Rodeo Life

Author: Susan Kanode

  • 2022 CNFR competition kicks off with Bulls Broncs & Breakaway

    2022 CNFR competition kicks off with Bulls Broncs & Breakaway

    CASPER, Wyo. (June 12, 2022) — Cole Franks came to the 2021 College National Finals Rodeo with his eye on winning the championship. He did that in stellar fashion and is back this year looking for back-to-back bareback riding titles.

    He won last year at the Bulls Broncs & Breakaway performance as a sophomore at Clarendon College where his father, National Finals Rodeo saddle bronc rider Bret Franks is the coach. He then made the decision to transfer to Missouri Valley College (MVC) in Marshall which has become as bareback riding university.

    The moniker came after MVC produced many bareback riding champions in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association that went on to have successful professional rodeo careers. The most well-known is Tim O’Connell who was the champion here in 2012. O’Connell now is not just an alumni at MVU, he also spends plenty of time helping at the college practices and as a three-time world champion and an eight-time National Finals Rodeo (NFR) qualifier, he has plenty of experience to draw from.

    Franks took advantage of that experience and signed on as one of O’Connell’s traveling partners last summer. That helped the Clarendon, Texas resident qualify for his first NFR, win the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Rookie of the Year title and finish the season in third place.

    He is riding here with a broken wrist, but that didn’t stop him from his second consecutive first-round win. On Sunday afternoon at the Ford Wyoming Center, Franks got on the Frontier Rodeo horse named Delta Ship to 82.5 points for the win.

    Franks is also the reigning all-around champion at the CNFR. He qualified in the saddle bronc riding again this year, but came off early, so will need to place high in the next two rounds to be eligible for that title. The first round of bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding and saddle bronc riding was completed during the Bulls, Broncs and Breakaway. Slack on Monday will see the first round completed in barrel racing and goat tying for the women as well as tie-down roping, and steer wrestling for the men. The first round of team roping, which can have both men and women will also be complete on Monday. Competition gets underway at 7 a.m.

     

     

    ###

     

    CASPER, Wyo.—The following are results from Bulls Broncs and Breakaway at the College National Finals Rodeo, June 12, 2022, courtesy of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Complete results are available at www.collegerodeo.com.

     

    Breakaway Roping: (first-round winners) 1, (tie) Kaytlyn Miller, Texas Tech University – Lubbock, and Delaney Kunau, University of Nevada – Las Vegas, 1.9 seconds each. 3, Alli Masters, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 2.2. 4,  Jayce Blake, Treasure Valley Community College, 2.3. 5, (tie) Sarah Angelone, Tarleton State University; Maddy Deerman, Tarleton State University; Wacey Day, Northeastern Junior College; and Gracely Speth, Cal Poly State University – San Luis Obispo; 2.4 seconds each.

     

    Bareback Riding: (first round winners) 1, Cole Franks, Missouri Valley College, 82.5 points. 2, Myles Carlson, Casper College, 81.5. 3, Gauge McBride, Panola College, 80.5. 4, Ty Pope, Missouri Valley College, 79.5. 5, Weston Patterson, Clarendon College, 78. 6, (tie) Bradlee Miller, Sam Houston State University, and Tyler Griffin, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, 77.5. 8, Nick Pelke, Missouri Valley College, 77.0.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: (first round winners) 1, Ryder Sanford, McNeese State University, 83.5 points. 2, Brody Wells, Tarleton State University, 80. 3, Cash Wilson, Tarleton State University, 79. 4, Quinten Taylor, Casper College, 78.5. 5, Jack Smithson, University of Tennessee – Martin, 76. 6, Quinten McWhorter, Cal Poly State University – San Luis Obispo, 75.5. 7, Weston Patterson, Clarendon College, 75. 8, (tie) Shea Fournier, McNeese State University, and Garrett Cunningham, Montana State University – Northern, 74.5.

     

    Bull Riding: (first round winners – five qualified rides) 1, Casey Roberts, Three Rivers College, 79 points. 2, Andy Guzman, Mesalands Community College, 77.5. 3, Cole Skender, Three Rivers College, 75. 4, Luke Parkinson, Western Texas College, 72.5. 6, Brad Moreno, Central Arizona College, 68.5.

  • Champions will be crowned at National Western Stock Show Rodeo

    Champions will be crowned at National Western Stock Show Rodeo

    DENVER, Colo. (Jan. 22, 2022) — Sunday’s final performance of the National Western Stock Show Rodeo promises to be action packed with seasoned veterans going up against newcomers in every event.

    Three-time world champion bareback rider, Tim O’Connell is one of those veterans. He earned the title in the Denver Coliseum in 2017, the same year he won his second gold buckle. This year, he is going up against rising star Rocker Steiner for the championship here. O’Connell won the Saturday morning performance and 18-year-old Steiner was at the top of the leaderboard during the evening.

    In team roping, Clay Tryan, another three-time world champion is also trying to win his second Denver title. Tryan, from Billings, Montana, is doing the heading for Jake Long from Coffeyville, Kansas. They Had the fast time in the morning performance at 4.2 seconds. Texas brothers Chase and Tyson Thompson also had a 4.2 second run during the matinee and are trying to win their first championship here.

