Author: Ann Bleiker

WACO, TEXAS – World Titles were handed out over the weekend at the WPRA World Finals in Waco, Texas, in the roping division, futurity and derby division and junior division.

Taking home her fourth consecutive team roping heeling world title was Whitney DeSalvo. DeSalvo of Springfield, Arkansas, has become a force to be reckoned with on all levels in the team roping. She won the title with partner Hope Thompson, who collected her second team roping title to go with her previous breakaway title (2013) bringing her total to three WPRA World Titles. DeSalvo’s first world title came in 2017 with Thompson, then the past two years in 2018 when Lari Dee Guy won the heading title and in 2019 Beverly Robbins claimed the heading title.

DeSalvo finished the year with $35,172 in earnings to reserve world champion Annette Stahl’s $22,728. Thompson captured the title with $33,307 in earnings compared to reserve world champion Lari Dee Guy with $29,132.

Kelsie Chace and Jackie Crawford took home the WPRA World Finals Average Title stopping the clock in 22.7 seconds on three head.

The young roping phenom Gracie Gambino won back-to-back world titles in the tie-down roping. The 18-year old from Lindale, Texas, finished the year with $7,403 in earnings to reserve world champion Tanegai Zilverberg’s $7,393. Gambino won the second round in a time of 15.1 seconds, was third in the third round in a time of 26.7 and was fourth in the average with a time of 141.8 seconds on three head. Zilverberg easily won the average title in a time of 55.3 seconds after placing in all three rounds.

With the evolution of the women’s breakaway roping within the WPRA at ProRodeos and the fact that in 2020 breakaway earnings were calculate for ProRodeos only as well as co-approved events only the landscape of the world title also changed. Money won at the WPRA World Finals this year were added to the co-approved event standings like in years past but the member with the most money in those standings this year was honored with the National Champion title versus the normal World Champion status.

JJ Hampton, a 17-time WPRA World Champion, took home the title with $87,973 in earnings to reigning world champion’s Kelsie Chace’s $81,812. Hampton, who has qualified for the inaugural National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR), now has the opportunity to not only win a national championship in 2020 in breakaway but also a world title. What an historic year it would be if Hampton is able to accomplish this feat.

The WPRA Breakaway Roping World Champion starting in 2020 will be based on the ProRodeo only standings and will be crowned following the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping similar to how the WPRA World Champion Barrel Racer is determined following the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Rookie Rylie Smith of Whitsett, Texas, took home the breakaway average title at the WPRA World Finals with a three head time of 8.2 seconds.

While Chace will be unable to add another breakaway world title to her resume in 2020, as she didn’t qualify for the NFBR, she did win her third all-around WPRA World Title outdistancing Gambino. Chace, who previously won the title in 2012 and 2017, finished the year with $7,870 in all-around earnings compared to Gambino’s $7,699.

 

Futurity and Derby World Champions Named

The first WPRA World Title awarded over the weekend was in the Futurity Division.

Molly Otto and Teasin Dat Guy captured the WPRA Futurity 1D title after collecting a total of 412.5 points on the year. Otto of Grand Forks, N.D., outdistanced Margaret Jones and Smooth Operraider who finished with 367.5 points.

Bailey Webb-Olson and VR Jojo Wood Pay of Hugo, Minnesota, won the 2D World Championship title finishing the year with 145 points to Ashley Day and Driftin Little Lena’s total of 95 points. Webb-Olson was in the driver’s seat going into to the WPRA World Finals and added to her final point total with a fourth place finish in the second round in a time of 17.564 seconds.

Although Margaret Jones missed out on the Futurity World Title she didn’t go home empty handed as she and Shes Packin Dynamite took home the WPRA World Title in the Derby Division. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi and Ima Famous Babe, a horse she plans to run next month at the Wrangler NFR in Arlington, took home the Derby World Finals Average Title in a time of 31.278 seconds on two runs. Kassie Mowry and Famous Ladies Man was a close second in a total time of 31.400.

 

Junior World Champion Named

London Gorham of Cotulla, Texas, captured her first WPRA Junior World Title with $31,365 in earnings for 2020. Casey Mathis of Washoe Valley, Nevada, finished as the reserve world champion with $16,874. Mathis aboard SH Stylish and Sly won the first round of the Junior race at the WPRA World Finals in a time of 15.981 seconds and would finish second in the second round in a time of 16.064 seconds.

 

WPRA Card Holder and Permit Only Race

Top WPRA horse trainer Kassie Mowry aboard Famous Ladies Man won the WPRA Card Holder race with a total time of 47.136 seconds. 2020 WPRA Rookie of the Year Paige Jones was hot on her heels in a time of 47.199 seconds. As a result, both ladies have earned a spot in RodeoHouston in March, as long as the event happens.

