Kellie Collier is heading to her first WNFR. The 21 year old dreamed about this for a long time. “I have the horse power and the dedication – I sat down and decided this was what I was going to do.” She is quick to add that none of this would be possible without the support from her parents, Kathleen and Matt. “My mom rodeoed and she taught me about what it took to rodeo. My dad stays home and runs the family business, Top of Texas Mill Wrights, which makes it possible for me to go.” Kellie has one older sister, Kayla, 25, who competed when she was younger, but ended up playing sports and has a Masters in accounting. “She does all of our taxes, so it works out great.”
Kellie tried to make the WNFR last year and ended up 23rd. “My horses got tired,” she said. “I learned how to lose. I was very successful rodeoing growing up, making all the national finals –going out there on the road wasn’t as easy as I thought it was going to be – it was humbling. My mom was with me most of the year. She would come home for a week at at a time, so did my cousin, Kashli. I had two rigs going sometimes, so it took two drivers to get it done. I lived in airports towards the end of the year.” She had a trailer in Canada that stayed up there and one down here. “It was tiring and crazy, but it paid off.”
After graduating from high school in 2014, Kellie went to college at Hobbs College in New Mexico and transferred to Texas Tech her second year. “Then Lolo happened.” Lolo is a 9 year old mare Streak of Fling mare that took Carlee Pierce to the WNFR in 2014. “When I was in college, I had a good horse, Oscar. I knew my goals of going down the road, and we were looking for a horse. We had the tapes from the NFR and my mom kept watching Lolo and loved her demeanor so she gave Carlee a call and bought her three years ago. Lolo has a heart and tries like none other. She’s a very quirky horse and doesn’t trust many people. She is a very mentally strong horse, very independent. She loves me and tries for me – it’s cool to have that feeling. She is not just a horse to me.” The other horse that has made it possible is Muffin, is a 13-year- old mare out of Jig French Truckle. “I rode Lolo most of the year, but Muffin has won a lot for me this summer too.”
Kellie grew up in the rodeo world. “My mom rodeoed so when I was old enough to walk, I was on a horse going to play days, junior rodeoes, and went from there. I was more of a roper when I was younger. I had some great roping horses and I team roped. Then I got one horse, Oscar, and found my love for barrels. He helped me win in the barrels and poles.”
Kellie had a farewell party in her hometown of Hereford, Texas. “It was great to realize what support we have at home – people drove up to seven hours to come celebrate. We ate and danced and called it a night. I signed a couple autographs.” Many of those people will make the trip to Las Vegas to cheer her on. “I’ve lived in Hereford my whole life – cows and feedyards is all there is here; Hereford is called the beef capital of the world.”
Kellie is preparing for the WNFR by continuing to rodeo. “I’m headed to the Wilderness Circuit Finals, and then the next weekend is the Canadian Finals. Once I get back, I’ll work on my mental game, and make my schedule. I think if my horses don’t know how to run barrels by now, we’re in trouble. So I just keep their legs in shape and ready to run. I long trot a lot in the hay field around our house. I like to breeze them out there, stretch them out and let them run.”
Kellie wants to keep going. She’d like to make the finals a few more years. “I’ve always wanted to do some clinics and breed Lolo and train some more barrel horses. I’ve got to get through this first.” It hasn’t completely sunk in yet that she will be running in the Thomas and Mack. “I’m more nervous about what I don’t know – I like to be in control and to not know where to go, what to say, and what to wear is what I’m nervous about. I keep telling myself this is just another rodeo, but I know that’s not the truth.”
Author: Siri Stevens
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Kellie Collier
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D’Ann Gehlsen
D’Ann Gehlsen from Mission, South Dakota, has been barrel racing since she was ten. “I started riding when I was three and showed horses and switched to the speed events,” said the 54-year-old program technician for Farm Service Agency. D’Ann has a 32 mile commute to work and works nine hour days. She has every other Friday off, and that helps with traveling to barrel racing. “In 2016 I went to Badland Circuit Rodeos and had a futurity horse, plus I went to SDRA and NRCA rodeos; so that put a lot of miles on. I picked the amateur rodeos this year and good added money three day barrel races to save the miles on myself and horses. I had a great summer, I ran Radar at 15 rodeos and he placed at 10 and ran Flyer at 3 rodeos and he placed at all three!
Her biggest win was last year with her favorite horse, nine-year-old Radar (Streaking Sonofagun). “He won every round, the average saddle and the year-end buckle of the Northwest Ranch Cowboys Association,” she said. “2016 was a stand-out year for him – he won that and a couple others – the Black Hills Stock Show Rodeo, the Breeders and the Open Derby/Maturity at the Cornhusker, the 1D average at the 5-States and qualified for the Badlands Circuit Finals. We won the target shoot out at the West Fest barrel race for running the same time in both rounds, the use of a stock combo trailer for a year.” I was invited to run at the Colorado vs World rodeo at the Denver Stock Show in January of 2017.
D’Ann Gehlsen at the Mid-States Finals – Rodeo News Radar has lifetime earnings of $83,000; not bad for an unplanned gelding. “I had a full brother to him on the mare (Gunny) at the time and I had taken her to Valentine to have her ultra sounded. The vet told me she needed to be bred within a day or two and Streaker was standing at the vet clinic in Ainsworth, Nebraska. I hadn’t planned on another Streaker colt, but it was the best thing that ever happened. He’s a special horse – he’s one of those horses that I feel very fortunate to have in my lifetime.”
Radar was born on a rainy Memorial Day. “My husband, Speed, imprinted him – he did too good of a job because Radar is very personable and in your space.” When he turned two, Gabe Taylor, a steer wrestler, took him for a month to start him. “He called me within the first two weeks and said I had a really nice horse – he was easy and wanted to do everything. If I could custom order a horse, this was it – the first time I rode him, I liked him.” He got his nickname, Radar, because of his ears and the way he looks around and checks things out. He continued his career as a futurity horse in 2013. “He did good – he was very competitive,” said D’Ann. “The next year, I alternated him and Flyer at the rodeos, and then he got an injury and was out for six months.” At 16.2 hands and weighing in at 1,450, Radar is big for barrel racing. His mother, Gunny was out of Back To Cash and a goes back to Go Man Go on the maternal side. She was the size of Go Man Go and all of her colts are big horses. “He stopped the clock at the 2016 Black Hills Stock Show Rodeo at 12.46, winning it – that was unbelievable for that little arena.”
This year, Radar took her to the average win at the Mid-States Rodeo Assn Finals and the duo has been consistent all year. “He has a lot of heart and arrogance – he knows he’s cool and wants to get the job done – he’s just that type of horse.”
D’Ann met her husband, Speed, at a rodeo. “A week later he called me and we’ve been together for 24 years this January.” He used to team rope and still does for fun. He goes to some of the closer rodeos with D’Ann, but for the most part, it’s D’Ann, dogs Murry and Tink and three horses. “We have a cow/calf operation southeast of Mission, South Dakota.” Along with Radar and Flyer, D’Ann has young colts coming along.
Radar isn’t going anywhere. “He’s a very special horse to me – he makes barrel racing fun, he wants to do his job and do it well. He is also the last of the line. His mother was put down in October of 2016.” Although D’Ann doesn’t have set goals, she sees herself going to the American someday. “I’m going to keep doing what I do – going to my favorite rodeos and the bigger barrel races that pay good. Life is very good in my world.”
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ProFile: Chason Floyd
Just $87 was the difference between riding into the Thomas & Mack in December and not. Chason Floyd kept his hold on the 15th spot for a couple weeks. He had to keep going to keep ahead of Josh Peek, who was trying up until the last minute to get that spot. Neither pulled a check the last week. Chason got a couple checks the week before, but he hit three rodeos the last week, never pulling a check. “Josh wished me luck at a rodeo we were at that last week – hoping I would make it.”