    A win at the National Western can give any rodeo contestant momentum for the rest of the year. The rodeo here is traditionally the first big rodeo of the New Year and often moves contestants to the top of the world standings.

    Sunday’s championship finals starts at 2 p.m. with 12 contestants in each event. All previous scores and times are dropped and the winner will be the athlete with the fastest time or highest score at the end of their events.

     

    DENVER, Colo. — The following are money winners and qualifiers for the championship finals at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo, Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022.

     

    17th Performance —

     

    Bareback Riding: 1, 1, Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa, 85.5 points on Bailey Pro Rodeo’s Easy Money, $3,208. 2, Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas, 84, $2,405. 3, Dean Thompson, Altamont, Utah, 83.5, $1,604. 4, Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb., 79, $801.

     

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Mike McGinn, Haines, Ore., 4.6, $3,712. 2, Kyle Broce, Cheraw, Colo., 4.7, $2,784. 3, Josh Garner, Live Oak, Calif., 5.2, $1,856. 4, Rowdy Parrott, Mamou, La., 6.1, $928.

     

    Team Roping: 1, Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont., and Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan., 4.2, $3,679. 2, Luke rown, Rockhill, S.C., and Hunter Koch, Vernon, Texas, 4.9, $2,759. 3, Tucker Menz, Boerne, Texas, and Blaine Vick, Breckenridge, Texas, 5.0, $1,839. 4, (tie) Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif., and Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas; and Jase Staudt, Nathrop, Colo., and Riley Pedro, Honolulu, Hawaii; 5.3, $460 each.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Tanner Butner, Daniel, Wyo., 87 points on Burch Rodeo’s Maria Bartiromo, $3,252. 2, Kolby Wanchuk, Sherwood Park, Alberta, 84.5, $2,439. 3, Logan cook, Alto, Texas, 84, $1,626. 4, Kole Ashbacher, Arrowwood, Alberta, 81.5, $813.

     

    Tie Down Roping: 1, Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont., 8.3, $3,696. 2, Trevor Hale, Perryton, Texas, 8.5, $2,772. 3, Kyle Lucas, Carstairs, Alberta, 9.2, $1,848. 4, Clint Graves, Oxford, Kan., 9.6, $924.

     

    Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Emily Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 15.18 seconds, $3,495. 2, Sarah Rose Waguespack, Gonzales, La., 15.20, $2,621. 3, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, 15.22, $1,747. 4, Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla., 15.35, $874.

     

    Bull Riding: 1, Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas, 84.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Mangum. 2, Cullen Teller, Plant City, Fla., 84, $2,472. 3, Connor Murnion, Jordan, Mont., 81.5, $1,647. 4, Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D., 80, $824.

     

    18th Performance —

     

    Bareback Riding: 1, Wyatt Denny, Minden, Nev., 86 points on Cervi Brother Rodeo’s Good Time, $3,207. 2, Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, 84.5, $2,405. 3, R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., 83.5, 1,603. 4, Richmond Champion, Stevensville, Mont., 82, $801.

     

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La., 3.6 seconds, $ 3,712. 2, Jesse Brown, Baker City, Ore., 4.0, $2,784. 3, Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala., 4.1, $1,856. 4, Bubba Boots, St. Anthony, Idaho, 4.7, $928.

     

    Team Roping: 1, Chace Thompson, Knox City, Texas and Tyson Thompson, Munday, Texas, 4.2 seconds, $3,679. 2, Tyler Walters, Stephenville, Texas and Tyler McKnight, Pollok, Texas, 5.1, $2,759. 3, Garrett Rogers, Baker City, Ore., and Justin Davis, Cottonwood, Calif., 5.5, $1,839. 4, Kellan and Carson Johnson, Casper, Wyo., 6.3, $919.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont., 86.5 points on Cervi Brother Rodeo’s Mood Swings, $3,251. 2, Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho, 85, $2,438. 3, Sterling Crawley, Huntsville, Texas, 83, $1,625. 4, Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D., 80, $812.

     

    Tie Down Roping: 1, Kincade Henry, Mount Pleasant, Texas, 7.7 seconds, $3,695. 2, Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., 8.5, $2,771. 3, Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif., 8.8, $1,847. 4, Michael Otero, 9.1, $923.

     

    Womens Barrel Race: 1, Carly Taylor, Andersonville, Tenn., 15.21 seconds, $3,495. 2, Stephanie Fryar, Waco, Texas, 15.33, $2,621. 3, Cassidy Champlin, Pilot Point, Texas, 15.34, $1,747. 4, Emma Charleston, Reeds, Mo., 15.37, $873.

     

    Bull Riding: 1, Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho, 84.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Holy Water, $3,295. 2, Jack Gilmore, Ironton, Mo., 80, $2,471. 3, Tyler Bingham, Howell, Utah, 80, $1,647. 4, Clayton Savage, Banner, Wyo., 75, $823.

     

    19th Performance —

     

    Bareback Riding: 1, Rocker Steiner, Weatherford, Texas, 88 points on Cervi Brother Rodeo’s, Dream Machine, $3,207. 2, Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas, 84, $2,407. 3, Seth Hardwick, Ranchester, Wyo., 77, $801.

