Gus Duncan grew up in Oklahoma with an arena and a roping in his backyard every weekend, but while his family grabbed their ropes, he grabbed his rifle and spent his weekends hunting. “I’ve always had such a passion for wildlife, and that’s what’s important to me,” says Gus, a Cargill Feed Consultant who focuses on equine and wildlife. “My passion for the rodeo industry is helping, not necessarily roping. I love the sport, but I get more of a thrill helping those people win, as opposed to roping myself.”
Rodeo companies, equine breeding operations, and wildlife and equine ranches all run on the well being of their animals, and Gus shares the same commitment with his customers. He’s been in the feed industry for 15 years, and since joining the Cargill team in 2013, Gus has worked alongside prestigious companies like Beutler and Son Rodeo Company and the Lazy E Ranch. “The focus on my equine customers is 100 percent performance driven,” Gus explains. “I work with large bucking stock and performance animals, whether it’s barrel horses, rope horses, or bucking horses, and I work with many large racing facilities. With horses, we look at everything from the outside and take a wide view, then trim it down and look at individual animals and how they perform and move. By talking to the customers and finding out their goals, I can go more in depth to get to those goals. It may be a horse that needs more calories, or a horse that has a digestive problem. I work with some of the largest of the large, and it’s very exciting to see what they do.”
Bobby Deeds with wife Chelsi and daughter Bailey – courtesy of the family
Along with his work feeding all of the breeding horses at Lazy E Ranch, Gus also works with Nutrena, the official feed sponsor of The Lazy E. “I work directly with the arena, providing feed for events and marketing, and we’ll do a lot of giveaways for fans, so it’s anything we want to partner on with them,” says Gus.
In the wildlife field, Gus focuses on wildlife breeding operations of white tail deer, mule deer, and elk. “The number one thing I’m always looking at first is herd health, and then antler growth. Without correct herd health and a management program, you won’t get the antler growth you want.” Though Record Rack feed has been around for many years, Gus feels it has improved greatly as the research in wildlife nutrition continues. “I feel like we are leading the way when it comes to wildlife nutrition. I work hand in hand with another gentleman that works for Cargill, Bobby Deeds, and he has made leaps and bounds in the wildlife nutrition department. In my position, you have to be passionate about whatever it is you do, and knowledgeable. You also have to be a likeable person that people trust – you have to be genuine – and if you can tie those three together, you can be successful.”
Gus traverses the entire state of Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle visiting customers, which are roughly 60% large equine ranches and 40% wildlife ranches. “With Cargill, we have a no-phone policy in our vehicles, so I listen to music. I love every genre – it doesn’t matter if it’s classical to rock and roll. Music is how we keep our blood pumping.” Since Gus and his wife, Chelsi, have jobs that involve traveling between Oklahoma and Texas, they have homes in both states. In the fall, Gus also enjoys guiding deer hunts for ranches in Oklahoma, Texas, and Colorado. “In Texas and Oklahoma we don’t pack on horseback, but in Colorado when we go on big elk hunts, we pack in on horseback and camp in the mountains. I like the peacefulness, and the outdoors in general. It’s just relaxing, and a lot of the time when I’m hunting, I’m taking someone who hasn’t had the opportunity to hunt and harvest animals like I have. To see the passion and excitement in their eyes when they do it – there’s nothing better than taking a kid hunting that loves the outdoors and hasn’t has the opportunity to do it.” On weekends when he’s not hunting or fishing, Gus travels to barrel races around Oklahoma and Texas with his wife, who competes, and their 4-year-old daughter, Bailey. Chelsi worked in medical research with animals until they started their family, and she now works in the commercial industry, while their daughter loves to go shed hunting with Gus.
“I want to provide the best service possible for everyone I work with, and to be known as the guy who is honest and up front about everything,” Gus finishes. “I want people to know I have their business in mind first hand. I love working for Cargill, and I strive to be the best and I want my customers to have the best. Same with my family – I strive to be the best husband and father that I can. Those are the things that are important to me.
Happy, Texas, is a very small town in west Texas, south of Amarillo. That’s where Wes and younger brother Wyatt, grew up and caught the calf-roping bug. In the beginning, without cattle, the boys would sit on their horses in the yard and rope the dummy.
Once they got calves, the boys tracked them around the arena and started entering Junior Rodeos and play days. During the summer Wes and Wyatt would spend a week with their brother-in-law, Josh Tim, who was instrumental in their training.
“Everywhere we went in Happy, people would help us and give us pointers,” says Wes. “We were constantly picking people’s brains on technique and things we could do get our horses to work better.”
During his early high school Wes started spending time with Johnny Johnson, a local calf horse trainer, where his horsemanship made vast improvements.
“We would show up and he would put us on his horses. I might ride a horse once and never get on him again,” explains Wes. “He would mount us whenever we needed. He helped us a lot and gave us a chance to practice. “
“Riding so many different horses has helped my confidence. If I show up at a rodeo, it doesn’t bother me to ride someone else’s horse, even if I’ve never been on him. Last fall my horse got crippled the day before a college rodeo. I got on roommate’s horse, that I’d never ridden, and placed.”
Wes, 21, is currently working on his Accounting degree at Tarleton University in Stephenville, Texas, with plans to pursue a Masters degree in the same field.
Wes received an Associates Degree from Weatherford College where he was part of the rodeo team. Wes gives credit to rodeo coach, Johnny Emmons, for helping him with his roping.
“I wanted to go to school in the Stephenville area to experience the challenging competition. There are so many good cowboys in this area, even the amateur rodeos are pretty tough.”
When not in school, Wes works at Fast Back Ropes in Granbury, doing everything from tying knots, sewing burners, to working in the office. Wes enjoys competing at amateur rodeos in Texas and plans to get his PRCA permit in the next year or so.
COWBOY Q&A
How much do you practice?
When I’m home, usually every day.
Do you make your own horses?
I finished the horse I’m riding now.
Who were your roping (rodeo) heroes?
Tyson Durfey and Scott Kormos.
Who do you respect most in the world?
My brother, Wyatt.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
My parents. They’ve taught me to work hard and appreciate what I have.
If you had a day off what would you like to do?
Take a day trip. There’s lots to see in Texas.
Favorite movie?
Dallas Buyers Club.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Hardworking, dedicated, student of the game.
What makes you happy?
Going to a rodeo.
What makes you angry?
Bad drivers.
If you were given 1 million dollars, how would you spend it?
Buy a place and invest the rest.
What is your worst quality – your best?
My best quality is I’m pretty easy going; my worst quality is sometimes I’m too hard on myself.
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Working as an accountant and going to pro rodeos.
