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1. Sundell wins San Angelo for third time

 

SAN ANGELO, Texas – The third time was the charm for saddle bronc rider Wade Sundell as he won the San Angelo (Texas) Rodeo for the third time Feb. 16 with 175 points on two head.

Sundell won San Angelo for the first time in 2012 with 174 points on two head. His second San Angelo win came in 2015 with 177 points on two head, thanks in part to nailing a 91-point ride on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Manhattan Moon.

“I love coming here because I’ve always had good success here and there’s a lot of electricity in that building,” Sundell said. “I love it – I’m going to keep putting my name in the hat here.”

Consistency was the secret to success for Sundell as he won the first round with an 88.5-point ride on Powder River Rodeo’s Morning Tea.

“I was just letting it hang out and was firing away and having some fun,” Sundell said. “It was one you needed in a long round to get a good score for some leeway.”

The 33-year-old cowboy went on to place second in the finals with an 86.5-point ride, which placed him 3.5 points ahead of Clay Elliott and Ryder Wright.

“The second one was a good, solid one that a guy needs to show off a bit and have lots of fun,” Sundell said. “Honestly, I feel better and stronger than I have in a long time. I don’t know what it is, but I feel like a young kid again. It’s always good to be around them (the younger competition) because you feel like you’re a young kid again with them.”

All told, Sundell’s efforts at San Angelo were worth $8,182.

“It’s outstanding to get a bunch of money won in the wintertime,” Sundell said. “If you can do that, it’s always going to be a good deal for you.”

Sundell’s youngest and biggest fan was in the stands – his 3-month-old son, Rankan.

“Shoot, I’m probably going to be buying some diapers,” Sundell laughed. “It’s ridiculous how many diapers you go through.”

Up next, Sundell is heading back to the San Antonio (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo, where he won the first, second and third rounds in Bracket 3 for $7,134. Between his progress at these two iconic Texas rodeos so far, Sundell’s earned a grand total of $15,316.

Counting his most-recent earnings, Sundell was already sitting at fifth in the 2018 PRCA World Standings with $22,776, as he seeks an eighth qualification for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Sundell competed at the WNFR every year from 2009-15.

“I’ll just keep entering up and keep rocking and rolling and let them all fall into place,” Sundell said.

Other winners at the $452,991 rodeo were bareback rider Logan Corbett (176 points on two head); steer wrestler Jacob Talley (11.5 seconds on three head); team ropers Clay Smith/Paul Eaves (14.1 seconds on three head); tie-down roper Blane Cox (23.7 seconds on three head); barrel racer Amberleigh Moore (44.15 seconds on three head); and bull rider Trey Benton III (180.5 points on two head).

 

 

2. Solomon ropes Silver Spurs victory

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Tie-down roper Cory Solomon has had a strong winter, and he kept that going with a win at the 140th Silver Spurs Rodeo in Kissimmee, Fla., Sunday.

Solomon is hoping that trend continues in the middle of what has been an extremely busy winter for the 28-year-old Texas cowboy.

Solomon competed in Okeechobee, Fla., Feb. 15 before clocking a time of 7.5 seconds the next day in Kissimmee.

Solomon kept tabs on the results from Kissimmee every day, hoping to see his time stand up. It definitely did, but not by much. He held off Jason Hanchey by a tenth of a second and three others by three-tenths.

“Guys made some good runs,” Solomon said Feb. 18 from his home. “… So, the perfs looked like they were pretty tough there. I’m just thankful to get the win. Every check counts this early.”

Less than two hours after his winning run in Kissimmee, Solomon was on a plane bound for Texas to rope again Feb. 16 at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo.

Solomon was riding Ragin Cajun at Kissimmee. Ragin did his job well, which helped Solomon overcome a slight slip.

“He was really good at Kissimmee,” Solomon said. “He got a good start. I actually roped and lost my right stirrup. I jumped off, it wasn’t a smooth get-off. I just made it work when I jumped off. … The best thing about him (Ragin), once your hand touches the calf, he won’t make a mistake.”

Entering Kissimmee, Solomon was sitting seventh in the PRCA World Standings. He moved up one spot after earning $2,375. He also placed second in the first round at San Antonio, then won his next two rounds and was in the semifinals there Feb. 20. That’s another $6,500 before the rodeo has finished. He also won $5,296 in Fort Worth, Texas, and $6,403 in Waco, Texas earlier this season.

All of that comes on the heels of winning $117,250 at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo on his preferred horse, Dough Boy, in December, when he placed third in the average to help him finish seventh in the 2017 world standings.

Last season, Solomon had to go hard in September to qualify for the WNFR. This season, he’s made it a point to go hard in the winter to make sure he isn’t under a time crunch come fall.

“To win Kissimmee, it gives me more momentum to go back to San Antonio,” said Solomon, who will be back on Dough Boy in San Antonio. “All these wins just keep your confidence going and keep you on a roll.”

Other winners at the $132,365 rodeo were all-around cowboy Bart Brunson ($3,478 in tie-down roping and team roping); bareback rider Evan Jayne (83 points on Silver Spurs Club’s Patty); steer wrestler Denell Henderson (3.7 seconds); team ropers Ross Lowry/Stephen Britnell (4.6 seconds); saddle bronc rider Chuck Schmidt (84.5 points on Silver Spurs Club’s Best Hope); barrel racer Amie Tyre (15.6 seconds); and bull rider Dylan Hice Vick (84 points on Silver Spurs Club’s Stinky).

 

 

3. Smidt claims first Dixie National Rodeo win

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Claiming PRCA honors is nothing new to tie-down roper Caleb Smidt.

