The Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame awarded their 2020 collegiate scholarships to twelve deserving high school seniors at The Montana High School Rodeo State Finals in Baker Montana. These scholarships are awarded based on academics, rodeo participation, community service and need.
This year marks the sixteenth year that these scholarships have been awarded to deserving Montana high school rodeo athletes. This year’s recipients are Blayne Hubing- Circle MT, Nathan Ruth-Big Timber, Bode Spring-Bozeman MT, Rachael Stevenson-Hobson MT, Sadie Johnson-Lewistown MT, Cheyanne Carl- Ballantine MT, Teanna Layne-Valier MT, Tori Yeager-Choteau MT, Kaylee Hughes-Butte MT, Ellie Meeks- Geraldine MT, Ethan Frasier-Ashland MT, and Laney Johnson-Havre MT (Miss Montana High School Rodeo 2020).
The Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame is the largest provider of scholarships to high school rodeo participants in the nation. In sixteen years, $570,000.00 has been awarded to 190 students. The MPRHWF is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the western and rodeo heritage of Montana, as well as providing Montana high school students the opportunity to continue their education. For more information about our organization, please visit our website at www.montanaprorodeo.org
For the first time in history, three generations of one family will qualify for the National Finals Steer Roping, held in Amarillo, Texas, Nov. 19 – 21. Steer roping is the only Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) final event not held at the Thomas and Mack Arena in Las Vegas, Nev., Dec. 3-12. “The arena isn’t big enough to rope steers,” explains Ann Bleiker, Senior Media Coordinator for the PRCA.
Wyoming rancher, Bud Tillard, qualified for the National Finals Steer Roping twice. “I made it in ’68,” says the 81-year-old who decided not to go that year. “I had some shipping dates,” he explained. “I never sacrificed my business for roping.”
Tillard qualified again the next year, and headed to Pecos, Texas, with his wife, Betty. “It was hot and the arena was not that good” recalled Bud. There were no commemorative T-shirts that year, only Tillard’s back number that hangs in his home. “They didn’t make a big to-do out of the finals then. I remember we went to a picnic there,” he said. “The tables were set up as long as this house. They were lined with brown bags full of whiskey. There were no bars in Pecos; it was a dry county.” Tillard borrowed a horse, didn’t do any good, and went home. He continued roping until 1971. “I roped my last steer in Pendleton,” recalls Bud. “I won the second day.”
He quit roping cold turkey and has had to work around it ever since. “I don’t pack a rope,” he admits. “I might want to rope something.”
Tillard and his wife, Betty, grew up together and they were married in 1947. “She took to the place,” he said. “You either like this or you don’t.” They raised three boys; Andy, Marty, and Tim.
“I taught all the boys to rope,” says Tillard (arena is pictured above). “We roped calves to start.” Tillard built a calf-roping arena below the house and doubled the size (250 yards long) to accommodate steer roping. “We roped every night,” recalls son, Marty. “Dad made sure we had that. Steer roping was my passion because it was available.” Little did he know at the time that Tillard was making sure his boys were too tired to drive into town. “He was keeping us off the road,” explains Marty. “It was great. We didn’t know any different.”
“Dad raised us that the ranch is first,” says Marty, the second generation to qualify for the finals. “Steer roping was my passion because it was available.”
Marty, went to the finals two times; the first one was in Laramie, Wyo., the second in Guthrie, Okla. “I placed in some gos and won one or two.” Then Marty followed family tradition and went home to ranch.
Competing on the road was always a struggle for the Tillards. “Somebody stayed home at all points and time to watch the chicken coop,” explained Tillard. “Back in my time there weren’t many steer ropings, maybe three all summer. It’s different now.”
Troy Tillard is the 26-year-old son of Tillard’s son, Tim. “I’m sitting thirteenth right now,” says the grandson who lives “down the creek” from his grandfather. “There are a couple of rodeos left and if I have to, I’ll go.” As long as he is in the running for the National Steer Roping Finals in Amarillo, Texas, he’ll stay on the ranch and work rather than attend any more rodeos.
When the Tillard family enters a roping, there are six entries with the same last name. “The whole family steer ropes,” explains Marty. “It’s a bad habit.”
Tillard’ son, Andy, passed away from cancer when he was 42. The Isenbergers, good friends, put on a memorial roping in his honor every year at their place. A saddle is given away each year. Many of the ropers that have won saddles have passed them on to either Andy’s sons or grandsons. “All of them have saddles now,” says Tillard.
The Tillard ranch encompasses 100,000 acres of rolling rough country north of Douglas, Wyo. It takes three road graders to maintain the roads, of which 17 miles are the driveway. Upkeep on the fences requires 2,000 steel posts a year. Nine thousand sheep and 1,200 cows call the ranch home.
Publisher’s Note: This story was published in November of 2004 (added to story in 2020) Bud Tillard and Glee Net at the 2019 Don King Days
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” -Philippians 4:13
Thirteen-year-old Kamry Davis, from Buffalo, Wyoming, is a junior high rodeo competitor who portrays courage and service to her community. Kamry is the daughter of Kim and Zach Davis. “My parents rodeoed and now run our family ranch.” Kamry explained. She said she is thankful for her parents support and love. “They support me and are with me every step of the way, as well as my three siblings: Kaden (18), Karly (12), and Karson (8).”
