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  • Back When They Bucked with Marilyn Freimark

    Back When They Bucked with Marilyn Freimark

    Marilyn Freimark knows her family’s genes run thick with the blue-jean lifestyle of rodeo and horses, but it was her own love of horses that put the passion back in her family tree—and Marilyn herself into rodeo history as the first Miss Rodeo America.
    Born in 1935, Marilyn was raised in town in Cheyenne, Wyoming, but she was a country girl at heart. “The first horse I saw I fell in love with, and I’ve been in love with them ever since,” says Marilyn. “My father was a railroad man, but he came from a ranch near Newcastle, Wyoming. His brothers were all ranchers, and we would visit them every summer and ride many cattle for pleasure. When I was 13 years old, I started working at Merritt Western Store, an upscale Western store. I met people from all over the United States, and I was able to visit with them and meet a lot of ranch and rodeo people.” She modeled Merritt’s clothing and a clothing store in Cheyenne, which made up most of her own wardrobe as well.
    Marilyn graduated from Cheyenne High School in 1954, and motivated by the many Colorado livestock club students she met at work, she enrolled at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, known then as Colorado A&M University. Paying for her tuition and all her expenses through her job at Merritt’s, Marilyn majored in business and mass communications, and leapt in to a variety of school activities and sports, including Western and English riding lessons, polo, swimming, ice skating, basketball, volleyball, tennis and was an expert rifle marksman and she was an award winning fisher person. Marilyn also became a Kappa Delta and competed in five non rodeo queen contests, including Miss Colorado, Miss Colorado A&M.

    A year into her studies at CSU, Marilyn’s employer at Merritt’s learned about the newly minted Miss Rodeo America organization and asked Marilyn if she’d like to compete for the title. “I just had fun doing it, never thinking that anything would come of it, but I won about four contests before I got into the (Miss Rodeo America) contest,” says Marilyn. Her first step was winning the Cheyenne Riding Club queen contest. With their sponsorship, as well as Merritt’s, she went on to win Miss Rodeo Wyoming, followed by Miss Rodeo Queen of the Rockies, all in 1955. “In those days, the contestants had grooms with them and some of them had been in special training for a year for the (Miss Rodeo America) contest. I had too, but it wasn’t that I was planning on doing anything with it—I just happened to be lucky and got in on some wonderful training before I went.”
    The first Miss Rodeo America contest took place in Marilyn’s home state in Casper, where she and nine other women, including a Canadian, competed in front of 15 judges over several days. “They also had silent judges at various places watching you and seeing how friendly you were, and if you were greeting people and on your best behavior.” Marilyn excelled in and won all three divisions—horsemanship, personality, and appearance—but horsemanship was always her favorite. “You brought your own horse at that time, and they furnished other horses for us to ride. I am not a bronc buster, but I do know how to train horses for riding and western equitation, and even for English.” Marilyn competed on her mare, Blue, her first horse given to her by a friend when she was a senior in high school. “She loved to show off and do beautiful things.”
    By the end of the contest, Marilyn was hoping for the unusual—that the title would go to someone else. “I had a girlfriend from Colorado State University in the contest, Laurie, and she wanted to win so badly and I really wanted her to win.” The first ever Miss Rodeo America crown was placed on Marilyn’s hat, however. She and Laurie continued their friendship, and Marilyn, with her mother as chaperone, began traveling and representing rodeo across the country. She made history again as the first rodeo queen invited to ride at the Denver Stock Show, and she was even offered a contract with Paramount Pictures, along with opportunities for television appearances. “It was always wonderful to travel like that and go to many places and meet lots of people.” Marilyn’s schooling in mass communications came to her aid, though she was never entirely comfortable being on stage in front of an audience, and she continued studying at CSU through her reign as Miss Rodeo America.

    A year after her reign, Marilyn was a junior in college when she married Paul Painter from Buffalo, South Dakota, who was also a student at CSU. The couple moved to South Dakota, where they ran Painter Ranch and Marilyn later finished her degree at Black Hills State University. She and Paul were married for 18 years and had 4 children, Joe, Laurie, Cindy, and Judy, who all went on to attend BHSU as well. When Marilyn and Paul separated, Marilyn moved to Spearfish, South Dakota, where she worked, and eventually met Dr. Lyle Freimark, a surgeon from Rapid City. They married in 1985, and while Marilyn wanted to become a stock broker, it wouldn’t give her the flexibility to travel with Lyle to seminars all over the world. Instead, she was his office manager for the next 15 years, and they traveled to 52 countries, sometimes staying for a week or even as long as 3 or 4 months. “He was very interested in music, and we always went to concerts and I loved the plays,” says Marilyn. Because of Lyle’s allergies, they didn’t have animals to care for at home, though Marilyn’s son, Joe, raised 75 head of buffalo for them at one time.
    Lyle retired in 1997, and he and Marilyn remained in Rapid City until he passed away in 2018. Marilyn stayed active in the horse world and even spoke at a rodeo queen clinic at Cheyenne Frontier Days in the early 2000s to 90 rodeo queens and their families. “I’ve always encouraged the girls to get their educations so they can take care of themselves in any situation,” says Marilyn. “I love schooling, and I told that to all my children and grand children.” Several of her children and grandchildren live nearby, and everyone in the family is involved with horses in some form, whether barrel racing like all three of Marilyn’s daughters, or team roping like her son and grandsons. Marilyn’s granddaughter-in-law, Jessica Routier, qualified for the WNFR for the first time in 2018 and finished second in the world standings. She also has a grandaughter Jessica Painter Holmes who has won over 50 saddles competing in rodeo events. “I always go to the Black Hills Stock Show, and my son, Joe, often gets into the ranch rodeo, so I’m always there that night, and I often go three or four times to the rodeo,” says Marilyn. “I’ve been blessed all my life. I’ve had two wonderful husbands, four great children, 6 grand children and 10 great grand children, two wonderful horses and two wonderful dogs. With the help of our dear Lord the many tasks I have chosen in this life have been the right decision. As a mentor for many, my legacy continues. God has blessed me and I feel very thankful.”

  • Tara Stimpson & Painted Fling

    Tara Stimpson & Painted Fling

    article by Maesa Kummer

    Painted Fling aka ‘Reese’ is a 7-yr-old sorrel gelding sired by A Streak of Fling and he and his owner/rider Tara Stimpson are the new Montana Circuit Finals Barrel Racing Average Champions and have earned a trip to the RAM National Circuit Finals in Kissimmee, FL in March.
    “I bought him a year ago from Sara Cheeney and we started out together really good winning several jackpots and placing in the CSR Derby. I rodeoed on him over the summer and we didn’t have the best luck because he was going through some changes and I hadn’t really had a chance to get him completely figured out.
    My main horse ended up getting hurt the week before circuit finals and so it was up to ‘Reese’ to fill in and I wasn’t sure how that would go because I knew it was a challenging arena set up. I knew if I rode him well, that we had a good chance, but I was a little surprised at how well we did!” says Tara.
    Tara and Reese placed in every round, won the average and took home a saddle and $7,459.62 for their efforts.
    “He stayed really consistent over 3 runs! He was so honest, and we never had a perfect run but he tried his heart out and clocked so well. He doesn’t act like a barrel horse and he handles himself really well. He knows where his feet are and takes care of himself in different types of ground conditions. He’s smart and takes care of himself and me! At the circuit finals, it might have seemed like he was getting by his second barrel but he knew he needed the room so that he wouldn’t come back over the top of it. Some people think he’s a heel horse because of his build! He’s a tank!” says Tara
    Tara lives on a ranch in Lodge Grass, MT but has plans to travel south and hit some winter rodeos.

