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  • Champions crowned at Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping

    Champions crowned at Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping

    Angelone takes home the gold

    LAS VEGAS, Nevada (November 30, 2022) – The third annual Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping presented by Teton Ridge came to a close on Wednesday with fast-paced emotional action.

    Taylor Munsell, the 2019 college champion from Alva, Oklahoma, set the pace in round six at 2.1 seconds for her second win in the 10-head competition. Munsell also tied with J.J. Hampton for the win in round 10. It was the first time in 2022 that Hampton got to make the victory lap, but the third final round win for the veteran roper from Stephenville, Texas resident. She also won round 10 in 2020 and 2021.

    Round seven saw Joey Williams break the 2.0 second mark. Williams, from Volborg, Montana, stopped the clock in 1.9 seconds for the win. Round eight got even faster as world standings leader Martha Angelone got the win at 1.8. That added $5,080 to her impressive earnings and put the seal on her 2022 world championship. It also earned her the Betty Gayle Copper Fast Time Award from the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame. She finished the season with $130,303 and earned her first world title.

    “This is awesome,” Angelone said. “I left Virginia with nothing. When they started adding breakaway roping to the pro rodeos, I set a goal to go to as many as I could, win as much as I could and get a world title.”

    Cadee Williams from Weatherford, Texas, won the event championship by roping 10 calves in 31.9 seconds to get the second most prestigious title in rodeo. Williams grew up in Montana as Cadee Tew, married a Texan and now she and her family spend summers in Montana and compete at rodeos there.

    “We all knew that Martha was going to win it (the world title) so going for the average was the next goal.” Williams said. “My mare is just seven years old, so this was a real test. We do this as a family, so it’s a win for the whole family.”

    The big money winner in the South Point Arena was Cheyanne Guillory, from Kingston, Oklahoma who collected $27,037.

    First round: 1, Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla., 2.3 seconds, $5,080. 2, Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas, 2.6, $4,204. 3, Erin Johnson, Fowler, Colo., 2.8, $3,328. 4, Cadee Williams, Weatherford, Texas, 2.9, $2,452.  5, Jordi Edens, Gatesville, Texas, 3.0, $1,577.  6, Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan., 3.1, $876.

    Second round: 1, Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D., 2.0 seconds, $5,080.  2, (tie) Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas; Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla.; Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas; and Josie Connor, Iowa, La.; 2.2 and $2,890.  6, Joey Williams, Volberg, Mont., 2.3, $876.

    Third round: 1, Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D., 2.1 seconds, $5,080. 2, Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas, 2.2, $4,204. 3, (tie) Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas, and Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D., 2.3, $2,890 each. 5, Joey Williams, Volborg, Mont., 2.4, $1,577. 6, Cheyanne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., 2.5, $876.

    Fourth round: 1, Cheyanne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., 2.0 seconds, $5,080. 2, Joey Williams, Volborg, Mont., 2.1, $4,204. 3, (tie) Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan.; J.J. Hampton, Stephenville, Texas; and Josie Conner, Iowa, La., 2.3, $2,452 each. 6, (tie) Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla. And Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 2.4, $438.

    Fifth round: 1, Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D., 2.1 seconds, $5,080. 2, (tie) Jordi Edens, Gatesville, Texas, and Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas, 2.2, $3,766 each. 4, Cadee Williams, Weatherford, Texas, 2.4, $2,452. 5, (tie) Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas, and Josie Connor, Iowa, La., 2.6, $1,226.

    Round 6: 1, Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla., 2.1 seconds, $5,080. 2, Erin Johnson, Fowler, Colo., 2.4, $4,204. 3, Cheyenne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., $3,328. 4, Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas, , 2.9, $2,452.  5, Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan., 2.9, $1,577.  6, Cadee Williams, Weatherford, Texas, 3.4, $876.

    Round 7: 1, Joey Williams, Volborg, Mont., 1.9 seconds, $5,080.  2, Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 2.2, $4,204. 3, (tie) Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas, and Erin Johnson, Fowler, Colo., 2.3, $2,890 each. 5, Cheyanne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., 2.5, $1,577.  6, Taylor Hanchey, Carmine, Texas, 2.8, $876.

    Round 8: 1, Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 1.8, $5,080. 2, Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D., 1.9, $4,204. 3, Cheyanne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., 2.0, $3,328. 4, (tie) Jordi Edens, Gatesville, Texas, and Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla., 2.1, $2,015 each. 6, (tie) Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D., and Taylor Hanchey, Carmine, Texas, 2.2, $438 each.

    Round 9: 1, (tie) Taylor Hanchey, Carmine, Texas, and Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, 2.1, $4,624. 3, J.J. Hampton, Stephenville, Texas, 2.2, $3,328. 4, Cheyanne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., 2.4, $2,452. 5, (tie) Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas, and Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D., 2.9, $1,226.

    Round 10: 1, (tie) J.J. Hampton, Stephenville, Texas, and Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla., 2.2, $4,624 each. 3, Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D., 2.3, $3,328. 4, Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, $2,452. 5, Josie Conner, Iowa, La., 2.8, $1,577. 6, Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan., 3.0, $675.

    Overall winners: (total on 10) 1, Cadee Williams, Weatherford, Texas, 31.90, $13,866. 2, Lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas, 40.1, $11,250. (on nine) 3, Cheyenne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., $8,895. 4, Beau Peterson, Council Grove, Kan., 36.3, $6,541. 5, Erin Johnson, Fowler, Colo., 43.40, $4,709. 6, Joey Williams, Volborg, Mont., 50.5, $3,401. 7, Josie Conner, Iowa, La., 51.7, $2,355. 8, (on eight) Taylor Munsell, Alva, Okla., 19.9, $1,308.

     

     

     

     

     