Growing up around horses on her family ranch helped Kamry find an understanding for rodeo. Kamry watched her 18-year-old sister (Kaden) rodeo for many years. “I look up to my sister because she always pushes me to be my best.” After years of watching Kaden compete in events, Kamry assured herself she would rodeo one day. “I joined the National Little Britches Rodeo Association when I was eight,” Kamry said, and she loved her experience with the association and hasn’t stopped rodeoing since.
Kamry will be in eighth grade this coming school year at Buffalo Middle School. She is a member of the Wyoming Junior High and High School Rodeo Association. She competes in barrel racing, breakaway, pole bending, goat tying, and ribbon roping. “My favorite event is barrel racing,” Kamry said. “I grew up competing in this event and I enjoy it the most.” Two of Kamry’s role models barrel race. “I look up to Hailey Kinsel Lockwood and Lisa Lockhart,” Kamry said. She enjoys watching them barrel race because they stay dedicated and motivated.
Kamry enjoys rodeoing for the Wyoming Junior High and High School Rodeo Association because everyone is connected. “We help each other out,” Kamry said. “I started rodeoing with them in the 6th grade and I love the people.”
Kamry was awarded the Encouraged, Character, and Community award from the National High School Rodeo Association this spring. Kamry said she was surprised to receive this award. “I did not even know this award existed. I read more about the meaning of the award and then understood why I was a strong candidate,” she added. The award is given to an individual who portrays a helping hand to the rodeo community. Kamry defines showing character, courage, and community service as stepping out of her comfort zone to help whenever she can. “I enjoy helping out when I can and lending a helping hand,” Kamry said. “I was honored.”
Kamry was disappointed when learning that rodeos were canceled due to Covid-19. She would have qualified for three events in the National Junior High and High School Rodeo Finals. “I used this time to get better in my events and grow as an athlete.” she said. Kamry explained that not being on the rodeo trail has helped open her eyes to appreciate the good and bad times. She is focusing on her future goals, which include winning a saddle at nationals.
When Kamry is not rodeoing, she is playing basketball, volleyball, and running track. “I am the setter in volleyball and point guard in basketball,” Kamry said. “I did not get to run track this year because of Covid-19.” She looks forward to competing in these sports again next year. You can also find Kamry helping out on the family ranch.
Kamry exemplifies heart, courage, and dedication. When she is on her horse, on the court, or with her family; she will always be looking for a way to help her ‘team’ out.
“Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway.” -John Wayne
“I don’t know many people do what we do – all for one.” Bobby Steiner
Bobby Steiner won his gold buckle when becoming the World Champion Bull Rider in 1973. “It was really something being born into a rodeo family that owned a rodeo company,” said Bobby. “The bull riders were my heroes from the time I was a kid. I dreamed of being in the Gold Buckle Club. I wasn’t just thrilled for me when I won it. I was happy for my wife, Joleen, my mom and dad, and all the people that had so much to do with my accomplishment. Everybody put so much into it.” Bobby was 22 when he won the world. He quit competing to help his dad, Tommy, with the Steiner Rodeo Company. “I had accomplished what I dreamed about,” he said.
The legacy of Steiner Rodeo Company began with Buck Steiner, an early day entrepreneur in many areas, including saddle making and rodeo. Buck helped Tommy run the Rodeo Company. “My dad, Tommy, was a great showman in the rodeo business,” said Bobby. “I can remember he had big entertainers at our rodeos, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans . . the crew from Gunsmoke and Bonanza television programs, and so many more big stars. As a kid I didn’t know how special that was.”
Bobby riding on 17 General Ismo – Jerry Gustafson
Tommy and Bobby ran the Rodeo Company together for the next nine years. Joleen also helped time and secretary when rodeos overlapped. She had seen success in barrel racing, qualifying for the NFR in 1970 and 1971. When they sold the Rodeo Company in 1982, Bobby and Joleen spent their time raising their sons, Sid and Shane, and ranching.
“When we sold the Rodeo Company, the boys were 6 and 7 years old. I never wore my gold buckle, and never talked about rodeo. About a year later the boys asked me if they could ride the calves that were in the pens,” he recalled. “I agreed to let them ride. I’d put on rodeo schools before – but I had no equipment for them to use. It was going to be like the farm boys getting on. They rode to the back of the arena, got off, and never talked about it again. I did coach baseball and football,” Bobby recalled.
Before Sid started steer wrestling, the family took to the water – courtesy
Sid doesn’t remember much about the Rodeo Company. He remembers growing up playing football and baseball. He and his brother are 14 months apart. “When we grew up on the ranch we were all we had, we played together and fought together. But we took different paths – we’ve both had success, and it was really a neat time. Rodeo wasn’t talked about — and there were no rodeo photos in the house.” Then Sid went to Ranger College, in Ranger, Texas, to play football. “That was the first time I’d been away from home, in Austin, and I wasn’t happy so I came home and worked on the ranch. A long-time friend and I started team roping in 1994. We would go to the arena and I’d borrow a horse. I didn’t really know how to saddle a horse, but we decided to team rope. I don’t think I even told my dad that I was roping, at first,” said Sid.
“A guy that was hauling cattle for us was a bulldogger and asked me to his house in 1995 to throw some steers down. I went and just kept working at it and getting better, but rodeo was the furthest from my mind. Joe Morris had some practice steers — I practiced with him for a month. Then I bought my permit and started going to pro rodeos. My mom entered me in Greeley in 1995 and I was off! Two months later I filled my PRCA permit.” Sid finished 18th in the PRCA Steer Wrestling in 1997 and that was a heart-breaker for him. “It took me three more years to get to the NFR,” recalled Sid. “My daughter, Steely, was born in 2001, and I decided not to rodeo any more.” Sid came home and watched the NFR from home. “That lit the fire under me again. I came out fresh in 2002 and knew exactly what I wanted out of it. I think everyone’s goal when they rodeo is to win the big title – that’s what we work for. I like to think I ‘outworked’ everybody. I was focused on what I wanted – I practiced hard, lifted a lot of weight and really tried. Sid won the gold buckle in steer wrestling in 2002. Like his father, that was it when he won, and he quit competing.
