Rodeo Life

Author: Siri Stevens

  • Back When They Bucked with Arlene Kensinger

    Back When They Bucked with Arlene Kensinger

    story by Siri Stevens

    Arlene Kensinger came to Cheyenne, Wyo., in the early 1950s to go to beauty school. “I wanted to be in the circus, but my dad said I needed to go to school,” she said. She made the trip to Cheyenne from her home in Hawk Springs, where she grew up. Her father, S Paul Brown, was a school superintendent in Hawk Springs for 11 years. She learned to trick ride and rodeo through babysitting. “She was a trick rider and he was a roper,” she said of the parents.
    She met her husband, Don, who owned the only trailer park in Cheyenne, where Arlene lived when she came to town. “He found out I was a trick rider and liked to do rodeo, and he had started the Cheyenne Riding Club. He talked me into joining the PRCA and getting a secretary card and so I was the secretary out there at the riding club.” She obtained her cosmetology license and worked in the industry 30 years. She started buying and selling wigs in the 1950s and still does. “I started wearing them when I was in my 30s –it’s so much easier,” she said, of her collection of more than 30. “I like change, and with wigs I can have different colors and different length.”
    She split her time between working at the Plains Beauty Shop and secretarying rodeos for Don. “I wore a uniform and the Greyhound bus depot was there so I’d change and go work a rodeo – either secretary or carry a flag.” She and Don married in 1960. “I told him, ‘you’ve been my boss for ten years and it’s time I changed that.’”
    Arlene is credited for starting the Cheyenne Frontier Day Dandies in 1970. “I started the first barrel racing club in Wyoming,” said Arlene. “Don was working for Vern Elliot at the Wild West Show in Brussels, Belgian and he hired me to work that and that’s where I learned how to quadrille. I started the Quadrillette with my barrel racing club.” Arlene taught her barrel racing club how to do it. “The Frontier committee asked us if we would set the pivots for the Serpentine and we did that for ten years. That’s when it would rain and snow and the arena would be so deep. My station was down by the roping chutes and the cowboys loved to splash me with the water.” Don came up with the idea to put sand in the arena, something they did in Brussels.
    After ten years, the Frontier committee wanted to do something different and asked if Arlene could come up with something. “That’s when I started the Dandies.”  The Dandies of the Daddy of “em  All began in 1970, and Arlene was the director until 1998.  “We had a competition and I picked 12.” She came up with the idea of carrying all the American flags that had ever flown over Frontier Days, along with the Canadian flag. “After that first year, we got invited a lot of places and had an auction to raise money to buy different flags.” Her position as director of the Dandies was a perfect blend with her husband’s role with Cheyenne Frontier Days. Don was the livestock superintendent and chute boss at Cheyenne for 65 years. “He was here longer than anybody,” she said. Don had come to Cheyenne as a jockey from Nebraska, where his dad raised race horses. He rode horses for CB Irwin when he came to town. “He still thought he was a jockey,” Arlene laughed. “Vern convinced him he was a cowboy.”
    Arlene and Don provided trailers, food, and drinks to all of the bands and performers that crossed the stage of Cheyenne for at least 30 years. “Don would pull trailers in to be their dressing room,” she said. Arlene also added coordinating Miss Frontier for 14 years. “Queens didn’t used to travel much and I was their coordinator for 14 years, so I traveled with them,” she said.  That connection led her to be involved in Miss Rodeo America. She often hosted the various state queens at her home, something she has done every year since 1984. She was the first woman elected on the board for Miss Rodeo America and implemented the scholarship program into the contest. “I convinced the PRCA to use the Miss Rodeo America as the spokesperson.” She was the schedule coordinator and chaperon for Miss Rodeo America at the pageant for 25 years. She was also the president of Miss Rodeo Wyoming for ten years.

    Arlene and Don spent their winters in Acapulco where they performed as trick water skiers. An accident in 1994 altered that, but not for long. They had bought a place in Lake Havasu, and were heading out to do a little trick ski practicing and as the boat circled around to pick her up, the rope became tangled in the propeller. The result was a mangled arm, and as she was getting ready to maneuver her way into the boat, she looked down and her leg was gone. “I said one prayer, keep me calm – I’m in Your arms. It was 110 that day and my leg was gone from the knee down is all I thought.” Due to the rope tangled in the propeller, the boat had to be towed back to shore, which took more than an hour. “I remember feeling like there was a scratchy blanket on my leg, so I found enough strength to rare up and take it off. My leg filleted open – what I thought was the blanket was actually little bone chips. I never looked again.”
    Arlene remained calm and awake during the entire trip from the accident to the hospital. “When they loaded me up on the ramp, I heard somebody say ‘Sis keep your eyes shut.’ I heard someone say, ‘Your skin stretches a mile.’ My foot was in the boat, and they got it out and laid it on my stomach. I almost fainted then. But I remember when we got to the hospital the doctor asking me my mother’s maiden name.” That was the last she remembers until eight days later. “They kept me unconscious for eight days as I fought for my life. I was given 24 pints of blood in the first 24 hours.” Two months to the day after her accident, Arlene got on an airplane, rented a car, and resumed her duties chauffeuring Miss Rodeo America around. “I wear prosthesis and still dance,” she said.
    Last year, Arlene stepped down from her duties as the chauffeur for Miss Rodeo America. She still invites people into her home in Cheyenne, a museum of photos, cowboy hats, and mementos from a lifetime of service to Cheyenne Frontier Days and the western industry.
    “My dad’s motto was discipline, love what you’re doing, and have fun,” she said, adding the most important part. “In that order or none of that works.”

     

     

  • Roper Review with Sawyer Barham & Kolton Schmidt

    Roper Review with Sawyer Barham & Kolton Schmidt

    Sawyer Barham has been roping with Kolton Schmidt for two years. “He’s four hours away,” said Sawyer, the 2015 CNFR Team Roping Champion Heeler. Four hours from colleges, but a whole lot further from Kolton’s home town in Alberta Canada. “When we first started roping, we entered a lot of amateur rodeos and we just kind of know each other’s game plan,” explained Sawyer. “He always says he’s going to be safe but aggressive and not back off and that’s what he does.” The team was second going into the finals and since Kolton had to miss some rodeos to pro rodeo, he was a little further behind. “We got to go because of a tie for heelers in his region, I was going, but I wasn’t going to get to rope with him.”
    Kolton Schmidt grew up in Canada and came here for ‘no snow and nice weather.’ His parents own a place in Arizona and he’s wintered there since 2004. “It all started in 2004 in Arizona, so it’s still pretty new for all of us. It’s unbelievable – it is a roper’s paradise. Our definition of cold in Canada is -40 and three feet of snow.” He is a few hours shy of a degree in communications from Durant, Okla., and when he graduates, all he wants to do is rope.  “I don’t have a back-up plan,” said the 21-year-old, who is entered up through the summer with Dustin Searcy. “We were in the same region, and we’re hauling down the road in a mini freightliner and Platinum with two horses each.” He started roping when he was 12, but was involved in other sports in Canada. “I did baseball, hockey, basketball, and football and rode motorcycles cross country. I just kept weeding out sports until I dropped them all and roped and this is pretty addicting.  I’m sure glad I did.” The only thing he misses about organized sports is the discipline to be in shape. “In rodeo, it’s your own personal choice to be in shape. But I sure like the western lifestyle.”
    He admits that rodeo in the US is different than Canada. “I’ve never rodeoed this much south of the line and this is awesome. Everybody is out here cheering for each other and everybody is happy to be alive. We are making a living doing what we love and it’s hard to complain.” Kolton is still soaking in the win in Casper. “It’s a really big win for me and Sawyer. To have our names on that forever – everybody goes to school for an education and to win at the national level, that’s awesome,” he said. Sawyer has another chance, but for Kolton the 6.2 short round run will forever be a memory. “We had to have 7.5 to win and we were 6.2 in short round. As soon as we heard our time, we knew we won it,” he said. Kolton relies on his training to make that kind of time. “I just try not to think about it,” he said. “One step at a time. If you plan your run – there’s lots of stuff that can go wrong. Handle it each step at a time.” Kolton grew up a third generation roper, and his family recently gave up the cold for a place in Arizona.
    He would love to rope with Sawyer all summer, but that isn’t going to work. Sawyer is going to school for Ag Business and is working for his grandfather in the concrete business in Oshalade Oklahoma. “I really enjoy it,” he said. “This year work has really picked up and I’ve only been to a couple of rodeos.” My horse is back to sound and I’m about to start rodeoing again.” Sawyer is heading to Northwestern OSU in Alva and will rope with Hunter Muncell next year; Hunter was third high call coming back to the finals.

