Author: Courtesy

St. Paul Rodeo to induct six to Hall of Fame

 

St. Paul, Ore. (June 13, 2022) – Six individuals will be inducted into the St. Paul Rodeo Hall of Fame on June 29.

 

Georgene Bernards and Paul Charron (both St. Paul Rodeo Members); Julio Moreno (Timed Event Contestant); Tim O’Connor (Contract Personnel) and Wally and Launa Pohlschneider (St. Paul Rodeo Director/Officer) will find themselves enshrined in St. Paul Rodeo history.

 

Bernards, St. Paul, began her rodeo association membership in the mid-1990s alongside her husband Del Martin, first in the ticket office and then as chair of the Wild West Art Show from 2001-2006. As art show chair, she was able to secure nationally-known western artists to exhibit in the show.

 

For twenty years, she used her artistic abilities to design annual rodeo memorabilia: the poster, jewelry, Pendleton blankets, custom boots, ornaments, and the silver rodeo ticket necklace. When she and her husband joined the rodeo association, they did so with the goal of giving back to an event they respected.

 

Paul Charron, a St. Paul Rodeo Association member, began his membership with his wife, Kathleen, in 1996. He has been on the gates and parking committees and has competed four years in the rodeo barbecue contests with his ribs and tri-tips recipes, while Kathleen is a past winner of the potato salad competition.

 

He is a stalwart believer in the St. Paul Rodeo. “I fell in love with the family event that St. Paul Rodeo is,” he said. “It pumps life into our small town and keeps our western traditions alive.”

 

The Charron sons: Steve and Eddie, are also St. Paul Rodeo Association members.

 

In the timed event contestant category, Julio Moreno is this year’s inductee. The Oklahoma man began his history with rodeo in 1978 with Cotton Rosser and the Flying U Rodeo Co., where he served in many roles including as pickup man. He won the team roping twice in St. Paul (1981, 1988) and transitioned to stock contractor, providing bucking bulls for the rodeo since 2009 as part of the Big Stone Rodeo Co. “St. Paul has been a very good fit for me both as a contestant and a stock contractor,” he said.

 

For eleven years, Tim O’Connor has stepped in front of the bull at the St. Paul Rodeo, literally.

 

The Springville, Calif. man is a bullfighter, protecting bull riders after their rides. He follows in the footsteps of his uncle, Craig O’Connor, who also served as a bullfighter at St. Paul.

 

O’Connor has been selected to work the California Circuit Finals Rodeo six times, as well as other big rodeos across the west. “From the first year at St. Paul Rodeo, it felt just like coming home,” he said. “From the arbor vitae to the wooden grandstands and the fabulous hospitality from the community, I love everything about it.”

 

Wally and Launa Pohlschneider have dedicated a half-century to the St. Paul Rodeo. Joining the association in 1972, Wally served in a variety of roles throughout his tenure: as chair of the grounds crew and the annual steak feed, as ticket office director, and a two-time stint as president of the rodeo association (the only member to have that distinction).

 

Launa worked alongside her husband in all of his positions, but one of her biggest contributions was bringing the ticket office into the modern era with the addition of a computer, which allowed permanent ticket orders to be easily compiled and printed, instead of five ladies spending six days typing triplicate invoices.

 

Their love for and dedication to the St. Paul Rodeo has brought the next generation to service. Son Kenny is part of the grounds crew, and their daughters and grandsons spend summer visits on the rodeo grounds, helping with various tasks.

 

The Hall of Fame Barbecue honoring the Class of 2022 will be held June 29 at the St. Paul Rodeo arena. It begins at 5 pm. A meal will be served, with live and silent auctions. Auction proceeds benefit the St. Paul Rodeo Foundation.

Tickets for the Barbecue are $35 and are not available at the door; they must be purchased in advance. They can be purchased online at StPaulRodeo.com

 

This year’s rodeo is June 30-July 4, with performances each evening at 7:30 pm and a 1:30 pm matinee on July 4.

 

For more information, visit the website or call the rodeo office at 800.237.5920.

Black Hills Roundup fireworks are big highlight for rodeo goers, local volunteer.

 

Belle Fourche, S.D. (June 6, 2022) – What would the Fourth of July be, if it wasn’t for fireworks?

 

And the 103rd annual Black Hills Roundup makes sure rodeo fans celebrate Independence Day in style with plenty of them!

 

Fireworks follow the rodeos on July 2 and 3, and Fritz Carlson, a Belle Fourche native and resident, has been part of the group helps with them. Carlson has helped with them for the last thirty years.

 

A graduate of Premier Pyrotechnics’ fireworks schooling, he works with the experts to set them up and light them off. The Roundup’s fireworks display is one of the three biggest shows in the state.

 

A crew of five to seven people bring a specially designed trailer called the “shoot trailer” to Belle Fourche on the morning of July 2, and by 9 am, they are setting up. Owned by Robert Puhlman and his son Jaren Puhlman, the trailer is loaded with mortars, the plastic tubes that the fireworks are shot out of. A shoot board is used, with a copper sheet on the bottom of the board as the negative wire. Over the copper sheet is a vinyl covering with numbered holes tamped into it. The positive charge is a handheld wand connected to the board. When the wand is touched to a hole, it makes a connection and within milliseconds, the signal is sent for the shell to be fired. Shells are lit electronically.

 

The trailer has up to a 350 feet safety zone around it, and the men get to work as soon as it is set up. It takes five men eight hours each to set up for a show that lasts twenty minutes, Carlson said, and it requires “miles and miles of wires.”

 

Carlson is well known for his “false grand finales,” he said. He likes to wait five to eight seconds between fireworks blasts, and folks will think the show is over when it’s not. “The horns will be honking, then you touch a button and all hell breaks loose,” he laughed. “I’ll get texts that say, ‘thought you were done.’ I’ve become well known,” for fake finales, he said. “The people who come every year, they know not to leave.”

