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  • Hillman Wins $5,000 Jerry Ann Taylor Award at World’s Original Indoor Rodeo®

    Hillman Wins $5,000 Jerry Ann Taylor Award at World’s Original Indoor Rodeo®

    FORT WORTH, Texas (Feb. 9, 2018) The judges for the annual Jerry Ann Taylor Best-Dressed Cowgirl Award at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo had a tough decision to make as several of the top 12 barrel racers expended extra effort in their arena presentation.

    The award includes a $5,000 cash prize along with permanent recognition on a plaque at the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame which co-sponsors the award with the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.

    Stevi Hillman from Weatherford, Texas, a three-time National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier, was named the winner. Hillman, who earned a degree in radiology from Weatherford College and has worked as an x-ray technician, came into the finals in fifth place. She was riding Guys R A Mystery, a palomino that she calls Sherlock.

    Kendra Dickson, a two-time winner of the award from Aubrey, Texas, who has helped four other winners with their finals’ outfits reached out to Hillman early last week about helping her. Dickson and her TruColors custom clothing line offered to provide an outfit for Simpson.

    “I’m glad Kendra called me,” Hillman said. “I’m normally kind of low-key,” she said, “but it was for a good cause, so I decided why not. But I didn’t want an outfit that was crazy, over-the-top.”

    Hillman said, “I knew they gave the award at Fort Worth every year, but I didn’t know a lot about it. Kendra filled me in on the background. That’s a really cool award.”

    Hillman and Dickson got together on Friday to plan her outfit.

    “We both were up in the slack at Belton on Friday morning, so I parked about three trailers from her.” Dickson said. I had several outfits for her to look at, but we both decided the red would really pop on her palomino horse.”

    “She handed me her jeans and shirt and I went to work,” Dickson said. She had taken her sewing machine with her and spent much of the day at Belton in her trailer working on the outfit.

    “It was snowing and sleeting, and I spent some of the time in the back of the trailer with a manger door that would not close, using butcher paper and spray adhesive,” Dickson said. “If people only knew what goes on behind the scenes,“ she added with a laugh.

    The two cowgirls agreed to share the prize money if Hillman won the award, with Dickson’s share going to her Rodeo For A Reason charity that raises money for childhood cancer.  Hillman will donate to Rockin’ W Rodeo Ministry, whose founders Ted and Linda Weise provide food and fellowship at rodeos across the country through their Cowboy Bistro.

    Hillman said she had fun and while she’ll likely donate the breast collar and horse boots to a good cause, she plans to keep the outfit.

    “When I make the NFR again, I’ll wear the red on Canada night,” she said, a nod to her friend from Canada who owns Sherlock.

    Dickson also helped two other finalists – Dona Kay Rule of Minco, Oklahoma, and Tiany Schuster of Krum, Texas – with their outfits.

    “I was very happy that more women participated this year,” Dickson said. “I strongly believe this is not only an opportunity to pay tribute to Jerry Ann Taylor who did so much for all of us, but a chance to add to the audience’s enjoyment.”

    The Jerry Ann Taylor Award is only given at the National Finals Rodeo and at the finals of the World’s Original Indoor Rodeo in Fort Worth. Taylor, a 1986 National Cowgirl Hall of Fame honoree, was a flamboyant trick rider and roper who was known for her sense of style.

    Pam Minick of Fort Worth, a National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame board member and honoree and former WPRA vice president, said the award is to encourage women in professional rodeo to carry on the tradition of wearing colorful western attire in the rodeo arena.

    Barrel racing has a long history with the World’s Original Indoor Rodeo®. The Fort Worth rodeo began holding an invitational ranch girls barrel race in 1955, not long after barrel racing competition started.

     

  • Record-setting performances close Fort Worth rodeo’s 76-year run at Will Rogers Coliseum

    Record-setting performances close Fort Worth rodeo’s 76-year run at Will Rogers Coliseum

    FORT WORTH, Texas (February 9, 2019) — As the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo closed out its 76th and final year in Will Rogers Coliseum, it was only fitting that Texas cowboys turned in record-setting performances.

    Justin Shaffer of Hallsville qualified for the championship finals round in 12th place, so he was the first steer wrestler to compete. He promptly set the pace with a 3.1-second run. That was not only the fastest time at the 2019 rodeo. It was the fastest since record-keeping began in 1950 by one-tenth of a second.

    Shaffer held the steer wrestling overall lead with 12.9 seconds until the final two men took their turns. Josh Clark of Belgrade, Montana, used a 4.2-second run to take the overall lead with 12.5. Moments later Stephen Culling of Fort Saint John, British Columbia, who held the number one spot when the finals began, matched Clark’s overall time. They tied for the championship, the first tie at the Fort Worth rodeo since bareback riding world champs Kaycee Feild and Will Lowe tied in 2012.

    Clark credited “the little gray horse I ride and Jule Hazen, a great hazer to have on the other side” for his win. Culling said his mare was a bit nervous in the box. “She’s young and this is a big crowd for her. I just wanted to get a good start.” The Canadian steer wrestler also said that winning this rodeo and the $5,000 cash bonus each winner receives was a dream come true.

    For the second consecutive year a cowboy named Crawley won the saddle bronc riding title and this year he did it in record-breaking fashion. Sterling Crawley of Stephenville, whose older brother Jacobs won the championship last year, was tied with former world champion Zeke Thurston for the lead coming into the finals. After Thurston tallied 255 total points with an 87-point ride, Crawley needed to match that score to share the title.

    He did one better, scoring 88 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Delta Dawn and tallying 256 total points. He also set a new Fort Worth record, besting Jake Wright’s 255.5 set in 2017.

    Crawley and Culling were the only rodeo athletes to hold their first-place positions and win 2019 championships.

    Sterling Crawley of Stephenville, Texas, set a new Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo record for highest three-ride total with this ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Delta Dawn. His 256 points is the highest of any saddle bronc rider since record-keeping began at the World’s Original Indoor Rodeo in 1950. FWSSR photo by James Phifer

    Bareback rider Ty Breuer was fourth overall when the night began, despite not earning prize money in the first two rounds. He came close to tying the record for highest single-round score of 90 points, when he rode Championship Pro Rodeo’s horse River Bugs for 89.5. That gave him a total of 336.5 and the championship.

    Tie-down roper Marty Yates of Stephenville, Texas, also came into the finals in fourth place. He and last year’s Fort Worth champion Shane Hanchey of Sulphur, La., both stopped the clock in 8.9 seconds to tie for first in the finals. Yates overall time of 26.6 gave him the championship and the largest paycheck of any cowboy this year – $15,919 plus the $5,000 cash bonus.

    The biggest winner of the rodeo was 2018 World Champion Barrel Racer Haley Kinsel of Cotulla, Texas. Kinsel did not place in the first round, but won the second round, and came into the finals in third. She and her palomino mare, DM Sissy Hayday that she calls Sister won the finals with a time of 16.36. Sydni Blanchard of Pueblo, Colo., the overall leader when the night began, was the last cowgirl to ride. Her horse Famous Heartbreaker stumbled on the first turn taking her out of contention.

    Kinsel’s total time of 49.37 earned her the championship, $16,771 in prize money and the $5,000 cash bonus.

    Only two bull riders were able to stick on the backs of their bulls for the full eight seconds. J.T. Moore of Alvin, Texas, was the first qualified ride, scoring 88 points on J Bar J’s bull named Nixon. The next to ride was Foster McCraw of Grimes, Texas. McCraw, who was third overall coming into the finals, rode Rafter G Rodeo’s Chosin One for 90 points to secure the championship.

    Adam Rose of Willard, Missouri, and Jett Hillman of McAlester, Okla., earned the team roping championship. Their 5.9-second run in the finals was only good enough for fourth, but their total of 16.3 was fastest overall by two-tenths of a second. They moved into first place after ranking second when the night began.

    A highlight of the final performance was a video tribute covering the 76-year history of rodeo in Will Rogers Coliseum.

    Next year the World’s Original Indoor Rodeo moves into the new Dickies Arena on the south edge of the complex and Will Rogers Coliseum will host other equine and livestock events

    -30-

     

    Bareback Riding – Ty Breuer, Mandan, N. D., 336.5 points, $8,829

    Steer Wrestling – Josh Clark, Belgrade, Montana, 12.5, $14,590

    and Stephen Culling, Fort Saint John, British Columbia, 12.5, $14,525

    Team Roping – Adam Rose, Willard, Mo., and

    Jett Hillman, McAlester, Okla., 16.3 seconds, $8,646 each

          Saddle Bronc Riding – Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, 256 points, $12,989

    Tie-Down Roping – Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas, 26.6 seconds. $15,919

    Barrel Racing – Haley Kinzel, Cotulla, Texas, 49.37 seconds, $16,771

    Bull Riding – Foster McCraw, Grimes, Texas, 254 points, $14,910

     

     

     

    FORT WORTH, Texas (February 9, 2019) — The following are unofficial final results from the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

    Bareback Riding: Final Round – 1, Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D., 89.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Bugs, $1,650. 2, Craig Wisehart, Kersey, Colo., 88.5, $1,250. 3, Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., 86.5, $900. 4, Trenten Montero, Winnemucca, Nev., 86, $600. 5, R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., 85, $350. 6, Kaycee Feild, Genola, Utah, 84.5, $250.