  • 2015 National Junior High Finals Rodeo June 21-27 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa

    2015 National Junior High Finals Rodeo June 21-27 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa

    BOYS AQHA HORSE OF THE YEAR
    1. Little Cantiana, , , 485
    2. Skip’s Hickory Leo, , , 360
    3. the Rodeo Dash, , , 90
    GIRLS AQHA HORSE OF THE YEAR
    1. Missin Blu Jewel, , , 520
    2. Wingfoot Top, , , 450
    3. Leo Skippa Diva, , , 430
    ALL AROUND COWBOY
    1. Dawson Cantu, Zolfo Springs, Fla., 1980
    2. Kash Cattoor, St George, Utah, 1565
    3. Garrett Elmore, Springer, Okla., 1485
    4. Colton Clary, Lone Rock, Wis., 1445
    5. Jessen James, Moyers, Okla., 1360
    6. Ethan Lombardo, Marshville, N.C., 1100
    7. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M., 1075
    8. Cameron Southern, Thallon, , 1070
    9. Braydin Evans, Stockton, Utah, 1050
    10. Colton Oliver, Blanding, Utah, 1010
    ALL AROUND COWGIRL
    1. Caxton Martin, Alma, Kan., 1160
    2. Britta Strain, Davie, Fla., 1120
    3. Kaiden Ayres, Woodlake, Calif., 890
    4. Aly Ghormley, Madisonville, Texas, 815
    5. Kodey Hoss, La Junta, Colo., 800
    6. Greeley Eastep, Bainbridge, Ind., 795
    7. Kamryn Duncan, Denham Springs, La., 740
    8. McKenzie Watkins, Bloomfield, N.M., 730
    9­10. Payton Feyder, Lamoille, Nev., 720
    9­10. Mikayla Joh Almond, Olin, N.C., 720
    ALL AROUND ROOKIE COWBOY
    1. Ethan Lombardo, Marshville, N.C., 1100
    2. Zane Kilgus, Watsontown, Pa., 920
    3. Mason Spain, Forney, Texas, 860
    4. John Rose, Burns, Ore., 810
    5. Rawley Johnson, Ririe, Idaho, 665
    6. Tanner Brown, Florence, Miss., 570
    7. Trevor Hale, Perryton, Texas, 450
    8. Wyatt Vankoll, Brush Prairie, Wash., 435
    9. Wyatt Allen, Dadeville, Ala., 285
    10. Lawson Tallie, Beebe, Ark., 185
    ALL AROUND ROOKIE COWGIRL
    1. Greeley Eastep, Bainbridge, Ind., 795
    2. Wacey Day, Fleming, Colo., 460
    3. Mindee Munns, Riverside, Utah, 290
    4. Caity Looney, Searcy, Ark., 155
    5. Jaycie Cundall, Queen Creek, Ariz., 450
    6. Gabriella Pargas, Grants, N.M., 420
    7. Macey Cook, Monroe, N.C., 320
    8. Kylie Conner, Welsh, La., 290
    9. Jade Tribe, Hallsville, , 120
    10. Carlee Arnold, Hutchinson, Kan., 80
    Girls Breakaway Average
    1. Caslyn Weidenbener, Queen Creek, Ariz., 8.08;
    2. Amanda Coleman, West Melbourne, Fla., 8.25;
    3. McKenna Coronado, Kanarraville, Utah, 9.6;
    4. Josey Murphy, Keachi, La., 9.84;
    5. McKenzie Watkins, Bloomfield, N.M., 10.05;
    6. Jade Kenney, Canyon, Texas, 10.42;
    7. Abigail James, Rosepine, La., 10.55;
    8. Chanci Kraft, Carson, N.D., 11.95;
    9. Maddie Eager, Mendota, Ill., 14.11;
    10. Kaycee Rogers, Loon Lake, Wash., 14.48;
    11. Kayce Edwards, Truth OrConsequences, N.M., 15.23;
    12. Caxton Martin, Alma, Kan., 5.41;
    13. Mackenzie Marker, Colfax, Wash., 5.56;
    14. Brooke Peterson, Minot, N.D., 6.03;
    15. Meghan McGinley, Bozeman, Mont., 6.2;
    16. Caity Looney, Searcy, Ark., 7.05;
    17. Kate Kelley, Tahlequah, Okla., 9.07;
    18. Wacey Day, Fleming, Colo., 9.3;
    19. Danita Esmond, Eyebrow, Saskatchewan, Can., 9.57;
    20. Avary Brown, Douglass, Kan., 9.76;
    Boys Breakaway Average
    1. Jake Raley, Brush Prairie, Wash., 7.59;
    2. Tegan Kohles, Hutchinson, Kan., 8.44;
    3. Jory Boote, Binford, N.D., 8.84;
    4. Kason Davis, Lumberton, Miss., 8.87;
    5. Ty Christensen, Plain City, Utah, 9.07;
    6. Slade Wood, Needville, Texas, 9.12;
    7. Jessen James, Moyers, Okla., 9.34;
    8. Jace Bleil, Bronson, Iowa, 9.35;
    9. Hayden Powell, Rogers, N.M., 9.53;
    10. Cinch Bullock, Campo, Colo., 9.67;
    11. Houston Hull, Prosser, Wash., 9.72;
    12. Range Martin, Evanston, Wyo., 10.22;
    13. Rowdy Jones, Tupelo, Okla., 16.91;
    14. Wyatt Allen, Dadeville, Ala., 19.88;
    15. Levi Sechrist, Mountain View, Okla., 22.16;
    16. John Rose, Burns, Ore., 4.9;
    17. Braxton Morgan, Avondale, Colo., 5.14;
    18. Jacques Trahan, Hackberry, La., 5.98;
    19. Jake Toberer, Raeford, N.C., 6.24;
    20. Lawson Tallie, Beebe, Ark., 6.77;
    Bareback Steer Riding Average
    1. Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla., 208;
    1. Colton Clary, Lone Rock, Wis., 208;
    3. Ethan Lombardo, Marshville, N.C., 201;
    4. JC Mortensen, Paulden, Ariz., 190;
    5. Michael Merchant, Oxford, Miss., 176;
    6. Dillan Winn, Nehpi, Utah, 169;
    7. Mason Ward, North Platte, Neb., 165;
    8. Bo Vocu, Ashland, Mont., 164;
    9. Matthew Tuni, Kaibeto, Ariz., 157;
    10. Jace Logan, Yampa, Colo., 154;
    11. Grant Peterson, Livermore, Calif., 152;
    12. Braden Smith, Spearsville, La., 141;
    13. Tanner Berger, Mandan, N.D., 121;
    14. Waylen Daley, Wallsburg, Utah, 120;
    15. Mason Spain, Forney, Texas, 118;
    16. Davis Mardesich, Gridley, Calif., 116;
    17. Brylen Dees, Paola, Kan., 113;
    18. Sticky Gleaves, Amarillo, Texas, 112;
    19. Tyler Bundy, Alamo, Nev., 106;
    20. Luke Thrash, Bastrop, La., 104;
    20. Caydon Roshau, Bismarck, N.D., 104;
    Saddle Bronc Steer Riding Average
    1. Parker Glenn, Edmond, Okla., 178;
    2. Davis Mardesich, Gridley, Calif., 177;
    3. Cameron Southern, Thallon, , 163;
    4. Dillan Winn, Nehpi, Utah, 154;
    5. Jace Logan, Yampa, Colo., 150;
    6. Sam Wigans, Renwick, Iowa, 149;
    7. Cooper Cooke, Victor, Idaho, 143;
    8. Rawley Johnson, Ririe, Idaho, 138;
    9. Quinten Taylor, Parkland, Alberta, Can., 127;
    10. Jate Frost, Randlett, Utah, 124;
    11. John Rose, Burns, Ore., 120;
    12. TJ Griener, Fallon, Nev., 106;
    13. Dylan Reed, Melrose, N.M., 101;
    14. Jaxson Mirabal, Magdalena, N.M., 100;
    15. Pedro Dennis, Philip, S.D., 98;
    16. Caden Grisedale, Bakersfield, Calif., 95;
    17. Colton Clary, Lone Rock, Wis., 90;
    18. Mason Ward, North Platte, Neb., 85;
    19. Riggin Smith, Malad, Idaho, 62;
    20. Wyatt Vankoll, Brush Prairie, Wash., 60;
    Barrel Racing Average
    1. Laney Robinson, Mars Hill, N.C., 46.407;
    2. Greeley Eastep, Bainbridge, Ind., 46.549;
    3. Taylor Nichols, Morristown, Ariz., 46.61;
    4. Jessi Jane Portenier, Caldwell, Idaho, 46.644;
    5. Jaycie Cundall, Queen Creek, Ariz., 46.706;
    6. Madison Baute, Agua Dulce, Calif., 46.74;
    7. Callie Keaton, Anderson, Mo., 46.758;
