Author: Siri Stevens

Aaron Ferguson’s Best of Casper, Wyoming
1. Casper sits on the banks of the North Platte River, one of North America’s top trout fisheries. The river’s 4000 rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout per mile, make it a blast to fish. They are the reason it was named a “Blue Ribbon” stream. Fishermen regularly land giants weighing in at over 10 pounds and 30 inches long. If you’re just looking for a quick excursion, you can conveniently access several miles of riverfront in Casper, via the Platte River Parkway path system.
  The tail waters south of the city between Alcova, Kortes, Pathfinder and Seminoe Reservoirs, is where you will find the world class fly fishing the North Platte is famous for. Grey Reef and the Miracle Mile are by far the most productive stretches on the river with an astounding 8,000 fish per mile. Catching the monster trout that dwell in these waters isn’t too easy, so I always go after them with the help of my buddies at The Reef Fly Shop. Their fully stocked shop has everything you need for a great day of fishing including drift boats, rods, hip waders, licenses, food and drinks; not to mention they have the most experienced and knowledgeable guides on the Platte. Whether you’re a fly-fishing veteran, or a first timer, they can coach you through landing a once in a lifetime “Brownie”.
1. The Sandwich Bar. The beauty of this place is that you are the sandwich artist. That’s right; you can mix and match a huge variety of fresh bread, meat, cheese, vegetables and condiments to create a masterpiece that would make your mother blush. When construction is complete, the beast is weighed to determine the cost. Their soup is dynamite too, and will go perfectly with that pile of deliciousness you’re claiming as a sandwich. (200 E 2nd St.)
1. For a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of town, head south on Casper Mountain Road. Once you reach Rotary Park it’s only a short hike up to the awe-inspiring Garden Creek Waterfall, where locals and visitors alike have been flocking since the 1930’s. The upper reaches of the mountain offer some beautiful views of Casper and the sweeping landscapes below. You can reach the best lookouts by foot, bike or horseback on the 5 mile Bridal Trail Loop, or by simply continuing to drive on Casper Mountain Road.
1. Evansville’s HQ BBQ knows what real Southern barbeque is supposed to taste like. If you’re looking for delicious and genuine home-style cooking, HQ is the place for you. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu at this place, but the Dry Rub Smoked Wings are second to none. Try them once and you’ll never pass through Casper again without stopping for a plate of these bad boys. (70 Curtis St. In, Evansville)
1. Didn’t get enough competition at the CNFR? Ken & Betty’s Scoops and Sprinkles will put your gut to the test with the grueling “Belly Ache Challenge”. You’re tasked with crushing a ten scoop mountain of ice cream heaped with ten toppings, whipped cream and cherries. There’s no time limit and if you complete the challenge you’ll make the Wall of Fame and get a sweet new t-shirt. (4801 E. 2nd St.)
1. If you’re southbound from Casper, you’ll find a Natural Water Slide in Sinks Canyon State Park about 120 miles into your journey, near Lander. The Popo Agi River (pah-POH-zee) and good ol’ Mother Nature have teamed up to create a perfectly smooth, 20 foot, slick rock slide with a 10 foot drop into the icy water below. For the best results, stay to the left of the falls, wet the rocks and slide away!
Hot Tip

Camping is free on BLM, National Forests and National Grasslands. The abundance of accessible public land in the Western United States provides a great escape from cramped and expensive private campgrounds. Although primitive camping areas usually lack things like electricity, showers and picnic tables, life can be easy if you come prepared. Whether you’re travelling by motor home, truck and trailer, minivan or motorbike, you’ll find the perfect camping spot on www.freecampsites.net.
July 2, 2014
RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Semifinals college roster

Omaha, Neb. (RFD-TV) RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Semifinals is set for some thrilling action with the newest College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) champions getting ready to prove themselves to the best in the world.

The 2014 CNFR was held in Casper, Wyoming, and crowned its champions on Saturday, June 21, 2014. RFD-TV was there to congratulate the outstanding athletes and present them with an exemption into RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Semifinals.

Bareback Champion—Orin Larsen

Oklahoma Panhandle State University senior Orin Larsen earned his second College National Finals Bareback Championship after putting up an impressive 82.5 on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Jason’s Pride. Larsen came into the short round seated second in the nation by only 2.5 points.

“Feels great to go out last year and win a title and to do it back-to-back, it’s unbelievable,” said Larsen. “I couldn’t be more blessed or more excited.”

As for his RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Semifinals Exemption, “I kind of forgot about it until I saw you guys [RFD-TV]. That’s a heck of a deal. I’m excited, can’t wait to be there,” he stated.

Tie-Down Champion—Taylor Santos-Karney

The College National Finals Tie-Down Championship is headed back to California with Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo freshman Taylor Santos-Karney. Santos-Karney competed at the CNFR in tie-down, steer wrestling and team roping, but only made it to the short round in tie-down.

Competing in the team roping with his brother, junior Lane Santos Karney, the week was a family affair. “About halfway through this week we weren’t drawing good and things just weren’t going good,” said Santos-Karney. “I walked up to [my brother] and said, ‘Hey, we’re having trouble, but I need to win the calf roping. We need to bring a national championship back to California.’”

The Creston, California, native is looking forward to competing at RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Semifinals. “Riding in THE AMERICAN to me is like a world title. I can’t really fathom the idea,” said Santos-Karney. “I don’t think it’s soaked in yet fully. I’m going to darn sure go home and practice my all and try to be ready for those guys.”

Saddle Bronc Champion—CoBurn Bradshaw

Saddle Bronc Riding brought another freshman into the national spotlight – Western Texas College’s CoBurn Bradshaw. Seated first in the average at the start of the round, Bradshaw held on to his lead, scoring an 80.5 on Harry Vold Rodeo’s Matterhorn. “Winning a national title is what I came here to try to do and it all panned out,” said Bradshaw.

Bradshaw should be able to balance the excitement of THE AMERICAN and the intensity of the competition. After making an electric entrance and pumping up the Casper crowd during his introduction to open the rodeo, he quickly got back to business.

“I’ll try to go in the same as I did here, just try to keep a level head and stay calm. I don’t do very good under pressure, so I can’t think about anything or I don’t do very good,” he said.

Steer Wrestling Champion—Cade Goodman

Wharton County Junior College freshman Cade Goodman earned his spot at RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Semifinals after beating out an impressive field of steer wrestlers. Goodman stopped the clock in 4.9 seconds to finish his first CNFR with a national championship.

“I’m just excited to win a national championship,” said Goodman. “It’s nothing I ever expected coming here my first year competing. I’ve always tried my hardest, tried to be here and it just paid off.”

Goodman will go home to Waelder, Texas, to celebrate and keep up his hard work. “I’m going to try to be a little snappier, stronger. I know the steers are stronger than what I’m used to at my amateur rodeos…,” he stated. “I’m going to have to change a little bit to be able to compete at the level of all those pro guys I’m going up against.”

Team Roping Champions—Billy Bob Brown & Logan Medlin

Taking home the second back-to-back championship were the dynamic team roping duo of Billy Bob Brown and Logan Medlin. Brown and Medlin came into the 2014 CNFR with the goal of repeating their 2013 championship and proving their talent.

“Winning our second national finals, it’s a great feeling,” said Medlin, who competed for Eastern New Mexico University. “It’s awesome to have won it once, obviously, but to win it twice, two years in a row and for me as senior going out, it’s a good way to go out.”