  • Mason makes the most of his opportunities at Fort Worth’s Bulls’ Night Out

    Mason makes the most of his opportunities at Fort Worth’s Bulls’ Night Out

     

    Cutline for attached photo: Idaho bull rider Dallee Mason leads after the first night of the PRCA Xtreme Bulls event at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. FWSSR photo by James Pfifer

     

     

    FORT WORTH, Texas (Jan. 22, 2019) Dallee Mason of Weiser, Idaho, made the most of his opportunities during the opening performance of Bulls’ Night Out at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

    Mason, who was not part of the initial 80-rider field for the bull riding event, caught a ride to Fort Worth from Denver on the chance he would get to replace an original entrant who was unable to compete.

    He got the call letting him know he’d get to ride a bull here while traveling from Denver. “That was a good start,” he said. By the time Mason nodded his head to start his ride on Andrews Rodeo’s bull Western Rebel in the second section, other riders had put some high scores on the board.

    National Finals Rodeo cowboy Trevor Reiste made the first qualified ride and scored 87. There had already been scores of 86, 85.5 and 85 plus four others above 80. Mason promptly scored 86.5 points to rank third in the first round, behind Reiste and three-time PBR champion Silvana Alves, after 40 cowboys competed.

    The top 10 scores in the first round qualified for the short round and the chance to ride another bull. The cowboys rode in reverse order with 10th-place qualifier Jeff Askey of Athens, Texas, competing first and riding 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s bull Ferdinand for 87.5. The next six riders hit the dirt, then Mason rode Hurst Pro Rodeo’s bull Yellow Hair and matched Askey’s score. That gave the Idaho bull rider a total of 174 points and the lead after opening night. He also received a $1,000 gift card from the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

    Forty more bull riders will compete Wednesday night. The championship will be awarded to the rider with the highest total score. Bulls’ Night Out at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Xtreme Bulls Tour.

    When he was told that last year’s Bulls’ Night Out champion won more than $16,000, Mason said, “That’d be great. I don’t have anything right now.”

    He will travel to Iowa for a rodeo this weekend and return to Fort Worth to compete at the World’s Original Indoor Rodeo on Monday and Tuesday.

    permit last week at Lafayette, La., scored 88 points on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Last Cigarette to lead the short round and sit second overall with the highest one-bull score.

    In the junior bull riding for youngsters 10 to 15, Hagen Braswell of Telegraph, Texas, was the winner for the night with a score of 83 points.

    The final Bulls’ Night Out performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 23, with a new field of bull riders and junior bull riders.

    Thursday night at 7:30 p.m., the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo hosts its annual extreme team competition – Rodeo X presented by Schaefer Outfitters. This unique tournament-style rodeo features winners from eight of North America’s biggest rodeos competing in five events for bragging rights and $100,000 in one night.

    The World’s Original Indoor Rodeo takes the arena at Will Rogers Coliseum beginning Friday, January 25, and continues for 29 performances over 16 days.

     

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    FORT WORTH, Texas — The following are results from Tuesday night’s performance of Bulls’ Night Out at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo, January 22, 2019.

    First Performance: 1 (tie), Trevor Reiste, Linden, Iowa, on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Relentless, and Silvano Alves, Decatur, Texas, on Andrews Rodeo’s Plano Bar Bandit, 87 points each. 3, Dallee Mason, Weiser, Idaho, 86.5. 4, (tie) Jordan Wacey Spears, Redding, Calif., and Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont., 86. 6, J.W. Harris, Goldthwaite, Texas, 85.5.

     

    Short Round: (two rides) 1, Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas, on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Ferdinand, and Dallee Mason on Hurst Pro Rodeo’s Yellow Hair, 87.5 points each.

     

    Total on Two:  1, Mason, 174 points. 2, Askey, 169. (on one) 3 (tie), Reiste and Alves, 87. 5 (tie), Spears and Breding, 86.

     

    Jr. Bull Riding: 1, Hagen Braswell, Telegraph, Texas, 83 points. 2, Brant Cooksten, Trinidad, Texas, 74. 3, Jack Mitchell, Weatherford, Texas, 73. 4, Carter High, Weatherford, Texas, 67.

     

  • NFR qualifier Biglow looking for Denver title

    NFR qualifier Biglow looking for Denver title

    DENVER, Colo. (Jan.21, 2019) — Three years ago, bareback rider Clayton Biglow from Clements, California had yet to compete at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo.

    The talented athlete came close to a win here last year. He finished as the reserve champion in Denver and won over $8,000 giving him a jump start on his 2018 rodeo season. It was his first time to ever compete in the Denver Coliseum. That money helped him qualify for his third Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. He finished fourth for the year and is hoping to improve on that in 2019.

    When Biglow started this rodeo, he was 16th in the world standings with $8,618 won. He has the potential to change that with an 87.5-point ride in the Denver Coliseum on Monday afternoon. That ride on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Major Party puts him in second place in the first round. He will ride his second horse at the Tuesday evening performance and if he gets another great score he will be a favorite to be riding for the National Western Stock Show championship next Sunday.

    “I’ve had okay winters in the past, but never a great one,” Biglow said. “It would be a great start to my year to win Denver. It’s one of the old prestigious rodeos that I’ve hoped to win since I started competing.”

    Bubba Boots, from St. Anthony, Idaho has made a name for himself in college rodeo having qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo three times in the steer wrestling and team roping. He came through the National Western’s qualifier to compete at the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association portion of the rodeo in the steer wrestling.

    Boots, who competed for Northwest College at Powell, Wyoming, stopped the clock here in 3.9 seconds. While that is unlikely to be among the top eight competitors who get a check in the first round, it puts him in great shape to qualify for Sunday’s finals if he can have a repeat performance on Tuesday. The best 12 contestants in each of the events with the highest total scores and fastest total times on two runs will advance to the final round hoping to win a National Western title.

    The PRCA and WPRA portion of the National Western will continue Tuesdasy night at 7 p.m.

     

    DENVER, Colo. (Jan. 21, 2019) – The following are results from the National Western Stock Show Rodeo.

    Ninth Performance —

    Bareback Riding: 1, Clayton Biglow, Clements, Colo., 87.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Major Party. 2, Dantan Bertsch, Eastend, Saskatchewan, 80.5. 3, George Gillespie IV, Darby, Mont., 71. 4, Grant Denny, Minden, Nev., 70.5.

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Bubba Boots, St. Anthony, Idaho, 3.9 seconds. 2, Baylor Roche, Tremonton, Utah, 4.3. 3, Austin Schneider, Beetown, Wis., 5.7. 4, Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla., 9.3.

