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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The contract personnel for the Dec. 6-15 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and the Nov. 2-3 Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping were announced Wednesday by the PRCA.
For the sixth straight year, two of the announcers for the Wrangler NFR remain the same. Randy Corley, of Silverdale, Wash., and Wayne Brooks, of Lampasas, Texas, will be on the microphone for the 10 nights in Las Vegas. They will be joined by announcer Roger Mooney, of Ellijay, Ga.
Corley, who was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2017, will be making his 18th Wrangler NFR appearance, while it will be the eighth of Brooks’ career. Mooney will be announcing for the first time at the Wrangler NFR.
Livestock superintendent John Barnes, of Sutherland, Iowa, makes his 13th consecutive Wrangler NFR appearance. The chute bosses are Tony Amaral, of Marysville, Calif. (timed event) and Tom Neuens, of Powell, Wyo. (roughstock). Benje Bendele, of Dublin, Texas, is the music director.
Sunni Deb Backstrom, of Congress, Ariz., is the Wrangler NFR secretary, which marks the 13th year in a row she has been selected and the 16th overall. Dollie Riddle, of Vernon, Texas, is the assistant secretary.
Timer Jayme Pemberton, of Terrell, Texas, is making her third Wrangler NFR trip, and she is joined by Kim Sutton, of Onida, S.D., who is making her fourth trip to the Wrangler NFR. Toby Dunlavy, of Laramie, Wyo., also is one of the timers and will be making her first appearance at the Wrangler NFR.
At the NFSR at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kan., Charlie Throckmorton, of Grandview, Texas, and Jody Carper, of Jamul, Calif., will handle the announcing duties.
Throckmorton will be announcing the NFSR for the 18th year in a row, breaking the consecutive-appearance record of legendary announcer Clem McSpadden. Throckmorton also is announcing at the NFSR for the 19th time overall, tying McSpadden’s NFSR record. Carper is making his fourth appearance at the NFSR, and his first since 2015.
Chute boss John Gwatney, of Marquez, Texas, is back for his ninth-consecutive trip, and the arena usher is Butch Braden, of Welch, Okla. Secretary Sandy Gwatney, John’s wife, is making her fifth appearance at the NFSR, all in a row.
Timer Tammy Braden, Butch’s wife, will be joined by Shelly Baumann, of Maypearl, Texas, who is making her second appearance at the NFSR. Jill Franzen Loden, of Riverton, Wyo., is back as the music director for the fourth time.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – It is known that the equine athletes in the sport of rodeo play a vital role in helping every competitor achieve his or her goals.

The PRCA and the American Quarter Horse Association honor the outstanding registered American Quarter Horse in each of the PRCA’s timed-event categories at the annual PRCA Awards Banquet in Las Vegas right before the start of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. This year’s banquet is Dec. 5 at the South Point in Las Vegas.

The owner of the PRCA/AQHA/WPRA “Horses of the Year” in each category will be awarded $5,000 and an AQHA bronze trophy. Second place will receive $3,000, and third place will receive $2,000.

The final ballot process will be open through Oct 5 at 5 PM MT for applicable voting PRCA members. Winners in each of the categories will be announced once votes are tallied and made official.

The following are the nominees in each of the timed events:

 

Heading

Tuffys Badger Chex (Badger), rider: Kolton Schmidt, owner: Ronald Schmidt

RK Tuff Trinket (Bob), rider: Riley Minor, owner: Riley Minor

Pepinic Buck (Festus), rider: Rhen Richard, owner: A & C Racing & Roping

Fantastic Fellow (Fella), rider: Ryan Opie, owner: Ryan Opie

Rodeo Readyman (Junior), rider: Joshua Torres, owner: Joshua Torres

Son O Lena Steel (Boogieman), rider: Erich Rogers, owner: Erich Rogers

 

