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  • On The Trail with 2021 ProRodeo Hall of Fame Inductees

    story by PRCA & Siri Stevens PHOTOS COURTESY OF PRCA, Jackie Jensen & Rodeo News

    CODY OHL
    Tie-Down Roper
    Inducted 2020

    Cody Ohl blazed into the ProRodeo ranks in 1994 by winning Rookie of the Year and his first trip to the National Finals Rodeo. The young Texas roper had been planning his career since he was 15 and winning National High School Rodeo awards.

    It would take Ohl a few years to win his first gold buckle. He edged out Fred Whitfield to capture the 1997 Tie-Down World Title by $5,031. To prove that first win was no fluke, Ohl roared through 1998 and captured a second title.

    Ohl had another record-setting year in 2001 as he added steer roping and team roping to his agenda in order to compete for the All-Around title. In the ninth round of the Finals, Ohl missed his calf on the first loop. A second loop caught the calf by the hind legs. As Ohl dismounted, he twisted his knee, tearing two major ligaments. He managed to crawl to the calf, cut the rope, stand and flank the calf, and finish the tie with a time of 40.3 seconds. Ohl had to be carried from the arena by the Justin Sports Medicine Team. However, he had amassed enough money earlier in the week to secure both the tie-down title and the All-Around title. He accepted both buckles from crutches on the 10th night.

    Not one to stay inactive, Ohl battled through rehab and was back on the rodeo trail late in 2002. He continued to win and qualify for National Finals Rodeos, capturing his fifth and sixth tie-down roping titles in 2003 and 2006. He only missed one Finals appearance between 1994 and 2014. He entered an elite group when he passed the $3 million earnings mark in 2012.

    World Championships: 6 (tie-down 1997-98, 2001, 2003, 2006; all-around 2001)
    Born September 21, 1973 in Rosenburg, Texas.
    From the Induction:
    Due to a staph infection in his leg, he was represented by Kendra Santos. Cody roped at 20 National Finals Rodeos, earning 2 of his six buckles after obliterating his knee in the ninth round of the 2001 NFR. It took the better part of the year to recover from that and he came back and won two more titles. In his 20 plus years, his earnings of $3.5 million, second only to Trevor Brazile, makes him the highest money maker in calf roping history. He has taken home 55 National Finals go round buckles.

    SUNNI
    DEB BACKSTROM
    Contract Personnel
    Inducted 2020

    Sunni Deb Backstrom grew up with a stopwatch in her hand. No doubt encouraged by her mother Ellen, a three-time National Finals Rodeo Secretary and first woman to sit on the PRCA Board of Directors. At age 13, Backstrom made her debut as a rodeo secretary in Augusta, Montana. Since she did not have an RCA card, she had to receive special permission from RCA President Bob Ragsdale to work the event.

    Backstrom joined the RCA in 1968 as a timer while she was still in high school. After graduation in 1971, she was issued a secretary, timer, and contract act card. Backstrom quickly rose to become one of the best in the business. She has worked for many rodeo companies over the years including Flying U; Kesler, Ltd.; Rafter G; Jim Shoulders Rodeo Company; Bad Company; Linger Company; and B Bar J Rodeo. She joined the Cervi Championship Rodeo Company fulltime in 1979. In the course of a year, Backstrom works about 120 performances across the country at some of the most prestigious rodeos including Denver, San Antonio, Houston, Nampa, and Waco.

    Backstrom is the most decorated rodeo secretary in ProRodeo history. She has won PRCA Secretary of the Year 10 times and WPRA Secretary of the Year twice. She has also worked the National Finals Rodeo 17 years as secretary, three years as timer, and one year as the office manager. She has also worked four PRCA Tour Finales.

    Backstrom has dedicated her life to the betterment of the sport of rodeo.
    Born May 11, 1953 in Butte, Montana.

    From the Induction:
    “I’m not good at this, I’m used to being in the background. 26 years ago I stood up here and accepted this award for my mom, never thought I’d be here again. Things that are important to me are important to me. My dad bought his RCA card in 1948. Mom bought her timers card in 1960. Dad picked mom up from the hospital when I was 3 days old and off we went to Miles City Bucking horse sale. On my birth certificate, it has a spot for occupation of the father, he was a professional cowboy.

    Mom would give me a stop watch and a day sheet, I would time the rodeos when I was 6. By ten, I was in the saddle on a big black horse carrying the American flag in the grand entry. At 13, I secretaried my first rodeo – most rodeo offices were temporary, many in Montana were in bars. I took entries and drew stock in a bar at 13 years old.
    I did everything from carrying flags, taking care of the saddle horses, secretarying rodeos and even driving a load of bulls through Montana. I ran the roping chutes, picked up, flanked in flip flops, ran barrels, and team roped. I was one of two in the production department at the first NFR.
    That’s what rodeo gave me – my friends and my family.”

     

    RANDY WITTE
    Notable
    Inducted 2020

    Randy Witte always had an affinity for rodeo but didn’t get a chance to participate in the sport till he went to Colorado State University, where he majored in technical journalism and found the CSU rodeo club. He was befriended by Jerome Robinson, a sophomore who was “majoring” in bull riding, and before long Robinson was tying Witte onto bulls, offering instruction and encouragement.

    Witte enjoyed his days of competition in college rodeo, and in the Rodeo Cowboys Association, but he knew early on his future was as a rodeo writer, rather than rider. He sold his first magazine article to Western Horseman in 1968. “Judging Rodeo’s Bucking Events” was based on interviews he did with saddle bronc rider Jim Wise, World Champion Bull Rider Freckles Brown, and World Champion Bareback Rider Jim Houston.

    While still in college he worked a couple summers as a cub reporter for the Denver Post, and got the plum assignment to cover Cheyenne Frontier Days for the paper in 1968. Witte was offered the job as director of the R.C.A.’s Rodeo News Bureau when he graduated college in 1970, and for the next seven years he enjoyed publicizing ProRodeo with news releases, press kits and recorded radio programs. There was a need for an editor of Rodeo Sports News in early 1976, and Witte was able to also get out the association’s paper for the next two years.

    In late 1977, Western Horseman magazine offered him a job — they needed someone who could write knowledgeably about rodeo. He accepted the offer with one condition — that the PRCA not be left in a bind when he left. This was easily granted, and Witte transitioned gradually from one office to the other. By then, the R.C.A. had become the PRCA and Rodeo Sports News had become ProRodeo Sports News. Witte continued to write about rodeo for the next 29 years. During that time he served as editor, and later, as publisher of the magazine.

    Born January 28, 1948 in Denver, Colorado.
    From the Induction:
    “I have many good memories working in a little red brick building in Denver 50 years ago. I had a job as soon as I graduated from college. Our biggest day of the week was Monday; rodeo secretaries would phone me at home Sunday nightand I would record the results and I’d go to the office and I’d bat out a little news release. When the news release was done, we’d stuff them in envelopes and send them all over the country. I had to get the sacks of mail down to the train station before five. I never missed a deadline. I covered the groundbreaking celebration of the PRCA hall of fame. At the time this was the first building that went up in this area of Colorado Springs.”

    BUTCH KIRBY
    Bull Rider
    Inducted 2020

    Gary William Kirby, better known as Butch, started his rodeo career at age four when he joined his brothers in a trick riding troupe led by his mother, Mildred. By 16, he had changed his specialty to bull riding. Kirby credits the agility and balance of trick riding as helping with his transition to rodeo’s roughest event.

    In 1973, Kirby earned his first trip to the National Finals Rodeo at age 18. (At the time, the youngest qualifier in any roughstock event.) It would take a few more trips to the Finals before Kirby earned his world title. In 1975, Kirby and his brothers, Sandy and Kaye, became the first three brothers to qualify for a National Finals Rodeo in the same year. Kirby finally won his title in 1978 in a battle against reigning champion Don Gay. He won $15,000 at that Finals, placing him in the top spot. (In 1978, World Championships were determined by money won at the National Finals Rodeo.)

    Kirby would make three more trips to the National Finals Rodeo before transitioning to his third career in rodeo. Kirby began judging rodeos to earn money while recovering from an injury in 1987. He became a Pro Official in 1993 and has served in that capacity at many of the major rodeos in the country. He has been a National Finals Rodeo Official for 30 years.

    Through this long and decorated career, Kirby has participated in every major rodeo as either a contract act, bull rider, or judge.

    World Championships: 1 (1978)
    Born April 24, 1955 in Woodstown, New Jersey.

    From the Induction:
    My heroes have always been cowboys, and all my heroes are here in the Hall of Fame. Mom didn’t realize she was training me to be a bull rider. I don’t even know if I was shaving at my first NFR. Neal and Miss Kay helped me get on some practice bulls in Mesquite. Neal nodded for me because he knew I wasn’t going to nod. I got on a lot of practice bulls that day.

    Mom gave me $50 to go to San Antonio – ended up third in the world when I left Houston. By May, I dropped to 14th, and realized it was hard. Bobby Steiner got me to the NFR – you’re only as good as the company you keep. Bobby was great to me.

     

    G-65 GRATED COCONUT
    Livestock
    Inducted 2020


    G-65 Grated Coconut is a testament to the Born to Buck Breeding program of the Calgary Stampede Ranch. His mother, Coconut Roll, was a ten-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier. His sire, Wyatt Earp of Northcott Rodeo, was voted Saddle Bronc Horse of the National Finals Rodeo in 1997 and 1998.
    Grated Coconut became a dominant force during his career. Of his 114 outings, 37 cowboys hit the dirt, 25 scored in first place, and 29 finished in the money. If a cowboy was lucky enough to stay aboard for eight seconds, he usually won money. His prowess in the arena earned him six Bareback Horse of the Year titles (2003-04 and 2006-09), tying with the great Descent. He also earned six Canadian Champion Bareback Horse titles (2003-05 and 2007-09).

    Retired at the top of his game in 2010, Grated Coconut is continuing the Calgary Stampede Ranch Born to Buck program. Of his children, at least 45 are competing at the top level of rodeo athletes with several qualifying for both the National Finals Rodeo and the Canadian Finals Rodeo.

    For a horse feared by many cowboys, Grated Coconut was very social and gentle outside the arena. He enjoyed scratches from the cowboys before competition and has even let toddlers sit on his back. Grated Coconut became a top rodeo animal ambassador. Visitors to the Calgary Stampede Ranch were able to socialize with him before watching him explode into a rodeo arena. The pairing of his power and intelligence truly made him one of the great rodeo athletes.
    Born 1997 in Hanna, Alberta.

     

    JIM SUTTON, JR.
    Stock Contractor
    Inducted 2020

     

    James Sutton, Jr. could have chosen a very different path at the end of his college career. The young South Dakotan was drafted by the Minneapolis Lakers and he attended their preseason training camp. However, he believed following his father and grandfather in the ranching and stock contracting business made more financial sense than a basketball career. In 1968, Sutton joined his father in creating the Sutton Rodeo Company. They supplied stock from their Onida, S.D., ranch to rodeos across South Dakota and the Northwest. By the late 1970s, Sutton was raising more than 90% of his own bucking stock and developed a breeding program that is one of the best in the business. The program has produced three PRCA Horse of the Year winners: saddle bronc horse Deep Water (1979), bareback horse Big Bud (1985), and saddle bronc horse Chuckulator (2012). Chuckulator also won Top Saddle Bronc Horse of the National Finals Rodeo in 2012. Their horses and bulls won all three categories at the Badlands Circuit Finals Livestock of the Year Awards in 2011. The program has also earned Sutton four nominations for PRCA Stock Contractor of the Year.

    In 1978, Sutton started the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo. It has been nominated as Indoor Rodeo of the Year 15 times and won the award twice, 2002 and 2003. To draw attendance to the rodeo, Sutton created the Wrangler Bull Fights, the Bailey Bail-Off, World Championship Wild Horse Race, Bull Poker, and Teeter-Totter. Sutton’s pageantry and showmanship earned him National Finals Rodeo Opening Ceremony credits in 1995 and 1996.
    Sutton and his wife Julie won the PRCA Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
    Born April 20, 1935 in Onida, South Dakota.

    From the Induction:
    “It all started with my granddad with a rodeo on the ranch in 1927. We had 60 palomino horses and ¾ of them bucked the cowboys off. The whole operation is a family operation – there are three grandsons and a granddaughter putting on a rodeo while we are here. Julie couldn’t make the trip and I’d ask for you to say a prayer for her.”

