sport of rodeo. He’s produced four world champion bucking horses. Dirty Jacket won it twice, Big Tex, and Deuces Night. Plus, he has had 60 of his genetic offspring at the NFR, where they have won over $2 million on them alone. This is a once in a lifetime line of genetics in the sport of rodeo.”

     

    St. Paul Rodeo takes its place in HOF

     

    For decades, the St. Paul Rodeo has been known as one of the most unique and finest rodeos on the PRCA trail.

     

    The success of the rodeo hasn’t gone unnoticed as the St. Paul Rodeo Committee was inducted in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame on Saturday.

     

    “We have 11 members on our board right now and six out of the 11 are grandsons or great-grandsons of our rodeo founders from 1936,” said Kevin Smith, the vice-president of the St. Paul Rodeo Committee. “The rodeo really is a family and community tradition that runs deep. I think it means even more to us because of the family connections. When I got the call from the meeting room that day I kind of felt like two other generations were with me right then and there.”

     

    St. Paul, Ore., with a population of less than 450, is in the heart of the Willamette Valley, 20 miles from Salem, the state capital.

     

    From those roots, the St. Paul Rodeo is going strong as ever. In 1991, the PRCA cowboys gave the St. Paul Rodeo a plaque proclaiming it the finest rodeo in the Northwest.

     

    “We are receiving this honor because of the dedication of not only our staff and the people that have come before us, but our special community over the last 87 years,” Smith said.

     

    Cowtown Rodeo enters ProRodeo Hall of Fame

     

    The storied history of the Cowtown Rodeo in Pilesgrove, N.J., was rewarded at the highest level as it was enshrined into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

     

    “It didn’t set in that we are going to become the newest members of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame until we stepped foot in Colorado Springs,” Cowtown Rodeo’s Betsy Harris said. “That’s when the reality set in for all of us.

     

    “The first thing we thought about when we found out was Grant’s (Harris) Dad Howard. We think back to the work he did for rodeo. Now, that we’ve been here for 45 years that in itself is remarkable. You don’t think that you’ll ever do anything that long. When it’s your life and it’s a joy everyday like it is for us and now that our children are still involved there’s nothing better. It’s the best way to live.”

     

    Cowtown has held rodeo competitions in Salem County, N.J., nearly every week since 1955, rain or shine. The only exceptions were six Saturdays at the start of the pandemic in 2020.

     

    Cowtown is known as the oldest weekly professional rodeo in the United States. The rodeo runs each year from Memorial Day to the end of September each summer.

     

    Cowtown Rodeo was started in 1929 by Howard Harris Sr. and his son, Howard “Stoney” Harris Jr. Stoney held the first rodeo in Woodstown N.J., in conjunction with the Salem County Fair, at the original auction grounds on North Main Street.

     

    Presently this ground is known as Harris Acres, with the back stretch of the racetrack now being the Presbyterian Church on Auburn Road. The rodeo was held annually during the County Fair until 1938. World War II caused the rodeo to be put on hold until 1955 when Howard “Baldy” Harris, Stoney’s son, came back from the University of Idaho carrying the 1954 National Intercollegiate All-Around Rodeo Championship saddle.

     

    Cowtown Rodeo was – and is – known nationwide due to live national TV exposure in 1958 & 1959 and taped exposure nationwide in 1969 and 1970. The rodeo outgrew the original arena and in 1967 built the present 4,000 seat arena.

     

    Barrel racer Sherry Combs Johnson joins her sister, her horse in HOF

     

    Combs Johnson joins the Hall of Fame alongside her world champion horse Star Plaudit “Red,” who was inducted in 2017 and her sister Florence Youree, who was inducted as a notable in the 2019 Class.

     

    “When my horse Red went in it was great because I knew he was so worthy,” Combs Johnson said. “People have called me a legend this weekend, I’m not a legend. I’m just a person that did what they wanted to do and was able to do.

     

    “I’m tickled beyond words and blessed to be included in this Hall, but I never thought I’d be here. Now, to join my horse and my sister, it’s truly special, it really is.”

     

    Born Aug. 16, 1938, in Duncan, Okla., Johnson has made her home in Addington, Okla. During her career she qualified for 12 National Finals Rodeos, the first coming in 1959 at the first GRA (predecessor to the WPRA) Finals in Clayton, N.M. and the last in 1991 under the bright lights of Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center, a span of four decades (1959-68, 1970, 1991).

     

    She won her first WPRA world title in 1961 in the all-around category, but the highlight of her career would come in 1962 when she won the barrel racing world title aboard Star Plaudit “Red.”

     

    Johnson made her mark in the National High School Association as well, winning the all-around title, barrel racing and breakaway roping titles in 1955.

     

    Johnson gave back to the WPRA, serving on the Board of Directors from 1963-1971, including a stint as the Vice President. She was named Coca-Cola Woman of the Year in 1997 and was inducted into the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City in 2005.

     

    “When I got my card and went to the first NFR in Clayton (N.M.), I would have never dreamt of this day and what the Association has become,” she said.

     

    Fay Ann Horton Leach’s years of dedication to rodeo put her in Hall

     

    Fay Ann Horton Leach was one of the founding members of the Girls Rodeo Association.