The Bellville, Texas, cowboy was the 2015 tie-down roping world champion.

Now, the talented roper can add a Dixie National Rodeo victory to his career accomplishments.

Smidt, a four-time qualifier for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, won with a 15.8-second time in the two-head average at the Dixie National Rodeo, which concluded Feb. 14.

“I’ve only been to that rodeo one other time in 2015 and I didn’t do any good,” said Smidt, 28. “This is really good because I had zero dollars won when I showed up to Jackson. This is a big rodeo. They had 131 guys competing in tie-down roping, and I was really happy to win it.”

Smidt made his runs in Jackson on Feb. 7 and 9 and earned $9,402 for placing second in the first round (7.8 seconds) and fourth in the second round (8.0 seconds) and capturing the average at the Mississippi Coliseum. Smidt is 18th in the Feb. 20 PRCA World Standings with $10,674.

“I rode a new horse, El Gato, that belongs to Bart Hutton from Boerne, Texas,” Smidt said. “I rode him a little bit last fall. I like him, and I plan on riding him quite a bit this year. He’s getting better and better, and he was awesome over there (in Jackson). I ran two really good calves and I was able to get the win with him.”

In addition to El Gato, Smidt still will be competing on his main horse, Pockets. He rode Pockets the last three years and won his world title aboard the horse. Smidt qualified for the WNFR in 2013 and 2015-17. Last year, he finished fifth in the world standings with $209,098 and split the Round 8 win in Las Vegas with Cory Solomon.

“I went to Fort Worth (Texas) and San Angelo (Texas) and didn’t have any luck, and it was getting about time where I needed to win something just to get some money on the board,” Smidt said. “This is probably the slowest start I have ever had, so it was nice to win something and get the monkey off my back. Now, I’m ready to go rope and try and win some more.”

Smidt competed at the lucrative San Antonio (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo, where he placed fourth in the third round of Bracket 4.

“For right now, I’m just going to focus on (tie-down roping) and the end goal is the world championship,” said Smidt, who has been in contention for the all-around world championship the last several years because he also has competed as a team roping header.

Other winners at the $232,585 rodeo were all-around cowboy Shane Proctor ($1,461 in saddle bronc riding and bull riding), bareback rider Austin Foss (89 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Onion Ring), steer wrestler Cody Sullivan (8.7 seconds on two head), team ropers Tyler Wade/Trey Yates (11.4 seconds on two head), saddle bronc riders Isaac Diaz (84 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Cow Camp) and Rusty Wright (84 points on Korkow Rodeos’ Dirty Little Secret), barrel racer Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi (15.02 seconds) and bull rider Dustin Boquet (86.5 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Hacksaw Ridge).

 

 

4. News & Notes from the rodeo trail

WranglerNetwork.com will livestream the San Antonio (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo, beginning at 7 p.m. (CT), Feb. 20-22, and 7:30 p.m., Feb. 23. It will also stream the Division 1 Xtreme Bulls at 1 p.m., Feb. 24, and the finals of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 24. ProRodeoLive.com will broadcast the San Antonio (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 23 and the Division 1 Xtreme Bulls at 1 p.m., Feb. 24, and the finals of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 24. WranglerNetwork.com will also livestream La Fiesta de los Vaqueros from Tucson, Ariz., beginning at 2 p.m. (MT) Feb. 24-25 … The PRCA, in partnership with the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and Hidden Springs Youth Ranch in San Antonio, will organize Rodeo Camp 2018, March 12-16. For anyone curious about the sport of rodeo, here is the chance to learn what it takes to be a rodeo contestant. The camp is open to boys and girls ages 8-18. The instructors are professional rodeo contestants, and there’s no cost, but space is limited. Reserve a spot today at www.prorodeo.com/youthrodeo …San Angelo (Texas) rancher, businessman, philanthropist and pilot Richard Mayer was honored Feb. 16 with the 2018 Gold Spur Award. The award is given annually to one individual on the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo committee for going beyond the call of duty as a volunteer. The San Angelo Rodeo took place Feb. 2-4 & 14-16.Mayer began his involvement with the San Angelo rodeo in 1974. His charge was to organize the arena, the bucking chutes, the gates for timed events, the grandstand for rodeo officials, and most of all, the dirt. “This dirt is sacred for Mr. Mayer,” said rodeo announcer Boyd Polhamus Feb. 16.Every year, two weeks before the rodeo start date, tons and tons of dirt is trucked in and laid on the arena floor. The task of provisioning the dirt has become an annual tradition in San Angelo. Today’s rodeo is more sophisticated than it was in 1974, and Mayer has kept the arena up with the times, working out details with city of San Angelo officials over the years … On Feb. 18, the Chicks N Chaps organization held its 5th Annual Women’s Rodeo Clinic in Tucson, Ariz., during La Fiesta de los Vaqueros. The Chicks N Chaps mission, vision and values is helping women, men and the families who are affected by breast cancer. The organization was founded by a small group of Montanans whose lives had been profoundly impacted by breast cancer, and who were all passionate about the sport of rodeo and its heritage. Chicks N Chaps is dedicated to helping communities raise money for local individuals and families impacted by breast cancer while promoting the sport of rodeo and the Western lifestyle. According to an article on www.tucsonnews.com Feb. 18, over the past four years, Chicks N Chaps has raised upwards of $20,000 for the Tucson community … The Greeley Stampede announced its 2018 Superstars Concert Series Lineup including Grammy award-winner Darius Rucker, platinum recording artist Dustin Lynch, Roots and Boots Tour 90’s Electric Throwdown featuring Sammy Kershaw, Collin Raye and Aaron Tippin, chart-topping Aaron Watson, and more to be announced. Lynch is scheduled to play June 22, Rucker June 23, Roots and Boots featuring Kershaw, Tippin, and Raye June 30, and Aaron Watson July 1. Stampede Superstars Concert Package tickets will be available Feb. 20at 10 a.m. (MT). The Superstars Concert package gives fans the opportunity to see all five concerts for one low price. Packages are only $80 or $110 (depending on ticket location). Package prices, based on availability, increase May 1. Individual concert tickets go on sale March 15 for $35 and $45 each (depending on ticket location). “When compared to other events, you just can’t beat the value of our Superstars Concert Series ticket packages,” said Greeley Stampede Night Show Chairman Trent Johnson. “There is truly not a bad seat in the house, so seeing five shows for one low price, a price you’d normally pay to see one concert elsewhere, just can’t be beat.” The Greeley Stampede takes place June 22-July 4. The Greeley Stampede ticket outlets are as follows: call 970.356.7787 or visit the Stampede Ticket Office in Island Grove Park at 600 North 14th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631. Go online at www.greeleystampede.org or stop by any Colorado King Soopers location or call TicketsWest 24/7 at 866.464.2626 or online at www.ticketswest.com … Martin Louis Richter Jr., a PRCA Gold Card member and a bareback rider, passed away Feb. 14, he was 64. Richter also was a tireless volunteer for the Fort Worth (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo where he served on the board of directors and executive committee. He was instrumental in starting the Stock Show’s Calf Scramble that his son, Martin, now co-chairs. Better known as “Marty,” he was born Aug. 4, 1953, in Fort Worth. A cowboy and horseman from the beginning, Richter spent childhood summers with his uncle S.L. starting racehorses and later working as an order buyer at cattle auctions across Texas. During his rodeo career, Richter enjoyed working for his lifelong friend Billy Minick and his rodeo stock contracting company. In 1978, Richter retired from professional rodeo when he married Mary Martha Edwards. He was a proud father to his three children Mary Margaret, Meredith and Martin. In lieu of flowers, consideration of contributions to the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo Calf Scramble Scholarship Fund or the Windy Ryan Memorial Roping Scholarship Fund, in his memory, is suggested.