Chason has been trying to punch his ticket to Vegas since 2012. “I had a very good rookie year, and tried again for the next few years,” said the 28-year-old from Buffalo, South Dakota. “In 2015, I got hurt and had to sit out a year.” He went from 41st last year to 15th this year. “I try to learn something new every year, and this year I’m more mature and I know a little more. I also switched horses after Labor Day, jumping off Sean Mulligan’s horse. She fit me really good.”
Chason got married May of 2014 to Jesika Garrett Floyd and the couple is expecting a new bulldogger into the family February 14. “She was joking one day saying if I ever made the Finals, she would probably be pregnant. I mentally told myself after we found out that I better get to winning if I was going to make this happen. And it did. ” The couple owns an assisted living facility in Buffalo South Dakota, and Jesika has a home health business as well. They are opening another one in Faith, South Dakota, within a year. “I also ranch with my family.”
He is still adjusting to his first WNFR qualification. “We woke up and went over to the building and started working on it – you go back to normal. But I’m still getting the calls, and it will sink in that I did accomplish my dreams. It’s pretty neat.” Chason will stay in shape by jackpotting and going to his circuit finals in Minot. He won the year end at those Finals. He plans to enter a few others and continue jogging and staying in shape. “We’ve been moving cattle and shipping, so it’s kept me pretty busy. I’ll head to Oklahoma the middle of November to practice with Sean.”He has never been to the NFR – this will be his first trip. “I didn’t want to go until I made it. We’re super excited.”
Chason grew up in Ludlow, it’s a school, a church, a hall and a bar. His family is still there on the ranch. He started rodeo when he was young, starting in the 4-H rodeos and then high school rodeos. He roped and rode saddle broncs when he was younger. “I got kind of big for bronc riding,” said the 28-year-old. His parents, Ron and Cindy, along with his sister CJ and two brothers, Colt, and Ckyler will all be heading to Vegas to watch.
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Back When They Bucked with Herb Friedenthal
Herb Friedenthal won the bull riding at the second RCA rodeo he ever went to. “It was the night of my 18th birthday and I split first with Walt Mason in Riverside, California,” said the 79 year old from Fallon, Nevada. “I feel so fortunate that in my career I was around the best rodeo cowboys that ever lived from three decades, the 40s, 50s, and 60s.” Herb Joined the RCA in March of 1956. “A couple guys came around to the amateur rodeos and they asked me to throw in with them. It was a big deal for me.”
Herb was raised in Southern California; back in the 1950s there were lots of rodeos in his area. His dad was an insurance salesman and his mom raised him and his younger brother, John. Herb joined the Marine Corp and served for a little over a year before being honorably discharged. His rodeo career took off after that and he competed all across the west. “Andy Jauregui was a stock contractor and world champion team roper. I worked for him on the labor list, that’s what we did a lot in those days – it kept us busy when we weren’t competing and gave us some extra money.” Herb also worked for Cotton Rosser. “Most of my career I stayed on the West Coast. I was happy living the dream and there were a bunch of good rodeos out there. I placed at most of the major rodeos; Cow Palace, Ogden Prescott, Las Angeles coliseum, and Tucson (he won that one).” He met a lot of great cowboys, including Casey Tibbs, who put together a Wild West Show and Rodeo to take to Japan, and invited Herb to join the group.
Herb Friedenthal with Arlene Kensinger and Arlene Worley at 2016 Rodeo Historical Society Inductee celebration. – Rodeo News 
1956, bull riding in Ventura – photo by R.L. Pound “We went over there in July of 1962,” he explained. The crew consisted of between 35 and 40 people; counting the Mexican bull fighters the Mariachi band, several Indians and the support crew. “Only about 15 of us were rodeo cowboys and out of that there were six past world champions; Gerold Roberts, Ben Johnson, Eddie Akridge, Clyde Vamvoras, Casey Tibbs, and Paul Mayo.” They were there for three months, which included six weeks in Tokyo. “It was a tough deal. We had two performances a day, three on Sunday, and Monday off. Casey took some national finals stock over there. If you got wiped out in the afternoon performance, you had to get on that night. There was no doctor release.” During that time in Japan’s history; 17 years after the war and two years before the Tokyo Olympics, the Japanese still believed that parts of the United States were the same as they had been watching in the old American Westerns, including cowboys and Indians. “It was 100% Japanese. You could get two blocks from the hotel and get lost. The way we made it was we had a business card from the hotel and the cab could drop us off.” After 125 performances, they headed home.
Herb & Star Friedenthal, married 50 years 
(left to right) Clyde Vamvoras, World Champion Bareback Rider 1967-68, Paul Mayo, World Champion Bareback Rider 1970, Gary (Mad Dog) Gardner & Herb Friedenthal in Tokyo, Japan 1962 When he returned, he landed a job modeling for Marlboro. “Clyde Cisco May had it and didn’t want it and gave it to me.” He was photographed in silhouette form for more than a month all over the country. Most of the shots were taken at recognizable landmarks and he wore his hat, spurs, and jeans. He posed with an unlighted cigarette because it took so long to get each shot. “I’ve never smoked or even lit a cigarette,” he said. The ads ended up in national magazines such as “Life” and the “Saturday Evening Post.” That exposure led to stunt work as a bull rider on the television series, “Cowboy in Africa,” which starred Chuck Connors. He also doubled for Michael Landon (Little Joe) on Bonanza and bulldogged a steer for a Buick commercial. He never cared for the Hollywood life, and decided to move on.
He used his GI bill and went to aviation school. He also met and married his wife of 50 years, Starr. They have two girls, Carry Ila and Ila Carry, and two grandchildren. Herb worked as a flight instructor for two years before becoming a union carpenter. He made that his career for 20 years and moved up to become a business representative for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters until he retired at the age of 70. He took his competitive nature and became a marathon runner. “I finished the LA marathon three times and ran a couple hundred 5k and 10k runs.” He has also been a lifetime supporter of the Braille Institute. “Helping those who are blind or visually impaired is the right thing to do.”
Herb has no regrets in life. “I’d do it all over again. For 15 years I didn’t have a boss, I got to see the whole world and be around the best guys. I’ve got five acres in Fallon, Nevada. I’ve got a horse, a great wife and family, and I hang out at the sale yard coffee shop (Stockyards Diner), with my friends. The older you get, the fewer friends you have.”
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On The Trail with Brody Cress
Brody Cress ended his 2017 season with the PRCA with an 88 point ride on Dakota Rodeo’s Bartender to win the saddle bronc riding championship at the Wrangler Champions Challenge Finale on September 30 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. “It is an outstanding feeling – the whole year has been. I can’t think of a weekend that I wasn’t able to win some money,” said the 21-year-old cowboy from Hillsdale, Wyoming. “That helps keep it going and keeps it exciting. You can’t ask for a better season. It makes you want to get on a bucking horse every day.” Brody did something that no other cowboy has done – he won Cheyenne, Salinas, and Pendleton in one season. “I didn’t go to any winter rodeos, but I came back to the first one and won and it’s been clicking – I’ve drawn good and it’s been a year of focus and shooting for the finals. I’ve never been this consistent – 90% this year – dang sure knew things were clicking,” he said. “I’ve always shot for going to the NFR. I’ve always thought if that wasn’t a goal, why rodeo. But this year it’s realistic.” Brody will be heading to the Thomas & Mack this December, but not before completing his finals for his Senior year at Tarleton State University where he is majoring in Ag Business. “I won’t be able to walk with the class, but that’s ok.”
Winning 88.5 point ride at CFD Short Round on Black Box of Sankey Rodeo – Hubbell 
Scoring 90 points at the Mountain States Junior Bullriding. – Ross Lampshere 
Brody and his favorite horse, Final Touch – Courtesy of the family This year has been a lot better than last year, when Brody had a horse fall on him and injure his ankle at St. Paul. “After Cheyenne I took the rest of the year off; my ankle was hurting. I couldn’t walk for ten minutes after I got off the horses. Taking the rest of the year helped me refocus on getting to the gym.”