     

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Adam Musil, Cresent, Okla., 4.9 seconds, $3,712. 2, Ringo Robinson, Huston, Idaho, 5.2, $2,784. 3, Riley Reiss, Manning, N.D., 5.4, $1,856. 4, Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La., 5.6, $928.

     

    Team Roping: 1, Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah, and Jeremy Buhler, Arrowwood, Alberta, 4.9 seconds, $3,679. 2, Coy Rahlmann, Ellisnore, Mo, and Douglas Rich, Herrick, Ill., 5.1, $2,759. 3, Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla., and Jade Corkill, Fallon, Nev., 5.5, $1,839. 4, Rhett Anderson, Annabella, Utah, and Max Kuttler, American Falls, Idaho, 5.8, $919.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Creighton Curly, Allentown, Ariz., 85.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Found Me, $3,251. 2, Jake Finlay, Goondiwindi, Australia, 85, $2,438. 3, Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif., 84.5, $1,625. 4, Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 82.5, $812.

     

    Tie Down Roping: 1, Luke Potter, Maple City, Kan., 7.7 seconds, $3,695. 2, Cole Ford, Sulphur, La., 8.0, $2,771. 3, Ryan Jarrett, 8.7, $1,847. 4, Dakota Felton, Mountain Home, Texas, 9.0, $923.

     

    Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Illyssa Riley, Hico, Texas, 14.96 seconds, $3,495. 2, Shannon McReynolds, La Luz, N.M., 15.07, $2,621. 3, Bradi Whiteside, Longview, Alberta, 15.08, $1,747. 4, BryAnna Haluptzok, Tenstrike, Minn., 15.17, $873.

     

    Bull Riding: 1, Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah, 86.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Spumoni, $3,295. 2, Bubba Greig, Estherville, Iowa, 85, $2,471. 3, Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah, 78, $1,647. 4, Tanner Eno, Coronation, Alberta, $823.

     

    Preliminary round winners –

     

    Bareback Riding: (First round) 1, Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas, 84.5 points on Lancaster and Jones Unforgiven Too, $4,124. 2, Garret Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb., 84, $3,161. 3, Zacariah Phillips, Rozet, Wyo., 83.5, $2,337. 4, (tie)Leighton Berry, Weatherford,Texas, and Jamie Howlett, Roma, Australia, 82.5, $1,237 each. 6, Sam Peterson, Helena, Mont., 82, $687. 7, (tie) Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, and Wyatt Denny, Minden, Nev., 81.5, $481 each. (Second Round) 1, Tim O’ Connell, Zwingle, Iowa, 86 points on Bailey Pro Rodeo’s Easy Money, $4,124. 2, Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif., 85.5, $3,162. 3, (tie) Richmond Champion, Stevensville, Mont., and Rocker Steiner, Weatherford, Texas, 84, $1,924. 5 (tie), Wyatt Denny, Minden, Nev., and Keenan Hayes, Hayden, Colo., 83, $824. 7, Jamie Howlett, Roma, Australia, 82.5, $549. 8, (tie) Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas, and Seth Hardwick, Ranchester, Wyo., 82, $206.

     

    Steer Wrestling: (First round) 1, Jaret Whitman, Belgrade, Mont., 4.0 seconds, $3,659. 2, Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La., 4.2, $3,181. 3, (tie) Kyle Irwin, Ala., and Adam Musil, Crescent, Okla., 4.3, $2,465 each. 5, Heath Thomas, Hemphill, Texas, 4.4, $1,750. 6, Stetson Jorgenson, Blackfoot, Idaho, 4.5, $1,272. 7, (tie) Laramie Warren, Adair, Okla.; Bubba Boots, St. Anthony, Idaho; and Hunter Cure, Holliday, Texas, 4.6, $371 each. (Second round) 1, (tie) Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La., and Dirk Tavenner, Rigby, Idaho, 3.6, $3,421 each. 3, Don Payne, Stephenville, Texas, 3.8, $2,705. 4, Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La., 3.9, $2,227. 5, Cody Pratt, Pueblo, Colo., 4.0, $1,750. 6, Travis Munro, Townsville, Australia, 4.1, $1,273. 7, Gavin Soileau, Bunkie, La., 4.2, $795. 8, (tie) Nick Guy, Sparta, Wisc., and J.D. Struxness, Milan, Minn., 4.3, $159.

    Team Roping: (First round) 1, Jr Dees, Aurora, S.D., and Levi Lord, Sturgis, S.D, 4.6, $3,626. 2, Levi Simpson, Ponoka, Alberta, and Ryan Motes, Weatherford, S.D., 4.9, $3,153. 3, Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla., and Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 5.3, $2,680. 4, Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla., and Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla., 5.6, $2,207. 5, (tie) Tanner James, Porterville, Calif., and Phoenix Everano, Pendleton, Ore., and Justin Pruitt; and Justin Pruitt and Blaine Turner, Batesville, Ark., 6.0, $1,498. 7, (tie) Tate Kirchenschlager, Yuma, Colo., and Cole Davison, Stephenville, Texas; Pedro Egurrola, Florence, Ariz., and J.C. Flake, Laramie, Wyo.; and Tyler Waters, Stephenville, Texas, and Tyler McKnight, Pollok, Texas, 6.1, $368 each. (Second round) 1, Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla., and Buddy Hawkins, Columbus, Kan., 4.3, $3,627. 2, Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga., and Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prude, Brazil, 4.4, $3,154. 3, (tie) Rhett Anderson, Annabella, Utah and Max Kuttler, American Falls, Idaho; and Joshua and Jonathan Torres, Ocala, Fla.; 4.7, $2,444. 5, Garrett Rogers, Baker City, Ore., and Justin Davis, Cottonwood, Calif.; and Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont., and Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan.; 4.8, $1,498. 7, Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif., and Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas, 4.9, $788. 8, Garrett Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, and T.J. Watts, Eads, Colo., 5.1, $315.