Jamie barrel racing at NFR 2000 – Hubbell
Sid met his wife, Jamie, at a rodeo in Caldwell, Idaho. Jamie grew up on the race track where her father was a jockey. “They didn’t want me to be a jockey so I ran barrels instead,” Jamie said. Sid and Jamie got engaged in December, 1999. She made the NFR the same year as Sid, in 2000. They got married in April of 2001. Steely, their daughter, was 11 months old at the 2002 National Finals when Sid won the world. “I’ve always been a stay-at-home mom,” Jamie explained. “Sid does real estate, buying places, fixing them up and selling them — I think we’ve moved seven times so far.”
“Every time we’ve moved it’s been exciting,” said Sid. “I like to buy places and improve them, then I find something else I want to go do. Our place here near Weatherford works really well for us – everybody is happy here. I’m fortunate to spend most of my days with my wife and kids. Steely rides horses, everybody’s got the things they like to do here, and we’re always trying to get better every day.”
Sid at the 2002 NFR – Hubbell
While the kids were young, they lived near Lake Austin and the family spent many hours on the lake, waterskiing. “Rocker started wakeboarding when he was three,” said Sid. “Steely wasn’t in to the water — horses were her way. She still wakeboards, but prefers her horses.”
“I’ve been riding since I was way little,” said 18 year-old Steely. “I got my first pony when I was three and rode it around like a banshee.” Steely just graduated from Brock High School. Her goal for this year was to fill her WPRA barrel racing permit. “The plan was to go out and rodeo a little bit, but there’s nothing to go to,” she said, “So I’ll wait until next season to go.” She’s spending her time riding and practicing. “I have a few young horses and it’s fun to bring them along.” She is hoping to start down the rodeo road next year and then consider an online college to study business and accounting to help the family. She was Reserve Champion at the Junior American in 2018 in barrel racing, as well as the short round at the International Finals Youth rodeo. “I’m grateful for my family – we want to win and we work real hard and always put in the effort. We are there for each other,” stated Steely.
Taking his celebration lap – Hubbell
Her younger brother, Rocker, has lived up to his name. “He’s been a rock star from the time he was able to walk,” said granddad Bobby. “He thinks different – he was 8 when he tried a flip on the wakeboard and landed it. Rocker had competed all over the nation in wakeboarding. Rocker wasn’t raised in a family that was actively rodeoing but he decided he wanted to try rodeo. We put him on some bareback horses and he loved it. We’ve gotten him some broncs to practice on. He has a lot of body balance – Ty Murray has worked with him from the start and has even lent him the spurs Larry Mahan gave Ty, both great champions had ridden in them. You can never blame your ride on spurs,”
Bobby admitted, “I disliked being away from home when I was rodeoing. But I appreciate the rodeo world for what it is. I had forgotten the traveling road-show family and I’d forgotten how special that time was with my family.”
Rocker Steiner wakeboarding
“Wakeboarding is something fun to do with friends,” said Rocker. “But being four feet off the ground on a wild animal is an ginormous adrenalin kick. Bareback riding has an adrenalin rush. You can’t even know if you’re going to make it out of the arena alive.” Rocker got on his first bareback horse August 29, 2016 – almost four years ago. “I was pretty certain I was the worst bareback rider ever. I didn’t do very good and I was scared to death,” he admitted. He got on ten horses a week, five at each practice, rode spur board and bucking machine daily. “My grandfather helped me every day. I had to make a deal with myself that I wasn’t going to be scared and the more I got on, the less I was scared,” he discovered.
Rocker at the Riggin Rally – Rodrigo Donoso www.rodrigosnaps.com @rodrigosnaps @rodrigosnaps
Like his grandfather and dad, Rocker has set his goals high. “My main goal is make the Finals my rookie year, and I want that to be when I’m 18, and see if we can’t come home with a gold buckle – or something. I’m going to work every day to get there.”
With very few PRCA rodeos to go to these days, he’s had a couple of PRCA bareback riders staying at his home near Weatherford, Texas. “We (Leighton Berry and Cole Reiner) work out and try to get better every day – been doing that for the last couple of months since they’ve been here,” Rocker reported. They go to a little gym at Tesky’s in Weatherford. Cole is winning rookie this year, and both Leighton and Cole are on the road to the National Finals. “Seeing my buddies go and hit the road is going to push me and make me want to be on their level,” Rocker admitted. Rocker has two more years to go. “I’m not planning on doing any rodeos until I’m 18 – and I am going to keep doing this until I get my PRCA card. I want to be a world champion like my grandfather and dad – I wouldn’t be where I’m at without them – I appreciate that more than they’ll ever know.”
Steeley at the AMERICAN – Skylar Jo Photography
“I try to make my kids the best they can be,” said Sid. “We have a ranch outside Weatherford and we raise bucking horses. My wife, Jamie, and daughter, Steely, raise barrel horses. I do whatever I can do to help my family. I’m just real proud of my family – and that’s what I tried to do with rodeo – being proud of your last name and wanting to add something to it. That’s what keeps pushing us. We only got one shot at this deal, we might as well get after it.”