     

    ELLENSBURG RODEO
    Rodeo Committee
    Inducted 2020

    Nestled in the center of Washington State in the Kittitas Valley (land of plenty and no fighting), Ellensburg – called ‘the rodeo city’ – has become one of the top destinations for cowboys and cowgirls near the end of the regular PRCA season. The rodeo started in 1923 when local businessmen, farmers, ranchers, and townsmen began to feel the tug of nostalgia as airplanes, moving pictures, and automobiles started replacing the Western lifestyle. The Valley was settled in the 1870s – the rodeo came out of the local competition. At the time there were 50,000 head of cattle in the county. The rodeo will celebrate 100 years next year – they missed three years, two due to WWII and last year.

    Held over Labor Day Weekend each year, the Ellensburg Rodeo is an important stop in the series of Northwest rodeos, hosting around 400 contestants.

    The Ellensburg Rodeo is held on the historic rodeo grounds at the base of Craig’s Hill, and the Yakima Indian Nation has always participated. With a fulltime population of 21,000, this “Rodeo City” hosts one of the highest paying regular season rodeos, paying out more than $486,000 two years ago. Since 2009, Ellensburg has served as the finale for the PRCA Xtreme Bulls Tour.

    “We started the first PRCA stand alone single event in 2001(Xtreme Bulls),” said Rick Cole, the longest serving board member and arena director. There are 17 people on the committee and three to four hundred volunteers. “This in an honor for the community – without the selfless dedication of all, this event could not occur.”
    The committee has had three Justin Committeeman of the Year Awards: Ken MacRae (1998), Joel Smith (2007), Steve Alder (2013). These awards highlight the commitment of the 100% volunteer-run organization. In 1997, the Ellensburg Rodeo Hall of Fame Association was founded to preserve the history and traditions of this nationally renowned rodeo.

    “Being named into the pro rodeo Hall of Fame is really humbling and a huge honor. It’s a dream come true. We believe we put on the best rodeo,” said Jerry Doolin, the president of the committee, who has been a volunteer for more than 20 years.

     

    MARTHA JOSEY
    WPRA Barrel Racer
    Inducted 2020

    Martha Josey qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 11 times on six different horses across four consecutive decades. She won the WPRA barrel racing world title in 1980 on Sonny Bit O’ Both, the same year the duo also won the AQHA World Championship, a feat unmatched at the time of induction.

    A highlight of her career was competing in the rodeo exhibition during the Cultural Olympiad at the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Alberta, that pitted the United States against Canada. Josey would ride away with an individual bronze medal and helped Team USA win the team title.

    Josey was a true all-around cowgirl riding bulls, broncs, cutting horses, tying goats and roping calves while competing in all-girl rodeos. In 1969, Josey won the reserve All-Around World Championship Title in the Girls Rodeo Association.

    Not only did she make a name for herself in the arena but also gave back to the sport through her countless clinics. She and husband, R.E. Josey, started conducting barrel racing clinics in 1967 at their ranch in Texas and in 1981 began producing an all youth barrel race aptly named the Josey Jr. World Championship. Many of WPRA’s world champions credit Martha Josey with helping them achieve their goals. Her clinics grew to average over 2,000 students annually with students ranging in age from five to 80 and many returned yearly to participate in the annual Josey Reunion Barrel Race.

    In addition, Martha and R.E. were involved in creating new and innovative barrel racing saddles, pads, protective boots, knot reins, and combination bits. The result has been increased safety and barrel racing skills for all barrel racers throughout the World. No doubt Josey made a big impact on the sport of barrel racing.

    World Championships: 1 (1980)
    Born March 11, 1938 in Longview, Texas.

    From the Induction: “Rodeo is making America great again – such a great honor.

    When I was a little bitty girl, my first word was I want a horse. My dad was one of the first four directors of AQHA, he brought 36 mare to Texas. He passed away when I was 10 and mother had to sell all the horses except one old stallion. I went to a rodeo in Shreveport – saw the American flag come out and I watched the barrel racing and knew then that I belonged in the arena. I wanted to be a barrel racer. I went home and got on my dad’s old roping saddle and that stallion and went to the field to run barrels.

    I was trying for my fifth decade of running at the NFR, when the gateman shut the gate in front of me. I had a collapsed lung and other serious injuries and was in the hospital for three weeks – said I would never walk or ride again. That was in March, and I made the short go in Greeley in July.

  • THE IFYR CROWNS CHAMPIONS AND AWARDS UPWARDS OF $250,000 IN SHAWNEE

    THE IFYR CROWNS CHAMPIONS AND AWARDS UPWARDS OF $250,000 IN SHAWNEE

    SHAWNEE, Okla. — In front of an electric crowd at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center, rodeo athletes from across the globe were crowned IFYR (International Finals Youth Rodeo) champions and walked away with upwards of $250,000 in payouts. The six-day event featured over 930 entries from 35 different states.

    California bareback rider Jacek Frost (Browns Valley, CA) landed in the final round after a 77.0 ride in the first go and a 79.0 ride in the second go alongside Luke Thrash (Bastrop, LA) and Bradlee Miller (Huntsville, TX). The California High School Rodeo athlete topped Thrash’s and Miller’s averages after earning a 74.0 in the round to land the championship position.

    The team roping duo Brodee Snow (Bentonville, AR) and Jordan Lovins (Canadian, TX) found themselves in the short round after earning two of the fastest times in the long rounds.  Snow and Lovins matched up against Wyoming cowboys Coy Johnson (Buffalo, WY) and Jade Espenscheid (Big Piney, WY) along with Kreece Dearing (Chico, TX) and Beldon Cox (Weatherford, TX). The dominate wave of team roping youth ended with Snow and Lovins recording a 7.0 final round run, besting Johnson/Espenscheid 22.8 second average and Dearing/Cox’s 23.6 second average.

    The Garden City, Kansas steer wrestler Tanner Meier delivered almost identical times to Newark, Illinois Cowboy Garrett Leathermans in the first two long-rounds. The two athletes tied in the short go, but Merier’s split second better time from the second go would best Leatherman’s 14.6 average with a 13.5.

    Being the only saddle bronc rider to cover all three, Statler Wright (Millford, UT) – Who is brother of 3x World Champion Stetson Wright, exhausted the competition earning the high-marked-ride in two out of three rounds at the IFYR and earned more than $2500.

    Breakaway roper Della Bird (Williston, FL) delivered a powerful performance when her string broke away from her saddle horn at the 2.0 second mark in the final round Friday night. After defeating the all-around cowgirl Taylor Cuccurullo’s (Pilot Point, TX) 2.3-second time and Kaydence Crawford’s (Stephenville, TX) 2.4-second run to earn the top time in the average.

    After earning one of the fastest times of the week’s in the second-go with a 7.7-second run, Trevor Hale (Perryton, TX) backed into the box having to run a 9.1-second time or better to win. The Texas tie-down roper earned the number one spot in the average after notching exactly a 9.1-second time and besting Dylan Hancock’s (San Angelo, TX) 25.8 average by one-tenth of a second.

    After earning an advancement to the Final Round for landing two of the fastest times of the week, Payton Askins (El Cajon, CA) went into the final round as last to go behind Haiden Thompson (Yoder, WY) and all-around cowgirl Taylor Cuccurullo (Pilot Points, TX). Thompson opened the final round with a swift 16.4 second run which was followed by Cuccurullo’s 16.2 second time. Askins had to make a run faster than 16.9 to win the average and delivered an abrupt 16.0 second run to take home the top spot in the average.

    Tate Pollmeier (Fort Scott, KS) was unstoppable in the Bull Riding. The former 2x Kansas Junior High School Bull Riding Champion recorded an 84.5-point score in the long round, prior to delivering the highest marked ride of the night with an impressive 88.0 points.

    Kaylie Garza (Marion, TX) won the goat tying title at the IFYR courtesy of her 7.4 and 7.6-second run in the long round, and her 7.1-second run in the showdown round, all three the quickest times of the rounds. Garza topped Staheli Adams (Cedar Park, UT) 23.6 average. In the pole bending high school pole bending record holder Rylee Hardin (New Castle, TX) and expertly navigated the course as her 19.9-second run in the final round was the quickest, distancing runner-up Kylie Cliburn (Prairieville, LA) who recorded a 19.9-second run.

    AVERAGE WINNERS

    Barrel Racing: Payton Askins, El Cajon CA  48.767/3 $1,694.81; Haiden Thompson, Yoder WY  49.616/3 $1,473.75; Taylor Cuccurullo, Pilot Point TX  49.625/3 $1,252.69; Biloxi Shultz, Abilene TX  49.723/3 $1,031.63; Rylee Butler, Arcadia FL  49.793/3 $810.56; Kylie Jo Castor, Springdale AR  49.817/3 $589.50; Kiley Slavin, Goodwell OK  49.855/3 $368.44; Jordan Morman, Gillette WY  49.927/3 $147.38

    Pole Bending: Rylee Hardin, New Castle TX  60.172/3 $1,060.31; Kylie Cliburn, Prairieville LA  61.861/3 $877.50; Paisley Pierce, Sweeny TX  62.435/3 $694.69; Jayci Lee Byler, Bellville TX  62.474/3 $511.88; Konner Bickerstaff, Ada OK  62.544/3 $329.06; Millie Frey, Eunice LA  62.635/3 $182.81

    Breakaway Roping: Della Bird, Williston FL  7.0/3 $1,896.64; Taylor Cuccurullo, Pilot Point TX  7.2/3 $1,649.25; Kaydence Crawford, Stephenville TX  7.4/3 $1,401.86; Emma Ricke, Lawton AL  7.8/3 $1,154.48; Kaylie Garza, Marion TX  8.9/3 $907.09; Claire Vincent, Sulphur LA, Kate Kelley, Tahlequah OK split  17.0/3 $536.01 ea; Owen Gibson, Gadsden TN  4.5/2 $164.93

    Goat Tying: Kaylie Garza, Marion TX  22.1/3 $1,187.55; Staheli Adams, Cedar City UT  23.6/3 $982.80; Kayleah Hurst, Slick OK  24.1/3 $778.05; Jayci Lee Byler, Bellville TX  24.4/3 $573.30; Kallie Deveer, Geismar LA  24.6/3 $368.55; Adi Jo Martin, San Tan Valley AZ, Katie Schlang, Lake Charles LA split  24.7/3 $102.38 ea

    Calf Roping: Trevor Hale, Perryton TX  25.7/3 $1,260.11; Dylan Hancock, San Angelo TX  25.8/3 $1,095.75; Cash Fuesz, Eureka KS  27.9/3 $931.39; Mason Appleton, Copan OK  28.0/3 $767.03; Jake Holmes, Mulberry KS  28.6/3 $602.66; Houston Shipley, Copan OK  29.3/3 $438.30; Mason Theriot, Poplarville MS  29.9/3 $273.94; Cash Goble, Dalton GA  30.3/3 $109.58

    Steer Wrestling: Tanner Meier, Garden City KS  13.5/3 $835.20; Garrett Leatherman, Newark IL, Quinten Freeman, Snyder TX split  14.6/3 $619.20 ea; Rhett Witt, Valentine NE, Clate Harwell, Artesia NM split  15.1/3 $331.20 ea; Clay Clayman, Highlandville MO  15.6/3 $144.00

    Saddle Bronc: Statler Wright, Beaver UT  226.0/3 $866.25 ea; Jefferson Parsons, Springdale AR  144.5/2 $519.75 ea; Benny Proffitt, Canadian TX  135.0/2 $346.50 ea

    Bareback Bronc: Jacek Frost, Browns Valley CA  230.0/3 $796.50; Luke Thrash, Bastrop LA  228.5/3 $531.00

    Bull Riding: Tate Pollmeier, Fort Scott KS  172.5/2 $600.30; Caden Bunch, Tahlequah OK  164.5/2 $496.80; Cooper James, Tooele UT  159.5/2 $393.30; Bradlee Miller, Huntsville TX  79.5/1 $289.80; Riley Calvert, Luther OK  78.5/1 $186.30; Riggen Hughes, Kempner TX  75.0/1 $103.50

    Team Roping: Brodee Snow, Bentonville AR – Jordan Lovins, Canadian TX  21.4/3 $1,213.54; Coy Johnson, Buffalo WY – Jade Espenscheid, Big Piney WY  22.8/3 $1,055.25; Kreece Dearing, Chico TX – Belden Cox, Weatherford TX  23.6/3 $896.96; Carson Coffelt, Ponce De Leon MO – Roper Goodson, Holdenville OK  23.7/3 $738.68; Boomer Smith, Pleasanton TX – Rymond Haby, El Indio TX  24.7/3 $580.39; Clayton Huston, Decatur TX – Dylan Hancock, San Angelo TX  27.3/3 $422.10; Tyler Espenson, Wildorado TX – Brock Corman, Canyon TX  31.4/3 $263.81; Owen Clemons, Okeechobee FL – Cole Clemons, Okeechobee FL  32.9/3 $105.53

     

  • Rooftop is back in the saddle

    Rooftop is back in the saddle

    Estes Park rodeo returns and puts on a heck of a show for big crowds

    ESTES PARK, Colo. – In January, the members of the Estes Park Western Heritage Inc., began planning an event they didn’t even know if they’d be able to have.