    8. Ashley Cloward, Oakdale, Calif., 46.891;
    9. Caxton Martin, Alma, Kan., 46.92;
    10. Hayley McNiel, Los Lunas, N.M., 47.141;
    11. Dakota Keenan, Maricopa, Ariz., 47.299;
    12. Kaiden Ayres, Woodlake, Calif., 47.523;
    13. Kylie Hildre, Velva, N.D., 47.551;
    14. Jocelynn Cornwall, Dammeron Valley, Utah, 48.503;
    15. Danielle Harmon, Abilene, Texas, 51.08;
    16. Kylie Conner, Welsh, La., 51.372;
    17. McKenna Hickson, Okeechobee, Fla., 51.594;
    18. Madi Outhier, Utopia, Texas, 51.711;
    19. Reghan Telfer, Plant City, Fla., 52.389;
    20. Josey Murphy, Keachi, La., 31.344;
    Tie­Down Roping Average
    1. Dawson Cantu, Zolfo Springs, Fla., 31.44;
    2. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M., 32.2;
    3. Reed Boos, White Cloud, Kan., 34.68;
    4. Colton Oliver, Blanding, Utah, 35.69;
    5. Tom Crouse, Gallatin, Mo., 36.17;
    6. Trent Sorey, Pendleton, Ore., 36.21;
    7. Blake Craig, Wendell, Idaho, 37.56;
    8. Tyler Scheevel, Lester Prairie, Minn., 38.34;
    9. Zane Kilgus, Watsontown, Pa., 41.84;
    10. Kash Cattoor, St George, Utah, 45.54;
    11. Chase Borres, Central, La., 46.06;
    12. Jesse Chase, Mandaree, N.D., 49.52;
    13. Brit Haskell, Payson, Utah, 49.63;
    14. Chet Weitz, London, Texas, 49.71;
    15. Casey Crow, La Vernia, Texas, 26.68;
    16. Quade Hiatt, Canyon, Texas, 29.16;
    17. Gatlin Peck, Huntsville, Texas, 29.89;
    18. Wyatt Vankoll, Brush Prairie, Wash., 33.54;
    19. Trevor Hale, Perryton, Texas, 34.73;
    20. Brayden Roe, Wendell, Idaho, 36.7;
    Girls Goat Tying Average
    1. Kamryn Duncan, Denham Springs, La., 25.75;
    2. Sydney Bottom, Cheyenne, Okla., 25.99;
    3. Kodey Hoss, La Junta, Colo., 26;
    4. McKenzie Watkins, Bloomfield, N.M., 26.67;
    5. Wacey Day, Fleming, Colo., 26.98;
    6. Caxton Martin, Alma, Kan., 27.61;
    7. Aly Ghormley, Madisonville, Texas, 27.99;
    8. Sayer Senter, Ropesville, Texas, 28.16;
    9. Brooke Worman, Laramie, Wyo., 28.54;
    10. Britta Strain, Davie, Fla., 28.62;
    11. Aimee Davis, Central Point, Ore., 28.68;
    12. Dakota Keenan, Maricopa, Ariz., 28.81;
    13. Tierney Washburn, Animas, N.M., 29.62;
    14. Kaycee Rogers, Loon Lake, Wash., 30.34;
    15. Caitlin Tisdale, Bay Minette, Ala., 30.38;
    16. Shaylee Terry, McKinnon, Wyo., 31.37;
    17. Jimi Lloyd, Bennington, Idaho, 32.47;
    18. Amberly Hastings, Gilbert, Ariz., 33.4;
    19. Payton Scalzo, Murrieta, Calif., 18.62;
    20. Rebekah Nottestad, Mandan, N.D., 19.48;
    Chute Dogging Average
    1. Ross McGuire, Webbers Falls, Okla., 10.07;
    2. Quade Potter, Cambridge, Neb., 10.96;
    3. Avery Lopez, Bermuda Dunes, Calif., 11.46;
    4. Ross Barnett, Poplarville, Miss., 11.6;
    5. Colton Clary, Lone Rock, Wis., 15.09;
    6. Garrett Elmore, Springer, Okla., 15.77;
    7. Tyson Etheridge, Liberty, Miss., 16.09;
    8. Tyler Scheevel, Lester Prairie, Minn., 16.6;
    9. Jhet Murphy, Helena, Mont., 16.65;
    10. Blake Craig, Wendell, Idaho, 16.67;
    11. Kash Cattoor, St George, Utah, 16.87;
    12. Dawson Cantu, Zolfo Springs, Fla., 18.54;
    13. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M., 19.32;
    14. Zane Kilgus, Watsontown, Pa., 21.44;
    15. Gatlin Peck, Huntsville, Texas, 22.32;
    16. Braydin Evans, Stockton, Utah, 22.93;
    17. Ky Thomas, Elkhart, Texas, 5.34;
    18. Pacean DeLeeuw, Athabasca, Alberta, Can., 9.44;
    19. Trent Sorey, Pendleton, Ore., 13.05;
    20. Gavin Duncan, Belgrade, Mont., 14.46;
    Ribbon Roping Average
    1. Jesse Chase, Mandaree, N.D., Ashley Goldade, Baldwin, N.D., 22.68;
    2. Dawson Cantu, Zolfo Springs, Fla., Britta Strain, Davie, Fla., 23.58;
    3. Rylee Johnson, Happy, Texas, Kater Tate, McLean, Texas, 24.74;
    4. Garrett Elmore, Springer, Okla., Kaitlyn Ramer, Sulphur, Okla., 26.37;
    5. Colter Figg, Clovis, N.M., Carson Mills, Loving, N.M., 30.09;
    6. Jessen James, Moyers, Okla., Aubrey Buckmaster, Weatherford, Okla., 30.11;
    7. Kash Cattoor, St George, Utah, Courtney Halverson, South Weber, Utah, 32.15;
    8. Mason Theriot, Poplarville, Miss., Marion Scott, Poplarville, Miss., 32.91;
    9. Birklee Jones, Erda, Utah, Braydin Evans, Stockton, Utah, 32.96;
    10. Brayden Roe, Wendell, Idaho, Elly Yore, Hagerman, Idaho, 34.49;
    11. Jett Smith, Buena Vista, N.M., Gabriella Pargas, Grants, N.M., 34.68;
    12. Clay Johnson, Manhattan, Mont., Meghan McGinley, Bozeman, Mont., 36.05;
    13. Rylee Anderson, Billings, Mont., Jhet Murphy, Helena, Mont., 36.07;
    14. Jacee Currin, Heppner, Ore., Wyatt Vankoll, Brush Prairie, Wash., 37.47;
    15. Dennika Moody, Delta, Utah, Owen Archibald, Benson, Utah, 46.54;
    16. Kya Johnson, Bennington, Kan., Reed Boos, White Cloud, Kan., 17.66;
    17. Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M., Hayley McNiel, Los Lunas, N.M., 19.09;
    18. Tanner Brown, Florence, Miss., Neely Grover, Purvis, Miss., 20.21;
    19. Taylor Mason, Marshall, Mo., Tom Crouse, Gallatin, Mo., 22.25;
    20. Talon Petska, Ord, Neb., Calli Bauer, Arcadia, Neb., 24.55;
    Boys Goat Tying Average
    1. Jake Anderson, Goshen, Utah, 26.99;
    2. Alex Darbonne, Moss Bluff, La., 28.62;
    3. Trevor Singleton, Pueblo, Colo., 28.89;
    4. Cooper Slavin, Goodwell, Okla., 29.08;
    5. Colton Oliver, Blanding, Utah, 30.07;
    6. Daunte Ceresola, Fernley, Nev., 30.57;
    7. Garrett Elmore, Springer, Okla., 30.64;
    8. Colter Ellis, Cody, Wyo., 30.7;
    9. Chase Borres, Central, La., 30.84;
    10. Zane Kilgus, Watsontown, Pa., 30.92;
    11. Ethan Lombardo, Marshville, N.C., 32.01;
    12. Grant Turek, St. Paul, Neb., 32.91;
    13. Cooper Duffin, Pocatello, Idaho, 34.61;
    14. Cutter Carpenter, Athens, Texas, 35.42;
    15. Brody Grebe, Melstone, Mont., 36.34;
    16. Kane Key, Garrison, Texas, 39.41;
    17. Cory Constance, Sulphur, La., 39.61;
    18. Wyatt Bentz, Washington, Kan., 18.29;
    19. Jessen James, Moyers, Okla., 18.76;
    20. Thomas Wallace, Cushing, Texas, 20.56;
    Pole Bending Average
    1. Kaiden Ayres, Woodlake, Calif., 60.864;
    2. Payton Feyder, Lamoille, Nev., 61.316;
    3. Sophia Gresh, Greenville, Ind., 61.401;
    4. Riley Donnelly, Elk Point, S.D., 61.437;
    5. Shayla Dees, Paola, Kan., 62.836;
    5. Lena Johnson, Choudrant, La., 62.836;
    7. Lisie Mae Luttrell, Yamhill, Ore., 63.036;
    8. Shai McDonald, Gardiner, Mont., 63.168;
