Author: PRCA

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – High-stakes drama is waiting to unfold in Las Vegas for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association.

The upcoming $10 million Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER – rodeo’s Super Bowl – takes place Dec. 1-10 at the Thomas & Mack Center, beginning at 6:45 p.m. (PT) each night.

Cowboys will be competing for gold buckles in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping heading, team roping heeling, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, bull riding – and of course the battle for the prestigious all-around cowboy title.

There are several tight races to watch at the Wrangler NFR with the chase for that all-around gold buckle leading the way.

Team roping heeler Junior Nogueira arrives in Las Vegas as the all-around leader with $122,342 in the WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings. Nogueira and his team roping partner, header Kaleb Driggers, are also atop their respective standings.

“I want to do my job and rope really well, because these are the top ropers in the world, and the guys competing for the all-around are all very talented,” Nogueira said. “Whoever has the best Finals will win the all-around title.”

Nogueira is correct.

Steer wrestler Josh Peek ($116,603) and team roping header Dustin Bird ($109,694) round out the top three in the all-around standings, followed by team roping header Clay Smith ($104,809), team roping heeler Russell Cardoza ($100,233) – Bird’s partner – steer wrestler Clayton Hass ($97,319), Caleb Smidt, the reigning tie-down roping world champion ($89,969) and tie-down roper Ryan Jarrett ($85,127).

Cardoza is the only one of the group who can’t claim the gold buckle because he starts the rodeo $9,000 behind his partner, Bird.

Peek’s best career finish in the all-around standings was second in 2007 and 2009.

The all-around standings leader could easily change during the 10-round rodeo since first place in a round pays $26,231, and first place in the average pays $67,269.

Of the contenders for the all-around gold buckle who will be at the 2016 WNFR, only Jarrett has won the title in the past (2005).

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – With just 12 days left in the 2016 regular season, every cowboy is jockeying for position to end up in the top 15 and qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER.

Here are some of men who made their move this past weekend:

• And then there were six: Jesse Wright’s big win in Pendleton was worth $10,014 and bounced him from 18th to 11th in the saddle bronc riding world standings, while his nephew, Ryder Wright, advanced from 17th to 13th, forcing Tyrell Smith and two-time World Champion Taos Muncy out of the top 15. Muncy has been battling a strained left groin since initially injuring it at the Aug. 16-20 Caldwell (Idaho) Night Rodeo. There are now six members of the Wright clan of Milford, Utah, in position to reach the Wrangler NFR Dec. 1-10, with Ryder joining older brother, Rusty, and Jesse joining his brothers Jake and Cody, and brother-in-law, CoBurn Bradshaw. If this holds up, Cody, Rusty and Ryder will become the third set of father and two sons to qualify for the National Finals in the same year.
• 
• After earning three checks in Pendleton, Guy Allen’s dream of returning to the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping for the first time since 2008, is a little bit closer to reality. Allen, who turned 56 earlier this month, moved up from 15th to 12th place in the WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings and is looking to extend his record for most NFSR qualifications to 34. Brent Lewis won a round outright, and shared another round win to earn $8,669 in Pendleton and move within $1,819 of JoJo LeMond for the 15th and final qualifying spot in the NFSR.

• Billy Bugenig can take a big deep breath today. Fourteenth in the world standings entering the week and just $1,664 ahead of two-time World Champion Dean Gorsuch in 16th, Bugenig earned checks totaling $6,370 in Pendleton, Ore.; Albuquerque, N.M., and Abilene, Texas, to move up to 11th. Trevor Knowles kept his hold on the 15th spot in the standings with checks in Pendleton and St. George, Utah, but remains just $1,962 ahead of 16th-place Gorsuch.

• Teddy Athan’s bid for a first Wrangler NFR berth in the bareback riding suffered a blow despite a win at the Sheriff’s PRCA Rodeo in San Bernardino, Calif., that paid him $1,774. Texan Richmond Champion pushed Athan down to 16th place in the world standings by earning three checks in Pendleton – including a sixth-place result in the average – and another in St. George, Utah, for finishing in a tie for fifth place. Bill Tutor, in the 17th spot, moved to within $400 of Athan with checks in Abilene, Texas; Tyler, Texas, and Texarkana, Ark.

• There were two changes in the tie-down roping top 15, with Blane Cox and J.C. Malone supplanting WNFR veterans Adam Gray and Tyson Durfey (a total of 12 qualifications between them). Malone made the biggest jump, from 21st to 15th by tying for fifth in the average in Pendleton, finishing fourth in Albuquerque, N.M., and winning the rodeo in San Bernardino, Calif., with a 7.8-second run. Cox went from 16th to 13th by finishing fourth in the Pendleton average and winning another check in Abilene, Texas.

• 2011 World Champion Bull Rider Shane Proctor had a win in Harrison, Ark., and Bayle Worden had one of his own in Tyler, Texas, effectively canceling each other out and remaining 15th and 16th in the world standings, respectively. Proctor widened his lead slightly, to $6,272.

The only change in the team roping standings came on the heading side, where Billy Bob Brown moved up from 16th to 14th on the strength of a tie for second place in St. George, Utah, and a seventh-place finish in Albuquerque, N.M. Dustin Egusquiza slid to 16th place, $829 behind Zac Small in 15th.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The top five nominees for the 12 categories of PRCA Year-End Awards have been announced.

The final year-end ballot will be open online Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. The winners will be announced during the PRCA Banquet in Las Vegas Nov. 30.

Due to ties in the preliminary voting, the category of Pick-up Man of the Year has six nominees.

Here is the complete list of categories and nominees:

 

Announcer

Wayne Brooks

Randy Corley

Mike Mathis

Boyd Polhamus

Andy Stewart

 

Bullfighter

Clay Heger

Nathan Jestes

Brandon Loden

Dusty Tuckness

Cody Webster

 

Clown

John Harrison

Keith Isley

Gizmo McCracken

Justin Rumford

Cody Sosebee

 

Comedy Act

John Harrison

Keith Isley

Gizmo McCracken

Troy Lerwill

Cody Sosebee

 

Dress Act

Bobby Kerr

One Arm Bandit and Co. – John, Lynn and Amanda Payne

Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls – Jennifer Nicholson and Spencer Litwork

Rider Kiesner

Tomas Garcilazo

 

Pick-up Man

Jason Bottoms

Shawn Calhoun

Chase Cervi

Gary Rempel

Matt Twitchell

Jeremy Willis

 

Secretary

Sunni Deb Backstrom

Haley Bridwell

Amanda Corley-Sanders

Brenda Crowder

Sandy Gwatney

 

Stock Contractor

Beutler & Son Rodeo

Cervi Championship Rodeo

Frontier Rodeo

Pete Carr Pro Rodeo

Stace Smith Pro Rodeos

 

Small Rodeo of Year

Bridgeport, Texas

Claremore, Okla.

Elizabeth, Colo.

Huntsville, Texas

Monte Vista, Colo.

 

Medium Rodeo of Year

Abilene, Kan.

Coleman, Texas

Deadwood, S.D.

Lufkin, Texas

Stephenville, Texas

 

Large Indoor Rodeo of Year

Denver, Colo.

Fort Worth, Texas

Rapid City, S.D.

San Angelo, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

 

Large Outdoor Rodeo of Year

Caldwell, Idaho

Cheyenne, Wyo.

Dodge City, Kan.

Pecos, Texas

Pendleton, Ore.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – Tim O’Connell doesn’t have to chase a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association national championship anymore.