  • 6 Over 60: Judy Wagner

    6 Over 60: Judy Wagner

    “A woman who knows the ropes isn’t likely to get tied up,” says Mae West. It’s a concept that Judy Wagner takes seriously, whose background in ranching and owning Gator Ropes for ten years gave her an affinity for the lithe and useful tool. Just as she relies on its strength to catch a steer or a loose calf, Judy relies on certain strands of the Western lifestyle to put her best boot forward in her family, in her work as the Chief Marketing Officer for Montana Silversmiths, and in the rodeo community at large.
    Born in 1953 in Avon, Montana, Judy was the oldest of eight children and a handy cowgirl as soon as she could walk. By the time she finished high school, she had 14 years of 4-H under her belt and an entrepreneurial outlook. “The cows don’t know it’s Christmas, and it’s that simple and that complicated. But if you take care of your responsibilities, and work from those values and what you learn as a kid growing up on a ranch—or in sports or other teamwork—that eventually sets the foundation for you as you go into your work life.”
    A marketing degree wasn’t common in college at that time, so Judy studied home economics and child development, then took a job as a county extension agent for Teton County. Her husband, Alvin Wagner, whom she met in college, was a sales representative in the western industry, and he helped Judy as she entered into a partnership with another family to create Gator Ropes in 1988.
    “I went to a business class two years after starting Gator Ropes, and I remember thinking I’d be scared to death now if I had known all of that just starting out. I just jumped in because it was my passion and I didn’t know you couldn’t succeed,” says Judy. “I’m thankful for the people at that time like Jake Barnes, Clay O’Brien Cooper, and Speed Williams who gave endorsements, and the people who helped me with advertising or questions with the business. With the other rope companies back then, we were friends more than competitors, and we sharpened each other like steel on steel. I think I earned the respect of the industry because they saw the blood, sweat, and tears it takes to own a business. Because for me, business is personal and I want to create something of value. I used what I call WIT, whatever it takes, to get the jobs done.
    “I love to speak and tell stories, and one goes back to the creation of the rope and the threads that bind us. And that’s how I look at marketing or the world, because in this industry or this country, we are stronger when we are together.” One of Judy’s strands, which comes from the term she coined, Ranch Grown Logic, is keeping your eyes on the goal. “I was helping my brother at his ranch gather heifers and steers, and I was riding a younger horse. We had to cross a ditch, but it practically turned into a ravine because he just didn’t want to cross it. Thankfully my brother saw I was struggling and came back, and he said, ‘Judy, look up.’ And for me, that was exactly it. You must look where you want to go, and when you do that, you release everything. If I get stuck now, I look up and see where I need to go.”
    Another strand in Judy’s rope of life is what she calls “getting your cowgirl on.” She met a woman near her age one year at the PBR Finals in Las Vegas and was impressed with her spiritedness, especially after learning the woman had recovered from a stroke, coma, and six months recovery on her couch. “In her own way, she was telling me, ‘Get your cowgirl on.’ It gave me so much strength and courage, and for me, wearing a cowboy hat helps me get to peak performance. It brings me pride in and out of the arena and gives me strength.”
    Judy is also passionate about passing that encouragement and strength along to others, inspired by another one of what she calls divine appointments. “I was fortunate enough to be a side walker for a handicapped lady. I was walking beside her and she was riding a big bay horse. She kept talking to it, and when she got done, she reached down and put her arms around his neck and said, ‘Good job, cowboy.’ Her voice rings still in my ears today. I try to pass that on now, like in my social media posts. I want to encourage people to keep going, keep riding, and keep making a difference. We need help and relationships, and in this sport, we know we can ask for help. That gives us the strength to be courageous no matter what lies ahead of us.”
    Judy feels another important strand in life is to continue dreaming, always. “It doesn’t matter how old you are—never stop dreaming. We each have a season, and whatever that is, we can break the trail for our time. For the women in this group of 6 Over 60, this is our time to break ground in our season. We can celebrate each other in and out of the arena and create those strong ties. We are stronger together, and as we tie these strands together, what we give comes back tenfold. We couldn’t do it without each other.”
    In 1998, Judy sold Gator Ropes back to her original partners and tried her hand at freelance marketing, while she also helped establish an all-girl rodeo team in Helena, Montana, and several other rodeo teams in her area. In 1990, she won the John Justin Boots Standard of the West award for the Rocky Mountain All Girl Team, a pre rodeo event for the Last Chance Stampede in Helena. In 2000, she had her second job interview ever and started working for Montana Silversmiths. Judy is now marking 20 years with the company, and was promoted to Chief Marketing Officer in January of 2022.
    She and her husband Alvin continue to make their home in Park City, Montana. Their two children, Tiffany and Ross, both carry on the family love of the West. Tiffany trains horses, and Ross and his wife Casey own Big Time Barrel Racing Championships and Wagner Performance Horses. Judy loves to team rope and won WPRA Heading Rookie of the Year in 2014 at the age of 60. She also competes in the Wrangler Team Roping Championships and National Team Roping. “A year and a half ago, I became a grandmother to Westee Rein, and she and my family are the light of my life,” says Judy. “Life now is about quality time with them, work-life balance, and appreciating the moments with faith, family, and friends.”

  • National Little Britches World Champion: Connor Griffith

    National Little Britches World Champion: Connor Griffith

    Connor Griffith’s goal going into the 2022 NLBFR was to win three saddles, including the bareback riding title that had eluded him two years in a row. The 18-year-old, who is originally from Skullbone, Tennessee, accomplished that goal and then some, winning the Finals all-around, ribbon roping, tie-down roping, bareback riding, and all-around world titles in the senior boy division.
    Connor practiced persistently leading up to the Finals, but says his success after that came from his hectic schedule, competing in every event but bull riding. “I couldn’t think about anything because I was running back and forth nonstop. It helped me to my advantage because all I had to do was one event at a time, and if I messed up a bit at one, I couldn’t get upset about it because I had another event and they were waiting on me in the next arena. I was extremely exhausted but I just kept pushing through. My last event was steer wrestling, and I ran fast to get to it. My buddy was throwing on my back number while I ran. I was so winded when I got on my horse that all I could think about was getting off. I was a 4.5 on the steer. It was definitely the best year I’ve had at the Little Britches Finals, and I really got my mind right when I saw I could accomplish that. I’ve started setting bigger goals every year and now that’s all I’m thinking about.”
    Now a freshman at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Connor is attending on a rodeo scholarship and studying Ag. business. He toured the school following the NLBFR and lives with horse trainer and tie-down roper Bob Abernathy. “I love the coach (Justin Browning) and I love my school,” says Connor, who is competing in bareback and saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, and team roping. Along with practicing with the team, he ropes daily with Bob Abernathy, who competed in The American. “There’s so much opportunity down here to be the best you can possibly be. Every rodeo you go to now, there’s going to be at least five guys that made the NFR in our region, and that makes you want to step it up. There are kids in the school that are pro rodeoing and placing in the top 25—30 in the world, and being surrounded by them every day and rodeoing with them will eventually make you better.”
    Connor attributes his work ethic to the example his mom, Christina Griffith, has set for him. “My mom is a very hard-working woman and has taught me throughout life how to get through things. Even if you don’t have as much as somebody else, you train that horse and work with what you have. She motivates me to be better and she has taught me that hard work can pay off. It might take a while or be a rough time, but it will pay off.” Connor also looks up to his friend Sam Smith, whom he lived with in Alabama for several summers while competing in amateur rodeos and Little Britches. “He’s the man who helped me be where I am today, and he’s pretty much the dad figure. One of the greatest things is that I met him through Little Britches, and ever since then, he took me in and helped me a lot with my roping and being a better guy.”
    Competing in Little Britches since 2014 has also impacted Connor, both in life lessons and in rodeo. “The main thing is that no matter who you’re around, be the same person, and be humble about it. If it’s a little kid, you were once in their shoes, and everyone has to start somewhere,” says Connor, who served on the NLBRA National Youth Board for three years. He plans to rodeo in Little Britches another season and qualify for the NLBFR. “There’s so much opportunity now with scholarships, and that is an extremely big help when you get to college.”
    With 40 saddles to his name, including his 2022 IFYR Bareback Riding Champion saddle, Connor continues to set higher goals. “In our region, my goal is to win the all-around and make the college finals. That’s a very different level of goal, but if you set them little and not too hard, it’s not a goal. I know it will take a lot of work and struggle, but I’m going to fight through it. And my goal after this year is to get on my (PRCA) permit. I want to stay around here and work on myself. There are so many opportunities to be great around here and get prepared. Then I can go to a pro rodeo and feel confident about it.”