Growing up, Brody stayed in the practice pen and didn’t ride a bronc at a rodeo until he was a junior in high school. He rodeoed at junior rodeos from the time he was big enough to steer his own horse, competing at Murray’s arena summer series. He was a member of Mountain States Junior Bull Riders, starting as a mutton buster and stopping with steer riding. He started wrestling at the age of six and concentrated on that, showing pigs and sheep, and being involved in FFA. “My dad was our Ag teacher for freshman year, and then moved into principal. I was around his FFA kids all the time, and I was very big into showing pigs and sheep.” He competed in the Creed his freshman year, as well as sales. FFA taught Brody how to interact with people. “I got put in a lot of situations – when I was practicing for the Creed, my dad would take me to speak in places I was really nervous about. It allowed me to learn how to turn an awkward situation into something I could handle.” FFA also helped Brody learn how to speak in front of large groups. “I built leadership skills – as I got older I liked helping out the younger kids.”
His parents; Tommy and Lannette, both rodeoed when they were younger. “Mom grew up on a ranch, and she was a rodeo queen, and team roped, breakaway roped, ran barrels and poles in high school rodeo.” Tommy college rodeoed for LCCC and the University of Wyoming, as well as pro rodeoed, qualifying for the Mountain States Circuit Finals numerous times. He rode saddle broncs and got on a few bulls in college. Now Tommy is an assistant principal at Cheyenne East High School with 1,500 kids.
“I’m really lucky to be in this system – these kids are great,” said Tommy. “It’s my 21st year, and times have changed, but the kids haven’t. My wife works as an Administrative Assistant for the Wyoming Supreme Court. She has a lot to do with the success of the boys – she’s the one they call for everything still.”
“We did everything we could do to support them all along and the lessons they learned – the biggest one is that life’s not easy – and we never made any excuses for them. He’s done this on his own,” said Lannette. “I’ve helped him get plane tickets and motel rooms, but he tells us when and where. Brody was in the bucking horse sale two years ago and Blaze was in the permit challenge two years ago, and we went to one round, but this year it’s going to be so exciting. It’s a dream of our entire family. I’m really proud of Brody – he’s made this his goal and he got it done.”
“My parents put me in wrestling to get the mental and physical aspects,” said Brody. “I almost wrestled in college. It started when I was six and I won nine state championships growing up. In high school I was the state champion my last three years.” Throughout those years, he would wrestle up to 140 pounds going wherever coach needed him. “I learned how to handle myself. At first when I would lose, I would get frustrated. As I got into high school I learned how to handle my emotions – I had to cut 16 pounds my Sophmore year and I learned how to go through that mentally. Wrestling also helped me learn how to take a loss and not just quit.” Working on the mental and the physical aspects of wrestling really coincides with riding broncs. “You have to give it all you have as long as it takes.”
Brody gained respect for all of his coaches along the way. “I had such amazing coaches that helped me be a great young man as well as a good wrestler.”
Both the boys worked on riding broncs for several years before competing on them. “My dad and Colt Bruegman really started us. We were lucky enough to get great horses from JD Hamaker, the Millers, Morgan and John Forbes. Frank Thompson would come pick up for us; we got help from Rick Griego flanking and my friends, Levi Romsa, Zane Thompson, Dax Cathcart, Anthony Green and Clayton Hanzlik helped on the neck ropes and pulled gates. It was whoever we could get to come help. Sometimes we would practice twice a week – as long as it was warm enough. I know during high school it was twice a week. Up until I was a junior that’s the only bronc riding I could do. I couldn’t go to a rodeo until I was a junior in high school. We had an amazing pen of practice horses, at one time we had nine. It was a great pen of solid horses.”
Brody and his 2007 Reserve Champion Market Swine, National Western Stock Show 
Brody wrestling at University of Northern Colorado Christmas Classic sophmore year – Lannette Cress His parents wanted to make sure Blaze and Brody knew what they were doing before they went to a high school rodeo. Tommy’s rule was they couldn’t get on until they were 100 pounds. “They wanted us to learn how to get off, and how to make somewhat of a successful ride – it made it a little more fun. It was still rough – but I won my first rodeo I went to my junior year, so that proved that staying home and learning paid off. Up till this year, there’s been bumps in the road, but I was more successful because I had a good start.”
Brody is in his senior year at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas. “I picked TSU for one because it’s warmer. I wanted to be on a rodeo team that would send me places and a bunch of people came here that went on to the NFR. This is a prestigious program and the kids know how to win. My coach knows I am moving up to the next level and he’s there for me. He is awesome – he helps us do more than rodeo, to be respectful and handle ourselves in front of people. He’s taught me not to make excuses – I face the fact of what I did wrong and how to fix it.”
He also chose Tarleton for the academic side. “I didn’t want to waste my time, and this school will let me get it all done – all the way through my masters.” Brody is going for his Masters in Ag consumer science so he can teach. “If I get in situations where I could coach and be able to teach that would be awesome.” Classes start three weeks after the NFR.
Between now and December 7, Brody will get back into the gym and finish up his undergraduate degree. “I’m going to get back to working out and get everything set for Vegas. One of the trainers, Shawn Ready, has put together a workout for me that I’m starting now that I’m home and settled. It’s hard to work out on the road. We stay in shape by getting on so many horses, and I still have college rodeos. I’d like to get on two or three a week to keep things going. I’d like to slow down some, but I want to keep things clicking.”
He will be joined in Vegas by his family, including his brother, Blaze, who is working with Eric Wisehart in California training cutting horses. “Blaze has taken his love of riding colts to another level. He got the opportunity to go to California to ride cutting horses for Eric Wisehart. He’s riding two year olds and is getting to cut. We have different focuses in life and he’s in a great spot. We’re both doing what we want to do.”
For now, Brody is basking in the texts and messages from everyone cheering him on. “It is awesome to be on the road and know there are people watching. It’s great to be a professional rodeo cowboy and know you have fans.” And Brody will warm up the same way in Vegas he has done all year. “I wear my tennis shoes in the locker room, the amount of time I spend jumping around getting ready – this warm up is left over from wrestling, and that makes sure my body is prepared.”
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Championship Bull Riding Announces New CEO
courtesy of CBR
WEATHERFORD, Texas – October 10, 2017 – Championship Bull Riding (CBR), a professional bull riding company announced today the promotion of Murphy Lents to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This position was created to support the growth of CBR over the course of the last few years. Lents is currently a member of the Board of Directors.
Murphy Lents, former President, Headwaters Roofing and Siding Group of Salt Lake City, UT, stated, “Authenticity is what separates CBR from many other bull riding ventures. I was brought in by the CBR board because I have the organizational skills to help us grow but also because I have a heartfelt appreciation for the sport’s beginnings as a place for a bunch of cowboys to get together, show off their riding skill, and laugh a lot. So, we plan to get a little bigger but still have fun and enjoy the ride.”
Lents has an MBA degree from Wharton School of Business in Pennsylvania and graduated from Rice University in Houston with a degree in English and Spanish.
Chairman of the Board, Benny Cude, said, “I am honored to bring Murphy on board to promote our efforts. Adding professionals with deep experience in their fields and strong credentials will make the future very bright for CBR.”
CBR is experiencing growth on all levels including the televised Road to Cheyenne tour and the qualifying Horizon Series. The industry’s top athletes such as six time World Champion Sage Kimzey and PRCA Rookie of the Year Boudreaux Campbell combined with the CBR Bull Team Challenge animal athletes make for an entertaining and authentic western show, and one of Lents’ goals is getting that show in front of more people.