Carlson noted that even with dry conditions, the fireworks show can take place. Volunteer fire departments from all over are on hand to help: Belle Fourche, Newell, Spearfish, and others are there. “They all help each other and park in different spots, just to be sure.”

 

Carlson grew up going to the rodeo. His parents, Fred and Marcie, owned the Grandview Locker Plant, with the biggest freezer in town. They would get huge ice blocks three feet by six feet, chipping them off and selling them to the rodeo and carnival folks. Carlson remembers, as a youngster, mixing the spices that went in the pans as the beef was roasted for the barbecues. “I’ve been involved in the rodeo forever,” he said. “I was never a cowboy, but I have a lot of friends that are.”

 

His favorite part of the show is setting the fireworks off. Setting up is fun, too, but it’s hand labor in moving the fireworks “cakes” to their position, and the weather can be hot.

 

He is paid for his work, but he donates the money back, so that more fireworks can be purchased. “I have always donated my pay back. I’d rather put on a better show for the town.”

 

He’s proud to be involved with the fireworks, the Black Hills Roundup, and the town. “It’s fun, it’s a lot of work, but it’s rewarding,” he said. “People love their fireworks.”

 

The Black Hills Rodeo takes place June 30-July 4, with fireworks following the rodeo performances on July 2 and 3. Those performances sell out quickly, so the public is encouraged to buy tickets now.

 

July 1 is Family night, with four tickets for $48. July 2 is Chutes for Charity night; July 3 is Tough Enough to Wear Pink night and July 4 is Military and First Responders Day. Nightly performances are at 7 pm, except for July 4, which is a 3 pm matinee. with a ranch rodeo at 7 pm.

 

The Roundup will be aired live on the Cowboy Channel + app and replayed at a later date on the Cowboy Channel.

 

Tickets range in price from $15-$34. Fans are encouraged to avoid the lines by purchasing online.

 

For more information, visit the website at BlackHillsRoundup.com or call the Black Hills Roundup Office at the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center at 415 Fifth Avenue, Belle Fourche, S.D. (605.723.2010).

High school rodeo athletes from across Nebraska head to Hastings for State Finals.

 

Hastings, Neb.  (June 6, 2022) The best high school rodeo athletes in the state will make their way to Hastings, Nebraska June 10-12 to compete for the title of Nebraska’s best.

 

The Nebraska High School Finals Rodeo features the top thirty contestants in each of thirteen events (top sixty in the team roping.) The high school students have accumulated points throughout the fall and spring seasons, and the following is a look at several of the event leaders.

 

Dane Pokorny is back to defend his 2021 steer wrestling title.

 

The Stapleton cowboy, a 2022 graduate of Thedford High School, leads the steer wrestling this year, a mere eight points ahead of his friend, Coy Johnston.

 

His rodeo year has been good, he said, “consistent. I’ve been picking up points every weekend.”

 

Not only does Pokorny excel in rodeo, but he was part of the Thedford High football team that won the state runner-up title in Class D2. He was all-state honorary caption and all-state running back, and started all four years in both football and basketball.

 

And this is the last state finals rodeo for Pokorny’s horse, Shorty. He will be retired after Pokorny rides him at state finals, and, if he qualifies, at the National High School Finals. After that, it’s out to pasture, to be “loved on,” Pokorny said.

 

Pokorny is the son of Brad and Paula Pokorny. He has also qualified for the finals in the team roping.

 

Reagan McIntyre, Grand Island, has burst into the high school rodeo world in grand fashion.

 

The fifteen-year-old cowgirl who just finished her freshman year is leading two events: the breakaway roping and the goat tying, with a double-digit lead in the breakaway over the number two cowgirl, Makayla Wray.

 

McIntyre excelled in junior high rodeo, finishing at the National Junior High Finals in sixth place in the world in the breakaway. “That gave me the confidence going into high school,” she said. “I knew there was tons of tough competition (in high school) so I’d have to take a step up, coming into the high school ranks.”

 

A student at Grand Island Northwest, she participates in volleyball, basketball and track, and was on the honor roll. Her 4×800 relay team finished seventh in Class B at the state track meet this year.

 

The oldest of four children of Jeremy and Karen McIntyre, Reagan admits the entire family is competitive when playing games, such as spoons. “It’s definitely pretty intense,” she laughed. “We have pretty much stopped playing because (the games) get so competitive.”

 

She has a plan for state finals. “I’m just going to go into it how I go into every run. It’s just another weekend where you have to lay down solid runs and stay on the top of your game.” She has also qualified for the state finals in the pole bending, team roping and barrel racing.

 

In the bareback riding, Tate Miller is confidently in first place.

 

The Springview cowboy has a six-point lead over the number two man, Spencer Denaeyer.

 

His strong rodeo season has been good, he said, after a weak showing at the 2021 National High School Finals Rodeo.

 

At Nationals last year, “I didn’t have the Nationals I’d have liked, and my confidence was down, coming into my junior year,” he said. “I’ve won a lot of (high school) rodeos this year, helping get my points up and my confidence built back up. I had a good season, so it boosted my confidence.”

 

Miller, who will be a senior at Keya Paha County High School this fall, plays football and is a member of the FFA and National Honor Society.

 

He is the son of Will and Jamie Miller.

 

In the boys cutting, Cooper Bass sits atop the leaderboard.

 

The Brewster cowboy, a graduate of online high school, has had an exceptional year in the cutting. “I’ve done very, very well,” he said. “My mare has been working great.”

He will also come into state finals in first place in the team roping, heading for Zach Bradley, and in a third event, the tie-down roping, in fourteenth place.

 

Because Bass has taken classes online, he’s had time for a job, working at three different sale barns, sometimes putting in 24 hour shifts. He also rides horses for others, putting thirty days of training on them.