  • Back When They Bucked with Mel Potter

    Back When They Bucked with Mel Potter

    Cranberries are about the farthest thing you can think of from rodeo – and yet – one of the most interesting, versatile and capable cowboys for the last sixty years has had both cranberries and rodeo as primary interests in his life. Mel Potter is a cranberry farmer – a proven professional roper – a stock contractor – and breeds, raises and trains some of the top horses in the rodeo arena.
    Here is Mel’s story: Granddad Melvin Potter began raising cranberries in Wisconsin in 1880. The family marsh where cranberries come from is still in operation today. His son, Roy, followed in his footsteps, as did Roy’s son, Mel Potter. The cranberry business goes dormant during the winter. As Mel says, “Wisconsin is like Siberia in the winter.” The cranberries are frozen in the marsh during the winter, but when spring comes the cranberries come back to life. Mel’s family also raised mink, and that could have been the catalyst for why Mel got an Animal Science degree from the University of Arizona.
    Mel was born in 1935 to Roy and Josephine Potter. When he was 9 his family began spending the winters in Arizona. Mel went to school in a two-room school with twenty other students in grades 6th through 7th. Back in Wisconsin all of Mel’s contemporaries were into the regular sports – baseball, basketball and football. But at Mel’s school in Arizona the kids at school rode horses and roped or rodeo’d as often as they could. It was not surprising that Mel took up roping and team tying (which was big in Arizona at that time). He even rode a few bulls. He knew he wanted to be a cowboy. Mel competed in 13 Junior Rodeos and during high school he qualified for the 1951 High School National Finals, held in Sulphur, Louisiana.
    At rodeos in Arizona, Mel watched the ropers from that area that always won – John Rhoades, Lynn and Chuck Sheppard. Mel was all ready competing at area Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA) rodeos. He said at that time RCA would let non-members compete, but if you started winning any money you had to join. Mel was only 16 when he started winning, so he joined in 1951.
    Mel and Wendy were married in 1954. They went off to the University of Arizona where Mel was on the rodeo team. He won the All-Around at the University of Arizona rodeo when he was a senior. They have two daughters, Jo Lynn Alexander, born in 1958 and Sherry born in 1975.
    After graduation Mel and a friend, Russ Gregg, got the bright idea to travel back up to Wisconsin and compete in some of the rodeos there. They thought all the ‘toughs’ (top winning cowboys)) would be at rodeos in other locales, not Wisconsin. They just knew they could win lots of money. It was quite a shock when they got to their first Wisconsin rodeo at Madison and all the ‘toughs’ were there, too! Mel and Russ joined the labor list at the rodeo and that helped them get paid enough to be able to compete. The biggest surprise is those ‘toughs’ looked after Mel and Russ, and they also got lots of free advice from them, which they appreciated and needed.
    As time went on Mel’s roping kept getting better. He qualified in the calf roping event for the first National Finals in 1959. He won the 5th go-round and won $434 at the Finals. After the Finals he went home in Wisconsin. He realized he had a worn-out stationwagon, a horse trailer that needed new tires, a crippled horse, and enough money from his winnings to enter maybe seven or eight rodeos. His dad, who Mel described as a hard-headed businessman, said, “What do you think of rodeo now?” That’s when Mel decided to go in the cranberry business. However, he continued to compete in rodeos. In fact, he learned to fly so he could get to more rodeos and still be able to work. He also moved his legal residence to Arizona.
    A few years later Mel, Jack Brainard and John Snow decided that the big money in rodeo was in the stock contracting business. Brainard had learned a great deal about stock contracting by being associated with stock contractor Leo Cremer, from Montana. Both Mel and Jack had competed and John was a rodeo announcer. The three men started a new company in 1964 named Rodeo, Incorporated (Rodeo, Inc.). They heard Oral Zumwalt, a well-known stock contractor from Missoula MT, was selling out and they purchased 10 good broncs from his string. Most of Rodeo Inc’s rodeos were in the mid-west as well as State Fairs in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Iowa and Minnesota.
    Mel said, “One day I got a call from Feek Tooke, who said he had some horses we could use. I had never heard of Tooke and I called my friend, Bill Linderman, President of RCA, and ask him about Tooke. Bill said, ‘If you can get his best horses you’ll have the best bucking stock in the business. But I think he’d rather sell you his wife than his horses.’” The three partners flew up to Ekalaka, Montana and Tooke showed them his horses. He knew all their breeding and history. Tooke said, “These are my best old horses, and he pulled out 20 for them to buy.” Tooke said he would take $500 a horse. As the three owners of Rodeo, Inc. stood there figuring out how they would borrow the money, Tooke said: “Boys, just pay me what you can now and pay the rest when you make it.” And with a handshake the deal was made.
    “We bucked ‘em at our first rodeo after that and they darn near bucked every cowboy off, no matter who they were. They were rank broncs. The first year we had them we sent six to the National Finals,” explained Mel. In 1966, Rodeo, Inc. had the NFR Top Saddle Bronc, Tea Trader. Their bronc Sheep Mountain got that honor in 1967. Major Reno was Top Saddle Bronc for 1968 and for 1969 Major Reno tied with Big Bend’s Trade Wind for Top NFR Saddle Bronc. They were all Feek Tooke bred broncs. “All the breeding programs in professional rodeo, at that time, except Kesler, were out of Feek’s horses. He sent us horses two more times, which were top rate. We were lucky to have had such a relationship with him. I was a pall bearer at his funeral,” said Mel.
    “On one of the flights back from Feek’s we didn’t know exactly where we were but we saw a rodeo being held. We landed and it was Mobridge, North Dakota. We saw a bronc that was so good, named Chief Crazy Horse, we bought him for $127.50. He was one of the best we ever owned, too. We were stock contractors for ten years before we had out dispersal sale, during the National Finals. I never worked so hard at anything as I did then. But I learned so much during those years. The last three years we made money and had some great rodeos,” Mel laughed. “I feel like I’ve been on vacation ever since.”
    When asked, Mel said Dean Oliver and Jess Goodspeed were two of his biggest competitors. “Jess Goodspeed taught me how to beat the top guys,” admitted Mel. “He bought some of the best calf roping horses.” Other competitors he mentioned were Toots Mansfield, Roy Cooper, Don McLaughlin, and Cody Ohl. For steer roping he named Guy Allen and Shawn Burchett.
    Mel admits when he first began contesting he didn’t realize how important the horse was in roping. He learned quickly having a good horse was a necessity. Mel’s first horse, at age 16, was Pal, an unregistered gelding out of Oklahoma Star and a Bert mare (both sire and dam are in the AQHA Hall of Fame). In time Mel observed that 50 to 60% of the cowboys in timed events were riding horses that came from Driftwood, an AQHA Hall of Fame horse. His friend, Dale Smith, allowed him to compete on his great horse, Poker Chip, from the Driftwood strain. Mel realized then how much a great horse can improve one’s ability to win.
    The Potter Ranch in Marana, Arizona, is well known in the horse industry as being a top Driftwood breeding ground. Mel and wife, Wendy, are partners. They married in 1954 and have two daughters. Jo Lynn Alexander, who was an All-Around Cowgirl in High School, and Sherry Petska, World Champion Barrel Racer four times. Wendy also barrel raced and qualified for the 1970, ’71 and ’72 National Finals.
    Mel first bred his roping horse, Red Ghara (a Bert mare) to Speedywood, a son of Driftwood, which produced Speedy’s Redwood, (they nicknamed “Charlie”). The colt’s ability at a young age was just what Mel was looking for. He has been quoted as saying Driftwood genes produce early maturity coupled with longevity and speed. There have been numerous well-known and successful Driftwood bred horses, from Potter breeding, in the past 50 plus decades. Mel says Dinero is probably the best horse he ever bought. Dinero has had 18 horses go to the PRCA National Finals over the years in barrel racing, team roping and steer wrestling. Hailey Kinsel’s great horse, DM Sissy Hayday, better known as ‘Sister, is Dinero bred. Daughter Sherry and husband, Cory Petska have won over $400,000 on Dinero.
    Mel admits there came a time when daughter, Sherry, was winning Barrel Racing World Championships he became known as “Sherry’s dad”, in the rodeo, but those things only make him smile. He said her horse, MP Meter My Hay, better known as ‘Stingray’ was probably more famous, at that time, than any of the other great Driftwood horses.
    Regardless of the reason why rodeo people know the name Mel Potter, you can bet it’s because of something Mel has done, and done well. He’s been recognized for the good things he has done in the sport of rodeo, the breeding horse world, stock contracting and obviously the cranberry world, too. Potter & Son is one of the largest supplier to the Ocean Spray Cranberry Consortium. “Cranberries allowed me to do these rodeo and breeding activities that I, and my family love so much. I was still roping until two years ago,” said 87 year old Mel.