    Saddle Broncs: (First Round) 1, CoBurn Bradshaw, Beaver, Utah, 84.5 points on Cervi Brother Rodeo’s Assailant, $4,180. 2, Leon Fountain, Socorro, N.M., 84, $3,205. 3, Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif., 83.5, $2,369. 4, K’s Thompson, Lundbreck, Alberta, 81.5, $1,532. 5, (tie) Damian Brennan, Injune, Australia, and Cameron Messier, Mandaree, N.D., 81, $836. 7, Kolby Wanchuck, Sherwood Park, Alberta, 80.5. $557. 8, (tie) Sterling Crawley, Huntsville, Texas, and Wyatt Hageman, Jay Em, Wyo., 80, $209. (Second Round) 1, Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont., 86 points on Burch Rodeo’s Rev Runner, $4,180. 2, Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 85.5, $3,205. 3, Sterling Crawley, Huntsville, Texas, 84, $2,369. 4, (tie) CoBurn Bradshaw, Beaver, Utah; Alan Gobert, Browning Mont., and Cody Ballard, Tumut, Australia, 83, $1,068. 7, Layton Green, Meeting Creek, Alberta, 82.5, $557. Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 82, $418.

     

    Tie-Down Roping: (First round) 1, Ryan Jarrett, Comanche, Okla., 7.1 seconds, $3,643. 2, Riley Webb, Denton, Texas, 7.5, $3,168. 3, Jake Pratt, Ellensburg, Wash., 7.8, $2,693. 4, (tie) Quade Hiatt, Canyon, Texas; Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont.; and Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas; 8.0 and $1,742 each. 7, Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif., 8.1, $792. 8, (tie) Shad Mayfield, Clovis, N.M., and Tanner Green, Cotulla, Texas, 8.2, $158. (Second round) 1, Michael Otero, Millsap, Texas, 7.5, $3,643. 2, (tie) Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas and Jesse Clifton, Springtown, Texas, 7.9, $2,930. 4, (tie) Blake Chauvin, Raceland, La.; Beau Cooper, Stettler, Alberta; Blake Ash, Aurora, Mo., and Kase Bacque, Huntsville, Texas; 8.0, $1,505. 8, (tie) Kincaide Henry, Mount Pleasant, Texas; Trenton Smith, Bigfoot, Texas; and Bo Pickett, Caldwell, Idaho, 8.1, $106.

     

    Women’s Barrel Race: (First Round) 1, Shannon McReynolds, La Luz, N.M., 14.72 seconds, $3,146. 2, (tie) Kelly Bruner, Milsap, Texas, and Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, 15.15 and $2,472 each. 4, (tie) Brittany Barnett, Stephenville, Texas, and Illyssa Riley, Hico, Texas, 15.16, $1,723. 6, BryAnna Haluptzok, Tenstrike, Minn., 15.19, $1,198. 7, Steely Steiner, Weatherford, Texas, 15.22, $899. 8, Michelle Alley, Madisonville, Texas, 15.24, $599. 9, Cassidy Champlin, Pilot Point, Texas, 15.29, $449. 10 (tie) Shelly Morgan, Eustace, Texas, and Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas, 15.30, $150. (Second Round) 1, Sarah Rose Waguespack, Gonzales, La., 15.01 seconds, $3,146. 2, (tie) Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, and Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla., 15.05, $2,472. 4, Illyssa Riley, Hico, Texas, 15.11, $1,947. 5, Cassidy Champlin, Pilot Point, Texas, 15.13, $1,498. 6, Cheyenne Hattesen, Kerman, Calif., 15.14, $1,198. 7, (tie) Shannon McReynolds, La Luz, N.M., and Michelle Darling, Medford, Okla., 15.18, $749. 9, Emma Charleston, Reeds, Mo., 15.19, $449. 10 (tie) BryAnna Haluptzok, Tenstrike, Minn., and Ivy Saebens, Nowata, Okla., 15.23, $150.

     

    Bull Riding: (First Round) 1, Connor Murnion, Jordan, Mont., 85 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Little John, $4, 237. 2, (tie) Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah, and Brady Sims, Holt, Mo., 84, $2,824. 4, Bubba Greig, Estherville, Iowa, 83, $1,553. 5, (tie) Coleman Entze, Golden Valley, N.D., 81, and Cullen Telfer, Plant City, Fla., 81, $847. 7, Shad Winn, Nephi, Utah, 80.5, $564. 8, Clayton Savage, Banner, Wyo., 80, $423. (Second Round) 1, Tyler Bingham, Howell, Utah, 84.5 points on Cervi Brother Rodeos’ Dim Tricks, $4,237. 2, (tie) Fletcher Jowers, Waxahachie, Texas, and Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah, 84, $2,824. 4, Audy Allred, Cleveland, Utah, 83.5, $1,553. 5, Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho, 82.5, $988. 6, (tie) Lukasey Morris, Union City, Okla., and Jack Gilmore, Ironton, Mo., 82, $635. 8, Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah, 81.5, $423.