    Team Roping: (three times), Jeff Johnston, Thedford, Neb., and Dustin Harris, O’Neill, Neb., 5.6. 2, Reece Weber, Valentine, Neb., and Ty Talsma, Avon, S.D., 6.0. 3, Peter John Bennett, Kaycee, Wyo.,, and Jaden Burnett, Eden, Wyo., 6.1.

    Saddle Bronc Riding:  1, Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas, 80 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Stage Stop. 2, Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., 79. 3, Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., 72. 4, Jake Barnes, Stephenville, Texas, 69.

    Tie-Down Roping: (three times) 1, Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla., 9.6 seconds. 2, Caddo Lewallen, Morrison, Okla., 10.6. 3, Cody McCartney, Ottawa, Lake, Mich., 21.6.

    Barrel Racing: 1, Shali Lord, Lamar, Colo., 15.40 seconds. 2, K.L. Spratt, Lysite, Wyo., 15.55. 3, Andrea Busby, Brock, Texas, 15.62. 4, C.J. Vondette, Rifle, Colo., 15.68.

    Bull Riding: (two rides) 1, Nathan Hatchel, Weatherford, Okla., 81 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Dark Horse. 2, Ty Wallace, Collbran, Colo., 80.

    Current Leaders – 

                   Bareback Riding: (first round) 1, Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas, 88 points on Calgary Stampede’s Added Money. 2, Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif., 87.5. 3, Shane O’Connell, Rapid City, S.D., 85. 4, Kash Wilson, Gooding, Idaho, 84.5. 4, Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb., and Kody Lamb, Sherwood Park, Alberta, 83.5. (second round) 1, Casey Colletti, Pueblo, Colo., 86.5 points on Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s High Rollin Sidney. 2, Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Min., 84.5. 3, (tie) Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb., and Blaine Kaufman, Pretty Prairie, Kan., 84. (total on two) 1, Shadbolt, 168. 2, Colletti, 167. 3, Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La., 165. 4, Kaufman, 164.

    Steer Wrestling: (first round) 1, Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla., 3.5 seconds. 2, (tie) Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont., and Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan., 3.6 each. 4, (tie) Cole McNamee, Pine Bluffs, Wyo., and Dru Melvin, Hebron, Neb., 3.8. (second round) 1, (tie) Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala.; Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La.; and Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla.; 3.7 each. 4, Cole Edge, Duncan, Okla., 3.8. (total on two) 1, Duvall, 7.2. 2, Irwin, 8.0. 3, Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont., 8.1. 4, Dru Melvin, 8.2.

    Team Roping: (first round) 1, (tie) Coleman Proctor, Yukon, Okla., and Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas; and Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont., and Travis Graves, Jay, Okla.; 4.1 each. 3, Riley and Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 4.3. 4, Dustin Bird, Cut Bank, Mont., and Russell Cardoza, Terrebonne, Ore., 4.7.  (second round) 1, Casey Tew, Billings, Mont., and Jerren Johnson, Casper, Wyo., 3.8 seconds. 2, Brenten Hall, Stephenville, Texas, and Chase Tryan, Helena, Mont., 3.9. 3, Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif., and Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas, 4.1. 4, Jake Orman, Prairie, Miss., and Walt Woodard, Stephenville, Texas, 4.4. (total on two) 1, Clay Tryan and Travis Graves, 9.3. 2, Smith and Long, 9.5. 3, J.B. James, Jr., Bennett, Colo., and Brock Hanson, Bennett, Colo., 13.0. 4, Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C., and Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M., 14.9.

    Saddle Bronc Riding: (first round) 1, Zeke Thrston, big Valley, alberta, Canada, 83 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Fringe Benefit. 2, Wyatt Casper, Pampa, Texas, 82. 3, Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah, 81.5. 4, Rusty Wright, Milford, Utah, 81. (second round) 1, (tie) Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah, on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Goodnight Trail, and Hawkins Boyce, Malad, Idaho, on Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Redial, 85 points each. 3, Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah, 84.5. 4, (tie) Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas, and Hardy Braden, Welch, Okla., 81.5. (total on two) 1, Spencer Wright, 166. 2, Boyce, 163. 3, Wyatt Casper, 162.5. 4, Rusty Wright, 162.

    Tie-Down Roping: (first round) 1, Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas, 7.7 seconds. 2, Brandon Neugebauer, La Junta, Colo., 8.3. 3, Cooper Matt Kyle Dickens, Loveland, Colo., 9.1. 2, Trenton Smith, Bigfoot, Texas, 9.2. 3, Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas, 10.1. 4, Treg Schaack, Stinnett, Texas, 10.6. (second round) 1, Cole Bailey, Okmulgee, Okla., 7.9. 2, Cooper Martin, Alma, Kan., 8.1. 3, Joey Dickens, Loveland, Colo., 8.5. 4, Bo Pickett, Caldwell, Idaho, 8.7. (total on two) 1, Martin, 16.7. 2, Brody Stallard, Fort Sumner, N.M., 18.6. 3, Cade Swor, Winnie, Texas, 18.8. 4, Joey Dickens, 19.3.

    Barrel Racing: 1, Jennifer Sharp, Montgomery, Texas, 15.26 seconds. 2, (tie) Shelley Morgan, Canton, Texas, and Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 15.30. 4, Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas, 15.39. (second round) 1, Emily Miller, Weatherford, Texas, 15.23. 2, Chris Gibson, Windsor, Colo., 15.35. 3, Jennifer Sharp, 15.37. 4, Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 15.38.  (total on two) 1, Sharp, 30.63. 2, Miller, 30.76. 3, TLockhart, 30.82. 4, iany Schuster, Krum, Texas, 30.92.

    Bull Riding: (first round) 1, Nevada Newman, Melstone, Mont., 86.5 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Turnabout. 2, Aaron Williams, Pismo Beach, Calif., 85 points on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s HtTR. 3, Stetson Wright, Beaver, Utah, 84.5. 4, Jordan Hansen, Ponoka, Alberta, 83.5. (second round) 1, Dillon James Tyner, Eaton, Colo., 89 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Grey Denim. 2, Bart Miller, Pleasanton, Neb., 85. 3, Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont., 84. 4, Tyler Hessman, Beaver, Okla., 82. (overall – on one) 1, Tyner, 89. 2, Miller and Williams, 85. 4, Stetson Wright, 84.5

  • On The Trail with J.J. Elshere

    On The Trail with J.J. Elshere

    South Dakota native J.J. Elshere finished 16th in the PRCA saddle bronc riding standings in 2018, and won his fifth Badlands Circuit Saddle Bronc Champion title in October. While J.J., short for Jeremy James, is also a four-time WNFR qualifier and the 2006 WNFR average champion in the saddle bronc riding, his motivation for riding at the age of 39 is still bucking horses over dollar signs— though pulling a check is always a highlight. “I wasn’t even planning on traveling that much, but with how Kissimmee went last year, and when I won a little out of San Antonio, things got rolling a little bit to where I decided I’d try (to qualify). I ended up pretty good for what I was planning on doing.”