    The organization is a group of volunteers that annually works with the town of Estes Park to produce Rooftop Rodeo, which just completed its six-day run Saturday night. After having to cancel the 2020 edition of the community’s most prestigious events, there were some challenges that had to be overcome in order for the rodeo to occur this year.

    “The first numbers regarding capacity for our rodeo were just ugly,” said Mark Purdy, the group’s chairman. “We were going to be allowed just 25 percent of capacity, and we could not have run it at that level. Once we got to 50 percent, it was still ugly, but we started thinking we could possibly pull this thing off.

    “We also were at 50 percent of our normal sponsorships at April, and we started tightening our budget so we could have it this year. In May, Colorado went full capacity, so we got to add some things back. We just tried to make it as normal as possible.”

    Over the years, Rooftop Rodeo has been recognized as one of the best events in ProRodeo. Six times it’s been honored as Rodeo of the Year: five times in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association as Small Rodeo of the Year and once as the Medium Committee of the Year in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.

    Regularly it has hosted hundreds of the greatest stars in the game and has been seen as a destination event, but something spectacular happened this year with 830 entries.

    “We set a record,” Purdy said. “That was just incredible. We were just gratified to see the contestants were coming back. With that, we started seeing other things happen. We had all our box seats sold out three weeks out. We had our stands filled to about 90 percent to 95 percent capacity early in the week, and we were sold out on Friday and Saturday nights. Our traditional sponsors started coming back in a big way.”

    What they saw was spectacular competition. There were big scores and fast times all week, with one of the biggest winners was Utahan Stetson Wright, who won the bull riding and all-around titles in Estes Park; he is the reigning world champion in both.

    Actually, the leaderboards of all events were filled with world champions and National Finals Rodeo qualifiers, including saddle bronc rider Sterling Crawley, who claimed the crown with his 83-point ride on the final night. The times in barrel racing were exceptionally fast throughout the week of competition, with NFR qualifier Shelley Morgan winning the title in a time of 16.66 seconds, just two-tenths off the arena record.

    It all happened because a group of dedicated volunteers made a concerted effort to overcome whatever challenges they faced and produce an incredible event for members of the Estes Park community and the tourists that make it such a vibrant mountain town each summer.

    “We have a really passionate group of committee people, and they never wavered,” Purdy said. “I know a lot of rodeos and other events had a real big problem with volunteer retainment after the pandemic, but we didn’t have a problem with that.

    “Everybody stepped up. We were ready for a 50 percent capacity in April, and then it opened up. We also got a handful of new sponsors are now long-term committed to our rodeo. Our future is looking very bright at Rooftop Rodeo.”

     

    Rooftop Rodeo
    Estes Park, Colo.
    All-around cowboy:     Stetson Wright, $4,276, saddle bronc riding and bull riding.

    Bareback riding: 1. Tyler Johnson, 87.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Zipper Trick, $5,534; 2. Tray Chambliss III, 86.5, $4,243; 3. Bodee Lammers, 84.5, $3,136; 4. Garrett Shadbolt, 83.5, $2,029; 5. (tie) Lane McGehee, Will Lowe, Luke Creasy and Jake Brown, 83, $876 each.

    Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Dirk Tavenner, 3.3 seconds, $1,861; 2. Brandon Harrison, 3.4, $1,541; 3. Dalton Massey, 3.7, $1,220; 4. (tie) Tristan Martin and Payden McIntyre, 3.8, $738 each; 6. (tie) Cade Staton, Kyle Broce and Bill Claunch, 3.9, $107 each. Second round: 1. Jule Hazen, 3.4 seconds, $1,861; 2. Grady Payne, 3.5, $1,541; 3. Rowdy Parrott, 3.6, $1,220; 4. (tie) Kyle Irwin, Riley Krassin, Jacob Talley, Will Lummus and Laramie Warren, 3.8, $359 each. Average: 1. Brandon Harrison, 7.9 seconds on two head, $2,792; 2. (tie) Jacob Talley and Will Lummus, 8.0, $2,070 each; 4. Laramie Warren, 8.4, $1,348; 5. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Riley Krassin, 8.5, $674 each.

    Team roping: First round: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.5 seconds, $1,811 each; 2. Tate Kirchenschlager/Cole Davison, 4.8, $1,499; 3. Coy Rahlmann/Douglas Rich, 5.0, $1,186; 4. (tie) Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith and Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler, 5.1, $718 each; 6. Lightning Aguilera/Shay Dixon Carroll, 5.2, $312. Second round: 1. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 4.2 seconds, $1,811 each; 2. John Gaona/Trevor Nowlin, 4.4, $1,499; 3. Colby Lovell/Paul Eaves, 4.5, $1,186; 4. Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 4.7, $874; 5. (tie) Tyler Waters/Richard Durham and Tate Kirchenschlager/Cole Davison, 4.9, $437 each. Average: 1. (tie) Tate Kirchenschlager/Cole Davison and Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 9.7 seconds on two head, $2,482 each; 3. Tyler Waters/Richard Durham, 10.3, $1,780; 4. Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 10.8, $1,311; 5. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 10.9, $843; 6. Jake Orman/Brye Crites, 11.0, $468.

    Saddle bronc riding: 1. Sterling Crawley, 83 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s 2 week Notice, $5,584; 2. Colt Gordon, 81.5, $4,281; 3. (tie) Jacob Kammerer and Ryder Wright, 79, $2,606 each; 5. (tie) Layton Green, Mitch Pollock, Wyatt Casper and Jacobs Crawley, 78, $884 each.

    Tie-down roping: 1. Riley Pruitt, 7.3 seconds, $4,054; 2. Trenton Smith, 8.0, $3,627; 3. Bo Pickett, 8.4, $3,201; 4. Andrew Burks, 8.6, $2,774; 5. Tom Crouse, 8.7, $2,347; 6. Ryan Belew, 8.8, $1,920; 7. (tie) Hunter Reaume and Colton Farquer, 8.9, $1,280 each; 9. (tie) Marty Yates and Bryce Barney, 9.1, $427 each.

    Barrel racing: 1. Shelley Morgan, 16.66 seconds, $4,221; 2. Dona Kay Rule, 16.68, $3,376; 3. Sissy Winn, 16.78, $2,743; 4. Jessie Telford, 16.80, $2,110; 5. Sidney Forrest, 16.85, $1,688; 6. Katie Halbert, 16.93, $1,266; 7. Michelle Alley, 16.95, $1,055; 8. Emily Miller-Beisel, 16.96, $950; 9. (tie) Jill Wilson and Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 16.97, $791 each; 11. Nicole Waggoner-Ludwick, 16.98, $633; 12. Jessi Fish, 17.00, $528; 13. Paige Jones, 17.01, $422; 14. Lisa Lockhart, 17.02, $317; 15. Maddy Dickens, 17.03, $211.

    Bull riding: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, 86.5 points on The Cervi Brothers’ Major Leaguer, $4,276; 2. Briggs Madsen, 86, $3,278; 3. Jesse Hopper, 81, $2,423; 4. Dakota Nye, 78.5, $1,568; 5. Lon Danley, 77, $998; 6. Ednei Caminhas, 76, $713; 7. Trevor Reiste, 75, $570; 8. Sage Kimzey, 74.5, $428.

     

  • Rodeo Clown Reunion

    Rodeo Clown Reunion

    Where Laugh-Getters & Cowboy Savers Relive the Past

    The ProRodeo Hall of Fame and the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo is the destination for the 23rd Rodeo Clown Reunion.  It is  a time for retired bullfighters, funnymen and barrelmen to gather and reminisce, don their only familiar baggy britches and personal make-up, and spend time doing what they did “back in the good old days”.  They sign autographs, perform old acts and kibbitz with the fans.  When they have a few minutes to catch their breath in between gigs, they visit with other honorees and tell stories of earlier arena days and things that happened they well remember and other rodeo clowns who are no longer with us.

    The purpose of the Rodeo Clown Reunion is to show these seniors that we are grateful for what they did in the rodeo arena entertaining the audience and saving the bull riders from serious harm and more.  Their abilities to promote a rodeo and put a smile on the spectators faces is so important to the success of an event and we are grateful for their years in this profession and their willingness to entertain.

    On August 6th, the honorees will be at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame with programs, acts, and autographs.  It will be a day which anyone can spend with these characters and cowboy heroes, asking questions and learning about the life of a rodeo clown.  How did they happen to choose this profession?  How dangerous is it to stand in front of a raging bull and keep the bull riders from harm?  Is the barrel really a safe haven when a bull is charging?

    August 7th and 8th the honorees will be in Castle Rock at the Douglas County Fair & Rodeo assisting in many annual venues including the mutton busting, and autographing and performing in their rodeos at 7 PM on Saturday, and 1 PM on Sunday.

    Since the original 1974 Rodeo Clown Reunion that was held in Roseburg, Oregon, during the Umpqua Valley Rodeo, the Reunion was held there four more years, then in 1991 it was held in Moses Lake, WA.  Since that time it had been held in a variety of locales, more centrally located, in conjunction with PRCA rodeos.  The 1993 Rodeo Clown Reunion was held in Guthrie, OK;  then  in Colorado  Springs, 1995 & 2000 during the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo;

    Rodeo de Santa Fe was our destination three times, 1997, 2011 & 2017; Deadwood Days of ’76  in 2002 & 2009; and once at rodeos at Springdale, AR, 1999; Stephenville, TX, 2004; Pendleton RoundUp, 2006; Sheridan, WY, 2012; Dodge City, KS, 2008;  Coffeyville, KS, 2015; and during the Day of the Cowboy weekend, 2018, at the Stockyards at Fort Worth.

    During the years the Reunion has been held we adjust the events, other than the rodeo, to suit the area.  At Deadwood we traveled to Mount Rushmore and Chief Crazy Horse Monuments in addition to the rodeo.  In Guthrie, OK we toured the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum and had a Clown-Mule Race at Remington Park, the local pari-mutual horse track in Oklahoma City.  At Moses Lake we traveled to the Grand Coulee Dam by bus.  At Dodge City we caravanned to the town of Greensburg, that had just been totally demolished by a tornado, with a pickup full of books the honorees had gathered together to help start a new library for the ravaged community.

    We have second generation rodeo clowns attending this year.  Greg Doering,  the son of Karl (deceased), has attended each reunion since it’s inception.  Other multi-generational families attending are:  Jerry Wayne Olson, a third generation rodeo clown, who followed in the footsteps of his deceased dad, Jerry, and grandfather, LaRue Olson.  Other two-generation honorees are: Don Bowman and his twin step-sons Dan & Pat Ariaz;  Melvin Fields and son Devlin,  and  John Clark and son, Kelly.   Dixie Reger Mosley, the only woman rodeo clown who clowned for 12 years and was also a charter member of the Girls Rodeo Association.  So far, forty-four rodeo clowns have registered from 17 states and Canada.  Their accumulated years in the rodeo arena as a funnyman, bullfighter or barrelman add up to 939 years.

    Every honoree’s story is different in some way.  A few retired after 5 decades in the arena.  Others retired earlier, some due to injury and others had a variety of reasons for moving on.  Some concentrated on being funny and fighting bulls.  Others were more inclined to fight bulls while others got their adrenalin rush by hearing the audience laugh.  Regardless of how they spent their years in the arena the one common denominator is they have all continued to keep their sense of humor.

    Come join us, you’ll be glad you did.  For more information regarding the upcoming Rodeo Clown Reunion contact me at email:  rodeogal@airmail.net.

     

  • College Rodeo Scholarship Awards

    College Rodeo Scholarship Awards

    A major component of the 72nd College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) June 6 -12, 2021 was awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships to members of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA).

    Winners during the competition earn scholarships, and special scholarships are awarded to NIRA members. The total given through the seven days of competition is over $150,000.

    The Walt Garrison Top Hand Award is a $2,500 scholarship awarded for loyalty, determination, integrity and leadership. Each of the NIRA’s 11 geographic regions nominate one rodeo athlete for this award then one winner is selected from those nominees. Garrison, a former professional steer wrestler and professional football player with the Dallas Cowboys, started numerous scholarship programs.

    This year’s Top Hand is Mayce Marek of Arp, Texas, who just completed her sophomore year at Wharton County Community College in Texas and plans to continue her education this fall at Texas A & M Commerce where she will major in agricultural business. Marek was the Southern Region’s nominee and competed in goat tying at her first CNFR last week.

    The Harry Vold “Duke of the Chutes” Scholarship is presented in honor of the distinguished and respected stock contractor’s longtime association with college rodeo. Madison Deck, a West Virginia native and pre-vet student at Murray State University, received this $2,500 scholarship. Deck, who competes in barrel racing, maintains a 4.0 grade point average.