Kylee Scribner turned in the fastest time of the weekend during the second round of the card holder race stopping the clock in a time of 15.345. Scribner would end up third in the average in a total time of 47.276 seconds. All money won during this race was applied to their 2021 ProRodeo standings.

Taking home the title in the WPRA Permit-Only race was Jordan Driver in a time of 48.428 seconds. Driver aboard French Rivierra won the second round in a time of 15.970 seconds and collected a total of $3,036 in Waco to easily fill her permit and can now compete on as a WPRA Rookie in 2021.

Complete results can be found at http://www.elitebarrelracing.com/htdocs/results.html and full recaps on all races will appear in the January 2021 edition of the WPRA News.

courtesy Ann Bleiker

WEST VALLEY CITY (November 16, 2020) – Need a little Holiday Cheer after what has been a challenging year on so many fronts? We have just the event for you AND it’s socially distant!

Days of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo and Maverik Center have teamed up for a new-to-the-area Drive-In Holiday Laser Spectacular presented by Zions Bank and Maverik this December. The event will take place December 10 – January 2* with two shows (6 p.m. and 8 p.m.) a night every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday during this timeframe (*no shows on December 24^th). Each show will be a 30-minute Holiday themed laser show with Holiday music available via your car radio. The event will take place in Lot A of Maverik Center where the laser graphics will be projected and viewable from your vehicle!

“Christmas time is a time of celebration with our families and a time to cherish all that God has blessed us with in our lives,” said Tommy Joe Lucia, General Manager Day of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo. “While this year will be unlike any we have experienced, it is our hope this Drive-In Holiday Laser Show Spectacular will shine a positive light on the Holiday Season and families in the Great Salt Lake Valley will make memories to cherish for a lifetime.”

The cost will be $25 per car and tickets must be purchased online before entering the lot. Tickets can be purchased at www.maverikcenter.com or at www.axs.com.

Below is a full list of dates and show times:

Thursday, December 10  – 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Friday, December 11 – 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Saturday, December 12 – 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.

 

Thursday, December 17  – 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Friday, December 18 – 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Saturday, December 19 – 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.

 

Friday, December 25 – 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Saturday, December 26 – 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.

 

Thursday, December 31  – 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Friday, January 1 – 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.

Saturday, January 2 – 6 p.m. & 8 p.m.

*Note: Gates will open 1-hour before show time (5 p.m. & 7 p.m.). Public restrooms will be available if needed near the Maverik Center Offices.

Courtesy of Ann Bleiker

Emily Taylor of Emory, Texas, turned in her biggest weekend of her young WPRA rodeo career winning the Crossett Riding Club 72nd Annual PRCA Rodeo and placing seventh at the Mesquite Championship Rodeo.

The muddy conditions in Crossett, Arkansas, didn’t seem to bother first year member Taylor and her mare Czech as they stopped the clock in 17.67 seconds.

“Czech took the lead at Crossett, AR after a perf and slack,” wrote Taylor on her Facebook page on Thursday, June 25. “It was a sloppy mess, but I don’t think she even noticed. Three more perfs to go and the ground will probably dry up a lot these next few nights. Here’s hoping we hang in there for a check!”

Taylor most definitely got a check the largest of the weekend taking home $2,495 ahead of Wrangler NFR qualifier Tiany Schuster who took second in a time of 17.96 seconds and $2,121.

Taylor then made her way to Mesquite, Texas, where she rode her other mare she calls Diva. The duo stopped the clock in 15.35 seconds to finish seventh and added $277 to her weekend total.

“It was such a great and fun week,” wrote Taylor on Facebook. “I got to see some friends at each rodeo and even made a couple of new ones! I have no idea what I did to deserve these two mares, but I’m thankful for them every day.

With her success over the weekend, Taylor is now ranked 10th in the WPRA Rookie Standings.

Fellow Texan Jill Wilson of Snyder joined Taylor in having a profitable weekend winning the Mesquite Championship Rodeo in a time of 15.11 seconds to pocket $968 and was fourth in Crossett in a time of 18.20 to add $1,497 to her 2020 standings. Wilson is currently ranked fourth in the world and looking for her first Wrangler NFR qualification.

Brandy Gilbert of Springtown, Texas, was lightening fast in the breakaway roping in Mesquite stopping the clock in 1.9 seconds. Gilbert edged 17-time WPRA World Champion JJ Hampton who finished with a 2.0-second run.