    J.J. won $75,773.58 last season, and his 2019 rodeo lineup includes the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, and Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. In 2015, he competed in The American just a few months after winning the 2014 PRS World Saddle Bronc Champion title. These days, the Badlands Circuit, which J.J. has competed in since buying his PRCA card in 2000, keeps him closer to home and his wife and five sons, while the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo is just 40 miles down the road from his ranch near Hereford. “I’ll probably get into the Extreme Broncs there, and then the regular rodeo. They have some pretty good stock there and quite a little added money. Any time you can ride for that money and not have to travel is pretty nice.”

     

    These days, J.J.’s wife, Lindsay, and their five sons, Talon (16), Thayne (14), Trik (9), Tel (8), and Trailon (6), don’t often travel with him altogether because of a ranch to run and multiple school sports to attend. The whole family was with him the years he competed in the WNFR however, as well as the RNCFR in 2016, making the 30-hour drive to Kissimmee, Florida, following Trik’s state wrestling competition. “Rodeo is just the greatest sport there is. The rodeo family that you meet along the way are lifelong friends,” says Lindsay. “The years J.J. was making it to the Finals, I had four little boys with one on each side holding on to my purse. That was pretty stressful having all the kids there, and Taos Muncy’s mom (Johnnie Muncy) was sitting right behind us. She’s become one of my dearest friends and she helped me through the Finals. They become family and you can’t raise your kids without them. They video for you when you’re not there and text you to let you know how they did. And we get to see the country—our kids have been to pretty much every big zoo in the United States and Canada, and it’s a real great experience. It’s a hard life, but it’s great.”

    The Elsheres run cattle and grow hay on their ranch, all with the help of their older boys. “We sure couldn’t do half the things we do without their help. They’re pretty handy boys—rarely do we ever need outside help,” says Lindsay. She too grew up on a ranch, and rodeoed in the SDHSRA with J.J. Talon and Thayne handle the bulk of haying while J.J. is rodeoing in the summer, along with helping their neighbors during branding season and taking on other jobs like riding colts. J.J. has been starting colts since his teens, and has a pen full of horses to ride year round. “I put the basic 30 or 40 days on them, or whatever the owner wants. I have a barn that I can ride in, so they’re pretty good about loping circles in the barn all winter long. I just really like to ride horses. I like coming across the ones that are smart and pick it up quick that are pretty fun, and there are some that can be pretty challenging.” Like his sons, J.J. grew up ranching with his parents, Jim and Lana Elshere, and siblings, Cory, Ryan, and Misty, working the operation his grandpa started and later passed down to J.J.’s dad. “We’d make sure everything was done, and our parents would take us wherever we needed to go, and they worked pretty hard to help us along.”

     

    J.J.’s dad rode bareback horses for several years, then passed the roughstock gene along to J.J.’s older brother Ryan, who rode saddle broncs and helped J.J. start his rodeo career. “The goal was to ride professionally and make the NFR—I decided that right around high school. They didn’t have junior high rodeos back then, so I did a lot of 4-H rodeoing and then I high school rodeoed for South Dakota.” J.J. qualified for the NHSFR in saddle bronc riding in 1997 and 1998 and even slid his hand into a bull rope for a time, but saddle broncs were his niche. “It was just a little easier event because that’s what a lot of guys from up here did, so that made it easier traveling. My parents helped me out the most getting me started, and my brother. I used to work for Jeff Gabriel and he helped coach me along and we’d go to some schools. Eudell Larson, the rodeo coach in Dickinson, helped me out at some of those schools, and Tom Miller.”

    Today, J.J. helps with as many rodeo schools as he can, along with coaching Talon in the saddle bronc riding and Thayne in the steer riding. “We’ll have some practices in town or at the neighbors. We’re not really set up for bronc riding, but Thayne rides steers and we can do that at home. If not, then we go into Rapid City or Sturgis—Rory Lemmel has a nice facility we can use.” Talon qualified for the NJHFR in 2016 and now competes in the SDHSRA, while Thayne went to the 2018 NJHFR in Huron, South Dakota. “I could hit a couple rodeos that were close when he wasn’t competing, so that worked out good,” says J.J., who competes in bronc riding matches in addition to pro rodeos throughout the summer. Four of his five boys will be in 4-H rodeo this summer following their school sports, including basketball and wrestling. J.J.’s goal is just as much to help them pursue their passions as his own. “I plan on going to the stock shows and all my circuit rodeos, and to just keep having fun and pull a check or two. I want to thank everybody who’s ever helped me along the way. There’s a lot of people to name, but I’ve had a lot of support over the years.”

  • Cody Nance Wins PBR Event in Denver in Fallen Bull Rider’s Memory

    Cody Nance Wins PBR Event in Denver in Fallen Bull Rider’s Memory

    DENVER –  Cody Nance (Paris, Tennessee) earned his first-ever win at the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Denver Chute Out Velocity Tour (VT) event during the National Western Stock Show Wednesday night after being the only rider to go a perfect 3-for-3 at the three-day bull riding.

    Nance immediately dedicated the victory to fallen bull rider Mason Lowe (Exeter, Missouri) at the conclusion of the event. Lowe passed away on Tuesday night at Denver Health as a result of injuries sustained in competition when a bull stepped on his chest at the Denver Coliseum at the National Western Complex.

    “I’m just thankful that God gave us the ability to do what we love to do,” Nance said while tearing up. “Mason and I shared a passion for bull riding, and we got to do it together for a long time. I saw him ride lot of good bulls and I never saw him quit. I think he’d be glad that we came out and gave it our all tonight. This win means the world not only because it’s the best I’ve ever done in Denver, but doing it in Mason’s memory makes it even more special.”

    Prior to Wednesday night’s performance, Nance led the group of 30 bull riders competing, in a very heartfelt and moving prayer. Patches that say “Mason Lowe, PBR Cowboy 1993-2019” were distributed to each cowboy to wear on their vest, hats or shirts.

    A video tribute dedicated to Lowe, one of the most popular and successful riders in the PBR, was shown on the big screen before the introductions of the riders.

    National Western Stock Show, a 501c-3 non-profit entity, in conjunction with PBR conducted a special in-arena fundraiser for the Lowe family during the event. Donations can be made either online or by mail. All funds received will be sent to Lowe’s family. Donations and information can be found by clicking here.

    Nance picked up his first ride of the event on Tuesday night with an 80.5-point ride aboard Rooster Cogburn (Flying V Bucking Bulls). He began Round 2 on Wednesday night by covering Bug Eyes (Big Rafter Rodeo LLC) for 88 points.

    The Tennessee cowboy was the only rider to go 8 seconds in the final round of the event as he took Lorena’s Pet (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Clay Struve/Heald Pro Bulls) for 86 points.

    Nance, the No. 9 bull rider in the world earned 175 points towards the PBR world standings along with $26,307.25.

    Finishing in second place was Brazilian Danilo Carlos Sobrinho (Tupa, Brazil) with a 2-for-3 effort. He covered Bad Decisions (Bland Bucking Bulls) for 89 points on Tuesday night and followed that up with 89.5 points aboard Stone Cold Crazy (Flying S Bucking Bulls) on Wednesday night. Good Night Robicheaux (6M/Riley Samford) won the matchup with the 32-year old cowboy in the championship round.