     

    Leach’s devotion to the sport has not gone unnoticed as she was inducted as a notable in the 2023 ProRodeo Hall of Fame class in Colorado Springs.

     

    Leach led the Girls Rodeo Association (GRA-now WPRA) as a founding member, competitor, and board member. One of the 38 women who met in San Angelo, Texas, on Feb. 28, 1948, to form the very first professional sports association created solely for women by women.

     

    “It didn’t set in for a long time that I was going to be a Hall of Famer,” she said. “I can’t really understand why I’m being inducted because all I’ve ever done is just work hard in my everyday life. But I’m really thankful for it I can tell you that. I think one of the things that I appreciate the most was getting to travel the country and meeting a lot of wonder people that are still really close friends of mine.”

     

    Leach never won a world title in the barrel racing, but she qualified for nine consecutive NFRs (1959-1967). She would finish third in the world in 1962 behind Sherry Johnson, a fellow 2023 ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee, and Wanda Bush.

     

    Like many cowgirls during this era, they competed in many different events with calf roping being one of Leach’s favorites. In fact, she broke her mentor’s streak of six consecutive titles in the calf roping when she beat Bush for the world title in 1957. She would add three more of those titles in 1959, 1963 and 1971. She won the all-around in 1960, the flag race world title in 1964 and one that might surprise everyone was her bull riding title in 1966.

     

    In 1967, Fay Ann married Billy Leach, who competed in the RCA roping calves and steer wrestling. Together they founded Billy Leach Ropes.

     

    In 2011, she was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame under the category of Trailblazers and now she is immortalized in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame for her dedication to building a strong foundation for women in rodeo.

     

  • THE 31st IFYR CROWNS 11 NEW CHAMPIONS AND AWARDS UPWARDS OF $320,000

    THE 31st IFYR CROWNS 11 NEW CHAMPIONS AND AWARDS UPWARDS OF $320,000

    SHAWNEE, Okla. — The 2023 IFYR (International Finals Youth Rodeo) capped off a dominant event on Friday night as 11 new champions etched their names into the IFYR history books. The event hosted in Shawnee, Oklahoma, is one of the richest youth rodeos in history, dishing out $319,000 over six days and featuring nearly 1000 entries from 35 states.

    Oklahoma Native Brooke Crenshaw (Colbert, Oklahoma) locked down the All-Around Cowgirl after earning more than $8,039 in the event. The Texas cowgirl ran supreme and notched the number two spot in pole bending ($3,388.80) with a 62.722 average and a lightning fast 7.3 average on three in the breakaway roping ($4,650.27).

     

    Mason Stueve (Newton, Kansas) earned more than $8,784 during the six-day event to take the All-Around Cowboy title. Stueve earned a 28.2 average on three to win the runner-up in tie-down ($4,389.10) and took home the No. 2 spot in team roping heading for Junction City, Kansas teammate Trey Adams ($4,395.89).

     

    Alabama bareback rider Collin Rolands (Childersburg, Alabama) landed in the final round after a 79.0 ride in the first go and a 77.0 ride in the second go alongside Kashton Ford (Sturgis, South Dakota) and Tate Papszycki (Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee). Rolands topped Ford and Papszycki’s averages after earning an 81.5 in the final round to land the championship position.

     

    The team roping duo Carson Richey (Sunset, Texas) and Calvin Jr. Taylor (Cantuillo, Texas) earned a position in the short round after coming into the round in the No. 7 position.  Richey and Taylor matched up against Stueve and Adams along with the Decatur, Texas team of Huston and Gasperson. The dominant wave of team roping youth ended with Richey and Taylor recording one of the fastest times of the week with a 4.5 final round run to log an 18.5 average, besting the remaining 14 teams.

     

    Colton Brumley (Mocksville, North Carolina) was unstoppable in steer wrestling. The North Carolina baseball pitcher recorded a 3.9-second run in Go-1 and a 4.5-second time in Go-2 before delivering a lightning-fast 4.8-second effort in the final round. The two-discipline athlete (tie-down roping and steer wrestling) ended the week with more than $4,130 in earnings.

     

    As the Friday evening event continued, a hotly contested race in the saddle bronc began to unfurl. After being in the top two in both long rounds, Jasper Frost (Browns Valley, California) and Mitchie Story (Aztec, New Mexico) entered the final round edging each other’s averages. Calm and collected, Frost remained poised in the chutes as he readied for a career-defining moment. Reaching the requisite 8.0 for 80.0 points, Frost captured his first-ever IFYR win and accompanying $2,614 payday.

     

    Breakaway roper Makenzie Dowell (Marlin, Texas) delivered a powerful performance when her string broke away from her saddle horn at the 1.7-second mark in the final round to end the event with a 6.1-second average on three. Dowell defeated Alabama’s Zoey Carpenter’s (Rutledge, Alabama) 6.1-second average and Grace Dubois’ (Church Point, Louisiana) 7.1-second average to earn the top time.

     

    After earning the fastest times of the week in the second go with a 7.8-second run, Luke Coleman (Madisonville, Texas) backed into the box in the final round neck-and-neck with Mason Stueve (Newton, Kansas). The Texas tie-down roper earned the number one spot in the average after notching an 8.0-second time in the final round to take home a 28.1-second average. Coleman bested Stueve’s 28.2 average by one-one-hundredth of a second.