“I think if you look at the history of the Steiners, we’ve never talked about anything but great – we expect it,” concluded Bobby. “It’s way better watching your kids and grandkids have achievements – it’s a euphoric feeling.”
Mid-Plains Community College Rodeo Team coach Garrett Nokes has been named Coach of the Year for the Great Plains Region.
The coaches and captains from every team in the region vote for a Coach of the Year at the end of every season. It’s the first time Nokes has received the recognition.
“It’s a big honor,” Nokes said. “One of the things I love about my job is that coaching in this region is pretty unique. Our environment is the most positive environment I’ve ever been around in college rodeo. All of the coaches want their kids to win, but there’s not a coach in the region that won’t help a kid from another school if asked.”
He said that type of cooperation has led to a phenomenal atmosphere where student-athletes can develop their skills and advance to the next level.
“We just want the competition to be the toughest it can be, and that’s something that’s felt by every coach in the region,” Nokes said.
It’s important to him that his own team develops a strong work ethic and that members take away as much from outside the arena as inside.
“I want them to learn that if they want it, they have to work for it. Then, the sky’s the limit. That’s true for life in general,” Nokes said. “I will help them get to wherever they want to go, but I also want them to get an education to fall back on. In this business, it’s never ‘if a rodeo career is over’ – it’s when.”
His convictions stem from a lifetime spent in the rodeo industry – experiencing its ups and downs – in addition to his own experience as a college rodeo athlete at Oklahoma Panhandle State University in Goodwell, Okla. He was on the university’s first two national championship teams in 1997 and ’98.
“College rodeo prepared me for both professional rodeo and life after because I was surrounded by good mentors,” Nokes said. “My coach during my first two years of college [Dr. R. Lynn ‘Doc’ Gardner] had never been in a rodeo arena but ended up being one of the most influential guys in my life. I’m thankful for him every day.”
Gardner died when Nokes was a junior – about the time Nokes’ professional career was taking off.
“That next year, I was contemplating leaving school without a degree,” Nokes said. “What prompted me to stick around and finish was a friend and our team secretary [Lynette Frueh Harbin]. She told me that if I left without a degree, Doc would roll over in his grave. That really hit home, and I decided to stay. I just hope that someday I can have that kind of impact on someone else.”
He already has if the Coach of the Year award is any indication. One of the themes that remains consistent year-to-year among MPCC Rodeo Team members is that they appreciate Nokes for caring about them. They also respect him for not just talking the talk, but also living it.
A member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association since 1996, Nokes currently has $740,032 in PRCA career earnings. That includes winnings from the 2005 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo where he competed in steer wrestling and placed fourth in the world standings.
Later on, in 2017, Nokes won the Ariat World Series of Team Roping in Las Vegas, beating out more than 500 other teams for a spot in the final round.
Nokes has also been highly involved in “the greatest sport on dirt” at the local level. He won the Nebraska State Rodeo Association’s “Rookie of the Year” title in 1996 and was the all-around champion in 2011 and 2014. He was the organization’s tie-down champion in 2011, ’13 and ’14.
A state to the south, Nokes was named the Kansas Professional Rodeo Association’s all-around champion in 1996, 2010, ’12 and ’14, steer wrestling champion in ’96 and tie-down roping champion in 2011, ’13 and ’14.
Additionally, Nokes is a three-time Prairie Circuit steer wrestling and all-around champion and was the tie-down roping champion in 2007.
He has won numerous all-around titles at major rodeos such as the National Western Stock Show in Denver in 2005 and Cheyenne Frontier Days in 2006.
He took home the all-around title and was co-champion in the team roping, alongside Matt Wilken, at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte in 2012. He also won the calf roping at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in 1997 and steer wrestling in ’98.
Nokes currently lives on a farm south of McCook with his wife, Laura, and sons, Trevor and Parker. Together they raise crops, cattle and performance horses. Garrett is also a crop insurance agent for First Crop Insurance, LLC.
It’s time to get Punchy! Punch Hole siding with our in-house corrugated side sheets creates a versatile siding for a livestock trailer, by corrugating the metal and making the punch holes, the steel is actually strengthened in this process through the corrugation. The punch hole siding is perfect for the rancher who lives in a hot climate but also wants to keep the public eye off their cattle and keep them cooler at the same time.
The Swift pipe trailer revolution continues as Swift Trailers introduces the Punched Side option –
24’ punch sided stock combo.
“We started Swift Trailers 6 years ago to be the best in a crowded livestock trailer industry,” said Swift Trailers CEO and managing director, John Murdock. The pipe steel trailers were started to fill a need in the industry. “This style of trailer is rugged and fully suits the needs of ranchers. Our trailer was designed to never see an easy day on the ranch and to live a hard life. It takes being a tough person to be a rancher, and a rancher needs a tougher trailer.”
“All along the way, our motto has been to listen to the customer. The success of the company has been built on the partnership between our dealers, friends, and customers. Piece by piece we continue to improve our trailer with feedback from ranchers who use the trailer.”
The company continues to test and work on new options and designs based on the needs of the customer. “The Punch Side design is important for those haulers requiring more air flow,” explained John. “This concept was born in the hot humid south where more air flow was critical to keeping livestock comfortable.” Along with that, the limited rattle concept has also been incorporated into the New Cattle Puncher Swift model. “As on all of our Swift Trailers, we hand corrugate the side sheets in house – now we punch the sides in house as well.” Corrugating the side sheets increases the strength of the sides.