The standout bareback rider checked that goal off his list when he won the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo Sunday at the Silver Spurs Arena.

“I’ve never made it out of the semifinals here before, so to come in here to the finals and win it against four great competitors and four great bucking horses is amazing,” said O’Connell, who was making his second trip to the RNCFR. “The good Lord just blessed me.”

O’Connell clinched the national title with an 84-point ride on Korkow Rodeo’s Feather Fluffer in the finals. O’Connell advanced into the finals by placing fourth in the semis with a 77-point ride on Painted Pony Championship Rodeo’s Universal Mamma Don’t No.

“Winning the RNCFR is the next biggest thing you can do in ProRodeo,” said O’Connell, 24. “My ultimate goal this year is to walk out of the 10^th round of the NFR (Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER) with a gold buckle on my belt, but I’m happy to strap this one on that says national champion. Half the guys here at the RNCFR were at the NFR last year and the other half are on their way. The RNCFR is a big-time rodeo.”

For his performance in Kissimmee, O’Connell left town with a $24,915 check. He also was pleased that he was able to get redemption against Feather Fluffer.

“I had been on Feather Fluffer before in Ellensburg (Wash.) last year, but I had a broken left (riding) hand and she kind of owned me,” O’Connell said. “She made me look stupid. I was hoping I would get a chance to get on her again under different circumstances and things worked out great for me today. That horse is so awesome. She gives a guy everything he absolutely needs. She kicks, she blows up and it was just so much fun to get to do what I love and I’m so blessed to be a national champ.”

O’Connell has qualified for the past two NFRs, finishing a career-best fourth last season. He was third in the April 4 WEATHER GUARD^® PRCA World Standings with $43,608.

O’Connell certainly wasn’t alone in celebrating. Team ropers – header Jake Orman and heeler Tyler Domingue – won the most money of any of the RNCFR event winners, collecting $26,601 each. They qualified out of the Texas Circuit to make their RNCFR debut.

Orman and Domingue did rope together last season, but Domingue hasn’t been roping on the PRCA circuit this season.

“We practiced one time before we came down here and this is just awesome,” Orman said. “This is the most money I’ve ever won. It is pretty cool.”

Domingue, who has been best friends with Orman for the last six years, also was basking in the win.

“It’s a great feeling to be a national champ, that’s for sure,” Domingue said. “Jake and I have always roped good together, but we took a break this winter and when we made it here I was excited I got to rope with him. To win here just makes things that much more special.”

Josh Peek, who has had immense success the last couple of years at the RNCFR, won the all-around title for the second year in a row. He left Kissimmee with $30,160 in checks from steer wrestling and tie-down roping. A year ago at the RNCFR at the Silver Spurs Arena, he won $18,171.

“It feels great to repeat as the all-around champion,” Peek said. “I have a great support system and it’s awesome to have this kind of success again.”

The other champions at the Silver Spurs Arena were steer wrestler Josh Boka, saddle bronc rider Rusty Wright, tie-down roper Clint Kindred, barrel racer Ivy Conrado and bull rider Parker Breding.

Texas won the team title with $134,408, just edging out the Prairie Circuit which won $124,447. It was the third win in four years for Texas and the Lone Star State now has a record 13 titles in the event’s 30-year history.

Event winners each received a $20,000 voucher toward the purchase of a new RAM Truck and a Polaris RANGER utility vehicle in addition to their winnings.

Highlights from the RNCFR will be televised on CBS Sports Net; see ProRodeo.com/TV for the telecast schedule.

 

RNCFR

Kissimmee, Fla., April 7-10

 

All-around cowboy: Josh Peek, $30,160, steer wrestling and tie-down roping.

Bareback riding: First round: 1. (tie) Chase Erickson, on United Pro Rodeo’s Little Dougy, and R.C. Landingham, on Big Rafter Rodeo’s Logan’s Crossing, Mason Clements, on Stace Smith Pro Rodeos’ Miss Dunny, Tim O’Connell, on Korkow Rodeo’s Bambino Vold, 83.5 points, $4,121 each; 5. Ty Breuer, 80.5, $1,311; 6. Jake Brown, 80, $937. Second round: 1. Tim O’Connell, 87 points on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Painted Coast, $6,182; 2. Jake Brown, 85, $4,683; 3. (tie) Tanner Aus and Clayton Biglow, 82.5, $2,810 each; 5. Evan Jayne, 81.5, $1,311; 6. R.C. Landingham, 81, $937. Average: 1. Tim O’Connell, 170.5 points on two head, $6,182; 2. Jake Brown, 165, $4,683; 3. R.C. Landingham, 164.5, $3,372; 4. Chase Erickson, 164, $2,248; 5. Ty Breuer, 159.5, $1,311; 3. Clayton Biglow, 158.5, $937. Semifinals: 1. Frank Morton, 85 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s YoYo, $7,493; 2. (tie) Chase Lambert and Evan Jayne, 80, $4,683 each; 4. (tie) Tanner Aus and Tim O’Connell, 77, $937 each. Finals: 1. Tim O’Connell, 84 points on Korkow Rodeo’s Feather Fluffer, $7,493; 2. Evan Jayne, 80, $5,620; 3. Frank Morton, 77, $3,747; 4. Chase Erickson, 74, $1,873.

Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Sterling Lambert, 4.6 seconds, $6,182; 2. Riley Duvall, 4.8, $4,683; 3. (tie) Cody Pratt and Jule Hazen, 4.9, $2,810 each; 5. Shayde Etherton, 5.3, $1,311; 6. (tie) Colt Floyd and Blaine Jones, 5.6, $468 each. Second round: 1. Josh Peek, 4.0 seconds, $6,182; 2. Riley Duvall, 4.2, $4,683; 3. Jon Ragatz, 4.6, $3,311; 4. Josh Boka, 4.7, $2,248; 5. Ty Erickson, 4.8, $1,311; 6. Juan Alcazar Jr., 5.0, $937. Average: 1. Riley Duvall, 9.0 seconds on two head, $6,182; 2. Josh Peek, 9.6, $4,683; 3. Sterling Lambert, 9.9, $3,311; 4. Josh Boka, 10.3, $2,248; 5. Jule Hazen, 10.8, $1,311; 6. Cody Pratt, 11.8, $937. Semifinals: 1. Sterling Lambert, 4.2 seconds, $7,493; 2. Josh Peek, 4.3, $5,620; 3. Josh Boka, 4.4, $3,747; 4. Kyle Whitaker, 4.8, $1,873. Finals: 1. Josh Boka, 4.5 seconds, $7,493; 2. Kyle Whitaker, $5,620; 3. Josh Peek, 5.1, $3,747; 4. Sterling Lambert, 5.2, $1,873.