     

    2022 All-Around Cowgirl Kacey Bass (Brenham, Texas) won the 2023 IFYR barrel racing title courtesy of her 46.063-second average. Bass notched the fastest time of the week in barrel racing during her round one run, clocking a 15.414. Emily Askew (Sealy, Texas) was near second place with a 46.182 average.

     

    Ryker Butler (Mcloud, Oklahoma) was one of 10 bull riders to cover in the final round of bull riding. The Oklahoma Native Cowboy took home the IFYR title after recording an 84-point score in round two and an impressive 82.5-point score in the final round. Butler earned an overall 167.5 average on three.

     

    Haiden Thompson (Yoder, WY) defended her IFYR goat tying title after securing her win with a 7.3 and 7.2-second run in the long rounds. The 2022 goat tying champ’s 6.8-second time in the final round marked the best time in two of three rounds. Thompson capped off the performance by defeating South Dakota’s Brylee Grubb (Spearfish, South Dakota) 21.9 average.

     

    Cassidy Evans (Fort Supply, Oklahoma) and Brooke Crenshaw (Colbert, Oklahoma) found themselves in a shootout in the pole bending. The two ladies expertly navigated the course as Evans’ 20.323 in the final round would push her to the top of the leaderboard with a 62.116 average, distancing runner-up Crenshaw.

    All results from the event can be found here.

    AVERAGE WINNERS
    Barrel Racing: Kacey Bass, Brenham TX 46.063/3 $3,865.97; Emily Askew, Sealy TX 46.182/3 $3,361.71; McKynlie Bowers, Woodward OK 46.266/3 $2,857.46; Braylee Ward, El Reno OK 46.414/3 $2,353.20; Roxy Waring, Ocala FL 46.481/3 $1,848.94; Addison Gregg, Guthrie OK 46.717/3 $1,344.69; Tannah Williams, Labelle FL 46.903/3 $840.43; Camree Slavin, Canadian TX 47.182/3 $336.17
    Pole Bending: Cassidy Evans, Fort Supply OK 62.116/3 $2,185.33; Brooke Crenshaw, Colbert OK 62.722/3 $1,900.29; Camree Slavin, Canadian TX 62.768/3 $1,615.24; Harley Potter, Waxahachie TX 62.808/3 $1,330.20; Kaden Burger, Pauls Valley OK 63.719/3 $1,045.16; Dannie Hall, Tifton GA 64.142/3 $760.11; Madison Scott, Quenemo KS 64.234/3 $475.07; Gracie Lewis, Overbrook OK 65.011/3 $190.03
    Breakaway Roping: Makenzie Dowell, Marlin TX 6.1/3 $4,706.29; Zoey Carpenter, Rutledge AL, Grace Dubois, Church Point LA split 7.1/3 $3,785.50 ea; Brooke Crenshaw, Colbert OK, Ceily Simpton, Navasota TX split 7.3/3 $2,557.77 ea; Chainey Weitz, London TX 7.8/3 $1,636.97; Addy Gose, Stephenville TX 8.3/3 $1,023.11; Tayln Wright, Canadian TX 4.3/2 $409.24
    Goat Tying: Haiden Thompson, Yoder WY 21.3/3 $1,833.92; Brylee Grubb, Spearfish SD 21.9/3 $1,594.71; Alli Autrey, Abilene TX 22.2/3 $1,355.51; Madison Scott, Quenemo KS 22.5/3 $1,116.30; Shay Griswold, Geary OK, Kayleah Hurst, Slick OK split 23.2/3 $757.49 ea; McKynlie Bowers, Woodward OK, Georgia Shields, Lubbock TX split 23.7/3 $279.07 ea
    Calf Roping: Luke Coleman, Madisonville TX 28.1/3 $2,521.46; Blake Carter, Seminole OK, Mason Stueve, Newton KS split 28.2/3 $2,028.13 ea; Nick Achille, Alvin TX 30.2/3 $1,534.80; Denton Dunning, Surprise AZ 32.8/3 $1,205.91; Riley Jenkins, Big Spring TX 33.0/3 $877.03; Colten Esthay, Kaplan LA, Brayden Kunz, Milan KS split 33.4/3 $383.70 ea
    Steer Wrestling: Colton Brumley, Mocksville NC 13.2/3 $2,923.93; Ty Neal, Joaquin TX 13.4/3 $1,754.36; Colton Wilson, Burnet TX 15.3/3 $1,169.57
    Saddle Bronc: Jasper Frost, Browns Valley CA 232.0/3 $944.57 ea; Mitchie Story, Aztec NM 225.0/3 $781.71 ea; Colt Bass, Statesville NC 209.0/3 $618.86 ea; Cooper Lane, Keller TX 158.5/2 $456.00 ea; Wyatt Lavergne, Sulphur LA 151.5/2 $293.14 ea; Jase Stout, Decatur TX 150.0/2 $162.86 ea
    Bareback Bronc: Collin Roland, Childersburg AL 237.5/3 $1,010.57; Connor Griffith, Merryville LA 235.0/3 $757.93; Tate Papszycki, Cumberland Furnace TN 234.0/3 $505.29; Kashton Ford, Sturgis SD 233.5/3 $252.64
    Bull Riding: Ryker Butler, McLoud OK 167.5/2 $1,175.74; Clay Guiton, Cherryville NC 167.0/2 $973.03; John Crimber, Decatur TX 85.0/1 $770.32; Hudson Bolton, Milan TN, Jace Hensley, Paola KS split 82.5/1 $466.24 ea; Ethan Winckler, Winnie TX 78.0/1 $202.71
    Team Roping: Cason Richey, Sunset TX – Calvin Jr Taylor, Cantuillo TX 18.5/3 $3,178.44; Mason Stueve, Newton KS – Trey Adams, Junction City KS 19.0/3 $2,763.86; Dalton Huston, Decatur TX – Catcher Gasperson, Decatur TX 19.5/3 $2,349.28; Walker Guy, Waynesville NC – Houston Childers, Fairmount GA 21.8/3 $1,934.70; Briar White, Lawton OK – Hazen Suit, Ames OK 22.0/3 $1,520.12; Carson Coffelt, Ponce De Leon MO – Gus Albertson, Eldon MO 26.2/3 $1,105.54; Braxton Hughes, Canyon TX – Kyler Kanady, Breckenridge TX 27.6/3 $690.96; Levi James, Atoka OK – Garrett Hughes, Sulphur OK 28.4/3 $276.39