“Even as we continue to grow bigger and better we have not forgotten our roots. Swift Built was started by people who saw the need for an affordable trailer that could handle any job, whether that’s hauling horses to the branding, taking two track roads to your pasture, or going off road and finding that sick bull, we just want to build the perfect trailer for you that will hold up to the hardest conditions.”
The basic sizes of Swift Trailers has expanded in the last two years to expand on the standard 6.5’ wide to now include 5’, 6’, 6.5’, 7’, and 8’. The revolutionary powder coat application is second to none as is the laser cut assembly process.
The new 2021 punch side will be showing up on dealers’ lots soon.
I have spent the last few weeks being still and waiting on the Lord. Most of you know me well enough to realize this is a real challenge … I’m always on the move and the go … have been my entire life.
The message yesterday from church was about what the meaning of the word quarantine is … a period, originally 40 days, of detention or isolation imposed upon ships, persons, animals, or plants on arrival at a port or place. It also reminds us of the 40 year journey into the unknown for those following God’s instruction.
Ok … that doesn’t work for a magazine full of deadlines and an office that cannot be entered except on Tuesdays or Thursdays by one – not five.
Top that off with May marks the 28th anniversary of the Rodeo News and we will not be printing this May issue of Rodeo News – it makes me sad … but I hope and pray that the future will make that option available in one shape or form – what has Rodeo News meant to you?
My bio includes more than 40 years in the print industry, with a passion for human interest stories and taking photographs, so publishing the Rodeo News is a perfect fit.
This is straight from the website: “Everything I’ve done in my life has led me to this – the perfect job. I give all the credit to the Lord for allowing the Rodeo News to thrive and provide a great resource for Rodeo News. My background in cooking has helped keep my staff as well as clients happy. I drive more than 30,000 miles a year looking for the next great picture.
Here I am, working from home and diligently working on the next book – the history of the American Hat Company – and cleaning out an office that hasn’t seen the light of day in 15 years.
In the meantime – lets share our favorite rodeo recipes … Go!!! And let me know what you’d like to see the Rodeo News being after this is all over. We have more than half a million on FaceBook and 28,000 unique visits per week on the website … rodeonews.com … and if you belong to an association, all your meet the members are archived on our website = please look and share them …
And last – we also have posters of all the covers for the past 5 years … if you’re interested in your’s let me know – it would cost $150 plus shipping ($50) to get them to you .
Kaycee Hollingback’s $100,000 win at the American “was God’s timing,” said the 20-year-old sophomore at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. “I’d been to a couple qualifiers and got close, but never made it. Mom and dad encouraged me to try for a spot at the last qualifier and they loaned me the money to enter.” She went to the Last Chance qualifier, the day before the Semi Finals, and made it in two spots. “I made it back on one of them to the top 40, like 17th.” Then she got to run in the perfs and made that cut and the rest is history. She made the two hour drive back and forth from Durant because she was fitting in class and two jobs with the competition. Kaycee is studying Elementary Education and works one day a week at the Durant stockyards and two days a week at J. Price Energy services. She has no intention of changing anything she’s doing after her win. “I told my parents to put the money somewhere I can’t touch it.”
Kaycee came up the rodeo ranks starting at 7 years old. She started roping when she was ten, winning the Oklahoma State Goat Tying in junior high and winning the state in the high school in goats in 2016 and breakaway in 2017. She went on to college rodeo for SEOSU under the leadership of Christi Braudick. “I trailered her back and forth to the Semi Finals,” said Christi, who also qualified for the Semi Finals. “It was a long journey for us. I was so stoked she made it through. She is a hard worker and so deserving of this. When she won, I started crying because of how much she really deserved it.”
The college is now shut for the remainder of the year, and the students continuing with online studies only. “I always take my Spring Break to help my dad (Jerald) work cows,” Kaycee said. “We work cows for the place my dad works for; running cows through the chute and ear notch and work the calves. I try to cheat and be the only one on horseback, but that doesn’t always work.”
Kaycee is riding a horse she got from a girl she college rodeoed with last year. “I was looking for a practice horse and I tried him and liked him. In the practice pen, I could catch almost all of them, but at a rodeo I couldn’t catch anything.” The duo finally clicked in August. “At six, he’s like having a toddler around all the time – he has a lot of personality. He’s not bad, but he doesn’t like being by himself, so you have to have a buddy with him. He was so different at scoring and everything – I wasn’t use to it.”
The pair definitely clicked at The American. “It was awesome – it was perfect for my adrenaline – I like going to bigger places like that – it pumps me up.” Kaycee remembers dreaming of roping for that much money and that big a stage when she was a kid. “My mom (Virginia) is an English teacher and I remember a writing project in school about something you predicted would happen in the future and my paper was about how breakaway roping will be part of the NFR.”
For now, she’s at home practicing with her younger brother, Tanner, and enjoying some family time.
Wyatt Casper can breathe a little easier after winning $600,000 at the AMERICAN. “When I’m home, I like to be home – and that’s what this money will help with,” said the Pampa, Texas, cowboy. “It’s tough, when I’m gone in the summer and my family can’t go with me. I go with buddies – we bust our butts for three months putting 45,000 miles on our rigs. Thank God for cell phones.” Last year, Wyatt supplemented his income by working for his dad, trucking.