The other ProRodeo over the weekend featuring breakaway roping was in Kadoka, S.D., where Rickie Engesser and Sawyer Gilbert tied for the win. Engesser and Gilbert both turned in 2.0 second runs to outdistance Rickie’s sister, Taylor, who stopped the clock in 2.4 seconds.

Winning the barrel racing in Kadoka was Callahan Tryan with a 17.72 second run. Tryan earned $1,424. Kelley Wheelhouse was second in 17.86 seconds, while Wrangler NFR qualifier Jessica Routier was third in 17.89 seconds.

This week will find contestants crisscrossing the United States on what has annually become known as “Cowboy Christmas.” While the 2020 edition will take on a whole new look with many contestants venturing to rodeos they have never been, it will by far be the busiest week of rodeos this year with 14 rodeos on the schedule (June 29-July 6) spread between Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. WPRA Breakaway roping will be featured at six of those rodeos.

The Digital Rodeo Tournament presented by The Cowboy Channel came to a close last week with champions being named in each event over the weekend Live on the Cowboy Channel. No. 14 ranked barrel racer at the start of the tournament, Brittany Barnett won the barrel racing fan voting over No. 8 Carly Taylor. A total of 60,255 voted in the final round with Barnett receiving 54.44% of the votes to Taylor’s 45.56%. Both ladies are looking for their first qualification to the Wrangler NFR this year and hoping they will have as much success in the real arena as they did in the digital arena. Congratulations to both and thanks to everyone who took the time to vote.

###

 

Results:

Crossett, AR – 1. Emily Taylor, 17.67 seconds, $2,495; 2. Tiany Schuster, 17.96, $2,121; 3. Leia Pluemer, 18.00, $1,746; 4. Jill Wilson, 18.20, $1,497; 5. Kindyl Scruggs, 18.36, $1,247; 6. Victoria Williams, 18.37, $873; 7. Ivy Hurst, 18.47, $624; 8. Jimmie Smith, 18.55, $499; 9. Jennifer Sharp, 18.64, $437; 10. Kelley Carrington-French, 18.66, $374; 11. (tie) Josey Owens and Lisa Thornton, 18.75, $281 each.

 

Mesquite, TX – Barrels – 1. Jill Wilson, 15.11 seconds, $968; 2. Stevi Hillman, 15.23, $830; 3. Megan Swint, 15.25, $692; 4. Kindyl Scruggs, 15.28, $599; 5. Paige Jones, 15.30, $461; 6. Emily Miller, 15.31, $369; 7. Emily Taylor, 15.35, $277; 8. Shelby McCamey, 15.39, $184; 9. Jackie Ganter, 15.42, $138; 10. (tie) Cheyenne Wimberley and Shelley Morgan, 15.43, $46 each.

 

Breakaway – 1. Brandy Gilbert, 1.9 seconds, $763; 2. JJ Hampton, 2.0, $632; 3. Loni Kay Lester, 2.1, $500; 4. McKenzie Ray, 2.2, $368; 5. (tie) Kayelen Helton and Lari Dee Guy, 2.4, $184 each.

 

Kadoka, SD – Barrels – 1. Callahan Tryan, 17.72 seconds, $1,424; 2. Kelly Wheelhouse, 17.86, $1,221; 3. Jessica Routier, 17.89, $1,017; 4. Kristen Zancanella, 17.90, $882; 5. Amanda Welsh, 17.93, $678; 6. (tie) Erin Williams and Ginalee Sinner, 17.94, $475 each; 8. (tie) Lakken Bice and D’Ann Gehlsen, 18.01, $237 each; 10. Heather Crowley, 18.03, $136.

 

Breakaway – 1. Rickie Engesser and Sawyer Gilbert, 2.1 seconds, $1,819 each; 3. Taylor Engesser, 2.4, $1,438; 4. (tie) Moriah Glaus and Emma Charleston, 2.5, $1,058 each; 6. (tie) Kristi Steffes and Ginalee Sinner, 2.8, $550 each; 8. Amber Crowley, 2.9, $169

WPRA Rookie Amanda Butler and her 11-year old TS Cinch Ta Fame were more than ready to Kick Open the Chutes in Cave Creek, Arizona over Memorial Day Weekend. Ironically enough Butler calls her horse Kick and the duo stopped the clock in a blistering fast time of 15.45 seconds to run away with the title.

 

“I was third out in slack,” said Butler of Payson, Utah. “I clocked well but didn’t think I would end up where I ended up. I never have really been to a ProRodeo where there are big names. There were girls in Cave Creek that had been to the NFR. I said I guess we will just see where I end up but didn’t feel like I would even end up in the top 5 but you never know. It turned out to be great.”