  • All In The Family

    All In The Family

    Four generations of the Roberts family have volunteered with the Days of ’76 rodeo   

    Deadwood, S.D. (July 10, 2023) – Pat Roberts’ life has revolved around the Days of ’76 Rodeo.

    In fact, he’s the third of four generations of Roberts who has been involved in the PRCA event, which takes place in Deadwood July 23-29.

    The first time he attended the rodeo was at four days old, in 1955, and since then, he’s never missed a single performance of the rodeo. His son Chris hasn’t either.

    It’s a tradition with the Roberts, a family affair, Chris said. He and his dad volunteer with other organizations, but the Days of ’76 is near and dear to their hearts. “The rodeo is one thing we’ve been involved with, I can say, for forever.”

    Chris’ great-granddad, also named Pat, started the tradition of volunteering with the rodeo; Pat’s son Bub, continued it; Bub’s son Pat was the third generation, becoming a committee man in the 1970s, and now Pat and his wife Annie’s son Chris continues the tradition.

    Pat remembers hearing stories of his granddad, who broke horses, mostly teams, for a living. When he would sell a team, the staunch old cowboy would tell the buyer that he’d come and get them during the Days of ’76, so they could be used to pull wagons in the parade. Pat remembers trailing sixty or seventy head of horses, some from the teams his granddad had broke and sold, from Whitewood to Deadwood for the rodeo parade each year.

    The ranchers usually didn’t mind, Pat said. “They were proud to have them in the parade, and most of them would drive their team,” on the parade route.

    As a kid, Pat was on horseback, helping run calves and steers out of the arena. He graduated to running a chalkboard: writing judges’ scores and flashing it up to the crow’s nest, before the days of electronic equipment.

    When he dated his wife, Annie, one of the first outings they had was to a Little Britches Rodeo in Deadwood. She worked in the crow’s nest as a timer and with bookwork, as he volunteered in the arena. “She knew,” he said, of his love for rodeo and “The Days,” the nickname committee members have for the event.

    They married in 1981, and had four kids: Chris, Mike, Scott and Abby.

    All four kids helped with the rodeo, and Chris has continued as an adult.

    Like his dad, Chris got his start as a kid.

    “I was probably more in the way than helping,” he said. He helped untie calves during the tie-down roping and clear the arena of calves and steers.

    He joined the committee in 2002 and served as chairman in 2012 and 2022.

    “Being on the board as long as I have, I’ve served on all the sub-committees,” he said. “That’s one thing about our rodeo. It’s all hands on deck. It’s a very involved group of people.”

    The board consists of 20 people, all volunteers, who produce the Days of ’76.

    “It’s a great, great group of people,” Chris said. “You don’t find groups like this that work as hard as we do, for the same goal, and get along so well.”

    Camaraderie among the committee members is good, he said. “We’re all good friends, and a lot of those friendships were made simply by being on the Days of ’76 committee. It’s a great group of people. I think the majority of us look forward to the meetings and getting together, and we have fun while we’re doing it.

    “The camaraderie is hard to explain, but it’s there and it’s deep.”

    Wives and kids have volunteered. Chris and his wife Abbie’s three kids volunteer, as has Abbie, and Pat’s wife Annie. “My wife has been supportive, as has Chris’s,” Pat said.

    Pat remembers when his daughter Abby was planning wedding dates for herself and soon-to-be husband. He told her, “there are three dates in my life you can sure get married on, but I won’t be there,” and one of them was the Days of ’76. “She said, ‘you’re not serious,’ and my wife said, ‘absolutely.’ We don’t plan anything for the family over those days.”

    The last full week of July, the Roberts family has plans.

    “We know exactly what we’re doing, and where we’ll be,” Chris said. “No question on any of it.”