One of my favorite quotes is “Success is not a goal, it’s a byproduct.”
So what is success a byproduct of? Your daily effort at practice?
One thing that always amazes me every year is how much time some students are willing to spend in the practice pen. They spend a lot of time there, and they don’t accomplish much because of their approach to practice. Here is my advice to many students every year it’s not how much time you put into your practice that counts.
Practice with a purpose, other than spending a lot of time in the arena. Just because you spend a lot of time in the arena does not mean you are making progress or even improving.
It’s always what you put into that time in the practice pen that matters. It is how you practice that ultimately makes the difference between your success and failure, between you reaching your goals or falling short. Time is a terrible measuring stick in the practice pen. Progress and improvement are what you should strive for.
When you commit yourself to train mentally and physically the quality of your practices will improve. Make your runs matter in the practice pen. Make consequences for poor runs or poor efforts in the practice pen. Eventually you will perform like you practice. You can’t practice on cruise control and then go expect to perform at a high level.
As a high level athlete you need to be willing to directly connect what you are doing in practice pen with the ultimate performance that you’re training for in the future. When you are able to do this you will get the very most out of each practice session.
Don’t just practice. To be a top competitor you must have a practice plan and be able to prepare to get better. Don’t practice and hope to get better, Practice with the purpose and intent to get better every day.
Don’t just go through the motions.
Understand why you’re doing what you’re doing in the practice pen today and how it will help you when you have entry fees up in the future.
Success is not a goal, it’s a byproduct of your daily practice efforts. What are your practices producing?
C.J. Aragon was named the 2008-2011 Grand Canyon Region Coach-of-the-Year. 2014-2015 WJCAC Coach-of-the-Year, 2016 Southwest Region Coach-of-the-Year, and 2010 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Coach-of-the-Year.
Stars converged at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame Saturday as a new class was enshrined into the prestigious Hall.
Randy Corley, a 12-time PRCA Announcer of the Year, joined five world champions to headline the 12-member 2017 induction class.
12-time PRCA Announcer of the Year Randy Corley with Stace Smith
Corley, along with gold buckle winners including the late Buck Rutherford (all-around, 1954), Enoch Walker (saddle bronc riding, 1960), Tommy Puryear (steer wrestling, 1974), Mike Beers (team roping, 1984) and Cody Custer (bull riding, 1992), were enshrined with rodeo notable Bob Ragsdale, a 22-time National Finals Rodeo qualifier in three events.
Also inducted into the Hall were four-time bareback horse of the year, Christensen Bros.’ Smith & Velvet, and the committee for the Ogden (Utah) Pioneer Days.
For the first time in the history of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, barrel racers from the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) were amongst the class of inductees. Their inaugural class was comprised of Wanda Harper Bush, Charmayne James and a joint PRCA/WPRA equine inductee – Star Plaudit “Red.”
Corley’s résumé is ProRodeo Hall of Fame worthy. He has been selected PRCA Announcer of the Year 12 times (1984, 1990-96, 1998, 2003, 2011 and 2015). He also has been an announcer at the National Finals Rodeo 16 times (1985-86, 1992, 1994-96, 2007-2016).
“It was the worst night of sleep I had (Friday night) in 45 years,” Corley said. “I just think it was nerves. There are 259 people in the Hall and that’s not a huge number for a Hall that opened in 1979. I’m in a pretty select group and I’m so honored. My whole thing is cowboys are the stars. When they are nodding their head, you’ve already told everyone who they are.
“That’s what I strive for, and have forever, and to be a good person to everybody, inside the arena and outside the arena. Those are the deals that I think make you a better announcer because then you’re true, and true is the best way to announce.”
Puryear qualified for the NFR nine times, eight of which were consecutive, from 1971-78, and then again in 1983. The Texas bulldogger also won the gold buckle in 1974 and the NFR average title in 1976.
“This day is something that you never plan for when you’re out rodeoing. I’ve been ready for this to happen so I can stop thinking about it – it’s something you think about every day since the call that you’re in the Hall of Fame,” Puryear said. “One of the main reasons I’m here today is because of the people I had around me who supported and helped me. So many friends and family contributed to this. I never owned my own horse – I always traveled with horsemen and stayed in a positive rig. We’d go to 120 rodeos a year, and we loved every second of it.”
Charmayne James
Puryear first joined the PRCA in 1970, and now, 47 years later, he’s recognized as one of the best steer wrestlers in PRCA history.
“Leon (Bauerle) and I rode up to Colorado Springs together – we didn’t fly, we drove up in the truck from Texas together just like we used to,” Puryear said. “It was one for the road and to relive the old times, and we still get along really well. Leon was always easy to travel with, as long as you agreed with him. But a great deal of the credit for me being here is due to Leon and his horses.”
Rutherford was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame more than half a century after he was topping the world standings across four events – bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling and bull riding.
The Oklahoma cowboy was in the Top 5 of the world standings 11 times between 1949-57, and was the 1954 all-around world champion and the first cowboy to ever win more than $40,000 in a single year (approximately $362,235 in 2017 dollars, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
“It’s quite an honor, and he’s a part of history,” said Claudine Rutherford, Buck’s sister-in-law. “He could do anything.”
Becky Raetzsch, Rutherford’s daughter, also was thrilled about the honor bestowed on her father.
“It’s exciting, and it gives us a chance to learn more about the history of him,” she said. “It really is quite an honor. I have his grandchildren here, all of his great-grandchildren are here, so it’s really exciting for all of them.”
Although he never won an individual event championship, he placed second in the bareback riding standings the same year he won the all-around title.
Rutherford twice finished third in the bull riding world standings (1951 and 1954).
His rodeo earnings fell flat after a bad spill slipped a disk in his back in November 1958. He then retired from rodeo and resumed ranching in his hometown until his death at 58 years old on April 28, 1988.
Walker, who won both the 1960 saddle bronc riding world championship and NFR average title, took to the skies in his ascent to ProRodeo fame – qualifying for 10 NFRs during his 20-year tenure with the Rodeo Cowboys Association.
“It’s a pretty cool deal and pretty humbling to be around the guys who are world champs. I knew a lot of them like Cody Custer and Mike Beers, and you look up to a lot of those guys. My father would have been humbled to be with them,” said Jack Walker, one of Enoch’s sons.
In 1960, the 28-year-old Walker had been knocking on the door of a gold buckle for years, placing third in 1957, second in 1958 and third again in 1959.
Walker entered the 1960 season with a plan for earning the gold buckle that literally took flight. He teamed up with Paul Templeton, who flew him from one rodeo to the next when his rodeo road trips got too hectic.