  • 5 Star Champion: Stetson Jorgensen

    5 Star Champion: Stetson Jorgensen

    They used to call me Turbo when I was little because if I wasn’t going 100 miles an hour, I would drop and take a nap,” said Stetson Jorgensen. “When my older brother and sisters started roping and getting into it [rodeo], my parents sold all the dirt bikes and four wheelers to get us through rodeo.” This Blackfoot, Idaho, cowboy grew up to be tall and lanky when he got into high school rodeo. He never dreamed bull doggin’ would be the event he’d eventually take to the WNFR. “I started mutton busting when I was 2 and I always thought I would be a bull rider. I worked both ends of the arena for a long time and even won a couple all-around saddles.”
    Injury eventually gave Stetson a way out of steer wrestling, and he took that opportunity to focus on riding bulls and roping. “I was a sophomore in high school when I broke my femur and then my wrist while taking down a steer. I sat the season out and then came back and broke my wrist again.” Ironically, Stetson quit steer wrestling because bull riding proved to be the safer event for him. His time at Central Wyoming College with his buddy, Colton Hill, was pivotal to his career in the PRCA.
    “I was still roping calves and all that, but I didn’t really like running chutes, so I started throwing steers during practice. Things were clicking pretty well for me, so I jumped on Colt’s horse and entered the last five rodeos of the spring.” Clearly, Stetson had a natural ability because he won four out of those five rodeos and then took home the year-end regional title. “I had a good horse and I really learned that goes a long way in this event. I think I just needed my body to mature and to learn about steer wrestling at a collegiate level. It blows my mind that I ever thought I would be little when I got older.”
    After Stetson’s freshman year, he bought his permit and traveled the circuit on and off for a few years before his professional career took off. So, to speak. “I met Garrett Henry at a circuit rodeo, and I ended up working for him at one point. Garrett started Mabel in the steer wrestling the year before I got there. That was in 2018, and the rest is history.” Making his first WNFR in 2019, Stetson won round seven and it’s still a bone chilling memory for him. He finished the finals in third that year and now at his fourth consecutive WNFR, Stetson came in holding the coveted number one spot. “I wasn’t trying to be number one, but it feels amazing. I never look at who’s behind me, just ahead. I look at the finals as just 10 more rodeos to go.”
    Under the bright lights of Vegas, Stetson’s 5 Star pad and boots will be working just about as hard as the athletes they protect. “Two years ago, I was looking for a boot sponsor, something that would benefit my horse. My fiancé, Kellie Collier, heard good things about 5 Star pads and boots, so I approached them.” Beyond the superior quality, Stetson appreciates that the products are made in America. Before the sponsorship, he hadn’t tried anything 5 Star made. Stetson’s confident he’ll be a forever customer now that he’s spent some time their pads and boots. “I’ve had my pads for two years, and I still don’t need new ones. If you take care of them, you can end up with a 10-year-old pad and it won’t even be worn yet.” The proof is in the even sweat marks on his horses and the complete lack of rub marks. “I like how the pads mold to the horse the more I use it. I have plenty of buddies who cowboy in the mountains all day and they like the pads too.”
    When Stetson got his first set of boots, he had no idea how to put them on. While the additional straps can be confusing at first, the added support is worth the learning curve. “I like how the two straps in the back can cross for extra support. That’s an extra barrier for overreach protection. But I also like that you can’t get them too tight.” The back boots reach a bit higher than the fronts, to give more support for the harder working ligaments. “I use back boots on the front to give my horse a little more protection. They’re a very universal boot.”

  • Dusty Tuckness is Back

    Dusty Tuckness is Back

    Being side lined brings a whole new meaning in the sport of rodeo. It’s words no rodeo athlete wants to hear or go through for that matter. One thing is for sure though, if you rodeo long enough it’s going to happen especially when your job is taking hits for others. I believe one’s true character and heart is shown on the other side of adversity.
    In December, during the 9th round of the NFR, I suffered an injury that I wasn’t going to be able to tough out; I would be sidelined through the winter rodeos coming up. It was an injury that was easy to see something wasn’t good. I broke both my tibia and fibula on my left leg and once I looked down and saw it, the first words out of my mouth were, ‘Jesus, Jesus, Jesus…healed in Jesus’ name.’
    It’s been quite a roller coaster of events through it all because after four weeks on the mend, I found out I was going to have another surgery because the first one wasn’t done right. Talk about taking the wind out of your sails.
    Even with all the craziness I had to go through, I knew it doesn’t matter what’s thrown at me, God had a plan through it all. This is the part of the story God wants to tell through me.
    Some words that were given to me in this season were: mindset, faith, evidence, and love. These are words that really stuck out to me when I was digging deeper into what God has for me.
    Mindset
    I’ll start with mindset; God tells us in 2Timothy 1:7 that he didn’t give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. Once I got started int my comeback, I was willing to work harder and do everything I could to get me back as soon as possible. So my nutrition and supplements were on point. But with my physical being fed right, I must also feed my mind in the same way. So what I allowed in my mind was very important. I start every morning before my feet touch the ground reading God’s Word and reading motivational books. A good start to your day leads to a good finish.
    Faith
    What is Faith? For me, it’s believing in something regardless the situation; trusting in the Higher power and process. We can say we have faith, but our actions truly show how much faith or belief we have in something.
    Faith is a big one for me because not only having the faith in my doctors and therapists to help get me back, but also, I must have that same faith in knowing God has good things through all of this. My focus is to be plugged into the source more than the system (world)!. My thought process through it all is I will be better and stronger through it all.
    James 1:2-4 tells us to find joy in the trials and tests we encounter in life. That’s hard to do when it’s keeping you from doing what you want. With that said, though, just as physical training makes you stronger and can do so many more things, it’s the same with your faith. When it’s tested, it produces endurance so you can become better and stronger! You have to go through suffering in order to grow and be successful in anything. Your character – faith and heart – is revealed in discomfort and found on the other side of it. Over time you callous your mind and grow in all areas of life.
    Evidence
    Evidence is proof of something being true. This world was very bold to me not only wanting my hard work to show as I’m recovering and when I’m back, but more so with my faith and love fro God in trusting the process. It was like a daily check list for me everyday to make sure there was evidence showing in my physical, mental, and spiritual actions – it was a great routine that helped keep me focused.
    Love
    Love was the last word. To love as God does is a lot different than the love of the world. A verse I read years ago, which stuck to me for ever is John 15:13 Greater Love has no one than this. To lay down His own life for His friends. That is what Jesus did for us all and my mindset being my training and every time I step into the arena.
    Through this whole process the one question that kept coming up – When will he come back? Will he come back? If he does, will he do his job? This to me was nothing but fuel for the fire. There were a lot of unknowns and the time line that was given was anywhere from 6-12 months. My goal was to work hard and be more focused than ever before and be back stronger and better before anyone thought. That wasn’t an easy task, and I had to keep doing things reminding my why. One thing I did was the cookie jar theory from David Goggins which is keeping a mental jar full of all the good things that have come from and will come from hard work. Reaching into the cookie jar every day kept me pushing forward. It kept me pushing – when you put your hand in the cookie jar, and find those good memories, brings you light and life. Those days when you are hurt or you can’t do it – you can reach in the cookie jar and know that this will work and you will lbe back .
    As it comes closer to the time I’ve be back in the arena, I didn’t have a for sure date or event. Of course, the sooner the better, but I just focused on making each day count. After spending some time in Cody, Wyoming, working a few perfs, my first pro rodeo back was Reno, Nevada!
    I can’t describe the feeling; part of me felt like I never left and the other was like a breath of fresh air. As we went about the summer, it seemed like all was in place. I still had soreness in my leg and knee, but my strength was getting better with each perf.
    The summer run was great and as we approached the fall run, we were nearing the end of the season. With right around 80 perfs for the year, now I as blessed to receive phone call for the Texas Circuit Finals and the PBR Challenger Finals.
    With the NFR right around the corner, my goal was to not net my injury determine the last time I’d be back at the Thomas and Mack. But it had a new fuel to the nerves this year. I felt like I came back stronger and given it all I had and which ever way things went I could have peace knowing that. Knowing God was with me very step of the way, I truly believe whatever we go through in life helps shape us into the person God has called us to be. I’ve said this from the start If this could just help uplift or motivate just one person to overcome something, it was all worth it. It was an amazing year.
    On October 21 at 6:14 my phone rang to tell me I was voted for the NFR. This one hit different – I closed my eyes and fought back the tears. Every year I’m so thankful for the blessings God has blessed me with, but this year was probably one of the hardest but best years yet. I want to give thanks to everyone that was a part of this journey. I couldn’t have done it without you all.
    One thing I’ll leave with you as we are about to step into a new year. Seek God in all you do and even though things may look rough at times and maybe not the plan we had – know God will be with you every step of the way. He can and will use everything for the good. Trust the plan, the process, keep the faith and always believe!
    God Bless,

  • On The Trail with Junior Nogueira

    On The Trail with Junior Nogueira

    “Whatever you choose to do, do with all your heart and all your passion and be the best you can be at it.”