    The $2,500 Shane Drury “Nothin’ But Try” Scholarship is given each year to an NIRA member who exhibits Drury’s never-give-up attitude in the face of adversity. Drury, a bull rider who competed at the CNFR and was part of a men’s championship team, died after a battle with cancer.

    This year’s winner Brandy Schaack of Hyannis, Nebraska, competed at her second CNFR for the University of Wyoming. In 2019 when she was a junior, Schaack went through serious health challenges. She had a debilitating bout with ulcerative colitis in the fall of 2018, then in the spring suffered from leg pain. The cause was a blood infection normally seen in horses and called “strangles”. While undergoing surgery for that, doctors discovered she had stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that had spread to her liver, bones and throughout her body. As soon as she recovered from leg surgery, she began chemotherapy and two years later she was back at the CNFR in the breakaway roping.

    Three other “Nothin’ But Try” $500 scholarships have been established since Shane Drury awarded the first in 2006. The Lee Akin scholarship went to Cheyenne Bartling of Oklahoma State University. Tyree Cochran of Cal Poly State University – San Luis Obispo received the Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff scholarship, and the Levi Wisness scholarship went to Tayle Brink of Black Hills State University.

    The John J. Smith Scholarship in honor of longtime NIRA commissioner John Smith is for NIRA members pursuing a graduate degree at an accredited institution. This year’s winner of the $2,000 scholarship is McKenzie Frizzell of Cochise, Arizona. She competed at the 2021 CNFR in breakaway roping and is a spring graduate of New Mexico State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and economics.

    The winners of the Patty Skogan Memorial Scholarships were chosen from nominees from each NIRA region who show determination, grit and kindness while overcoming obstacles and demonstrating a welcoming attitude. Tyree Cochran, a 2021 animal science graduate of Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo who qualified for her first CNFR in team roping, and Kamryn Duncan, a sophomore early childhood education major at McNeese State University who competed at her first CNFR in breakaway roping and goat tying, received these awards.

    The $1,000 George Howard Memorial Scholarships honor the life of Howard who spent 35 years as a college rodeo coach – first as an assistant at Dodge City Community College and Southwestern Oklahoma State University and later as head coach at the University of Wyoming. Howard’s teams qualified for the CNFR every year and he coached seven national championship teams and 27 individual champions.

    Two scholarships were given in 2021. Owen Gustafson, from Browning, Montana, a senior ranch management major at Dickinson State University, and Colton Crawford, from Walsh, Colorado, a senior public relations and mass communication major at Missouri Valley College, were the recipients.

    As a timed-event athlete, Gutafson also received the $1,000 NIRA Alumni Stan Harter Memorial Scholarship. Harter competed for Arizona State University and was the 1966 NIRA champion in both calf roping and ribbon roping. He went on to a successful professional rodeo career and was a long-time supporter of college rodeo who served as the alumni president.

    No one has a background in college rodeo that is as extensive as Sonny Sikes. He competed and won national titles in the team roping and tie-down roping for Sam Houston State University. He went on to coach there and from 1962 through 1979, he and his wife, Joanne, served as the NIRA Executive Secretary.

    Because of his dedication and passion for college rodeo, the NIRA started the Sonny Sikes Pioneer Award. This year’s winner is Jade Boote of Binford, North Dakota. Boote, a senior secondary education major at Dickinson State University, competed at her second CNFR in breakaway roping. She has served as the Great Plains Region Student Director and taken on several leadership roles.

    Fundraising efforts for these awards are ongoing through the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Foundation and the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Alumni Association.

  • Cody Stampede

    Cody Stampede

    102nd Annual Cody Stampede Ends with a Bang

    CODY, Wyo. July 4, 2021 — The 102nd Cody Stampede came to a close on July 4th with several contestants moving into the money.

    One of those was the 2018 world champion saddle bronc rider Wade Sundell from Boxholm, Iowa. Sundell played to the crowd after getting off of C5 Rodeo’s horse named Kitty Whistle. The sold-out stands responded with a roar when his score of 90 points was announced.

    That put Sundell in a tie for first place with Mitch Pollock from Winnemucca, Nevada. Pollock rode Frontier Rodeo’s Maple Leaf on July 3. Those scores earned each of them $4,907 which they needed badly. Both Pollock and Sundell are hoping to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December and both of them are outside of the top 15, but among the top 25. With three months full of rodeos, their goals are definitely in reach.

    Caleb Bennett got his second win at the Cody Stampede in the bareback riding and they both came aboard the same horse. In 2019, he set an arena record on Gun Fire from Frontier Rodeo with a 94. They matched up at Stampede Park again July 2, and the result this time was a 91.5 point score. The win was worth $5,746 for the Corvallis, Montana resident.

    In the steer wrestling, world standings leader Jacob Talley increased his lead when he added $6,269 to his earnings. Talley, from Keatchie, Louisiana, stopped the clock in 3.4 seconds for the win.

    A year ago, Tuf Cooper left Cody with a championship in the tie-down roping. He competed during the final rodeo and again left with the championship. Cooper, from Decatur, Texas, stopped the clock in 8.3 seconds and was the big winner of the rodeo at $10,671.

    The total payoff at the 102nd Cody Stampede was over $300,000. The dust hasn’t settled at Stampede Park as the Cody Nite Rodeo starts again July 5 and continues through Aug. 31.

    102nd Cody Stampede Champions

    Bareback Riding, Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, Mont., 91.5 points, $5,746

    Steer Wrestling, Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La., 3.4 seconds, $6,269

    Team Roping, Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont., and Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan., 4.0 seconds, $7,640 each

    Saddle Bronc Riding, Mitch Pollock, Winnemucca, Nev., and Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 90 points and $4,907 each.

    Breakaway Roping, Jayme Marcrum, Springtown, Texas, 2.0 seconds, $3,845

    Tie-Down Roping, Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 8.3, $10,671

    Barrel Racing, Emily Miller-Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 17.03 seconds, $10,124

    Bull Riding, Braden Richardson, Jasper, Texas, 93 points, $5,584

    The following are results from the 102nd Cody Stampede, Sunday, July 4, 2021

    Fourth Performance —

    Bareback riding: 1, Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif., 90 points on C5 Rodeo’s Black Feathers. 2, R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., 86. 3, Seth Lee Hardwick, Ranchester, Wyo., 84.5. 4, Kody Lamb, Sherwood Park, Alberta, 81.

    Steer wrestling: 1, Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas, 4.0 seconds. 2, Logan Wiseman, Paola, Kan., 5.5. 3, Connor Curtis McKell, Springville, Utah, 13.8. 4, Matt Watson, Springville, Utah, 16.2.

    Team roping:  (three times) 1, Clint Summers, Lake City Fla., and Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas, 4.2. 2, Nick Sartain, Bandera, Texas, and Reagan Ward, Edmond, Okla., 5.0. 3, Brandon Webb, Big Wells, Texas, and Kollin VonAhn, Blanchard, okla., 19.5.

    Saddle bronc riding: 1, Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 90 points on C5 Rodeo’s Kitty Whistle. 2, Ks Thomson, Lundbreck, Alberta, 88. 3, Jake Watson, Hudsons Hope, British Columbia, 86. 4, Lefty Holman, Visalia, calif., 84.5.

    Breakaway roping: (three times) 1, Callie Hardwick, Fairfield, Texas, 2.5 seconds. 2, Katie Mundorf, Mullen, Neb., 3.3. 3, sequin Brewer, Canyon, Texas, 3.4. 4

    Tie-down roping: 1, Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 8.3 seconds. 2, Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif., 8.5. 3, Cy Eames, Gooding, Idaho, 9.8. 4, Koleby Hughes, St. George, Utah, 10.3.

    Barrel Racing: 1, Shali Lord, Lamar, Colo., 17.43 seconds. 2, Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas, 17.49. 3, Sue Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho, 17.68. 4, Randi Holliday, Chouteau, Okla., 17.77.

    Bull Riding: (one ride) 1, Chase Dougherty, Decatur, Texas, 84 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Out Cold. .

     

    Current Leaders —

     

    Bareback riding: 1, Caleb Bennett, Corvalis, Mont., 91.5 points on Frontier rodeo’s Gun Fire, $5,756. 2, Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif., 90, $4,405. 3, Mason Clements, Spanish Fork, Utah, 86.5, $2,107. 5, Richmond Champion, Stevensville, Mont., 85, $1,341. 6, Seth Hardwick, Ranchester, Wyo., 84.5, $958. 7, Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La.,  84, $766. 6, Will Lowe, Amarillo, Texas, 83, $575.

     

    Steer wrestling: 1, Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La., 3.4 seconds, $6,269. 2, (tie) Caden Camp, Belgrade, Mont., and Zack Jongbloed, Kinder, La., 3.6 and $5,279 each. 4, Gage Hesse, Keenesburg, Colo., 3.9, $4,289. 5, Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D.; Joe Wilson, Martin, S.D.; and Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas; 4.0 and $2,989 each. 8, (tie) Tucker Allen, Oak View, Calif.; Tyler Pearson, Louisville, Miss.; Baxtor Roche, Tremonton, Utah; and Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif.; 4.2, $742.

     

    Team roping: 1, Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont., and Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan., 4.0 seconds, $7,640.  2, Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla., and Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 4.1, $6,835. 3, (tie) Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla., and Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas; Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz., and Paden Bray, Stephenville, Texas; and Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif., and Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas, 4.2 and $5,227 each. 6, Britt Smith and Jake Smith, Broken Bow, Okla., 4.3, $3,619. 76, Jake Clay, Spulpa, Okla., and Rance Doyal, Harshorn, Okla., 4.1, $2,815; 8, (tie) Jr. Dees, Aurora, S.D., and Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz.; Jaxson Tucker, Statesville, N.C., and Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas; and Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga., and Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prude, Brazil; 4.5, $1,206.

     

    Saddle bronc riding: 1, (tie) Mitch Pollock on Frontier Rodeo’s Maple Leaf and Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa on C5 Rodeo;s Kitty Whistle, 90 points and $4,907 each. 3, (tie) Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont., and K’s Thomson, Lundbreck, Alberta, 88 and $2,593. 5, (tie) Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., and Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D., 87.5, $1,111. 7, Jake Watson, Hudson’s Hope, British Columbia, 86, $741. 8, Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah, 85, $556.

     

    Breakaway roping: 1, Jayme Marcrum, Springtown, Texas, 2.0 seconds, $3,845. 2, Cheyanne Guillory, Gainesville, Texas, 2.1, $3,076. 3, (tie) Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D., and Hope Thompson, Abilene, Texas, 2.3 and $2,211 each. 7, Sloan Anderson, Whitehorse, S.D., 2.6, $961. 8, (tie) Kayelen Helton, Stephenville, Texas; Tracey Bolich, Belgrade, Mont., and Megan Burbidge, Tremonton, Utah,; 2.9, $769. 11, Sarah Verheist, Pryor, Mont., 3.0, $577. 12, (tie) lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas; Abbie Medlin, Tatum, N.M., and Anna Callaway, Billings, Mont., 3.1, $384. 15, Kelsie Chace, Dublin, Texas, 3.2, 4192.

     

    Tie-down roping: 1, Tuf Case Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 8.3 seconds, $10,671. 2, Kyle Lucas, Carstairs, Alberta, and Blake Chauvin, Raceland, La., 8.4 seconds and $8,986 each. 4, (tie) Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif.; Cody McCartney, Ottowa Lake, Mich.; Michael Pederson, Hermiston, Ore.; and Andrew Burks, Kiln, Miss.; 8.5, $5,617. 8, J. Cody Jones, Ukiah, Calif., 8.6, $2,808. 9, Westyn Hughes, Caldwell, Texas; Ryan Thibodeaux, Stephenville, Texas; and Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas, 8.7, $749.

     

    Barrel Racing: 1, Emily Miller-Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 17.03 seconds, $10,124. 2, Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 17.05, $8,099. 3, Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas, 17.24, $6,580. 4, Cheyenne Wimberley, Stephenville, Texas, 17.25, $5,062. 5, (tie) Sabra O’Quinn, Ocala, Fla., and Dona Kay Rule, Minco, Okla., 17.31, $3,543 each.  7, Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla., 17.32, $2,531. 8, Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D., 17.35, $2,278. 9, (tie0 Jill Wilson, Snyder, Texas, and Ericka Nelson, Lake City, Fla., 17.40, $1,898. 11, Nellie Miller, Cottonwood, Calif., 17.42, $1,519. 12, Shali Lord, Lamar, Colo., 17.43, $1,265. 13, Jordon Briggs, Chilton, Texas, 17.45, %1,012. 14, Meka Farr, Honeyville, Utah, 17.46, $759. 15, Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas, 17.46, $506.