Both Brown and Medlin credit the other for their success and plan to reach even higher goals together. “Winning another championship with Logan is awesome. We’ve grown a relationship together and been best friends. Last year I was the best man at his wedding,” said Brown, a Tarleton State University team member. “It’s not only a team in the arena, but we’re a team out of the arena…We’re finally getting it together and hopefully, there’s no stopping the future.”

The pair will hit the rodeo road this summer and only slowed down to accept their awards before driving from Casper to Reno, Nevada, and the Bob Feist Invitational. They will be sure to keep plenty of space on their schedule for THE AMERICAN Semifinals.

“We’ve sat at the house together multiple times and watched the reruns of (THE AMERICAN) and just talked about how awesome of an event it was. We wanted to be there and we have a chance now and it’s a blessing really,” said Brown.

Barrel Racing Champion—Taylor Engesser

The third freshman to earn a 2014 CNFR title was Gillette College’s Taylor Engesser, who claimed the College National Finals Barrel Racing Championship and the Women’s Rookie of the Year after clocking her fastest time of the week at just 13.58 seconds.

“I feel amazing. Actually, it hasn’t completely hit me yet, but it still feels great,” said Engesser. “I give all the credit to my horse, he’s amazing.”

Engesser had to share her horse, 19-year-old Rowdy with her sister, Ricky Engesser, at the South Dakota High School Finals this weekend. With his outstanding performances for the sisters, Engesser plans to keep doing what she knows is best for her equine teammate.

“I’m going to run Rowdy and hope that he does the same thing he did here! I think THE AMERICAN will be a great experience,” said Engesser.

Bull Riding Champion—Joe Frost

To round out RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN’s college roster, Joe Frost, a junior from Oklahoma Panhandle State University, was the only bull rider to cover all four of his bulls to claim his first College National Finals Bull Riding Championship.

“I’m pretty thrilled. I won the junior high finals when I was in eighth grade, high school when I was a junior, and now this one,” said Frost. “We got a PRCA world title coming next!”

Frost rode his final bull for a score of 85 points to secure his championship and a shot at $1 million. He came into the night leading the average, but didn’t let that change his focus. “I knew there was a handful of guys that just needed to ride…So all I had to do was tunnel vision about getting that one rode,” he stated.

Frost had set his sights on THE AMERICAN in 2013 but wasn’t able make it to a qualifier. “…I’m dang sure excited, I mean THE AMERICAN is a great thing for rodeo and it’s exciting to see the sport growing. Jim Shoulders and those guys would be thrilled right now,” said Frost.

RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN Semifinals are sure to bring thrilling action to rodeo fans with these eight athletes included. Listen to Western Sports Roundup this week on Rural Radio Channel 80 or watch the Rural Evening News for more CNFR highlights.

Keep up with RFD-TV’s THE AMERICAN on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

June 27, 2014
College National Finals Rodeo coming to a close

CASPER, Wyo. (June 20, 2014) – Friday night at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) was a good night for three of the defending National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association champions.

            Orin Larsen won the bareback riding here in 2013 for the College of Southern Idaho. He was 80 points, placing him in the third round and moving him into second place in the overall standings. Larsen, from Inglis, Manitoba, is now competing for Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Okla.

            Billy Bob Brown and Logan Medlin are the defending team roping champions and will be back here to try to win consecutive titles thanks to their performance on Friday night. With Brown, from Tarleton State University doing the heading and Medlin, from Eastern New Mexico University heeling, they stopped the clock in 6.2 to move into second place overall. They also placed fifth in the third round. Brown is the defending all-around champion and is third in the race for this year’s title.

            Another defending champion that is entering the final round in second place is Kimberlyn Fitch from Idaho State University. Fitch got married and has had a name change since winning the breakaway roping last year. In 2013 she earned the title as Kimberlyn Fehringer.

          Eastern New Mexico University’s Hayden Segelke has two NIRA all-around titles to her credit but will just be in contention for the goat tying this year. She leads the overall standings with a total time of 19.3 seconds on three runs.

            Competition continues in the Casper Events Center on Saturday with the final performance featuring all of the events beginning at 7 p.m., where world champions will be determined.

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CASPER, Wyo.–The following are leaders from the College National Finals Rodeo after the fourth performance June 20, 2014, courtesy of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Complete results are available at www.cnfr.com.

            Bareback Riding: (third round winners) 1, Chase Bowen, Cal Poly State University – San Luis Obispo, 81.5 points. 2, (tie) Orin Larsen, Panhandle State University, and Zachariah Phillips, Casper College, 80. 4, Bill Tutor, Sam Houston State University, 79. 5, Richmond Champion, Tarleton State University, 78. 6, Wyatt Bloom, Montana State University, 77.5. 7, Wyatt Clark, University of Wyoming, 77. 8, (tie) Chad Rutherford, McNeese State University and Mason Clements, College of Southern Idaho, 76.5. (total on three – final round qualifiers) 1, Tyler Waltz, University of Tennessee – Martin, 236. 2, Orin Larsen, Panhandle State University, 233.5. 3, Richmond Champion, Tarleton State University, 231.5. 4, Wyatt Bloom, Montana State University, 230. 5, Devan Reilly, Gillette College, 227. 6, (tie) Bill Tutor, Sam Houston State University, and Zachariah Phillips, Casper College, 226. 8, (tie) Grant Denny, Feather River College; Linden Woods, New Mexico Junior College; and Chad Rutherford, McNeese State University; 225.5. 11, Wyatt Clark, University of Wyoming, 224. 12, Chase Bowen, Cal Poly State University – San Luis Obispo, 222.

Tie-Down Roping: (third round winners) 1, Kyle Hay, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 8.2 seconds. 2, Michael Perry, Howard County Community College, 8.5. 3, (tie) Logan Harkey, West Texas A&M University, and Jared Parke, Blue Mountain Community College, 8.6. 5, Marty Yates, Hill College, 9.1. 6, Austin Barstow, Montana State University, 9.2. 7, Brody Adams, Colorado Northwest Community College, 9.4. 8, (tie) Will Lummus, University of Tennessee – Martin, and Trey Young, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, 9.5. (total on three – final round qualifiers) 1, Marty Yates, Hill College, 27.2. 2, (tie) Taylor Santos – Karney, Cal Poly State University – San Luis Obispo, and Trey Young, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, 28.6. 4, Clark Adcock, University of Tennessee – Martin, 28.7. 5, Kyle Dickens, Colorado State University, 29.0. 6, Will Lummus, University of Tennessee – Martin, 29.3. 7, Chant DeForest, Lassen Community College, 29.9. 8, Michael Perry, Howard College, 30.2. 9, Curt Mosley, Southern Arkansas University, 31.1. 10, Blane Cox, Hill College, 31.4. 11, Brody Adams, Colorado Northwest Community College, 32.2. 12, Cameron Morman, Dickinson State University, 32.4.