Team roping: First round: 1. Jake Orman/Tyler Domingue, 5.3 seconds, $6,182 each; 2. Billy Bob Brown/Garrett Jess, 6.3, $4,683; 3. J.B. Lord/Levi Lord, 6.5, $3,372; 4. Andrew Ward/Tyler Worley, 6.6, $2,248; 5. (tie) Tyler Wade/Kinney Harrell, Barak Freeman/Asher Freeman and Eric Fabian/Shawn Quinn, 6.9, $749 each. Second round: 1. Coleman Proctor/Jake Long, 4.8 seconds. $6,182 each; 2. Matt Sherwood/Quinn Kesler, 5.1, $4,683; 3. Spencer Mitchell/Russell Cardoza, 5.3, $3,372; 4. Jade Stoddard/Ike Folsom, 5.5, $2,247; 5. Shawn Bessette/Sid Sporer, 6.1, $1,311; 6. Billy Brown/Garrett Jess, 6.2, $937. Average leaders: 1. (tie) Billy Brown/Garrett Jess and Jake Orman/Tyler Domingue, 12.5 seconds on two head, $5,433 each; 3. Shawn Bessette/Sid Sporer, 13.4, $4,683; 4. Ryan VonAhn/J.W. Beck, 13.5, $2,247; 5. Jade Stoddard/Ike Folsom, $1,311; 6. Coleman Proctor/Jake Long, 15.1, $937. Semifinals: 1. Jake Orman/Tyler Domingue, 6.5 seconds, $7,493 each; 2. Shawn Bessette/Sid Sporer, 7.3, $5,620; 3. Billy Brown/Garrett Jess, 7.4, $3,747; 4. Colman Proctor/Jake Long, 11.3, $1,873. Finals: 1. Jake Orman/Tyler Domingue, 4.4 seconds, $7,493 each; 2. Coleman Proctor/Jake Long, 5.0, $5,620; 3. Shawn Bessette/Sid Sporer, 5.8, $3,747; no other qualified runs.

Saddle bronc riding: First round: 1. Jacobs Crawley, 84 points on Sutton Rodeo’s Prom Night, $6,182; 2. Allen Boore, 82, $4,683; 3. J.J. Elshere, 81, $3,372; 4. (tie) Sam Spreadborough, Heith DeMoss and Rusty Wright, 80.5, $1,499 each. Second round: 1. Joaquin Real, 83 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Another Gray, $6,182; 2. (tie) Curtis Garton and J.J. Elshere, 82, $4,028; 4. Allen Boore, 81.5, $2,248; 5. Rusty Wright, 81, $1,311; 6. (tie) Doug Aldridge and Sam Spreadborough, 79.5, $468 each. Average leaders: 1. Allen Boore, 163.5 points on two head, $6,182; 2. J.J. Elshere, 163, $4,683; 3. Rusty Wright, 161.5, $3,372; 4. Curtis Garton, 161, $2,247; 5. Sam Spreadborough, 160, $1,311; 6. Jacobs Crawley, 159, $937. Semifinals: 1. Rusty Wright, 84 points on Rafter H Rodeo’s Spade, $7,493; 2. Jesse James Kirby, 83, $5,620; 3. Jacobs Crawley, 80.5, $3,747; 4. Sam Spreadborough, 79.5, $1,873. Finals: 1. Rusty Wright, 85.5 points on Brookman-Hyland Rodeo’s Kid Rock, $7,493; 2. Jacobs Crawley, 84, $5,620; 3. Sam Spreadborough, 79.5, $3,747; no other qualified rides.

Tie-down roping: First round: 1. Sterling Smith, 7.8 seconds, $6,182; 2. Josh Peek, 7.9, $4,683; 3. Cole Bailey, 8.7, $3,372; 4. Taylor Santos, 8.9, $2,248; 5. Timber Moore, 9.8, $1,311; 6. Brice Ingo, 10.0, $937. Second round: 1. Clint Kindred, 8.2 seconds, $6,182; 2. J.D. Kibbe, 8.4, $4,683; 3. Blake Ash, 8.8, $3,372; 4. Cy Eames, 9.0, $2,248; 5. (tie) Timber Moore, Blake Hirdes, Sterling Smith and Josh Peek, 9.2, $562 each. Average leaders: 1. Sterling Smith, 17.0 seconds on two head, $6,182; 2. Josh Peek, 17.1, $4,683; 3. Cole Bailey, 18.8, $3,272; 4. Timber Moore, 19.0, $2,248; 5. Clint Kindred, 19.2, $1,311; 6. Blake Hirdes, 19.4, $937. Semifinals: 1. Cole Bailey, 7.8 seconds, $7,493; 2. Taylor Santos, 8.2, $5,620; 3. Clint Kindred, 8.4, $3,747; 4. Blake Hirdes, 9.5, $1,873. Finals: 1. Clint Kindred, 7.9 seconds, $7,493; 2. Blake Hirdes, 8.3, $5,620; 3. Taylor Santos, 9.9, $3,747; no other qualified runs.

Barrel racing: First round: 1. Sherry Cervi, 15.58 seconds, $6,182; 2. Emily Miller, 15.86, $4,683; 3. Sarah Kieckhefer, 15.90, $3,372; 4. Kelly Tovar, 15.92, $3,372; 5. Calyssa Thomas, 15.94, $1,311; 6. Ivy Conrado, 15.95, $937. Second round: 1. Emily Miller, 15.71 seconds, $6,182; 2. Ivy Conrado, 15.77, $4,683; 3. Natalie Foutch, 15.84, $3,372; 4. Sherry Cervi, 15.86, $2,248; 5. (tie) Callahan Crossley and Andrea Busby, 15.91, $1,124 each. Average leaders: 1. Sherry Cervi, 31.44 seconds on two head, $6,182; 2. Emily Miller, 31.57, $4,683; 3. Ivy Conrado, 31.72, $3,372; 4. Sarah Kieckhefer, 31.96, $2,248; 5. (tie) Callahan Crossley and Kristine Knauf, 31.97, $1,124 each. Semifinals: 1.Callahan Crossley, 15.81 seconds, $7,493; 2. Pamela Capper, 15.95, $5,620; 3. Ivy Conrado, 16.02, $3,747; 4. Sarah Kieckhefer, 16.06, $1,873. Finals: 1. Ivy Conrado, 15.47 seconds, $7,493; 2. Callahan Crossley, 15.76, $3,747; 3. Sarah Kieckhefer, 15.90, $3,737; 4. Pamela Capper, 16.07, $1,873.

Bull riding: First round: 1. Jake Gowdy, 81 points on Painted Pony Championship Rodeo’s Gentleman Jack, $6,182; 2. Cody Rostockyj, 80.5, $4,683; 3. Lon Danley, 75.5, $3,372; no other qualified rides. Second round: 1. Parker Breding, 86 points on Painted Pony Championship Rodeo’s Sour Mash, $6,182; 2. Jake Gowdy, 79.5, $4,683; 3. Lane Selz, 76, $3,372; no other qualified rides. Average leaders: 1. Jake Gowdy, 160.5 points on two head, $6,182; 2. Parker Breding, 86 points on one head, $4,683; 3. Cody Rostockyj, 80, $3,372; 4. Lane Selz, 76, $2,248; 5. Lon Danley, 75, $1,311; no other qualified rides. Semifinals: No qualified rides. Finals: 1. Parke Breding, 87.5 points on Brookman-Hyland Rodeo’s Little Chubby, $7,493; no other qualified rides.

Total payoff: $704,353. Stock contractors: Lancaster & Jones Pro Rodeo, Painted Pony Championship Rodeo, United Pro Rodeo, Brookman-Hyland Rodeo, Big Rafter Rodeo, Klein Brothers Pro Rodeo, Harry Vold Rodeo, Korkow Rodeos, Hi Lo ProRodeo, Rafter H Rodeo Livestock, Silver Spurs Club, Sutton Rodeos, Three Hills Rodeo, Silver Creek Rodeo, Pickett Rodeo and Stace Smith Pro Rodeos, Pete Carr Pro Rodeo.