     

    Bull Riding: 1, Braden Richardson, Jasper, Texas, 93 points on Frontier Rodeo’s County Jail, $5,584. 2, Jordan Wacey Spears, Redding, Calif., 91, $4,281. 3, J.B. Mauney, Cotulla, Texas, 90.5, $3,164. 4, (tie) Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah, and Koby Radley, Montpelier, La., 88.5 points each., Ariz., 85, $1,675. 6, Creek Young, Fort Scott, Kan., 87, $931. 7, (tie) Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont., and Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla., 86, $651.

  • Champs in St Paul

    Champs in St Paul

    Detached tendon doesn’t stop California cowboy from steer wrestling title; sellout crowds fill stands for 85th anniversary

    St. Paul, Ore. (July 4, 2021) – Luke Branquinho may have detached his hamstring tendon from the bone, but that didn’t stop him from winning the 2021 St. Paul Rodeo.

    The Los Alamos, Calif. cowboy, a five-time world champion, made two solid steer wrestling runs, 4.2 seconds in each of two rounds, to win the average in St. Paul with a time of 8.4 seconds on two head.

    He had suffered the hamstring tendon injury at a rodeo in Weatherford, Texas in June and took off about three weeks to rehab it. But there’s no time for surgery, with Branquinho ranked in the top twenty in PRCA world standings, so he’s rehabbing and stretching it, hoping to put off surgery until after the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December, in hopes of competing at the pinnacle of the pro rodeo world for the fifteenth time in his career.

    “As of right now, we’ll keep rolling and see how things go,” he said. It isn’t causing any pain, and he wraps it tight before competing.

    For Branquinho, in part because of the hamstring tendon detachment, he’s rodeoed less this Cowboy Christmas than any of the last 21 years of his career.

    “This is probably the least number of rodeos I’ve gone to” over the lucrative Cowboy Christmas, the days preceding and following Independence Day, he said. He and his traveling partners competed at Livingston, Mont. on July 1, in Cody, Wyo. and Red Lodge, Mont. on July 2, in St. Paul on July 3, then in Eugene, Ore. on July 4.

    He was aboard one of the best steer wrestling horses in pro rodeo.

    Baby, an American Quarter Horse whose registered name is Babysgonecountry, is owned by Sam Dixon of Lockesburg, Arkansas. Four cowboys are riding the mount this year: Branquino, Jacob Talley, Justin Shaffer and Tucker Allen, all four traveling partners. In part because of the horse’s exceptional ability, Talley finished as reserve champion in St. Paul and is ranked first in the PRCA world standings.

    This is the third St. Paul Rodeo buckle for Branquinho; he also won the rodeo in 2006 and 2015. He also won second place at the Livingston, Mont. rodeo on July 4.

    In the saddle bronc riding, another world champion took home the gold from St. Paul.

    Zeke Thurston, the two-time PRCA world champion saddle bronc rider, won St. Paul  with 88 points on the Flying Five Rodeo Co. horse Broken Camp.

    He knew the horse would be a challenge but he was ready for it. “That horse really bucks,” he said. “She’s bucked some guys off, but they won lots on her. I was just lucky to draw her, and lucky to make a good ride on her.”

    The Big Valley, Alberta cowboy has only won money once at St. Paul, “so to win it would be amazing.

    “This is an iconic, prestigious rodeo. It has some of the best horses and some of the best cowboys at it. It’s very unique, with trees in the arena. The crowd is amazing. I’m tickled to death to win it.”

    The rodeo saw four sell-out performances and record crowds. Its opening day, June 30, coincided with the first day that Governor Kate Brown lifted all Covid restrictions in the state.

    Other 2021 St. Paul Rodeo champions include bareback rider Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore. (87.5 points); 2019 world champion tie-down roper Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont. (15.9 seconds on two head); bull rider JC Mortensen, Paulden, Ariz. (87 points); team ropers Kaleb Driggers, Stephenville, Texas and Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prude, Brazil (10.4); and barrel racer Stephanie Fryar, Waco, Texas (17.37).

    The 86th St. Paul Rodeo will take place June 30-July 4, 2022. For more information, visit www.StPaulRodeo.com.

    ### –

    Results from the 85th St. Paul Rodeo, June 30-July 4, 2021.

    All-around champion: Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah

    Bareback riding champion: Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Oregon

    1. Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore. 87.5 points on Flying 5 Rodeo’s Cougar Country; 2. Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan. 86; 3. (tie) Jacob Lees, Caldwell, Idaho and Lane McGehee, Victoria, Texas 84 each; 5. Wyatt Denny, Minden, Nev. 83; 6. (tie) RC Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif. and Cooper Cooke, Victor, Idaho 82.5 each; 8. (tie) Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif. and Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn. 82 each.

    Steer wrestling champion: Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, California

    1st round

    1. Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore. 3.8 seconds; 2. (tie) Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., Tucker Allen, Oak View, Calif., and JD Struxness, Alva, Okla. 4.2; 5. Dakota Eldridge, Reedley, Calif. 4.3; 6. (tie) Justin Shaffer, Hallville, Texas, Will Lummus, Byahlia, Miss., Mike McGinn, Haines, Ore. and Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La. 4.4 each.

    2nd round

    1. Dalton Massey, Hermiston, Ore. 3.8 seconds; 2. Dirk Tavenner, Rigby, Idaho 3.9; 3. (tie) Winsten McGraw, Gill, Colo., Joe Nelson, Watford City, N.D. and Cody Cabral, Hilo, Hawaii., 4.0 each; 6. (tie) Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif. and Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La. 4.2 each; 8. (tie) Scott Guenthner, Provost, Alb. and Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La. 4.4.

    Average on two head

    1. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif. 8.4 seconds on two head; 2. Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La. 8.8; 3. Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore. 8.9; 4. Payden McIntyre, Douglas, Wyo. 9.0; 5. (tie) Mike McGinn, Haines, Ore. and Will Lummus, Byhalia, Miss. 9.1 each; 7. Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas 9.2; 8. Dirk Tavenner, Rigby, Idaho 9.3.

    Bull riding champion: JC Mortensen

    1. JC Mortensen, Paulden, Ariz. 87 points on Corey and Lange Rodeo’s Highway to Hell; 2. Jordan Spears, Redding, Calif. 86.5; 3. Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah 86; 4. (tie) Tristen Hutchings, Inkom, Idaho and Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas 84 each; 6. (tie) Sage Kimzey, Salado, Texas and JB Mauney, Stephenville, Texas 83.5 each; 8. Laramie Mosley, Palestine, Texas 82.5.

    Tie-down roping champion: Haven Meged, Miles City, Montana

    1st round

    1. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas 7.8 seconds; 2. (tie) John Douch, Huntsville, Texas, Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M. and Michael Otero, Weatherford, Texas 8.1 each; 5. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont. 8.3; 6. (tie) Zack Jongbloed, Iowa, La., Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La. and Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas 8.7 each.

    2nd round

    1. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas 7.5; 2. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont. 7.6; 3. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho 7.8; 4. (tie) Colton Farquer, Oakdale, Calif. and Quade Hiatt, Canyon, Texas 8.2 each; 6. (tie) Westyn Hughes, Caldwell, Idaho, Brushton Minton, Witter Springs, Calif. and Reid Zapalac, Smithville, Texas 8.5 each.

    Average on two head

    1. Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont. 15.9 seconds on two head; 2. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas 16.5; 3. John Douch, Huntsville, Texas 16.9; 4. Quade Hiatt, Canyon, Texas 17.7; 5. Michael Otero, Weatherford, Texas 17.8; 6. (tie) Westyn Hughes, Caldwell, Texas and Stetson Vest, Childress, Texas 17.9 each; 8. (tie) Reid Zapalac, Smithville, Texas and Cody Huber, Albia, Iowa 18.2 each.

    Saddle bronc riding champion: Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta

    1. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alb. 88 points on Big Bend Rodeo’s Broken Camp; 2. (tie)

    Ben Andersen, Rocky Mountain, Alb.; Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah and Jack Bentz, Crane, Ore. 86.5 each; 5. Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah 85.5; 6. Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho 84.5; 7. Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alb. 84; 8. Sam Harper, Paradise Valley, Nev. 83.5.

    Team roping Champions: Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Georgia and Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prude, Brazil

    1st round

    1. Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas/Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo. 4.6 seconds; 2. Steven Duby, Hereford, Ore./Andy Carlson, Hermiston, Ore. 4.8; 3. Derrick Begay, Winslow, Ariz./Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz. 4.9; 4. (tie) Brenten Hall, Stephenville, Texas/Chase Tryan, Helena, Mont. and Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla./Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas 5.0 each; 6. (tie) Kaleb Driggers, Stephenville, Texas/Junior Nogueira, Lipan, Texas and Clay Smith, Bowie, Texas/Jade Corkill, Stephenville, Texas 5.4 each; 8. Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah/Jeremy Buhler, Arrowwood, Alb. 5.5.

    2nd round

    1. Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C./Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas 4.2 seconds; 2. Colby Lovell, Madisonville, Texas/Paul Eaves, Millsap, Texas 4.3; 3. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn./Joseph Harrison, Marietta, Okla. 4.4; 4. Luke Brown, Morgan Mill, Texas/Hunter Koch, Vernon, Texas 4.9; 5. Kaleb Driggers, Stephenville, Texas/Junior Nogueira, Lipan, Texas 5.0; 6. Jared Parke, Gooding, Idaho/Jaylen Eldridge, Nampa, Idaho 5.2; 7. (tie) Jake Graham, Lakeview, Ore./Calgary Smith, Adams, Ore.; Tate Kirchenschlager, Yuma, Colo./Cole Davison, Stephenville, Texas; Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah/Jeremy Buhler, Arrowwood, Alb.; Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla./Buddy Hawkins II, Columbus, Kan.; Tyler Waters, Stephenville, Texas/Richard Durham, Henrietta, Texas 5.5 each.

    Average on two head

    1. Kaleb Driggers, Stephenville, Texas/Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prude, Brazil 10.4 seconds on two head; 2. Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla./Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas 10.6; 3. (tie) Brenten Hall, Stephenville, Texas/Chase Tryan, Helena, Mont; Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah/Jeremy Buhler, Arrowwood, Alb. and Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas/Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo. 11.0 each; 6. Tyler Waters, Stephenville, Texas/Richard Durham, Henrietta, Texas 11.1; 7. Britt Smith, Broken Bow, Okla./Jake Smith, Broken Bow, Okla. 11.2; 8. Tate Kirchenschlager, Yuma, Colo./Cole Davison, Roosevelt, Utah 11.4.

    Barrel racing champion: Stephanie Fryar, Waco, Texas

    1. Stephanie Fryar, Waco, Texas 17.37 seconds; 2. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 17.51; 3. Shelley Holman, Brentwood, Calif. 17.57; 4. (tie) Emily Miller-Beisel, Weatherford, Okla. and Jennifer Barrett, Buhl, Idaho 17.62 each; 6. Jessi Fish, Washington, Texas 17.70; 7. Sue Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho 17.76; 8. Tanya Jones, Arlington, Ariz. 17.78; 9. (tie) Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz. and Sidney Forrest, Lipan, Texas 17.82 each; 11. Katie Pascoe, Morro Bay, Calif. 17.84; 12. Mary Shae Thomas, Hermiston, Ore. 17.85; 13. Paige Jones, Wayne, Okla. 17.89; 14. Bailey Cline, Roseburg, Ore. 17.91; 15. (tie) Katie Davis, Adrian, Ore. and Danyelle Williams, Vale, Ore. 17.94. each.

     

     

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

  • Black Hills Roundup: Belle Fourche, SD

    Black Hills Roundup: Belle Fourche, SD

    The Black Hills Roundup rodeo was held in Belle Fourche, S.D., on June 30 – July 4 where members of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) from around the globe competed in their specialty events. This year, the rodeo committee celebrated 102 consecutive years of hosting the Black Hills Roundup and are expecting many more to come.

    The Black Hills Roundup is a family friendly event that has something for everyone. Throughout the Roundup, fans could find numerous activities to keep them entertained such as a cattle drive through downtown Belle Fourche on Thursday afternoon, a carnival every night, mutton bustin’ held before each rodeo, a firework show after the rodeos on Friday and Saturday, and a parade downtown on Sunday afternoon.

    This event wouldn’t be possible, though, without the volunteers that are willing to pitch in throughout the event. One volunteer in particular, Mel Schmidt, has stepped up in past years to help make the contestants feel welcome with the rodeo’s hospitality tent. “We love giving them that small town, family feel and want to let them know that we appreciate them coming to our rodeo,” Mel explained. The hospitality tent has played a large role in the Black Hills Roundup’s accomplishment of being voted PRCA’s Medium Sized Rodeo of the Year three years in a row.

