Rodeo Life

Author: Courtesy

  • Give New Life To Old Denim This October

    Give New Life To Old Denim This October

    Kimes Ranch Jeans and the Cotton Incorporated Blue Jeans Go GreenTM Program Join Forces to Upcycle Old Denim into UltraTouch™ Denim Insulation Oct 1 – 31

    Scottsdale, AZ – Kimes Ranch Jeans and Cotton Incorporated are giving customers the opportunity to “Trade in Their Fades” at retail locations around the country during the month of October.  By bringing a piece of worn out denim to any participating location, Kimes Ranch will offer a $20 discount on any men’s style Kimes Ranch jeans.  The old denim will be upcycled into UltraTouch™ Denim Insulation, some of which is allocated to help with building efforts in communities around the country.

     

    Through the Blue Jeans Go Green™ denim recycling program, created in 2006 by Cotton Incorporated, Kimes Ranch Jeans hopes to aid in diverting textile waste from landfills by engaging consumers to help with rebuilding efforts.  All denim collected through the Blue Jeans Go Green™ program is recycled into UltraTouch™ Denim Insulation through Bonded Logic, Inc. and a portion of this insulation is in turn distributed to organizations such as Habitat for Humanity to help rebuilding efforts across the country. The UltraTouch™ Denim Insulation is composed of 80 percent recycled cotton fibers, is environmentally safe, has 30 percent better sound absorption, resists mold and mildew, and doesn’t contain volatile chemicals.

     

    “The Blue Jeans Go Green™ program embraces the ‘do good consumerism’ we are seeing across the country by returning clothes to their natural cotton fiber and giving it new life to meet a need in our communities,” says Andrea Samber, co-director of Strategic Alliances at Cotton Incorporated.

     

    To participate, bring your old denim of any brand into participating retailers Oct 1-31. (A full list of retailers is available at kimesranch.com/trade-in-your-fades) Denim drive locations will also be available at the All American Quarter Horse Congress at Rod’s Western Palace, Schneider’s Saddlery and West 20 or at the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity at CR Ranch Wear and Calvin Allen Saddlery. The final weekend of October, Kimes Ranch will be joining forces with Nashville North in Stateline Idaho for a three night celebration.  For each piece given attendees will be entered to win giveaways, admission and meet and greets with country music stars John Anderson, Craig Campbell and Jeremy McComb.

     

    Kimes Ranch is urging those heading to major October equine events such as the All American Quarter Horse Congress in Ohio and the National Reined Cow Horse Snaffle Bit Futurity in Texas to pack their old denim to be recycled.

    “Most people who attend these events do so in part for the amazing trade show shopping.  They typically bring an extra suitcase to bring home their wares, this time they can bring that suitcase full of old denim,” advised Amanda Kimes, president of Kimes Ranch Jeans.

    For more information on the “Trade in Your Fades” promotion visit  kimesranch.com/trade-in-your-fades

     

    About Cotton Incorporated

    Cotton Incorporated, funded by U.S. cotton producers and importers of cotton and cotton textile products, conducts worldwide research and promotion activities to increase the demand for and profitability of cotton. For more information about Cotton Incorporated visit CottonInc.com.

    Blue Jeans Go Green™ is a trademark of Cotton Incorporated. UltraTouch™ Denim Insulation is a trademark of Bonded Logic Inc.

     

    About Kimes Ranch Jeans

    Founded in 2009, Kimes Ranch was created to fill a void in the western marketplace by producing superior quality, great fitting, long-lasting jeans that walked the line between fashion-forward and western friendly.

    The brand’s catchy logo and even more attractive company culture and customer service has created a dedicated following amongst western consumers. The classically inspired line of jeans have been featured in magazines including American Cowboy, Horse & Rider, Cowboys and Indians and Chrome Magazine.  For more information on Kimes Ranch, visit kimesranch.com.

  • MMid-Plains saddle bronc rider receives NLD scholarship

    MMid-Plains saddle bronc rider receives NLD scholarship

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

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

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

  • Bloomer Turns 20

    Bloomer Turns 20

    Our Journey to 20 Years

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     

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

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

  • Back When They Bucked with Don Huddleston

    Back When They Bucked with Don Huddleston

    story by Shiley Blackwell

    Don Huddleston’s name rings across the steer wrestling world as one of the greats. The Talihina, Oklahoma cowboy was an eight time NFR qualifier and has spent his days contributing to his community and the rodeo realm. “I’ve had some good guys beat me at bull dogging, and I’ve beat some good ones,” Don says of his 37-year career. “It was a lot of fun either way.”
    The 84-year-old Oklahoma native began his rodeo career during his teenage years in what was then-known as “FFA Rodeo.” “We didn’t have high school rodeo. The agriculture departments in different schools around here put on the rodeo,” Don says. “There was one in Clayton and one in Tuskahoma, and I’d make them every year and I got to where I could win.”
    During this time, a few boys from Kansas moved to Tuskahoma where Don went to school. A friendship formed and the group began rodeoing together. “We started branching out and going to stronger rodeos. I got to winning bulldoggings and bull ridings. That’s kind of what got me started.”
    Enthralled with his new-found love of rodeo, Don took every opportunity to improve his steer wrestling. “When I was going to school in Tuskahoma, we had one movie house and that was in Clayton. I went up there and I met Tater Decker and his wife, Jo, and they had bought a place down there in Clayton. We got to talking that night and he said he was going to build a practice arena. I said, ‘Well, if you want to, I’ll come help you then we can both practice down there.’ He said, ‘That’s a deal.’”

    That was the start of a building the arena that took four years and a friendship that lasted a lifetime. Tater and Don built an arena, then talked a stock contractor into letting them use a set of steers one winter in exchange for feeding and caring for them. “The bad steers we made better, and the good steers we didn’t use too much. He (the stock contractor) came out with a good set of cattle that year, so we started getting a set from a contractor nearly every year to straighten up.”
    After a few years of straightening steers out and practicing at Tater’s place, Don went to a rodeo in Ada in 1955 where he took third in the average and third in the go-round. “That showed me that I could rodeo with the rest of them since most of the professionals were there,” Don says. “I just went from there and got my RCA card.”
    This eventually led to him buying his Pro Rodeo card in 1958, leading to NFR qualifications in 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1969-71. At Don’s first NFR, he set the record in the Dallas, Texas arena with a time of 4.0. Then, at the 1963 NFR he set the arena record in the Los Angeles, California arena with a 3.9. He also set the arena record in Oklahoma City with a 4.1.
    “In those days, they had the beefy, buffalo-type cattle, and at the first of the National Finals they let Lynn Butler have the steer contract. He’d buy a set of cattle in the spring, turn them out on the blue-stem grass in western Oklahoma in the summer, and then feed them 90 days before the rodeo… That made it a hustle to just be able to throw one down. When we started the National Finals, we had to bulldog steers weighing from 800 to 1000 pounds. You can imagine the hustle that that was,” Don comments.
    Between 1968 and 1982, he would fly his private plane to rodeos where a fellow cowboy would meet him with a steer wrestling horse. Don, who served as Latimer’s County Commissioner, was talked into running for office in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which he won and he was a state representative for District 17 for two terms – 1971-74. Fellow politicians would join him on these “rodeo flights.” His other passengers included cowboys that were up at the same rodeos.
    “Most times, there in the house, there would be enough country boys there that would want to go to a rodeo with me. I had a six seat airplane so I’d load five up in there. One year, I loaded all of us up and we went to Helldorado Days in Las Vegas, and I won it. I couldn’t have had a better fan club there,” Don chuckles, “That’s the way it worked. There would always be people who wanted to come, so they’d jump in and come with me. I made sure that everyone who wanted to go could go.”
    During these years of flying to rodeos, Don had horses scattered throughout North America that he bulldogged off of. “I had several horses that went to California, a few in Canada, one in Idaho, another in Colorado. I sold them like that – all scattered out – then I rode them when I flew to rodeos.”
    Don’s arena on his ranch in Talihina became a gathering place for steer wrestlers looking to improve their skill and find the right horse. When Don retired from rodeoing full-time in the 80s, the arena they built in the 1970s continued to be a place for all the bulldoggers to gather. He and his twin brother, Dale, made many horses and competitors in this arena.
    Over the years, his “matchmaking” skills have helped dozens of cowboys find horses that have carried them to big wins. “I bought one horse from a guy over here in the county seat. He roped on him but he was just too charge-y. He told me he was going to sell him so I bought him and made a bulldogging horse out of him. I sold him to a kid in Arkansas and the first few months he had him he won $6,400 on him.”
    Don’s repertoire, as well as his ability to help cowboys find the right horse, brought in steer wrestlers from all over the country. “I had many bulldoggers here nearly every day,” he comments. “I trained a lot of bulldoggers, and many went to the finals.” Along with Don, there were many unmentioned cowboys that helped with the practices – opening a gate and pushing cattle.