Walker arrived at the NFR in Dallas, Texas, leading the pack with $20,832 earned that season by placing 126 times at 56 rodeos and winning 21 rodeos throughout 1960, including Salinas, Calif., and Fort Worth, Texas.
He rode all 10 horses at the NFR in Dallas, placing on five of them – winning the NFR and the world title.
“I think it would have been great if he could have been here,” Jack Walker said. “It would have meant everything to him because of the caliber of people in the (ProRodeo) Hall of Fame; he would have thought it was really cool. These guys were all top of the world in their day, and I was on the bottom looking up, so it’s humbling for me to be here, but it would have been special for him to have seen it.”
Beers, a heeler, won his world championship while roping with header Dee Pickett, who was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2003. Beers qualified for the NFR 23 times in team roping (1980-95, 1997-98, 2000-03, 2007). He also qualified for the NFR in tie-down roping in 1981, 1983 and 1985 and for the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping in 1992.
“I’m going into rodeo immortality and 50 years from now, they are still going to remember my name,” Beers said. “That’s something you never think about when you’re a kid growing up rodeoing. You want to win a championship or make the Finals, but it is never a thought of being in the Hall of Fame. There’s three things I guess in my career I really remember. One was winning the world championship with Dee Pickett, the second one was making the Finals with my son, Brandon, in 2007, and now being inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. This is the icing on the cake.”
Custer’s eight trips to the NFR and 1992 bull riding world championship win landed him in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
1992 bull riding world champion Cody Custer
“I found out that my permanent position will be next to John Quintana, and that’s a big deal because he was my hero as a kid,” Custer said. “It’s one of those deals where I’ve looked at the stuff here (at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame) and to see it next to a guy like that and then Ronnie Rossen and Charlie Sampson, it’s a cool deal. I took a picture of it, and I’ll send it to his (Quintana’s) son. I never met John as an adult, but I knew him as a kid and he made me feel like I belonged. I remember how he made me feel as a kid, and I try do that for kids now.”
Custer first joined the PRCA in 1985 and went on to qualify for the NFR from 1987-92, and again in 1998-99. He remained an active competitor through 2002.
“The people that have come here to be with me – everyone has a piece of this and it’s not just mine,” Custer said. “Corey Navarre is here too, I rodeoed with him and if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have gone to the NFR in 1999 because I had wanted to go home.
“I told everyone here with me that this is theirs too – everyone from my mom and dad to the guys I rodeoed with, it’s an awesome thing. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, everything I accomplished in the arena was because of my hard work and some talent. Being inducted is just a gift in my book.”
Ragsdale, for most of his adult life, has served the sport of rodeo as a competitor and as an ambassador. On Saturday, the cowboy they call “Rags” added “Hall of Famer” to his one-of-a-kind résumé.
“It’s been a whirlwind,” Ragsdale said. “It’s just been a great experience. Kind of the last of the big events probably, for me. I’m not rodeoing anymore, so I’m reminiscing like we used to in the old days.”
Ragsdale, a 22-time NFR qualifier in steer wrestling, team roping and tie-down roping, recognized he will forever be cemented into history among the legends of the sport he holds so dear.
“Going through the Hall, that’s what’s amazing,” he said. “I know so many of them, and I can remember stories, and when I see someone, a story will pop up in my head or some event that happened. It’s neat. Even though they’re gone, I relive that in my mind.”
Ragsdale became the first and only left-handed roper to qualify for the NFR for 15 consecutive years from 1961-75. He also served as both the Vice President and President of the Rodeo Cowboys Association in the early ‘70s, and is credited as the one to propose the association include “Professional” to the organization’s formal title.
Bobby Christensen accepting the hall of fame induction award for his late horse, Smith & Velvet
Smith & Velvet was the definition of a late bloomer.
The horse, which was honored as the PRCA’s top bareback horse four times (1977, as Mr. Smith, and then 1979-80 and 1982, as Smith & Velvet), didn’t become an award-winning bucker until he was into his 20s.
This is Bobby Christensen’s third horse to be inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. Christensen also has saddle bronc horses Miss Klamath (1998) and War Paint (2011) in the Hall, but Smith & Velvet is his first bareback horse to be enshrined.
“Early on, I never would’ve believed that he’d be in the Hall of Fame, but after he won horse of the year a few times I was thinking it would happen. It’s been 34 years since the horse died – I think the best way to describe this is late in coming, but well-deserved.
“When Smith & Velvet was in his prime, everybody wanted to see him and everybody wanted him at their rodeo. I could go to a committee and say, ‘Hey, I have the bareback horse of the year if you want to hire me to bring stock to your rodeo.’ That worked a lot of places.
“Smith & Velvet knew what he was doing, and liked what he was doing. He was even-tempered, and I rode him in his early years. But I wouldn’t have wanted to ride him in his later years, that’s for sure.”
Smith & Velvet died in 1983 in a tragic car accident that killed many of Christensen’s prized NFR horses. He says the horse was the pride and joy of his rodeo company.
The Ogden (Utah) Pioneer Days celebrated its 83rd year of existence July 20-24.
The event has come a long way since its inception in 1934, when Ogden City Mayor Harman W. Peery organized a Western festival to boost the spirits of the locals and entice tourists to visit the city.
“We just got done with this year’s rodeo, and it really settled in with the community and the rodeo and the committee,” said Dave Halverson, the rodeo’s director. “We have had honors and people have shed tears of joy. People have been outstanding, and we are humbly honored to be recognized.”
The Ogden Pioneer Days is more than just a rodeo, it’s an event. It includes concerts, parades, farmer’s markets, and, of course, the rodeo at historic Ogden Pioneer Stadium.
“When you look at the community of Ogden – this is one of the biggest awards this city will receive, and so on behalf of the committee and the city, we’re honored and delighted to be so recognized,” said Alan Hall, chairman of the Ogden Pioneer Foundation. “We appreciate the (ProRodeo) Hall of Fame and the committee for the selection and all those who make this organization world class.”
Bush was multi-talented, becoming the most decorated cowgirl in the history of the WPRA (formerly the Girls Rodeo Association).
When the GRA first formed in 1948, Bush was one of the first to sign-up. All totaled, she won 32 world titles – nine all-around (1952, 1957-58, 1962-65, 1968-69), two barrel racing (1952-53), two cutting (1966, 1969), one flag race (1969), 11 calf roping (1951-56, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966-67) and seven ribbon roping titles (1951, 1953-54, 1956-59). She finished as reserve world champion in barrel racing three separate times.
While Bush’s barrel racing world titles came before the NFR began, she qualified seven times (1959-60, 1962-65, and 1974) for the NFR during her career.