    For his efforts, Sobrinho earned 152.5 world points and collected a paycheck of $17,183.35

    Third place went to 2016 PBR World Champion Jess Lockwood (Volborg, Montana), who continued his hot streak by riding two of his three bulls in Denver. Lockwood started his event in Denver with 89.5 points aboard Hooky (Cervi Championship Rodeo) on Tuesday night and then followed that up with 86 points on Skin And Bones (Hodges/Shuler) on Wednesday.

    Lockwood was unable to make the whistle during the championship round as Smooth Wreck (Owens/Smith) sent him to the ground in 2.12 seconds.

    The No. 1 bull rider in the world picked up 105 points towards the world standings and earned $9,960.26. Lockwood now leads No. 2 Chase Outlaw (Hamburg, Arkansas) by 1,092.5 points.


    Luis Blanco     (Iacanga, Brazil) and Paulo Lima (Bezerros, Brazil) rounded out the Top 5, both with 2-for-3 efforts.

    Blanco first rode Flash Bang (Ty Rinaldo TZ Bucking Bulls) for 80.5 points on Monday night. He then rode Tequila Slinger (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Clay Struve) for 89.5 points on Wednesday, tying with Sobrinho for the Round 2. He later bucked off Terror Struck (Talbert Bucking Bulls) during the final round.

    Lima advanced to Wednesday night’s long round with 86.5 points on Red Rocker (Bland Bucking Bulls). He then covered Accelerator (TNT Rodeo Co.) for 88 points before failing to ride Wicked Stick (Dakota Rodeo/Chad Berger/Clay Struve/H&C Bucking Bulls) during the championship round.

    Blanco earned 42.5 world points and $7,4561.19, while Lima picked up 25 world points along with a paycheck of $4,866.08.

    The PBR VT tour will next head to the Carolina Classic in Columbia, South Carolina and the Portland Classic in Portland, Oregon on Jan. 19.

  • National Western Stock Show Rodeo gets off to a rousing start

    National Western Stock Show Rodeo gets off to a rousing start

    DENVER, Colo. (Jan. 12, 2019) — It’s become a tradition to start the National Western Stock Show Rodeo with competition between teams representing rodeos from Colorado and from across the rest of North America.

    The history of the event goes back eight years, but in that amount of time, its popularity has grown for both fans and contestants. A near capacity crowd saw competitors in bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding as well as steer wrestling and barrel racing compete for a pair of championship spurs as well as part of the $90,000 purse.

    The day started with an 11 a.m. performance featuring all of the contestants on the Cinch Jeans World Team. What started with 10 contestants in each event was quickly narrowed to the best four advancing to Saturday night’s Showdown.

    A matinee performance featuring contestants from the Ram Rodeo Colorado Team started at 3:30 p.m. with the same format. Then at 8 p.m. the four contestants that advanced from each team went head-to-head to narrow the field once again in the semifinals. The top score in each event from the two teams advanced again to a winner-take-all final round.

    To be part of the World team, contestants were invited to represent rodeos in North Platte, Nebraska.; Guymon, Oklahoma; Rapid City, South Dakota; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Austin, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; Calgary, Alberta; Dodge City, Kansas; San Angelo, Texas; and Houston, Texas.

    For the Colorado team, three contestants represented the National Western Stock Show Rodeo in each event. Additionally, the following rodeos participated: Loveland; Pueblo, Greeley; Estes Park; Elizabeth; and Colorado Springs. To complete the 10-person roster, a contestant was invited as a wildcard.

    There was only one contestant from the Colorado Team that won a championship, and even though his home is in Nanton, Alberta, the cheers from the stands were the loudest when they announced Clay Elliott as the saddle bronc riding champion.

    Elliott watched as Ryder Wright rode Vold Rodeo’s Sun Glow for 90 points and knew if he wanted to win, he had his work cut out for him. It was a six-year-old horse named Amazon Hills from Calgary Stampede that Elliott chose to ride. They both did their jobs and when it was all said and done, Elliott also had 90-points beside his name. Because he had the high score in the semifinals, Elliott earned the spurs and the $8,000 check that went to the champion.

    Barrel racing couldn’t have been any more exciting or any closer. It was a match-up between Amy Jo Reisdorfer from Cheyenne, Wyoming who was representing her home-town rodeo for the world team and Ari-Anna Flynn who was representing the Roof Top Rodeo at Estes Park for the Colorado Team.

    Reisdorfer won the World performance with a time of 15.543 seconds. That was worth $1,000. She earned another $1,000 for her finish in the semifinals where she stopped the clock in 15.553 seconds. She was the first of the two barrel racers to run in the finals and had her fastest run of the day at 15.539.

    Flynn also had the fastest of her three runs in the final round stopping the clock in 15.540 seconds. Reisdorfer won the title and the $8,000 by just one thousandth of a second on a horse that they call Blue Duck.

    “When I got up this morning, I just wanted to come in here and have consistent, smooth runs,” she said. “My oldest son was coaching me after my second run. I have three boys here with me and they all love Blue Duck. They all rodeo and are part of the team that it takes. I think he runs better when they are here.”

    Reisdorfer and her husband have six children between them, and between all of them, Blue Duck gets plenty of treats and attention. After winning the championship here on Saturday, they were planning some extra pampering for the black gelding.

    Clayton Sellars made a big statement when he won the bull riding for the World Team. He was the most successful of the 20 competitors by far as the only one to have two qualified rides. He advanced to the semifinals based on the time that he rode during the morning performance, then got an 83-point score Saturday night.

    Coy Pollmeier from the Colorado Team also rode in the semifinals scoring 81 points. Sellars got first pick of the bulls in the finals because of his high score. He chose HTTR, a bull owned by 4L and Diamond S Rodeo.

    That choice proved fruitful with an 87.5-point ride. Sellars was the only man to ride two bulls in the Denver Coliseum on Saturday.

    “I’ve been riding good and have been confident,” Sellars said. He was crowned the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rookie of the Year in the bull riding for the 2018 season. “I’ve been fired up and couldn’t wait to get on here. Now, I’m excited to get back here for the rodeo.” Sellars will compete again at the PRCA rodeo next Saturday.

    Other winners were World Team members, Seth Hardwick in the bareback riding and Josh Garner in the steer wrestling.

    The 113th National Western Stock show will see a cross-cultural event in the Mexican Rodeo Extravaganza in the Denver Coliseum on Sunday. Performances are at 2 and 6:30 p.m.

     

    ###

     

    DENVER, Colo. — The following are results from Super Saturday, Colorado Versus the World rodeo, Jan. 12, 2019.

     

    Cinch Jeans World Team Performance – contestant, hometown, rodeo represented

     

    Bareback Riding: 1, (tie) Kash Wilson, Gooding, Idaho, (Rapid City, S.D.) and R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., (Calgary), 86 points and $850 each. 3, Seth Hardwick, Ranchester, Wyo., (Dodge City, Kansas), 85, $600. 4, Tyler Nelson, Victor, Idaho, (Austin) 82.5, $500.