 

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“I was really excited to get into San Antonio, especially my rookie year. This is a big stepping stone in my career. Then to get to take a victory lap here, that was fun.”

– Bull rider Clayton Sellars said in a press release after tying Clayton Foltyn for the first-round win in Bracket 4 of the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo Feb. 16, with an 82-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Black Ice.

 

 

5. Next Up

Feb. 20            San Antonio (Texas) Stock Show & Rodeo continues

Feb. 20            La Fiesta de los Vaqueros, Tucson, Ariz., continues

Feb. 22            Georgia National Junior Livestock Show & Rodeo, Perry, Ga., begins

Feb. 23            Pasco County Fair Championship Rodeo, Dade City, Fla., begins

Feb. 23            Wide Open Rodeo, Fort Pierce, Fla., begins

Feb. 24            Chad Besplug Invitational Division 2 Xtreme Bulls, Claresholm, Alberta

Feb. 24            Division 1 Xtreme Bulls, San Antonio, Texas

Feb. 24            Davie (Fla.) ProRodeo, Feb. 24-25

 

 

6. 2018 PRCA World Standings Leaders

Unofficial through Feb. 20, 2018

 

AA:         Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas    $27,698

BB:         Jake Brown, Cleveland, Texas    $24,813

SW:        Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La.            $31,359

TR-1:      Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla.   $37,880

TR-2:      Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo.            $37,880

SB:          Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas  $38,032

TD:         Blane Cox, Cameron, Texas         $35,118

BR:         Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla.  $35,308

SR:          Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas    $15,268

 

 

 

7. 2018 PRCA World Standings

Unofficial through Feb. 20, 2018

 

All-around

1                              Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas    $27,698

2                              Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas         26,592

3                              Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif.           21,044

4                              Bart Brunson, Terry, Miss.            19,581

5                              Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla.              15,668

6                              Wesley Brunson, Terry, Miss.     14,613

7                              Marcus Theriot, Poplarville, Miss.             14,328

8                              Shane Proctor, Grand Coulee, Wash.      11,719

9                              Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D.       10,049

10                           Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah  10,043

11                           Chant DeForest, Wheatland, Calif.           9,340

 

Bareback Riding

1                              Jake Brown, Cleveland, Texas    $24,813

2                              Shane O’Connell, Rapid City, S.D.              24,663

3                              J.R. Vezain, Cowley, Wyo.            23,651

4                              Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas          21,068

5                              Caleb Bennett, Tremonton, Utah             19,317

6                              Evan Jayne, Marseille, France     19,059

7                              Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif. 18,664

8                              Luke Creasy, Hobbs, N.M.            17,898

9                              Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa      16,749

10                           Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn.               15,545

11                           Blade Elliott, Centreville, Ala.      15,152

12                           Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D.              14,282

13                           Logan Corbett, Las Cruces, N.M.               13,379

14                           Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore.   13,006

15                           Mason Clements, Springville, Utah          12,956

16                           Kaycee Feild, Spanish Fork, Utah              11,677

17                           David Peebles, Redmond, Ore.  11,273

18                           Jessy Davis, Power, Mont.           10,955

19                           Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La.             10,825

20                           Clint Laye, Pocatello, Idaho          10,570

 

Steer Wrestling

1                              Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La.            $31,359

2                              Tyler Pearson, Louisville, Miss.   27,440

3                              Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla.       22,168