“I’m honored to accept this honor for my mom, a famous legend, an icon, and my very best friend,” said Shanna Bush, Wanda’s daughter, who qualified for the NFR in 1984. “For my dear uncle, A.C. Harper, who said my mom was a world champion sister. How deserving to be the first woman inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. History is made today, and she did it by being just Wanda.”
Bush was inducted posthumously, having passed away Dec. 29, 2015.
Bob Ragsdale
“She was one to shy away from publicity, interviews and pictures,” Shanna said. “Material things just didn’t mean much to mom. She taught many movie stars, singers, governors, vice presidents and their kids to ride, or they bought horses from us. But no one ever knew when they came or went from our ranch, that’s just how our family was. She was a really appreciative person always content with just what she had.”
James may have had to wait 22 years to join her legendary horse, Scamper, in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, but was ecstatic to be a part of this historic class.
“I finally get to join him (Scamper), and that’s emotional,” said James, who now makes her home in Boerne, Texas. “Today is really a big deal, not only for me, my family, but I think for all the barrel racers of the WPRA. I couldn’t be more proud and humbled to be one of the first inductees as one of the barrel racers.”
James, who grew up in Clayton, N.M., the home of the very first barrel racing National Finals Rodeo in 1959, won the first of 10 consecutive world titles at the youthful age of 14 in 1984.
James was the first WPRA member to wear the coveted No. 1 back number in 1987, and became the first barrel racer to cross the $1 million mark in career earnings. In addition to the 10 consecutive world titles (1984-1993), James and Scamper won the NFR average title six times (1984, 1986-87, 1989-90 and 1993). In 1996, Scamper became the first and only barrel horse (until 2017) to be inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.
James would add a cherry on top of her illustrious career, returning to the top of the sport aboard Cruiser (Cruisin on Six) in 2002, winning her 11th world title and seventh NFR average title.
“My mom traveled a million miles with me and my whole family sacrificed, so this induction is not just about me, but also your family and friends,” James said. “The horses along the way, I couldn’t have been here without the great horses. Obviously, Scamper was a godsend. This is just like icing on the cake getting up here today and accepting this honor.”
Star Plaudit “Red” holds a very unique record in the world of professional rodeo, one that is not likely to ever be duplicated. The bay gelding won two world championships in the sport in a single year and contributed to a third, at the age of 12.
In 1962, Red, as he was affectionately known, carried his owner Sherry (Combs) Johnson to the GRA world title in the barrel racing. The horse also helped close family friend Tom Nesmith to the RCA world title in the steer wrestling, as well as the RCA all-around championship.
Johnson credits the steer wrestling with teaching Red how to run hard through the pattern.
“He (Red) was such a special, special horse,” Johnson said. “He was a really good bulldogging horse. We went to Denver, his first rodeo, and we won the go and I found out that day what run meant. He always ran his hardest. He was the best horse. I never had a horse like him, and he had heart. I believe that a barrel racer better know her barrel horse better than her husband, and I think we do.”
Red passed away at the age of 22.
With the 2017 class, the ProRodeo Hall of Fame now has enshrined 259 people, 33 animals and 28 rodeo committees.
Jordan with all of her 2016 champion saddles and trophies – Amy Niehues, Captured Moments
Jordan Driver is the product of seven generations of cattle ranching and rodeo heritage. Jordan is involved in basketball, track, cross country, hunting, fishing, competitive light rifle shooting, and 4-H. However, the majority of her time is split between ranching, rodeo, and school.
Another day’s work on The Driver Ranch – Courtesy of the family
“It gets hectic sometimes but it is really how we live. There are busy times like branding season that we don’t get to practice as much and I have to do my school work late at night,” Jordan said. “Sometimes we have to drive all night to get to a rodeo and drive all night to get back to school. It all kinda equals out, we do what needs to be done.”
Her parents, Dane and Jennifer Driver, both come from ranching backgrounds and continue the family traditions. “The Driver Ranch was homesteaded in 1878 in West Texas, so Jordan’s dad is a sixth generation rancher on his families working cattle ranch,” Jennifer said. “My family’s cattle ranch in located in Central Texas, where I am the fourth generation. So to say that the western way of life is what we know would be a very true statement.”
“This ranch has been in the family for close to 140 years,” Dane said. The Driver Ranch runs around 1000 head of cattle, depending on the yearly rainfall. Jennifer and Dane pass down their family history and tradition to Jordan, in the hopes that she will continue the western lifestyle.
“Hard work, dedication, and responsibility is something that is learned and cherished in living the western lifestyle,” Jennifer said, “Having Jordan learn and appreciate her family’s history and hoping she will continue to carry on the traditions is something that her father and I truly hope she will want to do.”
This deep appreciation also comes with a set of responsibilities, which Jordan does with pride. “Some of my responsibilities on the ranch or at the barn include getting home from school every day and riding all of my competition horses,” Jordan said. “I make sure everything has blankets, feed, and that [they are] sound before I head to the house.”
Jordan, who started rodeoing at just five years old, is a member of the American Junior Rodeo Association, and the Texas Junior High Rodeo Association Region 2.
Jordan and her horse Ever Sozippy (aka. Sergio) just won the AQHYA WORLD in the Barrel Racing – courtesy of the family
This year she won the All-Around Cowgirl title in both associations as well as then taking home that coveted title at the Texas Junior High Rodeo Association State Finals where she qualified in six events; barrel racing, pole bending, breakaway roping, ribbon roping, goat tying and team roping. Jordan took home the World Champion Barrel racing title at the 2016 American Quarter Horse Youth World Show on Honors Past Due, then came back in 2017 and defended that title on her horse Ever SoZippy (aka. Sergio). She also qualified two horses last year for the 2017 American Semifinals and has already qualified one so far for the 2018 American Semifinals. Competing in The American as an eighth grader can be a daunting task, “It was overwhelming,” Jordan said of last year’s semi finals. “It wasn’t the best runs I’ve made but I was proud of my horses and myself at the end.”
Jordan barrel racing at the 2016 AJRA Finals – JenningsRodeoPhotography.com
She qualified with her best friend, Karsyn Daniels, last year and this year as well. Jordan and Karsyn met through barrel racing, and became friends while competing. “Since we live a long ways apart we don’t get to see each other unless we are at a rodeo,” Jordan said. “But sometimes Karsyn gets to come out to our ranch, and we hang out and go hunting.”
Jordan attributes a lot of her success to her biggest supporters, her parents.
“My parents have listened to me and know what I like to ride, and they found me some of the toughest rodeo horses,” Jordan said. “I appreciate them taking me to all of my rodeos and helping me succeed more and more as I grow as a competitor.”