    In his years of coaching steer wrestlers to success, Don emphasized the importance of attitude. “To win any rodeo contest, you need to have a good attitude. You can’t get mad at yourself, the steer, or your horse, then go to the next one and win anything… If someone has a good attitude, they’re worth working with and if they don’t have a good attitude, you might as well forget them.”
    He also served as the second vice president for the PRCA, from 1975-1980. Dale Smith was president, and Jack Roddy was 1st Vice President. After that he assisted Frank Shepperson as the steer wrestling director. His name was on the building at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs as being on the board when it was decided to build the building.
    In addition to steer wrestling schools, the Huddlestons’ arena also quickly became a place for rodeo competitors of all ages. “We filled that arena with bulldoggings and rodeos for junior cowboys and cowgirls. I had the first cancer society rodeo right here. We donated all the proceeds to the American Cancer Society in 1981.”
    They also started the now-famous Huddleston Ranch Bulldogging, which hit 46 consecutive years in May. The event, held over Memorial Day each year, brings top talent to Oklahoma for two days of competition. “Last year, we had several guys at the bull dogging who went to finals this year,” Don says. “There’s lots of gold buckles at this event.”
    And during these decades of bull dogging schools, ropings, and rodoes on the ranch, family has been at the center of it. “Our kids were raised right up here on the ranch, and they all rode horses,” Don says. “Lacee started hazing down here.”
    Don and Joye married in 1960 and traveled 17,000 miles on their honeymoon. They each had a child (Joni Grammar and Greg Vanderwagen) before they married and then they had two of their own (Gala Dawn Huddleston and Kevan Don Huddleston). They bought a ranch from Joye’s family in 1960, and still call it their home 58 years later. “We’ve been married a long time,” Don says. “And we’ve had a good life-the best life.”
    The ranch is now being run by Gala and her family and the tradition is being carried on under the careful direction of Don.
    Don has done a lot for rural Oklahoma, continuing the tradition of letting any child that had an interest in a horse to help them find their passion.

  • MPCC Rodeo Team Coach Selected for Athletic Hall of Fame

    MPCC Rodeo Team Coach Selected for Athletic Hall of Fame

    Mid-Plains Community College rodeo team coach Dustin Elliott will be inducted into the Chadron State College Athletic Hall of Fame.

    Elliott is one of eight former CSC athletes chosen for the prestigious honor. The ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 27 in the CSC Student Center.

    “It’s just kind of humbling,” Elliott said of the recognition. “It’s a real honor to know my name is going to be enshrined in a place I truly enjoyed.”

    Alex Helmbrecht, co-chair of the Hall of Fame committee, said Elliott’s selection was a unanimous decision among committee members.

    “Dustin excelled as a bull rider for CSC, and he brought notoriety to the college and its rodeo program while he was a student,” said Helmbrecht. “Dustin has continued to honor Chadron State College as a professional, and the committee is eager to formally recognize him during the ceremony.”

    Dustin Elliott rides a bull for Chadron State College. Elliott, currently a rough stock coach for Mid-Plains Community College, will be inducted into the CSC Athletic Hall of Fame in October. – CSC photos

    Elliott and fellow inductee Will Farrell won three out of four national bull riding titles for CSC during the time they were in college. Farrell was the champion in 1999 and 2002, and Elliott took home top honors in 2001.

    Elliott’s history with rodeo, however, began long before he entered the collegiate arena.

    His father was a formidable competitor in both rough stock and timed events at amateur rodeos. When Elliott stumbled across his dad’s gear bag at age 10, it fueled a passion that would eventually make him a household name.

    Elliott began riding calves when he was in fifth grade, advanced to steers and then to bulls upon entering high school rodeos.

    He earned a scholarship to CSC after becoming the Oregon High School Rodeo Finals bull riding champion in 1999.

    While at Chadron, Elliott qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo three times. He won as a sophomore after riding all four of the bulls he drew.

    Elliott turned pro while still in college then went on to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo four times and the Professional Bull Riders World Finals five times. He made it to both finals in 2010 – a rare accomplishment in the sport of professional rodeo.

    His greatest achievement came in 2004 when he won the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) World Championship. He finished fourth in the national standings each of the next two years and spent four years on the PBR’s Top 15 list.

    Dustin Elliott – CSC photos

    Today, Elliott tries to give back to the industry that did so much for him. He currently resides at North Platte with his wife Cynthia and their twins Ethan and Emma.

    When not working on the family ranch or conducting bull riding clinics across the country, he can be found coaching up-and-coming athletes on the Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team.

    His list of protégés includes former Great Plains Region bull riding champs Tyler Viers, Trey Engel and Garrett Wickett as well as regional bareback champion Rowdy Moon.

  • On The Trail with the Dickens Family

    On The Trail with the Dickens Family

    story by Shiley Blackwell

    Last month, college junior Maddy Dickens was racing to the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association barrel racing reserve championship on her main mount, Bucky. This month, you can catch them on the WPRA rodeo trail. “It’s all I’ve ever done,” she says. “When I take a step back, there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing.”

    Maddy rodeoed for Odessa College this last year, taking the southwest region all-around and barrel racing titles. This fall, she plans to rodeo for Tarleton State University while majoring in business administration and finance. “It’s motivating knowing that putting the time and the work in will eventually work in my favor,” she comments.

    “This is my second year having Bucky. I got him before I went to school my freshman year in college. His name is Bucky because he tried to buck me off an embarrassing amount of times. He had never bucked until I got him, so he was renamed to Bucky. He’s 11 this year, and so this is his first year going to a lot of pro rodeos… He’s one in a million, and I’m really lucky.”

    Maddy’s main support system is her family, as rodeo is a way of life for the Dickens, who call Loveland, Colorado home. Brothers, Joey and Kyle, are PRCA tie-down ropers. Dad, Skip, a former all-around cowboy, is always behind the chutes helping. Mom, Lisa, was a trail rider turned barrel racer, former rodeo photographer and now the self-dubbed family videographer.

     

    Maddy at the 2018 CNFR – Hubbell

    Over the years, all three kids were members of the Colorado Junior Rodeo Association, National Little Britches Rodeo Association, Colorado State High School Rodeo Association and NIRA. Kyle and Maddy were also members of the Colorado Junior High School Rodeo Association (which was formed after Joey was in junior high). “We traveled with 6 horses, 3 kids and 1-2 goats,” Lisa adds. “Our own mini circus.”