4                              Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta                19,081

5                              Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas           17,829

6                              Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D.         16,762

7                              Scott Guenthner, Provost, Alberta           15,355

8                              Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan.  15,321

9                              Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La.              15,311

10                           Matt Reeves, Cross Plains, Texas              14,095

11                           Chason Floyd, Buffalo, S.D.          14,064

12                           Taz Olson, Prairie City, S.D.          13,698

13                           Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La.        13,401

14                           Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala.       12,520

15                           Olin Hannum, Malad, Idaho         11,938

16                           Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah    11,642

17                           Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif.      11,484

18                           Jason Thomas, Benton, Ark.        11,213

19                           Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif.           11,052

20                           Justin Shaffer, Hallsville, Texas   10,877

 

Team Roping (header)

1                              Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla.   $37,880

2                              Luke Brown, Rock Hill, S.C.           23,745

3                              Cody Snow, Los Olivos. Calif.       22,911

4                              Dustin Egusquiza, Mariana, Fla.  16,352

5                              Lane Ivy, Adrian, Texas  15,809

6                              Jake Cooper, Monument, N.M. 15,292

7                              Steven Duby, Melba, Idaho         14,203

8                              Spencer Mitchell, Orange Cove, Calif.     13,372

9                              Bart Brunson, Terry, Miss.            13,271

10                           Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz.        12,828

11                           John Alley, Adams, Tenn.             12,801

12                           Logan Olson, Flandreau, S.D.      12,745

13                           Jake Orman, Prairie, Miss.            11,958

14                           Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla.    10,430

15                           Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C.       10,193

16                           Travis Dorman, Dade City, Fla.    9,919

17                           Joshua Torres, Ocala, Fla.             9,477

18                           Keven Daniel, Franklin, Tenn.     9,009

19                           Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla.              8,959

20                           Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Ariz. 8,939

 

Team Roping (heeler)

1                              Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo.            $37,880

2                              Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan.         23,745

3                              Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M.         22,577

4                              Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas       19,222

5                              Buddy Hawkins II, Columbus, Kan.           17,836

6                              Jason Duby, Klamath Falls, Ore. 17,155

7                              Kory Koontz, Stephenville, Texas              16,352

8                              Matt Kasner, Cody, Neb.              13,675

9                              Clark Adcock, Smithville, Tenn.  12,801

10                           Walt Woodard, Stephenville, Texas         12,099

11                           Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo.              11,009

12                           Trace Porter, Leesville, La.           10,887

13                           Kyle Lockett, Visalia, Calif.            10,814

14                           Reagan Ward, Edmond, Okla.     10,430

15                           Chase Tryan, Helena, Mont.        10,213

16                           Will Woodfin, Marshall, Texas    10,165

17                           Evan Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif.         9,921

18                           Bradley Massey, Perry, Fla.         9,919

19                           Cody Hogan, Benton, La.              9,918

20                           Jake Smith, Broken Bow, Okla.   9,833

 

Saddle Bronc Riding

1                              Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas  $38,032

2                              Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo.        33,490

3                              Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas      27,781

4                              Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas    23,391

5                              Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa   22,776

6                              Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M.          16,314

7                              Colt Gordon, Comanche, Okla.   15,665

8                              Joey Sonnier, New Iberia, La.     14,358

9                              Rusty Wright, Milford, Utah        13,706

10                           Leon Fountain, Socorro, N.M.    13,522

11                           Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta            13,056

12                           Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah         12,498

13                           Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah        12,362

14                           Hardy Braden, Welch, Okla.         12,321

15                           Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La.             11,718

16                           J.J. Elshere, Hereford, S.D.           10,892

17                           Bradley Harter, Loranger, La.      10,415

18                           Chet Johnson, Douglas, Wyo.     10,225

19                           Ty Manke, Hermosa, S.D.             10,017

20                           Shade Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla.                9,898

 

Tie-down Roping

1                              Blane Cox, Cameron, Texas         $37,472

2                              Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La.       35,886

3                              Marcos Costa, Childress, Texas  35,118

4                              Scott Kormos, Teague, Texas      22,786

5                              Jake Pratt, Ellensburg, Wash.      20,214

6                              Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas           19,514

7                              Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas         18,565

8                              Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla.   16,271

9                              Riley Pruitt, Gering, Neb.              15,853

10                           Jesse Clark, Portales, N.M.          13,859

11                           Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas              13,353

12                           Clif Cooper, Decatur, Texas         12,222

13                           Tyson Durfey, Weatherford, Texas          11,635

14                           Ryan Thibodeaux, Stephenville, Texas   11,634

15                           Westyn Hughes, Caldwell, Texas               11,246

16                           Cody Quaney, Cheney, Kan.       10,932

17                           Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas    10,881

18                           Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas        10,647

19                           Tyler Milligan, Pawhuska, Okla.  10,630

20                           Cody Huber, Albia, Iowa               10,252

 

Steer Roping

1                              Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas    $15,268

2                              Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas         8,367

3                              Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas         8,026

4                              Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas    7,756

5                              Jarrett Blessing, Paradise, Texas                7,043

6                              Brian Garr, Belle Fourche, S.D.   6,546

7                              Garrett Hale, Snyder, Texas        6,138

8                              Shay Good, Midland, Texas         5,952

9                              Chris Glover, Keenesburg, Colo.                5,878

10                           Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas   5,630

11                           Mike Chase, McAlester, Okla.    5,610

12                           Corey Ross, Liberty Hill, Texas    5,522

13                           JoJo LeMond, Andrews, Texas   5,484

14                           Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas       5,468