Jordan and her family train some of their own horses, although they find most of their horses through other rodeo contestants.These tough horses include; Ever So Zippy “Sergio”, TK Judges Easy Money aka “Price”, VF The Final Design “Final”, and May B Noble “Missy”.
“Finding the right horse is hard. Trying horses is exciting and makes me nervous. My parents know a lot of people because they rodeoed as well, [so] we look for horses all over,” Jordan said. “My mom found Sergio and got to know Billie Ann Harmon, she was showing him for a friend of hers. Angela and Jackie Ganter have helped us find some of our horses and Price was the latest they help us find.”
It takes a team to keep Jordan’s horses ready for competition, but she’s got plenty of help. “I am lucky to get to spend some time with some barrel racing greats Talmadge Green and Dena Kirkpatrick,” Jordan said. Talmadge also helped the Drivers find Final, who is one of Jordan’s barrel horses.
Jennifer and Dane both come from rodeo backgrounds, and rodeoed for Tarleton State University. “Dane qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo five times and was the Student Director for the Southwest Region; he roped calves, team roped, and bulldogged,” Jennifer said. “I went to the College National Finals Rodeo all four years and was the 1999 CNFR Champion Barrel Racer and the 1999 CNFR All-Around Cowgirl.”
Jordan hungting at age 7 – Courtesy of the family
Jennifer was also inducted into the Tarleton State University Hall of Fame in 2015, and continues to show horses. However, she also enjoys helping Jordan prepare for her competitions, and cheering her on.
“We have a daily schedule for all the horses, as far as what they need, how they need to be worked and when they need to be practiced on. But in addition to the horses, her dad and I split duties in helping Jordan practice,” Jennifer said. “I try to be her number one supporter on and off the road. Keeping everything on track and on schedule helps keep Jordan focused on her event and allows her to be a kid.”
“It has been a true blessing to watch her grow and become the competitor and horseman she is,” Jennifer said. “With her dad and I both being from ranching and rodeo backgrounds, having her to continue the family heritage is a dream come true.”
Jordan and her horses have big goals for the coming years, and she has faith that they will accomplish great things together. “I completed one of my goals this year – competing at the national level in my last year of junior high.” She not only competed, she and her ribbon roping partner, Jacob Walters, won the National title. “Texas is expected to do good – and the second round was a muddy mess – it was a mental game.” They duct taped their boots on so they wouldn’t come off.
Later in her career, she wants to rodeo in college and hopefully pursue her goal of winning the rookie of the year in the WPRA, and then also making a trip to compete in Las Vegas at the WNFR.
Jordan with her horse, Honors Past Due, or “Robin,” they won the AQHYA World Champion Barrel Racing – Amy Niehues, Captured Moments
Along with all of her rodeo dreams, Jordan also plans to stay involved with the family cattle ranch. “I love it! Being a seventh generation Driver is definitely in my blood,” Jordan said.
Ritchie Bros. auctioneer started as a country boy.
John Korrey is a native of Iliff, Colorado, living on the same farm he was born on 64 years ago, but his voice has been heard throughout the United States and internationally as far as Dubai, the Netherlands, and Australia. Since 2003, he’s worked for Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, one of the world’s largest auction companies of heavy equipment and transportation equipment.
The team roper and auctioneer of more than 40 years grew up helping his dad farm and raise livestock, and he was intrigued early on by the auctioneers he heard when they went to livestock auctions to sell produce. Even his classmates in grade school told him he’d make a good salesman. John graduated from Northeastern Junior College in 1972 and attended Reisch Auctioneer College soon after, but the work was barely beginning. “This occupation is no different from other occupations – you have to pay your dues,” says John. “You’re sometimes selling people’s whole livelihood, or a year’s wages, and it’s really crucial. For someone to give you an opportunity to go up and sell is tough, so you practice on your own. I went to an auctioneer school and they teach the basics, but you can’t leave there and be an auctioneer. You have to practice and get better. I was pretty determined and I listened to a lot of auctioneers. I thought if I was going to do it, I would try the very best I could.
“I went to different markets to try and get a job. My dad was one of my biggest fans, and he and my mom helped me get started and hooked me up with some livestock markets, and I went to various livestock auctioneer contests in the country,” John explains. With his background in rodeo – competing during his childhood, and team roping and tie-down roping on the college rodeo team – John found he was equally competitive in the auctioneer contests. He also found the bond between livestock auctioneer families much the same as with rodeo families. “I competed quite a few years before I won the contest and realized it wasn’t about me, it was about meeting other auctioneers and families in the business. I finally won it (World Livestock Auctioneer Champion) in Dunlap, Iowa, in 2002, and it didn’t skyrocket my career, but I had more confidence. People won’t hire you because you’re a world champion or not, but because they trust your ability to do a good job.”
John also won the Calgary Stampede International Livestock Auctioneer Championship in 1998, among several other championship titles, and he was inducted into the Colorado Auctioneer Association Hall of Fame in 2009. He and his late wife, Janna, were married for 35 years and owned and operated Korrey Auctions for 23 years until he started working for Ritchie Bros. John’s specialty was in livestock and farm equipment when he started with the company, but he says it was an easy transition into selling industrial equipment. “My chant is diverse enough to sell livestock, real estate, equipment, and charity. I’ve done all those in one week, and you have to do them all different. Sometimes you’re dealing with novice buyers, or buyers who go to more sales than you do. Especially with the diversification between Colorado or Washington or Dubai or the Netherlands, communication is crucial. If you can’t communicate, there’s nothing. I can change my chant to work with all aspects of the profession, but still create urgency to bid and be entertaining.”
Another challenge is working not only with bidders and proxy bidders at the actual auction, but also internet bidders, where the rapport with the crowd and the eye contact isn’t possible via the computer. “There are so many tools, and whether you’re selling livestock or equipment, it’s pretty competitive,” John adds. “People have said the auction profession won’t need any more auctioneers with computers now, but I hope they’re not right. I still think there’s a need for that excitement.”
John shares some of his auctioneer knowledge in his instructional DVD Chant of a Champion, which was released in 2007. “It’s not to take the place of a school, but to help with things that might be missing,” he explains. “I’m working on putting out something else like a CD that people can listen to in their vehicles.” Along with helping the next generation of auctioneers, he’s passionate about giving back to the community. One of his favorite events is auctioneering at the National Western Junior Livestock Sale in Denver for the last 15 years, where 90% of the proceeds from sales go to the young exhibitors, and the other 10% is donated to the National Western Scholarship Trust.