Presented by https://www.twistedxboots.com/  and http://americanhat.net/

KISSIMMEE, Fla. – For the last several years, steer wrestler Sterling Lambert has been a standout California Circuit cowboy. Lambert, whose nickname is “Gator,” had his talent on full display on the circuit system’s biggest stage Thursday. The Fallon, Nev., native took the first-round lead with a 4.6-second run at the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo at the Silver Spurs Arena. “I was riding (six-time Linderman Award winner) Kyle Whitaker’s horse for the first time (Thursday night) and he’s a really nice horse and I was just really trying to get a good start,” said Lambert, 29. “I just wanted to do my job and bulldog, and it worked out well. Kyle (Whitaker) also did a really good job hazing.” This was Lambert’s third consecutive trip to the RNCFR, and he didn’t have much time to think about his run Thursday, as he was the first cowboy out. “It seems like the last three years I’ve been here at the RNCFR I’ve been one of the first two or three guys to go in the first round,” Lambert said. “But, this is the first time I’ve ever had a good start here, so this is awesome. Hopefully I will be able to keep things rolling.” Lambert did come to Kissimmee with plenty of momentum. He was seventh in the April 4 WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings. Lambert, who joined the PRCA in 2007, had a career-best finish of 37th in the 2013 world standings with $31,511. “I’m really excited to be back here at the RNCFR,” Lambert said. “This is awesome. I have not done real well here in the past, and I would love to win a lot of money this time.” Lambert will not compete again in the RNCFR until Saturday night, but he doesn’t have any big plans from now until then. “I’m going to hang out and help my buddies out (Friday night), and then I will try and do the same thing again on Saturday night,” Lambert said. “I’m not going to back off too much because steer wrestling gets pretty bad if you miss a barrier and you end up late.” While Lambert has RNCFR experience, the same can’t be said for team ropers – header Billy Bob Brown and heeler Garrett Jess – who were making their RNCFR debut. However, the Columbia River Circuit year-end champions didn’t look like RNCFR rookies as they took the first-round lead with a 6.3-second time. “I just went up there and caught him, and Garrett heeled and got a good finish and we made a good run, and this sets us up for the long haul,” said Brown. “That’s what we are here for, to get in the final four. We have a lot of confidence here lately and hopefully we can keep it going.” Brown and Jess are in their second year roping together, and Jess acknowledged they tried to stay calm on this big stage. “We’ve been to a lot of rodeos and roped a lot of steers for a lot of money, and we just tried to stick to our game plan,” Jess said. Brown was quick to credit his 8-year-old horse, Harry, for his success. “He’s a game changer for us,” Brown said. “He’s just an amazing athlete and is really fast. He’s one of a kind and I’m blessed to have that horse.” For good reason. Brown has been riding that horse for three years and it has won him a slew of honors. He was the 2014 PRCA/Resistol All-Around Rookie of the Year and also won National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association team roping championships with heeler Logan Medlin his junior and senior years at Tarleton State University (Stephenville, Texas). He also was the all-around national champion at the CNFR as a junior. In addition to Lambert, and Brown and Jess, other first-round leaders Thursday were bareback riders R.C. Landingham (83.5 points on Big Rafter Rodeo’s Logan’s Crossing) and Chase Erickson (83.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Little Dougy), saddle bronc rider Allen Boore (82 points on Harry Vold’s Mountain Climber), tie-down roper Cole Bailey (8.7 seconds), barrel racer Sarah Kieckhefer (15.90 seconds) and bull rider Cody Rostockyj (80.5 points on Sutton Rodeos’ Tea Time). The first round concludes Friday night at the 7:30 (ET) performance. The tournament-style RNCFR format determines the national circuit champions in each event. All 24 qualifiers from the 12 circuits compete in the two preliminary rounds of the rodeo. The top eight contestants from each event advance to the semifinal, with all previous scores and times thrown out. The top four move on to the final round, a sudden-death competition that determines the national circuit champion in each event. The Wrangler Network will be live streaming all the action from the RNCFR. The coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. (ET) April 8-9, at 1:30 p.m. April 9 and at 2:30 p.m. (ET) April 10. Log on to www.wranglernetwork.com RNCFR Kissimmee, Fla., April 7-10 Bareback riding: First round leaders: 1. (tie) Chase Erickson, on United Pro Rodeo’s Little Dougy, and R.C. Landingham, on Big Rafter Rodeo’s Logan’s Crossing, 83.5 points each; 3. Jake Brown, 80; 4. (tie) Caine Riddle and Casey Breuer, 79.5 each; 6. David Peebles, 78 Steer wrestling: First round leaders: 1. Sterling Lambert, 4.6 seconds; 2. (tie) Cody Pratt and Jule Hazen, 4.9 each; 4. Shayde Etherton, 5.3; 5. Josh Boka, 5.6; 6. Kamry Dymmek, 6.0 Team roping: First round leaders: 1. Billy Bob Brown/Garrett Jess, 6.3 seconds; 2. J.B. Lord/Levi Lord, 6.5; 3. Andrew Ward/Tyler Worley, 6.6; 4. Tyler Wade/Kinney Harrell, 6.9; 5. Ryan Von Ahn/J.W. Beck, 7.1; 6. Jade Stoddard/Ike Folsom, 8.6 Saddle bronc riding: First round leaders: 1. Allen Boore, 82 points on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Mountain Climber; 2. Sam Spreadborough, 80.5; 3. Keith Brauer Jr., 80; 4. Curtis Garton, 79; 5. Jesse James Kirby, 77.5; 6. Justin Lawrence, 76 Tie-down roping: First round leaders: 1. Cole Bailey, 8.7 seconds; 2. Taylor Santos, 8.9; 3. Timber Moore, 9.8; 4. Brice Ingo, 10.0; 5. Clint Kindred, 11.0; 6. Bart Brunson, 11.1 Barrel racing: First round leaders: 1. Sarah Kieckhefer, 15.90 seconds; 2. Kelly Tovar, 15.92; 3. (tie) Kristine Knauf and Mary Burger, 16.00 each; 5. Callahan Crossley, 16.06; 6. Jennifer Mosley, 16.13 Bull riding: First round leaders: 1. Cody Rostockyj, 80.5 points on Sutton Rodeos’ Tea Time; 2. Lon Danley, 75.5; no other qualified rides. Total payoff: $704,353. Stock contractors: Lancaster & Jones Pro Rodeo, Painted Pony Championship Rodeo, United Pro Rodeo, Brookman-Hyland Rodeo, Big Rafter Rodeo, Klein Brothers Pro Rodeo, Harry Vold Rodeo, Korkow Rodeos, Hi Lo ProRodeo, Rafter H Rodeo Livestock, Silver Spurs Club, Sutton Rodeos, Three Hills Rodeo, Silver Creek Rodeo, Pickett Rodeo and Stace Smith Pro Rodeos, Pete Carr Pro Rodeo

LAS VEGAS – The 2015 edition of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER got off to a historical start.

Trevor Brazile, the 22-time world champion, won the tie-down roping with a 6.8-second run – the fastest Round 1 time in WNFR history.

“That’s sweet, I had no idea,” Brazile said of setting the record.

Matt Shiozawa posted a 6.9-second time tonight, which tied the previous Round 1 record set by Cody Ohl in 2004. Brazile wasted little time taking the record for himself.

“I’m going to stay aggressive,” Brazile said. “Some people will be wondering about me taking a risk by only taking one wrap (instead of two) so early in the week. You just have to go with your gut. I’ve been to a few National Finals, and when I feel like the risk is necessary I will try it. I’ve had it go both ways. I’ve reaped the benefits and suffered the consequences.”