    (total on four) 1, Breuer, 336.5 points, $6,585. 2, Peebles, 334, $5,059 3, Seth Hardwick, Ranchester, Wyo., 333.5, $3,732. 4, Wisehart, 331.5, $2,415. 5, Landingham, 330, $1,537. 6 (tie), Feild and Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, Mont., 329.5, $988 each. 8, Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas, 328.5. $659.

    Steer Wrestling: Final Round—1, Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas, 3.1 seconds, $2,059. 2, Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla., 4.1, $1,790. 3, Josh Clark, Belgrade, Mont., 4.2, $1,522. 4, Bubba Boots, St. Anthony, Idaho, 4.3, $1,253. 5, Marcus Theriot, Poplarville, Miss., 4.4, $985. 6, Stephen Culling, Fort Saint John, British Columbia, 4.7, $716. 7 (tie), Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah, and Jace Melvin, Fort Pierre, S.D., 4.8, $313 each.

    (total on three) 1 (tie), Clark and Culling, 12.5 seconds, $8,066 each. 3, Shaffer, 12.9, $6,378. 4, Theriot, 13.0, $5,252. 5, Melvin, 13.4, $4,127. 6, Boots, 13.6, $3,001. 7, Brenan Laye, Consort, Alberta, 13.7, $1,876. 8, Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla., 13.8, $750.

    Team Roping: Final Round – 1, Kal Fuller, Bozeman, Mont., and Travis Woodard, Huckabay, Texas, 5.2 seconds, $1,595 each. 2, Steven Duby, Hereford, Ore., and Jason Duby, Klamath Falls, Ore., 5.5, $1,320 each. 3, Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn., and Joseph Harrison, Overbrook, Okla., 5.6, $1,045 each. 4, Adam Rose, Willard, Mo., and Jett Hillman, McAlester, Okla., 5.9, $770 each. 5, Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.D., and Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo., 6.0, $495. 6, Kelsey Parchman, Cumberland City, Tenn., and Matt Kasner, Cody, Neb., 6.2, $275 each.

    (total on three) 1, Rose and Hillman, 16.3 seconds, $7,496 each. 2, Fuller and Woodard, 16.5, $6,518 each. 3, Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C., and Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M., 17.0, $5,540 each. 4, Parchman and Kasner, 17.4, $4,563 each. 5. Steven and Jason Duby, 17.6, $3,585 each. 6, Brown and Eaves, 18.1, $2,607 each. 7, Masters and Harrison, 18.2, $1,630 each. 8, Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz., and Tyler Worley, Berryville, Ark., 18.3, $652 each.

    Saddle Bronc Riding: Final Performance- 1, Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 89 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Cover Girl, $1,650. 2, Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, 88, $1,250. 3, Mitch Pollock, Winnemucca, Nev., 87.5, $900. 4, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, 87, $600. 5, Colt Gordon, Comanche, Okla., 84, $350. 6, Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 83, $250.

    (total on three) 1, Crawley, 256 points, $7,044. 2, Thurston, 255, $5,400. 3, Hay, 253, $3,991. 4 (tie), Pollock and Gordon, 250, $2,113 each. 6, Jesse Wright, 248, $1,174. 7, Colton Carter, Nephi, Utah, 237, $939. 8, Jake Wright, Milford, Utah, 236.5, $704.

    Tie-Down Roping: Final Round- 1 (tie), Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., and Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas, 8.9 seconds, $1,978 each. 3, Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla., 9.3, $1,564. 4, Clif Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 10.0, $1,288. 5, Ross Tucker, Archer City, Texas, 11.3, $1,012. 6, Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 12.3, $736. 7, Kyle Lucas, Carstairs, Alberta, 12.5, $460. 8, Alex Caudle, Livingston, Ala., 13.2, $184.

    (total on three) 1, Yates, 26.6 seconds, $9,619. 2, Clif Cooper, 26.9, $8,364. 3, Hanchey, 27.6, $7,110. 4, Jarrett, 28.1, $5,855. 5, Tuf Cooper, 29.4, $4,500. 6, Lucas, 30.2, $3,346. 7, Ross Tucker, Archer City, Texas 30.5, $2,091. 8, Tyson Durfey, Brock, Texas, 31.5, $836.

    Barrel Racing: Final Round – 1, Haley Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 16.36 seconds, $3,833. 2, Jimmie Smith, McDade, Texas, 16.45, $2,875. 3, Ivy Conrado, Nowata, Okla., 16.51, $1,917. 4, Michelle Alley, Madisonville, Texas, 16.56, $958.

    (total on three) 1, Kinsel, 49.37 seconds, $7,762. 3, Jennifer Sharp, Montgomery, Texas, 49.42, $6,654. 3, Smith, 49.64, $5,544. 4, Conrado, 49.70, $4,805. 5, Alley, 49.76, $3,696. 6, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Victoria, Texas, 49.79, $2,957. 7, Taylor Langdon, Aubrey, Texas, 49.93, $2,218. 8, Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas, 50.04, $1,479. 9, Alex Lang, Harper, Texas, 50.14, $1,109. 10, Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas, 51.46, $739.

    Bull Riding: Final Round— (two rides) 1, Foster McCraw, Grimes, Texas, 90 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Chosin One, $2,700. 2, J.T. Moore, Alvin, Texas, 88, $2,300.

    (total on three) 1, McCraw, 254, $8,564.  2, J.T. Moore, Alvin, Texas, 250.5, $6,566. (on two) 3, Garrett Wickett, Battle Creek, Neb., 168.5, $4,853. 4, Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah, 165, $1,998. 5, Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla., 161.5, $1,998. 6 (tie), Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas, and Brody Yeary, Morgan Mill, Texas, 160, $1,285. 8, Dalan Duncan, Ballard, Utah, 158, $856.

     

     

  • Bull rider at the top of the earnings list at San Antonio Rodeo

    Bull rider at the top of the earnings list at San Antonio Rodeo

    SAN ANTONIO (Feb. 8, 2019) – J.W. Harris may be in the twilight of his bull riding career, but he’s not thinking about that at this year’s San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo.

    Harris, from Goldthwaite, Texas, joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association 14 years ago. He has won four gold buckles for being the world champion, has nearly $2 million in association earnings and has made the trip to Las Vegas to compete at rodeo’s championships, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, nine times. However, he still has bulls to ride, rodeos to win and he has proven at San Antonio that he is still working towards his goals.

    He is among the bull riders in Bracket 1 that kicked off this year’s rodeo. Harris finished second on opening night of the rodeo, then followed that up with an 88.5-point ride on Beutler and Sons Rodeo’s Crazy Child on Friday night. That was good for the win and $2,500. Combined with the $2,250 he won on Thursday, he has won the most money of all Bracket 1 contestants at $4,750.

    In 2009, Harris tied for the win with Spud Jones in the AT&T Center. He has had several high marked rides but being the only guy at the top of the leaderboard at the end of the rodeo has eluded him.

    “This rodeo and Cheyenne Frontier Days are two that I’ve always wanted to win,” Harris said. “I feel good right now and I’m having a blast. I’m not worrying about my career, I’m just worrying about riding one bull at a time.”

    The third round of Bracket 1 starts at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon. Harris will be hoping to add even more money to his bank account then, but with what he has already won enough money to make plans to be back here for the Semifinals. Some other contestants that are planning that trip are team ropers Paul David Tierney from Oklahoma City and Tanner Braden from Dewey, Oklahoma, and bareback rider Tyler Nelson from Victor, Idaho. They have each won $4,500 here so far.

    Nelson is a former champion in the AT&T Center and knows what it feels like to make the victory lap in the back of a Ford Truck and collect the buckle for being the best. He earned nearly $26,000 here in 2017 after scoring 91.5 points and beating world champion Tim O’Connell by a half-point.

    Contestants in Bracket 1 will be finishing their competition on Saturday afternoon, then Bracket 2 will begin. Ten more contestants in each event will be trying to earn their piece of the $1.7 million in prize money Saturday night at the fourth rodeo performance which begins at 7:30 p.m.

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    SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Feb. 8, 2019) — The following are results after the second performance of the San Antonio Stock Show Rodeo, the 14-time Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year.

     

    Bracket 1, round 2 followed by money leaders —

     

    Bareback Riding: 1, Tyler Nelson, Victor, Idaho, 85 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s All Pink, $2,500. 2, Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La., 84.5, $2,000. 3, Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La., 84, $1,240. 4, (tie) Shane O’Connell, Rapid City, S.D.; Tristan Hansen, Dillon, Mont.; and Jamie Howlett, Rapid City, S.D.; 81 and $250 each. (total money) 1, Nelson, $4,500. 2, Howlett, $2,750. 3, Broussard, $2,000. 4, (tie) Ratliff, O’Connell and Hansen, $1,250 each.