The Casper family (John, Amy and Ty, Clay, and Wyatt) moved from Minnesota to the Panhandle of Oklahoma when Wyatt was 5. “I transferred my trucking company (Casper Express) down there and never looked back or regretted it,” said John, who tried a little bit of everything in rodeo, but when he started raising a family, he settled on team roping when he can. “It was a great move for us – we wanted our boys to grow up rodeoing and cowboying and have more opportunities.” All three boys found success in rodeo from the junior high level to the national level. Clay has gone on to success at the USTRC Finals and Ty has won many Top Hand awards at ranch rodeos. Wyatt qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo in team roping in 2010 and for saddle bronc riding in 2014.
Wyatt didn’t get on a saddle bronc until his senior year in high school. “When Oklahoma high school only had two guys entered the first semester and neither one stayed on a horse, the money piled up,” he said. “There were six of us trying for that money by spring. If it weren’t for that, I don’t think I would have set foot on a bronc horse. I went out to OPSU in Goodwell that spring and Robert Etbauer and some of the other college kids helped me out.”
“He’s a great bronc rider and it’s been fun watching him,” said Robert Etbauer, coach at OPSU. Robert qualified for the NFR 12 times; 1988-1992 and 1994-2000 and won the gold buckle in 1990 and 1991. “We’ve got a great facility and we can get those kids started by helping them take care of themselves before they get on – Wyatt had a lot determination.”
Wyatt with his son, Cooper, in front of the AT&T Stadium during The AMERICAN. – Courtesy
Wyatt working for his dad, trucking – Courtesy
Wyatt, after winning The AMERICAN – Kay Miller
After graduating from a class of 15 from Balko (Okla.) High School in 2014, he went on to Clarendon (Texas) College under the coaching of former PRCA bronc rider Bret Frank. He earned an associates in welding. He got his PRCA card in 2015 and last year was the toughest year he’s had. “I only won $3,500 between June 1 and August 31,” he said. “I went through that time just trying to forget about the week and look forward to the next week. It was really tough – I was digging a hole and all I could think about was digging harder to get out of it. I thought I’d been riding good but hadn’t been getting paid.” By the end of August, he started winning money and finished last year in 33rd place.
The other thing that helped Wyatt is changing his riding style. “I shortened the seat of my saddle – 16 ¼, pulled my stirrups up and my binds up and that’s allowed me to expose myself in the back and show off those horses a lot better. I just tried it and ended up loving it.”
“He’s waited a long time for this,” said his mom, Amy, a Special Ed teacher at Balko. “His dad and I have supported him from the beginning and told him to never give up. Financially we were there for him if he ever needed it to keep going down the road and doing what he loves. He’s a great kid and has a beautiful family. He has a huge following up here in Balko, in Minnesota and Pampa – always cheering him on.” Amy has already taken the ten days off for the 2020 NFR.
Wyatt has never been to the NFR. “I said I wasn’t going until I make it.” Since a few rodeos cancelled, Wyatt headed home after the AMERICAN, which he says is now his favorite rodeo. “Hands down that’s my favorite – it’s such a cool place to ride.” Wyatt rode there in 2016, and was 78 points. He’s happy to be heading home to spend time with his family.
Riding in Rock Springs Senior Year – JenningsRodeoPhotography.com
Tie-down roping, 2007
Wyatt and Lesley’s wedding, standing with their parents – Christy Ladd Photography
He met Lesley at college. “I saw her and asked some friends about her. We were entered at the same rodeo, it rained pretty hard and she messaged me on Facebook about the ground. I stayed consistent after that and met her at another rodeo.” They were engaged on March 24, 2016 and married the following May 13. They have two children; Cooper, born November 4, 2018 and Cheyenne, born December 6, 2019.
He is going to seek counsel on the best way to invest his current earnings. “My brother in law bought 12,000 acres in Miama Texas, and wants us to help them so we might go that route. I’m going to talk to some people who have gone through this – I’ve got some people in mind to pick their brains to figure out what is going to be best for me and my family.”
Wyatt’s goal is to earn enough and invest enough that rodeo will carry him into his next venture. “I want stuff in place for me to already be making money when I’m done rodeoing.” His goal for riding is to ride at least 80% of his horses and use them. “I want to go at each horse the same and use them to my ability.” Last year, he rode 78% of his horses and so far this year he until Houston he was 35 for 35, with 30 of those rides being over 80 points. Houston didn’t go so well. “I landed straight on top of my head. I’m good – they say I have a compressed fracture on T1, but stable. I need to take a month off.”
Wyatt started out in the roping pen, team roping and calf roping. He still ropes when he has time. “My wife barrel races and I’m training some of her young horses; hopefully by the time I’m done riding broncs we’ll have some horses going and some colts coming along.”
“I am so proud of Wyatt,” said Lesley. “I have been with Wyatt basically from the start of his bronc riding career and to see him grow so much and come this far is truly amazing. Whatever Wyatt wants, he sets his mind to it and he always reaches that goal. He is a fantastic father and husband.”
For now his priorities remain the same – God first, family second, rodeo third. “We all wouldn’t be here without our Lord and Savior.”
Bobby-Jean Jones Colyer had a love for horses long before she competed. Growing up in Bruneau, Idaho, in a town of 300, she borrowed a horse to help her get going. “It’s a cool story – my parents (Penny and Gary) couldn’t even put a halter on a horse, but I grew up in a ranching and farming community that helped me get started.” Bobby-Jean remembers struggling in school. “I wanted to be a cowgirl so bad.” She got her first job washing dishes to pay for her entry fees for high school rodeo. “With three kids there wasn’t’ a lot of money there.” Her dad was a wood shop teacher and coach for basketball and football. Her mom was a stay at home mom. “My dad traded for the first horse I owned. I always wanted to barrel race. That first horse I owned got me started at 12 years old.” Gary built a screened in porch in trade for a three year old horse. Bobby-Jean has two older brothers, James and Danny, neither one who competes in rodeo.