    Each night of the rodeo performances, the rodeos contain a theme: Thursday – Family Night, Friday – Chutes for Charity, Saturday – Tough Enough to Wear Pink, and Sunday – Military and First Responders Appreciation. Each night also has a special presentation.

    One of the most touching events of the weekend, though, occurred during the Thursday night performance when the Western Wish Foundation made one girl’s dream come true. Emma Juelffs, a young girl with down syndrome, had the chance to ride into the arena dressed in a new cowgirl outfit given to her by the foundation. She was also presented with a cowboy hat signed by multiple pro cowboys and a sash to make her the rodeo’s princess.

    The Black Hills Roundup welcomed many contestants to Belle Fourche and crowned champions in each event. In the saddle bronc riding, Kole Ashbacher won the rodeo with an 87.5 on “Lunatic from Hell” provided by Burch Rodeo. Cole Franks also made an impressive ride in the bareback riding to win the rodeo with 89 points on “Two Buck Chuck” from Powder River Rodeo. Clay Smith and Jade Corkill took home the win in the team roping with a fast time of 3.7 seconds. In the steer wrestling, Riley Reiss had the quickest throw with 3.3 seconds.

    This ProRodeo is a great event for everyone involved: fans, volunteers, and contestants. The competition was stiff in each event thanks to the stock. Powder River Rodeo, Burch Rodeo, and Legend Rodeo Stock, LLC all provided top notch rough stock that helped the winning cowboys earn their high point rides. Timed event stock, provided by the Frontier Rodeo Company, were fast and even, giving each contestant an equal opportunity to perform.

    If you’re looking for a fun-filled, action packed weekend for next summer’s get away, the Black Hills Roundup will take place again June 30 – July 4, 2022. Tickets will be available starting Jan. 1, 2022.

     

     

    Black Hills Roundup – Final Results – Belle Fourche, SD – July 1-4

    Bareback riding: 1. Cole Franks, 89 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Two Buck Chuck, $2,786; 2. (tie) Clayton Biglow and R.C. Landingham, 86.5, $1,857 each; 4. Jess Pope, 86, $1,022; 5. Jamie Howlett, 83, $650; 6. (tie) Shane O’Connell, Shawn Perkins and Zachariah Phillips, 81, $371 each.

    Steer wrestling: 1. Riley Reiss, 3.3 seconds, $2,590; 2. Rowdy Parrott, 3.6, $2,317; 3. (tie) Trell Etbauer and Riley Westhaver, 3.8, $1,908 each; 5. Josh Garner, 3.9, $1,499; 6. Jace Melvin, 4.2, $1,227; 7. (tie) Tyler Thorson and Bridger Anderson, 4.4, $818 each; 9. Gavin Soileau, 4.5, $409; 10. Richard Coats, 4.6, $136.

    Team roping: 1. Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 3.7 seconds, $4,324 each; 2. Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 4.3, $3,869; 3. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 4.5, $3,414; 4. Jr. Dees/Matt Sherwood, 4.6, $2,959; 5. (tie) Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin and Nelson Wyatt/Levi Lord, 4.7, $2,276 each; 7. (tie) Jade Stoddard/Max Kuttler and Cory Kidd V/Ryan Motes, 4.8, $1,366 each; 9. (tie) Brandon Webb/Kollin VonAhn, Curry Kirchner/Austin Rogers, Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison and Levi Simpson/Tyler Worley, 5.2, $182 each.

    Saddle bronc riding: 1. Kole Ashbacher, 87.5 points on Burch Rodeo’s Lunatic From Hell, $5,555; 2. (tie) Brody Cress and Chase Brooks, 86.5, $3,704 each; 4. (tie) K’s Thomson, Cody DeMoss and Isaac Diaz, 86, $1,420 each; 7. (tie) Jarrod Hammons, Stetson Dell Wright and Cash Wilson, 85, $432 each.

    Tie-down roping: 1. Caleb Smidt, 8.5 seconds, $4,965; 2. Beau Cooper, 8.7, $4,442; 3. Tyler Milligan, 8.8, $3,920; 4. Marcos Costa, 9.0, $3,397; 5. Trent Sorey, 9.1, $2,875; 6. J.D. McCuistion, 9.2, $2,352; 7. (tie) Chase Lako and Erik Dublanko, 9.3, $1,568 each; 9. (tie) J. Cody Jones and Tanner Green, 9.4, $523 each.

    Barrel racing: 1. Summer Kosel, 16.95 seconds, $4,273; 2. Hallie Hanssen, 17.15, $3,419; 3. Emily Miller-Beisel, 17.21, $2,778; 4. Jessica Routier, 17.23, $2,137; 5. Ashley Castleberry, 17.31, $1,709; 6. (tie) Ericka Nelson and Amanda Welsh, 17.34, $1,175 each; 8. Jamie Chaffin, 17.36, $961; 9. Stevi Hillman, 17.37, $855; 10. Molly Otto, 17.38, $748; 11. Leia Pluemer, 17.45, $641; 12. Shaw Nelson, 17.49, $534; 13. Tamara Reinhardt, 17.50, $427; 14. Hilary Hilzendeger, 17.51, $320; 15. Loni Lester, 17.52, $214.

    Breakaway roping: 1. Cheyanne Guillory, 1.80 seconds, $4,899; 2. (tie) Sawyer Gilbert and Nicole Baggarley, 1.90, $3,552 each; 4. (tie) Cassidy Boggs and JJ Hampton, 2.10, $2,205 each; 6. (tie) Sarah Verhelst, Shai Schaefer and Danielle Lowman, 2.20, $1,266 each; 9. (tie) Beau Peterson and Coralee Spratt, 2.30, $919 each; 11. (tie) Rickie Engesser and Caitlyn Wiswell, 2.40, $674 each; 13. (tie) Justine Doka, Bethanie Shofner, Cadee Williams and Casey Rae Reimler, 2.50, $276 each.

    Bull riding: * 1. Daylon Swearingen, 90 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Audacious, $13,240; no other qualified rides. *(all totals include ground money).

    Steer roping: First round: 1. Clay Long, 9.9 seconds, $1,427; 2. Thomas Smith, 10.2, $1,181; 3. Vin Fisher Jr., 10.4, $935; 4. Ora Taton, 10.7, $689; 5. Scott Snedecor, 10.8, $443; 6. Landon McClaugherty, 11.3, $246. Second round: 1. Cole Patterson, 8.8 seconds, $1,427; 2. Slade Wood, 9.5, $1,181; 3. Reo Lohse, 9.7, $935; 4. (tie) J. Tom Fisher and Vin Fisher Jr., 9.8, $566 each; 6. Ryan Willberg, 10.2, $246. Third round: 1. Shay Good, 9.5 seconds, $1,427; 2. Rocky Patterson, 9.7, $1,181; 3. Ty Tillard, 10.4, $935; 4. Ryan Willberg, 10.6, $689; 5. Darin Suit, 10.8, $443; 6. Garrett Hale, 11.4, $246. Average: 1. Chet Herren, 35.2 seconds on three head, $2,140; 2. Shay Good, 36.3, $1,771; 3. Ora Taton, 36.4, $1,402; 4. Travis Mills, 43.5, $1,033; 5. Don Ed Eddleman, 44.8, $664; 6. Roger Branch, 45.6, $369.

    All-around cowboy: Tanner Green, $523, tie-down roping and team roping.

    Stock contractor: Powder River Rodeo. Sub-contractors: Legend Rodeo Stock and Burch Rodeo. Rodeo secretary: Jackie Northrop. Officials: Wade Berry, Scot Quick and Butch Kirby. Timers: Kim Ridley and Pat Parks. Announcer: Steve Goedert. Specialty act: Trent McFarland. Bullfighters: Zane Lewis and Clay Heger. Clown/barrelman: Trent McFarland. Flankmen: Darcy Hollingsworth, John Franzen and Dillon Page. Chute boss: John Franzen. Pickup men: Clint Humble and Jay Shaw. Photographer: Alaina Stangle. Music director: Nicky Kimm.

  • Bullfighters Put Their Skills to Use

    Bullfighters Put Their Skills to Use

    GUNNISON, Colo. – Darran Robertson and Cody Emerson look at life inside the rodeo arena vastly different than most.

    When danger appears, they attack it. When a 1,600-pound bull charges, they return the favor, utilizing their athleticism and experiences to help themselves and others inside the arena escape harm’s way. It’s their nature; it’s their job. They are the bullfighters and will have a very important role at the Cattlemen’s Days PRCA Rodeo, set for Thursday, July 15-Saturday, July 17, at Fred Field Western Center in Gunnison.

    “I do this for the love of the game,” said Emerson, 32, of Marble Falls, Texas. “I think the thrill of protecting your buddies is something that most people don’t get to feel. The bull riders are always grateful that you saved their butts. You get to travel all over the country doing what you love to do. There aren’t many jobs like it that you can provide what it provides, along with the adrenaline rush that comes with the job and the brotherhood we have as bull riders and bullfighters.”

    It takes a passion to jump into the middle of a wreck in order to keep everyone else in the arena out of trouble, and both men have that. Robertson, who rode bulls for several years before he tried his hand at bullfighting, understands the necessity of his job better than most.

    Both are veterans in the game, but Robertson is a bit more … distinguished. He’s 44 years old doing a job that most men do until their mid-30s.

    “My wife, kids and I talked about when to hang it up,” said Robertson of Weatherford, Texas. “I said I was going to be done at 40, but I still have fun doing it. I do it because I just enjoy it.

    “My son gets to go with me a little bit. When I stop having fun or if my body tells me I’m done, then I’ll quit, but I’m not sure that’s going to happen soon. I go to the gym five to six days a week, and I still feel pretty good.”

    It shows in his effectiveness, and he and Emerson work well together. They’ve partnered together numerous times over the last decade, and that trend doesn’t look to stop soon. Both are excited about returning to Gunnison and experiencing how a community comes together for a celebration like Cattlemen’s Days, which has been around for 121 years.

    “That’s just a great little rodeo,” Emerson said. “It’s got the old-school look and the big, wood chutes, which is something you don’t see very often at rodeos today. We have two sections of bull riding, so we get to open and close the performances with bull riding. You have your work cut out for you, because they’ll bring the heat twice a day, and you need to be on your toes.”

    There will be plenty of action inside the historic arena, but the rest of his venture to work the rodeo will mean enjoying the cool mountain air; that’s a far cry from their Texas homes, which features high humidity and intense heat through the summer months.

    “Gunnison is a cool little town in the mountains, and I like going to the mountains and rodeoing in June and July,” he said. “It’s also a cool town to be in, with a neat atmosphere. The rodeo is a huge deal to the people there, so that helps make it really exciting for us when we get there.”

    He got his start nearly a decade ago after watching the action for much of his life. He grew up roping in northeastern Arkansas, then decided to try his hand at bullfighting. He attended a school put on by veteran bullfighter Frank Newsom, and he quickly fell in love with it.

    Robertson rode bulls well enough to qualify for the Texas Circuit Finals Rodeo three times. After he decided to hang up his spurs, he found a job, but he had the world of rodeo calling back. of Fame rodeo clown Lecile Harris, a longtime family friend, offered some assistance, and Robertson followed by putting his natural athleticism to work in a different capacity.

    When he arrives in Gunnison, he will offer decades of experience around bulls and a love for the game that most men in their 40s would never comprehend.

    “The people in that town are amazing,” he said. “There is definitely an Old West feel when you get there. They have the old-style bucking chutes, and that Tough Enough To Wear Pink program is a huge deal there.

    “The town has some nostalgia to it, and it’s got an incredible feel. I just love that small-town atmosphere and the way the people treat you when you’re there.”

  • NEBRASKA YOUTH QUALIFY FOR NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL RODEO COMPETITION

    NEBRASKA YOUTH QUALIFY FOR NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL RODEO COMPETITION

    Champions crowned in each event

    HASTINGS, NEB. (June 20, 2021) – The Nebraska High School Rodeo season wrapped up last weekend with the high school finals in Hastings at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Rodeo athletes from across the Cornhusker State competed in two go-rounds on June 17-18 and the short go-round on June 19. The top four contestants in each of fifteen events were determined, and they will go on to compete at the National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the Lancaster Events Center July 18-24.

    The 2020-2021 champions are Spencer Denaeyer, Seneca, bareback riding; Elle Ravenscroft, Nenzel, barrel racing; Cooper Bass, Brewster, boys cutting; Jaya Nelson, Bassett, breakaway roping; Hunter Boydston, Grover, Colo., bull riding; Mekenna Fisher, Hershey, girls cutting; Wacey Day, Fleming, Colo., goat tying; Madison Mills, Eddyville, pole bending; Brody McAbee, Ansley, saddle bronc riding; Dane Pokorny, Stapleton, steer wrestling; Hayes Wetzel, Palmer, team roping header; Ryan Shepherd, North Platte, team roping heeler; Tate Talkington, Scottsbluff, tie-down roping; Tatum Olson, Bloomfield, reined cow horse; Jate Saults, Big Springs, light rifle shooting, and Tanner Ellis, Minden, trap shooting.