 

Butler who bought her WPRA permit in October after turning 18 easily filled it at her first WPRA-approved jackpot in Buckeye, Arizona the first of January. She quickly upgraded to her rookie card and went on to win her first ProRodeo in Buckeye, Arizona, at the end of January. She has found great success in Arizona and is currently ranked seventh in the WPRA Rookie Standings after her big win in Cave Creek.

 

“I originally wanted to make the NFR,” said Butler, when asked about her goals for her rookie year in the WPRA. “I knew it would be hard because it would be my first year and I didn’t have any experience with really any ProRodeos. So I came to the realization that it would be really, really difficult. I am now shooting for WPRA Rookie of the Year. If I fall short there, I would like to win the Wilderness Circuit Rookie of the Year and win the circuit to get a chance to compete in Florida next year.”

 

Butler’s involvement in the WPRA is a new adventure for the whole family as her older sister, Lauren Butler Porter, and Amanda are first generation rodeo competitors in their family.

 

“My parents didn’t grow up around horses or have any interest in horses,” noted Butler. “Ever since my sister and I were little girls we wanted to own horses. I actually wanted to be a horse and it was a sad realization when I found out I couldn’t be a horse.

 

“We started competing through 4-H and leased a couple of horses. We had some good family friends the Pulhams (specifically Olin, a tie-down roper, and his mother Lori) who encouraged us to try high school rodeo. My dad was like ok whatever. He was never really involved when we participated in 4-H but he switched once we got into high school rodeo and really became competitive and loves it.”

 

They soon realized that the horses they had used in 4-H weren’t going to cut it for rodeo so they purchased new horses including Kick.

 

“I have had Kick for four years now,” Butler said. “We bought him my sophomore year in high school and I qualified for Nationals all three years I ran him. I won State on him my Junior and Senior years and won Nationals my Junior year.”

 

Butler had an idea she had a nice horse in her trailer but after Memorial Weekend in Cave Creek her confidence in him is through the roof now.

 

“I knew he was a super nice horse,” noted Butler, who not only shocked the barrel racing community but also herself with the win in Cave Creek. “I always thought he would be able to run with those tough horses but he went way above and beyond.

 

“It still doesn’t feel real to me that I won. I am still convinced something wasn’t right to win by that much against those tough horses. To win by one-hundredth of a second is one thing but by that margin… my horse ran quite a bit faster than the other horses so was just shocking to me.”

 

Butler, like many other rodeo competitors, was just thrilled to be back competing and the win was icing on the cake.

 

“It was really nice to be back at a rodeo again,” she said. “It was weird to not go fully back to normal rodeo where there are spectators, everyone warming up together and hanging out together. Instead, everyone was wearing masks and we had to social distance. Everyone was pretty excited to be back and we were super grateful to the people in Cave Creek for all they did to be able to put on a rodeo.”

 

Butler will continue to monitor which rodeos will be able to move forward this year. Her next rodeo outing will be Eagle Mountain, Utah, in June and she hopes she has the same success in her home State as she has had in Arizona.

 

Results: 1. Amanda Butler, 15.45, $2,025; 2. Dona Kay Rule, 15.77, $1,721; 3. Shali Lord, 15.83, $1,417; 4. (tie) Ivy Hurst, Brittney Barnett and Jessica Telford, 15.85, $979 each; 7. (tie) Mindy Goemmer and Cindy Smith, 15.89, $456 each; 9. (tie) Ashley Haller and Jill Wilson, 15.91, $329 each; 11. Tonia Forsberg, 15.98, $253; 12. (tie) Sarah Kieckhefer and Kathy Petska, 16.00, $101 each.

SALT LAKE CITY (June 26, 2019) – Bull riding fans are in for a real treat at the Komatsu Equipment Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo presented by Zions Bank in Salt Lake City, July 19-24. Seven of the top eight bull riders in the current PBR World Standings have all earned a chance to compete for a share of over $1 million and a gold medal at the Days of ’47 Arena.

2017 PBR Rookie of the Year Jose Vitor Leme leads the pack as the current No. 1 ranked rider in the PBR World Standings. He punched his ticket to the Days of ’47 after winning PBR Unleash the Beast, Ty Murray Invitational, presented by Isleta Resort & Casino in Albuquerque, N.M.

Fan favorite and presently the hottest bull rider in the PBR, Jess Lockwood can also make plans for Salt Lake City.  Three straight PBR Touring Pro event wins in as many weeks moved the 2017 PBR World Champion to No. 2 in the world standings as of June 24. Lockwood now joins his fiancé, reigning world champion and two-time gold medal winning barrel racer Hailey Kinsel, on the list of qualifiers. No doubt this rodeo power couple would love to add more gold to their growing collection.