    “It’s fun,” Pat said. “It just gets in your blood. I wouldn’t miss it for anything. I’m going to have to be pushing up daisies to miss it.”

    This year’s Days of ’76 takes place July 23-29, Performances are July 26-29 at 7 pm nightly with a 1:30 pm matinee on July 29. Slack, the extra competition that doesn’t fit into the performances, runs July 23-27.

    Tickets range in price from $11-$41 (plus fees) and can be purchased online at Daysof76.com and at the gate. For more information, visit the website.

    A free concert by the band Brule will kick of rodeo week on July 25 at 8 pm, at Outlaw Square.

    In 2011, Days of ’76 was inducted into the PRCA’s Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame.

    Dianna Palmer

    dkpalmer14@gmail.com

  • Back where it all began

    Back where it all began

    Boxleitner finds glory at Rooftop, the rodeo that pointed him toward roping

    ESTES PARK, Colo. – Just two days before his 23rd birthday, Tyler Boxleitner gave himself a bit of a present.

    He roped and tied his calf in 12.1 seconds during Sunday’s fifth performance of the Rooftop Rodeo to move into a share of the tie-down roping lead with one day left in the Town of Estes Park signature event. What makes it special are the facts around his 2023 run at the rodeo just 20 miles from his home in Loveland, Colorado.

    “Seven years ago I came to this rodeo with my mom to watch the barrel racing,” said Boxleitner, whose mom, Kari, and sister, Taryn are barrel racers. “That was the day I decided to become a calf roper, and I ran with it. It’s special to be here at the rodeo that started it all. To be able to be splitting the average and win the first round is just an unbelievable feeling.”

    All of this week’s experiences give him a hometown feeling, because so much of his life has been spent up the mountain at the base of the Rocky Mountain National Park.

    “I grew up fishing and hunting around Estes Park,” he said. “It’s just a special place. Loveland is a special place to me, but this is one of my favorite rodeos, especially now.”

    Boxleitner stopped the clock in 9.9 seconds Thursday night to win the first round. That was worth $1,620 and gave him a boost he needs to catch Mountain States Circuit leader Riley Pruitt. Leading up to Sunday night, Boxleitner had earned $6,889 in the region made up primarily of rodeos and contestants in Colorado and Wyoming.

    His earnings in Estes Park already have shot him to the standings lead, and he’ll add to it with his average check. He and Kincade Henry each roped two calves in a cumulative time of 22.0 seconds. Boxleitner began competing in ProRodeo in 2019 and has tried his hand at competing full time. This year, though, his focus is on rodeoing primarily in the circuit.

    “I decided this year the best option for me was to stay close to home and finish out my 7-year-old horse named Slick,” he said of the sorrel gelding. “I made the decision to stay on him no matter how bad or good it went and just try to figure it out on him. It’s been really good on him lately.”

    “I plan to go for (the National Finals Rodeo) next year. I’m going to try to dominate the circuit this year and be ready to hit the trail hard come Oct. 1.”

    The ProRodeo season is cyclical. It runs Oct. 1 of one year to Sept. 30 of the next, but world champions aren’t crowned until the NFR in December. In order to win a gold buckle, cowboys and cowgirls must qualify for the finale, but only the top 15 in the world standings at the end of the regular season earn that right.

    All the positives are stacking up for Boxleitner. He trusts his young horse, because the gelding always works to help his human partner. It takes a horse that can get to the calf quickly, then stop fast and keep the line tight to allow the cowboy to tie three legs together. It’s a combination of horsemanship and the thrill of competition that drives him.

    “At the end of the day, it’s you and your horse, and you’re competing against your calf and don’t have to rely on anybody else,” Boxleitner said. “It’s on you and your horse to make the best run you can. Maybe it’s selfish, but I like to win my self and not have to share the glory.

    “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and it’s something you can never quit getting better at and never quit learning. I think that’s why I’m so drawn to it. I’m always trying to get better. You can never hit the ceiling.”

     

    Results
    Rooftop Rodeo
    July 5-10
    Bareback riding : 1. (tie) Waylon Bourgeois, on The Cervi Brothers’ Bazinga, and Richmond Champion, on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Hitman, 85.5 points; 3. Jacob Raine, 85; 4. Lane McGehee, 83; 5. (tie) Kade Berry, Keenan Hayes and Jacob Lees, 79.

    Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Aaron Vosler, 3.6 seconds, $1,721; 2. Riley Duvall, 3.7, $1,425; 3. Bridger Anderson, 4.1, $1,128; 4. (tie) Rowdy Parrott and Cash Robb, 4.3, $683 each; 6. (tie) Jace Joos and Tristan Martin, 4.5, $148 each. Second round: 1. Brandon Harrison, 3.6 seconds; 2. Clayton Hass, 3.7; 3. Stephen Culling, 3.9; 4. Kyler Dick, 4.2; 5. Dakota Eldridge, 4.5; 6. Walt Arnold, 4.6. Average: 1. (tie) Aaron Vosler and Dakota Eldridge, 9.1 seconds on two head; 3. Rowdy Parrott, 9.2; 4. Bridger Anderson, 9.3; 5. Tyler Pearson, 9.9; 6. Kyler Dick, 10.8.