 

He is the son of Steve and Teresa Bass.

 

Other leaders (as of press time) heading into the weekend’s finals include Hailey Witte, Crookston (barrel racing); Hunter Boydston, Grover, Colo. (bull riding); Brooke Forre, Newman Grove (girls cutting); Raina Swanson, Genoa (pole bending); Monte Bailey, Lakeside (saddle bronc riding); Sid Miller, Merna (tie-down roping) Brady Renner, Ericson (heeler); and Tatum Olson, Bloomfield (reined cow horse).

 

The thirteen events include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, team roping, breakaway roping, goat tying, pole bending, barrel racing, boys cutting, girls cutting, reined cow horse and bull riding.

 

The first go-round takes place June 10 at 11 am and 6 pm. The second go-round is June 11 at 11 am and 6 pm. After the two rounds, the top ten contestants in each event will advance to the short round on June 12 at 1 pm. The cutting will be held at 7 am on June 10-11, with the final round at 8 am on June 12. The reined cow horse will be at 10 am on June 10-11.

 

The top four in each event, after the state finals are over, qualify for the National High School Finals Rodeo, held this year in Gillette, Wyo., July 17-23.

 

The 2022-2023 Miss Nebraska High School Rodeo Queen will be crowned prior to the performance on June 12.

 

For more information, visit www.AdamsCountyFairgrounds.com or call 402.462.3247. For information on the Nebraska State High School Rodeo Association, visit www.hsrodeo-nebraska.com.

### –

 

Cutlines:

Dane Pokorny steer wrestles at the 2022 Valentine high school rodeo. A 2022 graduate of Thedford High School, he enters the state high school finals in first place in the steer wrestling. Photo by Jill Saults.

 

Cooper Bass (on the right) and Zack Bradley team rope at the 2022 Valentine high school rodeo. Bass, of Brewster, leads the boys cutting coming into the weekend’s state finals but will also compete in the team roping. Photo by Steph Miller.

 

Tate Miller, Springview, enters this weekend’s state high school finals in first place in the bareback riding. Photo by Jill Saults.

 

Reagan McIntyre, Grand Island, leads two events coming into this weekend’s state high school finals. The 15-year-old cowgirl is first in the breakaway roping (pictured) and the goat tying. Photo by Steph Miller.

 

 

 

 

Qualifying high school rodeo contestants for the 2022 Nebraska State High School Finals Rodeo (unofficial listing; list is current as of 6-2-22, so contestants may have changed; qualifying contestants may choose to not compete at finals; hometown is in Nebraska unless specified):

 

Bareback Riding

1. Tate Miller, Springview
2. Spencer Denaeyer, Seneca
3. Cole Kerner, Sutherland
4. Koltdyn Heath, Minden
5. Tanner Drueke, Sutherland
6. Cinch Kiger, Overton
7. Taylon Pascoe, Lincoln

 

Barrel Racing

1. Hailey Witte, Crookston
2. Anna Clark, Thedford
3. Taci Flinn, Arcadia
4. Jacei Spangler, Arthur
5. Camryn Kocian, Brainard
6. Mekenna Fisher, Hershey
7. Summer Richardson, Ainsworth
8. Bradie Crouse, Blair
9. Clancy Jo Brown, North Platte
10. Bailey Bell, North Platte
11. Libby Hegemann, Arlington
12. Whitney Jennings, Seneca
13. Ashlyn Henderson, Hyannis
14. Blaise Lange, Harrison
15. Reagan McIntyre, Grand Island
16. Kinley Crow, Hershey
17. Peyton Fisher, Hershey
18. Laney Hoier, Herman
19. Jymmie Jensen, Burwell
20. Emma Pearson, Broken Bow
21. Morgan Rosander, Wolbach
22. Ashton Werth, Hyannis
23. Kieley Walz, Ainsworth
24. Jaycee Lambert, Harrison
25. Lillian Fletcher, Arnold
26. Jayda From, Crookston
27. Josie Anthony, Crofton
28. Dakota Glinn, Keystone
29. Gracey Rodocker-Peters, Taylor
30. Rylee Nall-Sillivan, St. Paul

 

Boys Cutting

1. Cooper Bass, Brewster
2. Bo Bushhousen, St Libory
3. Dakota Storer, Arthur
4. Trey Vance, Inavale
5. Devin Konicek, Burwell
6. Tatum Olson, Bloomfield
7. Alex Hathaway, Pender
8. Cody Miller, Broken Bow
9. Matt Symonds, Mitchell
10. Tate Talkington, Scottsbluff
11. Clancey Symonds, Mitchell
12. Tucker Gillespie, McCook

 

Breakaway Roping

1. Reagan McIntyre, Grand Island
2. Makayla Wray, Ord
3. Emma Ohm, Hyannis
4. Jace Hurlburt, Arcadia
5. Shayda Vaughn, Hershey
6. Whitney Jennings, Seneca
7. Summer Richardson, Ainsworth
8. Laynee Ohm, Hyannis
9. Bradie Crouse, Blair
10. Tacey From, Crookston
11. Fayth From, Crookston
12. Libby Hegemann, Arlington
13. Kieley Walz, Ainsworth
14. Ali Vaughn, Hershey
15. Clancy Jo Brown, North Platte
16. Jacei Spangler, Arthur
17. Brooke Forre, Newman Grove
18. Jacie Naprstek, Gothenburg
19. Laney Hoier, Herman
20. Jasmine Dyer, Crawford
21. Halee Sheffield, Farnam
22. Rylee Nall-Sillivan, St Paul
23. Jayda From, Crookston
24. Jaden Mathis, Atkinson
25. Mekenna Fisher, Hershey
26. Jenae Whitaker, Chambers
27. Kinley Greenough, Kearney
28. Emily Leach, Dunning
29. Kassidy Rambat, Ashby
30. Kirsten Koenig, Ewing