Brazile set the record with a little help from his No. 1 sorrel horse, Deputy. “He’s the reason I’m still competitive at 39,” said Brazile, who’s now won a record 60 National Finals go-rounds in tie-down roping, team roping and steer roping.

While Brazile made a statement at the timed-event end, bull rider Parker Breding did the same on the roughstock side.

The 23-year-old from Edgar, Mont., rode for 86.5 points on Smith, Harper and Morgan’s Magic Bullet – but it came with a price.

Breding took a horn under his protective vest to his ribs and needed attention at the Justin Sportsmedicine room after the rodeo.

“I’ve had cracked ribs before, but I’ve never had a bull’s horn get up in my vest like that,” he said. “It’s a scary deal, because people have been killed that way before. I was dang sure blessed tonight, that the bull didn’t stay with me too long.”

Sage Kimzey, the defending world champion and world standings leader, was bucked off, allowing Breding – who entered Las Vegas second – to gain $26,231 on Kimzey in the world standings. Breding now trails Kimzey by less than one round win. However, his competing status for the rest of the WNFR is in doubt.

“He’s OK right now; we’re keeping an eye on him,” said Dr. Tandy Freeman of the Justin Sportsmedicine team. “He’s got some abdominal tenderness, but not anything to suggest he’s got a major injury. He’s probably got a couple of fractured ribs. He’ll probably end up getting some X-rays, and we’ll see how he’s doing tomorrow.”

Bareback rider Tim O’Connell knows about injuries at the WNFR. After suffering several of them during the 10 nights of the 2014 WNFR, he started his second Las Vegas trip in a much better way tonight. O’Connell rode for 84.5 points on D&H Cattle’s Dilly Bar to earn $26,231. It was his second round win, but first outright – he split the Round 4 victory with four-time World Champion Bobby Mote in 2014.

However, O’Connell, the 24-year-old from Zwingle, Iowa, isn’t satisfied with one big check and one victory lap.

“I have Kaycee Feild and five other guys ahead of me and I’m here to win a world title,” O’Connell said. “I’m going to press every night and ride all of them like it’s for the world title. I wrote down my goals when I left this arena last year, and I went and evaluated what I did wrong and what I could do better. My goal is to be the 2015 world champion, and I’m planning on riding like it.”

It was a big night for the team roping duo of Aaron Tsinigine and Ryan Motes. Their 4.1-second time was good enough for the victory. The 4.1 tied for the second-fastest Round 1 time ever at the WNFR.

This was the fourth times Motes has won or split a round win in Las Vegas in 21 runs, which is a success rate of 19 percent – not too shabby.

He said the competition was stiff, making the round win all the more satisfying.

“It’s got to be the toughest first round we’ve ever had,” Motes said. “Right from the beginning it was fast. Normally, there are several misses in the first round – a lot of legs and stuff. Tonight, people were on point and sharp. It’s a lot easier to get going when it is semi-tough. You know people are taking chances and being aggressive.”

For Tsinigine, it was more of the same at the WNFR – cashing a check. Going back to Round 6 of the 2014 WNFR, the 29-year-old from Tuba City, Ariz., has been in the money in six straight rounds – including two victory laps.

Getting to compete with Motes for the first time in the Thomas & Mack Center was something Tsinigine was thrilled about.

“Last year, I was kind of bummed out Ryan didn’t get to come with me (after they roped together during the regular season),” Tsinigine said. “Being here with him this year means everything to me. We are best friends and we get along real good.”

A man familiar with the Thomas & Mack Center, steer wrestler K.C. Jones, found immediate success. Jones began his ninth appearance in Las Vegas by picking up the fourth WNFR round win of his career, and the first in Round 1.

The 44-year-old from Decatur, Texas, posted a 3.4-second time to edge Kyle Irwin’s 3.5 and collect $26,231. The time tied for the third best time ever in Round 1, and it’s one of only seven times that’s been under 3.5 in the round.

“That was a red steer that I didn’t think we would be that fast on, but that little black mare I rode (Smoker, owned by Jud Little), is just so fast, and it worked out,” Jones said.

The big payday was something the 20-year veteran was fired up about.

“It’s so exciting this year with $10 million dollars,” he said. “There are a lot of people who worked hard to get that purse up there for the contestants and we’re really thankful to them. It makes it really exciting when you win $26,000 in (just under) 3.5 seconds.”

Saddle bronc rider Wade Sundell continued his tradition of getting off to a fast start in Las Vegas. Sundell rode for 86.5 points on Andrews Rodeo’s Fire Lane to win, and it was the sixth time in seven first rounds that Sundell has earned a check.

“They normally win a round on that horse every year here,” Sundell said of Fire Lane. “I knew I had a good chance. That horse is really snappy and I had to keep my chin down. I just let it all hang out.”

It was a tough night for the saddle bronc riders, as it was the first time since 1985 – the first year the WNFR was held in Las Vegas – that fewer than 11 riders recorded a score.

“I didn’t know what was going on at first,” Sundell said of the first three riders being bucked off.  “Nobody was making the whistle. This is a good pen of horses.”

This was the tenth time Sundell has at least split a round win at the WNFR. Sundell has drawn Frontier Rodeo’s Tip Off for Round 2 on Friday night.

“I’ll come gassin’ and I’m due to ride him,” Sundell said of his strategy. “I’ve been on him three times for a total of about eight seconds.”

The 57th annual Wrangler NFR continues Friday with the second round at the Thomas & Mack Center. The action will be televised live and in HD on CBS Sports Net (DirecTV channel 221 and DISH Network channel 158) from 7-10 p.m. PT.

 

First Performance Results, Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015

Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

 

Bareback riding:

1. Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa, on D&H Cattle’s Dilly Bar, 84.5 points, $26,231; 2. Evan Jayne, Marseille, France, 83, $20, 731; 3. Kaycee Feild, Spanish Fork, Utah; Will Lowe, Canyon, Texas; Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba; and Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., 81, $9,413 each; 7. Seth Hardwick, Laramie, Wyo., 80; 8. Winn Ratliff, Leesville, La., 79; 9. Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn., 76; 10. Austin Foss, Terrebonne, Ore., 75; 11. Caleb Bennett, Tremonton, Utah, 71.5; 12. Bobby Mote, Stephenville, Texas, 67; 13. (tie) Jake Brown, Hillsboro, Texas; Clint Cannon, Waller, Texas; and Clint Laye, Cadogan, Alberta, NS.

World standings: 1. Kaycee Feild, $137,559; 2. Evan Jayne, $123,751; 3. Tim O’Connell, $122,795; 4. Austin Foss, $108,741; 5. Jake Brown, $107,994; 6. Will Lowe, $102,396; 7. Orin Larsen, $101,041; 8. Steven Peebles, $99,499; 9. Bobby Mote, $98,486; 10. Clint Cannon, $96,686; 11. Tanner Aus, $95,660; 12. Caleb Bennett, $91,302; 13. Seth Hardwick, $90,639; 14. Clint Laye, $90,307; 15. Winn Ratliff, $85,754.