     

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont., 3.9 seconds, $2,500. 2, Josh Garner, Live Oak, Calif., 4.2, $2,000. 3, Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore., 4.3, $1,250. 4, J.D. Struxness, Milan, Minn., 4.5, $750. (total money) 1, Knowles, $2,350. 2, Erickson, $2,875. 3, Jacob Talley, Katchie, La., $2,500. 4, Garner, $2,000.

     

    Team Roping: 1, Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City and Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla., 4.7 seconds, $2,500. 2, Riley and Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 5.8, $2,000. 3, Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C., and Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M., 6.8, $1,250. 4, Jeff Flenniken, Caldwell, Idaho and Jake Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 7.9, $750. (total money) 1, Tierney and Braden, $4,500. 2, Riley and Brady Minor, $2,750. 3, Garrett Tonozzi, Fruita, Colo., and Dustin Davis, Terrell, Texas, $2,500. 4, (tie) Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C., and Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo.; and Kidd and Medlin, $1,250.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Ross Griffin, Tularosa, N.M., 84.5 points on Beutler and Son Rodeo’s No Show Jones, $2,500. 2, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, 84, $2,000. 3, Dean Wadsworth, Buffalo Gap, Texas, 82, $1,250. 4, Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas, 81, $750. (total money) 1, Thurston, $2,750. 2, (tie) Griffin and Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., $2,500 each. 4, Clay Elliott, Nanton, Alberta, $2,000.

     

                   Tie-Down Roping: 1, Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas, 7.5 seconds, $2,500. 2, Tyson Durfey, Brock, Texas, 8.2, $2,000. 3, Cody Quaney, Fort Worth, Texas, 8.6, $1,250. 4, Tanner Green, Cotulla, Texas, 8.9, $750. (total money) 1, Durfey, $3,000. 2, (tie) Gray and Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M., $2,500 each. 4, Quaney, $2,250.

     

    Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Tillar Murray, Fort Worth, Texas, 14.06, $2,500. 2, Ericka Nelson, Century, Fla., 14.09, $2,000. 3, Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas, 14.14, $1,250. 4, Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas, 14.22, $750. (total money) 1, Nelson, $4,000. 2, Murray, $3,750. 3, Kelly Bruner, Millsap, Texas, $2,500. 4, Ganter, $1,250.

     

    Bull Riding: 1, J.W. Harris, Goldthwaite, Texas, 88.5 points on Beutler and Son Rodeo’s Crazy Child, $2,500. 2, Brady Portenier, Caldwell, Idaho, 85.5, $2,000. 3, Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas, 85, $1,250. 4, Dallee Mason, Weiser, Idaho, 79, $750. (total money) 1, Harris, $5,000. 2, Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho, $2,750. 3, Portenier, $2,000, 4, Tim Bingham, Honeyville, Utah, $1,500.

     

    About the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo:
    Established in 1949, the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, winner of the PRCA Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year for an unprecedented 14 consecutive times, has grown to be one of the largest and most prestigious single events in the city, with over 2 million visitors entering the grounds each year. The success of the organization is attributed to over 6,000 volunteers who give countless hours to the organization. With community, donor and volunteer support, the organization has donated over $198 million to the youth of Texas through scholarships, grants, endowments, auctions, a calf scramble program and show premiums. For more information, visit sarodeo.com.

     

  • Diaz takes first step to bucket-list win at Fort Worth’s World’s Original Indoor Rodeo®

    Diaz takes first step to bucket-list win at Fort Worth’s World’s Original Indoor Rodeo®

    FORT WORTH, Texas (February 3, 2019)— Prior to his first trip to compete at the 123rd edition of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, bull rider Garrett Wickett favorite rodeo moment happened at the RAM Prairie Circuit Finals.

    He had the highest marked ride of his career at the event in Duncan, Oklahoma in 2018 scoring 86 points. That highlight could very well change for the Battle Creek, Nebraska, native. In his very first outing in the Will Rogers Coliseum he scored 84.5 points on Saturday night. He came back at the Sunday matinee and made a second ride for 84 points. Now, he is at the top of the overall leaderboard with 168.5 points on two rides and will be making plans to return here next weekend to ride in the championship finals.

    Wickett is a second-generation bull rider who grew up watching his father and uncles compete. He learned what he could from them, then continued his education at Mid Plains Community College in North Platte, Nebraska, where Dustin Elliott, the 2004 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world champion bull rider is the coach.

    While Wickett has been pursuing his studies in ag business and welding, he has also been competing in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association where he qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo twice. J.T. Moore from Alvin, Texas, is now in second place overall with 162.5 points on two bulls.

    The first round of team roping saw big changes here on Sunday night. Cory Kidd V, from Statesville, North Carolina, and Logan Medlin, from Tatum, New Mexico, are at the top of the leaderboard with a 4.8 second run. Right behind them are brothers Chase and Tyson Thompson from Munday, Texas with a 4.9.

    The World’s Original Indoor Rodeo® continues on Military Monday with performances at 2 and 7:30 p.m. All active or retired personnel can get a free rodeo ticket by showing their military ID.

    -30-

    FORT WORTH. — The following are unofficial results from Sunday’s performances of the World’s Oldest Indoor Rodeo® at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, February 3, 2019.

    Sixteenth Performance

    Bareback Riding: 1, Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., 88 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Willie Lounge. 2, R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., 87. 3, Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas, 85. 4 (tie), Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., and Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, Mont., 80 each.

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Taylor Gregg, Walla Walla, Wash., 3.9 seconds. 2, John Green, La Grande, Ore., 4.5. 3, Levi Rudd, Chelsea, Okla., 5.0. 4, Tyke Kipp, Lordsburg, N.M., 5.4.

    Team Roping: 1 (tie), Jr. Dees, Aurora, S.D., and Cody Cowden, Atwater, Calif.; and Cory Smothers, Henryville, Ind., and Blake Bentley, Burleson, Texas, 5.5 seconds each. 3, Chris Francis, Las Vegas, N.M., and Cade Passig, Las Vegas, N.M., 11.1. 4, Shain Sproul, Las Cruces, N.M., and Lane Siggins, Coolidge, Ariz., 15.8.

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La., 79 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s First Dance. 2 (tie), Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas, and Will Pollock, Stephenville, Texas, 78.5 each. 4, Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., 76.5.

    Tie-Down Roping: (three times) 1, Clint Robinson, Spanish Fork, Utah, 8.6 seconds. 2, Bobby Abernathy, Athens, Ala., 12.1. 3, Cody Lawrence, Pleasanton, Texas, 16.0.

    Barrel Racing: 1, Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas, 16.62 seconds. 2, Tami Semas, Brock, Texas, 16.91. 3, Angela Ganter, Abilene, Texas, 17.10. 4, Kynzie McNeill, Stillwater, Okla., 17.23.

    Bull Riding: (three rides) 1, Garrett Wickett, Battle Creek, Neb., 84 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Sully. 2, Cody Strite, Albuquerque, N.M., 77.5. 3, Colten Fritzlan, Snyder, Texas, 76.5.

     

    Seventeenth Performance

    Bareback Riding: 1, Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., 83 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Texan. 2, Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, Mont., 79.5. 3, R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Colo., 78. 4, Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas, 76.

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La., 3.8 seconds. 2, Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla., 4.8. 3, Brady Buum, Fort Lupton, Colo., 5.1. 4, Denver Berry, Checotah, Okla., 8.9.

    Team Roping: 1, Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C., and Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M., 4.8 seconds. 2, Chace and Tyson Thompson, Munday, Texas, 4.9. 3, Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla., and Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas, 5.9. 4, Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D., and J.W. Beck, Moville, Iowa, 10.0.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding:  1, Alex Wright, Milford, Utah, 87.5 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Lost Highway. 2, Jake Wright, Milford, Utah, 83. 3, Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 81.5.  4, Treyson Antonick, Overton, Texas, 79.

    Tie-Down Roping: 1, Clayton Smith, Eckville, Alberta, 8.4 seconds. 2, Ace Slone, Cuero, Texas, 8.6. 3, Jason Timmerman, Humble, Texas, 9.4. 4, Blair Smith, Wimborne, Alberta, 10.1.

    Barrel Racing: 1, Sadye Simpson, Stephenville, Texas, 16.62. 2, Emily Miller, Weatherford, Okla., 16.65. 3, Katelyn Scott, Odessa, Texas, 16.76. 4, Jacque Woolman, Llano, Texas, 16.91.

    Bull Riding: (one ride) 1, Tristan Mize, Bryan, Texas, 85 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Johnny Thunder.