 

Bull Riding

1. Hunter Boydston, Grover, Colo.
2. Jason Ducker-Kursave, Aracdia
3. Cooper Kursave, Arcadia
4. Jett Sjeklocha, Hayes Center
5. Tanner Drueke, Sutherland
6. Koltdyn Heath, Minden
7. Brady Painter, Ainsworth
8. Slate Micheel, Sargent
9. Ashton Higgins, Neligh
10. Dalton Garey, Broken Bow
11. Cole Kerner, Sutherland
12. Colton Thornburg, Hastings

 

Girls Cutting

1. Brooke Forre, Newman Grove
2. Whitney Jennings, Seneca
3. Mekenna Fisher, Hershey
4. Emma Pearson Broken Bow
5. Ava Smith, Pender
6. Peyton Fisher, Hershey
7. Gracyn Hicks, Burwell
8. Jayda Meyring, Alliance
9. Jordan Downing, Dunning

 

Goat Tying

1. Reagan McIntyre, Grand Island
2. Libby Hegemann, Arlington
3. Laney Hoier, Herman
4. Ashlyn Henderson, Hyannis
5. Emma Warren, Thedford
6. Kinley Greenough, Kearney
7. Emma Ohm, Hyannis
8. Jacie Naprstek, Gothenburg
9. Jacei Spangler, Arthur
10. Clancy Jo Brown, North Platte
11. Mekenna Fisher, Hershey
12. Jenae Whitaker, Chambers
13. Laynee Ohm, Hyannis
14. Bradie Crouse, Blair
15. Tatum Reid, Crawford
16. Abigail Lawton, Overton
17. Sabrina Schemper, Holdrege
18. Brooke Forre, Newman Grove
19. Jace Hurlburt, Arcadia
20. Peyton Fisher, Hershey
21. Kylie Lancaster, Hastings
22. Lynsie Lancaster, Hastings
23. Kassidy Rambat, Ashby
24. Samara Ruether, Beaver Crossing
25. Winter Benscoter, Valentine
26. Kirsten Koenig, Ewing
27. Paityn Edwards, Waverly
28. Jaycee Lambert, Harrison
29. Whitney Jennings, Seneca
30. Jayda From, Crookston
31. Terrin Barthel, Ainsworth

(due to a tie for 30th place, there are 31 qualified goat tyers)

 

Pole Bending

1. Raina Swanson, Genoa
2. Gracey Taylor, Valentine
3. Makalya Wray, Ord
4. Clancy Jo Brown, North Platte
5. Emma Pearson, Broken Bow
6. Rylee Nall-Silivan, St. Paul
7. Reagan McIntyre, Grand Island
8. Abigail Lawton, Overton
9. Jymmie Jensen, Burwell
10. Tatum Reid, Crawford
11. Peyton Fisher, Hershey
12. Ashlyn Henderson, Hyannis
13. Addison Oliver, Holyoke, Colo.
14. Camryn Kocian, Brainard
15. Emily Ahlers, Clearwater
16. Sage Glinn, Keystone
17. Kieley Walz, Ainsworth
18. Emma Grube, Minden
19. Laynee Ohm, Hyannis
20. Dakota Glinn, Keystone
21. Jacei Spangler, Arthur
22. Rylee Legg, Kenesaw
23. Morgan Rosander, Wolbach
24. Sydney Fletcher, Arnold
25. Jenae Whitaker, Chambers
26. Josie Anthony, Crofton
27. Nevaeh Wild, Hay Springs
28. Lillian Fletcher, Arnold
29. Tacey From, Crookston
30. Mekenna Fisher, Hershey’
31. Kenna McCaslin, Broken Bow
32. Emily Bennett, Bayard

(due to a tie for 30th place, there are 32 qualified pole benders)

 

Saddle Bronc Riding

1. Monte Bailey, Lakeside
2. Leif Meidell, Harrison
3. Augustus Painter, Ainsworth
4. Carson Jones, Neligh

 

Steer Wrestling

1. Dane Pokorny, Stapleton
2. Coy Johnston, Stapleton
3. Taydon Gorsuch, Gering
4. Sage Schrunk, Valentine
5. Jaden Fanning, Ogallala
6. Slate Micheel, Sargent
7. Tucker Ravenscroft, Nenzel
8. Beau Wiebelhaus, Springview
9. Wyatt Reichenberg, Harrisburg
10. Cinch Painter, Springview
11. Gage Davis, Cody
12. TC Hughson, Morrill
13. Kyle Cox, Purdum
14. Dawson Doggett, Stapleton
15. Augustus Painter, Ainsworth
16. Brady Painter, Ainsworth
17. Cayson Johnston, Stapleton
18. Thayne Kimbrough, Ohiowa
19. Carson Cooksley, Valentine
20. Cody Miller, Broken Bow
21. Cale Buss, Atkinson
22. Dakota Storer, Arthur
23. Clayton Veldhuizen, Curtis
24. Wyatt Hajny, Nelson
25. Jett Sjeklocha, Hayes Cneter
26. Clayton Elliott, Valentine
27. Coy Fleming, Bayard

 