    Team roping: First round: 1. Korbin Rice/Jake South, 4.4 seconds, $1,721 each; 2. Tyler Wade/Wesley Thorp, 4.5, $1,425; 3. (tie) Cam Jensen/Tanner Whetham and Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 4.7, $979 each; 5. Lightning Aguilera/Jared Fillmore, 4.8, $534; 6. (tie) Pedro Egurrola/JC Flake and Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, 5.0, $148 each. Second round: 1. (tie) Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith and Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 4.2 seconds; 3. Dustin Egusquiza/Levi Lord, 4.3; 4. Payden Emmett/Lucas Falconer, 4.5; 5. (tie) Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson and Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 4.7 each. Average: 1. (tie) Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II and Kreece Thompson/Landen Glenn, 9.4 seconds on two head; 3. Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson, 9.7; 4. Korbin Rice/Jake South, 9.8; 5. Lightning Aguilera/Jared Fillmore, 10.3; 6. Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 14.2.

    Saddle bronc riding: 1. Stu Wright, 87.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Ricky Bobby; 2. Stetson Dell Wright, 87; 3. Kade Bruno, 86; 4. Sam Martin, 84; 5. Cort Scheer, 83; 6. Lefty Marvel Holman, 82.5.

    Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Tyler Boxleitner, 9.9 seconds, $1,620; 2. Kincade Henry, 10.1, $1,341; 3. Kyle Dickens, 10.2, $1,061; 4. Colton Farquer, 10.7, $782; 5. Ross McAdow, 12.2, $503; 6. Zaine Mikita, 12.9, $279. Second round: 1. Jeremiah Peek, 10.0 seconds; 2. Kincade Henry, 11.9; 3. Tyler Boxleitner, 12.1; 4. Ricky Lambert, 12.5; 5. Seth Peterson, 12.6; 6. Cash Hooper, 13.3. Average: 1. (tie) Kincade Henry and Tyler Boxleitner, 22.0 seconds on two head; 3. Seth Peterson, 25.7; 4. David Trahan, 28.8; 5. (tie) Cash Hooper and Ross McAdow, 29.7 each; no other qualified runs.

    Barrel racing: 1. Shelley Morgan, 15.84 seconds; 2. Steely Steiner, 16.01; 3. Hayle Gibson, 16.10; 4. Kelly Allen, 16.11; 5. Kelly Yates, 16.14; 6. (tie) Michelle Darling and Makala Pierce, 16.18; Sadie Wolaver, 16.19; 9. (tie) Rainey Skelton, Heidi Tillard and Sydney Graham, 16.21; 12. (tie) Michelle Merrick and Halyn Lide, 16.24; 14. (tie) Fallon Forbes and Preslie Reid, 16.25.

    Bull riding: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, 88 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Theodore; 2. Tyler Kippes, 87.5; 3. Wyatt Phelps, 83; 4. Luke Mast, 82; 5. Fulton Rutland, 81; 6. Braden Richardson, 80.5.

     

  • Beisel and Boisjoli Best Over Fourth of July

    Beisel and Boisjoli Best Over Fourth of July

    COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – Emily Beisel (pictured here at Prescott, WPRA photo by Fernando Sam-Sin)  and Shelby Boisjoli turned in A-plus performances over the Fourth of July known as Cowboy Christmas to lead their respective events in total money won at rodeos that were contested between June 26 and July 5.

    This is the second time for Beisel to capture this accomplishment but first for Boisjoli. Beisel won a total of $25,277, while Boisjoli led all breakaway ropers with $15,397. Both had some major competition with Beisel edging Paige Jones by just over $500. Jones finished with $24,776 and Carlee Otero was third with $22,795. Boisjoli narrowly edged Beau Peterson who finished with $15,186 and Kelsie Domer with $13,980. Peterson won the Basin City (WA) Freedom Rodeo to close out the Fourth of July run and almost overtook Boisjoli, who also picked up one final check to push total over $15,000 and hold onto the top spot.

    Beisel collected her biggest check North of the border at the Ponoka Stampede. She took the title aboard Chongo and added $16,835 to her 2023 earnings. She also picked up checks at the Cody (WY) Stampede – $4,019, Home of Champions (Livingston, MT) – $2,410 and the Molalla (OR) Buckaroo Rodeo – $2,013.

    The timing of Beisel and Jones finishing 1-2, couldn’t have been better especially when looking at their horsepower and the ranch their mounts came from. As the 2003 WPRA World Champion Janae Ward Massey posted on her social media page:

    “What a 4th of July in the rodeo arena for Youree Ranch horses. Emily Beisel and Paige Jones banked over $50,000 between them on Bazinga, Pipewrench, Chongo and Beau. Way to go girls, can’t wait to see you in the bright lights of Vegas! You make the ranch proud.”

    The Youree family has played a big part in the history of the WPRA and their horse breeding program continues to make headlines.

    For Boisjoli her biggest check came at the World’s Oldest Rodeo in Prescott (AZ) where she won the title and $7,896. She also collected checks at the Greeley (CO) Independence Stampede – $1,106, the Black Hills Roundup (Belle Fourche, SD) – $1,961, the Mandan (ND) Rodeo Days – $3,917 and Basin City (WA) Freedom Rodeo – $517 to bring her 2023 Fourth of July to a close. Boisjoli has sure been on a hot streak as of late winning the Reno (NV) Rodeo the weekend prior to Cowboy Christmas getting underway.