Breakaway Roping: (third round winners) 1, (tie) Macy Fuller, Central Arizona College; Kirsten Smith, McNeese State University; and Shay Spitz, South Plains College; 2.4 seconds each. 4, (tie) Chelsea Carroll, McNeese State University, and Lacey Camp, Casper College, 2.5. 6, (tie) Lindsay Adamson, University of Nebraska; Maci Meyer, Texas A&M University; and Hannah Springer, Southern Arkansas University; 2.6. (total on three – final round qualifiers) 1, Macy Fuller, Central Arizona College, 8.0. 2, (tie) Jacalyn Walker, Utah Valley University, and Kimberlyn Fitch, Idaho State University, 8.7. 4, Lindsay Adamson, University of Nebraska, 9.1. 5, Kirsten Smith, McNeese State University, 9.3. 6, Hannah Springer, Southern Arkansas University, 9.6. 7, Micah Samples, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, 9.7. 8, Kara Kohutek, Feather River College, 10.9. 9, Shaylee Thacker, Utah Valley University, 11.0. 10, Kacey Struxness, Missouri Valley College, 12.2. 11, Kyla Foster, McNeese State University, 12.4. 12, Arianna Assini, Cochise College, 15.6.

         Saddle Bronc Riding: (third round winners) 1, Coburn Bradshaw, Western Texas College, 78 points. 2, Sam Harper, Feather River College, 77.5. 3, Zeke Thurston, Sheridan College, 77. 4, (tie) Brady Dinwoodie, New Mexico Highlands University, and Dalton Kingery, Missouri Valley College, 75.5 each. 6, Uhuru Adem , Fresno State University, 73. 7, (tie) Shade Etbauer, Panhandle State University; Garet Aldridge, Sam Houston State University; and Treyson Antonick, Texas Tech University; 70. (total on three – final round qualifiers) 1, Coburn Bradshaw, Western Texas College, 230.5. 2, Zeke Thurston, Sheridan College, 229.5. 3, Dalton Kingery, Missouri Valley College, 222.5. 4, Cole Hatcher, College of Southern Idaho, 214. 5, Taygen Schuelke, Sheridan College, 213.5. 6, (tie) Charlie Kogianes, Cochise College; Joe Harper, Panhandle State University; and Slatyr Hunnicutt, Texas A&M University – Commerce; 211.5. 9, Travis Nelson, Tarleton State University, 210. 10, Nat Stratton, Panhandle State University, 208. 11, Brady Dinwoodie, New Mexico Highlands University, 207.5. 12, Treyson Antonick, Texas Tech University, 200.5.

Steer wrestling: (third round winners) 1, Tanner Brunner, Kansas State University, 4.1 seconds. 2, J.D. Struxness, Missouri Valley College, 4.3. 3, (tie) Clayton Hansen, Blue Mountain Community College, and Brandon Mackenzie, Feather River College, 4.5. 5, Will Lummus, University of Tennessee – Martin, 4.8. 6, Bryce Dibbern, University of Nebraska, 4.9. 7, Cade Goodman, Wharton County Junior College, 5.0. 8, Lane Wilson, Central Arizona College, 5.1. (total on three – final round qualifiers) 1, Tanner Brunner, Kansas State University, 14.2. 2, Cade Goodman, Wharton County Junior College, 16.4. 3, Tyke Kipp, New Mexico State University, 16.7. 4, Dalyn Wingard, Northwest College, 17.1. 5, Stephen Culling, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, 17.3. 6, Will Lummus, University of Tennessee – Martin, 18.0. 7, Kody Lahaye, University of Montana Western, 18.9. 8, Jarret New, Texas A&M University, 19.0. 9, Cameron Morman, Dickinson State University, 19.6. 10, Jace Austin, Utah Valley University, 22.2. 11, Riley Krassin, Casper College, 22.3. 12, Kane Cartwright, University of Montana Western, 23.9.

            Team Roping: (third round winners) 1, Donny Scantling, Gillette College, and Trey Yates, Eastern Wyoming College, 5.0 seconds. 2, Hunter Munsell and Braden Harmon, Western Oklahoma State College, 5.2. 3, (tie) Clayton Van Aken, University of Wyoming and Kyon Kreutzer, Northeastern Junior College; and Cody Kohleffel, Wharton County Junior College and Jonathan Torres, McNeese State University; 5.9. 5, Billy Bob Brown, Tarleton State University and Logan Medlin, Eastern New Mexico University, 6.2. 6, Clayton Hansen and Chase Hansen, Blue Mountain Community College, 6.5. 7, Cody Mirabal and Reno Eddy, New Mexico State University, 6.5. 8, (tie), Clay Crozier and Brody Adams, Colorado Northwest Community College, and Michael Chaput, South Dakota State University and Matt Cover, University of Nebraska, 6.7. (total on three – final round qualifiers) 1, Clay Crozier and Brody Adams, Colorado Northwest Community College, 19.6. 2, Billy Bob Brown, Tarleton State University and Logan Medlin, Eastern New Mexico University, 20.3. 3, Cash Hendrick and Corey Hendrick, Sam Houston State University, 22.6. 4, Clayton Hansen and Chase Hansen, Blue Mountain Community College, 24.0. 5, Shawn Bird and Zach Schweigert, Northwest College, 24.1. 6, Brody Braden and Tanner Caudel, University of Arkansas – Cossat, 24.3. 7, Cody Kohleffel, Wharton County Junior College and Jonathan Torres, McNeese State University, 26.4. 8, Alton Fisher and Justin Pruitt, East Mississippi Community College, 26.6. 9, Brit Ellerman, University of Wyoming, and Seth Andersen, Gillette College, 27.2. 10, (tie), Rusty VanSoelen, New Mexico State University and Daniel Baeza, Mesalands Community College, and Seth Driggers, Southern Arkansas University, and Kelsey Kennemer, Troy University, 28.7. 12, Thompson Berryhill, Oklahoma State University and Lane Reeves, Coffeyville Community College, 32.3.

Goat Tying: (third round winners) 1, Macy Fuller, Central Arizona College, 6.1 seconds. 2, Arianna Assini, Cochise College, 6.4 seconds. 3, (tie) Shelby Winchell, Chadron State College, and Hayden Segelke, Eastern New Mexico University, 6.5. 5, (tie) Keely Weger, Eastern New Mexico University; Kaylee Moyer, Southwestern Oklahoma State University; Kindee Wilson, New Mexico Highlands University; Kaylee Burnett, Central Wyoming College; and Jacalyn Walker, Utah Valley University; 6.6 each. (total on three – final round qualifiers) 1, Hayden Segelke, Eastern New Mexico University, 19.3. 2, Shelby Winchell, Chadron State College, 19.4. 3, (tie) Jacalyn Walker, Utah Valley University, and Macy Fuller, Central Arizona College, 19.8. 5, Kaylee Burnett, Central Wyoming College, 20.0. 6, Lauren Barnes, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, 20.1. 7, Kindee Wilson, New Mexico Highlands University, 20.2. 8, Emily Miller, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 20.5. 9, (tie) Keely Weger, Eastern New Mexico University, and Chelsea Carroll, McNeese State University, 20.7.   11, (tie) Makayla Boots, Cochise College, and Tarin Hupp, South Dakota State University, 20.8.

Barrel Racing: (third round winners) 1, Bailee Snow, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M University, 13.93 seconds. 2 (tie), Callahan Crossley, Blue Mountain Community College, and Emily Miller, Southwestern Oklahoma State Univerity,13.96. 4, Katie Loughran, Chadron State College, 14.01. 5, Taylor Engesser, Gillette College, 14.03. 6, Morgann McDonald, Southwest Texas Junior College, 14.04. 7, Mallory Driscoll, Idaho State University, 14.07. 8, Danielle McCants, West Hills College, 14.11. (total on three – final round qualifiers) 1, Taylor Engesser, Gillette College, 42.20. 2, Callahan Crossley, Blue Mountain Community College, 42.21. 3, Amy Dichert, Chadron State College, 42.55. 4, Georgia Diez, Cochise College, 42.56. 5, Lauren Reiser, Montana State University, 42.6. 6, Shay Spitz, South Plains College, 42.65. 7, Alyshia Moe, South Dakota State University, 42.66. 8, Jaime Barrow, Tarleton State University, 42.69. 9, Rozlyn Reeves, Southwest Texas Junior College, 42.70. 10, (tie) Morgann McDonald, Southwest Texas Junior College, and Kaela Murphy, Montana State University, 42.74. 12, Danielle McCants, West Hills College, 42.75.