    9. Lauren Booty, Osyka, Miss., 63.301;
    10. Olivia Helminiak, Stevens Point, Wis., 63.523;
    11. Mikayla Joh Almond, Olin, N.C., 66.404;
    12. Emily Mayo, Clearlake, Calif., 66.553;
    13. Aly Ghormley, Madisonville, Texas, 66.635;
    14. Dakota Keenan, Maricopa, Ariz., 67.994;
    15. Macey Cook, Monroe, N.C., 71.879;
    16. Emily Dooley, St. Charles, Iowa, 72.935;
    17. Harley Meged, Miles City, Mont., 73.482;
    18. Jocelynn Cornwall, Dammeron Valley, Utah, 41.081;
    19. Este Lesiak, Clarks, Neb., 41.477;
    20. Teyler Johnson, Pitkin, La., 42.083;
    Junior Bull Riding Average
    1. Kyle McDaniel, Fort Worth, Texas, 191;
    2. Mason Spain, Forney, Texas, 167;
    3. Jake Lockwood, Volborg, Mont., 141;
    4. Sticky Gleaves, Amarillo, Texas, 129;
    5. Cameron Southern, Thallon, , 109;
    6. Jate Frost, Randlett, Utah, 105;
    7. Andrew Lively, Inez, Texas, 69;
    8. Colton Clary, Lone Rock, Wis., 67;
    9. Bubba Greig, Estherville, Iowa, 66;
    9. Chase Stricklin, Rock River, Wyo., 66;
    11. Rowdy Jarvis­Piva, Challis, Idaho, 65;
    12. Kaylen Ables, Ash Flat, Ark., 62;
    13. Brad Moreno, Kayenta, Ariz., 61;
    14. Ky Hamilton, Beaconsfild, , 59;
    14. Bo Vocu, Ashland, Mont., 59;
    16. JC Mortensen, Paulden, Ariz., 58;
    16. Ty Pope, Garnett, Kan., 58;
    18. Dalen Smith, Sayre, Okla., 57;
    19. Jacob Harris, Eagle Rock, Va., 56;
    20. Cole Skender, Crossett, Ark., 55;
    Team Roping Average
    1. Blake Bowler, Enterprise, Utah, TJ Bowler, Enterprise, Utah, 34.16;
    2. Tanner Brown, Florence, Miss., Matt Watt, Geiger, Ala., 34.8;
    3. Trevor Hale, Perryton, Texas, Stran Morris, Woodward, Okla., 35.52;
    4. Brody Grebe, Melstone, Mont., Corbin Fisher, Ashland, Mont., 37.17;
    5. Mason Pitts, Haughton, La., Morgan Sparks, Marthaville, La., 37.69;
    6. Grant Turek, St. Paul, Neb., Grant Lindsley, Osceola, Neb., 40.26;
    7. Cassidy Evans, Ramah, N.M., Adriano Duran, LaJara, N.M., 64.74;
    8. Jaxson Tucker, Mt. Ulla, N.C., Braxton Culpepper, Poulan, Ga., 15.82;
    9. Chance Thiessen, Elk City, Okla., Braden Johnson, Fox, Okla., 16.8;
    10. Braydin Evans, Stockton, Utah, Kash Cattoor, St George, Utah, 20.27;
    11. Tom Crouse, Gallatin, Mo., Coy Rahlmann, Ellsinore, Mo., 22.16;
    12. Dawson Cantu, Zolfo Springs, Fla., Parker Carbajal, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., 23.03;
    13. Sam Morgan, Southwest Ranches, Fla., Rylan Lipe, Arcadia, Fla., 23.08;
    14. John Rose, Burns, Ore., Cate Hepper, Fort Klamath, Ore., 26.06;
    15. Brie Wells, Lemars, Iowa, Jhett Williams, Winterset, Iowa, 26.89;
    16. Cierra Polhemus, Escalon, Calif., Cameron Senegal, Wilton, Calif., 28.11;
    17. Tyler Mawyer, Quinton, Va., Kade Goemmer, Amissville, Va., 32.16;
    18. Brey Yore, Rupert, Idaho, Zoie Bedke, Oakley, Idaho, 32.26;
    19. Jessen James, Moyers, Okla., Briar Teague, Rattan, Okla., 6.72;
    20. Blake Afdahl, Torrington, Wyo., Jared Lemmon, Torrington, Wyo., 7.87;
    TEAM STANDINGS
    1. UTAH, 9440;
    2. OKLAHOMA, 7810;
    3. TEXAS, 7800;
    4. LOUISIANA, 6125;
    5. IDAHO, 5140;
    6. KANSAS, 4795;
    7. ARIZONA, 4545;
    8. CALIFORNIA, 4455;
    9. FLORIDA, 4350;
    10. MONTANA, 4345;
    11. NEW MEXICO, 3995;
    12. OREGON, 3505;
    13. MISSISSIPPI, 3010;
    14. NORTH DAKOTA, 2965;
    15. NEBRASKA, 2945;
    16. COLORADO, 2805;
    17. NEVADA, 2160;
    18. SOUTH CAROLINA, 2150;
    19. IOWA, 2030;
    20. ARKANSAS, 1945;
    21. WYOMING, 1880;
    22. WISCONSIN, 1875;
    23. SOUTH DAKOTA, 1495;
    24. AUSTRALIA, 1445;
    25. MINNESOTA, 1405;
    26. WASHINGTON, 1255;
    27. MISSOURI, 1060;
    28. ALBERTA, 1010;
    29. PENNSYLVANIA, 920;
    30. INDIANA, 875;
    31. GEORGIA, 815;
    32. ILLINOIS, 750;
    33. NORTH CAROLINA, 680;
    34. ALABAMA, 675;
    35. TENNESSEE, 590;
    36. KENTUCKY, 550;
    37. VIRGINIA, 300;
    38. BRITISH COLUMBIA, 215;
    39. SASKATCHEWAN, 200;
    40. NEW YORK, 40;
    41. MARYLAND, 0;
    41. WEST VIRGINIA, 0;
    41. ONTARIO, 0;
    41. OHIO, 0;
    41. MICHIGAN, 0;
    41. MANITOBA, 0;
    41. HAWAII, 0;
    GIRLS TEAM STANDINGS
    1. TEXAS, 3105;
    2. LOUISIANA, 2705;
    3. ARIZONA, 2630;
    4. CALIFORNIA, 2585;
    5. NEW MEXICO, 2575;
    6. UTAH, 2500;
    7. FLORIDA, 2380;
    8. KANSAS, 2045;
    9. OKLAHOMA, 1930;
    10. MONTANA, 1875;
    11. NORTH DAKOTA, 1800;
    12. IDAHO, 1590;
    13. OREGON, 1440;
    14. SOUTH DAKOTA, 1205;
    15. COLORADO, 1170;
    16. NEVADA, 1060;
    17. SOUTH CAROLINA, 1050;
    18. NEBRASKA, 1040;
    19. ARKANSAS, 950;
    20. WYOMING, 920;
    21. MISSISSIPPI, 820;
    22. INDIANA, 795;
    23. IOWA, 730;
    24. WASHINGTON, 650;
    25. NORTH CAROLINA, 640;
    26. KENTUCKY, 550;
    27. ILLINOIS, 400;
    28. ALABAMA, 390;
    29. MINNESOTA, 260;
    30. WISCONSIN, 230;
    31. TENNESSEE, 200;
    32. MISSOURI, 190;
    33. ALBERTA, 170;
    34. AUSTRALIA, 120;
    35. BRITISH COLUMBIA, 50;
    36. SASKATCHEWAN, 20;
    37. MARYLAND, 0;
    37. WEST VIRGINIA, 0;
    37. VIRGINIA, 0;
    37. PENNSYLVANIA, 0;
    37. ONTARIO, 0;
    37. OHIO, 0;
    37. NEW YORK, 0;
    37. MICHIGAN, 0;
    37. MANITOBA, 0;
    37. HAWAII, 0;
    37. GEORGIA, 0;
    BOYS TEAM STANDINGS
    1. UTAH, 8200;
    2. OKLAHOMA, 6790;
    3. TEXAS, 5365;
    4. LOUISIANA, 4080;
    5. IDAHO, 4050;
    6. MONTANA, 3110;
    7. KANSAS, 2990;
    8. NEW MEXICO, 2660;
    8. MISSISSIPPI, 2660;
    10. FLORIDA, 2590;
    11. OREGON, 2515;
    12. NEBRASKA, 2145;
    13. CALIFORNIA, 2000;
    14. NORTH DAKOTA, 1915;
    14. ARIZONA, 1915;
    16. WISCONSIN, 1645;
    17. COLORADO, 1635;
    18. IOWA, 1410;
    19. AUSTRALIA, 1325;
    20. NEVADA, 1240;
    21. SOUTH CAROLINA, 1150;
    22. MINNESOTA, 1145;
    23. ARKANSAS, 1095;
    24. WYOMING, 960;
    25. PENNSYLVANIA, 920;
    26. MISSOURI, 890;
    27. ALBERTA, 840;
    28. GEORGIA, 815;
    29. WASHINGTON, 605;
    30. TENNESSEE, 540;
    31. ILLINOIS, 480;
    32. ALABAMA, 425;
    33. SOUTH DAKOTA, 390;
    34. VIRGINIA, 300;
    35. SASKATCHEWAN, 180;
    36. BRITISH COLUMBIA, 165;
    37. INDIANA, 80;
    38. NORTH CAROLINA, 40;
    38. NEW YORK, 40;
    40. MARYLAND, 0;
    40. WEST VIRGINIA, 0;
    40. ONTARIO, 0;
    40. OHIO, 0;
    40. MICHIGAN, 0;
    40. MANITOBA, 0;
    40. KENTUCKY, 0;
    40. HAWAII, 0;