    When Junior Nogueira came to the United States at the age of 24 from his home country of Brazil he had learned to rope with his dad (Lucinei Nogueira) and was a team roper. He began roping with former World Champion and ProRodeo Hall of Famer, Jake Barnes. “I was scared – of not knowing English, or anybody. Everything was scary!” Thanks to Jake, who he lived with for two years, Junior learned much of what he needed to know. “I can never pay him back for what he and his wife (Tina) did for me. I made it because of him – he taught me how to work hard and be professional. It was God’s plan to put him in my life. I’m not perfect, but for sure without God, I wouldn’t be anything.”
    “My dad taught me to rope, in the round pen, I was four years old,” said Junior. “He taught me how to ride, how to build my loop, and chase the calf until I caught it. I would do it for hours. I lost my dad when I was six. My mom, Eliziane, was the first female calf roper in Brazil! Her dad had a cattle ranch and was a cowboy. My grandpa bought her a horse, and she began to compete. My parents met through roping.”

    After the untimely death of his father, Junior stepped up to be ‘the man of the house’. His mom was by his side and encouraged him. He spent hours watching videos of his American roping idols – Clay Cooper, Jake Barnes, Leo Camarillo, etc. Junior started roping professionally when he was 14. “I didn’t know what I was doing, just working hard and learning, but I was able to provide for my family and that was good.”

    Jake Barnes, the seven times world champion header with 27 NFR qualifications, said, “I thought I was done rodeoing hard when Junior showed up. I’d sold my truck and trailer, and our youngest son was off to college, so Toni and I were empty nesters. Helping Junior felt like giving back for what guys like Leo did for me. It’s neat when you can make a difference in someone’s life. Junior made a difference in my life, too.”

    Shortly after Junior arrived here, he and Jake were traveling to South Dakota to compete in Rapid City and spun out on black ice five minutes from the arena. “We lost Jake’s truck and trailer,” recalled Junior. “I thought I was going to die – my horse wasn’t hurt, but Jake’s horse was. A bull dogger drove by, picked us up, and put all our stuff inside his rig. The slack had already started, so I saddled my horse, Jake borrowed a horse, and we roped the steer and ended up placing 4.6. God’s amazing.” Jake and Junior made their first NFR in 2014, Junior’s rookie year, and Junior claimed the prestigious 2014 Rookie of the Year as well. Jake and Junior made a second NFR together in 2015, but Jake suffered a serious head injury when a horse fell practicing right before the Finals, so JoJo LeMond filled in and headed for Junior. “Good mind, that’s what I learned from Jake – stay in the middle, stay focused on what you are doing and get it done. Don’t let anything else take your focus.”
    Junior married Jaqueline, a girl he fell in love with from his hometown, Presidente Prudente, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Once he had become successful, he brought her to the States and they are now able to travel together much of the time. “My wife is very supportive. It’s the whole team; family, horses, and help at the house to ride when I’m gone, that makes this work.” He has roped with Kaleb Driggers for six years.

    Junior continues to work on his skills. “I try to be a master at what I do and figure everything out – now it’s paying off.” He has spent a lifetime working on his horsemanship, starting in Brazil with his father and continuing in the United States. Junior lived with him two different times early in his career. “Keeping your horse working, knowing him, and always helping him be better is important. You can overcome any kind of issue with good horsemanship.”
    This will be Junior’s ninth trip to the NFR. “I get excited and my heart beats so fast and nervous. It’s a good feeling and I don’t think that will ever change.” He and Kaleb will practice for the NFR at Kaleb’s house after the AQHA World Show in Oklahoma City. “We set up Kaleb’s arena (40 minutes from Junior’s house near Brock, Texas) with the same measurements for NFR and pull the chutes the same way.” Junior likes the small arena. “I like it – love it. it’s the NFR.”
    Junior also loves the United States. “For sure with no doubt it’s the greatest country in the world. I have my house, my family, and have this life – I’m very blessed.”

  • 2022 PRCA Vet of the Year: Gregg Veneklasen

    2022 PRCA Vet of the Year: Gregg Veneklasen

    There are many royal bloodline mares living at Timber Creek Veterinary in Canyon, Texas. And thanks to the work of Dr. Gregg Veneklasen, great geldings like Harry Vold’s Bobby Joe, have been cloned. Match that gelding daddy to the eggs of the amazing royalty of mares and the resulting embryos are producing horses truly born to buck.

    Gregg, or Dr. Rodeo, Veneklasen received his DVM from Colorado State University in 1983 and headed to Texas on a bet by one of his teachers. “They needed a vet at the 3 Bar D ranch in Canadian, Texas,” he explained. “I didn’t even know where that was. I wanted to be a wildlife vet.”
    Glenn Blodgett was the veterinarian for 3 Bar D ranch and his lifelong dream was to go to the 6666s. “He hired me to be the vet on the ranch. He stayed with me for six weeks.” Dan and Jolene Urschel, owners of 3 Bar D, were looking for a veterinarian and that first year, Gregg (who had never foaled out a mare) foaled out over 200 mares. He bred over 250 mares the first year. “I bred all the living world champion race mares that first year.” He also did all the racetrack lameness on the ranch. They had just syndicated Special Effort for 15 million. “I was a little guy from Colorado State University and Dan and Jolene took very good care of me. It was a ‘deer in headlight’ feeling.
    “Little did I know that the good Lord was showing me my journey. You can have lots of stuff and still have nothing.” He left 3 Bar D and spent two breeding seasons with Joe Kirk Fulton. “Between those two jobs, I met my wife, Peggy. She had worked with me at 3 Bar D and we decided to do this thing together. She had a daughter, Jennifer, and I adopted her.” They had three more children, Carolyn, Andrew, and LG – Little Gregg, all born and raised in Canyon, Texas. “A classmate, Jeff Young, and I came back to Canyon and leased this clinic (Timber Creek Veterinary).” They bought the clinic in 1993. “We were truly a rural mix practice, trying to make it work.”
    That’s when he met Brenda (Binion) Michael. “She had a great cutting horse and was tired of going to Weatherford from Amarillo for all her vet work, and I told her we could do it, including embryos.”
    Brenda and her daughter, Mindy, and son-in-law, 4x World Champion Saddle Bronc rider, Clint Johnson, introduced Gregg to rodeo. “I was never really ate up about rodeo until her. Brenda and I went to every rodeo there was and pretty soon I was hooked – she always put me in the front row with Clint and Mindy. I would not be where I am today without Brenda Michael. She introduced me to Clint and Mindy Johnson, who have been my dearest friends for 30 years. I have done this because of Brenda.”
    Gregg became proficient at diagnosing lameness issues with the timed event horses as well and helped a lot of the NFR contestants along the way with their horses. His clinic continued to expand in the cutting and cow horse world with the arrival of Metallic Cat. “In 2008, Alvin and Becky Fults brought him to me.” He’s the all-time leading working cow horse sire at $5 million and approaching $60 million in progency earnings as a cutting sire.
    What Gregg enjoys is genetics and he has devoted quite a bit of time to the bucking horse pedigrees. “We were all taught that bucking horses were wild animals that bucked. I thought geez – I’d been involved with all these great running horses, and all of a sudden, we were doing bucking horses also.” Clint would point out great bucking horses and say ‘his mother did that, or his brother did that.’ “Genetics is powerful. The stock contractors believe that and that’s why they are here. I didn’t pioneer this – people like Winston Bruce and Harry Vold get the credit. We are all taught about pedigree, but the end of the story is about conformation and all the things involved in bucking – pedigree doesn’t equal genotype.” Pedigree, DNA, and Genotype will be explained in a future issue of Rodeo News
    “I had a really nice mare I wanted to do an embryo transfer,” explained Clint Johnson about meeting Gregg. “He was the only one doing that kind of work around here. Gregg likes people a lot, but he is passionate about horses. He’s a workaholic; veterinary work is his life. He’s either doing it or thinking about doing it.
    “He’s a progressive thinker, super intelligent and well read,” continued Clint. “He’s got a large network of professionals he draws from and gives of his own experience freely. He’s not trying to hoard his knowledge. He’s outside of the book by now.”