     

     

  • Gray in contention for third National Western Stock Show Rodeo title

    Gray in contention for third National Western Stock Show Rodeo title

    DENVER, Colo. (Jan. 20, 2022) — Getting the championship at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo is an accomplishment that goes into the memory books of rodeo athletes as a bucket list win.

    Winning it twice is unusual and winning it three times is nearly unheard of. Adam Gray of Seymour, Texas put himself in position to accomplish that during the two rodeo performances in the Denver Coliseum on Thursday.

    Gray stopped the clock in 8.0 seconds to have the fastest run at the 10:30 a.m. performance. He came back and roped at the evening rodeo and while he wasn’t the leader of the pack, he still had a great run at 8.3 seconds. That has him tied at the top of the overall leaderboard with 2019 world champion Haven Meged at 16.3 seconds on two runs.

    These two will be part of Saturday’s Semifinals for sure where they get a clean slate. Each of the three rodeos on Saturday will have eight contestants in each of the events. The fastest four times and highest four scores from those three rodeos will compete on Sunday for the championship.

    Gray is the defending champion here from 2020, the first time the rodeo used a bracketed format to declare the champion. He also won it in 2015. The civil engineering graduate from Texas Tech got his education because of rodeo and is using his degree now at his job. Roping has been a hobby that he still enjoys and if he wins his third title here, the job might take a backseat as he pursues his seventh Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification.

    The tie-down roping was very fast on Thursday night. Bo Pickett from Caldwell, Idaho had the best run of the night at 8.1 seconds. Brenham, Texas, resident Wyatt Imus was just one-tenth of a second behind him. Then Gray tied with Colton Farquer from Oakdale, California with 8.3. Gray and Farquer will be watching the competition on Friday to see if they can hold their positions of first and seventh respectively and compete again Saturday.

    There are two performances of the rodeo in the Denver Coliseum on Friday at 1:30 and 7 p.m.

     

    DENVER, Colo. — The following are results from the PRCA and WPRA rodeo at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022.

     

    13th Performance —

     

    Bareback Riding: 1, Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas., 82.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Fire’s Easy. 2, Wyatt Maines, Elkwater, Alberta., 81. 3, Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D., 76. 4, (tie) Richmond Champion, Stevensville, Mont., and Kyle Bloomquist, Raymond, Minn., 76.

     

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Tristan Martin, Sulphur, La., 4.2 seconds. 2, Heath Thomas, Hemphill, Texas., 4.4. 3, Stetson Jorgensen, Blackfoot, Idaho., 4.5. 4, Hunter Cure, Holliday, Texas., 4.6.

     

                Team Roping: 1, Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, and Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla., 5.6 seconds. 2, Justin Pruitt, and Blaine Turner, Batesville, Ark., 6.0. 3, Cooper and Tucker James White, Hershey, Neb., 6.4. 4, Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif., and Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas, 6.9.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif., 83.5 on Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Boss. 2, Lucas Macza, High River, Alberta, 78. 3, Logan Cook, Alto, Texas., 76.5. 4, Tyler Corrington, Hastings Mont., 74.

     

    Tie-Down Roping: 1, Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas, 8.0 seconds. 2, Kason Dyer, Ottawa, Kan., 8.9. 2, Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La., 9.1. 4, Kyle Lucas, Carstairs, Alberta., 9.3.

     

    Women’s Barrel Race: 1, BryAnna Haluptzok, Tenstrike, Minn., 15.19. 2, Cassidy Champlin, Pilot Point, Texas, 15.29. 3, Kelly Yates, Pueblo, Colo., 15.38. 4, Bradi Whiteside, Longview Alberta, 15.49.

     

    Bull Riding: (Three qualified Rides) 1, Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas., 75.5 on Bailey Pro Rodeo’s The Conductor. 2, Clayton Appelhans, Colby, Kan., 71.5. 3, Tanner Eno, Coronation Alberta, 64.

     

    14th Performance —

     

    Bareback Riding: 1, Jamie Howlett, Roma, Australia, 82.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s, Midnight Snack. 2, Nate S McFadden, Elsmere, Neb., 77.5. 3, Spur Lacasse, Calgary, Alberta, 76. Mike Solberg, Sunnynook, Alberta, 74.5.

     

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Cody Pratt, Pueblo, Colo., 4.0 seconds. 2, Travis Munro, Townsville, Australia, 4.1. 3, Wyatt Jurney, Las Cruces, N.M, 4.4. 4, Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D., 5.3.

     

    Team Roping: 1, Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont., and Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan., 4.8 seconds. 2, Chace Thompson, Knox City, Texas, and Tyson Thompson, Munday, Texas, 6.0. 3, Miles Kobold, Huntley, Mont., and Chase Gauger, Pryor, Mont., 7.8. 4, Lightning Aguilera, Athens, Texas, and Coleby Payne, Stevensville, Texas, 19.4.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Damian Brennan, Injune, Australia, 80 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s High Rolling Sidney. 2, Cash Wilson, Wall, S.D., 78. 3, Taygen Schuelke, Newell, S.D., 77. 4, Kash Deal, Faith, S.D., 70.