Team Roping

1. Brady Renner, Ericson
2. Cooper Bass, Brewster
3. Makayla Wray, Ord
4. Sid Miller, Merna
5. Zane Druery, Anselmo
6. Brent Charlton, North Platte
7. Carter Anderson, Merriman
8. Sage Schrunk, Valentine
9. Jate Saults, Big Springs
10. Seth Glass, Central City
11. Reagan McIntyre, Grand Island
12. Zack Bradley, Brewster
13. Summer Richardson, Ainsworth
14. Cinch Painter, Springview
15. Tyson Stracke, Stuart
16. Bradie Crouse, Blair
17. Dalton Garey, Broken Bow
18. Zane Kreikemeier, Callaway
19. Gage Davis, Cody
20. Jace Hurlburt, Arcadia
21. Coy Johnston, Stapleton
22. Tate Talkington, Scottsbluff
23. Skyler Hund, North Platte
24. Ryan Shepherd, North Platte
25. Emma Ohm, Hyannis
26. Fayth From, Croookston
27. Hayes Hammond, Valentine
28. Jace Richter, Ogallala
29. Cayson Johnston, Stapleton
30. Evan Richter, Ogallala
31. Trell Shrewsbury, Alliance
32. Joe Todd-Hopkins, Bayard
33. Montgomery Brown, Oshkosh
34. Garrett Harms, Brule
35. Jackson Wykert, Grant
36. Tatum Olson, Bloomfield
37. Jaden Fanning, Ogallala
38. Kohl Kramer, Hyannis
39. Cauy Preitauer, Stamford
40. Sage Dieter, Alma
41. Ashlyn Henderson, Hyannis
42. Ty Growcock, Bartlett
43. Taylor Drueke, Sutherland
44. Laynee Ohm, Hyannis
45. Jymmie Jensen, Burwell
46. Dane Pokorny, Stapleton
47. Jaden Mathis, Atkinson
48. Cale Buss, Atkinson
49. Layne Wallinger, Stuart
50. Everett Blackburn, Bartlett
51. Cooper Fay, Cody
52. Riggin Heikel, Hazard
53. Thayne Kimbrough, Ohiowa
54. Layton Lindner, Broken Bow
55. Matthew Miller, Callaway
56. Tate Miller, Springview
57. Tucker Ravenscroft, Nenzel
58. Dakota Storer, Arthur
59. Tacey From, Crookston
60. Cody Miller, Broken Bow

 

Tie-Down Roping

1. Sid Miller, Merna
2. Jate Saults, Big Springs
3. Cooper Phillips, Burwell
4. Carter Anderson, Merriman
5. Tate Talkington, Scottsbluff
6. Layne Wallinger, Stuart
7. Coy Johnston, Stapleton
8. Sage Schrunk, Valentine
9. Seth Glass, Central City
10. Brent Charlton, North Platte
11. Gage Davis, Cody
12. Matthew Miller, Callaway
13. Cale Buss, Atkinson
14. Cody Miller, Broken Bow
15. Cooper Bass, Brewster
16. Camilo Rios, Ashland
17. Zane Kreikemeier, Callaway
18. Trell Shrewsbury, Alliance
19. Cayson Johnston, Stapleton
20. Tyson Stracke, Stuart
21. Cauy Preitauer, Stamford
22. Montgomery Brown, Oshkosh
23. Hayes Hammond, Valentine
24. Layton Lindner, Broken Bow
25. Jace Richter, Ogallala
26. Cinch Painter, Springview
27. Zachary Miller, Callaway
28. Taylor Drueke, Sutherland
29. Dakota Storer, Arthur
30. Jaden Fanning, Ogallala

 

Reined Cow Horse

1. Tatum Olson, Bloomfield
2. Charlie Bortner, McCook
3. Tate Talkington,Scottsbluff
4. Jayda Meyring, Alliance
5. Tucker Gillespie, McCook
6. Abigail Russell, Hay Springs
7. Ashton Werth, Hyannis
8. Alyssa Hockenbary, Valentine
9. Paige Hoelting, Sutherland

Days of ’76 keeps history alive with rodeo, history reenactments.

 

Deadwood, S.D. (June 6, 2022) – They don’t like to mess with history in Deadwood, S.D.

 

And that’s one reason the Days of ’76 Rodeo, held in Deadwood July 24-30, has been so successful.

 

For the 100th year, the Days of ’76 Rodeo will hold its annual event, with over 600 cowboys and cowgirls and thousands of fans in attendance.

 

There are plenty of good reasons to attend the rodeo, says Chris Roberts, chairman of the committee.

 

“One of the biggest things, compared to other PRCA rodeos, is that we concentrate on the western tradition and the history of the sport,” he said. The wooden chutes add the western flavor to the event, and the specialty acts and entertainment are geared around horses and horsemanship acts.

 

During each performance of the rodeo, two reenactments are held: a stagecoach holdup and the murder of Wild Bill Hickok, which took place just down the street from the arena, on August 2, 1876.

 

This year’s rodeo will include announcer Randy Corley, rodeo clown Justin Rumford, bullfighters Nathan Jestes and Beau Schueth, and the bucking horses and bulls of Burch Rodeo and various sub-contractors.

 

Being true to their roots has been good to the Days of ’76. The rodeo has won nineteen PRCA Rodeo of the Year awards: four times in the small rodeo category, fourteen times in the medium category, and one (2020) in the large outdoor rodeo category. Through the years, the rodeo has grown, necessitating its move from the small rodeo division to the large.

 

Rodeo is South Dakota’s official state sport, so it is important to the state. “It runs deep in all of South Dakota, and certainly western South Dakota and Deadwood,” Roberts said.

 

“The (rodeo) celebration has remained historic in nature,” he said. “We continue to celebrate the Days of 1876 and the gold rush in the Black Hills.”

 

This year’s Days of ’76 rodeo will take place July 24-30. Slack, the extra competition that doesn’t fit into the performances, runs July 24-27. Performances are July 27-30 with nightly performances at 7 pm and a matinee on July 30 at 1:30 pm. Tickets range in price from $11-$41 (plus fees) and can be purchased online at Daysof76.com and at the gate. For more information, visit the website.

Garnering 34.5 Challenger Series points for the golden finish, Oliveira surged to No. 3 in the series standings.