 

Steer wrestling:

1. K.C. Jones, Decatur, Texas, 3.4 seconds, $26,231; 2. Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala., 3.5, $20,731; 3. Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont., 3.6, $15,654; 4. (tie) Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev., and Casey Martin, Sulphur, La., 3.8, $8,885 each; 6. Baylor Roche, Tremonton, Utah, 3.9, $4,231; 7. (tie) Clayton Hass, Terrell, Texas, and Trevor Knowles, Mount Vernon, Ore., 4.4; 9. (tie) Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis., and Seth Brockman, Wheatland, Wyo., 4.5; 11. Hunter Cure, Holliday, Texas, 4.7; 12. Blake Knowles, Heppner, Ore., 4.8; 13. Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La., 5.2; 14. Tanner Milan, Cochrane, Alberta, 6.1; 15. Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif., 6.3.

World standings: 1. Ty Erickson, $115,433; 2. Kyle Irwin, $107,317; 3. K.C. Jones, $107,216; 4. Clayton Hass, $105,181; 5. Hunter Cure, $102,393; 6. Nick Guy, $93,288; 7. Dakota Eldridge, $86,438; 8. Luke Branquinho, $86,191; 9. Baylor Roche, $85,786; 10. Tyler Waguespack, $85,245; 11. Casey Martin, $84,041; 12. Seth Brockman, $81,559; 13. Trevor Knowles, $81,128; 14. Tanner Milan, $76,327; 15. Blake Knowles, $74,747.

 

Team roping:

1. Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Ariz./Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas, 4.1 seconds, $26,231; 2. Luke Brown, Stephenville, Texas/Kollin VonAhn, Blanchard, Okla., 4.2, $20,731; 3. Colby Lovell, Madisonville, Texas/Kory Koontz, Stephenville, Texas, 4.3, $15,654; 4. Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont./Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev., 4.4, $11,000; 5. (tie) Nick Sartain, Dover, Okla./Rich Skelton, Llano, Texas, and JoJo LeMond; 7. (tie) Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz./Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz., and Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla./Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan., 4.7; 9. (tie) Jake Cooper, Monument, N.M./Russell Cardoza, Terrebonne, Ore., and Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla./Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo., 5.0; 11. Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz./Travis Woodard, Stockton, Calif., 6.4; 12. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas/Patrick Smith, Lipan, Texas, 9.7; 13. Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn./Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 10.6; 14. Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash./Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash., 14.6; 15. Derrick Begay, Seba Dalkai, Ariz./Clay O’Brien Cooper, Gardnerville, Nev., NT.

World standings (headers): 1. Clay Tryan, $151,497; 2. Aaron Tsinigine, $119,999; 3. Derrick Begay, $104,868; 4. Colby Lovell, $104,484; 5. Luke Brown, $103,140; 6. Chad Masters, $102,658; 7. Trevor Brazile, $102,268; 8. Jake Cooper, $90,933; 9. Nick Sartain, $89,579; 10. Erich Rogers, $88,669; 11. Clay Smith, $81,228; 12. Coleman Proctor, $80,130; 13. Riley Minor, $77,592; 14. Matt Sherwood, $77,436; 15. JoJo LeMond, $76,303. World standings (heelers): 1. Jade Corkill, $151,497; 2. Ryan Motes, $118,867; 3. Kollin VonAhn, $109,755; 4. Clay O’Brien Cooper, $105,988; 5. Kory Koontz, $104,121; 6. Patrick Smith, $102,268; 7. Travis Graves, $95,265; 8. Rich Skelton, $89,579; 9. Travis Woodard, $88,519; 10. Paul Eaves, $87,430; 11. Junior Nogueira, $86,833; 12. Cory Petska, $84,827; 13. Jake Long, $78,344; 14. Brady Minor, $76,263; 15. Russell Cardoza, $76,080.

 

Saddle bronc riding:

1. Wade Sundell, Coleman, Okla., 86.5 points on Andrews Rodeo’s Fire Lane, $26,231; 2. Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La., 86.0, $20,731; 3. Jake Wright, Milford, Utah, 83.5, $15,654; 4. Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas, 82.5, $11,000; 5. Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La., 82.0, $6,769; 6. CoBurn Bradshaw, Beaver, Utah, 81.5, $4,231; 7. Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb., 81.0; 8. Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas, 79.5; 9. Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, 74.5; 10. Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M., 72.0; 11. (tie) Rusty Wright, Milford, Utah; Chuck Schmidt, Keldron, S.D.; Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah; Bradley Harter, Loranger, La.; and Tyrel Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, NS.

World standings: 1. Cody DeMoss, $136,166; 2. Wade Sundell, $130,911; 3. Jacobs Crawley, $129,862; 4. Rusty Wright, $125,987; 5. Isaac Diaz, $113,566; 6. Jake Wright, $111,078; 7. Taos Muncy, $108,654; 8. Heith DeMoss, $99,085; 9. Cort Scheer, $98,737; 10. Chuck Schmidt, $94,910; 11. Spencer Wright, $84,338; 12. Zeke Thurston, $82,278; 13. Bradley Harter, $81,310; 14. CoBurn Bradshaw, $80,377; 15. Tyrel Larsen, $71,172.

 

Tie-down roping:

1. Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas, 6.8 seconds, $26,231; 2. Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho, 6.9, $20,731; 3. (tie) Timber Moore, Aubrey, Texas, and Cade Swor, Winnie, Texas, 7.1, $13,327 each; 5. Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., 7.5, $6,769; 6. Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas, 8.0, $4,231; 7. Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla., 8.2; 8. Monty Lewis, Hereford, Texas, 9.0; 9. Marcos Costa, Childress, Texas, 9.2; 10. Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas, 9.5; 11. Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas, 9.7; 12. Hunter Herrin, Apache, Okla., 10.0; 13. Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 12.0; 14. (tie) Sterling Smith, Stephenville, Texas, and Tyson Durfey, Savannah, Mo., NT.

World standings: 1. Tuf Cooper, $140,803; 2. Timber Moore, $136,125; 3. Trevor Brazile, $128,209; 4. Matt Shiozawa, $115,720; 5. Marty Yates, $109,281; 6. Hunter Herrin, $103,813; 7. Caleb Smidt, $101,681; 8. Cade Swor, $101,200; 9. Ryan Jarrett, $95,967; 10. Marcos Costa, $94,343; 11. Monty Lewis, $92,903; 12. Cory Solomon, $92,483; 13. Shane Hanchey, $87,226; 14. Sterling Smith, $82,297; 15. Tyson Durfey, $82,060.

 

Barrel racing:

1. Cassidy Kruse, Gillette, Wyo., 13.84 seconds, $26,231; 2. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 13.90, $20,731; 3. Mary Walker, Ennis, Texas, 13.96, $15,654; 4. Michele McLeod, Whitesboro, Texas, 14.07, $11,000; 5. Callie duPerier, Boerne, Texas, 14.08, $6,769; 6. Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas, 14.09, $4,231; 7. Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz., 14.13; 8. Jana Bean, Fort Hancock, Texas, 14.17; 9. Fallon Taylor, Whitesboro, Texas, 14.21; 10. Carley Richardson, Pampa, Texas, 14.24; 11. Nancy Hunter, Neola, Utah, 14.27; 12. Sarah Rose McDonald, Brunswick, Ga., 18.89; 13. Taylor Jacob, Carmine, Texas, 19.06; 14. Vickie Carter, Richfield, Utah, 19.16; 15. Deb Guelly, Okotoks, Alberta, 19.29.

World standings: 1. Callie duPerier, $183,692; 2. Lisa Lockhart, $182,251; 3. Sarah Rose McDonald, $144,599; 4. Mary Walker, $135,759; 5. Cassidy Kruse, $117,577; 6. Sherry Cervi, $114,744; 7. Nancy Hunter, $106,686; 8. Fallon Taylor, $96,828; 9. Michele McLeod, $91,397; 10. Taylor Jacob, $90,508; 11. Carley Richardson, $87,820; 12. Jackie Ganter, $83,550; 13. Vickie Carter, $72,768; 14. Jana Bean, $70,162; 15. Deb Guelly, $69,769.