     

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Bridger Anderson, Alva, Okla., (Dodge City, Kansas) 5.69 seconds, $1,000. 2, Tee Burress, Piedmont, S.D., (Austin) 6.93, $700. 3, Kody Woodward, Alva, Okla., (San Angelo) 7.85, $600. 4, Josh Garner, Live Oak, Calif., (Austin) 9.61, $500.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah, (Calgary) 87.5 points, $1,000. 2, (tie) Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, (Fort Worth) and Ross Griffin, Tularosa, N.M., (Guymon, Oklahoma) 84.5 and $650 each. 4, (tie) Chuck Schmidt, Keldron, S.D., (San Angelo, Texas) and Jade Blackwell, Piedmont, S.D., (North Platte, Nebraska) 82, $350 each. Schmidt advanced based on tie-breaker.

     

    Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Amy Jo Reisdorfer, Cheyenne, Wyoming, (Cheyenne) 15.543 seconds, $1,000. 2, Ashley Day, Volberg, Mont., (Guymon, Okla.) 15.862, $700.3, Kailee Webb, Isabel, S.D., (Calgary) 15.876, $600. 4, Lake Mehalic, Fort Collins, Colo., (North Platte, Neb.) 15.903, $500.

     

    Bull Riding: (no qualified rides – contestants advanced on time ridden) 1, Shane Proctor, Delaware, Okla., (Houston); Clayton Sellars, Stephenville, Texas, (Fort Worth); Jeston Mead, Holcomb, Kan., (North Platte); and Jesse Petri, Palestine, Texas, (Dodge City, Kan.).

     

    RAM Rodeo Colorado Team Performance – contestant, hometown, Colorado rodeo represented

     

    Bareback Riding: 1, Justin Polmiller, Weatherford, Okla. (Pueblo, 85 points, $1,000. 2, Logan Patterson, Kim, Colo., (Loveland) 83.5, $700. 3, (tie) Hunter Brasfield, Delta, Colo., (Elizabeth) and Grant Denny, Minden, Nev., (Denver) 83, $550 each.

     

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Dru Melvin, Hebron, Neb., (Pueblo) 4.50 seconds, $1,000. 2, Trell Etabuer, Gruver, Texas, (Loveland) 4.95, $700. 3, Tyler Pearson, Atoka, Okla., (Denver) 5.39, $600. 4, Aaron Vosler, Cheyenne, Wyoming, (Colorado Springs) 5.80, $500.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Clay Elliott, Nanton, Alberta, (Denver) 85 points, $1,000. 2, Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah, (Greeley) 84.5, $700. 3, Nat Stratton, Santa Rosa, Calif., (Colorado Springs) 83, $600. 4, Colt Gordon, Comanche, Okla., (Denver) 82.5, $500.

     

    Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Sally Conway, Arvada, Wyo., (Elizabeth) 15.380 seconds, $1,000. 2, Ari-Anna Flynn, Charleston, Ark., (Estes Park) 15.520, $700. 3, Tracy Nowlin, Nowata, Okla., (Greeley) 15.763, $600. 4, Lori Todd, Wilcox, Ariz., (Colorado Springs) 15.812, $500.

     

    Bull Riding: (no qualified rides – contestants advanced on time ridden) 1, Riker Carter, Stone, Idaho, (Wild Card); Coy Pollmeier, Fort Scott, Kan., (Denver); Kyle Zeigler, Atwood, Kan. (Colorado Springs); Laramie Mosley, Santana, Kan., (Elizabeth).

     

    Showdown – Colorado Vs. The World – Contestant, followed by team, score and money.

     

    Bareback Riding: (semifinals) 1, Seth Hardwick, World, 88 points, $1,000. 2, Logan Patterson, Colorado, 85. (Final) 1, Hardwick, 87.5, $8,000. 2, Patterson, 84.

     

    Steer Wrestling: (semifinals) 1, Tyler Pearson, Colorado, 4.06, $1,000. 2, Josh Garner, World, 5.12, $1,000. (Final) 1, Garner, 4.15, $8,000. 2, Pearson, 4.94.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: (semifinals) 1, Clay Elliott, Colorado, 88, $1,000. 2, Ryder Wright, 0, $1,000. (final) 1, Elliott, 90, $8,000. 2, Wright, 90. (Elliott won based on tie-breaker)

     

    Women’s Barrel Race: (semifinals) 1, Amy Jo Reisdorfer, World, 15.553, $1,000. 2, Ari-Anna Flynn, Colorado, 16.190, $1,000. (final) 1, Reisdorfer, 15.539, $8,000. 2, Flynn, 15.540.

     

    Bull Riding: (semifinals) 1, Clayton Sellars, World, 83, $1,000. 2, Coy Pollmeier,

    81, $1,000. (final) 1, Sellars, 87.5, $8,000. 2, Pollmeier, 0.

     

     

  • Keeping it Fun While Learning

    One of the most common conversations I have with parents is how their kids want to switch ends in the practice pen. They may head at the ropings or rodeos, but when they get in the practice pen they want to heel. Many parents won’t let their kids play or practice the other end because they think their kid should be strictly working at the event they compete at.
    I don’t agree with that. It needs to be fun and if you take the fun out of the practice pen, they might find something else to do. You may not realize how just scoring your horse and turning steers, over and over, can get very boring. Keep in mind, while they’re playing, roping, and riding, they’re still learning to create angles. Letting your kid rope the other end lets them have fun and there is much they can learn. The objective is to get better and they will learn as they play.
    I’ve not had to deal with it with Hali, but my son, Gabe, loves to heel. However at 12 years old, he has a better chance to win if he heads. But he enjoys heeling and it’s a lot more fun to work on heeling in the practice pen. He’s heeling for Hali at the Junior Rodeos, but he heads at the jackpots so we have to work at both.
    I’m very adamant that they do their event correctly in the practice pen before they get to play. We set goals and if they can’t achieve those goals, then they need to work at their event. If they achieve the goals, then they can play a little bit.
    You want them to be a better hand with their horse and rope, whether they’re heading or heeling. Give them scenarios in the practice pen where they have to be under 10, 9, 8 – or whatever depending on your child’s skill level. It’s not good practice to just run steer after steer. These need to be scenarios they can achieve, and must achieve, before switching ends.
    The objective is for your child to have fun and learn things that will benefit them in life. It will teach them discipline, responsibility, preparation, and how to tend to business. If they can’t catch and complete their scenarios, then they need to continue to work at this. You’re not the one telling them they can’t; it’s up to them to achieve the goals.
    I highly recommend setting a goal in the practice pen where if they do their event well three days in a row they win something from you as parent. Whether it’s going out to eat, going to the movies, or whatever.
    Make the practice pen preparation so when it comes to competition they’re used to dealing with pressure every day. This teaches them to control their nerves and heart rate. Put something on the line they can win or lose. If they do well and achieve the goals you’ve set, they win something. If they don’t, then maybe they have an extra chore.
    When setting goals keep in mind what your child can do and keep it attainable, but yet a challenge. Whether it’s catching three in a row, catching five under 8-seconds, etc. Be realistic and don’t set goals that are not achievable.
    Remember the goal is for your child to have fun while they’re learning and most kids respond well to attainable challenges where there’s a reward at the end – whether it’s getting to switch ends in the practice pen or going to the restaurant of their choice.