“CBR has the most professionally run and fun bucking bull events in the country while still staying true to the authentic, cowboy sport that it is. Everyone at CBR wants to introduce our riders and bulls to more people in larger venues. At the same time, we respect the talent and courage of our riders and the breeding and strength of the bulls at our events. If we can introduce more people to the sport while staying true to our cowboy roots, we will have done a good job for the company, our riders and bull owners, as well as the new fans we introduce to the sport and our values.”
Murphy’s interest in CBR came through his business partner and CBR Board of Directors member Bob Whisnant. The two founded and operated Southwest Concrete Products in tandem and grew it to be one of the largest concrete products companies in the Southwest.
Lents began his business career in banking and private equity management and has served as the President of four corporations including Independent Gas Company, Eldorado Stone, Southwest Concrete, and Headwaters’ Roofing and Siding Group.
“I have founded and run a wide variety of businesses over my career. One of the most important things I’ve learned is that I don’t know everything. I have a healthy respect for the men and women in a business who are the real operators and boots on the ground. Fortunately, CBR has accomplished professionals that know the business like the backs of their hands. What I can do is help the team develop meaningful goals and a plan to accomplish those goals. “
Murphy and his wife Dianne own Twisted Rose Farm outside of Kerrville, Texas and has piloted their family’s Morgan horses to multiple World Championships. “We’ve been lucky enough to take several of our horses to world championships and I was the reserve national gentleman’s western pleasure champion the last two years and earned the National gentleman’s Championship just last Saturday. I’ve almost never been bucked off in less than 8 seconds.”
The Lents management style – “I get everyone rowing the boat in a good direction and the same direction while keeping an eye out for rocks and shallow water,” said Lents from his home in Kerrville, Texas.
For more information contact Leighann@cbrbull.com. Follow CBR on Facebook – Championship Bull Riding, Twitter and Instagram @cbrbull.com.
Photo Credit: Todd Brewer
About Championship Bull Riding
Located near the cowboy capital of the world, historic Weatherford, Texas, Championship Bull Riding (CBR) is an organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the very best elements of the sport. Under the direction of Chairman of the Board, Benny Cude and bull riding icon Tuff Hedeman, CBR has grown into an organization that works to put the best riders on the best bulls, delivering world-class qualified rides and entertainment to its legions of world-side fans. CBR has two tours, riders begin in the Horizon Series earning points to move onto the elite Road to Cheyenne Tour. The Road to Cheyenne Tour culminates in July in Wyoming at the legendary Cheyenne Frontier Days where the World Champion Bull Rider earns a $100,000 bonus. The CBR Bull Team Challenge is also part of the tour events where stock contractors bring their best bulls and compete for annual cash prizes that total over $1 million. Providing opportunities for contestants, stock contractors, fans and sponsors is why CBR is the REAL COWBOY SPORTtm. CBR is featured at over 70 venues across the United States with national television programming on the Fox Sports Networks for 26 consecutive weeks in prime time. Follow CBR on all major social media platforms as Championship Bull Riding and CBRbull. For more information visit www.cbrbull.com or call 817-626-BULL (2855).
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Chason Floyd heads to his first WNFR; the standings heading to the WNFR
$87 was the difference between riding into the Thomas & Mack in December and not. Chason Floyd kept his hold on the 15th spot for a couple weeks. He had to keep going to keep ahead of Josh Peek, who was trying up until the last minute to get that spot. Neither pulled a check the last week. Chason got a couple checks the week before, and he entered three rodeos the last week. “Josh wished me luck at a rodeo we were at that last week – hoping I would make it.”
Chason has been trying to punch his ticket to Vegas since 2012. “I had a very good rookie year, and tried again for the next few years,” said the 28-year-old from Buffalo, South Dakota. “In 2015, I got hurt and had to sit out a year.” He went from 41st last year to 15th this year, entering more than 90 rodeos. “I try to learn something new every year, and this year I’m more mature and I know a little more. I also switched horses after Labor Day, jumping off Sean Mulligan’s horse. She fit me really good.”
Chason got married May of 2014 to Jesika Garrett Floyd and the couple is expecting a new bulldogger into the family February 14. “I mentally told myself after we found out we were having a baby that I better get to winning if I was going to make this happen.” The couple owns an assisted living facility in Buffalo South Dakota, and Jesika has a home health business as well. They are opening another one in Faith, South Dakota, within a year. “I also ranch with my family.”
He is still adjusting to his first WNFR qualification. “We woke up and went over to the building and started working on it – you go back to normal. But I’m still getting the calls, and it will sink in that I did accomplish my dreams. It’s pretty neat.” Chason will stay in shape by jackpotting and going to his circuit finals in Minot. He plans to enter a few others and continue jogging and staying in shape. “I’ll head to Oklahoma the middle of November to practice with Sean.” He has never been to the WNFR – this will be his first trip. “I didn’t want to go until I made it. We’re super excited.”
Standings courtesy PRCA, unofficial, subject to audit and may change
All-around
1 Tuf Cooper, Weatherford, Texas $214,131
2 Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas 180,487
3 Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas 151,990
4 Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif. 140,876
5 Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prudente, Brazil 136,430
6 Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz. 128,764
7 Russell Cardoza, Terrebonne, Ore. 112,795
8 Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo. 105,470
9 Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev. 104,200
10 Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas 97,022
11 Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas 89,284
12 Marcus Theriot, Poplarville, Miss. 89,029
13 Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah 78,241
14 Trell Etbauer, Goodwell, Okla. 75,671
15 Cody Doescher, Oklahoma City, Okla. 74,931
16 Seth Hall, Albuquerque, N.M. 58,000
17 Kyle Whitaker, Chambers, Neb. 56,733
18 Jordan Ketscher, Squaw Valley, Calif. 56,048
19 Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah 55,618
20 Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta 54,641
Bareback Riding
1 Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa $201,916
2 Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn. 136,657
3 Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif. 128,153
4 J.R. Vezain, Cowley, Wyo. 113,312
5 Wyatt Denny, Minden, Nev. 109,353
6 Caleb Bennett, Tremonton, Utah 106,677
7 Jake Brown, Cleveland, Texas 103,212