            Bull Riding: (third round winners) 1, Ty Wallace, Odessa College, 89 points. 2, Cody Heffernan, Odessa College, 84. 3, Joe Frost, Panhandle State University, 83.5. 4, Sage Kimzey, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 82.5. 5, Travis Smith, Missouri Valley College, 81. 6, Nevada Newman, Montana State University, 80. 7, Mickey Andrews, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 77.5. 8, Trasen Jones, College of Southern Idaho, 76.5. (total on three – final round qualifiers) 1, Joe Frost, Panhandle State University, 223.5. (on two) 2, Ty Wallace Odessa College, 175. 3, Cody Heffernan, Odessa College, 165. 4, Sage Kimzey, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 162. 5, Taygen Schuelke, Sheridan College, 159.5. 6, (tie) Nevada Newman, Montana State University, and Trasen Jones, College of Southern Idaho, 154.5. 8, Jeff Bertus, Panhandle State University, 133.5. (on one) 9, (tie) Jared Parsonage, Weatherford College and Travis Smith, Missouri Valley College, 81. 11, Mickey Andrews, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 77.5. 12, John Pitts, Troy University, 76.

            Men’s All-Around: 1, Taygen Schuelke, Sheridan College, 210 points. 2, Clayton Hansen, Blue Mountain Community College, 170 3, Billy Bob Brown, Tarleton State University, 160. 4, Clark Adcock, University of Tennessee – Martin, 135

            Women’s All-Around: 1, Macy Fuller, Central Arizona College, 267.5. 2, Jacalyn Walker, Utah Valley University, 150 points. 3, Shay Spitz, South Plains College, 130. 4, Emily Miller, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 90.

            Men’s Team: 1, University of Tennessee – Martin, 455. 2, Tarleton State University, 410. 3, (tie) Blue Mountain Community College, and Panhandle State University, 370

            Women’s Team: 1, Central Arizona College, 347.5. 2, Chadron State College, 300. 3, Eastern New Mexico University, 255. 4, Cochise College, 213.33.

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June 27, 2014
Gordon Hodson

Gordon grew up in Burlington, Wyo., between Cody and Greybull. “A little dirt farm,” said the 78-year-old who calls Torrington, Wyo., home. His family (three brothers and three sisters) had a farm where they raised hay, beans, cattle, sheep, and hogs. “We lived five miles from town and we didn’t have transportation like they have today. We rode horse back to town if we wanted to go.” At 16, he left home and headed to Cody for the Cody Nite Rodeo. “I rode broncs, bull dogged, and roped calves,” he said. “For entry fee money, I painted houses for $1 a day.” He went to the Pitchfork Ranch in Meeteetse and rode horses for Margo Woodhouse for a year and then he went to work for Bud Pilcher, and finally settled into the construction business building houses.

He met his wife (Mary Ann) at the Pitchfork Ranch. “She came over there because her sister lived there,” he said. They dated for six months and got married October 14, 1955. “We were both 19. I was a carpenter.” They both wanted the same thing – a ranch and a family – and they worked hard together to make it happen. The Army drafted Gordon in 1957. That put their dreams on hold. “I got paid $75 a month and had to quit my job.” He went to California for training and Alabama for chemical school, and ended up in North Carolina. “I rodeoed in Ft. Bragg,” he said. “The first indoor arena I’ve ever been in was in Greensboro, North Carolina. I talked the engineers in to building us an outdoor arena at Ft. Bragg to practice.”

Full story available in the June 15th edition.

June 9, 2014
Blizzard and Boo

Once upon a time, there was a beauty and a beast…actually, it wasn’t once upon a time, but a current bond between Blizzard and “Boo”. A rare pair of an eight-year old registered Texas Longhorn, weighing in at 2,000 pounds and his sidekick Sally Jo Wilkins, “Boo”, who is 5’6” tall and 115 pounds of all heart. “That big steer loves her to no end and shows it. It is one of those things that you have to see them work together to believe, as a petite lady riding a steer can really turn heads,” said Doc Dison, owner and trainer of Blizzard.

Blizzard and Boo’s performances are determined and unyielding, bringing joy and astonishment to all audiences, as they perform under saddle, bareback or with just a bull rope and customizing acts to fit any need. Blizzard’s gentle nature and love of presentation make him the perfect crowd pleaser as he welcomes attention and photo opportunities outside of the arena. “He is an amazing animal and just loves people, especially women,” said Boo.

Doc, the grounds keeper for the Canon City Fair Grounds, purchased Blizzard when he was 13-months old and being used as a halter show steer. Through his progression of training, Blizzard has been used in cowboy mounted shooting, been roped off of, has done barrel racing and pole bending and was once rode in a performance act of “Ring of Fire”. “We had to shut that one down, because the fire wouldn’t work in an open arena,” Doc explained. He and Boo are now quite famous for their pedestal ending, where Blizzard – mounted by Boo, steps on a 13-inch tall pedestal with all four feet. “He is the only longhorn performing this act at this time,” said Doc.

The relationship began five years ago at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park near Canon City, Colo., where Sally Jo worked a living Indian village and Doc captivated tourists with gun fight acts and would take Blizzard as an additional attraction. “I fell in love with him and then Doc asked if I wanted to ride him. From there, an amazing friendship grew between me and this steer,” recalled Boo. “Now, if he could figure out a way of not falling through the floor, he would probably come in the house and live with me.” The two have gone on to performing at the Bad Boys Bull Riding Series in Canon City, the Westcliffe Stampede and the West Best Bull Riding in Penrose, Colo. “The name Boo was more of a rhythmic thing. It just flowed with Blizzard’s name and fit with my smaller size,” explained Sally Jo.

The consistent handling and gentle discipline of training has not been complete clear skies in the correlation. In August of 2011, while performing a salute to the bull riders-type act, Boo was bucked off of Blizzard. “Using a bull rope, I was to spin around on Blizzard’s back while he was standing on the pedestal and ride out of the arena holding a sign reading ‘The End’ for the finish,” explained Boo. “But when I turned around backwards, I had felt that I was too far back on Blizzard’s back and when I made the move to scoot toward the bull rope, I flanked him with both of my spurs and caused my own demise.” With the wind knocked out of her, and a later discovered bruised rib and kidney, Boo walked out of the arena that night. “Blizzard knew that he had done something wrong and my main concern was for him,” she said. Still feeling the pain in her back in February of 2012, Sally Jo made her way to the hospital for a checkup x-ray, where the result found was a fractured back in two places and severe Osteoporosis. “I’m hard headed, but doctors don’t listen to a pre-menopausal woman,” she said. “For that reason, I have started a blog called Boo News (The Osteoporosis Battle) on our website, blizzardandboo.com, to inform people of the things they don’t tell you or things to be aware of.”