15                           Dee Kyler Jr., Pawhuska, Okla.   5,076

16                           Chad Mathis, Morristown, Ariz. 4,869

17                           Bryce Davis, Ovalo, Texas             4,632

18                           Trey Sheets, Cheyenne, Wyo.    4,299

19                           Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan.       4,230

20                           Leo Campbell, Amarillo, Texas    3,941

 

Bull Riding

1                              Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla.  $35,308

2                              Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla.          34,701

3                              Clayton Sellars, Fruitland Park, Fla.           29,744

4                              Tristan Mize, Bryan, Texas           25,172

5                              Trey Benton III, Rock Island, Texas           23,681

6                              Chase Dougherty, Canby, Ore.   22,184

7                              Dustin Boquet, Bourg, La.             20,402

8                              Lane Nobles, Gatesville, Texas   20,069

9                              Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont.     18,904

10                           Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah              17,719

11                           Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho    17,716

12                           Michael Riggs Jr., Claxton, Ga.    17,202

13                           Tyler Bingham, Honeyville, Utah               16,737

14                           Elliot Jacoby, Fredericksburg, Texas         14,318

15                           Eli Vastbinder, Athens, Texas     13,789

16                           Brody Yeary, Brock, Texas            13,588

17                           Jimy Marten, Donahue, Iowa     13,281

18                           Bayle Worden, Cooper, Texas    12,709

19                           Dylan Hice Vick, Escalon, Calif.    12,485

20                           Koby Radley, Montpelier, La.      12,020

 

 

*2018 Barrel Racing (Feb. 20, 2018)

Barrel racing standings, provided by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), are unofficial, subject to audit and may change. Unofficial WPRA Standings are published by the PRCA as a courtesy. The PRCA is not responsible for the verification or updating of WPRA standings.

 

1                              Taci Bettis, Round Top, Texas     $37,817

2                              Kylie Weast, Comanche, Okla.    29,645

3                              Kellie Collier, Hereford, Texas    24,764

4                              Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas        23,601

5                              Amberleigh Moore, Salem, Ore.               20,862

6                              Kelly Bruner, Millsap, Texas         17,583

7                              Carley Richardson, Pampa, Texas              15,403

8                              Tiana Schuster, Krum, Texas       15,084

9                              Ericka Nelson, Century, Fla.         12,936

10                           Nikki Hansen, Dickinson, N.D.     11,990

11                           Lacinda Rose, Willard, Mo.           11,881

12                           Cheyenne Kelly, Hallsville, Texas               11,746

13                           Christine Laughlin, Pueblo, Colo.               11,721

14                           Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Victoria, Texas     11,418

15                           Bobbi Grann, Sheyenne, ND       11,351

16                           Wendy Culberson, Okeechobee, Fla.      11,151

17                           Lori Todd, Willcox, Ariz. 11,051

18                           Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D.         11,031

19                           Emily Miller, Weatherford, Texas              10,946

20                           Ashley Day, Volborg, Mont.        10,156

 

8. 2018 Xtreme Bulls standings

Unofficial through Feb. 20, 2018

1                              Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla.          $16,357

2                              Lane Nobles, Gatesville, Texas   16,129

3                              Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah              12,541

4                              Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho    9,926

5                              Clayton Sellars, Fruitland Park, Fla.           9,016

6                              Nate Perry, Elk City, Okla.             7,730

7                              Fulton Rutland, Stilwell, Okla.     7,415

8                              Jordan Hansen, Ponoka, Alberta               7,348

9                              Garrett Smith, Rexburg, Idaho   6,869

10                           Dustin Bowen, Fredericksburg, Pa.          6,159

11                           Preston Preece, Troy, Texas       6,119

12                           Rylan Wright, Midway, Utah       5,722

13                           Tyler Bingham, Honeyville, Utah               5,657

14                           Boudreaux Campbell, Crockett, Texas    5,572

15                           Clayton Savage, Yoder, Wyo.      4,696

16                           J.T. Pettitt, Odessa, Texas            4,540

17                           Tristan Mize, Bryan, Texas           4,385

18                           Corey Maier, Timber Lake, S.D.  4,230

19                           Riker Carter, Stone, Idaho            4,010

20                           Dylan Hice Vick, Escalon, Calif.    3,863

 

Since he was 24 years old, Cotton Rosser hasn’t missed a year of the Red Bluff Round-Up.

 

And that’s saying something, since the rodeo legend is now 89 years old.

 

Cotton, who is the patriarch of the famous rodeo family, the Rossers, is well known throughout California and the nation. As owner of Flying U Rodeo Co., the Rossers put on rodeos across the Golden State and the country.

 

And one of those rodeos is the Red Bluff Round-Up.

 

Cotton was a rodeo cowboy in 1948 the first year he came to the Round-Up. At the time, he was a college student at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif., and competing on the rodeo trail. He rode saddle broncs, steer wrestled, and roped calves. Three years later, he moved to Red Bluff after marrying his first wife, a Red Bluff native and a former Miss Red Bluff Round-Up. He continued to compete while he worked on the Charlie Stover Ranch, rodeoing on the weekends and working during the week.

 

After he broke both legs in a tractor accident with a posthole digger, Rosser’s competition days were over. But he had another plan. In 1956 he bought a stock contracting company (a business that owns bucking horses and bulls for rodeos), the Flying U Rodeo Co., and started producing rodeos. At one time, he and various partners had three stock contracting firms and provided livestock for rodeos on the west coast, from San Diego to Vancouver.

 

Red Bluff was one of his first rodeos, and in 1957, Rosser brought livestock to the Round-Up. He has never missed bringing horses and bulls to the Round-Up since then.