     

    Tie Down Roping: 1, Bo Pickett, Caldwell, Idaho, 8.1 seconds. 2, Wyatt Imus, Brenham, Texas, 8.2. 3, (tie) Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas, and Colton Farquer, Oakdale, Calif. 8.3.

     

    Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Ilyssa Riley, Hico, Texas, 15.11 seconds. 2, Ashley Castleberry, Montgomery, Texas, 15.51. 3, CJ Vondette, Rifle, Colo., 15.57. 4, Sissy Winn, Chapman Ranch, Texas, 15.61.

     

    Bull Riding: (No qualified rides)

     

  • Steiner’s bareback riding success continues at National Western

    Steiner’s bareback riding success continues at National Western

    DENVER, Colo. (Jan. 17, 2022) — The National Western Stock Show Rodeo is high on all rodeo contestant’s bucket lists to win.

    For Rocker Steiner of Weatherford, Texas, that win became a possibility on Tuesday in the Denver Coliseum. The third-generation competitor joined the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association when he turned 18. He won the fourth rodeo that he entered in Odessa, Texas, then made the trip to Denver with his world champion father and grandfather to compete in Denver.

    His dad, Sid Steiner is a world champion steer wrestler, and the eldest Steiner, Bobby was the world champion bull rider in 1973. Rocker’s mother, Jamie, is a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier in the barrel racing who was here helping sister Steely compete in that event earlier in the rodeo.

    Winning money in the two preliminary rounds is important, but not nearly as much as advancing to Saturday’s semi-finals. Rocker is in great position to do that after scoring 84 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s horse Jason’s Pride at the 10th performance Tuesday night. Combined with his 75 from Monday, he is now tied for seventh place in the overall standings and looking good to advance.

    The top 24 contestants in each of the events get to compete in one of three semi-finals on Saturday. Each rodeo features eight of the best from all preliminary competition where they start with a clean slate. Of those eight, the four with the best results will be in Sunday’s finals which will include 12 in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding.

    A new set of contestants will be working towards a semi-finals qualification competing in performances at 1:30 and 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

     

     

    DENVER, Colo. — The following are results from the PRCA and WPRA rodeo at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo, Tuesday, January 18, 2022.

     

    Tenth Performance —

     

    Bareback Riding: 1, Rocker Steiner, Weatherford, Texas, 84 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Jason’s Pride. 2, Zach Hibler, Wheeler, Texas, 77. 3, Kolt Dement, Rusk, Texas, 76. 4, Evan Kesler Betony, Tonalea, Ariz., 75.

     

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La., 3.9 seconds. 2, Tucker Allen, Oakview, Calif., 5.1. 3, Tyler Ravenscroft, Nenzel, Neb., 5.8. 4, Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala., 5.9.

                Team Roping: 1, Garrett Rogers, Baker City, Ore., and Justin Davis, Cottonwood, Calif., 4.8 seconds. 2, Garrett Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, and T.J. Watts, Eads, Colo., 5.1. 3, Brent and Tanner McInerney, Alzada, Mont., 5.4. 4, Britt and Jake Smith, Brokenbow, Okla., 6.5.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1 (tie), Cody Ballard, Tumut, Australia, on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Sue City Sue and Alan Gobert, Browning, Mont., on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Classic Equine Scarlet, 83 points each. 3, Kade Bruno, Challis, Idaho, 79. 4, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, 77.5.

     

    Tie-Down Roping: 1, Kalai Oberiga, Kealakekua, Hawaii, 9.6 seconds. 2, Nolan Ritchie, Bristol, S.D., 9.9. 3, Tate Matthew Thomas, Sterling City, Texas, 10.3. 4, Darnell Johnson, Fowler, Colo., 11.0.

     

    Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Sarah Rose Waguespack, Gonzales, La., 15.01 seconds. 2, Brittany Pozzi – Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, 15.05. 3, Kari Boxleitner, Loveland, Colo., 15.53. 4, Brittney Barnett, Stephenville, Texas, 20.24.

     

    Bull Riding: (one ride 1, Jack Gilmore, Ironton, Mo., 82 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Pocket Change.

     

     

  • Saturday at National Western sees contestants moving to top of leader board

    Saturday at National Western sees contestants moving to top of leader board

    DENVER, Colo. (Jan. 15, 2022) — Saturday was a stellar day at the National Western Stock Show Rodeo for the Bradshaw family of Beaver, Utah.
    CoBurn Bradshaw was consistently one of the best saddle bronc riders in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association from 2015 to 2018. He qualified for rodeo’s championship, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) each of those years and won the title for having the highest total score through 10 rounds of competition in Las Vegas the last time he was there.
    The next year, he was outside the top 15 that qualify. Then he was busy building a business to support his family. Bradshaw is married to a member of the famous saddle bronc riding family, the Wrights. He and his wife Rebecca, who is an aunt to current world champion, Stetson Wright, made the trip to Denver a family affair.
    Their oldest son, Lafe, competed in the fan-favorite mutton bustin, then they got to watch as dad got on his second horse in the saddle bronc riding where he scored 83-points on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Thunder on Saturday morning.
    Bradshaw rode his first horse here on Friday night and leads that round. He has the highest total on two rides with 167.5 points. With that total score, he will be back here in one week to compete at the rodeo’s semifinals.
    Dawson Hay took the lead in the second round of saddle bronc riding Saturday night. Hay, who just competed at his second NFR rode Mo Betta Rodeo’s Sue City Sue for 85.5 points. Hay, a second-generation saddle bronc rider, has a total of 165 points and is also looking good for the semifinals in the Denver Coliseum.
    Rodeo competition continues on Sunday with performances at 2 and 6:30.