  • On the Trail with the Ellerman’s

    On the Trail with the Ellerman’s

    This year marks the end of a long era at the College National Finals Rodeo for the Ellerman family. Jay competed in 1979, followed by Tammy in 1982, Taya (McAdow) in 2003, and now Brit is making his shot at the team roping title this year. Tammy remembers going straight from her wedding to Jay’s 1979 college finals in Lake Charles, Louis. Taya will continue making an appearance at the CNFR as one of the rodeo coaches from Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo. Much has changed in the 36 years, but what hasn’t is the bond that still unites the Ellerman family from Ft. Lupton, Colo. Sand, horses, roping, and the Lord.

    The family claims Ft. Lupton as home, even though they have moved more than 14 times during Brit’s 22 years. “We haven’t moved more than 30 miles,” said Jay. “The last house was a mile and a half over the hill.” Tammy’s career in real estate has created this unique situation. Every time they found the “perfect place” to build, someone came along that wanted to buy it and they found the next “best place ever.” The requirements were simple.
    “It had to have lots of sand,” said Tammy. “That’s what we rope in and that’s what we wanted.” She is quick to defend the multiple moves. “We lived in one house for eight years and we never had to change schools.” The kids seemed to adapt to the multiple moves. “We built six places for us that we planned to stay at – but we all realize that a house is just a roof over our head.”

    Jay was used to moving from his childhood with his father and his long career on the rodeo road. “I went to many different schools before I left for Arizona when I was 15,” said the 5x NFR header. Jay learned how to rope on a ranch as a kid doctoring cattle. “At night, if there was time, we’d rope a few steers or go to a jackpot.” He got his start at the PRCA level through his friendship with Walt Woodard. “He called me and asked if I wanted to head for his nephew, Rickey Green. I went to California and roped with Rickey and Tammy would come out and visit. In the summer, Rickey would come to our house.”  He headed for Bobby Harris the first year he made the Finals in 1984.

    Tammy stayed home with Taya, and started building her real estate career as well as roping. Ten years after Taya, Brit came along and the family helped found the Colorado Junior Rodeo Association in 1994 to provide a place for kids to hone their roping and timed event skills.  The family spent hours practicing in the arena of one of their many homes. “We are a super competitive family,” said Taya. “We’d get out our own money and rope for that.” Roping for something helped get the jitters out of the way when the stakes got higher along the way … like last year when Tammy backed into the box at the Perry Diloreto with Tyler Boyd for $200,000.

    She traveled out to Reno with Barry Smith and was keeping up with her family (and her real estate) during the roping via her cell phone. “There’s more pressure when I back in the box with my kids than the $100,000. I wasn’t thinking about the money.” She admits that win was the biggest so far in her career, but the family treats every roping the same. “$100,000 was a great day,” she said. “But what I focus on when I ride in the box is to catch the steer I drew and give my partner a chance to do his job.”

    “We stress being prepared, to do your job – nothing more or less,” said Jay, who remembers quitting school to rope and what his mother told him about it. “She said that roping was like gambling … but the first time I made the Finals, she was there to watch.” Jay equates the feeling of winning to the movie with Paul Newman, The Color of Money, and the quote: “Money won is twice as sweet as money earned.”

     

    Full story available in our June 15, 2015 issue.