João Ricardo Vieira joined fellow Brazilian Vitor Leme on the list of qualifiers after winning the WCRA Titletown Stampede bull riding in Green Bay, Wis. earlier this month. Ricardo Vieira is currently ranked 3^rd in the PBR World Standings.

Chase Outlaw, sitting fourth in the standings at present time, is having his best season yet and will be looking to keep things sizzling this summer when he attempts to finish atop the medal stand at the Days of ’47 Gold Medal Rodeo. Cody Teel, ranked fifth, earned his spot to compete Salt Lake City winning the Trial Event at the PBR Unleash the Beast Billings Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires.

2016 PBR World Champion Cooper Davis added his name to the list of qualifiers for the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo with his current sixth place ranking on the PBR World Standings. With Vitor Leme, Ricardo Vieira and Teel having already advanced, Davis became the third and final bull rider pulled from the PBR World Standings.

Joining these top 6 bull riders will be eighth ranked Derek Kolbaba. The 26-year-old Walla Walla, Wash. cowboy will be looking to defend his Days of ’47 title after picking up his first gold medal in 2018.

A total of 288 competitors will get the chance to compete during the five day event in July. The rodeo will feature 32 competitors in each event (bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, women’s breakaway roping and bull riding) with eight competitors per performance starting on Friday, July 19.  The top two from each performance, along with two via the Wild Card category, will advance to the Gold Medal Round on July 24 where ten competitors in each event will compete in a sudden-death format with the winner collecting a Gold Medal and $50,000 cash.

Only a few qualification spots remain for contestants to earn their spot– either via the Days of ’47 Qualification events or the WCRA path.

 

The Days of ’47 qualification routes still available:

– 2019 Priefert Patriot Days of ’47 Challenge *timed event only 

The WCRA remaining qualifications will consist of the following:

– Top 20 (12 in bull riding, 28 in the breakaway roping and 21 in team roping) in WCRA Virtual Qualifier points as of July 8, 2019

Bull riders will need to have a PBR card and be registered on the WRCA App to compete while all others must be registered with the WCRA to compete.

The Komatsu Equipment Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo presented by Zions Bank, July 19-20 and 22-24, will take place at the $17.5 million state-of-the-art Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark, custom designed and built for rodeo. The venue—an outdoor arena located in the heart of Salt Lake City—features over 10,000 stadium-style seats.

For only the fifth time in the history of rodeo, riders will have an opportunity to compete for Gold, Silver or Bronze Medals. The first two times were in conjunction with the Olympic Winter Games in Calgary (1988) and Salt Lake City (2002), when rodeo was part of the Cultural Olympiad and the other two times being the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo in 2017 and 2018. The medals that will be awarded at the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo will be produced by OC Tanner, the same company that made the Olympic medals for the champions of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

Tickets are currently on sale at smithstix.com. For more information on the event visit www.daysof47cowboygames.com.

The Komatsu Equipment Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo will broadcast live every night exclusively on PBR’s RidePass via RidePass.com or the RidePass mobile app. Additionally fans can catch preshow and post shows on CBS Sports Network with the final Gold Medal Round airing on CBS at 12 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 28. For a complete list of broadcast times and dates visit www.daysof47cowboygames.com.

# # #

Current list of athletes who have earned qualification for 2019 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo

Bareback Riding

Richmond Champion – 2018 Calgary Stampede

Wyatt Denny – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

*JR Vezain – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo (will be unable to compete due to injury)

Ty Breuer – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Tristan Hansen– 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo (replacing JR Vezain)

Kaycee Feild – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Shane O’Connell – 2019 DO47 Lewis Feild Bulls & Broncs Event

Tilden Hooper – 2019 RODEOHOUSTONÒ Super Series

Will Lowe – 2019 Denver Rodeo All-Star

Tanner Aus – 2019 Rodeo Corpus Christi

Austin Foss – 2019 Santa Maria (Calif.) Elks Rodeo

Seth Hardwick – 2019 WCRA Titletown Stampede, Green Bay

Chance Ames – 2019 College National Finals Rodeo

 

Steer Wrestling

Matt Reeves – 2018 Calgary Stampede

Justin Shaffer – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

*Rowdy Parrott – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo (will be unable to compete due to injury)

Hunter Cure – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo (replacing Rowdy Parrott)

Bridger Anderson – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Tyler Pearson – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Josh Garner –2019 RODEOHOUSTONÒ Super Series

Mason Carter – 2019 Denver Rodeo All-Star

Jon Laine Herl – 2019 Rodeo Corpus Christi

Blake Knowles – 2019 Santa Maria (Calif.) Elks Rodeo

Stockton Graves – 2019 WCRA Titletown Stampede, Green Bay

Tyler West – 2019 College National Finals Rodeo

 