Heeling

Dual Chip (Chip), rider: Travis Graves, owner: Travis Graves

CD Rockstar (Rocky), rider: Ryan Motes, owner: Ryan Motes

Mr JB 0839 (Remix), rider: Kory Koontz, owner: Kory Koontz

Nita Win Playboy (Drago), rider: Logan Medlin, owner: Logan Medlin

Prancing Kard(Ted), rider: Jake Smith, owner: Mark Smith

Bay Boy Boonsmal (Biggie), rider: Jonathan Torres, owner: Jonathan Torres

Sparks Peppy Doc (Smurf), rider: Clint Summers, owner: Darren Summers

Leos Highbrow (Sug), rider: Brady Minor, owner: Brady Minor

Apolo Oak (Apolo), rider: Cole Davison, owner: Cole Davison

Zans Colonel Shine (Colonel), rider: Jake Long, owner: Jake & Tasha Long

Lula Dual (Lula), rider: Joseph Harrison, owner: Bobby Lewis

Romancing The Chics (Dude), rider: Trey Yates, owner: Joyce Tisdall

 

Tie-Down Roping

Time In (Pepto), rider: Sterling Smith, owner: Cassidy Boggs

Little Smart Leo (Big Time), rider: Tyler Milligan, owner: Tyler Milligan

Simon Cow (Si), rider: Shane Hanchey, owner: Shane Hanchey

Arrogant Cutter (Snoopy), rider: Ryan Jarrett, owner: Ryan Jarrett

Tachitas Rey (Bull), rider: Blane Cox, owner: Carl & Lisa Cox

CC Cross Bell 314 (Edgar), rider: Reese Riemer, owner: Reese Riemer

Purples Prince (Grey Pony), rider: Matt Shiozawa, owner: Matt Shiozawa

Big Smokin Otoe (Topaz), rider: Tuf & Clif Cooper & Trevor Brazile, owner: Circle Star Land & Cattle

Lights On Cd (Patron), rider: Richard Rhen, owner: A & C Racing & Roping

 

Steer Roping

CPR Gun Smokin Peppy (Brown Bomber), rider: Bryce Davis, owner: Bryce Davis

Sixs Rowdy Man (Lawdog), rider, Jarrett Blessing, owner: Jarrett & Jessica Blessing

Cooperslittletoy (Cooper), rider: Chris Glover, owner: Chris Glover

Zans Roany Jae Bar    (Ty Roan), rider: Shay Good, owner: Shay Good

At War Leo (Punchy), rider: Cody Lee, owner: Cody Lee

Spade Ronnie  (Ronnie): rider: Jim Locke, owner: Jim Locke

Gunoleo (Rolex), rider: Tony Reina, owner: Tutt Garnett

 

Steer Wrestling

Espuela Bay Light( Ike), rider: Levi Rudd, owner: Jeff Green

Quick Lane (Rooster), riders: Bridger, Chambers, Scott Guenthner, Tanner Milan, owner: Bridger Chambers

Canted Plan (Scooter), riders: Tyler Pearson, Kyle Irwin, Tyler Waguespack, Justin Shaffer, owners: Tyler Pearson/Kyle Irwin

Smokie Poco King Bar (Django), riders: Johnny Asher, Blake Mindemann, owner: Johnny Asher

RGR Ryon (Maverick), riders: Tom Lewis, Several People, owner: Peggy Lewis

Famous Chuck (Chuck), riders: Kyle Whitaker, Nick Guy, Blake Knowles, owner: Kyle Whitaker

Famous Hot Chick (Holly), riders: Chason Floyd, Tanner Brunner, Others, owner: R2m2z

Zoomin Up Front (Zoom) , riders: Hunter Cure & Others, owners: Hunter & Bristi Cure

 

Barrel Racing

KN Fabs Gift Of Fame (JLo), rider: Ivy Conrado, owners: Kenny Nichols & James Barron

Rafter W Minnie Reba (Sister), rider: Nellie Miller, owner: Sam Williams

Famous French Bug (Sister), rider: Leia Pluemer, owner: Julie Pluemer

In Firewaters Honor (HZ), rider: Mckenzie Morgan, owner: Mckenzie Morgan

Bogie Is A Smash (Smash), rider: Taci Bettis, owner: Taci Bettis

Yeah Hes Firen (Duke), rider: Brittany Tonozzi, owner: Brittany Tonozzi

Cuatro Fame (Truck), rider: Stevi Hillman, owner: Melissa Mouton

DM Sissy Hayday (Sister), rider: Hailey Kinsel, owner: Dan & Leslie Kinsel

LK Sheza Hayday (Zeva), rider: Tammy Fisher, owner: Tammy Fisher

Mid-Plains Community College saddle bronc rider Wyatt Kunkee, of Lexington, is the recipient of a $750 NEBRASKAland DAYS Buffalo Bill Rodeo Scholarship. Kunkee was presented with the award during the MPCC Stampede on Saturday at the Wild West Arena.