 

Bull riding:

1. Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont., 86.5 points on Smith Harper & Morgan’s Magic Bullet, $26,231; 2. Shane Proctor, Grand Coulee, Wash., 81.5, $20,731; 3. Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas, 78, $15,654; 4. Caleb Sanderson, Hallettsville, Texas, 74.5, $11,000; 5. (tie) Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla.; Wesley Silcox, Santaquin, Utah; Brennon Eldred, Sulphur, Okla.; Chandler Bownds, Lubbock, Texas; Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah; Kody DeShon, Helena, Mont.; Brett Stall, Detroit Lakes, Minn.; Dustin Bowen, Waller, Texas; Ty Wallace, Collbran, Colo.; Reid Barker, Comfort, Texas; Clayton Foltyn, Winnie, Texas, NS.

World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $184,601; 2. Parker Breding, $158,477; 3. Brennon Eldred, $120,041; 4. Wesley Silcox, $115,778; 5. Shane Proctor, $109,744; 6. Cody Teel, $108,672; 7. Chandler Bownds, $98,441; 8. Joe Frost, $93,812; 9. Caleb Sanderson, $86,114; 10. Brett Stall, $86,089; 11. Dustin Bowen, $75,250; 12. Clayton Foltyn, $75,227; 13. Ty Wallace, $73,905; 14. Reid Barker, $73,847; 15. Kody DeShon, $72,633.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Back in 1951, at the age of 16, Mel Potter began his journey in the Rodeo Cowboys Association, now known as the PRCA.

Fast-forward 65 seasons, and Potter, 80, is still competing as a team roping header.

At his peak, back in 1959, Potter competed in the inaugural National Finals Rodeo in Dallas as a tie-down roper, finishing 14^th in the final standings. He is now the only original NFR competitor still active in the PRCA.

As recently as 2010, he qualified for the RAM Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo as a team roper and on July 17, 2013, Potter and partner Garrison Dixon won the Green County Fair ProRodeo in Monroe, Wis. He also won a team roping check at a Great Lakes Circuit event this year.

Combine Potter’s longevity as a competitor with his decade of success – 1964-73 – as a stock contractor with Rodeos Inc., and his time served on the PRCA Board of Directors and it adds up to his being selected Oct. 5 by the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as the 2015 Legend of ProRodeo.

“I was very surprised to get this honor,” said Potter, who also is a highly-successful businessman. “Being involved with rodeo was one of the neatest things of my life because all of the great people I’ve gotten to know and be good, good friends with all over the country. We also put together a heck of a string of livestock (at Rodeos Inc.) and we treated the cowboys as good as any stock contractor there was. I’m also going to keep competing in rodeos as long as I can get on a horse and stay on a horse when he runs out of the barrier.”

Potter is the 10^th man to be honored with the award, following Jake Barnes, Jim Shoulders, Clem McSpadden, Harry Vold, Larry Mahan, Dean Oliver, Shawn Davis, Donnie Gay and Benny Binion.

“Since joining the PRCA in 1951, Mel Potter’s career has been one of longevity and consistency. He has competed for an amazing 65 seasons and has gone from an NFR qualification in 1959 to earning a check this year at a Great Lakes Circuit event at the age of 80,” said Kent Sturman, director of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. “Mel has also given back to the sport in many ways and he cares deeply for the PRCA and its success. His talents, experience and knowledge of the sport helped raise a four-time World Champion Barrel Racer, his daughter Sherry Potter Cervi. Mel has done a lot for the professional rodeo industry and we are honored to have him as this year’s Pro Rodeo Legend.”

In addition to qualifying for the first NFR, Potter also won some big rodeos in his prime in tie-down roping, including the Calgary Stampede (1962), National Western Stock Show Rodeo in Denver (1959), SandHills Stock Show & Rodeo in Odessa, Texas (1958), Helldorado Days Rodeo in Las Vegas (1957-58), and the Klamath Falls (Ore.) Great Northwest Rodeo (1957).

Potter has competed in tie-down roping, steer wrestling and team roping during his PRCA career. As a team roper, he has paired with guys like Bum Post, Bob Padilla, Eddie Schell and Dale Smith.

Although Potter had some solid success as a PRCA rookie in 1959, he knew he had to have a back-up plan for work. His family had been cranberry farmers since his grandfather started the family business in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., in 1880. The Potters are one of the largest producers for the Ocean Spray co-operative of growers.

Potter and his wife of 59 years, Wendy, also operate the Potter Ranch in Marana, Ariz., with their middle daughter, Jo Lynn, and her husband, George Alexander. The ranch has produced some of the sport’s top timed-event horses since 1973. Wendy competed in the NFR in barrel racing in 1970 and ’72.

“I’ve had an interesting life, and it has been like an 80-year vacation,” said Potter, who was an airplane pilot for 50 years before he stopped flying in 2011. “Everything I’ve done I have enjoyed doing and I have just had fun. I have a great family, and I’ve gotten to know so many great people. To me, the best thing in my whole life is all the people who I’ve met and become friends with. It’s hard to believe it has happened this way for me.”

 

ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. – Upon his own admission, Craig Wisehart rodeos for fun.

Well, the cowboy who grew up in Kersey, Colo., had plenty of fun this past weekend.

Wisehart won the bareback riding average crown at the RAM Mountain States Circuit Finals Rodeo (Oct. 22-24) with a score of 233 points on three head.

“I was just trying to ride better every day,” said Wisehart, 28.

This was the second time Wisehart won the bareback riding average crown at the RMSCFR, the other time coming in 2009.

Wisehart’s consistency is what paid dividends for him at the Sweetwater Events Complex. He was second in the first round with 79 points, and then won the second round with a 78-point ride on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Sun Pop. In the third round, Wisehart clinched the average with a 76-point ride on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Painted Coast.

He left Rock Springs with $6,273 in winnings, including a $2,689 check for capturing the average.

“I didn’t even know what score I needed to win the average,” Wisehart said. “I just wanted to ride my best. I had never been on (Sun Pop) before. I saw her on the list and I knew she would be a good one, so I was happy when I had her. I was hoping to score better, but when I caught my breath they announced that I won the average, and it was amazing.”

The victory was even more special because of the family he had in the crowd watching the action.

“My mom (Nancy) and two nieces (Jacey, 11, and Karsyn, 9) got to witness the whole thing, and it was pretty exciting,” Wisehart said. “It was cool they were there. I think the rest of the family will probably come on down to Florida.”

Kissimmee, Fla., is where Wisehart will be April 7-10 to compete in the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo. The 2016 RNCFR is the second year the event will be held in Kissimmee.

“I’m tickled to be going there – I couldn’t ask for more,” Wisehart said.

When Wisehart isn’t rodeoing, he spends most of his time as an assistant rodeo coach at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas.

“I got tired of waking up sore (from competing) and I have been the assistant rodeo coach at Tarleton for the last four years,” Wisehart said. “The men’s team won the (2015) national championship. We just got our rings in the other day, and it was pretty awesome.”