    Boisjoli’s No. 1 fan is no doubt her husband Haven Meged, who won the PRCA Tie-Down Roping World Title in 2019. He is now trying to help his wife do the same on the breakaway side.

    Stay tuned to how all these ladies finish out their already spectacular 2023 rodeo season. Full coverage will be in the August issue of the WPRA News.

    Cowboy Christmas – Top 10

    Barrel Racing

    1. Emily Beisel   $25,277
    2. Paige Jones     $24,776
    3. Carlee Otero   $22,795
    4. Stevi Hillman $17,161
    5. Tracy Nowlin  $16,484
    6. Dona Kay Rule           $16,029
    7. Ashley Castleberry     $14,352
    8. Ilyssa Riley     $13,703
    9. Hailey Kinsel  $12,893
    10. Tarryn Lee      $12,234

     

    Breakaway Roping

    1. Shelby Boisjoli       $15,397
    2. Beau Peterson         $15,186
    3. Kelsie Domer          $13,980
    4. Rickie Engesser      $13,010
    5. Madalyn Richards  $11,144
    6. Martha Angelone    $10,663
    7. Taylor Munsell       $8,459
    8. Cheyanne Guillory $8,101
    9. Danielle Lowman   $7,518
    10. Nicole Baggarley  $7,331
  • 104th Cody Stampede Rodeo closes with a bang

    104th Cody Stampede Rodeo closes with a bang

    CODY, Wyo., July 4, 2023 — In spite of mud, a unseasonably cool temperatures, the final performance of this year’s Cody Stamped Rodeo offered plenty of excitement, or maybe it was because of the mud.

    Cowboys and cowgirls had plenty to clean up after making an appearance at Stampede Park on the Fourth of July and some of them did it with a big smile on their face. At the top of that list is Stetson Wright from Milford, Utah.

    The four-time world champion all-around cowboy showed fans here just why he has earned that title. He competed in the saddle bronc riding and placed fourth. Then he brushed off a little mud and got ready for the bull riding.

    The bull he got on was Pokerface from Frontier Rodeo Company. Wright matched him move for move and when the judges added up their scores, Stetson had a 90-by his name. His ride came after Tristen Hutchings, the reigning National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association champion scored an 89. Wright’s win added $10,039 to his season earnings. Before the lucrative Fourth-of-July holiday, known as Cowboy Christmas, he was third in the world standings with $131,513. His traveling partner Ky Hamilton is first in the standings and has a $10,000 lead.

    Wright’s check in the saddle bronc riding was for $3,557 making him the big money winner at the 104th edition of the Cody Stamped. He earned $13,596 from the rodeo which paid nearly $400,000 to athletes. Next in line at the pay window was barrel racer Paige Jones from Wayne, Oklahoma, who stopped the clock in 17.20 seconds during the third performance of the rodeo. She was 16th in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world standings prior to the win. It should move her into the top 15 and give her an opportunity to make her first trip to Las Vegas to compete at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

    The 104th Cody Stampede Rodeo is part of the Cinch Playoff Series, so contestants are earning points to qualify for events at the end of the season that could seal their trip to Las Vegas in December to compete for world championships. The third and fourth performances were both sold out and other performances were near capacity. The Cody Nite Rodeo gets back on schedule July 5, and runs through the end of August with rising stars advancing their skills.

     

     

    104th Cody Stampede Champions

    Bareback Riding — Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa, 89 points, $9,870

    Steer Wrestling – Blake Knowles, Heppner, Ore., 3.9 seconds, $8,885

    Team Roping – Tanner Tomlinson, Angleton, Texas & Patrick Smith, Lipan, Texas, 4.6 seconds, $8,310

    Saddle Bronc Riding – Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont., 89 points, $9701

    Breakaway Roping – Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 2.0, , $5,104

    Tie-Down Roping – King Pickett, Weatherford, Texas, 7.4 seconds, $9,668

    Barrel Racing – Paige Jones, 17.20 seconds, $11,759

    Bull Riding – Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah, 90 points, $10,039

     

    The following are unofficial results from the 104th Cody Stampede, Tuesday, July 4, 2023 —

    Bareback riding: 1, Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa, 89 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Breaking News, $9,870. 2, Keenan Reed Hayes, Hayden, Colo., 88.5, $7,567. 3, Waylon Bourgeois, Church Point, La., 86.5, $5,593, 4, Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, 86, $3,619. 5, (tie) Bradlee Miller, Huntsville, Texas, and Dean Thompson, Altamont, Utah, 85.5 and $1,974 each. 7, (tie) Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla.; Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn.; and Sam Petersen, Helena, Mont., 84.5, $768.