    Boys rookie of the year is Hayden Stump, Elsmere, and the girls rookie of the year is Clancy Jo Brown, North Platte. Cooper Bass is the year-end boys all-around champion; Wacey Day is the year-end girls all-around champion. Girls state finals all-around winner was Madison Mills, Eddyville, and the boys state finals all-around winner went to Tate Talkington, Scottsbluff.

    The 2021-2022 Miss Nebraska High School Rodeo queen is Ashton Werth, Hyannis.

    The following are synopses of some of the champions.

     Barrel racing champion – Elle Ravenscroft, Nenzel

    Nenzel’s Elle Ravenscroft won the barrel racing title for the 2020-2021 Neb. High School Rodeo Association. A graduate of Cody-Kilgore High School, she will play basketball at Chadron College this fall. Photo by Steph Miller.

    Elle Ravenscroft led the pack all year long, with her competitors in the rearview mirror.

    The Nenzel cowgirl led the barrel racing rankings the entire year, and even with a bobble at state finals, finished as the 2021 state barrel racing champion.

    Going into state, she was twenty points ahead of the number two cowgirl, Taci Flinn. In the first round, she finished fifth; in the second round, she tipped a barrel to add a five second penalty to her time and take her out of the placings.

    In the short round, she finished second behind Flinn. “She was on my back the whole finals,” Ravenscroft said. “Being chased is not a great feeling. I had great competition and that was a little intimidating at times.”

    She didn’t realize she had won the state title till the announcer mentioned it. “I was holding my breath,” she said.

    She’s excited to compete at the NHSFR in Lincoln, because of its proximity. “It’s hometown. I think there will be pressure to represent your state well. I’m really excited about it.”

    The 2021 Cody-Kilgore High School graduate won’t compete in collegiate rodeo; she will play basketball at Chadron (Neb.) State College, where she’ll pursue a degree in physical education and health.

    She was recruited by both the basketball and rodeo coaches, but chose basketball. “That was honestly, a big decision. I decided we’re going to try basketball. I can always rodeo in the summer. I wanted the opportunity to play basketball because rodeo’s always going to be there.”

    She is the daughter of Eric and Shannon Ravenscroft.

    Bareback riding champion – Spencer Denaeyer, Seneca

     

    Spencer Denaeyer was the only bareback rider to make three qualified rides at state, to win the state title.

    Entering state finals, he was three and a half points behind Tanner Drueke.

    “I just went in super motivated, knowing I had my work cut out,” he said. “I had people to chase, and I think that honestly improved my performance more than anything.”

    This is his second qualification for the NHSFR; his first one was as a freshman, which didn’t go as well as he would have liked. That provides incentive for this year. “I think it’s time to take advantage of the fact that it’s in Lincoln. It’s time to give it everything I’ve got and compete with all the year-end champs. It’ll be tough. It’ll be time to put the pedal to the floor.”

    Denaeyer will be a senior at Mullen High School this fall; he participates in football, wrestling, and track and was on the honor roll for two quarters this year.

    He is the son of Martin and Bree Denaeyer.

     Goat tying champion – Wacey Day, Fleming, Colo.

    The closest race in all of the events came down to the goat tying, with eighteen-year-old cowgirl Wacey Day winning the title by one point over the number two cowgirl, Jessica Stevens.

    It was a roller coaster year, with ups and downs all season, but at state, Wacey dominated, winning both the first and second round and the short round as well. “I didn’t have a choice but to do that if I wanted to win it,” she said.

    She also finished second in the breakaway roping and will compete at Nationals in that as well. This will be her fourth trip to Nationals.

    The salutatorian of the of Lone Star High School Class of 2021, she will attend Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo. this fall and get her prerequisites done before transferring to another school to work towards a certification in radiology. She will rodeo collegiately, in the goat tying, breakaway roping, barrel racing, and team roping.

    The daughter of Shane and Heather Day, Wacey is also the year-end all-around winner.

    Pole bending champion – Madison Mills, Eddyville

    Madison Mills’ 2021 pole bending title was the third state championship the Eddyville cowgirl has won.

    She led the state the entire year, and felt a little pressure from freshman Clancy Jo Brown, but after four years of high school state qualifications and two years of junior high, she’s taught herself how to handle the pressure.

    “I’ve learned how to deal with it and calm my nerves,” she said. “I tell myself, ‘it’s nothing new, I’ve been doing it for six years (through high school and junior high rodeo), we practice all week long,’ so I trust my horse and my own riding ability and that’s how I calm myself down.”

    The Sumner-Eddyville-Miller High School graduate will attend Mid-Plains Community College in McCook this fall to study criminal justice. She has decided to forego college rodeo, at least for her freshman year, to be able to concentrate on her studies. “Rodeo will take up a lot of time and practice and I’d rather focus on school,” she said.

    She also finished in third place in the barrels and will be at Nationals in that event as well.

    She is the daughter of Matt and Melissa McTygue.

    Light rifle champion – Jate Saults, Big Springs

    Jate Saults is the light rifle champion for the Nebraska State High School Rodeo Association.  

    State competition was held in an indoor shooting range, which was beneficial, he said, with no bad weather to affect the competitors.

    He shot a personal best, with a final score of 298 out of 320. “That was a really good day for me.”

    This will be Saults’ third trip to Nationals in the shooting; he will also compete in the team roping at the NHSFR, having won second with header Brent Charlton.

    He’s ready to be in Lincoln for Nationals. “I’m looking forward to representing Nebraska. I think a lot of kids will really like how big our city is and how much there is to do. When you’re in Rock Springs (Wyoming, where former NHSFR events have been held), it’s out in the middle of nowhere.”

    For complete results, visit http://www.hsrodeo-nebraska.com/results. For more information on the state finals and the NHSFR, www.hsrodeo-nebraska.com, www.NHSFRLincoln.org, and www.nhsra.com.

    ###

    Nebraska High School Qualifiers for the 2021 National High School Finals Rodeo in Lincoln, Neb. July 18-24.

    Bareback riding:

    Champion: Spencer Denaeyer, Seneca

    1. Tanner Drueke, Sutherland
    2. Cole Kerner, Sutherland
    3. Tate Miller, Springview

     

    Barrel racing

    Champion: Elle Ravenscroft, Nenzel

    1. Taci Flinn, Arcadia
    2. Madison Mills, Eddyville
    3. Jenae Whitaker, Chambers

    Alternate -Clancy Jo Brown, North Platte

     

    Boys cutting:

    Champion: Cooper Bass, Brewster

    1. Hayden Jennings, Seneca
    2. Cody Miller, Broken Bow
    3. Bo Bushhousen, St. Libory

    Alternate – Tatum Olson, Bloomfield

     

    Breakaway roping

    Champion: Jaya Nelson, Bassett

    1. Wacey Day, Fleming, Colo.
    2. Jace Hurlburt, Arcadia
    3. Tehya From, Crookston

    Alternate – Emma Ohm, Hyannis

     

    Bull riding:

    Champion:. Hunter Boydston, Grover, Colo.

    1. Cole Kerner, Sutherland
    2. Tanner Drueke, Sutherland
    3. Dalton Garey, Broken Bow

    Alternate – Drew Farrell, Merriman

     

    Girls cutting:

    Champion: Mekenna Fisher, Hershey

    1. Peyton Fisher, Hershey
    2. Faith Storer, Arthur
    3. Whitney Jennings, Seneca

    Alternate -Emma Pearson, Broken Bow

     

    Goat tying:

    Champion:. Wacey Day, Fleming, Colo.

    1. Jessica Stevens, Creighton
    2. Emma Ohm, Hyannis
    3. Kaci Wickersham, Verdigre

    Alternate – Kinley Greenough, Kearney

     

    Pole bending

    Champion: Madison Mills, Eddyville

    1. Clancy Jo Brown, North Platte
    2. Abigail Lawton, Overton
    3. Jenae Whitaker, Chambers

    Alternate – Lauren Lehl, Alliance

     

    Saddle bronc riding

    Champion: Brody McAbee, Ansley

    1. Leif Meidell, Harrison
    2. Monty Bailey, Lakeside
    3. Dean Schroder, Taylor

    Alternate – Augustus Painter, Ainsworth

     

    Steer wrestling

    Champion: Dane Pokorny, Stapleton

    1. Coy Johnston, Stapleton
    2. Rhett Witt, Valentine
    3. Rex Day, Bartlett

    Alternate – Gage Davis, Cody

    Team roping

    Champions: Hayse Wetzel, Palmer and Ryan Shepherd, North Platte.

    1. Brent Charlton, North Platte and Jate Saults, Big Springs
    2. Cooper Bass, Brewster and Zack Bradley, Brewster
    3. Jace Hurlburt, Arcadia and Tate Talkington, Scottsbluff

    Alternate – Jasper Neal, Amherst, Sage Dieter, Alma

     

    Tie-down roping

    Champion: Tate Talkington, Scottsbluff

    1. Layne Wallinger, Stuart
    2. Trace Travnicek, Minatare
    3. Matthew Miller, Callaway

    Alternate – Rhett Witt, Valentine

     

    Reined cow horse

    Champion: Tatum Olson, Bloomfield

    1. Tate Talkington, Scottsbluff

    3 (tie) Charlie Bortner, McCook, and Tucker Gillespie, McCook

    Alternate – Hope Brosius, Enders

    Light rifle shooting

    Champion: Jate Saults, Big Springs

    1. Cooper Phillips, Burwell
    2. Kalyn Nielsen, Verdigre
    3. Hope Brosius, Enders

    Alternate – Justin Wenzel, Arthur

    Trap shooting

    Champion: Tanner Ellis, Minden

    1. Ashton Higgins, Neligh
    2. Justin Wenzel, Arthur
    3. Ty Growcock, Barlett

    Alternate – Shealynn Rasmussen, Burwell

     

    Cutlines:

    Spencer Denaeyer, Seneca, is the 2020-2021 Nebraska High School bareback riding champion. He will be a senior at Mullen High School this fall. Photo by Steph Miller.

    Nenzel’s Elle Ravenscroft won the barrel racing title for the 2020-2021 Neb. High School Rodeo Association. A graduate of Cody-Kilgore High School, she will play basketball at Chadron College this fall. Photo by Steph Miller.

    Cooper Bass wins the boys cutting for the 2020-2021 Neb. High School Rodeo Association. He is a resident of Brewster. Photo by Steph Miller.

    Ansley’s Brody McAbee is the saddle bronc riding champion for the 2020-2021 Neb. High School Rodeo Association. Photo by Steph Miller.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Virus-free. www.avg.com
  • College National Finals Rodeo Crowns 2021 Champions

    College National Finals Rodeo Crowns 2021 Champions

    CASPER, Wyo. (June 19, 2021) The 72nd annual College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) crowned 2021 individual, all-around and team champions during the final round of competition Saturday at the Ford Wyoming Center.

    Cole Franks of Clarendon, Texas, turned in the highest-marked ride of the week – 85 points on Vold Rodeo’s horse Misty Frontier – to win the final round of bareback riding and the national title. Franks, a sophomore agricultural business major at Clarendon College, came into the final round two points behind leader Jacob Lees, a Californian representing Western Texas College.

    Franks was crowned the 2021 CNFR All-Around Cowboy and the 2021 Men’s Rookie of the Year. He was the only cowboy to qualify for the final round in two events – bareback and saddle bronc riding.  Franks was competing at his second CNFR. His father Bret, the rodeo coach at Clarendon College, is a former CNFR and National Finals Rodeo saddle bronc rider.

    Tie-down roper Macon Murphy of Keatchie, Louisiana, was another second-generation CNFR athlete to win a 2021 title. His parents K.C. and Julie competed at the CNFR in the late 1980s with K.C. being a member of Montana State University’s 1988 national championship team.

    Murphy, who was part of the 2019 national championship team for Panola College,  roped and tied his calf in 9.8 seconds. Leader Caleb Berquist had a great opportunity to make a solid run and win the title, but he drew a kicking calf and could not finish fast enough to beat Murphy.

    The battle for the championship in breakaway roping came down to two freshmen. Zoie Bedke of Oakley, Idaho, trailed Grace Felton of Susanville, California, by three-tenths of a second as the round began. Bedke, a physical therapy major at Idaho State University, caught her calf in 2.4 seconds giving her a total of 10.3 on four runs. Felton, an agricultural business major at Lassen College, also caught her calf in 2.4 seconds, but she started too quickly and was assessed a 10-second penalty. Bedke took the title home to Idaho.