    While all three kids are now grown, they still support one another through the thick and thin of rodeo life. “My brothers have gone a lot more than I have, so they have a lot more ‘on the trail’ sense of everything,” Maddy says. Both brothers rodeoed for Colorado State University and competed at the College National Finals Rodeo themselves. “They’ve helped me a lot with my mental game, how to enter the rodeos, where to go and other things you learn as you go. I’ve been able to pick up from them a little bit because they’ve been going so much.”

    Kyle says, “It’s nice to be able to help her. I feel like she’s had a lot of the same mental hurdles that it took me awhile to struggle through and figure out.” He has tried to “at least decrease the learning curve” for Maddy.

    Mastering the mental game has proven to be even more important for Kyle and Joey, as they both quit their jobs in January to rodeo full-time. Joey, the oldest, remarked that Kyle was the driving force behind it all, as “he’s been planning this for years.”

    “I just felt good about my abilities and felt good about my horses. It was something I wanted to try and not wonder ‘what if?’” Kyle says. It’s the one thing I enjoy the most, and if I can make a career out of it, I might as well try.” Joey and Kyle share a rig and in Joey’s words, they’re both trying to win. “It’s good to go with someone who has the same goals,” Kyle adds. “It’s good to have a supporter.”

    Their transition from weekend warriors to full-time calf ropers has been fairly smooth. The biggest difference? “When we were working full-time, we had to cram in a lot more rodeos on the weekend so we could get as many in as we could,” Kyle says. They’ve realized they don’t need to exhaust themselves getting to rodeos since they have more time as full-time contestants.

     

    Kyle Dickens at the 97th Annual Greeley Stampede – Hubbell

    And when the rodeo trail gets tough, Joey says perspective is everything. “I’ve had a real job… You know what I mean? I’m not one to complain about rodeo being hard.” For Kyle, remembering his goals pushes him on the trying days. The drive to accomplish what he set out to do motivates him, and he believes it’s “pretty counter-productive” to quit, even when that feels like the easier route.

    Joey looks to his dad as his role model, as Skip “had to figure it out on his own.” Skip has worn many hats in supporting his kids’ rodeo pursuits– from practicing with them every day after work to teaching them the fundamentals of roping. He recently retired from his job, and now helps with the horses, keeps the rigs running and calls vets when they’re on the road.

    “Rodeo is just something we’ve always done as a family. It was great. It was awesome,” Lisa adds. “Where other parents may have said, ‘Yeah, I don’t see my kids on the weekends,’ we were with the kids from junior/peewee age all the way through high school. We got to spend time with our kids all the time… I wouldn’t trade a minute of it. We loved, too, the opportunity to meet people from different parts of the country and the lasting friendships you make.”As Skip and Lisa have helped their kids over the years, they recognize the valuable lessons it has brought. “They learned how to be good sports in and out of the arena, whether they win or lose,” Lisa states. Responsibility is one of the greatest quality rodeo instilled in their kids. “You have to take care of the animal. You have to practice. If you don’t do well, if you don’t win, you don’t pay for your fees. And I think they’re learning that as they go down the road and are trying to make money at it,” Lisa says. “They have to be accountable for everything they do.”

    While they experience the ups and downs of the rodeo trail, the Dickens kids know they have one another to lean on. “They tease each other, and they really like to pick on Maddy,” Lisa laughs, “But they are right there behind her, offering advice. They support each other all the time. They call Skip on things and ask his advice… As a mom, that’s really, really cool.”

    “Every time the boys rope or Maddy runs barrels, I get videos, I get phone calls of what’s going on— ‘What could we have done? This was good, this was bad,’” Skip adds. “Just that interaction is great… That’s the biggest cherry on top of the sundae to me.”

     

    Joey tie down roping at the 97th Annual Greeley Stampede – Hubbell

    The Dickens children attribute much of their success to Skip’s and Lisa’s early sacrifices for them, but their parents wouldn’t even call it a sacrifice. “I think the only thing sacrificed was time, and spending time with your kids goes without saying. It is not a sacrifice. It is what you do,” Lisa says.

    “That’s the best thing to me— The kids want to spend time with us,” Skip adds. “All three of the kids help one another all the time. They are their main supporters. And I think that’s really the best part… We get along and work as a family to try to make this work, and I think that’s incredible.”

  • First Annual Hunter Norman Memorial Bulls & Ranch Broncs Event Attracts Huge Numbers In Colorado

    First Annual Hunter Norman Memorial Bulls & Ranch Broncs Event Attracts Huge Numbers In Colorado

    GRAND JUNCTION, Colorado (June 28th, 2018) – Nearly 500 spectators, 51 competitors, local business owners and countless family and friends turned out in large numbers to attend the 1st Annual Hunter Norman Memorial Bulls & Ranch Broncs event on Saturday, June 23rd, 2018. With fans filling the grandstands and riders packing the bucking chutes, people flocked to the event at the Mesa County Fairgrounds in Grand Junction to honor and pay tribute to respected Western Slope ranch bronc rider, Hunter Norman who lost his life in a tragic accident in early May.

    The highly attended event is just a testament of the profound impact that 20-year old Fruita Monument High School graduate Hunter Norman had on the Western Slope community and beyond. With competitors coming in from Wyoming, Utah, Arizona and throughout Colorado and premier bucking stock from Ty Farris, Lonny Lancaster, Bryan Flynn and Wes Clegg of 7C Buckers, the event showcased fierce competition, big payouts and prizes in one of the best rodeo events to hit the Western Slope. 9-time PBR World Finals qualifier Tony Mendes made his return to bull riding at the event after a two-year hiatus to honor the memory and spirit of the beloved cowboy.

    “It’s a blessing and an honor that everybody showed up and attended this,” Mendes said. “It speaks volumes on what Hunter represented as a cowboy. He had heart. He’d always show up with some young kid wanting to learn how to do it. He put a lot back into this sport and I guess that was my biggest thing with coming back. I haven’t been on a bull in two years and the love that that kid showed my sport, I really wanted to be a part of this event.”

    “Hunter made an impact on my life because he always wanted to help somebody else,” Mendes said. “Hunter would show up at the practice pen out in Fruita and pay 10 bucks for some other kid to ride. He always gave back to the kids and always tried to help everybody. You’d never see him turn his back on nobody. To be a part of an event like this and to see everybody brought together doing what we love to do — that’s being a cowboy — it’s an honor and privilege. He had a heart. Hunter had a big heart. That’s why he made such a big impact and that’s why you see these people here. When he did something, he did it with his heart. He did it because he wanted to be a cowboy.”

    Family and long-time friends of Hunter organized the event in just five weeks with the help of an incredible outpouring of support from sponsors and donations. The annual memorial event will continue to celebrate the young cowboy’s life through his love and passion for ranch bronc riding and plans are already underway for next year’s event to potentially include a concert, raffle and silent auction.

    “It was a pleasure to work with Scott Norman and his team to host this event to honor the memory of his son, Hunter,” said Stacy Pinnt, Mesa County Fairgrounds Event Coordinator. “I think for this event’s first year, it was a big success and we look forward to working with them to make this event an annual one that just gets bigger every year.”

    One of the special moments from the evening featured “Hunter’s Last Ride” where a horse wearing just Hunter’s saddle was sent out from the bucking chute just before the short round. As the horse ran across the arena, fellow competitors and friends threw out their cowboy hats to show their respect for Hunter Norman.