With Boo in recovery, Blizzard went on the road in 2012. By 2013, Boo got back on her old friend. “I consider Sally Jo a dear friend and business partner and she has been relentless in accomplishing her goals. She wasn’t supposed to ever ride again, but she didn’t give up,” said Doc. “As for Blizzard, he just knows how to conduct himself and uses caution, while still doing what she asks. That in whole makes him a wonderful animal.”

The determination have the pair back working on the act that separated them for a short time. “Not riding, not going to happen. I just never gave up. I do see a huge difference between the rides – Blizzard is real at tentative and takes care of me,” said Boo at 50 years old. “We just have to end every day with me sitting on the pedestal and allowing him to love on me after each time.” …And they, continue, to live happily ever after…

May 16, 2014
Giles Lee

Giles Lee grew up immersed in rodeo, as a ranch kid, a competitor, an organizer, a historian, and a fan. The Lovington, N.M. cowboy was born in Midland, Texas in 1922, the fourth child of Dick and Sarah Forrester Lee. When Giles was two, his dad and a partner bought a ranch in Lea County, New Mexico, and the family moved west.

Ranching, cowboying, and rodeo were all the Lee kids knew as they grew up. They helped out on the ranch, and Giles remembers their entertainment: cars parked in a circle to make an arena, with shotgun chutes and set-up pens.

Giles’ first time as a contestant in a formal rodeo setting was at the first Lea County Fair and Rodeo in 1935, where he and another rodeo legend, Tuffy Cooper, entered the junior calf roping.

His second time as a contestant was in 1938 in Midland. He placed high in the senior boys calf roping, winning a pair of boots and $150 cash, with the requirement that he had to write thank you notes to the sponsors!

The next time Giles got a taste of formalized rodeo was when he was a senior at Lovington High School. The intramural rodeo club at the junior college in Portales invited the seniors to rodeo with them. Giles didn’t have a way to get his little gray horse, Possum, to the rodeo. So “we borrowed a tiny little makeshift trailer somebody’d built, loaded ol’ Possum in this wooden trailer, and somewhere we got a pair of goggles to put on him.” Without a windshield, the horse needed protection for his eyes. Five seniors traveled together, in Giles’ father’s vehicle. “My dad had a little old Chevrolet coupe and we talked him into letting us drive that. Three of us sat in the front seat, and two sat in what they called the turtleneck, which raised up, in the back. It was quite a deal.” In Portales, they entered all the events they could. Giles and his friend Bill Spires won the wild cow milking and assumed they’d get prizes and buckles. But when they were called down to be introduced as winners, they each won a pair of socks and a necktie!

It was his first year of college at the New Mexico A&M (now New Mexico State) that Giles’ interest in organizing rodeo began. As a freshman in 1942, the University of Arizona had sent an
invitation to A&M to send a rodeo team. This begged the question: there was no rodeo team at A&M! Having a team required organization, officers, recognition from the college, sponsors, and someone to do the hard work of getting those things. With Giles as one of the thirteen team members, they got recognition from the administration and found sponsors: the Sheriff’s Posse and Paul Heffert’s Chevrolet garage, who provided two pickups and paid the bills for them.

The 1942 New Mexico A&M team traveled together, rode the same horses, used the same equipment, took bedrolls and slept in gyms at other universities. This was seven years before college rodeo had its official beginning with the NIRA. Then World War II interrupted, and contestants were thinned out as they either entered the service or were about to be drafted. Rodeos ceased, and Giles was called into duty. He joined the Army in 1943 and served three and a half years in the Army Air Corps as a Staff Sergeant and Crew Chief on B-17 aircraft in the Pacific.

When he came home, it was back to school, but “what I had on my mind was rodeo, not college,” he laughed. They put together another college rodeo team again in 1946. There were a lot of small time rodeos going on, what Giles calls “brush rodeos,” with makeshift arenas and whatever stock could be rounded up, in Arizona and Texas, and “I was doing more rodeoing than going to school,” he said. Then the “showdown” came: “We got to electing rodeo team members, and ol’ Giles was left out because I didn’t have a C average.” He couldn’t travel with the team. He finally improved his grades enough to go back to college rodeo. And chemistry was a problem. “I took it three times,” he recalled, and still couldn’t pass it. “I decided, that was it. No more college.” He went home to ranch.

During his college days, Giles began riding barebacks and bulls in addition to his roping. Bareback riding went pretty well: “I was coming along pretty good in the bareback horse riding, but was never much of a bull rider.” It was while he was on leave from the Army that he met his future bride. Joie Anderson, who was the daughter of the new music teacher at Lovington, and in 1947, they married. He took her to a Beutler and Son rodeo in Tucumcari, N.M., and won third in the bareback riding. They went to the big dance east of town following the rodeo. That was their honeymoon!

When he left the arena at Tucumcari, somebody hollered, “you won some money! Give us ten bucks and you’ll be a member of the RCA!” And Giles’ Rodeo Cowboys Association membership began. Now he is a gold card member. After his marriage, Giles continued to rodeo, but it was mostly roping. “My mother convinced him that after they got married and had a baby that he didn’t need to be riding broncs anymore,” daughter Libby said. And he stayed close to home: rodeoing where he could get to and get back home to the ranch.

In 1959, he began Sunday team ropings on the ranch, the Lea Co. Championship Roping, which eventually turned into the Lea Ranch Roping. The Sunday ropings turned into Wednesday night ropings. The ropings were held until 1979, with many young men learning to rope at the arena, and casting an eye on the three Lee daughters: Libby, Becky and Mary Ann. The girls learned how to rope from their dad and competed in junior rodeos.

When his team roping days ended, Giles began tripping steers. He and three other senior ropers organized the Senior Championship Steer Roping Association in Amarillo in 1984, and Giles served on the board for ten years. Tripping turned out to be his favorite event. “I think I enjoyed tripping steers more than anything else I did,” he said. “I wish I had been doing that all along. I was sixty years old when I started that. The last steer I tied down at a rodeo was in 1996. That’s a pretty good spread.”

Now Giles directs ranch operations from he and Joie’s home at the Shinnery Oaks Community Home in Denver City. Daughter Libby and her husband Danny Berry run the ranch. “I’ve got a son-in-law running things,” Giles said. “He’s a good hand. I don’t have much to say.” Although he says that, he’s still involved with the daily operation; he and Danny regularly talk over what needs done at the ranch.

Giles and Joie have seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and hundreds of good memories of days past. They had fun, made memories, and he paved the way for future college contestants to get degrees doing what they loved: rodeoing.

May 16, 2014
Marcy Henderson

Marcy Henderson lives near the town that claims to be the home of the World’s First Rodeo, held July 4, 1869. Deer Trail is 55 miles east of Denver, Colo., and Marcy grew up 20 miles from there. Her mother, Moni, and Dad, Mark, moved there from Eastern Colorado 17 years ago. “We actually live on the north end of the Black Forest,” she said, of their ranch in the pine trees. Mark manages the Orovaca Cattle Company, a 30,000 ranch by Agate, 20 minutes from their house.

“We run about 1,000 head of mama cows,” said the former rough stock rider that introduced Marcy to the rodeo life. “I rode all three bucking events, but the majority was saddle bronc—through high school and straight into full time rodeo after high school; mainly amateur in Colorado, Kansas, Utah, Nebraska.” He won the Colorado State Rodeo Association title in 1989.