“I could never get her to bake cookies with me – she always wanted to be on a horse,” said her mom, Penny. “But because of this valley and her hard work and determination she did it.” Bobby-Jean is the only female that has ever won the Bruneau Round-Up All Around Championship – it’s a big deal. She has also qualified for the World Series Finale six times, as well as qualifying for the AMERICAN, and the Columbia Circuit Finals. “The biggest accomplishment to me is the fact that Gary and I aren’t rodeo people. We worked in the school district. She was two months old when we moved here – we didn’t have the means or the ways to get her there –she babysat and did whatever she could to get horseback.”
Once she got started, her love of rodeo grew. She started roping and set goals for herself. “When I reach one I want another one.” Her rodeo career landed her a scholarship to Bozeman, Montana, where she made the CNFR in the team roping, goat tying, and barrel racing – one of only two women that qualified in 2002 in the team roping. “I would have never gotten through school if not for rodeo,” she said, graduating with a degree in consumer science. Once she graduated, she went down the rodeo road, but ended up back home and married to Kyle Colyer in 2005. They have two children – Piper (14), Cruz (9). Kyle is a third generation rancher and shows Hereford cattle. She continued rodeoing and added a central entry line to her job description.
Bobby-Jean working at the Art of the Cowgirl competition – Nicole Poyo Photography
Piper, Kyle, Cruz and Bobb-Jean Coyer – Photo by Katie Colyer
Bobby-Jean playing basketball for Rimrock High School – Courtesy
Goat tying at an Idaho high school rodeo
Roping a calf the Aquiso’s ranch at 12 years old
Bobby-Jean competing at the CNFR in Casper, Wyoming – Hubbell
Bobby-Jean worked for Central Entry, now known as Rodeo Central, the entry system for the Idaho Cowboys Association, two others, as well as several open rodeos. She worked for Central Entry before purchasing it seven years ago. Orla Knight, former ICA secretary for 25 plus years,, developed an online entry system, with that Bobby Jean has made some new improvements. “We worked with a developer, Advanced Software, to offer central entry online to website,” explained the 39 year old. “Contestants can still call, but this gives them an option.” She starts in March and the rodeo season winds down the end of October. During that time, she employs several others to help take entries. “I have a lot of passion for the ICA – I’ve been a member for 17 years, winning Rookie of the Year in 2003. I also served on the board as a barrel racing director for six years.” Bobby Jean explains the rodeo draw as a 2,000 piece puzzle. “The computer isn’t always perfect. We have trades and everyone has to get everywhere … anyone in this business has to care about cowboys because they are not going to get rich doing it.”
During the peak season of taking entries, Bobby-Jean still makes time for practicing. Through her example, Bobby-Jean is hoping to bring back old fashioned work. “In this day and age I’ve read all the books, but there is no substitute for working hard no matter how hard it is. I worked my arena with snow in there and if I don’t get out there and practice, they are going to beat me.” She tells herself there is always someone else out there working at it and there is no substitute for working at it. “When I go to the practice pen I have a goal every time.”
She recently competed in the Art of the Cowgirl Worlds Greatest Horsewoman in Phoenix. “Go big or go home – I split first in the last two events – steer stopping and fence work; after not doing very well in the first herd work and reining. I knew I had to lay it all out there in order to make the top ten finals where it would be a clean slate. 59 would have to check for sure – there’s a lot of very accomplished horsewomen in that and I had to go for it.” She ended up third place overall. She is hoping to find another show horse and is preparing for the Perfect 10 World Series event in Las Vegas in March.
Bobby-Jean continues to train her mind. “I think that having a good mental mind is the only thing that makes it at the end of the day. I’m not always there, but I’m working at it all the time. When you’re passionate, emotions go with it. I’ve always been passionate about horses – they’ve been my go to – when things are rough, I go get on the best in the pen – and the best one always turns things around for me.” Bobby-Jean loves to compete. “It’s not about beating someone it’s about reaching individual goals.”
Her dreams include becoming successful in the reined cowhorse. “I want to change people’s lives by hearing my story and drive them to follow those dreams and goals with horses even if they didn’t grow up with horses or have a lot of money.”
One of the sport’s brightest young stars aims to help his country retain their home soil and end Team Brazil’s Global Cup dominance
ARLINGTON, Texas – Two days prior to the 2020 WinStar World Casino and Resort PBR Global Cup USA, presented by Monster Energy, Team USA Eagles coaches Justin McBride (Whitesboro, Texas) and J.W. Hart (Overbrook, Oklahoma) announced a last-minute change to their home nation contingent in naming one of the sport’s biggest young superstars, Daylon Swearingen (Piffard, New York), to the team’s roster.
Swearingen, the 2019 Intercollegiate Rodeo Association National Championship Bull Riding Champion and PBR Canada Champion, is currently ranked No. 5 in the world.
Sage Kimzey (Strong City, Oklahoma), the coaches’ initial selection for Team USA’s sixth spot, sustained an ankle injury while competing at the San Antonio Rodeo earlier in the week which relegated him to the sidelines.