Team Roping – Headers

Kellan Johnson – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Matt Sherwood – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Riley Minor – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Garrett Tonozzi – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Ty Blasingame – 2019 RODEOHOUSTONÒ Super Series

Justin Thigpen – 2019 Denver Rodeo All-Star

Tanner Tomlinson – 2019 Rodeo Corpus Christi

Lane Santos Karney– 2019 Santa Maria (Calif.) Elks Rodeo

Luke Brown – 2019 WCRA Titletown Stampede, Green Bay

Dalton Titsworth – 2019 College National Finals Rodeo

Team Roping – Heelers

Carson Johnson – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Will Woodfin – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Brady Minor – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Joe Mattern – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Kyle Lockett – 2019 RODEOHOUSTONÒ Super Series

Kyle Crick – 2019 Denver Rodeo All-Star

Ty Arnold – 2019 Rodeo Corpus Christi

Taylor Winters – 2019 Santa Maria (Calif.) Elks Rodeo

Paul Eaves – 2019 WCRA Titletown Stampede, Green Bay

Kolton White – 2019 College National Finals Rodeo

Saddle Bronc Riding

Zeke Thurston – 2018 Calgary Stampede

Cody DeMoss – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Wyatt Casper – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Isaac Diaz – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Colt Gordon – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Ross Griffin – 2019 DO47 Lewis Feild Bulls & Broncs Event

Jesse Wright – 2019 RODEOHOUSTONÒ Super Series

Travis Gardner – 2019 Denver Rodeo All-Star

Spencer Wright – 2019 Rodeo Corpus Christi

Lefty Holman – 2019 Santa Maria (Calif.) Elks Rodeo

Shorty Garrett – 2019 WCRA Titletown Stampede, Green Bay

Riggin Smith – 2019 College National Finals Rodeo

 

Tie-Down Roping

Tuf Cooper – 2018 Calgary Stampede

Cory Solomon – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

JC Malone – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Caleb Smidt – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Shane Hanchey – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Michael Otero – 2019 RODEOHOUSTONÒ Super Series

John Douch – 2019 Denver Rodeo All-Star

Seth Cooke – 2019 Rodeo Corpus Christi

Taylor Santos – 2019 Santa Maria (Calif.) Elks Rodeo

Tanner Green – 2019 WCRA Titletown Stampede, Green Bay

Haven Meged – 2019 College National Finals Rodeo

Barrel Racing

Hailey Kinsel – 2018 Calgary Stampede

Lisa Lockhart – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Chani Graves – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Cheyenne Wimberley – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Nellie Williams-Miller – 2019 RODEOHOUSTONÒ Super Series

Shali Lord – 2019 Denver Rodeo All-Star

Dona Kay Rule – 2019 Rodeo Corpus Christi

Kathy Petska – 2019 Santa Maria (Calif.) Elks Rodeo

Michelle Darling – 2019 WCRA Titletown Stampede, Green Bay

Ashtyn Carlson – 2019 College National Finals Rodeo

Women’s Breakaway Roping

Jackie Crawford – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Shelby Boisjoli – 2019 WCRA Titletown Stampede, Green Bay

Taylor Munsell – 2019 College National Finals Rodeo

Bull Riding

Marcos Gloria – 2018 Calgary Stampede

Derek Kolbaba – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Alisson De Souza – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Garrett Smith – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Chandler Bownds – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Coleman Entze – 2019 DO47 Lewis Feild Bulls & Broncs Event

Trevor Kastner – 2019 RODEOHOUSTONÒ Super Series

Marco Antonio Eguchi – 2019 PBR Fresno, CA Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Event

Keyshawn Whitehorse – 2019 PBR Casper, WY Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Event

Koal Livingston – 2019 PBR Bakersfield, CA Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Event

Preston Louis – 2019 Denver Rodeo All-star

Cody Teel – 2019 PBR Billings, MT Unleash the Beast Tour Event

Garrett Tribble – 2019 Rodeo Corpus Christi

Jose Vitor Leme – 2019 Albuquerque, NM Unleash the Beast Tour Event

Boudreaux Campbell – Santa Maria (Calif.) Elks Rodeo

João Ricardo Vieira – 2019 WCRA Titletown Stampede, Green Bay

Daylon Swearingen – 2019 College National Finals Rodeo

Jess Lockwood – PBR World Standings

Chase Outlaw – PBR World Standings

Cooper Davis – PBR World Standings

NOTE: The above is strictly a list of who has qualified. A final list of competitors will be released after entries close on July 10.