8 Jake Vold, Ponoka, Alberta 102,161
9 Richmond Champion, The Woodlands, Texas 101,197
10 Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba 99,240
11 Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas 96,039
12 Steven Dent, Mullen, Neb. 93,652
13 R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif. 89,261
14 Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D. 89,106
15 Mason Clements, Santaquin, Utah 86,114
16 Justin Miller, Billings, Mont. 83,495
17 Evan Jayne, Marseille, France 80,762
18 Jessy Davis, Power, Mont. 66,029
19 Shane O’Connell, Rapid City, S.D. 64,757
20 Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore. 62,612
Steer Wrestling
1 Ty Erickson, Helena, Mont. $163,152
2 Olin Hannum, Malad, Idaho 110,951
3 Tyler Pearson, Louisville, Miss. 109,919
4 Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La. 103,944
5 Scott Guenthner, Provost, Alberta 99,501
6 Baylor Roche, Tremonton, Utah 99,340
7 Ryle Smith, Oakdale, Calif. 93,463
8 Tanner Milan, Cochrane, Alberta 84,073
9 Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis. 82,968
10 Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev. 80,981
11 Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala. 79,684
12 Jon Ragatz, Beetown, Wis. 77,340
13 J.D. Struxness, Appleton, Minn. 76,442
14 Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La. 73,558
15 Chason Floyd, Buffalo, S.D. 71,192
16 Josh Peek, Pueblo, Colo. 71,105
17 Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas 70,545
18 Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La. 68,915
19 Jason Thomas, Benton, Ark. 67,294
20 Will Lummus, West Point, Miss. 66,520
Team Roping (header)
1 Kaleb Driggers, Albany, Ga. $133,977
2 Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz. 133,633
3 Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla. 113,094
4 Luke Brown, Stephenville, Texas 111,551
5 Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla. 98,033
6 Riley Minor, Ellensburg, Wash. 96,587
7 Chad Masters, Cedar Hill, Tenn. 85,448
8 Tom Richards, Humboldt, Ariz. 81,415
9 Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont. 81,356
10 Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif. 79,236
11 Jr. Dees, Aurora, S.D. 78,964
12 Dustin Bird, Cut Bank, Mont. 78,288
13 Dustin Egusquiza, Mariana, Fla. 77,437
14 Garrett Rogers, Baker City, Ore. 75,614
15 Charly Crawford, Prineville, Ore. 74,146
16 Levi Simpson, Ponoka, Alberta 68,006
17 Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz. 61,983
18 Hayes Smith, Central Point, Ore. 61,949
19 Marcus Theriot, Poplarville, Miss. 59,915
20 Lane Ivy, Adrian, Texas 57,576
Team Roping (heeler)
1 Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prudente, Brazil $133,779
2 Cory Petska, Marana, Ariz. 133,633
3 Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo. 117,212
4 Billie Jack Saebens, Nowata, Okla. 110,930
5 Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan. 103,022
6 Russell Cardoza, Terrebonne, Ore. 99,774
7 Brady Minor, Ellensburg, Wash. 96,587
8 Travis Graves, Jay, Okla. 92,358
9 Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev. 81,356
10 Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas 81,050
11 Tyler McKnight, Wells, Texas 79,374
12 Joseph Harrison, Overbrook, Okla. 78,387
13 Jake Minor, Ellensburg, Wash. 75,614
14 Kory Koontz, Stephenville, Texas 74,652
15 Jeremy Buhler, Arrowwood, Alberta 68,006
16 Buddy Hawkins II, Columbus, Kan. 65,136
17 Kyle Lockett, Visalia, Calif. 61,745
18 John Robertson, Polson, Mont. 52,238
19 Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla. 51,647
20 Cody Doescher, Oklahoma City, Okla. 49,836
Saddle Bronc Riding
1 Jacobs Crawley, Boerne, Texas $184,052
2 Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta 170,456
3 CoBurn Bradshaw, Beaver, Utah 124,115
4 Cody DeMoss, Heflin, La. 119,657
5 Layton Green, Meeting Creek, Alberta 110,613
6 Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo. 105,789
7 Hardy Braden, Welch, Okla. 102,774
8 Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah 99,361
9 Sterling Crawley, Stephenville, Texas 92,992
10 Jake Wright, Milford, Utah 91,745
11 Clay Elliott, Nanton, Alberta 89,332
12 Heith DeMoss, Heflin, La. 88,613
13 Taos Muncy, Corona, N.M. 88,402
14 Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah 76,630
15 Audy Reed, Spearman, Texas 75,649
16 Cort Scheer, Elsmere, Neb. 71,822
17 Cody Wright, Milford, Utah 69,693
18 Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah 66,258
19 Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas 61,398
20 Bradley Harter, Loranger, La. 54,401
Tie-down Roping
1 Tuf Cooper, Weatherford, Texas $190,445
2 Caleb Smidt, Bellville, Texas 142,194
3 Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La. 124,498
4 Marcos Costa, Childress, Texas 121,902
5 Tyson Durfey, Weatherford, Texas 107,423
6 Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas 101,433
7 Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas 97,173
8 Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla. 96,056
9 Matt Shiozawa, Chubbuck, Idaho 93,363
10 J.C. Malone, Plain City, Utah 86,299
11 Timber Moore, Aubrey, Texas 85,962
12 Randall Carlisle, Athens, La. 85,566
13 Cade Swor, Winnie, Texas 85,460
14 Cooper Martin, Alma, Kan. 85,438
15 Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas 85,210
16 Blane Cox, Cameron, Texas 78,317
17 Cody Quaney, Cheney, Kan. 77,288
18 Ace Slone, Cuero, Texas 76,926
19 Cimarron Boardman, Stephenville, Texas 73,367
20 Westyn Hughes, Caldwell, Texas 70,016
Steer Roping
1 Jason Evans, Glen Rose, Texas $84,156
2 Vin Fisher Jr., Andrews, Texas 78,934
3 Chet Herren, Pawhuska, Okla. 72,976
4 Scott Snedecor, Fredericksburg, Texas 68,084
5 Trevor Brazile, Decatur, Texas 64,266
6 J. Tom Fisher, Andrews, Texas 56,868
7 Tony Reina, Wharton, Texas 50,109
8 Rocky Patterson, Pratt, Kan. 49,347
9 JoJo LeMond, Andrews, Texas 49,309
10 John Bland, Turkey, Texas 48,184
11 Shay Good, Midland, Texas 47,061
12 Cody Lee, Gatesville, Texas 45,082
13 Tuf Cooper, Weatherford, Texas 44,217
14 Troy Tillard, Douglas, Wyo. 42,848
15 Bryce Davis, Ovalo, Texas 41,913
16 Chris Glover, Keenesburg, Colo. 40,615
17 J.P. Wickett, Sallisaw, Okla. 39,780
18 Garrett Hale, Snyder, Texas 32,565
19 Brian Garr, Belle Fourche, S.D. 32,545
20 Roger Branch, Wellston, Okla. 31,183
Bull Riding
1 Sage Kimzey, Strong City, Okla. $237,152
2 Garrett Smith, Rexburg, Idaho 204,239
3 Ty Wallace, Collbran, Colo. 157,077
4 Jordan Spears, Redding, Calif. 131,423
5 Joe Frost, Randlett, Utah 120,963
6 Trey Benton III, Rock Island, Texas 110,471
7 Tim Bingham, Honeyville, Utah 106,188
8 Cole Melancon, Liberty, Texas 103,619
9 Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho 102,855
10 Trevor Reiste, Linden, Iowa 97,121
11 Dustin Bowen, Waller, Texas 94,668
12 Brennon Eldred, Sulphur, Okla. 92,991
13 Jordan Hansen, Okotoks, Alberta 92,660
14 Boudreaux Campbell, Crockett, Texas 88,063
15 Guthrie Murray, Miami, Okla. 87,288
16 Brady Portenier, Caldwell, Idaho 87,014
17 Tristan Mize, Bryan, Texas 85,957
18 Tyler Bingham, Honeyville, Utah 80,183
19 Chase Dougherty, Canby, Ore. 72,754
20 Elliot Jacoby, Fredericksburg, Texas 70,593
*2017 Barrel Racing (Oct. 2, 2017)
Barrel racing standings, provided by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), are unofficial, subject to audit and may change. Unofficial WPRA Standings are published by the PRCA as a courtesy. The PRCA is not responsible for the verification or updating of WPRA standings.