When he’s not traveling to the next auction, John enjoys roping in the NSPRA and local jackpots. He competed on his PRCA permit one year shortly after college, but he didn’t like the intense traveling. “And now what am I doing? I’m traveling!” he says with a laugh. A few of his horses have been ridden by professional ropers Troy Pruitt and Chris Anderson, while John is the rodeo chairman of the PRCA rodeo in Logan County. One of his goals is to qualify for the World Series of Team Roping Finale in Las Vegas, but his main priority is spending time with his two daughters and sons-in-law, and his five grandchildren. They also run a small cow/calf operation on John’s farm.
“I feel so blessed with the things given to me in the auction profession,” he finishes. “Who would ever dream that the little country boy with no experience in the auction business would be doing what I’m doing. I have to pinch myself sometimes.”
Elk City, Okla. (August 14, 2017) – Wes Harden has rarely missed a night of the Elk City rodeo for the past seven decades.
Ever since 1943, when he was about seven years old, he’s been coming to Ackley Park for the Rodeo of Champions.
And since then, the Hammon, Okla. man has missed only once, and for a good reason: his wedding.
Wes, who also goes by the nickname “Big Man,” farms west of Hammon and went with his parents Wesley and Marie Harden, to the rodeo as a kid. And he never stopped going.
During his high school days, in the 1950s, as a member of the Hammon Round-Up Club, he did some tie-down roping and steer wrestling. Then later, in the 1970s, he helped with the annual PRCA rodeo held Memorial Day weekend and hosted by the Round-Up Club.
On August 31, 1960, he married a girl from Camargo, Jane, the same day as his parents and his sister’s wedding day. Some years, the Elk City rodeo, which is always held on Labor Day weekend, falls on their anniversary. If it does, it’s their treat to each other; attending the rodeo together.
Since the new arena was built in the 1950s, the Harden family has sat in boxes number 18, 19 and 20, on the west side of the arena, about at the forty-five-yard-line. Elra Beutler, granddad to Bennie Beutler, of Beutler and Son Rodeo, became friends with Wes when the Beutlers leased land adjacent to the Harden place. Back then, in the 1950s and ‘60s, county roads were dirt, not gravel, and when the Beutlers came to load horses, Elra would call Wesley and ask if he had a tractor handy, so they could get in and out. Being neighbors, Wesley would have a tractor to pull the trucks out so the Beutlers could load horses for a rodeo. Elra helped Wesley and Marie get the box seats, and they’ve had them ever since.
Wes and Jane and their kids: Fred and Chantel, Fred’s wife Carolyn, and Chantel’s husband Rodney Fish, join them, as do the four grandkids. And if they can’t, Wes invites friends.
The Elk City rodeo isn’t the only one that Wes and Jane have gone to. They’ve been to Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days five or six times, the Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up, and when the National Finals Rodeo was held in Oklahoma City, Wes never missed a year of it. He’s been to the NFR in Las Vegas once, too.
He’s seen plenty of changes in the sport, and loves watching all of it, especially the tie-down roping.
And this year, when the Rodeo of Champions kicks off, the Hardens will be in their seats.
Tickets for the Elk City Rodeo of Champions go on sale August 21 at Doug Gray Dodge (1521 East Third Street in Elk City – 580.225.3005) and at Circle A Western Wear (3000 West Third Street in Elk City – 580.224.7363.) Box seats, chute seats and sky box tickets are available at Doug Gray Dodge only.
Bleacher seats are $11 for adults and $9 for children ages 6-12. Bleacher seat tickets purchased at the gate are $1 more.
Grandstand tickets are $15; at the gate, they are $18. There is no discount for children in the grandstand seats.
The rodeo is September 1-3 at Beutler Bros. Arena at Ackley Park in Elk City. For more information, visit the website at ElkCityRodeo.com or call Doug Gray Dodge at 580.225.3005.
Australian wins bareback riding; saddle bronc champ is also college champ
Abilene, Kans. – August 5, 2017 – The cool weather in Abilene this weekend was a welcome relief for rodeo fans, and the stands at the Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo were full.
The cooler temperatures were also refreshing for the contestants, with champions crowned in seven events.
Australian native Anthony Thomas won the bareback riding.
Thomas, who now lives in Palestine, Texas, scored 79 points on Andrew Rodeo’s Phantom for the win and a check for $1,367.
It was a horse he had been anxious to get on. “It’s a good old horse,” he said. “He’s been a great horse for a long time. I’ve been watching him for the last few years, and I’ve always wanted to draw him. I finally got my chance today.” The fifteen-year-old gruella has been selected to buck at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo twice, and can be treacherous in the bucking chute. “He’s kind of dangerous in the chute,” Thomas said. “He’s an old horse who knows his job, and he can flip on you and hurt you if you don’t do your job right. But we got out of there clean, and it was good. He did his job and I was able to do mine.”
Anthony, who grew up in Derby, Western Australia, left in 2012 and spent a year in Canada before coming to the United States, and this year of rodeo hasn’t been his best. “It’s had its ups and downs,” he said. He had reconstructive surgery on both hips in January to repair nerve damage, which caused him to have no feeling in his legs while he was riding. He returned to competition at the start of March. “It’s been a long process coming back, but we’re right in the middle of the season now. Things have started coming together really good.” Thomas is currently ranked first in the Prairie Circuit, pro rodeo’s regional designation of rodeos in Kansas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. He is the 2011 Australian Professional Rodeo Association bareback riding champion.
The saddle bronc riding champion for the 2017 rodeo was a 21 year old cowboy, Preston Burr, who made an 86.5 point ride aboard Andrews Rodeo’s Slappin Leather.
Preston Burr, Strafford, Texas, wins the saddle bronc riding at the 2017 Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo in Abilene, Kan. Photo by Fly Thomas.
It was a re-match for the Stratford, Texas cowboy, who got bucked off the horse three years ago in Altus, Okla. “I didn’t get along with her very well,” in Altus, he said. “I was pretty happy to draw her here. She’s really good. She has a big move out of the chute, and sucks back.”
Burr is the 2017 College National Finals Rodeo saddle bronc riding champion as a student at New Mexico Junior College in Hobbs, N.M. He’s spent much of his pro rodeo season in Canada, honing his skills. “I rodeo with Clay Elliott, and he took me up there. I got to go to some big bronc matches, and it’s really helped my bronc riding a lot. Up there, the horses are really good and there are some really good rodeos.”
He qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo in the bareback riding, but after breaking a wrist and rupturing vertebrae, he switched to riding saddle broncs his senior year of high school.
Last year was his rookie year, but it wasn’t a good one. He tore his PCL at the Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days, and spent three months letting it heal. “It’s one of those deals, you just have to lay on the couch and let it heal. It’s a bummer to lay around all the time.”