  • Roper Review: Travis Ericsson

    Roper Review: Travis Ericsson

    Hearing the word “cowboy” conjures up a variety of images for most of us. It’s doubtful many can envision Travis Ericsson’s lifestyle. Travis is a true cowboy. At Ericsson Equine he raises and trains some amazing horses, but that’s just part of what he does.
    Travis Ericsson is a 5th generation cowboy, son of the legendary Mr. Dave Ericsson, 1966 IRA Champion Saddle Bronc Rider. At the young age of three, Travis was exposed to his first gathering with his dad who contracted with the state of Arizona to remove burros from the Grand Canyon.
    Travis was featured in the Yeti Tumbler “Wild Cow Catcher” commercial giving a glimpse into his life and what most can only imagine. Catching wild cattle is a learned skill and not for the weak of heart.
    Travis, a native of Arizona was born in Wikieup, graduated from Kingman High School and attended Central Arizona College. During his college days, Travis would work for the San Carlos Apache Reservation gathering wild cattle. Travis currently contracts throughout the state of Arizona, from gathering wild horses on reservations to wild cow/bull catching.
    “There are over a million acres in Arizona unfenced. Cattle have everything they need to survive out there and become feral, like deer. At some point they will need to be caught. The process, while exciting, can be dangerous especially when catching wild bulls. Wild bulls learn to chase people because people have run from them. It’s unfathomable to most people. It’s like trying to catch buffalos with a rope.
    In September we caught wild horses for the Apaches. My dad was great with anything wild. I can look at the situation and know where they’re going and how to catch them. Most people don’t have the experience to know what to expect or how to get this done.”
    Travis credits his father with the knowledge and lifestyle he enjoys today. He considers himself blessed to do what he loves every day and will quickly tell you he’s the luckiest guy in the world.
    “My father was an amazing cowboy. I grew up not enjoying it and taking it for granted. Now that I’m older I feel so lucky to have been born into this life. I am excited to get up every day and do what I do. My dad was a maker of cowboys and taught so many people our way of life. We always had ten or fifteen guys working for us and they’re all the best cowboys in Arizona. I hope to continue what he started.
    He was also a phenomenal horseman who did not believe in a reject. He was a lover of horses and I’ve seen him whip many men for being mean to horses. He always tried to encourage a horse to do what he wanted.
    He was strict but never mean to us kids and has always been my hero. He’s been on the cover of Western Horseman more times than anyone. Many of Bill Owens paintings are of my dad.”
    Travis has spent his life devoted to his passion for ranch work, horses, and team roping. Today, when Travis isn’t qualifying at a World Series Roping or catching wild cows, you will find him riding and training colts.
    “We have an own son of Peptoboonsmal, Merada Ima Pepto, and he’s the coolest horse I’ve ever owned. We are raising some exceptional colts from him that are nice minded and super athletic. I’m fortunate because in the Scottsdale area, there are some phenomenal cutter and reining trainers, like Kelby Phillips, NRCHA Greatest Horseman. Getting to spend time with them is very enjoyable. I love to be around excellence.”
    Currently Travis and his partner, Lori, ride train and sell horses at their place in Scottsdale. For more information follow Ericsson Equine on Facebook or visit ericssonequine.com. A search on You Tube will yield videos that are well worth the watch.

    COWBOY Q&A
    How much do you practice?
    We rope all day every day when we’re home.
    Do you make your own horses?
    Yes.
    Who have been your roping heroes?
    Jake Barnes, he’s a neighbor and a friend. He’s always honest with me about my roping.
    Who do you respect most in the world?
    We all strive to be like Jesus, I respect Christ-like people. I respect Lorie, my significant other.
    Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
    My father. Also Mike Kevil, who starts colts for a lot of trainers in my area, has had a significant influence on me.
    If you had a day off what would you like to do?
    Ride colts and rope. I do a lot of fishing on my colts.
    Favorite movie?
    Lonesome Dove.
    What’s the last thing you read?
    How To Win Friends And Influence People.
    How would you describe yourself in three words?
    Optimistic, compassionate, adventurer.
    What makes you happy?
    Living the life we live.
    What makes you angry?
    The mistreatment of animals. When I see people jerk and whip on their horse I can’t handle it.
    If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
    I would buy a place.
    What is your best quality – your worst?
    My best quality is forgiveness. My worst quality is my temper.

  • Back When They Bucked with Smokey Davis

    Back When They Bucked with Smokey Davis

    At 85 years old, Joe F. “Smokey” Davis is a Texas cowboy legend. Born August 25, 1933, in Crosby, Texas (35 miles northeast of Houston), Joe came into the world in the Great Depression. “Dad was a cattleman and a rice farmer; I was born right in the middle of the depression. They had a bunch of money on the rice, and when they called all the loans in, they lost everything. It took them three years to get back going again.”
    His dad, Joe Davis, along with 15 of his rodeo buddies, became tic inspectors for the USDA as part of a program to eradicate the tic problem that plagued a large portion of east Texas and Missouri – Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program. “They worked four of five counties east of Houston,” he recalls. “I was six or seven and I’d go with him in the morning, moving cattle for inspection, then he’d take me to school.” His mom, Alice, was a bus driver, driving for three hours twice a day and working at the school cafeteria between shifts. “That was my young years right there.” His name, Smokey, came at a young age. His grandfather saw him covered in soot, coming from inside a heater pipe inside their home that had collapsed. He said ‘Looks like we have two Smokey’s – and it stuck.’ “I won’t answer to anything else.”

    His dad was a calf roper, so Smokey started breakaway roping at 9 years old. “When I was 11, they had a rodeo here at Barker Texas, TH Marks had a Memorial Day rodeo and my dad put me in the men’s breakaway. I won it with a 2.2.” That win pushed Smokey out of all school sports. “I was considered a professional. If you won money, you couldn’t enter any sports. They just changed that ruling 10 years ago.”
    Even though Smokey had no brothers or sisters, he was surrounded by kids. “We lived only a mile and a half from school, it was a dirt road, but all of us kids had horses and I grew up on a half Shetland pony. Three of the boys I run around with, their daddies worked for tic eradication program and we all went with our daddies. I did that until I was 13 or 14, and then they eradicated the tics.”
    In 1945, Smokey’s dad went to work for WW Fondren estate, raising Red Brahma cattle, – they won several awards in Houston and Dallas and San Antonio for their cattle. “I was showing them when I was a young man; we’d go to the sales and I was watching the rodeos, but never competed in those days. I was there from 1945 until I graduated in 1951.” When he graduated from high school, Smokey went to the University of Houston, competing on the rodeo team, serving as president, and competing in five events (calf roping, steer roping, steer wrestling, bareback riding, and bull riding). He married Betty Hambrick after the first year, and they began their family of five children. He worked side-by-side with his father as a pick-up man at the Texas Prison Rodeo for 12 years. He also took a job as a machinist beginning January 7, 1955, and working until 1972. He was looking for a job to supplement his income from rodeo. “My friend got me the job,” he recalls. “I had a wife and three kids, but not much income; I could do anything on a ranch and that got me the job.”
    He was still able to rodeo on the weekends, and he started picking up in the summer of 1953. “From then on I rodeoed everywhere.” He worked for Sloan Williams, an IPRA producer, for 10 years, and he bought him out in 1972 and joined the IPRA – producing 50 rodeos a year through Texas and Oklahoma, Louisiana, and leased stock for several other rodeos. He was SRA and TRA as well and was named producer of the year for three or four years for both of them. Rafter D Rodeo company was formed in 1978, bringing the entire family under one roof. Rafter D staged rodeos for dignitaries including Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and the Emperor of China. The many awards and honors he has earned cover a wall in the Fulshear, Texas, home he shared with his wife Betty, whom he lost in 2016 after 64 years of marriage.