 

Rossser, his son Reno, and the Flying U Rodeo Co. are renowned for their flamboyant and creative openings. Rosser believes in satisfying the fans. “If you don’t keep the audience entertained, they’ll go somewhere else.” His openings have included such entertainment as a big boot in the arena, with a scissors lift in it and a horse standing on the scissors lift, which raised seventeen feet in the air. Rosser also put a horse on a turntable in the arena, presenting the American flag. For the Round-Up’s 75th anniversary, he designed a memorable opening: a paper horseshoe, with the Round-Up’s logo painted on it. Rosser’s daughter Cindy, Cindy’s niece Linsay Rosser Sumpter and a third cowgirl rode black horses through the paper, as a confetti gun shot colored paper into the air. The picture is still on the side of the Flying U tack trailer. It was Rosser’s idea, now copied by rodeos across the nation, to fly the American flag in on the back of a sky diver.

 

One of the most memorable spectacles Rosser has dreamt up is something that takes place at the Round-Up on the final rodeo performance each year. The Wild Ride was begun by Rosser seventeen years ago, and involves about eight to twelve cowboys, dressed in what might be called Halloween costumes, riding bucking horses. The cowboys dress up in everything from Flo from the Progressive Insurance commercials to the Statue of Liberty to characters from the Sons of Anarchy. The cowboys love it, and love to wow the crowds with special effects like baby powder that creates clouds of dust while they ride, or silly string sprayed on each other. The Round-Up awards the winner of the Wild Ride with a saddle and $1,000, and the fans love it. “It’s just the wildest ride,” Rosser said.

 

Rosser and the Flying U Rodeo Co. has always been progressive in not just fan entertainment but in animal care as well. He created a special trailer, modified to transport injured or sick animals at the rodeo. Other rodeos have rented the animal care units, as they are called, including the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, providing the best care possible for the animals.

 

Four of Rosser’s five kids: Lee, Cindy, Brian and Reno (his youngest child is Katharine) competed at the Round-up, and his wife Karin, daughters and son Reno are part of the family business. Rosser has been recognized for his contributions to the sport of rodeo: he’s an inductee in the PRCA’s Hall of Fame, the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City, the Hall of Great Westerners, the California State Fair Hall of Fame, the PBR Legend Hall of Fame, the Western Falls Hall of Fame, a recipient of the Ben Johnson Award, and the Molalla, Ore. Rodeo Hall of Fame.

 

And he still loves Red Bluff. Even though he moved to Marysville in the late 1950s, Red Bluff holds a special place in his heart. “It’s a cowboy town. It’s western, it’s cowboys and ranching, and it has a lot of wonderful people. The Round-Up is a rodeo’s rodeo.”

 

The Red Bluff Round-Up takes place April 20-22 at the Tehama District Fairgrounds in Red Bluff. Tickets are on sale and range in price from $14-$30 (plus a handling fee for online sales) and can be purchased online at www.RedBluffRoundup.com, at the Round-Up office (530.527.1000) or at the gate. Performances begin at 7 pm on April 20, 2:30 pm on April 21, and 1:30 pm on April 22. For more information, visit the website at www.RedBluffRoundUp.com.

CHAPTER 8

IMPORT RULES

Section 7. General import requirements.

(a)All Animals imported into Wyoming shall be accompanied by a paper or digital Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, and an Import Permit or Shipping Number when required, issued in compliance with these Rules and all applicable state and federal Animal health regulations,

 

Section 8.Interstate Certificates of Veterinary Inspections (ICVI) & Permits.

(a)ICVIs shall only be valid if properly issued by an Accredited Veterinarian or USDA/APHIS/VS veterinarian.

(b)ICVIs shall only be issued after a visual examination of all Animals intended for importation into Wyoming has been completed and all other requirements for identification, testing, treatment, vaccinations, and declarations are met.

(c)ICVIs are valid for thirty (30) days following proper examination of the Animal(s), unless otherwise specified by these Rules or by order of the Wyoming State Veterinarian.

 

Section 18.Requirements for the importation of Horses.

(a)An ICVI is required on all Horses entering Wyoming, unless excepted in Section 7(a)(i), (ii), (iii) or (iv).

(b)A negative Equine Infectious Anemia test performed within twelve (12) months prior to importation is required, except for foals six (6) months of age and less, accompanying and not yet weaned from their birth mothers.

 

Note: Wyoming is a Brand Inspection State, be prepared to meet all Inspection requirements.

 

 

EHV1 Fact Sheet

Developed by Dr Jim Logan and Dr Thach Winslow, WLSB veterinarians

 

Equine herpesviruses are very common DNA viruses in horse populations worldwide. We have had EHV1 (and other equine herpes viruses) in Wyoming for decades. Since 1998 we have had at least 20 isolated cases of EHV1/EHM.

The great majority of horses are exposed to equine herpes viruses early in life and will become lifelong latently infected (showing no signs of illness).

By 2 years of age, almost all horses have been infected with EHV1. The initial exposure generally occurs in foals from contact with their dams. The virus can then become latent setting up a carrier state that is life-long.  Horses of any age that are carriers of EHV1 do not show any external signs of disease when the virus is in a latent form. The virus can be reactivated during times of stress, such as strenuous exercise, over exertion, long-distance transport, or at weaning.

EHV1 (equine herpesvirus-1) is one of a large group of DNA viruses causing potentially serious disease in equine species. EHV1 can cause four manifestations of disease in horses, including a neurological form known as Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), respiratory disease, abortion, and neonatal death.

EHV1 is the primary cause of EHM which is most often due to mutant or neuropathogenic strains of EHV1, so called because of a particular mutation in the genome.