1 Tiany Schuster, Krum, Texas $250,378
2 Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas 185,952
3 Nellie Miller, Cottonwood, Calif. 130,537
4 Amberleigh Moore, Salem, Ore. 120,806
5 Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas 115,163
6 Kathy Grimes, Medical Lake, Wash. 111,758
7 Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas 98,707
8 Taci Bettis, Round Top, Texas 97,023
9 Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D. 96,454
10 Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Victoria, Texas 92,930
11 Sydni Blanchard, Albuquerque, N.M. 91,362
12 Tilar Murray, Fort Worth, Texas 86,020
13 Kellie Collier, Hereford, Texas 83,338
14 Ivy Conrado, Hudson, Colo. 78,181
15 Kimmie Wall, Roosevelt, Texas 76,294
16 Sherry Cervi, Marana, Ariz. 74,363
17 Emily Miller, Weatherford, Texas 72,876
18 Jana Bean, Ft. Hancock, Texas 72,692
19 Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas 68,759
20 Ari-Anna Flynn, Charleston, Ark. 64,894
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Chicken Spaghetti & Pumpkin Cake
Chicken Spaghetti
recipe courtesy of Clem and Donna McSpadden
INGREDIENTS:
1 (16 oz) pkg spaghetti (wheat, spinach or white)
1 (10.75 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
3/4 lb. Velveeta cheese
1 (10 oz) can tomatoes w/ chile peppers
1 cup chopped green onion
4 skinless boneless chicken breastsDIRECTIONS:
Boil chicken breasts, then cut into bite size pieces. Bring a salted water to a boil. Add pasta; cook for 10 minutes; drain. Heat soup in saucepan over low heat; add cheese and melt, stirring constantly. As cheese melts stir in tomatoes w/ green chile peppers and green onion. Simmer 4 minutes over low heat, stirring…Add spaghetti and mix well; stir in cubed chicken. Heat thoroughly and serve. Accompaniment of green salad makes a delicious meal.__________________________________________________________
Pumpkin Cake
recipe courtesy of Nancy Sheppard, Ridin’, Ropin’ & Recipes
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs, beaten
One small can of canned pumpkin
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1 can evaporated milk
1 standard box of yellow cake mix
1 cup chopped nuts
1/4 cup melted butter
Whipped cream topping when doneDIRECTIONS:
Mix sugar, eggs, pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, salt and milk (you don’t need a mixer). Spray Pam in bottom of a 9” x 13” x 2” pan. Pour mixture in pan and sprinkle the dry cake mix on top. Sprinkle the nuts on top. Then pour melted butter over the top. Bake 350 degrees for about an hour. Should be a little brownish on top. Serve warm or cold with whipped topping. -
Back When They Bucked with Bob Ragsdale
story by Steve Alexander, Blaine County Journal; PRCA, and Siri Stevens
Bob Ragsdale was an all-around Montana cowboy, competing in steer wrestling, as well as calf roping and team roping. He qualified for the National Finals Rodeo on 22 separate occasions. Bob never won a world title, but his impact on rodeo has been profound.
He was the Montana High School All-Around Champion in 1956, and became an official member of the PRCA in 1961. He was one of only six left-handed tie-down ropers to qualify for the NFR, and he did so for 15 consecutive years from 1961-75. In that 15-year span, he finished as high as fourth in the world, and never lower than ninth. He competed at the NFR in steer wrestling five times, with two qualifications in team roping as well. Bob earned nine Top 10 finishes at the NFR in the all-around, including a second-place standing in 1972. He continued his support of rodeo by serving as the Vice President (1971-72) and President (1973-75) of the Rodeo Cowboys Association, and is credited as the one to propose the association include “Professional” to the organization’s formal title in 1975. – courtesy of PRCA
Bob was born October 23, 1936 in Harlem, Montana. His father, Slim, always had horses and the family split their time between farming and living in town. “Wherever we were living dad would have horses and they would wander from north of Harlem to the Canadian border.” Bob’s mom told a story about a man coming to the house to see if Bob would round up some horses for him. When the man was introduced to Bob, and saw that he was just a little kid, the man said, “those horses are big,” to which Bob replied, “I’ll take a big rope.”
Bob competed in the Montana High School rodeo. “Back then there was no divisional or regional rodeos, you went to state for a tournament that anyone could enter so long as you preregistered. I won Montana All Around and went on to the high school Nationals in Reno. I placed in a couple of events, but no wins.”
In October, right out of high school, Bob went to the Toots Mansfield Roping School in Texas. “He was a great guy; he showed me how to ‘flank’ a calf. At the time most professional ropers were legging calves. That immediately took a couple of seconds off my time.” To cover the expenses of getting to Texas and paying for the roping school Bob and his dad went to the bank in Harlem and borrowed $300 for the month-long school.
Bob met his wife, Ree, through high school. “We both went to the high school rodeos.” Ree and Bob married in December 29, 1956, after he completed the roping school and returned to Montana. “It was a pretty busy year.” He worked in the oil fields in the winter and that next summer, in 1957, went back into rodeo, working in Yellowstone Park and the following summer at the Cody Night Rodeo. “It was a rodeo,” Bob said, “but it was really a tourist show. We would work maintenance on the grounds for half the day, then do the rodeo show. They were looking for a calf roper, bulldogger and bareback bronc rider. That was 1957 and it was the last time I ever got on rough stock in the rodeo.”
Steer wrestling at Cow Palace, 1973 – Foxie Photo 
Bob meeting Ronald Regan – courtesy of Bob 
Tie-Down Roping – courtesy of Bob 
Bob was inducted into the Hall of Fame, 2017 – Rodeo News 
Ben C Reynolds and Bob team tie-down roping in Pheonix, Arizona, 1972 – Gustafson Photo In 1958 the couple welcomed twin girls, Cathy and Cindy; then another girl, Jamie, in 1961.
“With plans to ‘fill my permit’ with the RCA (becoming a member of the Rodeo Cowboys Association, later the PRCA) at the end of the rodeo season in 1961,” Bob said, “I won big at a rodeo in Caldwell, Idaho. The RCA representative for that region was waiting for me and said, “You had better have your permit before you show up at the next RCA rodeo.” Members of the RCA resented non-members winning and reducing members’ chances to go to the year-end national rodeo.”
He moved his family to Chowchilla, California, in 1961 at the invitation of a farmer/rancher who also was a roper. “Dan Branco had a place where we could keep horses and practice roping.” They saved enough money rodeoing to buy a place there and that was home until just a few years ago when they retired. They now spend winters in Bakersfield, California and summers at their place in Landusky, Montana.
Beginning in 1961, for the next fifteen years, Bob made his living roping calves, steer wrestling and team roping. “I followed the money to choose rodeos. In the 1960-70’s I’d go to 90-100 rodeos a year. If I got into a slump I’d do a small rodeo to earn some money and get back on the RCA (PRCA) tour for the bigger rodeos.” He drove a station wagon and it was equipped with a grub box. “We’d camp out – the twins were small enough they could sleep in the front seat and Ree and I slept in the back.”
Because Bob roped left handed, he had to have horses that were comfortable seeing the rope on their left side. “A horse could be startled if it wasn’t used to a left-handed roper, which meant I had to have my own horse, sometimes more than one horse to keep up with the rodeo schedule.” He said often Ree and the kids would be driving one rig, pulling a horse trailer toward an upcoming rodeo, and he would be pulling a different horse to another rodeo on his schedule.
He not only competed, he gave back to the industry through his service as an office holder and active volunteer in a number of rodeo associated groups and as a spokesperson for rodeo. After that, he continued competing in the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association, winning three All Around titles, four calf roping titles and one ribbon roping title.
In 1983 Mac Baldrige, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce under President Ronald Reagan, organized an ‘exhibition’ rodeo for the President and selected guests. He asked Bob to rope in the exhibition which was staged in an arena just outside Washington, DC. Bob also helped create Friends of Rodeo (FoR), a non-partisan group that responded to animal rights issues. “Through FoR we did a better job of telling our side to the media and even instituted ‘chute tours’ so critics and media personnel could see reality about animal treatment.” Bob served as President of FoR and was on governing boards of several other rodeo related organizations, including the Senior Pro Rodeo executive board, during the 1990’s.
From 1973 to 1981 Bob worked for Sears as a consultant for the company’s western wear brand of clothing. “There were several professional cowboys interviewed and I was chosen to help Sears with their western wear line of clothing.” He described his role as “helping Sears clothing buyers and designers meet with rodeo fans and cowboys to see what kinds of clothing they were wearing or would like to see available. I even went to some of the markets with the Sears buyers to help choose the clothing for the next year’s catalog.” Bob often was photographed in Sears western wear for their catalogs and in 1973 was on the cover of the annual western wear catalog.