Money for the scholarship came from a combination of entry fees from NLD’s Cowboy Kickball Competition in June and NLD funds.

MPCC Rodeo Team coaches Dustin Elliott and Garrett Nokes selected Kunkee for the scholarship based on his performance in the arena and classroom, leadership skills, volunteerism and promotion of the team.

Minot man satisfies desire for competition with team roping; will rope at Y’s Men’s Rodeo

Minot, N.D. (September 17, 2018) – Blake Eggl  is competitive.

In high school and college, football fed his competitive drive.

When he graduated from Minot State University in 2012 and school sports were over, rodeo filled the void.

And for the first time, the Minot native will compete at the pro rodeo in his hometown.

Eggl is one of twelve tie-down ropers to qualify for the upcoming Y’s Men’s Rodeo, hosting the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo.

To compete at the Badlands Circuit Finals, a cowboy has to be one of the top twelve in his or her event, after the Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association season of rodeos in North Dakota and South Dakota is complete.

Eggl began rodeo as soon as he was able to ride a horse, by the age of seven or eight. He traveled with his dad, Kelly Eggl, also a tie-down roper, and the duo went to rodeos sanctioned by the Rough Riders; those rodeos had events for both adults and kids.

But rodeo was on the back burner during high school and college. “Growing up, I loved football, and still do,” he said. A college scholarship to play football was a priority.

He played for Minot State as a running back and on special teams as an underclassman. His senior year, Eggl was a starter.

After college graduation in 2012, Eggl was back to the rodeo arena. He continued competition in the Rough Riders, traveling with his dad again, and also at PRCA rodeos. His dad had roped at the Y’s Men’s Rodeo, before it hosted the Badlands Circuit Finals, and Blake remembered sitting in the stands, watching. He wanted to rope at the Y’s Men’s Rodeo, but it required being in the top twelve in the circuit.

And each year, there was an obstacle. Two knee surgeries and a back surgery, all from football injuries, limited his rodeo.

This year, he was ready. “This is the healthiest I’ve been since I was 22,” he said. Eggl roped at 35 pro rodeos and another 30-plus amateur rodeos this year.

Juggling work and rodeo has been a challenge. Working for an agricultural company, he’s free to compete on the weekends. Sometimes he would get home on Monday morning in the wee hours and be ready for work by 8 am.

He figures he’s rarely missed a year of the Y’s Men’s Rodeo. Even during college, he’d attend on the Thursday night; football practice and a game took precedence on the weekend.

And this time, Eggl will be at the rodeo, but not in the stands. He’ll be roping. “I’ve always wanted to make the circuit finals, but when it’s in your hometown, man, I really want to make it,” he said. “I’m super excited.”

Eggl, along with the other competitors, will compete four times: Friday, Oct. 5 at 7 pm, Sat., Oct. 6 at 1 pm and 7 pm, and Sun. Oct. 7 at 1:30 pm. The year-end champion and average champion (the contestant with the fastest times or highest scores after four runs) will be determined on Sunday, and qualify for the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in Florida next April.

Eggl is married to Ashley, also a Minot native.

The 64th annual Minot Y’s Men’s Rodeo is October 5-7 at All Seasons Arena at the North Dakota State Fair Center. Note that there is no Thursday night show this year; it has been moved to a Saturday matinee. Tickets range in price from $13 to $33 and can be purchased online at www.MinotYsMensRodeo.com. For more information, visit the website or call 701.833.1761.

Our Journey to 20 Years

Statistics show that 96% of businesses fail within 10 years, but one brand has stood solid for 20 years under one man’s leadership. A staple in the aluminum horse trailer industry, Bloomer Trailers, has made a name for themselves as a reputable company that produces “only the best” products for 20 years.