     

    Steer wrestling: 1, Blake Knowles, Heppner, Ore.,3.9 seconds, 8,865. 2, Aaron Vosler, Laramie, Wyo., 4.2, $7,840. 3, (tie) Bridger Anderson, Carrington, N.D., and Reed Kraeger, Waco, Neb., 4.3 and $6,272 each. 5, Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont., 4.4, $5,226.  6, (tie) Stephen Culling, Fort St. John, British Columbia, and  Olin Hannum, Malad, Idaho, 4.7, $4,442. 8, (tie) Coltin Justin Crawford, Drayton Valley, Alberta, Denver Berry, Checotah, Okla.; and Kyler Dick, Oakley, Utah, 4.8, $2,962.

     

    Team roping: 1, Tanner Tomlinson, Angleton, Texas, and Patrick Smith, Lipan, Texas, 4.6 seconds, $8,310. 2, Ty Arnold, Midway, Texas and Kaden Profili, Jacksonville, Texas, 4.7, $7,332. 3, (tie) Jake Cooper Clay, Sapulpa, Okla., and Kollin VonAhn, Blanchard, Okla.; and Nelson Wyatt, Clanton, Ala., and Chase Tryan, Helena, Mont., 4.9, $5,866. 5, Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn., and Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo., 5.0, $4,888. 6, (tie) Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla., and Coleby Payne, Stephenville, Texas; Jr. Dees, Aurora, S.D., and Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas; Garrett Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, and jace Davis, Stephenville, Texas; Keven Danile, Franklin, Tenn., and Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 5.1, $3,666. 7, (tie) Garrett Rogers, Baker City, Ore., and Jake Minor, Ellensburg, Wash,; and Dawson and Dillon Graham, Wainwright, Alberta, 5.3, $978.

     

    Saddle bronc riding: 1, Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont., 89 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Miss Ellie, $9,701. 2, Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas, 88.5, $7,437. 3, Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., 87.5, 5,497. 4, Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah, 86.5, $3,557. 5, Ben T. Andersen, Eckville, Alberta, 86, $2,264. 6, Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D., 85, $1,617. 7, Leon Fountain, Corona, N.M., 84, $1,293. 8, (tie) Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, and Tegan Smith, Winterset, Iowa, 83.5, $485.

     

    Breakaway roping: 1, Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 2..0 seconds, $5,104 . 2, (tie) Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D., and Bryanna Lehrmann, Lexington, Texas, 2.3, $3,701 each. 4, (tie) McKenna Hickson, Lipan, Texas; Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, Ariz.; Macy Young, Wittman, Ariz.; Shaylee Terry, McKinnon, Wyo.; and Peggy Garman, Sundance, Wyo.; 2.4, $1,710. 9, (tie) Taylor Engesser, Spearfish, S.D.; Taya McAdow, Fort Lupton, Colo.; and Erin Johnson, Fowler, Colo.; 2.5, $893. 12, Alie Thiel, Eaton, Colo.; Elizabeth French, Glasgow, Mont.; Sarah Angelone, Lipan, Texas; and RyleeGeorge, Oakdale, Calif., 2.6, $447.

     

    Tie-down roping: 1, King Pickett, Weatherford, Texas, 7.4 seconds, $9,668. 2, Jake Pratt5,687, Ellensburg, Wash., 8.0, $8,531. 3, Hagen Houck, Henrietta, Texas, 8.1, $7,393. 4, Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas, 8.5, $6,256. 5, Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas, 8.6, $5,687. 6, Kincade Henry, Mount Pleasant, Texas, 8.7, $5,118. 7, (tie) Tyler Boxleitner, Loveland, Colo.; Zack Jongbloed, Iowa, La.; and Chris McCuistion, Collinsville, Texas; 8.8, $3,981.  10, (tie) Karson Kolacek, West, Texas; Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb.; Jordan Ketscher, Squaw Valley, Calif.; Sterling Smith, Stephenville, Texas; and Marcos Costa, Iratama, Brazil, 8.9, $455.

     

    Barrel Racing: 1, Paige Jones, Wayne, Oklahoma, 17.20 seconds, $11,759. 2, Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 17.34,  $9,408. 3, Sydney Graham, Abilene, Texas, 17.36, $7,644.  4, Michelle Darling, Medford, Okla., 17.47, $5,880. 5, (tie) Stevi Hillman, Granbury, Texas, and Emily Biesel, Weatherford, Okla., 17.48  and $4,116 each. 7, Ivy Saebens, Nowata, Okla., 17.55, $2,940. 8, (tie) Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla., and Margo Crowther, North Fort Myers, Fla., 17.56, $2,499. 10, (tie) Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla., and Taycie Matthews, Wynne, Ark., 17.59, $1,911. 13, Shelley Morgan, Eustace, Texas, 17.63, $1,470. 14, Victoria Proctor, Ledbetter, Texas, 17.64, $1,176. 15, (tie) Hailey Garrison, Glen, Mont., and Abigail Knight, Charlo, Mont., 17.66, $294.

     

    Bull Riding: 1, Stetson Wright, 90 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Pokerface, $10,039. 2, Tristen Hutchings, Montview, Idaho, 89, $7,697. 3, Tyler Bingham, Howell, Utah, 87.5, $5,689. 4, (tie) Maverick Potter, Waxahachie, Texas, and Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho, 86, $3,012. 6, (tie) Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla., and Bryce Burnell,  Sheridan, Wyo., 84, $1,506. 8, Ruger Piva, Challis, Idaho, 82.5, $1,004.