After his win in Abilene, Burr is headed home to Texas, for a little relaxation, roping and golfing. .
Other 2017 champions include steer wrestler Stockton Graves, the 2006 world champion from Alva, Okla. (4.7 seconds), tie-down roper Reese Riemer, Stinnett, Texas (8.0 seconds); team ropers Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla. and Billie Jack Saebens, Nowata, Okla. (4.7 seconds), barrel racer Dona Kay Rule, Minco, Okla. (17.62 seconds) and bull rider Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Ida. (90.5 points).
Next year’s rodeo will be August 1-4, 2018. For complete rodeo results, visit ProRodeo.com. For more information on the rodeo, visit WildBillHickokRodeo.com.
Final Results, Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo – Abilene, Kansas August 2-5, 2017
All-Around champion: Cody Doescher, Oklahoma City, Okla. – steer wrestling and team roping
Utah man wins steer wrestling, Texas man is tops in tie-down roping
Phillipsburg, Kans. (August 5, 2017) – For Tom Lewis, winning has taken on a new meaning.
The Lehi, Utah cowboy won the steer wrestling at Kansas Biggest Rodeo in Phillipsburg, with a time of 3.6 seconds.
It was aboard his eleven-year-old gelding named Maverick. Maverick, owned by Lewis and his parents Stan and Peggy Lewis, was trained by Tom and is in his first full year of pro rodeo. “We went pretty hard (with Maverick) last year, but this year, we’ve taken him everywhere and he just gets stronger and stronger. He’s so willing. He enjoys it.”
His win in Phillipsburg, with a check for $2,969, is another step closer to his goal this year: qualify for his second Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR). He’s ranked twenty-ninth in pro rodeo’s world standings, about $10,000 out of the top fifteen, who advance to the WNFR. Earning $10,000 isn’t out of reach, Lewis said. With two months left in the rodeo season (it ends on Sept. 30), “there are plenty of rodeos left. We have to drive, and we’re a little tired and we’re pushing it.”
Lewis has another reason to make the WNFR. His mother was diagnosed with cancer a few weeks ago, and doctors have given her a year to live. His parents have been supportive, and still are. “She said she’ll be alive if I go to Vegas (the home of the WNFR in December), and she wants me to go and rodeo.” The diagnosis has brought the family, including Tom’s brother and three sisters, closer. “I try to talk to her every day,” he said. “It’s life, and we appreciate what we have, and we keep going. You can either get down or move on.”
In the tie-down roping, a Texas man was tops.
Blane Cox, Cameron, Texas, turned in a time of 8.2 seconds to win Phillipsburg’s unique three-piece buckle.
It was on a horse that his dad, Carl Cox, trained. Bull, a nine-year old sorrel, “can be a handful sometimes but he does his job,” Cox said.
The 24-year-old is ranked twentieth in pro rodeo’s world standings, and is gunning for his second WNFR qualification. He estimates he’s about $7,000 out of the top fifteen in the world, who go to the WNFR, but seven thousand dollars can be made between now and the end of the rodeo year. “You just have to keep going, keep running, and give yourself the opportunity,” Cox said.
He’s also working to qualify for the Canadian Finals Rodeo, Nov. 8-12 in Edmonton, Alberta. He’s ranked fifth in the Canadian Professional Rodeo Association, and has to compete at fifteen rodeos in Canada to qualify. So far he has ten down, so there are five more Canadian rodeos he’ll be at.
Cox, the son of Carl and Lisa Cox, travels with Randall Carlisle, who tied for second place in Phillipsburg with a time of 8.4 seconds. Carlisle is from Athens, Louisana.
Other 2017 champions include bareback rider Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb. (86.5 points), team ropers Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas and Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla. (4.2 seconds), saddle bronc rider Chet Johnson, Douglas, Wyo. (85.5 points), barrel racer Christine Laughlin, Pueblo, Colo. (17.05 seconds) and bull rider Wyatt Edwards, Sulphur, Okla. (81 points).
The big checks for Tough Enough to Wear Pink were awarded tonight. Including matches from sponsors, approximately $10,200 was donated to local cancer patients through the Hope for the Heartland fund. Sponsors include the Phillipsburg Rodeo Association, Prairie Horizon Agri-Energy, McClain Seed Sales, Rodgers and Associates, Kansas Crop Care/Nebraskaland Aviation and Farmers State Bank.
The 2018 Phillipsburg Rodeo Queen was crowned on August 3. Jenna Lager, of Superior, Neb., won the title. She is the daughter of Larry and Jody Langer and is a sophomore at Cloud County Community College, where she is studying agriculture education.
The 2018 rodeo will be held August 3-4-5. For more information, visit KansasBiggestRodeo.com. For complete rodeo results, visit ProRodeo.com.
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Final results, Kansas Biggest Rodeo, Phillipsburg, Kansas – August 3-5, 2017
All-around champion: Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas; tie-down roping and team roping.
Bareback Riding
1.Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb. 86.5 points on Beutler and Son Rodeo’s Nutrena’s Little Jet; 2. Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas 84; 3. Tanner Phipps, Dalton, Ga. 80; 4. Justin McDaniel, Parkfield, Calif. 79; 5. Jake Brown, Cleveland, Texas 78.5; 6. Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La. 78; 7. Tyler Berghuis, Stephenville, Texas 71; 8. Caine Riddle, Vernon, Texas 70.
Steer Wrestling
Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah 3.6 seconds; 2. Clay Mindemann, Salina, Okla. 3.8; 3. Stockton Graves, Alva, Okla. 3.9; 4. (tie) Sean Mulligan, Coleman, Okla. and Rowdy Thames, Buda, Texas 4.0 each; 6. Richard Coats, Hastings, Neb. 4.2; 7. (tie) Riley Duvall, Checotah, Okla. and Cody Devers, Alva, Okla. 4.3 each; 9. Ryan Swayze, Freedom, Okla. and Mitchell Gardner, Dover, Okla. 4.4 each.
Team Roping
Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas/Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla. 4.2; 2. (tie) Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont./Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev. and Cale Markham, Vinita, Okla./Austin Rogers, Crescent, Okla. 4.5; 4. (tie) Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas/Patrick Smith, Lipan, Texas and Dustin Egusquiza, Mariana, Fla./Kory Koontz, Stephenville, Texas 4.7 each; 6. Paul David Tierney, Oral, S.D./Levi Tyan, Wallace, Neb. 5.0; 7. Adam Rose, Willard, Mo./J.W. Beck, Moville, Iowa 5.1; 8. (tie) Brandon Webb, Carrizo Springs, Texas/Kollin VonAhn, Blanchard, Okla. and Shay Carroll, Prineville, Ore./Nano Garza, Las Cruces, N.M. 5.2 each; 10. Lightning Aguilera, Athens, Texas/Brady Norman, Springer, Okla. 5.3.