     

    Current Leaders

    Bareback Riding: (first round) 1 Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb., 88 points on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Willie Lounge. 2, Kaycee Feild, Genola, Utah, 87.5. 3, R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., 87. 4, Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., 85.5. 5, Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas, 85. 6, Tyler Johnson, Burneyville, Okla., 79.5. (second round) 1 (tie), Pascal Isabelle, Okotoks, Alberta, on Silver Creek Rodeo’s Plastic Fantastic and Luke Creasy, Hobbs, N.M., on Frontier Rodeo’s Sweet Medicine, 84 points each. 3 (tie), Feild and Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas, 83.5 each. 5, Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., 83. 6, Tristan Hansen, Dillon, Mont., 82.5. (third round) 1, Colletti, 84 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Sunrise. 2, Tyler Berghuis, Atwater, Minn., 82.5. 3, Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore., 82. 4, Waylon Guy Bourgeois, Church Point, La., 81.5. 5, Chad Rutherford, Lake Charles, La., 81. 6, Tristan Hansen, Dillon, Mont., 78.5. (total on three) 1, Feild, 245 points. 2, Rutherford, 238.5. 3, Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La., 235. 4 (tie), Foss and Lane McGeHee, Victoria, Texas, 233.5 each. 6, Berghuis, 232.5.

    Steer Wrestling: (second round) 1, Baxtor Roche, Tremonton, Utah, 3.5 seconds. 2 (tie), Tyler Pearson, Louisville, Miss., and Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas, 3.6 each. 4, Ryan Lewis, Hineston, La., and Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La., 3.8 each. 6, Taylor Gregg, Walla Walla, Wash., 3.9. (total on two) 1 (tie), Jace Melvin, Fort Pierre, S.D., and Marcus Theriot, Poplarville, Miss., 8.6 seconds each.  3, Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore., 9.0. 4. Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah, 9.2. 5, Bubba Boots, St. Anthony, Idaho, 9.3. 6, Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla., 9.6.

     

     

    Team Roping: (first round) 1, Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C., and Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M., 4.8 seconds. 2, Chace and Tyson Thompson, Munday, Texas, 4.9. 3, Jeff Flenniken, Caldwell, Idaho, and Jake Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 5.0. 4, Steven Duby, Hereford, Ore., and Jason Duby, Klamath Falls, Ore., 5.3. 5 (tie), Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz., and Tyler Worley, Berryville, Ark.; and Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas, and Will Woodfin, Marshall, Texas, 5.4 each. (second round) 1 (tie), Marcus Theriot, Poplarville, Miss., and Coleby Payne, Lipan, Texas; and Casey Tew, Billings, Mont., and Boogie Ray, Mabank, Texas, 4.7 seconds each. 3, Joshua and Jonathan Torres, Ocala, Fla., 4.8. 4, Aaron Macy, Post, Texas, and Jason Johe, San Luis Obispo, Calif., 4.9. 5, Nick Sartain, Yukon, Okla., and Austin Rogers, Crescent, Okla., 5.0. 6, Riley and Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 5.1. (total on two) 1, Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz., and Tyler Worley, Berryville, Ark.,10.6 seconds. 2, Kal Fuller, Bozeman, Mont., and Travis Woodard, Huckabay, Texas, 11.3. 3, Riley and Brady Minor, 11.4. 4 (tie), Levi Simpson, Ponoka, Alberta, and Cole Davison, Stephenville, Texas; and Steven Duby, Hereford, Ore., and Jason Duby, Klamath Falls, Ore., 12.1 each. 6, Ty Bach, Millsap, Texas, and Trey Johnson, Weatherford, Texas, 13.3.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: (first round) 1, Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas, 88 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Cowboy Town. 2, Alex Wright, Milford, Utah, 87.5. 3 (tie), Kole Ashbacher, Arrowwood, Alberta, and Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D., 84.5 each. 5, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, 84. 6, Colt Gordon, Comanche, Okla., 83.5. (second round) 1, Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, 86.5 points on Andrews Rodeo’s Rock Bottle. 2, Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah, 84.5. 3, Thurston, 84. 4 (tie), Bradley Harter, Loranger, La.; Wyatt Casper, Pampa, Texas, and Colt Gordon, Comanche, Okla., 82.5. (total on two) 1 (tie), Crawley and Thurston, 168 points each. 3, Diaz, 166.5. 4, Gordon, 166. 5, Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 164. 6 (tie), Joey Sonnier III, New Iberia, La., and Casper, 160.5.

    Tie-Down Roping: (second round leaders) 1, Sterling Smith, Stephenville, Texas, 7.5 seconds. 2, Alex Caudle, Livingston, Ala., 8.3. 3 (tie), Kyle Lucas, Carstairs, B.C., and Clayton Smith, Eckville, Alberta, 8.4 each. 5 (tie), Clint Robinson, Spanish Fork, Utah, and Ace Slone, Cuero, Texas, 8.6 each. (total on two) 1, Clif Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 16.9 seconds. 2, Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 17.1. 3 (tie), Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas, and Lucas, 17.1. 5, Robinson, 18.4. 6, Caudle, 19.1.

    Barrel Racing: (first round) 1, Sydni Blanchard, Pueblo, Colo., 16.22 seconds. 2, Taylor Langdon, Aubrey, Texas, 16.43. 3, Jennifer Sharp, Montgomery, Texas, 16.48. 4, Jill Wilson, Snyder, Texas, 16.49. 5, Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas, 16.53. 6 (tie), Ilyssa Glass, Tatum, N.M., and Ivy Conrado, Nowata, Okla., 16.58 each. 8 (tie), Sidney Forrest, Lipan, Texas, and Amberleigh Moore, Salem, Ore., 16.60 each.

    Bull Riding: (first round) 1, Dallee Mason, Weiser, Idaho, 89 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s King Herod. 2, Tristan Mize, Bryan, Texas, 85. 3 (tie), Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah, and Garrett Wickett, Battle Creek, Neb., 84.5 each. 5, Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas, 83. 6, Dalan Duncan, Ballard, Utah, 82.5. (second round) 1, Boudreaux Campbell, Crockett, Texas, 87.5 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Johnny Cash. 2, Tyler Taylor, Stephenville, Texas, 84.5. 3, Garrett Wickett, Battle Creek, Neb., 84. 4 (tie), Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla., and Dustin Bowen, Fredericksburg, Pa., 83 each. 5, Moore, 82 (total on two) 1, Wickett, 168.5. 2, Bryan, Texas, 162.5. 3, Askey, 160. 4, Duncan, 158. 5, Aaron Williams, Pismo Beach, Calif., 156.5, 6, Bowen, 155.

     

     

  • Trevor is still the King

    Trevor is still the King

    Now Semi-retired, the Winningest Cowboy in Rodeo Still Loves the CTEC

    Feb. 1, 2019 / Guthrie, Oklahoma – The grind of professional rodeo offers many challenges and requires many sacrifices for those that are successful.

    Nobody understands that better than Trevor Brazile, the “King of the Cowboys” who owns the most world championships in the sport’s history. He owns several PRCA records, including the most world titles (24), most all-around world championships (14) and the most money earned over his career – so far, that figure sits at nearly $7 million.

    Now 42, he’s realizing that the sacrifices need to be fewer while still chasing challenges. That’s why he is limiting his rodeo schedule, likely eliminating the chances for more PRCA gold buckles or even qualifications to the National Finals Rodeo.

    His focus is on family, and that’s a good thing. As his three children grow, their activities do, too, and Brazile doesn’t want to miss as many of those.

    While his schedule will be diminished greatly, he still has some major events on his calendar, and the CINCH Timed Event Championship is at the top of his list. He will return to the unique competition, dubbed the “Ironman of ProRodeo,” set for March 8-10 at the Lazy E Arena. For information on the event and to order tickets, visit www.LazyE.com.

    “When I started off, I wanted to be diversified, to be a well-rounded cowboy,” said Brazile, 42, of Decatur, Texas. “The Timed Event is a true test of it.”

    It’s a test he knows well. In the 22 years since he first competed at the CTEC, he’s won the Montana Silversmiths CTEC gold buckle seven times, more than any other competitor in its 35-year history. It also offers a great financial incentive, the $100,000 prize that goes to the winner at the conclusion of the five-round, three-day slugfest.

    In an event where each cowboy must compete in all five timed-event disciplines – heading, heeling, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and steer roping – just to complete one round, it takes a mental fortitude and true athleticism to come out successful. But the rewards are plentiful: the runner-up will earn $25,000.

    “When you talk about the mental and physical grind that it takes, it’s a lot of both,” Brazile said. “I don’t know what makes it fun, but it’s fun. I love competing. If I were to make a list of what makes it fun, No. 1 would be the $100,000. Second would be getting on the same playing field with 19 other guys.

    “I work multiple events all the time, and it’s the one time a year I feel like it evens the playing field for me because everybody has to compete in multiple events.”

    There are fireworks that happen each round, but the CTEC is a true spectacle.

    As has happened in years past, the annual chuckwagon cooking contest will take place in

    conjunction with the festivities. It was named the 2017 American Chuck Wagon Association’s event of the year. Breakfast will begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, and the dinner will begin at 3 p.m. Tickets may be purchased through www.Ticketmaster.com.