     

     

  • ProFile with Macy Fuller

    ProFile with Macy Fuller

    Macy Fuller has spent her time since graduating from Central Arizona Community College searching for a barrel horse for the CNFR. “I’ve tried four so far,” said the defending Women’s All Around Champion, who is entered in three events this year – barrels, breakaway, and goat tying – the same events she has qualified for in the past four years. “My black horse is out until September, so I need to find one for the whole summer. The barn at the college finals is tiny, and indoors, so I am looking for a horse that fits that as well as the big outdoor arenas that I’m used to running in.”
    Her favorite event is a toss-up between tying goats and breakaway. “The goat tying I’ve really studied and I can give a lot more back with my style,” said the young lady that spends endless hours coaching students. “People ask me what I’m going to do when my career is over – and it’s not – it’s just beginning. I’ve got an outstanding stud and I want to give him every opportunity that I can.” The stud is Heza Judge of Honor, and she is excited to enter him in futurities. The other thing Macy is excited about is giving back all her goat tying knowledge to her students. “I have a few schools for the summer, but I like to do it over and over with my students and watch them progress slowly. When I’m in Arizona I have a goat practice every Tuesday night and we have fun and hang out. You really get to know them and that’s what I want – a long term relationship with the kids to make sure they are getting the most out of it that they can.”
    The style she teaches is one that she picked up through the years with the help of her mom, Karen, who made the college finals and was reserve champion goat tier. “I didn’t ever go to any clinics – it was me figuring new things out. Some kids use the style now – I get off late and flank by the collar and gather in the air. I don’t hang on the side of my horse at all. My horse is truly amazing and is so fast – when he feels me make a slight move, he slows down.” Now that her career chasing a goat tying title is about over, she is excited to have sold this amazing horse. “I’ve had him since he was six and he’s 19. Kaiden Ayers is the new owner – from California. I can’t wait … she has fire in her eye and likes to go fast so it’s a perfect match.”
    Macy got her start in rodeo through her dad, Mike, who was rodeoing hard when Macy was young. “When I was three weeks old, I’d been in 17 states while my dad was trying to make the NFR. I actually enjoy being in a truck – I don’t think I’ll ever stop traveling. It’s too much fun and I can’t imagine staying at home. I love to see new people and new rodeos and have fun going.” Mike finished 16th a couple different times, missing the NFR by just a few hundred dollars. He and Karen were college rodeo coaches at LCSC in Washington State, which is where Macy grew up. She continues to hold the record at the National High School Rodeo Association as the only person to win seven consecutive All Around championships at the junior high and high school level. She had plenty of opportunities to practice during those years in Washington and credits her dad with training all the horses she rides today.
    “He makes sure that if one’s down, I’ve got another one,” said Macy. “He and my mom always make sure I have the best opportunity I can have. She’s been the one on the phone telling me where to go to try horses.” Macy is an only child, something she has liked. “I am spoiled and I appreciate everything that’s been done for me. I don’t take anything for granted.”
    Macy started giving back her knowledge when she was in grade school. “I went to a school of 17 kids and there was a kid at school in the special needs program. I decided to make a change and became his best friend. I still stay in touch with him, but that friendship made a difference in my life. As long as I have something to offer and someone asks me for help, I’m going to give it to them. I’m sure if I’m stuck somewhere, I’m going to ask for help too.” Macy wasn’t involved in any school activities. “I played basketball for a couple years, but it cut into my riding time. My horses are my babies. They have shavings in their stalls and blankets on. They truly are like having kids. I’ve always been like that. Making sure they are comfortable and happy makes me happy.”

     

  • On the Trail with Zack Jongbloed

    On the Trail with Zack Jongbloed

    Zack Jongbloed started riding when he was in diapers. His mom, Karen Jongbloed, came from a rodeo family and rodeoed in high school and college. Zack is fortunate to have two uncles, Jeff Corbello and Joey Roberts, that are multiple NRF steer wrestling qualifiers to serve as his coaches. His dad, Mike, didn’t come from a rodeo family, but started roping in high school. “That’s what my parents and my family did, so that’s what I grew up around,” said the 16-year-old quarterback from Iowa, Louis. He also played baseball when he was younger, but finds that football and rodeo keep him plenty busy. He credits his family as being his biggest supporters. “They are always out there tending to my animals while I’m at football practice. My family is always doing something to make it easier for me. I find myself running short of time with all the events that I work, maintaining my school work, and football practice.”

    Zack is partial to rodeo, even over football. “I like that its family oriented – we do everything together as a family and I like the people that we are around.”  Zack is a sophomore at Iowa High School, a school of more than 600 students, where he maintains a 4.0 GPA. He heads to school at 7:15, and after school he goes to football practice, where he is the varsity quarterback, until around 6. “Football helps me with rodeo in many different ways – it keeps me in shape and strong,” he said. After football is over, Zack heads to the arena to practice his events. He will usually concentrate on one event each evening. He competes in steer wrestling, tie down roping, team roping, cutting, and the new high school event, reined cow horse. “I’m still learning the reined cow horse, but I like it. It teaches me better horsemanship. In both the cutting and the reined event, the horse has to do a lot of the work.”

    His favorite event is bulldogging. “I have two uncles who made the NFR, they are always willing to take the time to come up and help me. I would not be where I am today in this event if it were not for them.  I like how it’s always full blast, there’s no safety up, its just reaction.” When Zack practices that event, he’ll jump 10 or 15 steers a night, while working on a young horse as well as riding his seasoned horse. Tie down roping is a close second favorite event, where he won all four major junior ropings this year and was the Louisiana Rodeo Cowboys Association Rookie of the year. “I am very fortunate to have family friend Jade Conner, an accomplished roper as my tie down coach which contributes to my success.” Then comes team roping, where he is a heeler for Riley Fontenot, his partner for the past two years. He works all his events using his pen of eight horses.  “I have three calf horses, a couple practice horses, a bull dogging horse, a haze horse and a team roping horse.” Zack likes his calf horse the best. I’ve been riding him for quite a few years and we’re starting to fit together. I feel confident on him and feel like he gives me a chance to win. We’ve begun to figure each other out and I’ve learned how to ride him better.”

     

    Full story available in our June 1, 2015 issue. Read online!

  • Boyd Gaming to Host First-Ever Chute-Out Rodeo This December

    Boyd Gaming to Host First-Ever Chute-Out Rodeo This December

    LAS VEGAS –Boyd Gaming is producing a new, fun and interactive rodeo event for the sport’s loyal fans and popular competitors –The Cinch Boyd Gaming Chute-Out.
    On December 10, 11 and 12, the Cinch Boyd Gaming-Chute Out will make its inaugural debut at the Orleans Arena at The Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
    Boyd Gaming has teamed up with the event’s title sponsor, Cinch Jeans, to offer rodeo fans around the country “A New Way To Rodeo.” For the first time ever, rodeo fans will enjoy a new twist in this innovative competition, pitting popular rodeo competitors against one another in three days of action-packed performances. Fans will have the opportunity interact with the competitors and the rodeo in a new and innovative way. This event is designed to entertain serious and casual rodeo fans alike.
    “Our Company’s founder, Bill Boyd, championed the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo move to Las Vegas back in 1985, and we continue our commitment to the success of the WNFR and the fans of western lifestyle entertainment,” said Chris Gibase, Chief Marketing Officer of Boyd Gaming. “More than 100,000 loyal fans of western lifestyle events and entertainment make an annual trek to Las Vegas each December to see the top 15 riders, ropers and bulldoggers compete in the pinnacle of rodeo events: the WNFR.”
    Gibase continued: “Las Vegas Events and the PRCA produce great events to entertain all those that visit in December. The Boyd Gaming Chute-Out enhances the experience for fans that travel to Las Vegas with what they love, top-quality rodeo action.  CINCH’s Boyd Gaming Chute-Out provides unbeatable action at a family-friendly price.”
    The Chute-Out will begin at 2 p.m. each day, and will be emceed by Hall of Fame’s own Bob Tallman and celebrated rodeo announcer Roger Mooney. The competition purse totals more than $200,000 and competitors will include former and future champions that are not participating in this year’s WNFR event.
    The Chute-Out event format is new and tailored to add a bit more Las Vegas-style entertainment, while maintaining the long rich history and rodeo tradition. The timing of the event allows all fans to have a full day of rodeo action — CINCH’s Boyd Gaming Chute-Out in the afternoon, followed by the WNFR in the evening.
    Boyd Gaming has been one of the largest supporters of rodeo around the country, both as a national sponsor of the PRCA and the largest ticket purchaser for WNFR in Las Vegas.  Boyd Gaming is also known for its line-up of western lifestyle events before and after the WNFR, including the National Finals Tonight Show and Gary Leffew’s Legendary Buck’N Ball. Starting in December 2015, these mainstay events will be relocated to The Orleans Hotel and Casino to accommodate growing and vibrant crowds.
    “We’ve established Boyd Gaming properties as the place for entertainment after the WNFR concludes each night with special events such as the Legendary Buck’N Ball, National Finals Tonight Show and more,” said Gibase. “We now invite cowboys and cowgirls to begin their evenings a bit earlier at the Orleans Arena with CINCH’s Boyd Gaming Chute-Out.”
    Other anticipated events returning to Boyd Gaming properties include the Bob Tallman Celebrity Bowling Tournament at the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino and Roxy’s Buckin’ Bull Honky Tonk at Sam’s Town Hotel and Gambling Hall.
    Tickets for the event start at $20, and go on sale on Friday, May 15 at noon PDT. Tickets will be available for purchase at BoydGamingEvents.com, by calling 702.284.7777 or visiting any Boyd Gaming box office location. Room and ticket packages will be available for purchase on June 1 at Boyd Gaming Nevada properties.
    For more information on the Chute-Out, WNFR events and more, visit BoydGamingEvents.com.