 

OCEAN CITY, Md. – As action for the first-ever PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Challenger Series event in Ocean City, Maryland, wound to a close Sunday afternoon, Eduardo de Oliveira (Nova Lacerda, Brazil) emerged the supreme competitor. Backed by a 2-for-4 showing, Oliveira won his career-first PBR event, victorious at the Bulls on The Beach – Ocean City PBR.

Despite suffering a heart-breaking buckoff in Round 1, bested by Rocky Malcoma (Mike Miller Bucking Bulls) in a close 7.19 seconds, the stoic Brazilian returned determined for Round 2. Going head-to-head with Pennsylvania-raised animal athlete Just Denim (Mike Miller Bucking Bulls), Oliveira reached the requisite 8 for 81 points.

Oliveira’s momentum then continued in Round 3 when he covered Grey Goose (Mike Miller Bucking Bulls) for 81.5 points to surge to the event lead.

While Cooter Brown (Lucas Manning/Waller Brothers Cattle Co.) proved too much for Oliveira in the championship round, brought down in 4.06 seconds, his two prior qualified rides proved enough to clinch the golden finish.

Oliveira’s efforts earned him 34.5 Challenger Series, propelling him to No. 3 in the series standings. He is now within 36 points of the top-ranked rider.

Texas Rattlers rider Rafael Jose de Brito (Potirendaba, Brazil) remained atop the Challenger Series standings compliments of a runner-up effort in Ocean City.

Going 2-for-4, Brito briefly held the event lead after winning Round 1 when he rode Judgement Day (Lucas Manning Bucking Bulls) for 86 points.

His success, however, came to an abrupt halt in Round 2 when he was upended by Air Shift (Blake Sharp/Henry Wilson) in 5.27 seconds.

Righting the ship, Brito struck again in Round 3 when he bested All In (J Bar W) for 68.5 points. In a business decision, Brito declined his option for a re-ride, a decision which proved dividends.

Brito’s event, however, ended short of the 8-second whistle, bucked off by Xoxo (Lucas Manning Bucking Bulls) in the championship round in 3.17 seconds.

The podium finish garnered Brito 28 Challenger Series points.

Third was Round 1 winner Cole Melancon (Sour Lake, Texas), collecting 17 Challenger Series points.

The Kansas City Outlaws contender delivered the highest-marked ride of the event in Round 2 when he dominated Xoxo for 88.5 points.

The reserved Texan leaves the Eastern Shore having earned 17 Challenger Series points. Melancon is now ranked No. 7 in the series standings, 53.5 points behind No. 1 Brito.

Fourth was Alex Jenks (Vale, North Carolina), netting 10 Challenger Series points.

Going 1-for-4, Jenks converted atop Chief (Blake Sharp/Michael Floyd) in Round 2, marked 86.5 points.

Rounding out the Top 5 in fifth was veteran rider Michael Lane (Tazewell, Virginia).

Lane had the Ocean City crowd on its feet in the opening round when he rode Root Cause (J Bar W) for 85.5 points.

He earned 8 Challenger Series points.

PBR RidePass on PlutoTV will offer re-airs and on-demand replays of every PBR Unleash The Beast event. PBR RidePass is available on desktops, laptops and mobile devices via www.pluto.tv. Tune to channel 720 for the latest programming schedule, and click here for on-demand PBR programming.

PBR Challenger Series

Bulls on The Beach – Ocean City PBR

Ocean City Beach Front – Ocean City, Maryland

Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 2-Round 3-Round 4-Event Aggregate-Event Points)

1. Eduardo de Oliveira, 0-81-81.5-0-162.50-34.5 Points.
2. Rafael Jose de Brito, 86-0-68.5-0-154.50-28 Points.
3. Cole Melancon, 0-88.5-0-0-88.50-17 Points.
4. Alex Jenks, 0-86.5-0-0-86.50-10 Points.
5. Michael Lane, 85.5-0-0-0-85.50-8 Points.
6. Brandon Chambers, 0-0-84.5-0-84.50-8 Points.

(tie). Kyle McDaniel, 0-0-84.5-0-84.50-8 Points.

8. Travis Wimberley, 0-0-84-0-84.00-3 Points.
9. Jake Morinec, 82.5-0-0-0-82.50-3 Points.
10. Marcus Mast, 0-0-81.5-0-81.50-1.5 Points.
11. Lane Nelson, 79.5-0-0-0-79.50-2 Points.
12. Felipe Nogueira, 79-0-0-0-79.00-1 Points.

Leonardo Lima, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Wallace Vieira de Oliveira, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Matt Allgood, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Bryce Hoekwater, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Lamar Lehman, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Dustin Martinez, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Keith Hall, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Levi Hershberger, 0-0-0-0-0.00

D.J. Parker, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Will Loomis, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Kevin Fairris, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Matt Oliver, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Warlen Aquino, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Ben Havill, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Perry Schrock, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Joseph Petersheim, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Clancy Hart, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Tyler Crank, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Chance Fryer, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Melvin Byler, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Adrian Stackhouse, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Andrew Decker, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Jake Schreiber, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Dustin Herman, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Andrew Eckhart, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Hunter Gunneson, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Preston Wentworth, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Brandon McDowell, 0-0-0-0-0.00

Jordon Beck, 0-0-0-0-0.00

 

2022 PBR Challenger Series Standings

(Place, Rider, Events, Wins, Top 5’s, Points, Total Winnings)