In the last two decades he’s been recognized with a number of inductions into rodeo related organizations: the St. Paul Rodeo Hall of Fame, St. Paul, Oregon (2001); the Senior Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame (2001); the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City (2003) and The Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame in Billings. His latest accomplishment happened a few weeks ago in Colorado Springs, where he was inducted into the PRCA ProRodeo Hall of Fame. “It was a great event. I had no idea what to expect – I’ve never been to one before. This was the best one – it was developed by the professional cowboy.”
Bob and Ree saw the world through his rodeo career. Cathy Watkins, one of their twin daughters remembers going to Hawaii with her parents as a result of Bob’s rodeo career. “After Denny (Cathy’s husband and a professional team roper) and I were married we were visiting mom and dad and a guy drove up into the yard. He was from Hawaii and wanted dad to come to Hawaii and teach a roping school. We all went to Hawaii and while dad taught ropers the rest of us were treated to the sites of the islands. I think it was at that point I realized just how special my dad’s role was in rodeo-he was known all over the world. My sisters and I got to see a lot of things and meet a lot of interesting people because of his career choice.” As to interesting people, Cathy told about meeting a fellow teenager she and her sister met while traveling with their dad. The teenager played the guitar and the girls all sang together. The guitar player was Reba McEntire, whose dad and older brother were both accomplished ropers. “Of course none of us kids, at that time, had any idea of how Reba would develop into a famous singer and actress.”
For Bob, the biggest change in rodeo is in the rodeo competitors and the amount of money they make. “When I first got into professional rodeo, most of us were cowboys. The competitors now are truly athletes, devoting their lives to the sport and continually doing things to improve their ability to compete.” In the old days, “We often had to work other jobs between rodeos to keep our families going.”
And the winnings have increased. “When I was RCA All Around runner up at the NFR in 1972, I think first place for All Around paid about $40,000. That number now is in the neighborhood of $300,000-400,000.
“Whatever I’ve been able to accomplish has been through rodeo. I tore my knee up in 1976, and started looking for other things to do. But I had put enough away and then I got into the construction business. Everything I was able to do was because of rodeo.”
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On The Trail with Rylee Jo Maryman
Rylee Jo Maryman spends her summer days roping the dummy and tying goats. Sometimes she goes swimming, but practice comes first. “I practice to increase how I run when I’m at a rodeo. That’s my favorite sport,” said the 9-year-old National Little Britches World All Around Champion Little Wrangler. She also holds the World Champion title in the Pole Bending, and Flag Racing. Her favorite event is pole bending. “I have an awesome horse and he always does what I ask him – I think I’m very athletic in that event and it’s very challenging and I like challenges. It makes me work harder and improve.”
Rylee and her two horses named Coco and Pistol- 3 Lazy J Photography Rylee Jo knows how hard it is to win, and she feels like she’s got the horse to do it. “If I didn’t have Pistol, I don’t think I would have won so much.” Pistol is a 21-year-old gelding. “You can do anything on him – I use him for poles, barrels, and flags.” Pistol used to be her uncle’s team roping horse and won the Purina Super Horse this year. “He is not the fastest, and he’s not a bucking horse, but if I’m having problems in anything, I go back to him to help me fix it.” She also rides Dally. “She’s fast, but not as fast as my new horse, Smurf. Smurf runs really fast and I’m trying to get him back in my hands.”
She has been in the NLBRA for three years. “I didn’t place at all my first year, and then I got a little better last year and I finally won the world this year. It feels good. I competed against a lot of good kids and good horses,” said the St. Francisville, Louisiana, native. She lives ten minutes out of town with her mother, Casey, and father, Joe and their 10 horses, four dogs, 18 goats, five cats, 6 chickens, and cattle.
She spends her summers at her grandmother’s house while her parents work, but as soon as they get home; it’s off to the arena. “It hasn’t been dry enough lately to do anything, but I still rope the dummy and tie goats under the barn.”Her mom and dad help her the most with her rodeo. “Now we rodeo for her,” said her mom, Casey. “At about 2 ½ we put her on a horse and we turned her loose by herself. She had it – squeezing with her legs and riding on her own. Since then, she’s ridden every day. Her focus 24/7 is the arena. We go every day. We competed in two different associations last year since it was her last year in Little Wranglers. She went into the finals winning the barrels and poles and in the top four of all the rest – goat tail untying and flag racing.” Casey, who works during the day as an educator in the prison, started rodeoing when she was young. “We didn’t go as hard as she does when we were young.” She roped – team rope and breakaway. Her husband, Joe, who is a biologist for the Wildlife Fisheries in Louisiana, college rodeoed, calf roped and team roped. “We’re going to do whatever we can to give her what she needs. Right now she has two new horses she’s trying to get with.”
Rylee Jo with her calf named Tiger Rylee Jo has also gone to three of Martha Josey’s clinics as well as Stacy Martin with Next Level Goat Tying. “When I first went to the goat tying school I was tying in 18, now I’m tying in 11s,” she said. The Josey clinics have helped her figure out the first barrel. “I’m still trying to figure that out. When I pull, I give back. When I do that, my horse runs by. I’m still working on that.” What the clinics have done for this young lady is give her confidence to figure out how to fix her problems in the arena. “I can try to figure it out on my own from going to the schools.” The other thing she is figuring out is how to manage her own money. She has a bank account and she pays for part of her entry fees.
When she grows up, she wants to rodeo full time. That’s what she’s doing now – she’s rodeoeing all weekend and if she’s not, she’s in the arena at home practicing.”
“Keep your dreams and one day they will come true. But you have to work on them or they won’t come true.”