In 1990, he was in a head on car accident with a drunk driver while heading to a rodeo. It crushed his legs pretty bad, and he was told he would never walk again. After therapy and numerous surgeries, he beat that prognosis after a couple years. “It was hard to swallow, but we had some good people around us—and we kept going on,” he said. “We found a different venue to go on and made the best of a bad thing. We’ve had numerous surgeries and pain and it’s one of those injuries that won’t be normal. We stay horse back as much as we can so we don’t have to walk.”

Marcy was just a year old and although he hung up his rodeo spurs, he helped Marcy get started. “I grew up riding at the ranch just for fun but I was afraid to lope,” she said. She joined 4-H and started doing gymkhana events and gradually worked her way into rodeos in fifth grade. After his rodeo career ended, Mark satisfied his competitive nature by entering dog trials with Border Collies, and Marcy took it up with him. She was ten when her dog got old enough he needed to be retired from the dog trials and Mark gave Marcy an option. “She could get a dog or a horse,” he said. “She thought about that for about a week and chose the horse—she said she could work dogs when she got older. “I was so competitive and so driven with it (rodeo); you don’t know if that’s what you want your child to jump into. We’ve had to make our own horses, with a lot of help with great people, and I don’t care where you go — when you nod your head you are
just as good as everyone else every given day. That’s the rules of rodeo. Basically we’ve been dogging, rodeoing and ranching and that’s about it,” sums up Mark about life in the Henderson household.

“My parents took me to National Little Britches Rodeos and Colorado State High School rodeos,” Marcy said. “Up until my sophomore year, I only had one horse, Flash. We competed in barrels, poles, goat tying, breakaway, dally ribbon roping, and trail. Things clicked for us and even though we never won any year end titles, I loved it.” Marcy spent a lot of Tuesday nights at Lancasters Arena roping. “Lee would put on roping lessons and there were ten to twenty of us there.” Marcy remembers her childhood fondly. “One year on my birthday I got to rope and take private piano lessons the same day.” Marcy got a young horse from a family member. Willy was ranch broke and with help from the Vick family, Willy became Marcy’s pole bending horse. “Flash had
to be put down over the fourth of July, right before I went to college. I used Willy until my junior year, and then he ruptured his small intestine and we had to put him down. It was pretty bad, but I learned not to take good horses for granted.” Six Guns came along right before the Little Britches Finals in 2008. “I breakaway roped and tied goats off him. He was a great horse and I’m trying to retire him in the near future.”

Marcy was fortunate that both her parents went to all the rodeos with her. “We had a small living quarters trailer and we’d go every weekend.” Her mom never missed a rodeo. She works as the office coordinator for Rocky Mountain Natural Meats—a bison and beef processing plant in Henderson, a 75 mile one way drive. “I love my job and I love where I live,” she says of the commute. Moni grew up a city girl and married a cowboy. She loves the western lifestyle and the life of the road that she experienced with Mark and Marcy rodeoing. “I still make Mark and Marcy my hobby, and I get excited to go with her.” She admits that when Marcy was done with high school rodeo, she struggled to fill the void. “We moved from the neighborhood — we weren’t going anymore.”

Marcy had a rodeo scholarship to Northeast Junior College and after two years, transferred to Chadron. “It was too far away from home,” she said. “So I transferred to Colorado State University and finished my degree in Ag Business.” She works for JR Simplot as a crop advisor. “I make recommendations with fertilizer and pesticides, and sell the product,” said the 24-year-old. “Everyone is trying to feed a world of 9 billion and weeds and pests are becoming tolerant and to reach the goal creates more invasive product,” she admits. Her job works with her as far as rodeo goes. “They are very flexible with my rodeo schedule.” She rodeos for the Colorado Pro Rodeo Association where she holds the position of Breakaway Director. “I have a passion for breakaway roping and I wanted to make sure the event was taken care of.” She is buying her card this year to compete in the Kansas Pro Rodeo Association, the Wyoming Rodeo Association
and holds her WPRA card as well. “I’m excited to get started on rodeo again. I don’t like sitting at home,” she said.

May 16, 2014
Barrel Racer Rides for a Cause at the National Western

By Susan Kanode

For the National Western Stock Show

            DENVER, Colo. (Jan. 19, 2014) — With two action-packed performances at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo on Friday, fans had plenty of time to make some noise.

            Without a doubt, the most excited they got was during the barrel racing at the evening performance. On the same night as the Claire Davis Memorial Horse Show was held in the Events Center, barrel racer Kendra Dickson from Aubrey, Texas dedicated her performance at the rodeo to the young woman who lost her life from a gunshot wound sustained at her high school on Dec. 13. She lived for another eight days.

            Dickson, who is well known in rodeo circles for her caring nature and philanthropy was all decked out in black and gold and even had gold fringe on her horse’s tack representing the colors of the Arapahoe High School Warriors.

            The crowd in the Denver Coliseum erupted when Boyd Polhamus announced that Dickson was riding for Davis. To top it off, Dickson and her roan horse Dover stopped the clock in 15.52 seconds, the second fastest run of the rodeo here so far. And she gets to make another run here Saturday morning.

            “The people I’m staying with are friends of Claire’s family,” Dickson said. “God laid it on my heart that I should do this.”

            Dickson is also riding for Taylor Tornado a young boy with cancer. She has pledged a percentage of her earnings to Taylor Tornado Blows Away Neuroblastoma and the Claire Davis Fund.

            Edging Dickson out of the number one spot by just one-one hundredth of a second was Rachel Primm from Washoe Valley, Nev. The college rodeo standout had a 15.51.

            The crowd also went wild for one of their own at the afternoon performance when Joey Dickens from just up the road at Loveland had a blazing fast tie-down roping run at the matinee performance. He stopped the clock in 7.9 seconds, the fastest run of the rodeo so far.

            Markus Mariluch from Elko, Nev., also had the high-marked ride in bull riding Friday afternoon. He scored 88 points on Diamond S Bucking Bulls’ Summer Nights.

            There are three performances here on Saturday at 11 a.m., 3:30 and 8 p.m.

DENVER, Colo., (Jan. 19, 2014) – The following are unofficial results from the National Western Stock Show Rodeo.

Second Performance —

            Bareback Riding: 1, Brian Bain, Redmond, Ore., 83 points on Burns Rodeo’s -707 Boeing. 2, Micky Downare, Hartsel, Colo., 81. 3, Luke Creasy, Levelland, Texas, 80. 4, Kody Lamb, Sherwood Park, Alberta, 77.

            Steer Wrestling: 1, Joe Buffington, Wheatland, Wyo., 5.2 seconds. 2, Brian Snell, Wheatland, Wyo., 5.4. 3, Billy Bugenig, Ferndale, Calif., 5.8. 4, Wade Sumpter, Fowler, Colo., 6.0.

            Team Roping: (three times) 1, Cole Cooper, Loma, Colo., and K.C. Curtis, Monroe, Utah, 6.3. 2, Ryan VonAhn, Sac City, Iowa, and J.W. Beck, 14.8. 3, Quisto Lopez, Beeville, Texas, and Keagan, Duncan, Midland, Texas, 15.8.

            Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Hardy Braden, Welch, Okla., 83 points on Burns Rodeo’s April Snow. 2, Kaleb Asay, Roan Wash, Wyo., 78. 3, Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 77. 4, Cody Wright, Milford, Utah, 76.

            Tie-Down Roping: 1, Joey Dickens, Loveland, Colo., 7.9 seconds. 2, Ryan Bothum, Caddo, Okla., 8.8. 3, Mitch McAdow, Littleton, Colo., 10.2. 4, Mark Black, Pinedale, Wyo., 10.7.

            Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Andrea Cline, Springtown, Texas, 15.63 seconds. 2, Nicole Riggle, Scottsdale, Ariz., 15.80. 3, Ginger Greene, Jefferson, Colo., 15.83. 4, Gretchen Benbenek, Aubrey, Texas, 15.91.

            Bull Riding: 1, Markus Mariluch, Elko, Nev., 88 points on Diamond S Bucking Bulls. 2, Trevor Kastner, Ardmore, Okla., 84. 3, Brett Stall, Detroit Lakes, Minn., 80. 4, Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont., 76.

            Third Performance —

            Bareback Riding: 1, David Clapp, Sedalia, Mo., 79 points on Calgary Stampede’s Kauai Coconut. 2, (tie) Taylor Price Huntsville, Texas, and Jake Brown, Hillsboro, Texas, 78 each. 4, Josi Young, Buhl, Idaho, 77.

            Steer Wrestling: 1, Tom Lewis, Lehi, Utah, 4.3 seconds. 2, Clayton Hass, Terrell, Texas, 6.3. 3, (tie) Sterling Wallace, Justin, Texas, and Austin Courmier, Oakwood, Texas, 7.2 each. 4, Chisum Docheff, Longmont, Colo., 8.6.

            Team Roping: 1, David Motes, Tolar, Texas, and Evan Arnold, Santa Margarita, Calif., 5.9 seconds. 2, Donny Scantling, Buffalo, Wyo., and Seth Anderson, Hurley, S.D., 6.1. 3, Drew Horner, Plano, Texas, and Buddy Hawkins II, Columbus, Kan., 11.6. 4, Nick Becker, Garden City, Kan., and T.W. Wilson, Limon, Colo., 13.7.

            Saddle Bronc: 1, Ryan MacKenzie, Jordan Valley, Ore., 81 points on Calgary Stampede’s Sergeant Whitney. 2, J.D. Johnson, Tremonton, Utah, 80. 3, (tie) Max Filippin, Battle Mountain, Nev., and Brady Nicholes, Hoytsville, Utah, 76 each.

            Tie-Down Roping: 1, Chant DeForest, Wheatland, Calif., 8.7 seconds. 2, Russell Cardoza, Terrebonne, Ore., 9.2. 3, Blair Burk, Durant, Okla., 9.4. 4, Bryson Sechrist, Apache, Okla., 9.9.

Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Rachel Primm, Washoe Valley, Nev., 15.51 seconds. 2, Kendra Dickson, Aubrey, Texas, 15.52. 3, C.J. Vondette, Rifle, Colo., 15.54. 4, Hanna Montey, Eaton, Colo., 15.67.

            Bull Riding: 1, Brady Portenier, Caldwell, Idaho, 81 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Black Out. 2, (tie) Cody Campbell, Summerville, Ore., and Dylan Dicey Vick, Escalon, Calif., 80 each. 4, Cody Sierks, Brewster, Neb., 73.

April 28, 2014
Kenny & Mary Ann Brown

Kenny and Mary Ann Brown, who have known each other since they were 15, have been at the National Finals Team Roping every year. They travel all over the east coast to the ropings. “Their commitment is a strong one. They don’t miss them back there – from Florida to Memphis,” said USTRC President, Kirk Bray. Kenny and Mary Ann traveled 22 hours to attend the National Finals Team Roping, held the end of October in Oklahoma City.
“We stop about every six to eight hours, and walk the horses for half an hour, and make sure they have water,” said Kenny. “They are troopers, they are on the trail so much its second nature.”
The couple spends their days roping. “We practice, eat lunch, practice, eat dinner,” admits Mary Anne. They haul four horses all spring and summer, and by fall they sell the practice cattle and any trading horses and head to Sarasota, Fla, to the JJJ Ranch.
Kenny Brown grew up 50 miles from Washington, in Keedysville, Maryland. “My dad, Kenny Brown, Sr., had a rodeo company (Triple K Rodeo Company), and raced horses,” he said. He grew up in the horse business along with his two brothers, Kevin and Keith. He tried rough stock, and after breaking a few bones, gave it up. He also steer wrestled a bit. He was also a member of the American Pro Rodeo Association, which his father helped start. “My ARA card number is 39 and I won the APRA 15 times. My ARA card number is 39.” Kenny worked in New York City, where he had a precious metal refinery in 1987. “I was around jewelry people and there has to be a process to recover the gold out of the dirt so I opened a refinery to do that.” He sold it ten years later and has concentrated on team roping ever since. The #6 Elite Heeler won the First Frontier Circuit six times, four heeling and two heading, the last time in 2001. He makes his living now trading rope horses and putting on roping schools. He ropes in the USTRC ropings, traveling at least five hours to get to a roping. “Johnny Johnson with JX2 has most of the ropings on the east coast and we go to all of his. His ropings are really good and they are customer friendly.”
Mary Ann was born in Ohio, and spent summers on the family ranch in Montana. “I’ve rodeoed since I was in Little Britches,” said the #4 Elite. “I then went on junior rodeos, then high school. I qualified all four years of high school to the National High School Finals – from 1985-88.” She entered all the events and continued working on her dad’s ranch in Idaho after high school. Mary Ann went to the USTRC Finals this past October leading the Cruel Girl Standings, which is a huge accomplishment for someone who lives on the east Coast. They put the miles on a Dodge one ton and pull an Elite living quarters, 12’ short wall. “We lived in a 6’ short wall before that – we were on the road for three months – we lived in that for 12 years,” said Mary Ann, adding, “we are best friends and we love what we are doing. That’s the only way it would work I think.”
Since Kenny has rodeoed his whole life, he has developed an eye for a good rope horse. “I’ve sold several horses that end up at the NFR and USTRC Finals. If you don’t have a great horse, you don’t win.” The Head Horse and Heel Horse of the Year for First Frontier Circuit came from Lightning B. “We find them, fix a few things, and sell them.” He has built his reputation up to people that buy on his word. “Most horses I buy I’ll watch at two or three ropings and then see if they are for sale.”
Their goals for the future are to move somewhere warm and closer to the ropings, and eliminate the 22 hour drive to Oklahoma City for the USTRC Finals. “We’ve been looking for property around Stephenville,” said Kenny. “It’s central for all the ropings we go to and I know a lot of people. We’ll still head to Florida for a few months – it’s such a great facility and great people.”
For this year, they have a pen full of longhorns that they purchase from a local rancher that raises them, and they are settled into the routine of practice, eat, sleep, and practice. “I love it,” admits Mary Anne. “Anything to do with my horse, I love.”
“It’s addiction with a capital A – they need a roper rehab,” concludes Kenny. “There’s nothing else I’d rather do.”

A special thank you to our sponsors: Cactus Ropes, Coats Saddlery and Lubrysin.