     

    Winners List – 1st Annual Hunter Norman Memorial Bulls & Ranch Broncs:

    Ranch Broncs

    1st Place: Tyler Williams ($2700 + custom hat from Rocky Mountain Hat & Boots and Hunter Norman Buckle from A Cut Above)

    2nd Place: Wes Rosengreen ($1620 + Hunter Norman Memorial Spurs from A Cut Above)

    3rd Place: Dallin Anderson ($1080 + Hunter Norman Memorial Jacket from Bud Signs)

    High Point Ride in the Long Round – 81 points: Travis Harrison & Kasey Rosendahl (Custom-made Bronc Halter from Tel Campbell + rein donated from The Horse in Sport)

    Bulls

    1st Place: Nate Hoey ($2600 + Hunter Norman Memorial Buckle from A Cut Above)

    2nd Place: Wyatt Hamilton ($1560 + custom hat from Rocky Mountain Hat & Boots)

    3rd Place: Wyatt Bronson ($1040 + Hunter Norman Memorial Jacket from Bud Signs)

    High Point Ride in the Long Round – 82 points: Wyatt Hamilton (Custom-made Bull Rope from Beast Master Rodeo Gear)

     

    “We wanted to make this event the No. 1 stop in the month of June. The crowd turned out and the ranch bronc riders and bull riders showed up. I’m going to say this is one of the biggest events Mesa County has had in a long time,” said two-time Colorado Bullfighter of the Year Tyler Williams, one of the event organizers. “Hunter, being only 20 years of age, had a big impact on a lot of people. It’s crazy to know the impact that he had. Community members and the family came together to make this event happen, and it means the world to us.”

    Special thanks to buckle sponsors Diamond Peak Cattle Company and Twin Butte Ranch and stock contractors Ty Farris, Lonny Lancaster, Bryan Flynn and Wes Clegg of 7C Buckers. Special thanks to event sponsor Growing Spaces Greenhouses based in Pagosa Springs, Colorado and short round ranch broncs sponsor Joe and Beth Madaris from Trading Post Liquors in Grand Junction. And, special thanks to Mike Smith J for donating his beautiful custom flag art work for the silent auction item.

    For information on next year’s event and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Scott Norman at 970-471-5900.

  • Wrangler Teams Up With Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough To Wear Pink™ To Raise More Than $2.7 Million

    GUNNISON, COLO. (July 23, 2018) – Wrangler®, the iconic American denim brand representing timeless authenticity in apparel and leading sponsor of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), today announced that its partnership with Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink™ (TETWP) has reached a new milestone: $2.7 million in local funds raised for breast cancer awareness and treatment since 2006. That year, Wrangler made an initial donation of $230,000, matching what the event had raised in its first three years combined.

    Through this event and other initiatives, Wrangler continues its remarkable support of the ProRodeo community. Founded in 1947 through work with members of the PRCA to develop the Original Cowboy Cut, 13MWZ, the brand sponsors 200 select rodeos annually, including the title sponsorship of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and is the official jeans and shirts of the PRCA. Wrangler continues to sponsor more than 120 contestants, announcers, bull fighters and other members today, outfitting them in the only jeans and shirts licensed through the PRCA.

    TETWP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing local funding for breast cancer awareness, prevention, education, support, breast screenings, and equipment. Championed by country music artist Dean Dillon and based in the center of the cool Colorado mountains, Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days TETWP is the #1 rodeo fundraiser of the PRCA. Today, Wrangler is the title sponsor of both the PRCA and TETWP nationwide, as well as a Gold Buckle sponsor of Cattlemen’s Days TETWP. The brand has helped raise more than $26 million for TETWP since its inception.

    “Wrangler is proud to continue our support of amazing grassroots efforts, including the Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink campaign, which has grown into one of the most inspiring events in the rodeo community,” said Jeff Chadwick, director of special events for Wrangler. “As the leading ProRodeo sponsor of the PRCA, we take the phrase ‘Gunnison Tough’ to heart whether we’re here in Colorado or supporting hundreds of rodeos, equine events, and other western lifestyle charity events across the country.”

    At its most recent fundraising event, held this month, Cattlemen’s Days TETWP raised $360,000 to support the fight against breast cancer in its hometown. This most recent effort will generate funds for services, medical equipment and support, continuing the community’s strong momentum towards making Gunnison Valley Health the number one rural hospital for breast cancer care in the United States.

    “Having a new diagnosis of cancer is incredibly stressful, especially in a rural community,” said Heidi Sherratt, Executive Director, Gunnison Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink. “Wrangler’s contributions to and support of this fundraiser—year in and year out—has truly been staggering and allowed a small, local nonprofit to ease that struggle for the people and families who are closest to us.”

    Nationally, one in eight women will experience breast cancer in their lifetime. In Gunnison, because of the athletic lifestyle, over 45 percent of female residents have high density breasts. Consequently, these women have a higher risk for breast cancer and need more sophisticated equipment to detect the beginning stages of breast cancer. Cattlemen’s Days TETWP helps provide everything from free mammograms, transportation and food cards to financial support for leading edge technology that allows leading experts such as Stephania K. Timothy, MD to perform complex surgeries. All of the money raised in Gunnison stays local, and a portion of proceeds from everything sold within the Wrangler Tough Enough to Wear Pink merchandise collection goes back to the campaign fund.

     

    #  #  #

    Media Contacts

    Katie Johnson

    Wrangler

    kjohnson@fwv-us.com

    919-277-1146

     

    About Wrangler® Tough Enough To Wear Pink™

    Wrangler® TETWP™ was created by entrepreneur and breast cancer survivor Terry Wheatley along with Karl Stressman to bring the sport of professional rodeo and the western community together to rally against breast cancer.  Since its inception in 2004, Wrangler TETWP has empowered rodeos in the U.S. and Canada to focus attention on the need for a cure.  To date, the campaign has raised $25 million for breast cancer charities, most of which stays right in the local communities. The grassroots movement has inspired other sports communities to mount their own Wrangler TETWP campaigns, spreading a message of hope and support that reaches beyond the rodeo arena to competitors, families and fans across America. For more information on how to help, visit www.toughenoughtowearpink.com.

    About Wrangler

    Wrangler has been an icon in authentic American style around the world for more than 70 years. With a rich legacy rooted in the American west, Wrangler commits to offering unmatched quality and timeless design. Its collections for men, women and children look and feel great, inspiring those who wear them to be strong and ready for life, every day.

    Wrangler is available in retail stores worldwide, including brand flagship stores in Denver and Dallas, department stores, mass-market retailers, specialty shops, western outfitters, and online.  A VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC) brand, Wrangler is backed by one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies with socially and environmentally responsible operations spanning numerous geographies. For more information, visit Wrangler.com.

  • Gold Medals Awarded at Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo in Salt Lake City

    Gold Medals Awarded at Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo in Salt Lake City

    SALT LAKE CITY (July 24, 2018) – It was a golden night on Tuesday at the Komatsu Equipment Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo presented by Zions Bank in Salt Lake City with gold, silver and bronze medals awarded to the champions.

    The night started off similar to 2017 with bareback rider Wyatt Denny atop the medal podium after turning in an 88-point ride aboard Sankey Rodeo’s Sozo. Denny of Minden, Nev., added a second gold medal to his collection and another $50,000 to his bank account.

    Wyatt Denny – Cowboy Images

    “I had that horse a few weeks ago so when I saw I had drawn him tonight I was pretty excited,” said Denny. “It is great to be back here and capture another gold medal.”

    Taking the silver medal was JR Vezain of Melstone, Mont. It took two horses but Vezain made the second one count after receiving a reride. He tallied 85 points on the second horse, which was Andrews Rodeo’s PTDS Power Play to take second and a check totaling $25,000. There was a tie for third with Ty Breuer of Mandan, N.D. and Tristan Hansen of Victor, Idaho, who both spurred their way to 84.5 points. Due to the tiebreaker rules, Breuer received the bronze medal as his score coming in was a half a point higher than Hansen. However they will share the money each receiving $9,000.