    The hottest ticket, though, is to see the 20 greatest all-around timed-event cowboys in ProRodeo today. Over the course of the storied championship, only 14 men have walked away from the Lazy E with the title.

    Seven of those men will be in this year’s field, and Brazile is just one of them. He will be joined by K.C. Jones (5), Daniel Green (3), Kyle Lockett (2), Paul David Tierney (2), Jess Tierney and Jordan Ketscher, the last of whom is the reigning titlist.

    “There’s not another event like it,” said Brazile, who has earned $808,000 at the CTEC. “It is the purest of timed-event contests, then you put it in a venue like the Lazy E, and it adds that much more of a cowboy contest.”

    It goes back to being one of the most unique events in the sport, where team ropers must wrestle steers and steer wrestlers must rope them. It challenges every man, and it happens through five rounds over just three days.

    While the cowboys are used to stopping the clock in 7.0 seconds in tie-down roping or 3.5 seconds in bulldogging, the key to success at the CINCH Timed Event Championship is being consistent over 25 runs.

    “That part of it’s changed a lot over the years I’ve been part of it,” said Brazile, who joins header Clay Smith as the 2018 PRCA champions who are part of this year’s “Ironman.” “If you go into it with a practice-pen mentality too much, you’re not going to win it. You still have to be somewhat aggressive. There are some things that will happen that are out of your control, and you can’t let them be a downward spiral.

    “If you try not to lose, it’s not going to be good enough in that event.”

    Make no bones about it, he’s good. In fact, he’s the best there is in the game today. He’s a factor, and the other competitors know that very well. Some of that has to do with his impeccable work ethic, and part of it has to do with his talents in the arena.

    “He’s a top 15 contender in every event he chooses to be in,” said fellow CTEC cowboy JoJo LeMond, who pointed to Brazile’s two Triple Crowns, when he won three gold buckles in 2007 and 2011.

    Brazile cherishes every victory and every moment. He celebrates the opportunity to engage with fans, and there are none better than the ones who fill the Lazy E Arena through the second weekend in March.

    “I go to rodeos all over the world, and people will come up to me and say they go to their hometown rodeo and the Timed Event every year,” he said. “If you’ve ever been a fan of the Timed Event, you’re always a fan of it. They’re fans of grit and determination as much as they are of rodeo.

    “Seeing what people have to overcome in a three-day competition is worth the price of admission.”

     

    CINCH Timed Event Championship Contestants

    Jordan Ketscher – Squaw Valley, Calif. – Clayton Hass – Stephenville, Texas

    Marcus Theriot – Poplarville, Miss. – Lane Karney – Creston, Calif.

    JoJo LeMond – Andrews, Texas – Kyle Lockett – Visalia, Calif.

    Cash Myers – Athens, Texas – Trevor Brazile – Decatur, Texas

    Shank Edwards – Tatum, N.M. – Rhen Richard – Roosevelt, Utah

    K.C. Jones – Burlington, Wyo. – Cody Doescher – Oklahoma City

    Paul David Tierney – Oklahoma City – Landon McClaugherty – Tilden, Texas

    Jess Tierney – Hermosa, S.D. – Shay Carroll – Hico, Texas

    Daniel Green – Oakdale, Calif. – Erich Rogers – Round Rock, Ariz.

    Clay Smith – Broken Bow, Okla. – Joel Bach – Rhome, Texas

     

    Jr. Ironman Championship Contestants

    Rowdy Norwood – Amarillo, Texas    Quade Hiatt – Canyon, Texas

    Rylen Sutherland – Benton, Ky.         Trevor Meier – Garden City, Kan.

    Dillon Jones – Weir, Miss.                 Hiyo Yazzi – Brimhall, N.M.

    Allen Morse – Dawson Springs, Ky.              Cole Walker – Sparta, Tenn.

    Laine Moore – Asbury, Ala.    Charles Tyler West – Mertzon, Texas

     

    CINCH Timed Event Championship – 2019

    When: March 8, 2019 / NOON & 7:30 P.M.

    March 9, 2019 / NOON & 7:30 P.M.

    March 10, 2019 / 1 P.M.

    Where: Lazy E Arena (Guthrie, Oklahoma)

    Press Contact: Ted Harbin and Joey W. Niebrugge

    (800) 595-RIDE / (405) 282-RIDE / imteditor@gmail.com  /  joey@lazye.com

  • PRCA Xtreme Broncs Finals coming to Rapid City

    PRCA Xtreme Broncs Finals coming to Rapid City

    DENVER, Colo. – The Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) is pleased to announce that Rapid City, S.D., has been selected as the site to host the “PRCA Xtreme Broncs Finals” in August.

    “South Dakota has produced great saddle bronc riders for years, starting with Casey Tibbs,” PRCA CEO George Taylor said. “It seems fitting for South Dakota to host the finals of this great event.”

    The Xtreme Broncs Tour is a series of events that features only saddle bronc riding competition. These stand-alone events were first approved by the PRCA in 2016. It is estimated there will be up to 20 stops this year throughout the U.S.

    The Rapid City event will be the conclusion of the tour and will be nationally televised. The format will be the top 12 saddle bronc riders in the PRCA earnings standings and the top 12 competitors who have competed in the Xtreme Bronc Tour events will compete in a long go and a short go for the Xtreme Broncs title and a portion of the $50,000 added money. All money earned on the Tour and in the Tour finale will count toward Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifying. This event will bring the best saddle bronc riding competitors in the world to compete in Rapid City.

    The Central States Fair and Range Days Rodeo will host this event Thursday, Aug. 22, during the Central States Fair.

    “This is a huge win for South Dakota and Rapid City to be able to host this world class event,” said John Kerstiens, President of the Central States Fair Board of Directors. “This event will bring the national spotlight to Rapid City.”

    “There are lots of details to cover in producing an event like this,” said Ron Jeffries, General Manager for the Central States Fair. “Rapid City has never seen a rodeo event of this magnitude. We have a lot of ground to cover and a lot of sponsorship opportunities and exposure that this level of national event offers.”

    For more information on this event, contact the Central States Fair office at

    605-355-3861 or ron@blackhillsstockshow.com

  • Taylor Broussard Claims Odessa Title

    Taylor Broussard Claims Odessa Title

    ODESSA, Texas – Winning the Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo is no easy feat.

    Bareback rider Taylor Broussard, who bought his PRCA card in 2013, accomplished that goal with an 87-point ride on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Nutrena’s Black Fury.

    “I’m very happy to win Odessa, it is the biggest ProRodeo I’ve ever won,” said Broussard, 25.

    The Estherwood, La., cowboy made his ride during the first performance of the rodeo Jan. 4 and then had to wait until Jan. 12 to see if his score would remain atop the leaderboard.

    “It made it a little more special being out in the first perf and winning it,” Broussard said.

    Broussard also drew Black Fury in July at Kansas’ Largest Night Rodeo in Pretty Prairie, where he finished sixth with an 81-point trip.

    “He was good the first time I got him, and I didn’t ride him quite as good as I wanted to ride him,” Broussard said. “In Odessa, he bucked a lot harder and I rode him a lot better. The ride felt good. The horse had a lot of moves and I felt like I spurred him every jump. It felt good when the whistle blew.”

    Broussard earned $3,043 for his performance to move into first place in the Jan. 14 PRCA | RAM World Standings.

    The past two seasons have been the best in Broussard’s ProRodeo career, as he earned $19,169 in 2017 and $27,381 in 2018.

    “I’m going to go full time again this year and try and make the NFR,” he said. “I’m pretty confident in my riding abilities. I always knew that I had the skills to compete against the best, but since the end of the (2018) summer run and into this year (2019), I have really stepped up my game. I’ve been keeping my chin down and things have been going a lot better for me. I’ve also been getting on better horses, which helps a lot.”

    Rodeo is a family affair for Broussard. His wife, Alishea, and his little sister, Elizabeth, 19, compete in barrel racing.

    “It’s pretty cool being able to go to rodeos with your family,” Taylor said. “That’s great that we all get to do what we want to do.”

    When Taylor isn’t rodeoing, he works in his family’s business – Acadia Crawfish Company in Crowley, La. The company is run by Taylor’s father, Scott. Taylor also trains horses.

    “When you can eat crawfish as fast as me, you can eat a lot,” Taylor said. “I can for sure eat eight pounds of crawfish in one setting.”

     

    Other winners at the $222,609 rodeo were all-around cowboy JoJo LeMond ($3,385, team roping and steer roping); steer wrestler Matt Reeves (9.6 seconds on two head); team ropers Dustin Egusquiza/Kory Koontz (8.5 seconds on two head); saddle bronc rider Preston Burr (87 points on Beutler & Son Rodeo’s Nutrena’s Bombshell); tie-down roper Tyson Durfey (17.7 seconds on two head); barrel racer Michelle Alley (14.05 seconds); steer roper LeMond (60.5 seconds on four head); and bull rider Parker McCown (88 points on Powder River Rodeo’s No. C05).