    Cloning
    “Every time a veterinarian gets bored, something gets thrown in your lap,” Gregg said with a laugh. “I didn’t know you could clone a horse. This was 19 years ago.” Royal Blue Boon, the first commercially cloned horse, has lived at the clinic all of his 18 years. “I met a guy named Jason Abraham in Canadian, Texas, in 1984, and we became dear friends, we went down to Austin and met with ViaGen and we ended up foaling out clones for them. We foaled out Adolfo Cambiaso’s cloned polo horses. We foaled out a lot of clones of all the Gold Medal jumping horses – we even foaled out Pablo Excabar’s Paso Fino horse. Blake Russell, Shawn Walker, Jason and I were quite a team and still are.”
    “The first bucking horse that we know of that was cloned was Air Wolf in 2009,” said Clint. “Go Wild came in 2010. Winston had given me the horse after he retired. He was around 33 years old. It was a project that ViaGen and Gregg did – my part was I had the original horse. Winston felt like it would be an excellent horse to clone. So ViaGen cloned the horse and I ran the recipient mares and colts, weaned them and handled them.”
    Gregg’s company, Timber Creek, and ViaGen cloned Bobby Joe Skoal, PRCA World Champion Saddle Bronc 1991-1993 and 1991 NFR Champion Saddle Bronc. “That’s how I met Harry Vold,” said Gregg. Bobby Joe Skoal was bred on the Tooke Ranch and born on the Vold Ranch. “I got to be with Harry the last part of his life. I would never have met Harry if not for cloning. Harry came every month for two or three years and he told me story after story and he was very serious. When Bobby was born, Harry cried. He said, ‘That’s him – he’s back.’ Painted valley, Lunatic Fringe, Tiger Warrior – they all came through here and the people that came with them were teaching me.”
    Gregg gives a lot of credit for his success to his family and the staff at the clinic. “It’s a bunch of 25-year-old women, two of my kids, and Petey,” he says, of the staff at Timber Creek. “We do stuff nobody does. My world is amazing, and you can hardly wait for the next day. These embryos are going to buck and it’s going to be fun.
    “I don’t know where I’m going but every day is a journey. I’ve got a lot to prove with the bucking industry. Selecting of traits is far more important than looking at pedigree. There’s nobody having more fun than I am.” Bucking horse embryos make up only 10% of what the clinic does, but horses in general are Gregg’s passion. “I just love horses. I walk through the barns at night talking to them.”
    Gregg will be recognized at the PRCA Awards Banquet at the South Point Hotel, Casino, and Spa in Las Vegas on Nov. 30.

  • American Hats Presents Stan Redding

    American Hats Presents Stan Redding

    “The day to day philosophy of this company is what keeps me here. They truly look at every one that works here as family and there’s not much of that left today.”

    Stan Redding was raised in Winnsboro Texas. “When I was a kid in grade school the population was 3,000. It hasn’t changed.” As a small-town kid, he played little league baseball and all the sports. “My father was in the grocery business, he had three in three different towns. He showed cutting horses and AQHA halter horses.” Stan would ride his horse to baseball practice.
    He went to college at Texas A&M, College Station, working on a degree in animal science and business. “I saw what my buddies were making when they graduated and I found a run-down convenience store and a bank to loan me the money and at 21 years of age, I was a business owner. Until I was in my early 30s, I never had a job. I had every kind of business – convenience store, pawn shop, Gulf gas distribution, a used car lot.” He juggled several of them at the same time as well as trading and selling cutting horses. His first real job came through Cavender’s. “James Cavender, Sr. talked me into coming to Longview Texas and manage that store. I stayed there six months, and he sent me to be the manager in Hurst Texas, the largest store in the chain. I was there for four years – I learned the retail side of western wear.” Stan did all the hat buying for Cavender’s and Resistol (Hatco) hired him as a sales rep in California. He managed that territory for five years. “I had three kids born in California, and I didn’t want to raise them there. I wanted to go back to Texas, but I couldn’t match the money.”
    He moved his family back to Texas and went to work for Vogt Silversmiths as their rep in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Susan and Keith Maddox called him and shared the good news that they bought American Hat company and wanted Stan to help them. He worked as a consultant for American Hat, selling hats along with Vogt in his territory. Stan was approached again by Hatco to join management as Vice President of Sales and Marketing in Garland, Texas. He accepted the position and remained there for almost ten years. In 2010 Hatco underwent an acquisition of which Stan was a key component. “I was promoted to President at that time. I implemented strategic processes to improve profitability.” He accomplished that goal and others, retiring in January 2014.

    “My plan was to enjoy ranch life,” he said. He was called by Keith Maddox within two weeks of his retirement. Stan wanted to take at least a year off and try ranch life. “I’m very blessed that my youngest son, Rhett, and daughter-in-law built a house on the ranch, and he takes care of a lot of it. He does the cattle side and I do the horse side.” The twenty-year friendship between Keith Maddox, Keith Mundee, and Stan lasted the time of Stan’s year long retirement. To the day, his phone rang again, and this time Stan came back on board. “I’d had a year break from the corporate world. I recharged my battery. But the big thing that made me go back is the family. I had a real comfort zone with Keith and the crew at American hat. His whole deal is quality of life. Keith Maddox always said, ‘bigger is not better, better is better.’ The business plan hasn’t changed.”
    He came back with some conditions. “As long as it’s exciting for me and I love it, I’ll stay. One year turned into 7.” The other condition was that spending time with his family and on his ranch in Winnsboro came first. “We bought a ranch when we moved back from California (2002). I used to ride my Shetland pony on when I was a kid.” The ranch wasn’t on the market, but all the locals knew it was for sale. “My dad told me about it. I called one of the sons and was told their sister wouldn’t sell to just anyone. All the linens were still in the closets. His sister was there when we looked at the ranch, and I told them my history and they sold it to us.”
    Stan and his wife Kimberly have a total of 9 children and 11 grandchildren.
    Kimberly created a brand of women’s apparel that has continued to catch the eye of the western world. R Cinco Ranch was created in 2014 and its tag line “It’s not just a brand, it’s a lifestyle,” has steam rolled. Kimberly’s background in women’s apparel was fashioned out of necessity. When her youngest son was diagnosed with cancer, her career as an accountant ended. She soon put her eye for design and her crafty talent to work and created a tie-dye and rhinestone T-shirt line that landed in Dillard’s. Two Mud Pies gave Kimberly a look into the fashion business. In 2014, she and Stan put their talents and years of experience together and launched R Cinco Ranch, named after the ranch. She has concentrated her efforts on American made clothing, made on the ranch. She has an exclusive line with Forrie Smith, Lloyd on Yellowstone, to create T-shirts. She also has one-of-a kind purses made in Oklahoma. “T-shirts are huge – we can do up to 400 shirts per show – and we do all the work at the ranch.” The wholesale side got way big too fast and something had to go. “It wasn’t going to be my family, so we downsized and now it’s something I can do and still be available for the family and support Stan.”
    Stan has no end date. “I love the industry, the people, and the business. For the past 18 years, I’ve had an opportunity to work for a company of powerhouse brands (American Hat, Vogt, and Hatco).