    JR Vezain – Cowboy Images

    Saddle bronc rider Cody DeMoss joined Denny as a repeat champion after spurring Bar T Rodeo’s Pinto Pass for 87.5 points. DeMoss adds another gold medal to his collection and another $50,000 in cold hard cash. This was actually DeMoss’ third time to win the Days of ’47 Rodeo.

    “I really like this rodeo,” said DeMoss moments after receiving the gold medal. “I was in Cheyenne earlier today and have to thank Stace Smith for flying me over here and for Young Living Farms and their essential oils to help me move tonight. I pulled a hamstring and have been rubbing their oil all over. I am a big believer in their product.

    “God has blessed me here at this great arena in front of these great fans.”

    Taking the silver medal was Wyatt Casper of Pampa, Texas with an 86.5-point ride on Bar T Rodeo’s Hell Boy. Isaac Diaz and Taos Muncy tied for third with 86 points rides but it was Diaz who collected the bronze medal after coming into the Finals with a half point better ride than Muncy. Diaz rode Andrews Rodeo’s Fire Lane, while Muncy did battle with Bar T Rodeo’s Son of Sadie.

    Not to be outdone by the cowboys, barrel racer Hailey Kinsel repeated as the gold medalist at the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo. Kinsel of Cotulla, Texas, and her mount DM Sissy Hayday “Sister” turned in a lighting fast 17.09 second run to lead the way and continue their winning ways.

    Haily Kinsel – Cowboy Images

    “I have faith in God and he never let’s anyone down who puts their faith in him,” said Kinsel when asked what her secret was to dominating the barrel racing. “Plus, I have a great yellow mare who believes the same.”

    Joining Kinsel on the medal stand for the second year in a row was Lisa Lockhart of Oelrichs, S.D. Lockhart moved up one spot capturing the silver medal in 2018 with a time of 17.19 seconds aboard An Oakie With Cash “Louie.” Two-time world champion Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi took the bronze with a 17.24 aboard KissKiss BangBang “Mona.”

    There was a new man atop the podium in the steer wrestling as defending champion Ryle Smith received a no time. Justin Shaffer of Hallsville, Texas, and a former Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo Champion won his first gold medal and picked up $50,000. He stopped the clock in 4.2 seconds. Close on his heels was Rowdy Parrott of Mamou, La., with a 4.4 and Bridger Anderson of Alva, Okla., with a 4.5.

    It was a family affair in the team roping with brothers Kellan and Carson Johnson atop the podium with their very first gold medals. Kellan, 19, and Carson, 17, stopped the clock in 4.1 seconds to add $50,000 each to their bank accounts. Their father, Jhett, won the PRCA world title in 2011 as a heeler and is now watching his sons make a name for themselves in the rodeo arena. The duo who call Casper, Wyo., home also turned in the fastest time in the semifinals just 24-hours earlier with a 4.9-second run and collected $3,200 each for that run.

    Matt Sherwood of Pima, Ariz., teamed with Will Woodfin of Marshall, Texas, this week and they finished as silver medalists with a time of 4.3 seconds. Another brother team took the bronze when Riley and Brady Minor stopped the clock in 4.4 seconds.

    Tie-down roper Cory Solomon brought his A-game to Salt Lake City on Tuesday night standing atop the podium with his first gold medal. Solomon of Prairie View, Texas, stopped the clock in 6.6 seconds to capture the win and $50,000 that goes to the champion. His run was the fastest of the event with Utah cowboy JC Malone hot on his heels with a 6.7-second run. Malone of Plain City added $25,000 to his bank account and a silver medal to his trophy case. Rounding out the top three was Caleb Smidt of Bellville, Texas, with a 7.0.

    Cory Solomon – Cowboy Images

     

    Bringing the night to an exciting close Derek Kolbaba rode PBR and PRCA bull of the year D&H Cattle Sweet Pro’s Brusier to an 89.5-point ride. Kolbaba of Walla Walla, Wash., added $50,000 and his very first gold medal to his resume. Fellow PBR rider Alisson De Souza joined Kolbaba on the podium as the silver medalist and the only other one to have a qualified ride on the final night. De Souza of Brazil rode Broken Arrow’s Cut the Cord for 87 points. Garrett Smith of Rexburg, Idaho, captured the bronze after coming into the finals with the highest marked ride of 86.5 points.

    Derek Kolbaba – Cowboy Images

    The Komatsu Equipment Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo presented by Zions Bank, is taking 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 fourth time in the history of rodeo, riders will had the 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 third being the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo in 2017. The medals awarded at the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo were produced by OC Tanner, the same company that made the Olympic medals for the champions of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

    CBS Sports Network will air a recap of the final performance on tape delay on July 25 at 5 pm. MT. CBS will air a highlight show of the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo on July 29 at 11 a.m. MT.

     

    Results: – Performance 5 – July 24, 2018

    Bareback riding:1. Wyatt Denny, Minden, Nev., 88 points on Sankey Rodeo’s Sozo, $50,000; 2. JR Vezain, Melstone, Mont., 85 on Andrews Rodeo’s PTDS Power Play, $25,000; 3. (tie) Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D., on Sankey Rodeo’s Thunder Monkey, and Tristan Hansen, on Summit ProRodeo’s Revolving Door, 84.5 points, $9,000 each.

    *tie for third for medals was broken based on score coming into the Finals. Breuer had an 85.5 while Hansen came in with an 85.

    Gold medalist: Wyatt Denny

    Silver medalist: J.R. Vezain

    Bronze medalist: Ty Breuer

    Steer wrestling: 1. Justin Shaffer, 4.2 seconds, $50,000; 2. Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La., 4.4, $25,000; 3. Bridger Anderson, Alva, Okla., 4.5, $12,000; 4. Hunter Cure, Holliday, Texas, 6.6, $6,000.

    Gold medalist: Justin Shaffer

    Silver medalist: Rowdy Parrott

    Bronze medalist: Bridger Anderson

    Team roping: 1. Kellan Johnson, Casper, Wyo./Carson Johnson, Casper, Wyo., 4.1 seconds, $50,000 each; 2. Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz./Will Woodfin, Marshall, Texas, 4.3, $25,000; 3. Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash./Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 4.4, $12,000; 4. Derrick Begay, Winslow, Ariz./Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz., 4.5, $6,000.

    Gold medalist: Kellan Johnson/Carson Johnson

    Silver medalist: Matt Sherwood/Will Woodfin

    Bronze medalist: Riley Minor/Brady Minor

    Saddle bronc riding: 1. Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La., 87.5 points on Bar T Rodeo’s Pinto Pass, $50,000; 2. Wyatt Casper, Pampa, Texas, 86.5 on Bar T Rodeo’s Hell Boy, $25,000; 3. (tie) Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas, on Andrews Rodeo’s Fire Lane and Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., on Bar T Rodeo’s Son of Sadie, 86, $9,000 each.

    *tie for third for medals was broken based on score coming into the Finals. Diaz had an 86.5 while Muncy came in with an 86.

    Gold medalist: Cody DeMoss

    Silver medalist: Wyatt Casper

    Bronze medalist: Isaac Diaz

    Tie-down roping: 1. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas, 6.6 seconds, $50,000; 2. JC Malone, Plain City, Utah, 6.7, $25,000; 3. Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas, 7.0, $12,000; 4. Bryson Sechrist, Apache, Okla., 7.3, $6,000.

    Gold medalist: Cory Solomon

    Silver medalist: JC Malone

    Bronze medalist: Caleb Smidt

    Barrel racing: 1. Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 17.09 seconds, $50,000; 2. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 17.19, $25,000; 3. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Victoria, Texas, 17.24, $12,000; 4. Chani Graves, Sulphur Springs, Texas, 17.32, $6,000.