  • National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Reopens the Second Floor Kit Moncrief Galleries and It’s Never Just a Horse Exhibition

    National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame Reopens the Second Floor Kit Moncrief Galleries and It’s Never Just a Horse Exhibition

    FORT WORTH, TEXAS (January 31, 2019) – The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is set to reopen the second floor, the Kit Moncrief Galleries and It’s Never Just a Horse exhibition, on March 9, 2019. The $5.5 million second floor renovation started a little over a year ago and the Museum is ready to reveal phase two of the renovation plan that started in 2015 with the first floor.

    The second floor of the Museum has only had minor alterations since the building opened in 2002 before this comprehensive renovation. The completion of this project provides the 33,000 – square foot, two-story Museum the ability to augment visitor experience as well as increase educational programming.

    As the only museum in the world dedicated to honoring women of the American West who have displayed extraordinary courage in their trail-blazing efforts, the renovation has enhanced its mission by exploring the special bond between women and horses through the lens of many Cowgirl Hall of Fame Honorees.

    “The newly renovated Cowgirl Museum second floor pays tribute to the amazing relationship between women and horses,” said National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame’s executive director Patricia Riley, “and celebrates the partnerships which are so special to both. The new exhibition and experiences are sure to engage and enthrall visitors of all ages.”

    The Kit Moncrief Galleries will be largely given over to the new It’s Never Just a Horse exhibition which explores the relationship between women and horses, and those women – who have and who are – shaping the West and changing the world. The expansive gallery will pay homage to the undeniable link among the horse, women, the West and the world.

    The It’s Never Just a Horse exhibition will feature five thematic “islands”: Ranching, Competing, Healing, Business and Inspiring. These broad categories explore how the horse connects with women through artifacts, some never before seen, displayed on the perimeter of each island. Each island will have a media station that provides the ability to explore additional information, artifacts and photos. New artifacts include the saddle Kit Harrington used when he portrayed Jon Snow in the blockbuster series Game of Thrones, on loan from Cowgirl Honoree and horse master Camilla Naprous.

    Twice an hour, the gallery lights will dim and life-size horses will appear on the surrounding walls, encircling the visitor. Seemingly entering the gallery space; the horse will be large enough for a visitor to see it breathe.

    An immersive digital experience that was designed with Ideum, an interactive design firm, will include a 65” platform multitouch table. Visitors will be able to design their own horse, western shirt and boots inspired by Cowgirl Honorees like Fern Sawyer, Tad Lucas and Connie Douglas Reeves. While the visitor is designing their chosen cowgirl piece, it will be projected on the walls around them, providing the opportunity to take a picture of their design to share via social media using #CowgirlMuseum.

    The National Cowgirl Museum’s popular, interactive bronc ride will be making a return to the second floor with new features and the ability to download your video to share with your friends on social media.

    There will be a Cowgirl Museum members-only party inviting members to have one of the first viewings of the newly renovated second floor before it’s open to the public. The morning of March 6 is designated for media; please contact our public engagement manager, Madison Ward, at mward@cowgirl.net or 817.509.8969 to reserve a media visit.

    To continue the celebration of the new second floor, the Cowgirl Museum will stay open late the third Friday of each month starting March 15 through December 20 for cowgirl cocktails from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. More event details will be released later.

    The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame worked with the same team, Projectiles, an international architect team based in Paris, France that designed the Hitting the Mark: Cowgirls and Wild West Shows Gallery and the stunning two-story mobile located in the rotunda. The Museum also teamed up with Ideum, an interactive design firm, for new projects for the second floor that include an immersive table and media stations.

     

    The Museum has extended their hours during the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, Monday – Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. February 10 through March 8 the Museum will be closed for final renovations.

     

    New museum hours and admission prices are as follows:

    Tuesday – Saturday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sunday: Noon – 5 p.m.

    Closed Mondays (including summer); except during FWSSR and Spring Break (March 11th): 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission Rates:

    Adults – $12.00

    Seniors (age 65+) – $9.00

    Military & First Responders – $9.00

    Children (age 4-12) – $6.00

    Children age 3 and under – free with paid admission **Cowgirl Family Special (2 adults and up to 4 children age 4-12) $36.00** Perfect for Spring Break

    Group Rates: minimum 10 people with two week advance reservation; maximum 120 people Adults/Seniors – $7.00 Students (PreK-12th) – $4.50 One free chaperone per every 10 students Additional Chaperones – $7.00

    Adult/Senior groups – complimentary docent guided tour based upon availability Student groups – self-guided; complimentary scavenger hunt kits upon request

    Keep up with the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, visit www.cowgirl.net and follow us on Facebook at www. facebook.com/NCMHOF, Twitter at www.twitter.com/cowgirlmuseum and Instagram at www.instagram.com/cowgirlmu-seum. The Museum will be available for event rental after the Museum reopens March 9, 2019. Contact Tommy Morton for more information at tommy@cowgirl.net or 817.509.8987.

    Check out our Second Floor Reopening FAQs on www.cowgirl.net.

  • Bloomer Trailers Announces P&P Trailer Sales of Salado as Number One Dealer

    Bloomer Trailers Announces P&P Trailer Sales of Salado as Number One Dealer

    P&P Tralers of Salado is Recognized Among Top Bloomer Trailers’ Dealers for the Year

    Salado, Texas – Randy Bloomer, CEO of Bloomer Trailer Mfg., Inc. announced that P&P Trailer Sales of Salado, Texas is the #1 Bloomer Dealer in the United States for 2018.

    To be named number one, dealers must have the highest sales numbers and more completed deals than any other dealer across the country.  Under the leadership of dealership manager Kevin Finch, P&P of Salado has received this honor numerous times.  Kevin was also named the number one Bloomer Trailer salesman in the country, an award he’s earned in the past.

    “Bloomer Trailers’ dealers play a pivotal role in the brand’s overall success.  Their dedication to our customers is unmatched,” said Randy Bloomer.  “P&P of Salado has an impeccable reputation of going beyond what is asked of them and putting our customers first.  Kevin takes pride in his customer relationships and it shows by the number of sales he has recorded this year.”

    Being named the number one Bloomer Trailer dealer is not an easy accomplishment.  To reach a broader audience, P&P Trailers of Salado attends several shows throughout the year including the National Finals Rodeo.  Each year they continue to become a more dominant name in the horse trailer sales industry.

    “Here at P&P we focus on bringing the ‘P&P Difference’ to every customer interaction,” said Kevin Finch.  “To align ourselves with the core values of Bloomer Trailers we take care of our customers from start to finish, before and after the sale.  This helps us achieve our goals as a business.  We are proud to be the top Bloomer Trailer dealer in America.”  Bubba Paschal, owner of P&P Trailers sales of Salado, also operates five trailer and RV dealerships in three states.

    Bloomer Trailers is only as strong as those who represent and sell our products.  We are proud to have only the best selling our trailers.  With rising competition in the horse trailer industry, Bloomer Trailers’ top dealers continue to thrive.  We look forward to the next twenty years with these committed partners in the industry.

     

    For more information about Bloomer Trailers please visit www.bloomertrailers.com.

    Media Contact:  Alexis Bloomer, Breaking Records Media (254)308-2218 alexis@breakingrecordsmedia.com

  • Kinzel, Lewis Aim for Finals at Fort Worth’s World’s Original Indoor Rodeo

    Kinzel, Lewis Aim for Finals at Fort Worth’s World’s Original Indoor Rodeo

    FORT WORTH, Texas (January 31, 2019)—With 10 rodeo performances of the 123rd edition of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo complete, the competition is just about one-third finished.

    In the next 8 days, 18 rodeos will feature preliminary competition with contestants hoping to be back here on Feb. 9th for the Championship Finals. One of those is the current Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world champion barrel racer, Hailey Kinsel from Cotulla, Texas.

    The Texas A&M graduate stopped the clock in 16.68 seconds on Thursday night in front of a near-capacity crowd that saw fans wearing lots of purple. It was Texas Christian University night featuring the university’s band, pom squad and their mascot Super Frog.

    Even though Kinsel is an Aggie, fans were still making lots of noise as she brought her horse, DM Sissy Hayday “Sister”, around the third barrel. Sister was selected as the 2018 WPRA/AQHA barrel racing horse of the year and has taken Kinsel to over $1 million in earnings.

    The eight-year-old Palomino super star is now on track to get Kinsel her first championship at the World’s Original Indoor Rodeo. They are currently eight in the first round of competition and will be among the 70 barrel racers that get an opportunity to compete again.

    After a shutout in the bull riding on Wednesday night, two bull riders lasted eight seconds and got a score. Tyler Taylor from Stephenville, Texas, rode Beast of Burden from 84.5 points and Trey Kimzey, of Strong City, Okla., was 83 points on Pacer. The bulls are both owned by Dakota Rodeo Company of Mandan, North Dakota, and Webster, Minnesota.

    This was their second round of competition in the Will Rogers Coliseum. Taylor is currently second in the round and Kimzey is third. They are also in the overall standings based on their one ride. However, that is likely to change throughout the coming week.