1. Rafael Jose de Brito, 2, 1, 2, 70.50, $17,223.73
2. Deklan Garland, 2, 1, 2, 40.00, $6,476.33
3. Eduardo de Oliveira, 1, 1, 1, 34.50, $7,150.00
4. Eli Vastbinder, 1, 0, 1, 28.00, $9,829.06
5. Tieler Cummings, 1, 0, 1, 20.50, $4,500.00
6. Caden Bunch, 1, 0, 1, 20.50, $4,500.00
7. Cole Melancon, 1, 0, 1, 17.00, $4,000.00
8. Daniel Keeping, 1, 0, 1, 16.00, $4,933.36
9. Lonnie West, 2, 1, 1, 15.00, $3,351.55
10. Brady Oleson, 1, 1, 1, 15.00, $5,267.21
11. Leonardo Lima, 3, 0, 1, 11.50, $3,690.61
12. Trace Brown, 5, 0, 1, 10.00, $4,485.26
13. Bo T Vocu, 3, 0, 1, 10.00, $4,000.00
14. Alex Jenks, 2, 0, 1, 10.00, $2,800.00
15. Bill Henry, 2, 0, 1, 8.00, $4,309.53
16. Kyle McDaniel, 1, 0, 0, 8.00, $1,680.00
17. Brandon Chambers, 1, 0, 0, 8.00, $1,680.00
18. Michael Lane, 1, 0, 1, 8.00, $1,980.00
19. Dalton Rudman, 2, 0, 1, 7.00, $1,715.88
20. Wallace Vieira de Oliveira, 2, 0, 1, 6.50, $2,334.87
21. Josh Baker, 1, 0, 1, 6.50, $2,334.87
22. Jake Morinec, 3, 0, 0, 4.50, $788.30
23. Leandro Machado, 1, 1, 1, 4.00, $2,284.08
24. Griffin Smeltzer, 2, 0, 1, 4.00, $1,188.24
25. Gage Gay, 2, 0, 1, 3.00, $734.47
26. Travis Wimberley, 1, 0, 0, 3.00, $960.00
27. Alecio Ferreira da Costa, 2, 0, 0, 2.00, $922.65
28. Cody Casper, 2, 0, 1, 2.00, $1,134.59
29. Lane Nelson, 1, 0, 0, 2.00, $300.00
30. Marcus Mast, 4, 0, 0, 1.50, $150.00
31. Matt Allgood, 3, 0, 0, 1.50, $188.30
32. Bryce Hoekwater, 2, 0, 1, 1.00, $792.84
33. Felipe Nogueira, 1, 0, 0, 1.00, $0.00
34. Cal Spence, 1, 0, 0, 1.00, $0.00

World-acclaimed traditional charro to perform at the Black Hills RoundUp

 

Belle Fourche, S.D. (April 25, 2022) – Tomas Garcilazo will bring the Mexican art of La Charreria to the Black Hills Roundup June 30-July 4 in Belle Fourche, S.D.

 

Garcilazo was born and raised in Mexico City and as a child learned the rope work and horsemanship that comes with the family heritage.

 

La Charreria is the official national sport of Mexico and, for Garcilazo, exhibits his skills aboard a horse.

 

On his beautiful mount, he does sliding stops, spins, turns, reining, side passes, all in Mexican style, choreographed to music. Garcilazo makes it look effortless, belying how much time he has put into his life’s work.

 

While he performs, he wears the traditional Charreria attire, proud to represent his culture through his outfits and skills.

During his routine, he incorporates fancy roping, standing on his horse and jumping through his rope, like the Texas Skip, and finishing his act with the Wedding Ring, a big loop rope trick with 70 feet of rope spinning around him and his horse as they walk around the arena.

 

Garcilazo grew up with a rope in his hands. “I didn’t have many toys,” he said. “My toy was my rope.” He competed in bull riding and roping at Mexican rodeos and moved to the U.S. when he was 22 years old. Since then, he’s spent two years on tour with the Will Rogers Follies, a six-time Tony Award winning show, performing in 48 states and two countries and twice in the White House. He’s been a featured performer at Disney’s Wild West Show in Paris for three years and performed at several horses shows in Holland, Germany and Italy. He’s performed for numerous Mexico presidents and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

 

While in Paris, he met his wife, Justine, who is French. They have two sons: Louis, who is seven, and Gaspar, age nine months. Louis performs alongside his dad in the arena, and loves it. “I like doing stuff with my dad. I like trick roping, riding, and practicing. It’s so much fun.” He dresses in charro costume, like his dad, and ropes in sync with him, wowing the crowd with his superb trick roping.

 

Louis has a rope in his hand wherever he goes, his mom reports. “It’s even hard to go to the grocery store without one,” she laughed. But she and Tomas are pleased that their older son shows an inclination for charro and performing. “It’s great that he’s loving it. It’s something he’s passionate about, and it’s nice that the legacy and the heritage keeps going.”

 

Tomas and Justine’s youngest son, Gaspar, is less than a year old but already showing signs of loving horses. When they put him in the saddle with them, as the horse stands still, “he doesn’t want to get off, and he moves like he’s riding,” Justine said.

 

Garcilazo, a four-time PRCA Dress Act of the Year Award winner, has performed at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 25 consecutive years, starting in 1997. He’s one of the few rodeo acts who has worked the rodeo so many years in a row, because he’s a fan favorite and a professional at what he does. Tomas and his family won the TBS Show Go Big contest in March, winning $100,000.

 

He is a third generation Charro, devoting his life to sharing Mexico’s National Sport La Charreria with the world. He and his family live in Stephenville, Texas.

 

His love for his art is evident to rodeo fans around the world, who see it through his relationship with his horse and skills with a rope. “I’m passionate about what I do.”

 

The Black Hills Roundup kicks off June 30 and runs through July 4 with nightly performances at 7 pm, except for July 4, which is a 3 pm matinee. with a ranch rodeo at 7 pm. Family night is July 1; July 2 is Chutes for Charity night, and July 3 is Tough Enough to Wear Pink night. July 4 is Military and First Responders Day.

 

General admission tickets are $15 for children 12 and under and $24 for adults. Reserved seating tickets $29-$34. They can be purchased online and at the gate.