Another strain of Equine Herpes virus,EHV4 causes a nonfatal upper respiratory tract disease in foals and is uncommonly associated with abortion and rarely with neurologic disease.

In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the number of EHV1 cases, especially EHM, reported in the United States. There have also been several outbreaks of EHM at large horse facilities and events—at racetracks, horse show grounds, veterinary clinics, and boarding stables. The large number of horses that can be exposed on such premises and the serious nature of the disease have caused significant concern within the animal health community and the U.S. horse industry.

EHV1 is contagious and is spread by direct horse-to-horse contact, by contaminated hands, equipment and tack, and, for a short time, through aerosol dissemination of the virus within the environment of the stall and stable. Horses may appear to be perfectly healthy yet spread the virus via the secretions from their nostrils.

The initial clinical signs of the infection may be nonspecific and include fever of 101.5°F or greater. Fever may be the only abnormality observed. Other presenting signs may be combinations of fever and respiratory symptoms of nasal discharge and cough. Some horses have reddish mucous membranes.

Horses with neurological disease caused by EHV1 infection can soon become uncoordinated and weak and have trouble standing. Difficulty urinating and/or defecating may also occur. Often the rear limbs are more severely affected than the front. Signs of brain dysfunction may occur as well, including extreme lethargy and a coma-like state.

The incubation period of EHV-1 infection is HIGHLY VARIABLE, depending on the host, on the virulence of the virus, and on environmental and other factors such as stress. The AVERAGE incubation period is 4 to 7 days, with the majority of cases being 3 to 8 days, but with some taking up to 14 days. When neurological disease occurs, it is typically 8 to 12 days after the primary infection involving fever. In most cases, horses exposed to EHV1 will develop a fever and possibly nasal discharge and then go on to recover without developing more serious symptoms.

There are many steps horse owners can take to help prevent the spread of EHV-1.

• Stop horse movement if your animals may be infected with EHV1. This is the most important first step horse owners can take. Horses should neither enter nor leave a premises where EHM has been diagnosed until cleared by the veterinarian.
• Do not allow horses exposed to EHM case(s) to have contact with unexposed horses on the premises.
• Isolate sick horses. Horses that have aborted or shown signs of fever, respiratory disease, or neurologic disease should be separated from healthy horses. Ideally, the sick horse(s) should be moved into a separate building or paddock on the premises, or be transported to a veterinary hospital with an isolation facility.
• Do not share equipment among horses on the facility. Since this virus can be spread from horse to horse via contaminated objects such as water/feed buckets or bridles, equipment  should not be shared among horses.
• Practice proper biosecurity measures to prevent spreading the virus.

 

**The WLSB has produced and distributed an educational brochure entitled Equine Herpes Virus; Prevention Tips for Exhibitors & Event Managers to help horse owners and event managers understand the disease and ways to help prevent it.

 

For more information, contact the Wyoming Livestock Board: 307-777-7515

 

Corporate Partnership

It’s not just about putting your hand out.

Corporate sponsorship is a two-way street; the sponsor and the sponsored both have goals. We’re here to help you meet those goals.

Dave Jordan is the corporate partnership coordinator for several organizations, including two NASCAR teams, horse organizations and the WPRA. He grew up in Colorado Springs, and spent five years with Randy Bernard and the PBR. When Randy left the PBR, Dave moved on to the PRCA, and ended up starting his own consulting business.

Steve Gander has years of experience in rodeo production and marketing. He wrote a column for Rodeo News called the Business of B.I.T.S. (Butts in the seats)

We will deliver a column once a month combining these two expert opinions and welcome your input.

Our goal is to teach you how to compete for Corporate Partnership dollars and how to put together strategic marketing plans for events and associations. We’ll address things from marketing strategies to timelines, and to how to effectively locate partnerships and close the deal.

His first word of advice? Don’t get caught up in excessive pride about an event. Be realistic. Would you rather have 10 sponsors at $500 a piece, or none at $5,000? It all goes in the bank, plus you have the opportunity to upsell them the following year if you do a great job with your clients. Businesses are inundated with those who use the hand-out approach without delivering anything in return … even on a local level. When presenting a partnership, remember that partnerships of varying “levels” (gold, silver, bronze, etc.) went out in the 1990s. The days of slapping up an arena banner and doing a PA announcement and expecting thousands of dollars are gone. Potential Corporate Partners expect you to create a package that best helps them leverage their brand and accomplish their Corporate goals and objectives.

The best approach is a PowerPoint, ending with a summary slide to showcase what you have to offer. Allow the company to put together a package that works best for them.

The best partnership options out there are local businesses. To present to them, email the PowerPoint to the business (it has to get to the right person) and follow that up with a phone call to set up a meeting.  On the national level, you have to have a connection within the company to get someone to pay attention to you – that’s the only way they are going to do it.

If you plan to hire someone to help, you need to be prepared to give them a stipend each month to cover their time. A minimum of $500 to $1,000 a month plus 15 percent is what is required to shop your event out.

First Things First

Before you even begin strategizing, building a PowerPoint presentation is critical. The days of sending out sheets of paper went out in the 90s. I am amazed at how many people still use that method. Take that information and put it into a PowerPoint that tells your story.

 

 

It has to be fresh. Come up with a slide background that pops – avoid plain white, black, or red. Remember: You have three to five minutes to capture your prospect’s attention.

The cover slide should simply be the name of your event across the top of the screen, a logo underneath, and the words “Corporate Partnership Opportunities” at the bottom. Add a “Presented to” line, and type in the name of the company you are sending it to.