April 18, 2014
Zach Dicken

Zach Dicken is the bareback riding director for the TCRA. “My job will be to raise money for sponsorships and coordinate the stock – just make sure things are running smoothly on my end,” said the fire fighter from Lubbock, Texas. “I work for Lubbock Fire and Rescue and am a full time horse shoer on my days off.” After college, he went to Fire Academy and back to the EMT school. He got hired on his first attempt and has been working there for five years. “Lubbock has a really good fire department. We have a good city council; our pay is good, our equipment is good, and everyone is really behind us. We are are really blessed here in Lubbock.”
He goes to amateur rodeos in the summer; between work, shoeing, and rodeo, he is not around much in the summer. The 31 year old has been riding barebacks for a long time. “I started when I was 14,” he said. “I’ve got a bad wrist and a bad back, but other than that, I’m good to go.” He made the National High School Finals twice, in 1999, and again in his senior year, 2001. He went to college and qualified for the Playoffs, and broke his wrist, and missed the college finals. “I was pretty hurt through college so I never got anything done,” he said. He graduated with a degree in Wildlife Biology and Animal Science from Texas Tech, after going to Vernon for two years.
His rodeo career began in east Texas, and he entered the high school and UPRA rodeos. “I wanted to rope calves; I told my dad that, and he came home the next day with a bareback riggin’. He said that was a lot cheaper than a rope horse.” His dad, Dwayne Dicken, is a farrier and firefighter back home in Merit, Texas. Zach is married to Amber – they have been married five years in September. She is a school teacher and got introduced to horses through Zach. The couple has two horses and she rides around the place. “No rodeos are in her future which is good because I probably couldn’t afford it,” he said.
Zach is hoping to win the TCRA this year – he was leading going into the Finals last year and didn’t have the Finals he wanted to have. He has always stuck close to home to rodeo. “If I could have stayed a little more healthy, I would have really liked to go rodeo – I stayed close to the house and I wish I would have traveled a little. I always had to work – and couldn’t leave my shoeing business to go down the road.”
He and his wife are building a house on a piece of land they bought. He is going to work his way through the Fire department by taking his Equipment Operator test and then think about starting a family. “If my kids want to rodeo, then we’ll take them.”

April 18, 2014
Mindy Elrod

Mindy Elrod, from Sanger, Texas, competes in the breakaway roping in the IPRA. “My dad trains horses so I started roping when I was five or six,” said the 33-year-old who lives in north central Texas. Mindy competes in barrel racing as well, and has two prospects in training so she can compete next year. She also team ropes, but hasn’t competed since 2005. “I did all of it in high school,” she said. “I’ll probably start back with the World Series Ropings.” Mindy grew up in Oklahoma. Her family moved to north Texas when she was 13. “My dad (Jess) college rodeoed at Southeast Oklahoma and trains roping and calf roping horses and some reined cow horses (Elrodquarterhorses.com). He shows in the AQHA shows. Fortunately I’ve been blessed to have good horses and someone that can fix them.” Jess was an NIRA finalist and a college rodeo champion, and has trained and shown more than ten World Champions and more than 27 Reserve Champions in roping classes. Her mom, Sheryl, works at a bank, and was an Oklahoma high school rodeo finals qualifier in 1975-76 and World Show Qualifier in 1991-92. Jess and Sheryl started Elrod Quarter Horses right about the time they married, around 1980. They’ve become the best of partners, offering exceptional training, breeding and showing opportunities for the world’s best performance horses.
Mindy won the Breakaway Championship for Texas State High School Rodeo her sophomore year (1997), and won the Windy Ryan twice, second once. “I took a break for the past ten years – I’d rope for about two or three weeks and rope in the Ryan,” she said. “I had some life changes and started rodeoing again last year; my goal was to make the UPRA Finals.” She ended up winning it, as well as the average at the CPRA Finals. She didn’t buy her IPRA card until late in the season, but her plans are to make the IFR this year. “I just barely missed the finals last year, but I plan to be there this year.” She is entering the weekly sanctioned rodeo in Fort Worth at the stock yards.
She credits her parents for helping her attain her rodeo goals. “My parents work hard and taught me everything I know. I have never wanted for anything and have been fortunate to have good horses and help right here at home that most kids didn’t have.” Mindy has watched competition get tougher over the years. “You have to be mounted and you and your horse have to be sharp.” She has trained herself to be sharp by lots of practice. “It’s reaction. You practice until you get everything down to reaction and mind control. It has to be instinct. The past two or three weekends, I’ve gotten away from that and overthought things. You have to take the first shot that you have. You can’t let things outside the arena affect what you do inside the arena.”
Even though Mindy qualified for the National High School Finals, she never went. Instead, she went to college at Texas Women’s University in Denton and ended up with a degree in business administration education and a minor in science. She teaches high school at South Lake Carrol. Her class, Principles of Information technology, teaches all of Microsoft Office. “I teach six classes, three each day.”
Her goals for this year include the IFR, the UPRA Finals and the CPRA Finals. “I also hope to have two barrel horses going for next year (2015). You don’t know what life has to offer unless you take that leap of faith.”

April 18, 2014
Russell Friend

Russell Friend is just starting his fourth year in the Senior Pro association, but he has established himself as a leader, as someone actively promoting the association, and as a top competitor. He has won the Reserve World Champion Bull Riding title for the last three years. He is the representative for the Canadian Senior Pro Rodeo Association and works to insure that rodeo schedules between the two associations mesh. “I represent Canadian Senior Pro Rodeo at the NSPRA board meetings and essentially act as a conduit of information between the two. This function has been quite important in the last six months with all the changes that have taken place in the NSPRA.”

Russell got started in rodeo after the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. “I was on the Canadian Olympic team competing in wrestling and was asked if I wanted to ride bulls. That was back when the bull riding only events were just starting. I had a lot of success early on here in Canada and took off from there. I was 25 at the time and I set a goal of being able to enter and compete at the best rodeos on earth. And going hand-in-glove with that, I wanted to say I had gotten on some of the best bulls around. That was a pretty cool time.” He was a “carded athlete” in Canada and as such received medical, tuition, and a stipend to train, but the financial reward possible in bull riding far outweighed the government’s support.

The lifestyle of elite Olympic athletes is best described as Spartan; no fast food, never a drink, and pure diligence to a training regimen. “There were several years where I went without any fast food. With bull riding, I could have a cheeseburger once in awhile; I could have camaraderie with other rodeo athletes, and I get paid based on my own success! And I enjoyed bull riding!”

He has enjoyed the travel associated with rodeo and compares it to his life as an Olympic athlete. “I’ve traveled all over the world competing in wrestling but I couldn’t tell you much about the people or locations other than the airport and the gym. With rodeo I can stop and meet people and see the country. I love that.”

Attitude in bull riding is critical as Russell explains, “The guy that wants to ‘ride bulls’ is different from the guy who wants to be a ‘bull rider’. The guy who wants to be a ‘bull rider’ is always looking to improve and learn more about the sport. The guy that wants to ‘ride bulls’, is accepting what he’s given.” Russell spends hours in keeping himself fit and ready to compete. “You have to be fit. You have to have core strength and fantastic balance.” He uses his wrestling skills to keep himself ready for bull riding. As a testament to his discipline to conditioning, Russell just won his 18th Provincial Wrestling Championship at age 43, against all age competitors. “No other wrestler has won 18 Provincial titles in Canada. Wrestling puts your body in positions that test your core strength and balance.” His philosophy about training is that if he’s working out early in the morning or late at night, there’s a good chance your competition is not. He strongly believes in the adage, “The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare.” Russell is grateful to all the cowboys he competes against, “Those guys push everyone to do more preparation and ride better.”

He makes his home in Irrcana, Alberta with his wife Jennifer and son, Cash. Between bull riding events, Russell operates an oil field fencing company. He is also the president of the newly formed Bull Riders Canada, (www.bullriderscanada.ca) the largest bull riding organization in Canada.

April 18, 2014

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