    About Boyd Gaming
    Headquartered in Las Vegas, Boyd Gaming is a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and New Jersey. Additional news and information on Boyd Gaming can be found at www.boydgaming.com.

  • RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Patch Auction raised $440,000 for athletes and their charities.

    RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Patch Auction raised $440,000 for athletes and their charities.

    NASHVILLE, Tenn (RFD-TV) Sunday evenings RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Patch Auction raised $440,000 for athletes and their charities.

    Busby Quarter Horses bought Amberley Snyder, the fan exemption,  at the patch auction for $31,000!

    65% of the money raised goes right back to the cowboy …

    Here’s a list of the consignors and their sponsors:

    CONSIGNOR: SPONSOR:

    Austin Foss  Marvin Alderman Jr.

    Kaycee Feild  3-S Services

    Richmond Champion            Rich Champion

    Bobby Mote    Stan Harper Harper Cattle LLC

    Steven Peebles    Jane Allman Animal Health International

    Jake Vold    Kurt Manke

    Winn Ratliff    Jane Allman Animal Health International

    Tim O’Connell    Terry Dickerson/ Machinery Auctioneers

    Justin McDaniel   Justin McBride

    Will Lowe   Chad Riggins

    Brian Bain    Mike Fester Insurance and Equine, LLC

    Ryan Gray    Steve Britten

    Tilden Hooper    Scott Davis/ Western Unlimited

    Taylor Price    Rachel Stevenson

    Orin Larsen Steve Britten

    Seth Hardwick    Gil Galyean

    Amberley Snyder    Jeff Busby / Busby Quarterhorses

    Lisa Lockhart    Payson Peterson /Professional Compliance & Testing, LLC

    Kaley Bass    Chris Woodruff / Group W Productions

    Michele McLeod    Blitz Energy Services

    Brittany Diaz    Chris Woodruff / Group W Productions

    Carlee Pierce    Chris Woodruff / Group W Productions

    Mary Walker   Byron Walker / World Performance Horse

    Trula Churchill    Chris Woodruff / Group W Productions

    Kassidy Dennison    Dale Steege / Med Vet Pharmaceuticals

    Charmayne James    Chris Woodruff / Group W Productions

    Fallon Taylor    Bob Tallman (Bart Steindorf)

    Shelly Anzick    Payson Peterson /Professional Compliance & Testing, LLC

    Chayni Chamberlain         SOD Rope Horses, Inc

    Callahan Crossley    Chris Woodruff / Group W Productions

    Destri Davenport    Kristi Schiller / K9s4COPS

    Sharin Hall    Dale Steege / Med Vet Pharmaceuticals

    Jackie Jatzlau    Betthe Deal

    Lindsey McLeod    Dan Houk / Universal Asphalt Co., Inc.

    Jane Melby    Anna Jennings / Stockyards Station

    Adeline Nevala    Chris Woodruff / Group W Productions

    Carmel Wright    Shada Brazile / Relentless

    Luke Branquinho    Triple 777

    Kyle Irwin    Steve Britten

    Casey Martin    Chad Havens

    Nick Guy    Jane Allman Animal Health International

    Dakota Eldridge    Wade Sundell

    Trevor Knowles    Cetyl M.

    Ty Erickson    Molly Winstead

    Clayton Haff    Byron Walker / World Performance Horse

    Bray Armes    Taco Casa

    Ote Berry    Sinks Excavation

    KC Jones    Robbia Bryant

    Garrett Smith    Jane Allman Animal Health International

    Stewart Gulager    Charlie Cummings

    Cash Myers    Boo Klein , Kline Bros. Rodeo

    Josh Peek    Jack Pitts/Bob Tallman

    Rowdy Parrott    Scott Broussard / Acadia Crawfish Co & Gunner Co

    Clay Tryan    Bill Casner

    Trevor Brazile    Stan Harper / Harper Cattle LLC.

    Cole Proctor    Heath Massey

    Jake Barnes   Rodeo Cowboy Collectibles

    Dustin Bird   3-S Services

    Kaleb Driggers   3-S Services

    Turtle Powell   Steve Britten

    Brandon Beers   Brett Tatum / Tres Rio

    Speed Williams   Rene Cervantes

    Tee Woolman   Brett Tatum / Tres Rio

    Colby Lovell    Bill Fick Ford

    Manny Egusquiza    Steve Britten

    Tyler Wade    Sinks Excavation

    Jimmy Tanner    Jane Allman Animal Health International

    Jade Corkill    Peek Brothers Construction

    Travis Graves    Tiada Gray

    Jake Long    Steve Britten

    Paul Eaves    Jane Allman Animal Health International

    Patrick Smith    3-S Services

    Junior Nogueira Grupo Banderantes de Band TV

    Dakota Kirchenschlager       Byron Walker / World Performance Horse

    Jim Ross Cooper Michael Aura

    Rich Skelton Jim Folk

    Daniel Brannon John Wayne Cancer Institute

    Cole Bigbee David Kimbrough

    Jonathan Torres Chad Havens

    Kinney Dale Harrell     Tyler Wright

    Kory Koontz Larry The Cable Guy

    Spencer Wright Terry Dickerson / Machinery Auctioneers

    Cort Scheer Bismarck Ranch

    Wade Sundell Mesquite Championship Rodeo

    Heith DeMoss Josh Dill

    Jake wright Mesquite Championship Rodeo

    Jacobs Crawley Jaclyn Thayer / Vetericyn

    Jesse Wright Steve Britten

    Chuck Schmidt Kurt Manke

    Layton Green Jane Allman Animal Health International

    Bradley Harter Steve Britten

    Tyler Corrington Joe Simon

    Steven Dent Larry The Cable Guy

    Tuf Cooper Stan Harper / Harper Cattle LLC.

    Matt Shiozawa Ronnie Austin, Austin Cattle Co

    Cody Ohl Jason Beyer

    Cade Swor Triple 777

    Adam Gray Steve Britten

    Hunter Herrin Triple 777

    Shane Hanchey Michael Aura

    Timber Moore Mark Winstead

    Fred Whitfield David Markley

    Marty Yates Mark Winstead

    Cole Bailey Triple 777

    Walt White Triple 777

    Tyson Durfey Terry Dickerson

    Marcos Costa Grupo Banderantes de Band TV

    Reese Riemer Triple 777

    Chase Williams Triple 777

    Mike Lee   Steve Britten

    Cody Nance   Roger & Linda St. Clair / Sheridan Wyoming Rodeo

    JB Maundy   Brett Tatum / Tres Rio

    Stormy Wing Clayton Hass

  • ProFile: J.J. Elshere

    ProFile: J.J. Elshere

    JJ Elshere PRS 2014 Champ, ProFile, Rodeo News
    JJ Elshere PRS 2014 Champ – photo by Jodie Baxendale

    J.J. Elshere, Professional Rough Stock competitor and 2014 PRS World Saddle Bronc Champion, is carrying his gear bag into the AT&T Stadium for the first time this month. The recipient of one of The American’s coveted exemptions, J.J. has every intention of winning the saddle bronc riding at the world’s richest one-day rodeo. While winning the average in the saddle bronc riding at the 2006 WNFR is one of his career highlights, J.J.’s trip to Arlington, Texas, is equally exciting to him. “I think it’s going to be fun!” says the 34 year old from Hereford, S.D. “I’m just going to treat it like any other rodeo – you want to do your best at every rodeo you go to, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
    Following in the bootprints of his older brother, Ryan, J.J. started riding saddle broncs in high school. The boys’ father introduced them to rodeo early on, and both gravitated toward roughstock. “Our whole family went with us to our rodeos, and gave us the opportunity to compete,” J.J. recalls. “Ryan taught me a lot about saddle bronc riding, and that made it a little easier for me to learn.” While J.J. also rode bulls, it was rodeo’s classic event that he pursued after high school. He joined the PRCA in 2000. “Ryan bought my permit for me and got me started in pro rodeo. He entered me in rodeos – even some I didn’t want to go to, but I got money out of it!”