 

For more information, visit the website at BlackHillsRoundup.com or call the Black Hills Roundup Office at the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center at 415 Fifth Avenue, Belle Fourche, S.D. (605.723.2010).

The NIRA Alumni will honor all past NIRA national champions, championship teams, top finishers, queens, coaches, and  faculty and student presidents from the years ending in “2” at the reunion on Friday, June 17 with registration at 8:45 am.  Please note the correct dates.  The 30^th Reunion will be at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center, Casper, Wyoming, Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18, 2022   Please help notify the champions listed below.  Some are deceased, so family or friends are welcome to represent them at the reunion. Reservations for the Friday reunion and luncheon ($25) need to be made by June 6 at niraainfo@gmail.com or call 210-415-9091.

 

1952 Champions   Team: Colorado A&M, Bareback: Dick Barrett, OKAM;  Saddle Bronc: Joe Chase, H-SU;  Calf Roping: F.C. Stover, NMAM;  Ribbon Roping: Art Fulkerson, WASt;  Steer Wrestling: Don Driggers, NMAM;  Bull Riding: Johnny Ackely, Sul Ross;  All-Around: Dick Barrett, OKAM.

   1962 Champions   Men’s Team: Sul Ross State;  Women’s Team: Sul Ross State;  Bareback: Fred Wilson, UWY;  Saddle Bronc: Ed Workman, LCCTX;  Calf Roping: ½. Billy James, Sul Ross, ½, Dub Cox, NMU-LC;  Ribbon Roping: Bill James, Sul Ross;  Steer Wrestling: Sonny Ehr, UAZ;  Bull Riding: George Eads, Sul Ross;  Barrel Race: Lorraine Taylor; Goat Tying: Donna Jean Saul, Sul Ross;  Men’s All-around: Ed Workman, Lubbock Christian College;  Women’s All-around: Donna Jean Saul, Sul Ross State.

   1972 Champions    Men’s Team:  Montana State University, Women’s Team: Eastern New Mexico University, Bareback: Robert Schall, MTSt, Saddle Bronc: Jock McDowell, MTSt, Calf Roping: Danny Torricellas, BlMTN, Ribbon Roping: Dean Perkins, MTSt, Steer Wrestling: Lynn Perry, MTSt, Bull Riding: LaMar Roche, RICKS, Barrel Race: Becky Fullerton, BlMtn, Goat Tying: Wendy Bryan, UAZ, Break-away:  Betty Cooper, ENMU, Men’s All-around: Dave Brock, SCSC, Women’s All-around: Linda Munns, USU.

   1982 Champions   Men’s Team: Sul Ross State University, Women’s Team: Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Bareback: Thom Hickey, EFIELD, Saddle Bronc: Chuck Morris, HARTNL,  Calf Roping:  Jim Zant, WTEX, Team Roping: Allen Gill, CAPSLO,  Steer Wrestling: Ross Rianda, HARTNL  Bull Riding: Scott Breding, MILES,  Barrel Race: Lori McNeil, UTAHST, Goat Tying: Linda O’Neal, UARIZ, Break-away Roping: Sabrina Pike, SEOKS, Men’s All-around: Cody Lambert, SLROSA, Women’s All-around:  Sabrina Pike, SEOKS.

   1992 Champions   Men’s Team:  Southwestern Oklahoma State Univ.,   Women’s Team: Walla Walla Community College,  Men’s All Around: Casey Biar Minton, West Hills College, Women’s All Around: Penny Conforth, Walla Walla Community College, Saddle Bronc: Michael Giannini, Idaho State University, Bareback: Shawn Ross Vant, Montana State University, Bull Riding: Jerome Carson Davis, Odessa College, Calf Roping: Chad David Hiatt, Panhandle State University, Steer Wrestling:  Jesse Duane Peterson, Western Montana College, Team Roping:  Seth Alan Weishaar, South Dakota State University, Barrel Racing: Mindy Lin Morris, Texas A&M University, Breakaway Roping:  Brenda Lynne Mays, Walla Walla Community College, Goat Tying: Lana Marie Tibbetts, Montana State University.

   2002 Champions    Men’s Team: College of Southern Idaho, Women’s Team: Texas A&M University, Men’s All Around: Cody J Demers, College of Southern Idaho, Women’s All Around: Jonlyn M Vaccaro, University of Nevada-Las Vegas,  Saddle Bronc Riding: Cody S Martin, Missouri Valley College, Bareback Riding: Colby J Olsen, Northwest College,  Bull Riding: William G Farrell, Chadron State College, Calf Roping:  Trent L Creager, Oklahoma State University  Steer Wrestling:  Samuel C MacKenzie, Walla Walla Community College,  Team Roping:  Colt A Braden, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Wendall W Stanley, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College,  Barrel Racing:  McKenzie Miller, Ricks College, Breakaway:   Keli J Smith, New Mexico Junior College  Goat Tying: Jonlyn M Vaccaro, University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

   2012 Champions: Men’s Team: Walla Walla Community College,  Women’s Team: Texas Tech University-Lubbock, Men’s All Around: Bryce K Palmer, Walla Walla Community College, Women’s All Around:  Hayden S Segelke, Northeastern Junior College.  Saddle Bronc Riding:  Tyrel C Larsen, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Bareback Riding: Tanner K Aus, Missouri Valley College,  Bull Riding: Taggert J Elliott, Utah Valley University,  Tie Down Roping: Chant J DeForest, Western Oklahoma State College, Steer Wrestling: Benjamin T Carson, Utah Valley University, Team Roping  Tyler J Schnaufer, University of Wyoming, Shay D Carroll, Northeastern Junior College,  Barrel Racing: Liz A Combs, Sam Houston State University,  Breakaway Roping: Joey L Painter, Black Hills State University, Goat Tying: Lacey L Tech, Central Wyoming College.