    Betty, was the IPRA secretary for 15 years. “She and I were recognized as the longest rodeo members that was at the old timers in 2016.” Their five children followed their parents’ example in the rodeo world; three boys and two girls all rodeoed through school and college. “Steven, twins, Donald and Ronald (Donnie and Ronnie) – they picked up my rodeos for me, Steve announced later after A&M; Karen turned into the secretary, she did that for the Finals for several years; Kathryn was the oldest girl and she kept time, along with Betty. Now I’ve got 15 grandkids, and 19 great grandkids.” Five of the nineteen grea grand children rodeo. Betty was with him every step of the way. Smokey served on the IPRA board as the stock contractor for the southern region for 22 years. He gave it up in 2001. One honor stands out to him- his 2011 induction into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame, whose primary mission is to preserve rodeo history and honor rodeo achievement. His father was inducted in 2001.
    “The best part of my life has been family and friends,” he said. “The people are what have made this whole ride worth doing.”

  • On The Trail with Tyler Waltz

    On The Trail with Tyler Waltz

    Born and raised in Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, Tyler Waltz was the oddball through high school, focusing on rodeo instead of other sports. “I grew up with Jeff Askey and he and I had rodeo in common.” Tyler worked every event in high school, trying to make his childhood dream of winning the world in the IPRA come true. Several injuries would have shattered that dream for most, but not Tyler. He’s leading the bareback riding in the IPRA by more than $10,000; and he’s more determined than ever to make his childhood dream come true. “It’s in my blood,” said the 28 year old. “My dad (Dave) and uncle (Steve) both rodeo, and I love to do it.”

     

    His list of injuries started his junior year in high school, when he broke his right femur at the National High School Finals in Farmington, New Mexico. He recovered from that and made it back to the high school finals again the next year. At a pro rodeo he attended before the Finals, he got hooked by a bull.. “It bent the rod in my femur; it was a bad deal. I really thought they were going to amputate my leg. We went to four different hospitals to find someone that could get the rod out.” He was headed to the University of Tennessee in Martin and the college rodeo red shirted him until he was better. “My dad went to school there and was on the rodeo team; my best friend Jeff Askey was going to school there, so I figured that was the place to be. The coach (John Luthi 731-514-4630) is really good too.” He made the college finals his freshman year in bareback and steer wrestling. “I missed my sophomore year for knee surgery, but went my junior and senior year.” He graduated with an Ag business degree and plans to be a rodeo coach. “I’d like to rodeo first, and when I slow down, I’d like to coach.”

     

     

    Tyler has focused on bareback riding, but has added steer wrestling to his events. He also team ropes and hopes to make a run for the IPRA All Around next year. He stays in shape by doing T25 on his phone at least a couple times a week. He also made the decision to stick closer to home to rodeo, something that has helped him stay healthy. “I think when I was starting, I just went too hard, and that led to some of my injuries,” he said. Tyler travels with his girlfriend, Bri Dubar, the 2017 IPRA Breakaway Champion. “She’s honestly done all the entering, she’s done it all,” he said. “I don’t like the road part of it. I like when you get there, and hanging out with your friends.”

     

    His dad knows all about overcoming rodeo injuries. “Its part of rodeo,” said Dave, who owns a fuel and coal business and farms on the side. “I was injury plagued when I rodeoed too – he’s mentally tough and that’s what he wants to do.” Dave and Tyler raise bucking bulls, hauling to 25 rodeos a year around the northeast. Tyler works for his dad in the winter, both in the fuel business and the bucking bulls. “My success is because of my dad – he’s always been there and taught me everything I know about rodeo. He gave me every opportunity he could get me to succeed.”

     

    His mom, Cindy, rode English and Western Pleasure and her parents produced a rodeo at Jersey Shore, which is how they met. “My parents put a rodeo on a few times a year,” said Cindy. “It was an open rodeo and lots of people came out.” Cindy knows rodeo is her son’s true passion. “He has a strong will and a good faith and I’m hoping this is his time. I’m very proud of him for going after his dream.” He has two older sisters – Lauren and Courtney –33, and 30; Lauren still runs barrels.

     

    Tyler and Bri will both be competing at IFR 49. “When I was a kid, I always wanted to win the world in the IRA It’s been a really good year – I’ve worked really hard to have a year like this.” Tyler wants to be remembered as a good person – an all around good cowboy.

  • New Year Brings New Heights for Registered Bucking Horses

    New Year Brings New Heights for Registered Bucking Horses

    Select Sale & Closed Futurity Scheduled for 2019

    Visionary leaders in bucking horse breeding, sales and promotion have joined forces to offer an unprecedented opportunity to own and compete with horses from the most influential, proven genetics in North America. On February 12, 2019, the rodeo industry’s premier online auction site www.thebreedersconnection.com, will conduct the select BHBA Super Stakes Sale.

    Twenty Bucking Horse Breeder’s Association (BHBA) registered 2 year-old colts and fillies are offered, all DNA verified direct sons and daughters of NFR / NFR producing parents. All sell pre-entered in the BHBA Super Stakes Futurity scheduled for the 2019 New Year’s Eve Buck & Ball at Gillette, Wyoming. This first of its kind, inaugural event features a minimum purse of $10,000 and only BHBA Super Stakes Sale graduates are eligible to compete. Winning breeders are awarded 20% of the purse to ensure the highest quality horses are in the initial offering.

    Among the prestigious consignors are Sankey Pro Rodeo (winner of the 2018 PRCA Remuda of the Year), Kling-Headings Bucking Horses, Mossbrucker Rodeo, Bailey Pro Rodeo and Burch Rodeo Company. Buyers not only have a pre-qualified catalog of the continent’s best 2 year-olds to choose from, partnership packages and syndication opportunities are offered, as well.

    Here’s an example: offered for sale by Burch Rodeo – 50% ownership in the 2017 stallion by Holy Diver out of Wipe Out, dam of Lunatic Fringe. This lot includes annual stallion service by this colt for up to ten mares belonging to (or leased by) the winning bidder.

    For more information, visit www.buckinghorsebreeders.com. Sale catalogs will be available at the Benny Binion’s World Famous Bucking Horse & Bull Sale during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.