    ###

    DENVER, Colo. — The following are results from the PRCA and WPRA rodeo at the National Wester n Stock Show Rodeo, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022

    Fourth Performance —

    Bareback Riding: 1, (tie) Ty Blessing, De Soto, Kan., on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Lightning and Henry Watkins, Ririe, Idaho on Cervi Brother’s Frontier Hostage, 78.5 points each. 3, Dean Thompson, Altamont, UT, 78. 4, (tie) Kash Wilson, Gooding, Idaho and Mason Clements, Spanish Fork, Utah, 77.

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Nick Guy, Sparta, Wisc., 4.3 seconds. 2, (tie) Josh Garner, Live Oak, Calif., and Billy Bolden, Oglala, S.D., 4.8 each. 4, Taz Olson, Prairie City, S.D., 4.9.

    Team Roping: 1, Clay Holz, Springfield, S.D., and Ty Talsma, Avon, S.D., 5.5. 2, (tie), Zane Murphy, Cheyenne, Wyo., and Dusty Taylor, Craig, Colo.; and Coy Rahlmann, Elsinore, Mo., and Douglas Rich, Herrick, Ill., 5.6 seconds each. 4, Cory Kidd, Statesville, N.C., and Lane Mitchell, Stephenville, Texas, 7.9.

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, CoBurn Bradshaw, Beaver, Utah, 83 points on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Thunder. 2, Layton Green, Meeting Creek, Alberta, 82.5. 3, Creighton Curly, Allentown, Ariz., 77. 4, Weston Patterson, Waverly, Kan., 73.

    Tie-Down Roping: 1 (tie), Blake Chauvin, Raceland, La., and Kase Bacque, Huntsville, Texas, 8.0 seconds each. 3, Kincade Henry, Mount Pleasant, Texas, 8.1. 4, Clint Graves, Oxford, Kan., 8.6.

    Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Jimmie smith, McDade, Texas, 15.25 seconds. 2, Dona Kay Rule, Minco, Okla., 15.32. 3, Carly Taylor, Andersonville, Tenn., 15.40. 4, Abby Phillips, Marshall, Texas, 15.43.
    Bull Riding: (three rides)1, Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho, 80 points on Silver Creek Rodeo’s Wooster. 2, Clayton Savage, Banner, Wyo., 79.5. 3, Steve Woolsey, Payson, Utah, 70.

    Fifth Performance —

    Bareback Riding: 1, Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas, 84.5 points on Lancaster & Jones Pro Rodeo’s Unforgiven Too. 2, Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb., 84. 3, Wyatt Denny, Minden, Nev., 81.5. 4, Ty Fast Taypotat, Regina, Saskatchewan.

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Bubba Boots, St. Anthony, Idaho, 4.6 seconds. 2, Bridger Anderson, Carrington, N.D., 4.7. 3, Payden McIntyre, Douglas, Wyo., 4.8. 4, Chase Black, Caolville, Utah, 5.4.

    Team Roping: 1, Levi Simpson, Ponoka, Alberta and Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas, 4.9 seconds. 2, Pedro Egurrola, Florence, Ariz., and J.C. Flake, Laramie, Wyo., 6.1. 3, Robert Ansley, Moriarity, N.M., and James Gilliland, Edgewood, N.M., 6.2. 4, J.C. and L.J. Yeahquo, Crescent, Okla., 6.4.

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1 (tie) Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah, on Fettig Pro Rodeo’s Power Supply and Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, on Fettig Pro Rodeo’s Moving Shadows, 79.5 points each. 3, Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D., 79. 4, Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 73.

    Tie-Down Roping: 1, Jake Pratt, Ellensburg, Wash., 7.8. 2, Matt Shiozawa, Chubbock, Idaho, 8.6. 3, J.D. McCuistion, Collinsville, Texas, 8.9 seconds. 4, Cody Craig, Wendell, Idaho, 9.6.

    Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Shannon McReynolds, La Luz, N.M., 14.72 seconds. 2, Kelly Brunner, Millsap, Texas, 15.15. 3, Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla., 15.33. 4, Cody Craig, Wendell, Idaho, 9.6.

    Bull Riding: (one qualified ride) Tyler Bingham, Howell, Utah, 77 points on Silver Creek Rodeo’s Wound Up.

    Sixth Performance —

    Bareback Riding: 1, Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa, 86 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s High River. 2, Wyatt Denny, Minden, Nev., 83. 3, Cole Franks, Clarendon, Texas, 82. 4, Garrett Shadbolt, Merriman, Neb., 80.

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Dirk Tavenner, Rigby, Idaho, 3.6. 2, Tanner Brunner, Ramona, Kan., 5.2. 3, Bubba Boots, St. Anthony, Idaho, 5.3. 4, Jace Garthwaite, Powell Butte, Ore., 6.0.