In 1998, Randy Bloomer, changed the horse trailer industry for the better. As someone who was involved in the Western industry and had experience with horse trailer sales, Bloomer knew that the livestock safety was a huge component of a trailer and he set out to modernize and revolutionize the industry. Now, 20 years later, the Bloomer Trailers brand is not only used by World Champions in every Western discipline, but it is also being used by top Billboard musicians, race car drivers and more.

This year, Bloomer Trailer Manufacturing is celebrating the memories of their 20 years in the industry. To appreciate their success, we must look back at where it all started. Randy and Kim Bloomer started Bloomer Trailers in 1998 in the middle of chemical alley on the LaMarque/Texas City line. From the start, Bloomer Trailers hired the best people in the industry to help build the brand, some of those key players are still with them today. “We have never stopped challenging ourselves to find a better or safer way to protect our customers and their livestock,” said Randy Bloomer, when speaking about why Bloomer Trailers is different than other brands on the market. Their innovations led to the newest model of the Bloomer Trailer, “The Evolution,” to remind them that they have yet to build the perfect trailer, so they had to keep moving forward and trying new ideas.

In 2002, Bloomer Trailers moved forward in a big way. They started building a state of the art production facility in Central Texas to serve as a convenient location for dealers, customers and their vendors. Upon completion in 2003, Bloomer Trailers moved over forty employees and their families to Salado, TX to help continue the craftsmanship that was expected by their loyal customers. Now, 15 years after moving to Central Texas, the company continues to live by their motto of, “only the best.” Today, Bloomer Trailers has over 80 full-time employees that are proud of the brand they build. Although the brand has grown tremendously, it still practices the principles it was built on. You will still see Randy Bloomer working at shows and visiting with customers and still to this day, he makes a point to be involved daily in the industry.

Bloomer Trailers have the best dealer network in the horse trailer industry, many of the dealers and salesman have been a part of the Bloomer Team for over 15 years and share their sense of pride in selling the best trailer brand on the market. Bloomer Dealers continue to provide an extraordinary experience when purchasing a Bloomer Trailer and their priority has been to provide superior product quality and total customer satisfaction.

Twelve years ago, Bloomer Trailers decided to get more involved in the youth aspect of the rodeo industry. Since 2007, Bloomer Trailers has had a Bloomer Trailers High School Rodeo Team with 33 youth athletes, these athletes are not only Bloomer customers, but they are the best athletes in and out of the arena. Teaching these young athletes how to interview, take pictures, acquire sponsorships and more has been Bloomer Trailers way of giving back. Some of the youth athletes have went on win World Championships, become doctors or have their own families, most of which still own a Bloomer Trailer. It has been rewarding to see former team members remain loyal to the brand long after they rodeo. Several traditions in their Bloomer Trailer are being passed down to the next generation and that is a true testament to the Bloomer brand.

Bloomer Trailers have been used in an array of settings, from little league games, glamping, hunting, beach vacations and more, Bloomer Trailers have truly become a part of their customer’s family traditions. Your trailer is supposed to adapt to your lifestyle, which is why we strive to make a product that can not only handle the miles, but also handle the adventure ahead of you.

In addition to many uses of a Bloomer Trailer, they still are heavily involved in the sport that helped them get to where they are today. The Bloomer Trailers company is involved in a large majority of equine sports, they are the official trailer of the Wrangler National Finals, Rodeo, World Series of Team Roping, The American Rodeo, National Reined Cowhorse Association, Pendleton Roundup, Texas High School Rodeo Association and The Bob Feist Invitational.

As a part of their 20-year anniversary, Bloomer Trailers, has decided to celebrate the memories that have been made in a Bloomer Trailer. Customers have sent in pictures of their trailers from every decade to show that their Bloomer can handle the miles. Although the brand is growing older, the passion is stronger than ever. As for the future, they expect “only the best.”

 

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

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

South Dakota, Minnesota families gather in Minot to watch competition, enjoy family

Minot, N.D. (September 24, 2018) – When the Minot Y’s Men’s Rodeo kicks off next weekend, there will be a mini-family reunion taking place.