    Full story available in the March 2015 issue.

     

  • On the Trail with Fallon Taylor

    On the Trail with Fallon Taylor

    Fallon Taylor grew up in Tampa, Fla, and moved to Texas when she was seven. “I started riding horses and in six months I decided that’s what I wanted to do,” said the youngest of three. Her parents, Shelton and Dian, hired a trainer to help since they knew nothing about riding horses or rodeo. Fallon was homeschooled so she could focus on riding and barrel racing. “We stumbled our way through the rest and ended up with a trainer that lived at the ranch and trained my mare, Flowers and Money, the dam of Babyflo.”

     

    Fallon qualified for her first NFR in 1995, at 13 years old. She qualified for the next three years and found that life on the road had lost its allure. The bright lights of New York City caught her attention and she spent the next ten years modeling in New York City, acting in Las Angeles, and riding her horses in Texas. “I was training horses for other people, and had no aspirations to come back to the NFR,” said the 32 year old. A near-fatal accident five years ago set Fallon down a different path. She was loping a 16.3 hand gelding one night and he slipped and started bucking “It got Western,” she said. “He was snapping and kicking. He reared up and fractured my skull in four places. I picked a spot to land and tried to get off – terrible idea. When I did, he kicked my feet and I went 12 feet in the air and landed straight on my head.” Fallon was paralyzed for three days with the same injury as Christopher Reeves, better known as Superman, and was given a 2% chance to walk. She shattered bones on the right side of her face, including her eye socket, fractured her skull in four places and broke the C-2 vertebra. “I’m blessed to be here.” Fallon’s recovery included wearing a halo for three months. “I had no other choice so I made it my life mission to learn how to recover. I had one come apart moment when I was trying to eat dinner with a halo on and couldn’t get the fork to my face.” After that, Fallon’s mission was to ride again and after a year of riding poorly, she finally found her stride. “I ride ten times better now than the first finals in the 90s, I have a lot more awareness of my body and my horse.”

    Along came a football player named Delbert Alvarado – who came to town with the Dallas Cowboys’ training camp. “My uncle and his dad are coworkers – he gave me his phone number, and asked me to show him around. I’d just gotten out of the collar and he came to the ranch.” They were married three years ago and even though Delbert had never ridden before, he saw the talent that Fallon had in her horses and herself and encouraged her to pull the horses out of the pasture and try again. “Babyflo was the last one I pulled out of the pasture, and I cinched her up and we ran barrels that night.” Flos Heiress, sired by Dr Nick Bar out of Flowers and Money, was born, raised, and trained on the ranch. The 14.2 hand 8-year-old mare has carried Fallon to two NFRs and the team continues to improve.

    Full story available in our March 2015 issue.

  • On the Trail with Sean Mulligan

    On the Trail with Sean Mulligan

    Sean Mulligan grew up in Valentine, Neb., going to rodeos with his dad, Bill, in a 1978 Ford Super cab pulling a two horse inline. “His first love was calf roping, but he’s a better bulldogger.” Sean learned from him, jumping his first steer at Paul Cleveland’s school in Ogallala when he turned 16. Sean grew up with three older sisters and made the National High School Finals rodeo his junior and senior year. He was recruited by Pete Burns to the University of Wyoming. “I bull dogged – roped in college, but there’s a reason I bulldog; I can’t rope – I have to ride up and grab them by the horns.”

    He started rodeoing fulltime after graduating with an Ag Business degree in 1998. He hit the northwest with Lynn Churchill and had a good fall out there. “I loved the country – and I thought rodeoing was awesome.” His career as a PRCA cowboy includes four WNFR qualifications – 2000, 2004, 2007, and 2011. He met his wife (Bryel Zancanella) in college. “She won the region in breakaway roping every year but her senior year.” She quit roping after college due to a bad shoulder and concentrated on training barrel horses. Bryel was raised in Rock Springs, Wyo., where her dad is a vet. Her initial plan was to go south for college and is glad she didn’t because she met Sean while getting her teaching degree from the University of Wyoming.

    “After I graduated, I did my student teaching in Rock Springs, and taught for a year in Brookings, South Dakota. I loved the kids, but I wanted to spend more time with the horses.” Sean and Bryel moved from Brookings, South Dakota, to Coleman, Okla., and ended up in the stallion business quite by chance. “I was riding for some people from South Dakota and found an FM Radio horse for them on the internet. We found another colt, full brother to FM Radio (AQHA Junior Barrels World Champion), that was really nice and bought Lions Share of Fame off the internet from a picture. We got him home and my sister-in-law started him, put him on the barrels, and the rest is history.” They had decided to leave “King” a stud as long as he earned that right. They watched his full brother, Gun Battle, run the fastest qualifying time at the All American Futurity, winning second in the race. After watching that, they decided to keep King as a stud. He won $60,000 as a futurity colt.

     

    Full story available in our February 2015 issue.

     

  • Back When they Bucked with Peggy Fifer

    Back When they Bucked with Peggy Fifer

    Peggy (Green) Fifer was born in the small town of Meeker, Okla., where she was raised with two sisters by a single mother. She had just turned 14, when her mother died of cancer, leaving her and her two sisters in foster care for eight months. “My grandmother came and raised us in a house that we were able to purchase with insurance money,” said Peggy, who lives in Eufaula, Okla., 45 miles from her childhood home.
    She met her first horse when she was four and a photographer came by with a Shetland pony to take pictures of the girls. Her horse experiences ended for several years, until she met and married a rodeo man. After graduating high school, Peggy went to business school in Tulsa, Okla., where she first met Earl Fifer. “He was real cute and had a good sense of humor,” she recalled. “I kinda fell for him.” They married and Peggy got her first introduction into the rodeo world. “On weekends they would have a rodeo at the city park. Earl would go over there and ride horses and bulls and listen to Jim Shoulders give ideas on how to ride,” she said. Peggy and Earl had two daughters, Wauthena and Earlene. “Wauthena would rather take dancing lessons than rodeo, so she stayed with her grandmother most of the time. Earlene started riding horses at the age of two. In July of every year, we would go to Pawhuska to the International Calvacade Rodeo. In 1967, Earlene competed in the queen contest and won. Wauthena rode in all girl rodeos when she was in high school. She rode Bareback Horses and bulls. She placed with her horses but that lasted one year. Earlene started the all girl rodeos too and after one bull, decided that wasn’t for her, so she continued to stay with training horses and running barrels. She ran barrels for about 5 years after graduation from high school. Earl started rodeoing more and Peggy would go with him, sometimes waiting until the wee hours of morning for him to compete.
    Peggy got tired of waiting, so she volunteered to help out and that was her start as a rodeo secretary. “We would go to rodeos where we had to set up pens and the announcer stand was a flat bed truck. I would make a bed below that and put the girls there so I didn’t have to worry about them. Later, Earl was placing consistently so we traveled more and I would fry two chickens, butter a loaf of bread, make a chocolate cake, buy a bag of chips and away we would go to meet whoever was competing that night where we would have pot luck and visit before the rodeo. Lots of times it was before you  had to call in, they just entered when they wanted to.”

    Full story available in the January 2015 issue.