  • Angelone Sisters Dominate at WPRA World Finals, Ganter Wins Card Holder Race

    Angelone Sisters Dominate at WPRA World Finals, Ganter Wins Card Holder Race

    WPRA WORLD FINALS RODEO
    NOVEMBER 12, 2022
    WACO, TEXAS

    WORLD CHAMPION ALL AROUND: Sarah Angelone, $8059.92
    RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION ALL AROUND: Martha Angelone, $7569.84
    FINALS ALL AROUND CHAMPION: Sarah Angelone, $8059.92
    RESERVE FINALS ALL AROUND CHAMPION: Martha Angelone, $7569.84

    Tie Down Roping: WORLD CHAMPION: Tanegai Zilverberg, $4155.33
    RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION: Kari Nixon, $2876.69

    Breakaway Roping: NATIONAL CHAMPION: Josie Conner, $54,432.61
    RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION: Martha Angelone, $41,862.02

    Team Roping:  HEADERS
    WORLD CHAMPION: Hope Thompson, $21,671.22
    RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION: Bailey Gubert, $18,626.28
    TEAM ROPING – HEELERS
    WORLD CHAMPION: Lorraine Moreno, $17,994.28
    RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION: Rylie Smith, $12,245.22

     

     

    WACO, TEXAS – The Angelone sisters are quickly making names for themselves and their Virginia family in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.

    Martha Angelone (pronounced – Ang-a-lone-e) has dominated the WPRA ProRodeo Breakaway standings this year and will be looking for her first world title the end of the month in Las Vegas, but it was her younger sister, Sarah who captured the family’s first WPRA World Title this weekend in Waco, Texas.

    Sarah won the WPRA All-Around World Title with Martha finishing as reserve world champion. Sarah finished the year with $8,060, while Martha won $7,590 at WPRA approved events that had more than one roping discipline being contested at the same time. The sisters won all their all-around money at this weekend’s WPRA World Finals at Extraco Event Center. Sarah competed in breakaway roping and team roping, while Martha competed in all events offered – breakaway, team roping, tie-down and all-around barrels.

    Sarah headed for Martha in the team roping and heeled for Jessica Remsburg, a former WPRA world champion as well.

    The Angelone sisters, originally from Cross Junction, Virginia, and now are both living in Texas, look to be a force for years to come. Martha is currently the traveler in the family, while Sarah elects to stay closer to home making the WPRA World Finals a perfect fit for her. She is now looking forward to Martha adding another gold buckle to the family trophy case on Nov. 30 at the conclusion of the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping, presented by Teton Ridge at the South Point Arena.

    Joining Sarah Angelone in the world champions circle was Hope Thompson and Lorraine Moreno in the team roping and Tanegai Zilverberg in the tie-down roping.

    Thompson captured her third WPRA team roping world title and fourth WPRA world title over all. Thompson finished the year with $21,671 to reserve world champion Bailey Gubert’s $18,626.

    Moreno captured her first WPRA world title finishing the year with $17,994, while Rylie Smith finished reserve champion with $12,245.

    Two ladies that have spent time as college rodeo coaches teamed up together to win the average in Waco. Linsay Rosser-Sumpter and Taylor Munsell roped three steers in an event best 24.3 seconds to take the title. Danielle Lowman and Jordi Edens were second in a time of 30.6. Lowman qualified for the NFBR in 2021 and Edens will make her first appearance in just a few weeks.

    Taking home the tie-down roping world title for the first time in her career was Tanegai Zilverberg. She finished the year with $4,155 to take the title from the reigning world titlist Kari Nixon, who finished second with $2,877.

    Zilverberg placed third in the first round and won the second round en route to the average championship as well with a time of 52.9 seconds on three.

              The WPRA Boot Barn Card Holder race came to an end on Sunday morning with Jackie Ganter of Abilene, Texas, taking the title. Ganter turned in the fastest time on Sunday morning stopping the clock in 15.682 seconds to win the round. Ganter was aboard Howes A Tycoon and won the average in a total time of 47.565 on three runs.

    All money won in the card holder race will count toward 2023 ProRodeo World Standings and the race also served as a qualifier for RodeoHouston. Ganter last qualified for the NFR in 2016, but 2023 might be the year she returns to the Thomas and Mack if this weekend was any indication.

    Reigning world champion Jordon Briggs looked to be in championship form finishing second in the average with 47.675. Briggs and Rollo finished second in the final round in a time of 15.854 seconds. She will be looking to add another world title to her resume in Las Vegas, Dec. 1-10.

    Brooklyn Balch took home the permit only race title finishing with a total time of 48.327 seconds on three runs. Balch and Quickaintfair entered the final round in the driver’s seat and remained atop the leaderboard following the short round. Balch won the second round of the permit only race in a time of 15.911 and was third in the final round in a time of 16.129 seconds. Rylee Leach won the short round in a time of 16.062 seconds and finished second in the average with 48.635. Look for both ladies on the rodeo trail in 2023 during their rookie season.

    Full results of all competition from the weekend can be found at www.wpra.com.

     

  • 2022 AMC Event deemed a success Team roping showcases camaraderie

    2022 AMC Event deemed a success Team roping showcases camaraderie

    2022 AMC Event deemed a success

    Team roping showcases camaraderie

    AMC photos by Click Thompson

                                          

    FORT WORTH, Texas (Nov. 7, 2022) – What started in 2016 as a team roping school has turned into a four-day event that features dramatic roping competition.

    Charly Crawford’s idea for a free roping school for the military has grown into the Hillwood Land and Cattle American Military Celebration presented by Douglas Allred Company. It is an extravaganza of roping and fundraising activities.

    This year it started at NRS Arena in Decatur, Texas, with the Horns N’ Heroes Roping School for military and first responders sponsored by Garrett/Gowan, Joplin Stockyards, Integrity Team Roping Production and J5 Quarter Horses. There were two days of learning with Crawford leading the headers and Trey Johnson leading the heelers followed by a friendly competition. That was all preparation for Friday’s preliminary Military First Responder Roping sponsored by Flat Tail Ranch and Driver Land & Cattle.

    Many of today’s top professional ropers competed in Friday’s Open Roping sponsored by Javelin. Then those same professionals paired up military and first responders in the Mil/Pro Roping sponsored by Kinetic Vet and Quanta. On Saturday action moved to Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth for the NFR Showdown sponsored by JPMorgan Chase. The final activity was the AMC Gala at The 81 Club at Billy Bob’s Texas where a live auction was held.

    “It amazes me how people have responded to this event,” Crawford said. “I started it as a way to give back. I didn’t know I was gaining a new family. From our corporate partners to our participants, it’s turned into a brotherhood.”

    Three years ago, AMC used their event as a fundraiser for charities that support those who serve. This year $160,000 was raised. It will support Building Homes for Heroes who has received approximately $200,000 in the past two years. In 2022, they also added the Fort Worth chapter of Brotherhood For the Fallen.

    The Mil/Pro saw 21-year-old Andrew Shelton heading for Trey Yates for the win. The $3,800 didn’t compare to the experience that Shelton had. He grew up in Blanco, Texas, joined the Army, was deployed to the Middle East and returned in September. He is now part of the Army Reserves and is going to school at Texas A & M University.

    “I don’t really rope,” Shelton said. “I did when I was younger and heard about this and had to come. It’s pretty cool how you get to be paired up with the pro guys. Lucky for me my brother ropes and had a horse for me. This is just awesome.”

    In heeling, it was J.R. Berry that got to rope behind Kaleb Driggers for the win. Berry has been a firefighter for 18 years. He is a lieutenant in Blanco County. When Texas was hit in the spring with major grass fires, he was on 107 of those. Berry used lessons he learned from Johnson in the school to help him get the win.

    “Roping with these pro guys and seeing how they handle cattle was amazing,” he said. “It’s been a ton of fun. I took a lot away from Trey’s school. The guys at the fire station are going to be real excited.”

    In the Open Roping, Driggers took home checks in the top three spots and two of them were for heeling. He won first place with Jr. Dees heading, worth $6,300 for the team. Then he got the second-place check heading for Brazilian Vitor De Silva. His third-place win came behind Cory Kidd.