Remaining schedule

– 2019 WCRA VRQ Standings (20 athletes all events except bull riding, breakaway and team roping; 12 athletes for bull riding; 28 for breakaway roping; 21 for team roping) July 8

– 2019 Priefert Patriot Days of ’47 Last Chance Qualifier *timed event only – July 20-21

About Days of ‘47

The Komatsu Equipment Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo presented by Zions Bank, takes place at the $17.5 million, state-of-the-art Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark each July. The venue—an outdoor arena located in the heart of Salt Lake City—features over 10,000 stadium-style seats. The Days of ’47 Rodeo is one of Utah’s longest-standing traditions – celebrating Utah’s heritage since 1847. The rodeo, and other Days of ’47 events, commemorate the day – July 24, 1847 – when a determined company of Mormon pioneers realized their dreams upon entering the Great Salt Lake Valley. The Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo is a private, non-profit, volunteer, charitable organization. Our mission is to honor Utah’s pioneer heritage and educate Utah’s kids. Please visit daysof47cowboygames.com for more information.

SALT LAKE CITY (March 26, 2019) – The Komatsu Equipment Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo presented by Zions Bank in Salt Lake City has become a must stop on the summer rodeo schedule for contestants from the junior high level all the way to the pros of the sport. Not only does the $1 million purse make it attractive but so does the Gold, Silver and Bronze medals awarded to the top three, setting this rodeo apart from any other rodeo in the world.

“We strive to bring the best in the sport of rodeo to the Great Salt Valley to celebrate Utah’s heritage and continue one of Utah’s longest-standing traditions,” said Dan Shaw, Chairman of the board for the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo. “Due to our partnership with PBR (Professional Bull Riders), WCRA (World Champions Rodeo Alliance) and our rodeo partners via the trial events, we are able to bring great talent from all areas for this one-of-a-kind Gold Medal Rodeo.”

A total of 256 competitors will have a chance to punch their ticket to the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo and take their shot at a share of the $1 million in prize money and the coveted medals. The rodeo will showcase the seven standard rodeo events and will feature 32 competitors in each with eight competitors per performance starting on Friday, July 19.  The top two from each performance, along with two via the Wild Card category, will advance to the Gold Medal Round on July 24 where ten competitors in each event will compete in a sudden-death format with the winner collecting a Gold Medal and $50,000 cash.

Contestants in all events will have a few avenues in which to qualify – either via the Days of ’47 Qualification trial events or the WCRA path. Bull riders will also have opportunity via the PBR as noted below.

 

The Days of ’47 qualification route, including bull riders will consist of the following:

2018 Calgary Stampede Champion

2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo Medalists *top 3

2019 Lewis Feild Bulls and Broncs *roughstock only

2019 RodeoHouston Super Series Champions

2019 Denver Rodeo All-Star

2019 Rodeo Corpus Christi (Texas)

2019 Utah Timed Event Classic WCRA Western Quarter-Finals*timed-event only

2019 Santa Maria (Calif.) Elks Rodeo

2019 College National Finals Rodeo Champions

 

The WCRA qualifications will consist of the following:

2019 Chicago, Ill. Champion *includes bull rider

2019 Green Bay, Wis. Champion *includes bull rider

Top 20 in WCRA Virtual Qualifier points as of July 8, 2019 *not including bull riding

 

The remaining 20 bull riders will earn qualification based on the following:

2019 PBR Fresno, CA Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Event

2019 PBR Casper, WY Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Event

2019 PBR Bakersfield, CA Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Event

2019 PBR Billings, MT Unleash the Beast Tour Event

2019 Albuquerque, NM Unleash the Beast Tour Event

2019 PBR World Standings (Top 3 as of June 24th)

2019 WCRA VRQ Standings (12 athletes)

 

Bull riders will need to have a PBR card and be registered on the WRCA App to compete while all others must be registered with the WCRA to compete.

“Last year our Gold Medal Round featured world champions, defending Days of ’47 champions, college champions and an 11-year old barrel racer further proving our event features all the best the sport of rodeo has to offer,” noted Tommy Joe Lucia, General Manager of the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo. “We hope that not only the contestants but also the fans will make this a destination event where they can experience Utah and Life Elevated. Fans not only have the opportunity to experience a world class rodeo at night but can enjoy all the adventure Utah has to offer during the day.”

The Komatsu Equipment Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo presented by Zions Bank, July 19-20 and 22-24, will take place at the $17.5 million state-of-the-art Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark, custom designed and built for rodeo. The venue—an outdoor arena located in the heart of Salt Lake City—features over 10,000 stadium-style seats.