In the very bottom left, list the name of the presenter (likely you), and in the opposite corner, place the logo of the organization or event to whom you are presenting.

Second slide: If you have the resources to add a 30-45 second action clip from your rodeo, great. If not, this is an “About Us” slide, giving a history of the rodeo. A short paragraph here is perfect.

 

 

The third slide is about the demographics – the real teeth of your presentation. Scarborough Multi-Market is a demographics leader, and a valuable resource. You can also send out questionnaires to members and have someone floating through the stands with a clipboard to begin collecting the kinds of statistics you need.

 

 

The fourth slide is the place to go into signage. This is where you have photo examples of the chutes, arena and out-gates to give a visual presentation of the opportunities available. You want to have enough room to cut and paste your prospect’s logo onto the images – break this into two slides for clarification if you need to. It’s imperative to use a clear photo and make sure you can get their logo in.

The fifth slide should be printed program opportunities. This is an area that is often lacking. Many rodeo programs are simply an avenue to place sponsor ads, and contain no editorial information of value. Here is where you can share the history of your rodeo, information about the contestants, photos from past rodeos, information about additional events, schedules, and other items of interest. This information will make your rodeo program much more readable, collectible and valuable. We’ll talk about this again in a later article.

The sixth slide should explain VIP seating and hospitality. If you don’t offer this, you should. Here, you would put a photo of the designated VIP area, saying, “Special area for you and your valued clients and dealers.”

 

 

We will cover the summary slide in the next issue, but for now, the value of the PowerPoint cannot be underestimated. Keep it short and to the point, with great images, to define the opportunities at your event.

Expanding Beyond Bull Riding, PBR Wants to Grow High School Rodeo into a Global Media Property

 

PUEBLO, Colo. (February 21, 2018) – Professional Bull Riders (PBR) and National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) have announced a partnership to grow high school rodeo through media, marketing, and programs for youth.

 

The extensive, multi-faceted partnership, which signals PBR’s further expansion into western sports beyond bull riding, includes global TV and digital rights representation for U.S. and international coverage of high school rodeo, and PBR sponsorship of NHSRA to market and support rodeo youth development programs globally.

 

“The NHSRA is proud to welcome PBR as a partner of high school rodeo,” said NHSRA Executive Director James Higginbotham. “PBR’s investment in the NHSRA will benefit our student athletes by increasing exposure for our association through marketing the rights to NHSRA’s media. We look forward to a rewarding partnership for years to come.”

 

PBR will focus on expanding NHRSA as both a TV and streaming product and building the profiles of the sport’s student-athletes.

 

“This is a significant opportunity to grow high school rodeo as a global media property by leveraging Endeavor’s reach, shining a light on compelling NHSRA student-athletes around the world, and raising awareness of a sport every young athlete should consider,” said Sean Gleason, CEO, PBR, a division of Endeavor, a leading global sports, entertainment and fashion company. “The young men and women who compete in junior high and high school rodeo are the future of the cowboy, keeping alive an important part of our heritage yet with virtually no traditional media coverage.  We intend to change that by telling rich and compelling stories in addition to covering the events with their talents on full display.

 

In addition to this major partnership in amateur rodeo, PBR also announced it is working closely on the professional side with the newly formed World Champions Rodeo Alliance. The goal is to team with WCRA to develop several million-dollar rodeos that provide increased earning opportunities for western athletes without asking them to choose among events or rodeo organizations.

 

PBR will also now sanction the bull riding at Days of ’47 Rodeo to be held July 19-21 at the state-of-the-art Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fair Park. A total of 256 competitors will have the opportunity to compete for a share of a $1 million purse.

 

These rodeo events will be streamed for fans over the newly formed RidePass, a 24/7 digital streaming service that debuted last weekend at the PBR 25^th: Unleash the Beast event St. Louis.

“Fans have been asking for more live-event coverage, more access to the unique and compelling personalities in western sports, and additional ways to celebrate cowboy values,” Gleason said. “RidePass will allow fans to stream everything from their favorite PBR and rodeo events to original western-themed sports series available nowhere else.”

 

Fans can join RidePass at www.ridepass.com

 

Among the NHSRA events that PBR’s RidePass digital network will cover are the NHSRA High School Finals and the NHSRA Junior High Finals. The NHSRA High School Finals, scheduled for July 15-21 in Rock Springs, WY, is the world’s largest rodeo in terms of athletes (more than 1,600) and stock, while the NHSRA Junior High Finals, set for June 24-30 in Huron, SD, is the second largest rodeo in the world with more than 1,100 athletes competing.

In its new venture high school rodeo, PBR will bolster a feeder system that already produces many of its biggest stars, who often qualify for the NJHFR (National Junior High Finals Rodeo) or NHSFR (National High School Finals Rodeo). These former rodeo student-athletes include 2017 World Champion Jess Lockwood; 2016 World Champion Cooper Davis; 2013/2015 World Champion J.B. Mauney; 2014/2015 CPRA (Canadian Professional Rodeo Association) Champion Dakota Buttar; 2012 PRCA Champion Cody Teel; Gage Gay;  Derek Kolbaba; Brennon Eldred; Cody Campbell; Matt Triplett; Chase Robbins; and Keyshawn Whitehorse.

 

“We’ve been big fans of high school rodeo well before Jess Lockwood was winning a quarter of a million dollars at the PBR while still competing in high school rodeo,” Gleason said. “PBR has been working to build the western lifestyle for 25 years, and we want to help the NHSRA grow and expose their great property to the world through our experience, industry relationships, and media channels.”