    When action started at Cowtown Coliseum there were 13 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo teams along with two teams from the Open Roping. Between rounds of the professionals, the top 15 from the Military First Responder Roping had their finals. And just for fun, the finals of the Stray Gathering sponsored by Wrangler were held. It featured teams of four who had to rope, tie, gather and pen three steers. The big winners in the roping were Shawn Carrell and Justin Long who each earned $10,000, plus Elite Saddles and Legend Tack and Silver buckles. Carrell and Long met for the first time on Friday and now will be life-long friends. Just for fun, competitors also participated in the Stray Gathering sponsored by Wrangler.

    “Not only is this the first saddle I’ve ever won, it’s my first check,” Carrell, who is a game warden in New Mexico. “I just started roping about 10 months ago and I can’t tell you how amazing this is.”

    Justin, who is a lineman, started coming to the event three years ago. He volunteered during this year’s clinic and participated in 2020. “I’ve learned so much from Charly and Trey,” he said. “It’s a great thing they have going and I come every year.”

    The final results of the NFR competition again saw Driggers at the top, but this time it was with his regular partner Jr. Nogueira. They were one of three teams that were successful on all five runs and split $20,000 for first place.

    “Sometimes we take for granted that what we get to do everyday is something that a lot of these guys are passionate about too,” Driggers said. “We are forever indebted to them, so to be able to rope with them gives us a chance to give a little bit back. It’s amazing. I love everything about this roping, but especially getting the chance to interact with people that we wouldn’t normally. Seeing the smiles on their fafces is what is really important to me.”

    Complete results from the 2022 American Military Celebration.

    Money is per man —

    Mil/Pro Roping Heading: (total on three) 1, Andrew Shelton, $3,800, roping with Trey Yates, 22.54 seconds. 2, Emily Gately, $3,200/Jr. Dees, 22.72. 3, Cole Turner, $2,500/Brye Crites, 22.77. 4, Dakota Lindboe, $1,900/Jr. Dees, 23.42. 5, Jerrod Miller, $1,300/Cory Petska, 23.58. Round 1: 1, Justin Long, $1,000/Coleby Payne, 6.77. 2, Scott Tripp, $500/Travis Graves. Round 2: Duane Boone, $1,000/Coleby Payne, 5.23/Coleby Payne. 2, Jerrod Miller, $500/Cory Petska, 5.98.

     

    Mil/Pro Roping Heeling: (total on three) 1, Kaleb Driggers/J.R. Berry, $4,200, 29.56. 2, Tyler Wade/Dan Hernandez III, $3,100, 31.62. 3, Chad Masters/Clint Davis, $2,100, 32.17, $2,100. 4, Jake Orman/Jim Bay, $1,050, 35.09. First Round: 1, Tanner Tomlinson/Duane Boone, $1,000, 6.86. 2, Clint Summers/Jimmy Blake, $500, 8.69. Second Round: Lightning Aguilera/Marty McLaughlin, $1,000, 6.56. 2, Chad Masters/Clint Davis, $500, 6.08.

     

    Money is per team–

    Open Roping: (total on five) 1, Jr. Dees/Kaleb Driggers, 32.20, $6,300. 2, Kaleb Driggers/Vitor de Silva, 32.67, $5,300. 3, Cory Kidd V/Kaleb Driggers, 33.79, $4,250. 4, Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 34.02, $3,200. 5, J.C. Flake/Tyler Worley, 34.92, $2,200. Fast Time Short Go: 1, Laramie Allen/Truman Magnus, 6.50, $1,000

     

    NFR Showdown: (total on five) 1, Kaleb Driggers/Jr. Nogueira, 28.82, $20,000. 2, Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 28.91, $10,000. 3, Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 31.88, $8,000. (on four) 4, Jr. Dees/Levi Lord, 22.85, $6,000. 5, Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 24.60, $4,000. (on three)6, Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 16.99, $1,000. Round 1: 1, Clay Smith/Jake Long, 4.41, 3,000. 2, Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 4.42, $2,000. 3, Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 4.46, $1,000. Round 2: 1, Dustin Eguisquiza/Travis Graves, 3.72, $3,000. 2, Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 4.23, $2,000. 3, Clay Smith/Jake Long, 4.31, $1,000. Round 3: 1, Jr. Dees/Levi Lord, 5.81, $3,000. 2, Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 5.93, $2,000. 3, Kaleb Driggers/Jr. Nogueira, 9.63, $1,000. Round 4: 1, Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, 3.91, $3,000. 2, Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.08, $2,000. 3, Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, 4.19, $1,000. Round 5: 1, Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 3.51, $2,000. 2, Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 3.76, $2,000. 3, Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, 3.88, $1,000.

     

     

    About American Military Celebration — American Military Celebration (AMC) is a non-profit 501c3 organization started by professional team roper Charly Crawford. AMC produces Western lifestyle events for veterans, retired and active service personnel, and first responders. Events promote leadership and teamwork while encouraging camaraderie, forming support systems and making memories. Through these events, opportunities for fund raising are utilized for charities that support the needs of our heroes.

     

     

  • Nashville Stampede Mount Cinderella Run Through PBR Team Series Championship to be Crowned the League’s Inaugural Champions

    Nashville Stampede Mount Cinderella Run Through PBR Team Series Championship to be Crowned the League’s Inaugural Champions

    Regular-season No. 8 Stampede beat the No. 1 Austin Gamblers, No. 2 Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, No. 3 Oklahoma Freedom and No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders en route to the national title

    LAS VEGAS – The Nashville Stampede, who entered the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series playoffs in last place, proved that it’s not how a team starts a season, it’s how they finish, in winning the inaugural PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series Championship.

    The Nashville contingent, stacked with talent including riders with four combined PBR World Championships, continually disappointed throughout the regular season, finishing 7-20-1. But the squad caught fire and was dominant in the eight-team tournament in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena. After concluding the regular-season last in the league standings, the Stampede delivered a historic Cinderella run through the progressive elimination tournament, riding upset wins against the Top 3 teams to be crowned the first-ever PBR Team Series Champions.

    “It’s crazy,” said Nashville Stampede Head Coach Justin McBride dirtside. “I got to win two individual titles as a bull rider in this sport, and it’s nothing compared to this. The buckle is awesome, but for me, it’s about these guys who never gave up and finished on top.”

     

    Before the final games, McBride delivered an epic amped-up pregame speech now going viral on social media.

     

    The Nashville Stampede began their march to victory Friday evening when they faced off against the No. 3 Oklahoma Freedom. The gritty contingent rode three bulls to stun the Freedom, defeating the powerhouse team by one ride score, 264.75-176, to advance in the team tournament. The Stampede’s performance was headlined by scores from Ryan Dirteater, who came out of retirement to seek his first championship, Cladson Rodolfo and 2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco.

     

    As competition continued in Round 2, the Stampede were locked in a David vs. Goliath showdown with the No. 1 Austin Gamblers. Continuing their impressive run through the tournament, the Stampede bested the Gamblers by one ride score, 265-175.25, to earn the first direct berth to the Semifinals.

     

    On Championship Sunday, the Stampede then went head-to-head with the No. 2 Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, in the first Semifinal showdown. Compliments of an early score from Joao Henrique Lucas, and a 90-point, fifth-frame ride from Pacheco, the Stampede punched their ticket to the title game with a 178.5-90.25 win.

     

    The Stampede’s fate then came down to the Championship Game against the No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders. Delivering three qualified rides from Dirteater, three-time World Champion Silvano Alves and Pacheco, the Stampede defeated Arizona 264-182.75, completing their come-from-behind surge to be crowned the inaugural PBR Team Series Champions,

     

    Looking down the league standings, following Semifinal losses, the Texas Rattlers and Oklahoma Freedom squared off in the Third-Place Game. Outscoring Oklahoma by two rides, the Rattlers concluded the 2022 season third, beating the Freedom 270-86.75.

     

    PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer replays of all the PBR Team Series action from Las Vegas. Check https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/pbr-ridepass for the latest programming schedule.