For only the fifth time in the history of rodeo, riders will have an opportunity to compete for Gold, Silver or Bronze Medals. The first two times were in conjunction with the Olympic Winter Games in Calgary (1988) and Salt Lake City (2002), when rodeo was part of the Cultural Olympiad and the other two times being the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo in 2017 and 2018. The medals that will be awarded at the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo will be produced by OC Tanner, the same company that made the Olympic medals for the champions of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

Tickets are currently on sale at smithstix.com. For more information on the event visit www.daysof47cowboygames.com.

The Komatsu Equipment Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo will broadcast exclusively on PBR’s RidePass via RidePass.com or the RidePass mobile app.

 

# # #

 

Current list of contestants who have earned qualification for 2019 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo

Bareback Riding

Richmond Champion – 2018 Calgary Stampede

Wyatt Denny – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

*JR Vezain – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo (will be unable to compete due to injury)

Ty Breuer – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Tristan Hansen– 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo (replacing JR Vezain)

Kaycee Feild – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Shane O’Connell – 2019 DO47 Lewis Feild Bulls & Broncs Event

Tilden Hooper – 2019 RODEOHOUSTON Super Series

Steer Wrestling

Matt Reeves – 2018 Calgary Stampede

Justin Shaffer – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Rowdy Parrott – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Bridger Anderson – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Tyler Pearson – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Josh Garner – 2019 RODEOHOUSTON Super Series

 

 

Team Roping – Headers

Kellan Johnson – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Matt Sherwood – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Riley Minor – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Garrett Tonozzi – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Ty Blasingame – 2019 RODEOHOUSTON Super Series

 

Team Roping – Heelers

Carson Johnson – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Will Woodfin – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Brady Minor – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Joe Mattern – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Kyle Lockett – 2019 RODEOHOUSTON Super Series

 

Saddle Bronc Riding

Zeke Thurston – 2018 Calgary Stampede

Cody DeMoss – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Wyatt Casper – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Isaac Diaz – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Colt Gordon – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Ross Griffin – 2019 DO47 Lewis Feild Bulls & Broncs Event

Jesse Wright – 2019 RODEOHOUSTON Super Series

 

Tie-Down Roping

Tuf Cooper – 2018 Calgary Stampede

Cory Solomon – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

JC Malone – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Caleb Smidt – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Shane Hanchey – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Michael Otero – 2019 RODEOHOUSTON Super Series

 

Barrel Racing

Hailey Kinsel – 2018 Calgary Stampede

Lisa Lockhart – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Chani Graves – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Cheyenne Wimberley – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Nellie Williams-Miller – 2019 RODEOHOUSTON Super Series

 

Bull Riding

Marcos Gloria – 2018 Calgary Stampede

Derek Kolbaba – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Alisson De Souza – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Garrett Smith – 2018 Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo

Chandler Bounds – 2019 WCRA Windy City Roundup, Chicago

Coleman Entze – 2019 DO47 Lewis Feild Bulls & Broncs Event

Trevor Kastner – 2019 RODEOHOUSTON Super Series

Marco Antonio Eguchi – 2019 PBR Fresno, CA Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Event

Remaining schedule

– 2019 PBR Casper, WY Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Event – March 30

– 2019 PBR Bakersfield, CA Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Event – April 6

– 2019 Denver Rodeo All-Star – April 12-13

– 2019 PBR Billings, MT Unleash the Beast Tour Event – April 12-14

– 2019 Rodeo Corpus Christi – April 25-28

– 2019 Utah Timed Event Classic – May 2-4

– 2019 Albuquerque, NM Unleash the Beast Tour Event – May 17-19

– 2019 Santa Maria Elks Rodeo – May 30 – June 2

– 2019 WCRA Title Town Stampede, Green Bay – June 1

– 2019 College National Finals Rodeo Champion – June 9-15

– 2019 PBR World Standings (Top 3) – June 24th

– 2019 WCRA VRQ Standings (20 athletes all events except bull riding; 12 athletes for bull riding) July 8

 

About Days of ‘47

The Komatsu Equipment Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo presented by Zions Bank, takes place at the all-new, $17.5 million, state-of-the-art Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark each July. The venue—an outdoor arena located in the heart of Salt Lake City—features over 10,000 stadium-style seats. The Days of ’47 Rodeo is one of Utah’s longest-standing traditions – celebrating Utah’s heritage since 1847. The rodeo, and other Days of ’47 events, commemorate the day – July 24, 1847 – when a determined company of Mormon pioneers realized their dreams upon entering the Great Salt Valley. The Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo is a private, non-profit, volunteer, charitable organization. Our mission is to honor Utah’s pioneer heritage and educate Utah’s kids. Please visit daysof47cowboygames.com for more information.