Her rodeo idol is Mary Burger. “She always tries to do better.” -
IFYR Average Winners – total payout was $237,825.33
AVERAGE WINNERS
Barrel Racing: Elizabeth Broussard, Estherwood LA 49.535/3 $2,013.08; Rio Flaharty, Eldorado KS 49.608/3 $1,750.50; Laney Fowler, Grandview TX 49.889/3 $1,487.93; Kelsey Cadwell, Oakdale CA 49.920/3 $1,225.35; Sadie Shake, Buena Vista CO 49.981/3 $962.78; Taylor Algrim, Blackwell OK 50.147/3 $700.20; Kaylee Scales, Blanchard OK 50.179/3 $437.63; Delani Wood, Stanton TX 50.215/3 $175.05
Pole Bending: Brooklyn Gunter, Sulphur LA 60.928/3 $1,221.30; Mikayla Joh Almond, Olin NC 60.961/3 $1,062.00; Anna Dietrich, Greenville IN 60.980/3 $902.70; Kasey Kretzschmar, East Bernard TX 61.672/3 $743.40; Kaytlyn Miller, Dammeron Valley UT 61.855/3 $584.10; Delani Wood, Stanton TX 61.871/3 $424.80; Riley Moore, Granby MO 61.939/3 $265.50; Lindsei Harvey, Seguin TX 62.400/3 $106.20
Breakaway Roping: Winter Williams, Copan OK 7.6/3 $1,997.55; Kaytlyn Miller, Dammeron Valley UT 8.1/3 $1,737.00; McKenzie Wansing, Garden City MO 8.2/3 $1,476.45; Jade Kenney, Canyon TX 8.3/3 $1,215.90; Maci Berry, Weatherford TX 9.4/3 $955.35; Chloe Frey, Eunice LA 9.9/3 $694.80; Tieren Gates, Paris TX 17.6/3 $434.25; Savanah Nelson, Arcadia FL 18.4/3 $173.70
Goat Tying: Beau Peterson, Council Grove KS 21.8/3 $1,432.24; Sarah Griswold, Geary OK 22.9/3 $1,185.30; Makenna Shook, Needville TX 23.0/3 $938.36; Karissa Rayhill, Martin SD 23.4/3 $691.43; Kathryn Todd, Tuttle OK 23.7/3 $444.49; Kodey Hoss, La Junta CO 23.8/3 $246.94
Calf Roping: Ben Piazza, Twin Oaks OK 26.9/3 $1,578.38; Ty Harris, San Angelo TX, Chance Thiessen, Elk City OK split 27.1/3 $1,269.56 ea; Quade Hiatt, Canyon TX 27.8/3 $960.75; Ricky Bo Yaussi, Udall KS 29.3/3 $754.88; Chase Goble, Dalton GA 29.4/3 $549.00; Jabin Rice, Hobbs NM 29.8/3 $343.13; Garrett Oates, La Vernia TX 30.8/3 $137.25
Steer Wrestling: Chase Graves, Poplarville MS 14.2/3 $1,158.19; Jace Rutledge, Peculiar MO 14.3/3 $958.50; Parker Carlton, Wauchula FL 14.5/3 $758.81; Walt Arnold, Coleman TX 14.6/3 $559.13; Garrett Oates, La Vernia TX 15.5/3 $359.44; Logan Wiseman, Paola KS 18.3/3 $199.69
Saddle Bronc: Stetson Wright, Milford UT 246.0/3 $949.50 ea; Ean Price, Leedey OK 135.0/2 $712.13 ea; Trey Watts, Muncy PA 122.0/2 $474.75 ea; Garrett Ellender, Sulphur LA 115.0/2 $237.38 ea
Bareback Bronc: Jesse Pope, Garnett KS 246.0/3 $679.50; Tyler Johnson, Athens TX 229.5/3 $509.63; Hunter Ramsey, Eldorado AR 229.0/3 $339.75; Payton Lackey, Blanco TX 223.5/3 $169.88
Bull Riding: Stetson Wright, Milford UT 171.0/2 $864.56; Judd Hebert, Egan LA 170.5/2 $715.50; Daylon Swearingen, Piffard NY 81.5/1 $566.44; Briggs Madsen, Honeyville UT 79.5/1 $417.38; Brett Custer, Elk City OK 77.5/1 $268.31; Wyatt Hart, Cape Coral FL 77.0/1 $149.06
Team Roping: Garett Chick, Salado TX – Kirby Blankenship, Lampasas TX 17.6/3 $1,593.90; Kash Miller, Mize MS – Chase Graves, Poplarville MS 18.8/3 $1,386.00; Gus Howell, Harrison AR – Justin Wood, Heber Springs AR 18.9/3 $1,178.10; Wyatt Tarver, Gillette WY – Tanner McInerney, Alzada MT 21.8/3 $970.20; Kade Smith, Post TX – Hayden Cape, Earth TX 23.5/3 $762.30; Jacob Scroggins, Traskwood AR – Myles Neighbors, Benton AR, Logan Graham, Winthrop AR – Cash Davis, Winthrop AR split 23.6/3 $450.45 ea; Ty Harris, San Angelo TX – Paden Bray, Granbury TX 23.9/3 $138.60 -
INTERNATIONAL FINALS YOUTH RODEO 25 GO AROUND #1
INTERNATIONAL FINALS YOUTH RODEO 25
GO AROUND #1
Barrel Racing: Kelsey Cadwell, Oakdale CA 16.325 $2,013.08; Elizabeth Broussard, Estherwood LA 16.326 $1,750.50; Amber Scales, Pittsburg KS 16.479 $1,487.93; Kelly O’neal, Choudrant LA 16.486 $1,225.35; Rio Flaharty, Eldorado KS 16.546 $962.78; Grace Jackson, Huntsville TX 16.581 $700.20; Taylor Algrim, Blackwell OK 16.681 $437.63; Laney Fowler, Grandview TX 16.749 $175.05
Pole Bending: Paige Jones, Wayne OK 20.375 $1,221.30; Taylor Algrim, Blackwell OK 20.456 $1,062.00; Mikayla Joh Almond, Olin NC 20.552 $902.70; Tori Culley, Muse OK 20.593 $743.40; Anna Dietrich, Greenville IN 20.605 $584.10; Skylar Getman, Stratford OK 20.622 $424.80; Lindsei Harvey, Seguin TX 20.806 $265.50; Peyton Glenn, Edmond OK 20.808 $106.20
Breakaway Roping: Winter Williams, Copan OK 2.1 $1,997.55; Kodey Hoss, La Junta CO, Hayley Novak, Terrell TX split 2.3 $1,606.73 ea; Shelby Lankford, Blanchard OK 2.4 $1,215.90; Emily Wiedel, Morris OK 2.5 $955.35; Kelly Valdez, La Junta CO 2.6 $694.80; Lexie Russell, Buchanan Dam TX, Jade Kenney, Canyon TX, Tieren Gates, Paris TX, Chloe Frey, Eunice LA, Taylor Mason, Marshall MO, Taylour Latham, Lapoint UT split 2.7 $101.33 ea
Goat Tying: Faith Hoffman, Kiowa CO 6.9 $1,432.24; Kaylee Cormier, Lake Charles LA 7.1 $1,185.30; Karissa Rayhill, Martin SD 7.2 $938.36; Beau Peterson, Council Grove KS 7.3 $691.43; Catlyn Ward, Miles TX, Brooke Krolczyk, Cypress TX split 7.5 $345.71 ea
Calf Roping: Ty Harris, San Angelo TX 7.8 $1,578.38; Quade Hiatt, Canyon TX 8.5 $1,372.50; Landry Lee, Deville LA, Tate Thomas, Ranger GA, Ben Piazza, Twin Oaks OK split 8.8 $960.75 ea; Chase Goble, Dalton GA 8.9 $549.00; Spencer Moulton, Blackfoot ID 9.2 $343.13; Jabin Rice, Hobbs NM 9.3 $137.25
Steer Wrestling: Connor Gentry, Pleasanton KS, Walt Arnold, Coleman TX split 4.0 $1,058.34 ea; Chase Graves, Poplarville MS 4.1 $758.81; Myles Neighbors, Benton AR, Blaine Buchannan, Henryetta OK split 4.4 $459.28 ea; Creede Hicks, Wanette OK 4.5 $199.69
Saddle Bronc: Stetson Wright, Milford UT 83.5 $949.50 ea; Ean Price, Leedey OK 68.5 $712.13 ea; Will Pollock, Utopia TX 66.5 $474.75 ea; Logan Kenline, Penrose CO 66.0 $237.38 ea
Bareback Bronc: Jesse Pope, Garnett KS 81.0 $679.50; Payton Lackey, Blanco TX 78.5 $509.63; Tyler Johnson, Athens TX 76.0 $339.75; Hunter Ramsey, Eldorado AR 73.5 $169.88
Bull Riding: Judd Hebert, Egan LA 85.5 $864.56; Stetson Wright, Milford UT 83.5 $715.50; Daylon Swearingen, Piffard NY 81.5 $566.44; Briggs Madsen, Honeyville UT 79.5 $417.38; Daxton King, McAlester OK 71.5 $268.31; Wyatt Culver-wells, Hereford TX 69.0 $149.06
Team Roping: Logan Graham, Winthrop AR – Cash Davis, Winthrop AR 5.8 $1,593.90; Lane Cooper, Weatherford TX – Blake Bentley, Burleson TX 6.0 $1,386.00; Abdiel Zamora, Okeechobee FL – Sam Morgan, Southwest Ranches FL 6.2 $1,178.10; Kash Miller, Mize MS – Chase Graves, Poplarville MS 6.3 $970.20; Kason Davis, Lumberton MS – Bryce Graves, Poplarville MS, Gus Howell, Harrison AR – Justin Wood, Heber Springs AR, Cody Stubbs, Odenville AL – Jt Ellison, Calera AL split 6.4 $554.40 ea; Stran Morris, Woodward OK – Jessen James, Moyers OK, Kade Smith, Post TX – Hayden Cape, Earth TX, Owen Wahlert, Grover CO – Winsten McGraw, Gill CO split 6.5 $46.20 ea