    Gold medalist: Hailey Kinsel

    Silver medalist: Lisa Lockhart

    Bronze medalist: Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi

    Bull riding: 1. Derek Kolbaba, Walla Walla, Wash. 89.5 points on HD Page’s Sweet Pro’s Bruiser, $50,000; 2. Alisson De Souza, Brazil, 87 on Broken Arrow’s Cut the Cord, $25,000; no other qualified rides.

    *Garrett Smith received the bronze after having the highest score coming into the final round.

    Gold medalist: Derek Kolbaba

    Silver medalist: Alisson De Souza

    Bronze medalist: Garrett Smith

  • Brody Cress Makes History at 122nd Cheyenne Frontier Days

    Brody Cress Makes History at 122nd Cheyenne Frontier Days

    CHEYENNE, Wyo. — July 29, 2018) — It’s been 86 years since a saddle bronc rider won back-to-back championships at Cheyenne Frontier Days (CFD), but local favorite Brody Cress was not intimidated by history.

    The 22-year-old from nearby Hillsdale won his hometown rodeo in 2017, an accomplishment that fueled the rest of his season and helped him win his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo championship last December. Cress is sponsored by CFD and proudly wears the legendary rodeo’s iconic arrowhead logo on his chaps and his shirts. “There’s no other rodeo I’d want to represent,” he said.

    Last year he came into Championship Sunday in second place and had to ride two broncs after being awarded a re-ride. He won the title by half a point. This year he came in with the overall lead and had to wait on Texan Wyatt Casper’s re-ride to see if his lead would hold for his second, record-setting CFD Championship. The crowd of 12,401 erupted with cheers and were on their feet when Cress took his victory lap around the arena.

    The biggest money winner at the 122nd “Daddy of ‘em All” was steer wrestler Levi Rudd. The Chelsea, Oklahoma, cowboy earned $21,396. When the day began he had already collected more than $11,000 in the first and second rounds. He added nearly $900 for fourth place in the final round and about $9,500 for winning the overall championship by 1.1 second.

    Rudd had competed at CFD twice in the past but had never done well. “I was happy after I won the first round since I’d never done any good here,” he said.  Rudd started the week ranked 50th in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) steer wrestling standings. He more than doubled his season earnings after his win here and jumped about 20 spots in the standings.

    Three-time world champion bareback rider Will Lowe started the day in sixth place, but an 88-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo’s Black Tie earned the Canyon, Texas, cowboy his third CFD championship and nearly $16,000.  He previously won here in 2009 and 2012. Lowe, who has qualified for 14 National Finals Rodeos (NFR) is grateful to still be riding at the highest level 10 years after winning his first title in Frontier Park.

    “It’s so awesome to be able to still be here, riding with these guys and still be competitive,“ he said. The win here should help his quest for a 15th NFR berth.

    Lowe joins three legendary cowboys – Jim Shoulders, Joe Alexander and Clint Corey – as the only ones to win three bareback riding championships here.

    Idaho bull rider Ruger Piva has accomplished something in the past year that many bull riders never will in their entire careers. Last September Piva, now 23, won the Pendleton Round-Up in Pendleton, Oregon. This week he competed for the first time at CFD, rode all three of his bulls and left with more than $10,000 in prize money and a Cheyenne Frontier Days title. The 23-year-old former high school and college wrestler can now claim wins at two of the most historic and prestigious rodeos in North America.

    “If you had told me two years ago that I would win Pendleton and Cheyenne within a year, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Piva said. “Cheyenne felt a lot bigger than I expected. I hid in the ready room and watched the action on the tv screen.”

    He received congratulations from four-time world champion J.W. Harris, who finished second. As Harris walked away, Piva asked Harris for an autograph. “He’s one of my heroes,” Piva explained.

    For the second year, weather affected the Championship Sunday competition. Last year it rained, but this year a tornado warning issued during the rodeo resulted in a weather delay of about 20 minutes. When competition resumed, rain and hail came down, particularly during the barrel racing.

    World champion Nellie Miller and her horse Rafter W Minnie Reba, that she calls “Sister,” were on the course during some of the worst of the weather, but the California duo made a solid run. Although they did not win money in the final round, their total time of 53.21 seconds earned Miller the championship. She won $19,530 and helped boost her lead in the 2018 Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) standings. Miller and her father, Sam Williams, raised and trained Sister, who got her name because she is a half-sister to the horse Miller rode to her first NFR in 2010.

    Second-generation rodeo athlete Brodie Poppino of Big Cabin, Oklahoma, came into Championship Sunday ranked fifth in steer roping. It was the first time he qualified for Championship Sunday in seven years of trying.

    Poppino won the final round by nearly six seconds, riding his 22-year-old horse named Shaggy, a full brother to the horse his mother, Tana Poppino, rode to qualify for the NFR in barrel racing. “He stays in the pasture most of the year and about a month before we start legging him up for Cheyenne,” Poppino said.

    “This is one of the most prestigious, one of the oldest rodeos in the world. It’s called “The Daddy” for a reason,“ he said. “Everybody wants to win this one. It’s a dream come true.”

    Tie-down roper Shane Hanchey credits his horse Si, the 2017 horse of the year, for helping him come from seventh place to win his first CFD title. The former world champion and eight-time NFR qualifier had the second-fastest time on Sunday. Although he did not place in the first two rounds, he earned more than $13,000.

    “I never really dreamed of winning this rodeo,” he said.  “I weigh 140 pounds. All I’ve ever heard since I was about four years old is how big the calves were and how little people didn’t fare very well (at Cheyenne). I don’t show emotions very much, but this win’s got me shook up.”

    Coming from the middle of the field to take the title was a trend in the roping events. Tennessee’s Chad Masters and Oklahoma’s Joseph Harrison were sixth in team roping when the day began, but out-paced the rest to win the final round. Their total time of 26.4 earned Masters his second CFD title (his first was in 2009) and Harrison his first.

    Trevor Brazile of Decatur, Texas, won his eighth CFD championship when he took home the all-around title for the fourth time. He has also won a team roping and three steer roping championships at CFD.

    2018 Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo Champions

    Bareback Riding – Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas, 253.5 points, $15,808

    Steer Wrestling – Levi Rudd, Chelsea, Oklahoma, 24.0 seconds, $21,396

    Team Roping – (header) Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tennessee, 26.4 seconds, $10,752

    (heeler) Joseph Harrison, Overbrook, Okla., $10,752

    Saddle Bronc Riding – Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyoming, 252.5 points, $13,123

    Tie-Down Roping – Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, Louisiana, 34.9 seconds, $11,345

    Barrel Racing – Nellie Miller, Cottonwood, California, 53.21 seconds $19,530

    Bull Riding – Ruger Piva, Challis, Idaho, 252 points, $10,281

    Steer Roping – Brody Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla., 46.4 seconds, $10,801

    All-Around – Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, $6,486 competing in tie-down, team and steer roping

     

    CHEYENNE, Wyo., July 29, 2018 — The following are final round and overall Cheyenne Frontier Days results.

    Bareback Riding: (final round winners) 1, (tie) Shane O’Connell, Rapid City, S.D., on J Bar J Rodeo’s Beyond Bugs, and Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas, Sankey Pro Rodeo’s Black Tie, 88 points, $1,450 each. 3, Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D., 86.5, $900. 4, Lane McGehee, Victoria, Texas, 86, $600. 5, (tie) Seth Lee Hardwick, Ranchester, Wyo., and Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas, 82.5, $300 each. (overall winners) 1, Lowe, 253.5 points, $8,615. 2, McGehee, 252, $6,605. 3, O’Connell, 251.5, $4,882. 4, (tie) Breuer and Tutor, 250, $2,584 each. 6, Hardwick, 249, $1,436. 7, Caleb Bennett, Tremonton, Utah, 247.5, $1,149. 8, Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn., 247, $861.