Dane Kissack, a tie-down roper from Spearfish, S.D., his family, and his wife’s family have congregated in Minot the last several years to enjoy each other’s company and the rodeo.

Kissack, his wife Kelli, his parents, Phil and Terri Kissack, his maternal grandmother, Marlene Griffith, Kelli’s mom, Kim Bones, her maternal grandmother, Kari Kannenberg and her aunt LuAnn Grossman, plus a few friends, will be on hand to watch him compete. (Kelli’s dad John will be helping harvest on the family farm in South Dakota.)

The combined families use their time in Minot to hang out, visit, and watch the rodeo.

It’s one of the few times of the year that Dane is at one rodeo for more than a few hours. Usually cowboys get to a rodeo, make their run or ride, then leave when it’s over, headed to the next one. But in Minot, because it’s the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo, the top twelve in each event compete in four performances October 5-6-7. That means that Dane is in one place for multiple days, and the families can get together.

Kelli’s family comes from the Minneapolis area, and although Minot isn’t geographically centrally located between Spearfish and Minneapolis, the family can gather and spend several days together as Dane ropes.

They stay in several hotel suites, buy groceries in Minot, and enjoy burgers, steaks and plenty of good food at lunch and after the rodeo each night. It’s a great way to enjoy each other, relax, and enjoy the slower pace of the rodeo.

Minot is also a good time for the women of the bunch to shop. They visit the mall, the special unique shops, and the trade show at the rodeo, then have fun dressing up for the rodeo each day. “It’s a fun time to get dressed up,” said Terri Kissack, Dane’s mom. “We’ll go shopping, we share what everybody got that is new. We have a blast doing that.”

Terri loves coming to the Y’s Men’s Rodeo. Because it’s the best cowboys and cowgirls in the Badlands Circuit, the contestants get special treatment. The rodeo is “a big deal to Minot,” she said. Even as a mother of one of the contestants, “you feel special. We are treated very, very well. Minot is a great place.”

Dane, along with the other contestants at the Y’s Men’s Rodeo, hosted by the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo, will compete October 5-7. Performances are at 7 pm on Fri., Oct. 5; 1 pm and 7 pm, on Sat., Oct. 6, and 1:30 pm on Sun., Oct. 7.

Tickets are discounted for the Family Day performance at 1 pm on Sat., Oct. 6, and for the military appreciation performance at 1:30 pm on Sun., Oct. 7. Tickets range in price from $13 to $33 and can be purchased online at www.MinotYsMensRodeo.com. For more information, visit the website or call 701.833.1761.

 

Abilene rodeo helps Dickinson Co. cancer fund raise monies for people undergoing cancer treatment

Abilene, Kan. (September 17, 2018) – The Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo in Abilene, Kansas is helping to make the world a little bit better place.

During its annual Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign on Friday, August 3, voluntary donations were picked up in the amount of $2,678.93, to benefit Dickinson County people undergoing cancer treatment.

The monies go to the Elsie Brooks Memorial Cancer Fund of Dickinson County, which provides financial help to Dickinson County residents with cancer.

Since the Elsie Brooks fund began twenty years ago, it has given out over $750,000 to those in need.

The money is useful for traveling expenses, with cancer patients often having to travel to Salina or Manhattan for treatment, said Chris Ostermann, president of the fund. “When you live in Abilene and have to travel to get treatment, it can be (financially) devastating. And if you’re on a fixed income, it’s scary.”

The donations are a “game changer,” Ostermann said. Helping with people’s “personal battles with cancer makes it easier for them.”

The fund’s partnership with the rodeo has been helpful, Ostermann said. “We’re very thankful for the rodeo. It brings recognition for us to the community, that we’re able to help.”

Voluntary donations were picked up at the Abilene rodeo; the Abilene rodeo has partnered with the Elsie Brooks Fund since 2008 and since then, has helped raise $34,480.

For more information on the Elsie Brooks Cancer Fund, contact Chris Ostermann at 785.479.3749. For more information on the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo, visit the rodeo’s website at WildBillHickokRodeo.com or call the Central Kansas Free Fair office at 785.263.4570.