    Steer wrestler Tom Lewis, from Lehi, Utah, has the best potential of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association members to qualify for the finals here after stopping the clock in 4.2 seconds on Thursday night. With his wife, Lacee riding her horse and hazing for him, he is currently fourth overall with a total time of 9.2 seconds.

    The World’s Original Indoor Rodeo® continues on Friday with performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in Fort Worth’s historic Will Rogers Coliseum.

     

    FORT WORTH. — The following are unofficial results from Thursday’s performance of the World’s Oldest Indoor Rodeo® at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, January 31, 2019.

    Tenth Performance

    Bareback Riding: 1, Wyatt Bloom, Bozeman, Mont., 77 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Witchy Woman. 2 (tie), Lane McGehee, Victoria, Texas, and Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore., 76.5 each. 4, Logan Patterson, Kim, Colo., 76.

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Ryan Lewis, Hineston, La., 3.8 seconds. 2, Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah, 4.2. 3, Austin Eller, Glendo, Wyo., 4.8. 4, Cutter DeHart, Laramie, Wyo., 7.0.

    Team Roping: (three times)1, Joshua and Jonathan Torres, Ocala, Fla., 4.8 seconds. 2, Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla., 5.3. 3, Ty Bach, Millsap, Texas, and Trey Johnson, Weatherford, Texas, 5.5.

    Saddle Bronc Riding:  1, Scott Davis, Mobile, Ala., 78.5 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Native Fringe. 2, Curtis Garton, Boxholm, Iowa, 76.5. 3, Logan Cook, Alto, Texas, 71. 4, Parker Fleet, Axtell, Texas, 60.

    Tie-Down Roping: 1, Kyle Dickens, Loveland, Colo., 9.5 seconds. 2, Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont., 10.6. 3, Jayce Johnson, Wallis, Texas, 15.2. 4, Cody Craig, Wendell, Idaho, 18.6.

    Barrel Racing: 1, Haley Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 16.68 seconds. 2, Dona Kay Rule, Minco, Okla., 16.70. 3, Brittney Barnett, Joliet, Mont., 16.86. 4, Molly Childers, Mead, Okla., 17.04.

    Bull Riding: (two rides) 1, Tyler Taylor, Stephenville, Texas, 84.5 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Beast of Burden. 2, Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla., 83.

    Current Leaders

    Bareback Riding: (first round) 1, Kaycee Feild, Genola, Utah, 87.5 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Biscuit. 2, Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., 85.5. 3, Tyler Johnson, Burneyville, Okla., 83.5. 4, Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La., 82. 5, Waylon Guy Bourgeois, Church Point, La., 79.5. 6 (tie), Trey Moore III, Anniston, Ala., and Wyatt Bloom, Bozeman, Mont., 77. (second round) 1 (tie), Kaycee Feild, Genola, Utah, on Championship Pro Rodeo’s Night Lizard and Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas, on Championship Pro Rodeo’s River Bugs, 83.5 points each. 3, Tristan Hansen, Dillon, Mont., 82.5. 3, Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La., 80.5. 5, BoDell Jessen, Altamont, Utah, 78.5. 6, Wyatt Maines, Maple Creek, Sask., 77.5. (third round) 1, Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., 84 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Sunrise. 2, Waylon Guy Bourgeois, Church Point, La., 81.5. 3, Tristan Hansen, Dillon, Mont., 78.5. 4 (tie), Travis Chapman, Bastrop, La., and Trey Moore III, Anniston, Ala., 78. 6, Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La., 77. (total on three) 1, Feild, 245 points. 2, Ratliff, 235. 3, Moore, 232. 4, Hansen, 231. 5, Wyatt Maines, Maple Creek, Sask., 227.5. 6, Bourgeois, 223.

    Steer Wrestling: (second round) 1, Baxtor Roche, Tremonton, Utah, 3.5 seconds. 2, Tyler Pearson, Louisville, Miss., 3.6. 3, Ryan Lewis, Hineston, La., 4, Bubba Boots, St. Anthony, Idaho, 4.0. 5, Cade Austin Goodman, Waelder, Texas, 4.1. 6, Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah, 4.2. (total on two) 1 tie), Jace Melvin, Fort Pierre, S.D., and Marcus Theriot, Poplarville, Miss., 8.6 seconds each.  3, Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore., 9.0. 4. Lewis, 9.2. 5, Boots, 9.3. 6, Brandon Harrison, Port Arthur, Texas, 9.9.

    Team Roping: (first round) 1, Jeff Flenniken, Caldwell, Idaho, and Jake Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 5.0 seconds. 2, Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz., and Tyler Worley, Berryville, Ark., 5.4. 3 (tie), Garrett Rogers, Baker City, Ore., and Cesar de la Cruz, Tucson, Ariz.; Dustin Egusquiza, Mariana, Fla., and Kory Koontz, Stephenville, Texas; and Brye Crites, Afton, Okla., and Jake Clay, Sapulpa, Okla., 5.8. 6, Riley Minor and Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 6.3. (second round) 1, Marcus Theriot, Poplarville, Miss., and Coleby Payne, Lipan, Texas, 4.7 seconds. 2, Joshua and Jonathan Torres, Ocala, Fla., 4.8. 3, Aaron Macy, Post, Texas, and Jason Johe, San Luis Obispo, Calif., 4.9. 4, Riley and Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 5.1. 5, Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz., and Tyler Worley, Berryville, Ark., 5.2. 6, Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla., 5.3. (total on two) 1, Sherwood and Worley, 10.6 seconds. 2, Riley and Brady Minor, 11.4. 3, Levi Simpson, Ponoka, Alberta, and Cole Davison, Stephenville, Texas, 12.1. 4, Ty Bach, Millsap, Texas, and Trey Johnson, Weatherford, Texas, 13.3. 5, Brandon Gonzales, Seboyeta, N.M., and Steve Northcott, Odessa, Texas, 13.8. 6, Egusquiza and Koontz, 15.2.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: (first round) 1, Kole Ashbacher, Arrowwood, Alberta, 84.5 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Golden Glow. 2, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, 84. 3, Colt Gordon, Comanche, Okla., 83.5. 4, Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 82, 5, (tie) Joey Sonnier III, New Iberia, La., and Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, 81.5.  (second round) 1, Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, 86.5 points on Andrews Rodeo’s Rock Bottle. 2, Thurston, 84. 3 (tie), Bradley Harter, Loranger, La.; Wyatt Casper, Pampa, Texas, and Colt Gordon, 82.5. 6, Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 82. (total on two) 1 (tie), Crawley and Thurston, 168 points each. 3, Gordon, 166. 4, Hay, 164. 5 (tie), Sonnier and Casper, 160.5.

    Tie-Down Roping: (second round leaders) 1, Sterling Smith, Stephenville, Texas, 7.5 seconds. 2, Alex Caudle, Livingston, Ala., 8.3. 3, Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 8.7. 4, Justin Brinkerhoff, Corinne, Utah, 9.0. 5, Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif., 9.2. 6, Monty Lewis, Hereford, Texas, 9.4. (total on two) 1, Caudle, 19.1 seconds. 2, Smith, 19.8. 3 (tie), Lewis and Santos, 20.0. 5, Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M., 20.6. 6, Kyle Dickens, Loveland, Colo., 21.4.

    Barrel Racing: (first round) 1, Jennifer Sharp, Montgomery, Texas, 16.48 seconds. 2, Jill Wilson, Snyder, Texas, 16.49. 3, Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas, 16.53. 4 (tie), Ilyssa Glass, Tatum, N.M., and Ivy Conrado, Nowata, Okla., 16.58. 6, Stephanie Fryar, Waco, Texas, 16.62.

    Bull Riding: (first round) 1, Dallee Mason, Weiser, Idaho, 89 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s King Herod. 2, Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas, 83. 3, Dalan Duncan, Ballard, Utah, 82.5. 4, J.T. Moore, Alvin, Texas, 80.5. 5, Bayle Worden, Charleston, Texas, 77.5. 6, Aaron Williams, Pismo Beach, Calif., 78. (second round) 1, Boudreaux Campbell, Crockett, Texas, 87.5 points on Rafter G Rodeo’s Johnny Cash. 2, Tyler Taylor, Stephenville, Texas, 84.5. 3, Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla., 83. 4, Moore, 82. 5, Cullen Telfer, Thonotosassa, Fla., 81. 6, Aaron Williams, Pismo Beach, Calif., 80.5. (total on two) 1, Moore, 162.5. 2, Askey, 160. 3, Duncan, 158. 4, Williams, 156.5 (on one) 5, Mason, 89, 6, Campbell, 87.5.