The fourth edition of the PBR Global Cup, the only nation vs. nation bull riding competition, will make its second stop at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on February 15-16, 2020. The new team tournament debuted in Edmonton, Alberta, in November 2017, visited Sydney, Australia, in June 2018, and most recently stopped in Arlington this past February.
The 2020 PBR Global Cup USA will mark Swearingen’s debut at the “Olympics of bull riding.”
His selection comes after a historic 2019 season for the now 20-year-old.
After winning the Intercollegiate Rodeo Association National Championship with Panola College, and being crowned the National Champion in bull riding, in June, Swearingen qualified for both the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and PBR World Finals, becoming the youngest bull rider in history to qualify for both season-culminating events.
A top-contender for the 2019 PBR Rookie of the Year race, Swearingen concluded his first year competing on the elite Unleash The Beast a career-high No. 13 in the world.
Swearingen was also active in PBR Canada competition, crowned the nation’s national champion.
Winning two regular-season Canadian Monster Energy Tour events, Swearingen capped the year with a victory at the Canadian National Finals propelling him to the 2019 PBR Canada Championship.
Thus far in 2020, Swearingen has been electric.
Finishing 14th after his first-ever appearance at the annual, season-launch Major in New York City, Swearingen rode to his first premier series event win the following weekend in Chicago. Also finishing third in Sacramento, California, Swearingen is now No. 5 in the world, 183.59 points behind No. 1 Joao Ricardo Vieira (Itatinga, Brazil).
The complete Team USA Eagles roster is now: Head Coach McBride, Assistant Coach Hart, Honorary Assistant Coach Cooper Davis (Jasper, Texas), Honorary Assistant Coach Chase Outlaw (Hamburg, Arkansas), Jess Lockwood (Volborg, Montana), Boudreaux Campbell (Crockett, Texas), Cody Teel (Kountze, Texas), Matt Triplett (Columbia Falls, Montana), Cole Melancon (Paris, Texas) and Swearingen.
Tickets for the 2020 WinStar World Casino and Resort PBR Global Cup USA, presented by Monster Energy are on sale now and can be purchased at the AT&T Stadium Box Office, online at ATTStadium.com or SeatGeek.com, or via the phone at (800) 732-1727.
For more information on the event, including premium experience and elite seats offerings, visit PBR.com/GlobalCup.
WEST VALLEY CITY, UTAH (February 1, 2020) – Shorty Garrett did the family name proud on Saturday night at the third annual Days of ’47 Lewis Feild Bulls and Broncs event at the Maverik Center.
Garrett of Dupree, S.D., comes from a long line of champions with two uncles being world champions – Mark and Marvin Garrett and his lineage goes all the way back to the great Casey Tibbs. In the long round, he rode Northcott Macza’s Dark Secret for 83 points to advance to the final round where he matched up with Diamond G Rodeo’s Miss Nancy for 85.5 points. Dalton Kingery of Monroe, Iowa, rode Bridwell Pro Rodeo’s Momma’s Boy for 81.5 points to advance to the two person finals. Unfortunately for the Iowa cowboy, he was unable to make the eight second whistle aboard Diamond G Rodeo’s Sis is Sassy.
Garrett punched his ticket to two $1 million rodeos the first being the WCRA event in Kansas City, Missouri, and the second being in July right here in Salt Lake City with the Days of ’47 Cowboy Games and Rodeo, July 21-25 at Utah Fairpark.
In addition, this event served as a World Champions Rodeo Alliance (WCRA) Semifinal event. The top eight in the bareback and saddle bronc on the day advanced for a chance at their share of $1 million at the WCRA Royal City Roundup in Kansas City, Feb. 28, 2020. The top four in the bull riding also advanced to the WCRA’s $1M event at the Sprint Center.
Bull rider Colten Fritzlan also punched his ticket to July’s Days of ’47 event after marking 86.5 points on Bridwell Pro Rodeo’s Hou’s That in the long round. Fritzlan of Rifle, Colorado, was unable to stay atop his bull for eight seconds in the short round but earned $6,250 on the night with a chance to add to that in Kansas City in February and Salt Lake City in July.
The top bareback rider on the night was Canadian Orin Larsen after he finished with an 88-point ride on Northcott Macza Ima Winner. Larsen was in fact the winner after out riding Jamie Howlett who was matched with Northcott Macza’s Dirty Looks for 84 points. The duo earned a spot in WCRA’s $1 million rodeo in Kansas City but will have to wait to see if they are back in Salt Lake City in July. Pascal Isabelle of Okotoks, Alberta, Canada, rode earlier in the day and turned in an 89.5-point ride in the short round aboard Utah’s own Bar T Rodeo’s Red Lady to earn his spot in the July Days of ’47 Cowboy Games & Rodeo.
The event honors the late ProRodeo Hall of Fame cowboy Lewis Feild. Feild was Utah’s own two-time PRCA World Champion Bareback Rider and three-time All-Around Champion, who continues to be an icon in the sport of rodeo and the Beehive State. His son, Kaycee Feild carries on his legacy having won four PRCA world titles in the bareback riding. Kaycee was on hand Saturday to welcome the crowd and interact with fans and cowboys alike.
For a full list of the day’s results visit www.wcrarodeo.com.
Advancing to Days of ’47 Cowboy Games Rodeo – July 21-24:
Bareback riding – Pascal Isabelle
Saddle Bronc riding – Shorty Garrett
Bull riding – Cole Fritzlan
Publisher’s Note: This story was published in November of 2004 (added to story in 2020) Bud Tillard and Glee Net at the 2019 Don King Days