    In saddle bronc riding Dylan Schofield of Philip, South Dakota, scored 84.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s horse Popsicle to take the lead in the final round. Schofield, a junior welding major at Western Texas College, came into the round trailing Clarendon College’s Cash Wilson by 6.5 points overall. Vold Rodeo’s horse Ima Be threw Wilson in the dirt and Schofield earned the national title.

    Gavin Soileau of Bunkie, Louisiana, was the first national champion to hold onto first place Saturday night. The junior agricultural business major from McNeese State University wrestled his steer to the ground in 4.2 seconds which was good enough for second in the final round. His total time of 19.2 seconds earned him the national steer wrestling title to go along with his two National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) southern region championships.

    In goat tying Jill Donnelly of Surprise, Arizona, came into the final round in third place. The junior business administration major clocked a time of 6.5 seconds, giving her a total of 26.4 seconds. When leader Paige Rasmussen of Montana State University clocked a time of 6.3, it looked as if she would win the national title, but the goat failed to stay tied, disqualifying her. Donnelly, who carries a 4.0 grade point average, was competing in her second CNFR and won the national title to go along with her NIRA Grand Canyon region championship.

    The team roping finalists had tough time connecting. Until the final two teams rode in the box, only one qualified time had been made. The championship came down to two pairs of brothers. JC and LJ Yeahquo of Crescent, Oklahoma, trailed Kellan and Carson Johnson of Casper by one-tenth of a second. The Yeahquos, who both major in business administration at Western Oklahoma College, roped their steer in 6.9 seconds, giving them a total of 27.7. The Johnsons, who major in psychology and education respectively at Casper College, brought the hometown crowd to their feet when they caught their steer in 6.0 seconds to win the national title by one second.

    Tayla Moeykens of Three Forks, Montana, came from fourth place to win the barrel racing title. Her time of 13.99 seconds was the fastest of the week and won the final round. The freshman business and marketing major at Montana State University also won the first and the third rounds of barrel racing and earned the Women’s Rookie of the Year title.

    Tristen Hutchings of Blackfoot, Idaho, left no doubt as to who should win the bull riding title. The junior animal science major at Sul Ross State University in Texas rode Vold Rodeo’s bull Milk Mustache for 90 points to win the final round. He was the only athlete to ride three of four bulls in Casper.

    Montana State University won the women’s team championship with Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s team as reserve champions. Reserve champion men’s team was 2019 champion Panola College.

    Plans are underway for the 73rd

     

    2021 COLLEGE NATIONAL FINALS RODEO CHAMPIONS

     Bareback – Cole Franks, Clarendon College, 330.5 points

    Tie-Down Roping – Macon Murphy, Panola College, 39.1 seconds.

    Breakaway Roping – Zoie Bedke, Idaho State University, 10.3 seconds

    Saddle Bronc Riding – Dylan Schofield, Western Texas College, 310 points

    Steer Wrestling – Gavin Soileau, McNeese State University, 19.2 seconds

    Goat Tying – Jill Donnelly, Cochise College, 26.5 seconds

    Team Roping – Kellan and Carson Johnson, Casper College, 26.7 seconds

    Barrel Racing – Tayla Moeykens, Montana State University, 56.84 seconds

    Bull Riding – Tristen Hutchings, Sul Ross State University, 241.5

    Men’s All-Around – Cole Franks, Clarendon College, 195 points

    Women’s All-Around – Paige Rasmussen, Montana State University and Jill Donnelly, Cochise College 180

    Men’s Team – Clarendon College, 890 points

    Women’s Team – Montana State University, 590 points

    Men’s Rookie – Cole Franks Clarendon College 395

    Women’s Rookie – Tayla Moeykens, Montana State University, 320

    Men’s AQHA Horse of the Year – Bridger Anderson, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, “Teller I Pass”

    Women’s AQHA Horse of the Year – Jaylie Matthews, East Mississippi Community College, “Feelin the Firewater”

    CASPER, Wyoming—The following are final round and overall winners at the 72nd annual College National Finals Rodeo, June 19, 2021, courtesy of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Complete results are available at www.collegerodeo.com.

    Bareback Riding: (final round) 1, Cole Franks, Clarendon College, 85 points on Vold Rodeo’s Wrangler Valley. 2, (tie) Gauge McBride, Panola College, and Nick Pelke, Missouri Valley College, 83 each. 4, (tie) Waylon Bourgeois, McNeese State University and Kolt Dement, Panola College, 82.5. (overall winners) 1, Franks, 330.5 points on four. 2, Dement, 322. 3, Pelke, 321.5. 4, Jacob Lees, Western Texas College, 320. 5, Bourgeois, 313. 6, McBride, 309.5. 7, Dean Thompson, Western Texas College, 308.5. 8, Brody Smith, University of Montana Western, 307.5.

     Tie Down Roping: (final round) 1, Connor Atkinson, Wharton County Community College, 9.4 seconds. 2, Macon Murphy, Panola College, 9.8. 3, Kincaid Henry, Panola College, 11.5. 4, Collin Palmer, Black Hills State University, 13.3. (overall winners) 1, Murphy, 39.1 seconds on four. 2, Caleb Berquist, Montana State University, 44.3. 3, Atkinson, 47.6. 4, Palmer, 49.1. 5, Henry, 52.0. (on three) 6, Ladd King, Weber State University, 32.6. 7, Garrett Jacobs, Sul Ross State University, 33.8. 8, Levi Delamarter, Montana State University, 34.3.

     Breakaway Roping: (final round) 1, Zoie Bedke, Idaho State University, 2.4 seconds. 2, Hannah Phillips, Sam Houston State University, 2.7. 3, Catherine Clayton, Cochise College, 2.8. 4, Jayce Blake, Treasure Valley Community College, 3.0. (overall winners) 1, Bedke, 10.3. 2, Courtney Peters, Black Hills State University, 11.3. 3, Clayton, 13.7. 4, Brianna Williams, Chadron State College, 17.9. 5, Grace Felton, Lassen College, 20.0. 6, Phillips, 21.0. 7, Blake, 30.1. 8, (tie) Winter Williams, Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Blair Bryant, East Mississippi Community College, 9.5 seconds on three.

    Saddle Bronc Riding: (final round) 1, Dylan Schofield, Western Texas College, 84.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Popcicle. 2, Weston Patterson, Clarendon College, 80. 3, Clayson Hutchings, Utah State University Eastern, 79.5. 4, Reed Neely, California State University Fresno, 77.5. (overall winners) 1, Schofield, 310 on four. 2, Patterson, 301.5. 3, Hutchings, 296.5. 4, Neely, 292.5. 5, Russell Kay, College of Southern Idaho, 273. 6, Scott Lauaki, Utah State University Eastern, 264. (on three) 7, Cash Wilson, Clarendon College, 232. 8, Ty Pope, Missouri Valley College, 226.

     Steer Wrestling: (final round) 1, Grant Peterson, Cal Poly State University – San Luis Obispo, 4.0 seconds. 2, Gavin Soileau, McNeese State University, 4.2. 3, Trisyn Kalawai’a, Central Arizona College, 4.4. 4, Bryce Harrison, University of Montana Western, 4.6. (overall winners) 1, Soileau, 19.2 seconds. 2, Peterson, 27.8. 3, Harrison, 29.2. 4, Chadron Coffield, University of Wyoming, 29.8. 5, Seth Peterson, University of Wyoming, 32.1. 6, Kalawai’a, 33.5. 7, Gus Franzen, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, 35.4. 8, Sterling Lee, Mid Plains Community College, 40.9.

    Goat Tying: (final round) 1, Sheyenne Anderson, Missouri Valley College, 6.2 seconds. 2, Jill Donnelly, Cochise College, 6.5. 3, (tie) Heather McLaughlin, University of West Alabama, and Maddee Doerr, Cochise College, 6.8 each. (overall winners) 1, Donnelly, 26.4 on four. 2, Anderson, 26.6. 3, Doerr, 27.5. 4, Kodey Hoss, Weatherford College, 27.6. 5, McLaughlin, 27.7. 6, Kamryn Duncan, McNeese State University, 27.8. 7, Madelyn Schauer, Eastern New Mexico University, 28.2. 8, Taylour Latham, University of Wyoming, 29.4.

     Team Roping: (final round) 1, Kellan and Carson Johnson, Casper College, 6.0 seconds. 2, J.C. and L.J. Yeahquo, Western Oklahoma State College, 6.9 seconds. 3, Jase Staudt, University of Wyoming and J.C. Flake, Gillette College, 11.5. 4, Ethan Griffin, Oklahoma State University and Blayne Horne, Western Oklahoma State College, 11.7. (overall winners) 1, Johnson and Johnson, 26.7 seconds on four. 2, Yeahquo and Yeahquo, 27.7. 3, Will Eddleman, Cisco College and Garrett Jacobs, Sul Ross State University, 46.4. (on three) 4, Griffin and Horne, 24.7. 5, Staudt and Flake, 27.4. 6, Wyatt Murray, and Whitt Crozier, Panhandle State University, 29.1. 7, Jon Peterson, and Trae Smith, Gillette College, 29.8. 8, Jace Hanks, Utah Valley University and Kale Lamb, Utah State University Eastern, 36.8.

    Barrel Racing: (final round) 1, Tayla Moeykens, Montana State University, 13.99 seconds. 2, Bradi Good, Weatherford College, 14.03. 3, Shai McDonald, Montana State University, 14.21. 4, Abby Hepper, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 14.24. (overall winners) 1, Moeykens, 56.84 on four. 2, Jaylie Matthews, East Mississippi Community College, 57.13. 3, Hepper, 57.16. 4, McDonald, 57.29. 5, Good, 57.54. 6, Karson Bradley, University of Wyoming, 57.71. 7, Payton Schoeppach, Cuesta College, 57.75. 8, Sadie Wolaver, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 61.84.

     Bull Riding: (final round – two rides) 1, Tristen Hutchings, Sul Ross State University, 90 points on Vold Rodeo’s Milk Mustache. 2, Cole Skender, Three Rivers College, 83. (overall winners) 1, Hutchings, 241.5 points on three. 2, Skender, 167.5 on two. 3, Austin Allred, Utah State University Eastern, 147.5. 4, Holden Moss, Three Rivers College, 147. 5, Stefan Tonita, Larimie County Community College, 81. 6, Quinten Taylor, Casper College, 79.5. 7, Cullen Telfer, Tarleton State University, 78. 8, Hunter Tate, Coffeyville Community College, 77.

     

    Men’s All-Around: 1, Cole Franks, Clarendon College, 395. 2, Seth Peterson, University of Wyoming, 185. 3, (tie) Garrett Jacobs, Sul Ross State University, and Jace Staudt, University of Wyoming, 160.

     

    Women’s All-Around:  (tie) 1, Paige Rasmussen, Montana State University and Jill Donnelly, Cochise College, 180 points each.

     

    Men’s Team: 1, Clarendon College, 890 points. 2, Panola College, 790. 3, Casper College, 755. 4, Western Texas College, 715.

     

    Women’s Team: 1, Montana State University, 590. 2, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 432.5. 3, Cochise College, 403.33. 4, East Mississippi Community College, 257.5.

  • NIRA announces new commissioner

    NIRA announces new commissioner

    CASPER, Wyo. (June 18, 2021) — The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) is proud to announce that Jim Dewey Brown, former coach at New Mexico State University, will take the reins of the organization January 1, 2022.

    He is following in the footsteps of Roger Walters who has been the commissioner of the organization since 2009. The NIRA has enabled college students to pursue their rodeo and educational goals since 1949. Thousands of students have gone on to be successful pro rodeo athletes. Even more have used their education to make major contributions outside of the arena.

    When the NIRA was first organized, Sonny Sikes was at the helm. Brown has been mentored by Sikes, commissioner John Smith and Walters. Tim Corfield was leading the organization when they moved the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) to Casper, Wyoming in 1999.

    “Being commissioner of the NIRA has been an honor and a privilege,” said Walters who will continue until Brown takes over. “I’ve met so many people, seen the College National Finals Rodeo grow, survived a pandemic and am so pleased to have him at the helm in the future.”

    Brown’s college rodeo career started at Tarleton State University where he competed under coach Bob Doty. He became an assistant under Doty and eventually made his way to Las Cruces where he was the coach for 13 years and was selected as NIRA Coach of the Year in 2007.

    Brown has been the production manager at the CNFR since 2009, a position that will benefit him in the new position as one of his major responsibilities is working with the Casper committee.

    “I’m honored and excited to take on this challenge,” Brown said. “I’ve been involved with this organization as a competitor, coach, and production manager. I love college rodeo. It has been a blessing for me and I will work hard to see it be a blessing to others.”