  • Dealing with Winning and Losing

    I’ve heard it said, “Show me a good loser and I’ll show you a loser.” I don’t agree with that. I think it all pertains to how you’ve been raised and how you’ve been taught to conduct yourself in the arena. Personally, my father did not allow temper tantrums in life, much less the arena.
    When I was 12 or 13, my father and I were sitting at a jackpot when a guy missed his cow, jerked his rope, and then spurred and whipped his horse. My father said, “Son, if I ever see you do that I will be headed to you and you will have a butt-whipping coming.” He taught me I was to conduct myself professionally whether I won or lost.
    I’ve heard people say that I never showed much emotion when I roped at the NFR. And as a whole that’s correct. I did get excited a few times, but overall I didn’t get up or down much at all.
    What I try to teach my kids, when things go wrong and they don’t do well, remember there are a lot of people watching to see how you handle it. Don’t be mean to your horse or your partner. It’s very important for your horse and your partner to help you do the best you can. If they are worried about how you will react, they won’t be able to do their best work. I’ve also told my kids if their partner misses, it doesn’t hurt to say, “Hey it’s okay, we all have bad days,” or “We’ll get them next time.” When things don’t go well, a positive word can mean a lot.
    There are many different ways to handle failure. Things will not always go according to plan. Being emotional, or screaming and throwing a fit, will not help. It’s no different than life, and learning to deal with the ups and downs that come with it.
    How and what to teach your kids is a personal choice and everyone is entitled to their opinion. The things I try to instill in my kids and how to handle themselves when things don’t go well, is how I was raised.
    I’ve had both kinds of partners. I’ve had extremely supportive partners and I’ve had partners that met you at the back end of the arena and told you how dumb you are. The last thing someone needs, after dropping the ball at a prestigious event, is for your partner to tell you how dumb you are. There are guys I wouldn’t enter jackpots with because I knew if things went wrong they would have a fit.
    There’s a difference in being frustrated when you make a mistake versus when your partner makes a mistake. People can handle their frustrations and emotions their own way as long as they’re not abusive to their horse or other people.
    As an adult and parent, I appreciate how my father raised me and taught me to behave. This is how would like my kids to conduct themselves, both in life and the arena.

  • ProFile: Jessica Routier

    ProFile: Jessica Routier

    In her first year at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Jessica Routier set her rodeo career on fire. And she had some help in doing it, aboard an exceptional horse.
    Routier, of Buffalo, South Dakota, rode Fiery Miss West, “Missy”, won over $250,000 for the year, and finished the rodeo season as reserve champion, second only to the 2018 world champ Hailey Kinsel.
    Missy, an eight-year-old palomino, was Jessica’s futurity horse just two years ago. Owned by Gary Westergren of Westergren Quarter Horses in Lincoln, Neb., she is an exceptional horse who is unusual for her self-awareness, Jessica said. “You see quite a few young horses running these days, but to have one that makes runs like she does, with no mistakes, is pretty rare.”
    Jessica’s exceptional year began with her RAM Badlands Circuit championship in 2017, which qualified her to compete at the RAM National Circuit Finals in Kissimmee, Fla., in March. There, she finished in second place, which put her at her highest rodeo rankings ever: the top twenty in the world. A trip to the WNFR was within reach. So at the Guymon, Okla. rodeo, she sat in her trailer with an atlas and a rodeo schedule, mapping out her rodeo year, knowing that she might have a chance to make the Finals.
    Jessica competed at 58 rodeos, traveling all over the nation, but never being gone from home more than two weeks at a time. Missy, her untried mount, handled them all. “There’s not a lot of different things I have to watch out for” with Missy, Jessica said. “That helped us last year, where we didn’t know where we were going (the arena conditions and set ups). She’s really adjustable to all the different situations.” Missy never ran like an amateur. “There wasn’t once where I felt she had a novice horse moment that screwed something up for us.”
    Jessica has been rodeoing since she was a little girl, growing up in Montfort, Wisconsin. The daughter of Jon and Shelly Mueller, her mom trained horses and both parents rodeoed a bit during their college and young adult days. Jessica was always interested in horses, competing at Little Britches Rodeos and the Wisconsin High School Rodeo Association where she did every girls event, winning the Wisconsin high school cutting title four years, the goat tying three years, and the poles and breakaway twice. She is a three-time Wisconsin all-around champion as well.
    With a rodeo scholarship to National American University in Rapid City, she competed under the tutelage of Glen Lammers. He was the main reason she chose NAU, and she appreciated his help. “He was a really involved coach who wanted to help anyone who worked hard. He was just a really great rodeo coach,” she said.
    She qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo four times, winning the national barrel racing title in 2003. She graduated in 2006 with a master’s degree in business.
    During her time in college, she met the man she would marry. Jessica was friends with Jessica Painter Holmes, Riley Routier’s cousin. At the time, Jessica Painter was dating Casey Holmes, a good friend of Routier’s from Wisconsin. Painter and Casey “set up” Jessica and Riley on a date; the four of them were going spotlighting for rabbits. Not being a hunter, it wasn’t an activity she enjoyed. She didn’t like the date, but she still liked the guy. “I don’t really know why I liked him after that,” she joked. Jessica Painter ended up marrying Casey Holmes; they live close to the Routiers.
    The Routiers married in 2007, making their home on the ranch ten miles from Buffalo. The ranch has come down through Riley’s mom’s family, the Painters, and Riley and Jessica’s kids are the sixth generation to live there. Riley’s dad Harold died twenty-eight years ago; Laurie, Riley’s mom, married Terry Goehring. Laurie and Terry, Riley and Jessica, and Riley’s brother Ryan all live on the ranch, working together but with their own herds.
    Like her mom, Jessica rode outside horses, up to a dozen horses a day. She met Westergren through mutual friends and business acquaintances, John and Liz Holman from Hot Springs. He was looking for someone to start his horses, with the ultimate goal of getting one of them to the WNFR. Jessica gets Westergren’s horses as two-year-olds. Someone else puts thirty to sixty days on them, breaking them. Then she gets them back, putting lots of ranch miles on them and slowly starting them on barrels. At that point, she and Gary decide if the horse is a good fit or not. If it is, it stays. If not, Gary sells it or if it’s a mare, takes it back and breeds it. She and Gary have worked together the last seven years, and she’s ridden a lot of really nice Westergren horses, but Missy was special. She reminded Jessica of Smoothy, the horse she won the College National Finals Rodeo on. Missy “had a lot of good qualities that I knew I liked.” Missy is a natural fit for Jessica’s riding style, too. “She’s one that I never had to really think about how I need to ride her correctly when I go into the arena. It’s natural. The way I want to ride is the way she wants to be ridden.” That’s a rare occurrence, Jessica said. “I’ve always said there are a lot of good horses and a lot of good jockeys out there, but finding two that fit together is important.”
    Missy does have a quirk, however. She doesn’t like to face cows, head on. Jessica discovered the trait while working the alleyway during AI season. “I think that’s one of the things that made her tough at a young age,” Jessica said. “We made her work through her fear. She was right in there with the cows, and she had to work through it. She’s as tough as nails. I think it’s good for a young horse to have to face their fears and learn to trust you.”
    She and Riley have five kids. Their son Braden is thirteen years old, a seventh grader and a math whiz. All year long, Braden kept track of his mom’s winnings. Daughter Payton is ten and a fifth grader who fell in love with trick riding after seeing trick rider Roz Beaton at the Badlands Circuit Finals in Minot, N.D. six years ago. Now she trick rides at regional rodeos and is working on getting her PRCA card so she can work as a specialty act.
    Twin daughters Rayna and Rose are three years old, and daughter Charlie, age two, makes up the family.
    Life in Buffalo is wonderful, especially with a family. “I love it here,” she said. “I don’t think there’s a better place in the world to raise kids.” Being gone for much of the summer was a prime example. The whole community stepped in to help babysit and take care of kids while she was gone and if Riley was out on the ranch and unable to take the kids with him. “The whole community will do whatever they need to, to help you. It’s a small town. You know everybody and everyone feels like family.”
    Her experience at her first WNFR was wonderful, and Jessica hated for it to end. There wasn’t time to sightsee and play tourist, but they made time to shop. The stomach flu hit the kids; almost every night at the rodeo, one child wasn’t able to be there, but Jessica never got sick. Both sets of grandparents were in Las Vegas and able to babysit when needed.
    She doesn’t have big plans for 2019; she’s waiting to see what Missy has in mind. Finishing second in the world will allow her to enter the big winter rodeos, which will hopefully help her move up into the top fifteen in the world standings earlier. She would like to give Missy the month of April off, to pull embryos from her. “We’ll see what we get done in the winter and that will determine how much we need to go in the summer.”
    This year, Jessica will know what rodeos are a good fit for her and Missy. “I have a better idea of what places are good for us to go to. Last year was a great big learning year, and it went well despite the fact that I hadn’t been to most of the places we went to. This year we have more experience under our belts.”
    She’s going to let it play out, “like we did last year. It’s hard to say you’re going to push hard (to qualify for the WNFR) when you only have one horse because you don’t know if they’ll get tired or need a break.” Making the WNFR is important, but she realizes that there are other important things, too. “It’s a goal again but it’s not a do or die goal.”