Other winners at the $159,154 rodeo were all-around cowboy Josh Peek ($12,415 in tie-down roping and steer wrestling), steer wrestler Cody Pratt (21.5 seconds on three head), team ropers Clayton Van Aken and Cullen Teller (21.0 seconds on three head), saddle bronc rider Lyle Welling (214 points on three head), tie-down roper Josh Peek (25.2 seconds on three head), barrel racer Andrea Busby (46.84 seconds on three runs) and bull rider Cody Johansen (160 points on two head).

Ram Mountain States Circuit FinalsRock Springs, Wyo., Oct. 22-24All-around cowboy: Josh Peek, $12,394, tie-down roping and steer wrestling.Bareback riding: First round:1. Seth Hardwick, 80 points on The Cervi Brothers’ Daisy Duke, $1,789; 2. Craig Wisehart, 79, $1,342; 3. Colton Onyett, 76, $895; 4. (tie) Dylan Wahlert, and Joel Schlegel, 75, $224 each. Second round:1. Craig Wisehart, 78 points on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Sun Pop, $1,789; 2. (tie) Joel Schlegel, Jerad Schlegel, Seth Hardwick, and Dylan Wahlert, 77, $671 each. Third round:1. (tie) Joel Schlegel, on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Little Linda, and Dylan Wahlert, on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Hypnotic, 78 points, $1,566 each; 3. Jerad Schlegel, 77, $895; 4. Craig Wisehart, 76, $447. Average: 1. Craig Wisehart, 233 points on three head, $2,684; 2. (tie) Dylan Wahlert, and Joel Schlegel, 230, $1,678 each; 4. Jerad Schlegel, 228, $671.Steer wrestling: First round:1. Kyle Maez, 4.1 seconds, $1,771; 2. (tie) Riley Krassin, and Cole McNamee, 5.7, $1,107 each; 4. Joe Buffington, 6.7, $443. Second round:1. Josh Peek, 3.3 seconds, $1,771; 2. Aaron Vosler, 4.9, $1,328; 3. Seth Brockman, 5.3, $885; 4. Dan Cathcart, 5.5, $443. Third round:1. Seth Brockman, 4.4 seconds, $1,771; 2. Josh Peek, 4.6, $1,328; 3. Cody Pratt, 5.2, $885; 4. Tait Kvistad, 5.4, $443. Average: 1. Cody Pratt, 21.5 seconds on three head, $2,656; 2. Josh Peek, 22.0, $1,992; 3. Tait Kvistad, 25.5, $1,328; 4. Dan Cathcart, 42.3, $664.Team roping: First round:1. Clayton Van Aken/Cullen Teller, 6.3 seconds, $1,770 each; 2. Tyler Schnaufer/Trevor Schnaufer, 7.9, $1,328; 3. Pate Norell/Todd Wilson, 8.3, $885; 4. Brian Dunning/Jesse Jolly, 12.2, $443. Second round:1. Garrett Tonozzi/T.J. Watts, 4.6 seconds, $1,770 each; 2. Ty Blasingame/Josh Fillmore, 4.8, $1,328; 3. (tie) Brian Dunning/Jesse Jolly, and Wade Kreutzer/Jared Bilby, 5.6, $664 each. Third round:1. Ty Blasingame/Josh Fillmore, 4.6 seconds, $1,770 each; 2. Pate Norell/Todd Wilson, 4.9, $1,328; 3. Paul Beckett/Cole Cooper, 5.9, $885; 4. Clayton Van Aken/Cullen Teller, 6.7, $443. Average: 1. Clayton Van Aken/Cullen Teller, 21.0 seconds on three head, $2,655 each; 2. Brian Dunning/Jesse Jolly, 24.9, $1,991; 3. Wade Kreutzer/Jared Bilby, 25.9, $1,328; 4. Ty Blasingame/Josh Fillmore, 9.4 on two head, $664.Saddle bronc riding: First round:1. (tie) Colin Stalley, on The Cervi Brothers’ Field Mouse, and Chanse Darling, on The Cervi Brothers’ Story Line, 78 points, $1,549 each; 3. Andy Clarys, 77, $885; 4. Colton Miller, 76, $443. Second round:1. Lyle Welling, 72 points on D & H Cattle’s Big Rig, $1,771; 2. Ryan Montroy, 70, $1,328; 3. Andy Clarys, 64, $885; 4. Eric Gewecke, 55, $443. Third round:1. Colton Miller, 81 points on Burch Rodeo’s Lunatic Fringe, $1,771; 2. Colin Stalley, 77, $1,328; 3. Blaze Cress, 76, $885; 4. Lyle Welling, 75, $443. Average: 1. Lyle Welling, 214 points on three head, $2,656; 2. Colton Miller, 157 on two head, $1,992; 3. Colin Stalley, 155, $1,328; 4. Blaze Cress, 147, $664.Tie-down roping: First round:1. Josh Peek, 8.5 seconds, $1,771; 2. Brice Ingo, 8.6, $1,328; 3. (tie) Darnell Johnson, and Dalton DeWinne, 8.9, $664 each. Second round:1. Josh Peek, 8.0 seconds, $1,771; 2. Jayce Johnson, 8.3, $1,328; 3. (tie) Darnell Johnson, and Don Coffell, 9.0, $664 each. Third round:1. Stetson Stowe-Corman, 8.5 seconds, $1,771; 2. (tie) Josh Peek, and Scotty Shelton, 8.7, $1,107 each; 4. Brice Ingo, 9.2, $443. Average: 1. Josh Peek, 25.2 seconds on three head, $2,656; 2. Darnell Johnson, 27.3, $1,992; 3. Brice Ingo, 29.0, $1,328; 4. Dalton DeWinne, 30.1, $664.Barrel racing: First round:1. Ivy Conrado, 15.07 seconds, $1,771; 2. Kelley Schnaufer, 15.51, $1,328; 3. Laura Lambert, 15.54, $885; 4. CJ Vondette, 15.57, $443. Second round:1. Shali Lord, 15.32 seconds, $1,771; 2. Laura Lambert, 15.55, $1,328; 3. Andrea Busby, 15.59, $885; 4. Mary Cecelia-Tharp, 15.87, $443. Third round:1. Brittany Pozzi, 15.35 seconds, $1,771; 2. Shali Lord, 15.48, $1,328; 3. Ivy Conrado, 15.56, $885; 4. Andrea Busby, 15.57, $443. Average: 1. Andrea Busby, 46.84 seconds on three head, $2,656; 2. Shali Lord, 47.10, $1,992; 3. Mary Cecelia-Tharp, 47.61, $1,328; 4. Ronnie Will, 48.67, $664.Bull riding: First round:1. Cody Johansen, 76 points on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s No. C97, $1,771; 2. Brady Menge, 73, $1,328; no other qualified rides. Second round:1. Cody Johansen, 84 points on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Socks, $1,771; 2. Brian Larson, 73, $1,328; no other qualified rides. Third round: No qualified rides. Average: 1. Cody Johansen, 160 points on two head, $2,656; 2. (tie) Brady Menge, and Brian Larson, 73 on one head, $1,660 each.Total payoff: $158,893. Stock contractors: Burch Rodeo, The Cervi Brothers, Rocky Mountain Rodeo, D & H Cattle and Harry Vold Rodeo. Rodeo secretary: Carole Martinez. Officials: George Gibbs, Gordie Kesler and Bruce Keller. Timers: DeeDee Dickinson and Donna Murphy. Announcer: Bob Edmonds. Bullfighters: Nathan Jestes and Cade Burns. Clown/barrelman: Hig Higley. Pickup men:Duane Gilbert and Scott McClain. Photographer: Dan Hubbell. Music director: Brandy Edmonds.