    Steer Wrestling: (final round winners) 1, (tie) Blake Mindemann, Blanchard, Okla., and Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis., 8.3 seconds, $1,752 each. 3, Dru Melvin, Hebron, Neb., 8.8, $1,386. 4, Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah, 9.8, $1,141. 5, Levi Rudd, Chelsea, Okla., 9.9, $897. 6, Stetson Jorgensen, Blackfoot, Idaho, 10.1, $652. 7, Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta, 10.4, $408. 8, Jacob Edler, Dacoma, Okla., 10.5, $163. (overall winners) 1, Rudd, 24 seconds, $9,493. 2, Guy, 25.1, $8,255. 3, Dru Melvin, 27, $7,017. 4, Cassidy, 27.1, $5,778. 5, Mindemann, 27.4, $4,540. 6, Lewis, 28.1, $3,302. 7, Jorgensen, 29.2, $2,064. 8, Edler, 29.3, $825.

    Tie-Down Roping: (final round winners) 1, Ryan Watkins, Morgan Mill, Texas, 10.9 seconds, $1,737. 2, Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., $1,510. 3, John Douch, Huntsville, Texas, 11.5, $1,284. 4, Scott Kormos, Teague, Texas, 12.1, $1,057. 5, Sterling Smith, Stephenville, Texas, 13.8, $831. 6, Clint Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 14.1, $604. 7, Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas, 14.5, $378. 8, Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas, 16.1, $151. (overall winners) 1, Hanchey, 34.9 seconds, $9,835. 2, Watkins, 36, $8,552. 3, (tie) Kormos and Smith, 36.6, $6,628 each. 5, Douch, 37, $4,704. 6, Cooper, 37.4, $3,421. 7, Harris, 37.7, $2,138. 8, Gray, 39, $855.

    Saddle Bronc Riding: (final round winners) 1, (tie) Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb., on Sankey Pro Rodeo’s Marquee and Wyatt Casper, Pampa, Texas, on Stace Smith ProRodeo’s Resistols Top Hat, 87 points, $1,450 each. 3, Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., 86, $900. 4, (tie) Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah, and Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 85.5, $475 each. 6, (tie) Joey Sonnier III, New Iberia, La., and Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas, 85, $125 each. (overall winners) 1, Cress, 252.5 points, $7,334. 2, (tie) Casper and Diaz, 250, $4,889. 4, Scheer, 247, $2,689. 5, Sonnier III, 246.5, $1,711. 6, Hay, 245, $1,222. 7, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, 244, $978. 8, Wright, 243.5, $733.

    Team Roping: (final round winners) 1, Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn., and Joseph Harrison, Overbrook, Okla., 7.6 seconds, $1,813 each. 2, Dustin Egusquiza, Mariana, Fla., and Kory Koontz, Stephenville, Texas, 9.2, $1,500. 3, Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz., and Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla., 9.3, $1,188. 4, Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga., and Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prude, Brazil, 9.5, $875. 5, Turner Harris, Killdeer, N.D., and Ross Carson, Grassy Butte, N.D., 10.1, $563. 6, Shay Carroll, Hico, Texas, and Jason Duby, Klamath Falls, Ore., 12.5, $313. (overall winners) 1, Masters and Harrison, 26.4 seconds, $8,939. 2, Driggers and Nogueira, 28.1, $7,773. 3, Egusquiza and Koontz, 28.5, $6,607. 4, Harris and Carson, 29.2, $5,441. 5, Rogers and Summers, 29.5, $4,275. 6, Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz., and Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz., 32.4, $3,109. 7, Carroll and Duby, 32.7, $1,943. 8, Ty Bach, Mt. Vernon, Texas, and Trey Johnson, Weatherford, Texas, 33.1, $777.

    Barrel Racing: (final round winners) 1, Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas, 17.66 seconds, $4,940. 2, Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 17.70, $3,705. 3, Shali Lord, Lamar, Colo., 17.85, $2,470. 4, Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas, 17.87, $1,235. (overall winners) 1, Nellie Miller, Cottonwood, Calif., 53.21 seconds, $10,003. 2, Hillman, 53.26, $8,574. 3, Lockhart, 53.28, $7,145. 4, Ganter, 53.54, $6,192. 5, Lord, 53.81, $4,763. 6, Lacinda Rose, Willard, Mo., 53.90, $3,811. 7, Michelle Darling, Medford, Okla., 53.92, $2,858. 8, Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., 53.99, $1,905. 9, Kelly Yates, Pueblo, Colo., 54.09, $1,429. 10, Laura Lambert, Wiggins, Colo., 54.33, $953.

    Bull Riding: (final round winners) (only four rides) 1, Eli Vastbinder, Athens, Texas, 89 points on Dakota Rodeo’s Soup in a Group, $1, 800. 2, Ruger Piva, Challis, Idaho, 85.5, $1,400. 3, J.W. Harris, Goldthwaite, Texas, 82, $1,050. 4, Trevor Kastner, Roff, Okla., 81, $750. (overall winners) 1, Piva, 252 points, $8,881. 2, Harris, 250, $6,809. 3, Kastner, 238.5, $5,032. 4, (on two) Vastbinder, 176.5, $3,256. 5, Koby Radley, Montpelier, La., 173.5, $2,072. 6, Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas, 168, $1,480. 7, Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont., 166, $1,184. 8, Gray Essary III, 165.5, $888.

    Steer Roping: (final round winners) (only three times) 1, Brodie Poppino, Big Cabin, Okla., 13.9 seconds, $2,415. 2, Kenyon Burns, Lovington, N.M., 19.7, $2,100. 3, Cody Scheck, Kiowa, Kan., 20.2, $1,785. (overall winners) 1, Poppino, 46.4 seconds, $8,974. 2, Burns, 51.1, $7,803. 3, Scheck, 57.5, $6,633. 4, (on two) Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 29.7, $5,462. 5, Bryce Davis, Ovalo, Texas, 32, $4,291. 6, Quay Howard, Canyon, Texas, 32.3, $3,121. 7, (tie) Jim Locke, Miami, Texas, and Jarrett Blessing, Paradise, Texas, 33.1, $1,366 each.

    Wild Horse Race: (final round winners) 1, Bobcat of the Rockies, $848. 2, Mo Green, $636. 3, BMC Construction, $424. 4, Davis Dental, $212.  (overall winners) 1, Bobcat of the Rockies, $7,949. 2, Mo Green, $6,076. 3, Dizzy Heifer Cattle Co., $4,388. 4, BMC Construction, $2,542.