Saddle Bronc Riding
Chet Johnson, Douglas, Wyo. 85.5 points on Beutler and Son Rodeo’s Nutrena’s Little Angel; 2. Wyatt Casper, Pampa, Texas 84; 3. Audy Reed, Spearman, Texas 83.5; 4. Tyrel Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba 80.5; 5. Wade Sundell, Coleman, Okla. 80; 6. Leon Fountain, Socorro, N.M. 79; 7. Preston Burr, Stratford, Texas 78; 8. Bradley Harter, Loranger, La. 77.
Helena, Mont. (July 18, 2017) – For the fourth year, the Last Chance Stampede and Fair in Helena, Montana will give a unique award to its all-around champion: a ring.
The custom-designed elk ivory ring valued at $2,699 includes 14 karat yellow gold with elk ivory. It features the outline of a royal bull elk head profile, carved and inlaid in gold. The words “Last Chance Stampede, Helena, MT, All-Around Champion” and the year are engraved on it.
It’s symbolic of Helena and Montana, said Mike Gurnett, chairman of the Last Chance Stampede committee. “The gold and wildlife are tied to this valley, the Elkhorn Mountains, and Helena being founded on a gold camp. It ties in perfectly here.”
An elk ivory ring will be awarded to the winner of the all-around title at the Last Chance Stampede and Fair in Helena, Mont. The rodeo, which takes place July 27-29, has given the unique award every year since 2014.
The outline of an elk is featured on an elk ivory ring which will be given to the all-around champion at the Last Chance Stampede and Fair in Helena, Mont. The ring has features symbolic of Helena’s history.
It is also a way to make the Helena pro rodeo stand out among the 600 or so pro rodeos across the nation, and a way to entice cowboys to enter the rodeo, Gurnett said. “Cowboys win things like buckles and spurs, but nobody’s giving away rings. It’s like a Super Bowl ring. The only way you can get it is to win it.”
Jensen Jewelers in Helena has designed and donated the ring since the award began in 2014.
The first winner of the all-around was Luke Gee in 2014. The Stanford, Mont. cowboy competed in the steer wrestling and bull riding, and the all-around title and ring was extra special to him; his grandfather, John “Doc” Gee won the all-around title in Helena in the early days of the Last Chance Stampede. Gee, who had surgery on June 17 to fix a broken collarbone from riding a bull at the Reno, Nev., rodeo, hopes to be back to competition by July 27-29, when the Last Chance Stampede kicks off.
In 2015, the all-around title and ring went to Russell Cardoza, Terrebonne, Ore. (tie-down and team roping.) In 2016, it went to Hank Hollenbeck, Molt, Montana (tie-down, team roping and steer wrestling).
The all-around champion at a rodeo must win the most money in competition in two or more events; they do not need to win money in all of their events, but must win the most money of all competitors in multiple events.
The Last Chance Stampede and Fair runs July 27-29, and includes a Billy Currington concert on July 26 at 7:30 pm. Earl Wear and Haywire open for Currington. Three nights of rodeo are the evening entertainment July 27-29 at 7:30 pm each night. Tickets are available online at LastChanceStampede.com, at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds, and at the gate.
For more information visit the fairground’s website at LastChanceStampede.com or call 406.457.8516.
50 years ago, Casey Tibbs made documentary to drive more than 300 bucking horses 120 miles from the Lower Brule Native American Reservation to Fort Pierre. Tibbs wrote, produced, directed and starred in the movie which included some of the wildest riding ever filmed back then. Tibbs utilized his horsemanship skills to provide a true, natural roundup with cowboys and horses, illuminating the possibility for using fake backdrops and faux set-ups. The script was narrated by Henry Fonda and Rex Allen.
While crossing the Missouri River, Tibbs came close to drowning. This is an ironic face given this 9-time World Champion risked life and limb for years, breaking 46 bones during his rodeo career.
Jim Lawhon crossing the Missouri River during the filming of “Born To Buck.” Lawhon still resides in Fort Pierre.
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the film, the Casey Tibbs Rodeo Center will be having a reunion on Saturday, August 19th from 2-4 in the afternoon at the Rodeo Center. This is open to the public with a free-will offering. Anyone who had a major or minor part is encouraged to attend and talk about their involvement. The 90-minute film will be shown in its entirety. The Center’s bestseller film, still available on DVD and VHS, is available for sale in the gift shop.
Ranching and Rodeoing in the Real World, Living the Cowboy Way
In INSP’s new original series, The Cowboy Way, premiering, August 10th at 8p.m. ET, viewers across the country get an insider’s look at family ranching in today’s world. Each episode of this fun-loving and adventure-filled series, follows cowboys, Bubba Thompson, Cody Harris, and Booger Brown, three best buddies and south Alabama ranchers who, like the cowboys of old, raise cattle and horses, and live according to the cowboy code—dedication to faith, family, hard work, and American values.
Deep Rodeo Roots
From week to week, viewers share in Bubba’s, Cody’s and Booger’s stories—the work, family and life challenges, the highs and lows of ranch and rodeo life, the laughs and fun as they give their all to build their business, Faith Cattle Company. While all three men have a connection to rodeo, Cody’s roots run deepest, as a pro-rodeo tie-down calf-roping champ.
Coming from a family of steer wrestlers, Cody followed in his father’s, uncle’s and cousins’ footsteps for many years until an accident as a teenager side-lined him. When he was able to return to the saddle, he traded bulldogging for calf roping.
Among Cody’s many titles, he was the Professional Cowboy Association Calf Roping Rookie of the Year in 2007, Calf Roping Year End Award Winner in 2009, and became well-known for turning out winning roping horses, most notably a chestnut named Ricky Jack.
“That was the best horse I ever trained. It wasn’t that he was that great; that dude was just a winner. He was just a gritty winner…and he drew good!” He laughs.
Cody sold the dark chestnut to PRCA roping champ and NFR qualifier, Randall Carlisle. Sadly, Ricky Jack was put down in 2015.
It was a made horse Cody called Booger (because of an extra flap in his nose that made him sound as if he were snorting) that was special to Cody.
“He was my favorite horse ever. He put me at a totally different level of competition,” Cody says, “Before him, I won a few saddles and buckles, but I won three saddles and about 60, 70 buckles off that one horse.”
Cody is retired from competition, but he keeps his hand in the game as the producer of “Bulls on the Beach” in Orange Beach, Alabama.
“I’ve won a bunch of saddles and buckles…a bunch! But the greatest accomplishment I have is my salvation and family,” Cody says.