  • Back When They Bucked with Joleen Hurst Steiner

    Back When They Bucked with Joleen Hurst Steiner

    story by Gail Woerner

    Joleen Hurst Steiner is a petite ‘tells it like she see’s it’ cowgirl who was born in Woodward, Oklahoma in 1952. She grew up in Fort Supply, Oklahoma, which she said was “in the middle of nowhere”. She had two sisters and a brother. Joleen was the third child. Her biggest desire as a youngster was to have a horse. Her sister felt the same way. Joleen remembered getting a pony when she was nine. Then her folks bought her and her sister full-sized horses. The girls both trained their own horses.
    At first Joleen competed in Little Britches rodeos and Junior Rodeos. She entered the pole bending, breakaway calf roping, goat tying, and barrel racing events. She broke a breakaway calf roping record at the age of 13 at the Little Britches Finals Rodeo in Littleton, Colorado.
    Joleen admits her horse was a good horse for barrel racing, but not National Finals quality. When her sister married she gave her horse, Hot Shot, to Joleen. In 1970, she joined the Girl’s Rodeo Association (GRA) and with her mother at her side she made all the Oklahoma rodeos, and ventured even farther to Colorado, Kansas, all the Texas rodeos, New Mexico, Arizona and even the West Coast. She loved the California rodeos because the weather was always so good.
    Joleen admits when asked ‘what was the hardest part of barrel racing’ she thought nothing was hard. She was young, life was good and she had a good horse. She would read the GRA News to decide which rodeos to go to. She picked the rodeos that added the most money and that is the direction she and her mother headed.
    When asked how much she practiced her answer was, “Never!” She laughingly admitted, “I just hung on to Hot Shot, and we were in the money a good deal of the time.” We know she worked harder at it than she admits, but she truly enjoyed every minute of it. She felt the rules in barrel racing were fair for everyone when she was competing.
    As we discussed, the changes that have occurred since her era she immediately mentioned “No one complained about the ground in my era. Whether it was sandy, too hard, or whatever, we just dealt with it.” Joleen also said there are a lot more quality horses bred to barrel race today than she saw in her days in the arena.

    Concerning the barrel racing horses, she feels that often trainers expect the horses they train to turn a barrel a certain way. “I feel they should allow the horses to decide how they choose to make the turn. The horse knows best what fits them.” She also said you can tell which horses love it as much as their rider – it shows.
    In 1970, Joleen was having a good year and her dad told her if she won the barrel racing at the Cow Palace he would buy her a trailer with living quarters. That win qualified her for the National Finals Rodeo, in Oklahoma City, as one of the top fifteen barrel racers in the world. There were nine rounds of barrel racing and she won three second places and two first places. “If I didn’t knock over a barrel I placed,” she admitted and laughed. That first year she finished 7th for the year.
    “When I hit the road in 1971, I was in heaven. My mom cooked wonderful meals, and we stayed on the rodeo grounds in my new gooseneck trailer. It wasn’t as common to stay on the rodeo grounds as it is today, but it was much easier, Hot Shot was with us, and it was fun.”
    The following year, 1971, she qualified for the National Finals Rodeo again, finishing in third place in the world, and third in the Average. There were ten rounds of barrel racing and Joleen had three second places, and three third place wins, but this year something happened that changed her life forever. She met Bobby Steiner, a bull rider.
    Her mother didn’t think much of bull riders. Mrs. Hurst was much more interested in Joleen finding a nice calf roper to marry. “Mom thought bull riders were lazy. All they had to do is bring their bull riding equipment in a bag to a rodeo. Mrs. Hurst felt a roper that had the responsibility of hauling his horse and keeping him sound would make a better husband for her.” Joleen was determined. She saw something in Bobby she hadn’t found before. He was very confident. They had their first date at Belton, Texas on the 4th of July. He picked her up in his big Oldsmobile 98 and she was impressed. She asked him if it was his dad’s car. She thought the car was way to fancy for a bull rider. After all, she was driving a little Ford pickup. Bobby informed her it was his car. Their first date was a drive-in movie in Temple where they saw “Bandolero” and “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”.
    After that they ran into each other at various rodeos and continued to date. The following year after the Houston rodeo Bobby asked Joleen to marry him. They married in June, 1972. Their family eventually expanded to three with the birth of Shane. Sid was born fourteen months later. Joleen had her hands full with two little boys, and a husband, so the barrel racing stopped.

    The following year Joleen began to help Bobby with his bull riding career. She entered him in all the rodeos and helped him plan to get to all of them. She said, “You might call me Bobby’s navigator. I made sure his entry fees and turn out fines were paid and took care of the business end of the sport.” (This was all before PROCOM).” She traveled with him until the doctor told her, when she was 7 months pregnant, that she needed to stay at home. Bobby won the World Championship in Bull Riding in 1973, and was 2nd in the Average. He retired from bull riding shortly after that.
    Bobby began helping his dad, Tommy, with the Steiner Rodeo Company at that time. The legacy of Steiner Rodeo Company began with Buck Steiner, Tommy’s dad running it with Tommy. Then Tommy and Bobby ran it together. Joleen carried the American flag and helped in many other ways. She helped Mildred Farris, the secretary for Steiner Rodeo Company, keep time. “When we had rodeos overlap, liked Belton and Pecos, I would secretary the smaller one,” explained Joleen. When they sold the rodeo company in 1982, Bobby and Joleen spent their time raising their sons and ranching.
    The Steiner family has always been tremendously benevolent to many groups and totally supportive of rodeo and the rodeo family. Some of the innovative things started in rodeo was done by Steiner Rodeo Company, including the electric eye for timing the barrel races, and instead of having the barrel racing event next to last they had it as their third event in each performance.
    Son Sid became a steer wrestler and went to the National Finals in 2000. In 2001, he was absent from those top fifteen in steer wrestling. But in 2002 he came back with a vengeance and won the Steer Wresting Championship and the Average. He followed in his dad’s footsteps and retired from steer wrestling shortly after winning the World title. This family is totally family-first and admit they don’t like being away from home. Son, Shane, is a musician and although he has played in numerous venues he enjoys his life performing at Steiner Ranch Steakhouse down the road from his home. Now the grandchildren are making their marks in bareback riding, barrel racing and wake-boarding sports.
    When doing this interview with Joleen, Bobby stuck his head in, and made this statement, “I may not have been the best bull rider, but I sure got the best looking barrel racer!”
    By the way, Joleen’s mom became a major fan of Professional Bullriders and knew all the cowboys competing as well as the bulls. I guess she decided bull riders weren’t so bad, after all.

  • A Streak of Fling Sired Horses Take 1st & 2nd in Barrels at the Nebraska High School Finals!

    A Streak of Fling Sired Horses Take 1st & 2nd in Barrels at the Nebraska High School Finals!

    article by Maesa Kummer

    Bailey Witt, Valentine, NE took home the Barrel Racing and All-Around year-end championship titles at the Nebraska State High School Finals aboard StreakinIrishWhiskey (A Streak of Fling x Easy April Whiskey).
    Bailey says, “I love him because he has so much heart and try and he gives me his all every run. He has a goofy personality and is fun to be around. He is all mine! I’ve ridden him since he was six-years old and we have really strong bond. He’s a very solid break-away horse also and he carried me to the All-Around title this year.”
    This A Streak of Fling-sired gelding sold on the 2009 Fulton Sale and was raised at Fulton Ranch. StreakinIrishWhiskey is a full brother to Jake Fulton’s calf roping horse, Streakin Paddy. A full sister to both of these outstanding performance horses will sell at this year’s sale. A Whiskey Fling is a two-year old red roan mare with the genetics to make your next champion!
    Sydney Adamson, Cody, NE took home Reserve Barrel Racing year-end championship honors at the Nebraska State High School Finals aboard Lenas Last Streaker (A Streak of Fling x Easy April Lena). This outstanding mare has already won over $25,000 previously at the barrel futurities with jockey Sam Flannery.
    Lenas Last Streaker is a full sibling to Streakin Easy April (LTE $250,000+), ridden by Kellie Collier and owned by Kathleen Collier, and was the last of Fulton Ranch’s foundation broodmare line, Easy April Lena. Both Lenas Last Streaker and Streakin Easy April sold through the Fulton Sale. There are four 7/8 siblings on the sale this year!
    Fulton Ranch would like to wish both of these talented cowgirls the best of luck at the National High School Rodeo Finals in Rock Springs, WY on July 15-21, 2018! Come find your next winner on Friday, August 17, 2018 in Valentine, NE!