    Team Roping: (one time) Levi Simpson, Ponoka, Alberta and Ryan Motes, Weatherford, Texas, 16.2 seconds.

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Dawson Hay, Wildwood, Alberta, 85.5 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Sue City Sue. 2, Jesse Wright, Milford, Utah, 82. 3, Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D., 80. 4, Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah, 77.

    Tie-Down Roping: 1, Michael Otero, Millsap, Texas, 7.5 seconds. 2, Jesse Clifton, Springtown, Texas, 7.9. 3, Chris McCuistion, Collinsville, Texas, 9.0. 4, Trampus Quarnberg, Annabella, Utah, 9.4.

    Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla., 15.05 seconds. 2, Shannon McReynolds, La Luz, N.M., 15.18. 3, Emma Charleston, Reeds, Mo., 15.19. 4, Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D., 15.29.

    Bull Riding: 1, Tyler Bingham, Howell, Utah, 84.5 points on Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Dim Tricks. 2, Andy Allred, Cleveland, Utah, 83.5. 3, Roscoe Jarboe, New Plymouth, Idaho, 82.5. 4, T.J. Schmidt, Belle Fourche, S.D., 80.5.

     

  • First performance of Pro Rodeo kicks off at National Western

    DENVER, Colo. (Jan. 14, 2022) — Just three performances in so far at the 2022 National Western Stock Show Rodeo and action is already getting fast and furious.
    Friday saw the first set of contestants finishing their preliminary competition and a new set beginning. At the matinee performance, Don Payne of Stephenville, Texas, stopped the clock in 3.8 seconds in the steer wrestling. He is the first to be under four seconds. He also had the fast time in the first performance and leads the overall standings with a total time of 8.5 seconds and could well be back here next weekend for the semifinals.
    The Women’s Professional Rodeo Association barrel race on Friday featured a rising star who comes from a long line of world champions. Steely Steiner, from Weatherford, Texas, has the fastest time in the Denver Coliseum so far. Riding her great gelding “Cupcake,” she stopped the clock in 15.22 seconds.
    Steiner’s mother, Jamie is often competing right alongside in the barrel race. Her father, Sid Steiner is a world champion steer wrestler, her grandfather Bobby Steiner is a world champion bull rider and former stock contractor. Her brother Rocker Steiner bought his Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association membership as soon as he turned 18 and will be competing in the bareback riding here on Monday and Tuesday.
    Rodeo is a multigeneration family affair for the Steiners. It looks like Cupcake will be taking Steely to the pay window at the National Western, but Jamie has also had success on the horse. The mother-daughter duo work together training horses. Mom gets them started then turns them over to the younger barrel racer to put finishing touches on them.
    Steely finished 47th in the world standings last year and is ready to make a bid for her first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification. She was a baby when her father won the steer wrestling world title in 2003. Her parents both competed at rodeo’s championships in 2000. They are hoping that the siblings get to be in Las Vegas competing for gold buckles.
    Friday also saw the first tie-down roping run under eight seconds. Ty Harris of San Angelo, Texas, needed to be fast and that’s just what he did. During his first run, he clocked in at 10.8 seconds. Then came back and stopped the clock in 7.9 seconds. That run will likely get him another opportunity in the Denver Coliseum next weekend.
    Rodeo competition continues on Saturday with three performances at 11 a.m., 3:30 p.m., and 8 p.m.

    ###

    DENVER, Colo. — The following are results from the PRCA and WPRA rodeo at the National Wester n Stock Show Rodeo, Friday, Jan. 14, 2022

    Second Performance —

    Bareback Riding: 1, Seth Lee Hardwick, Ranchester, Wyo., 82 points on Big Rafter Rodeo’s Dark Rose. 2, Bronc Marriott, Woods Cross, Utah, 8. 3, Coop Cook, Victor, Idaho, 79. 4, Kody Lamb, Sherwood Park, Alberta, 76.5.
    Steer Wrestling: 1, Don Payne, Stephenville, Texas, 3.8 seconds. 2, Gavin Soileau, Bunkie, La., 4.2. 3, Chance E Howard, Cedarville, Ark., 6.9. 4, Riley Wakefield, O’Neill, Neb., 11.7.

    Team Roping: 1, Rhett Anderson, Annabella, Utah, and Max Kuttler, American Falls, Idaho, 4.7 seconds. 2, Landon Koehn, Manhattan, Kan., and Corey Renn Larsen, Whitman, Neb., 9.6. 3, Rhen Richard, Roosevelt, Utah, and Jeremy Buhler, Arrowwood, Alberta, 10.3. 4, Coleman Proctor, Pryor, Okla., and Logan Medlin, Tatum, N.M., 14.3.

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah, 78.5 points on Big Rafter Rodeo’s Minnie Pearl. 2, Ross Griffin, Tularosa, N.M., 75.5. 3, Jesse James Kirby, Cheney, Wash., 74. 4, Tanner Lockhart, Mancos, Colo., 70.

    Tie-Down Roping: 1, Ty Harris, San Angelo, Texas, 7.9 seconds. 2, Trenton Smith, Bigfoot, Texas, 8.1. 3, Colten Wallis, Big Spring, Texas, 8.3 seconds. 4, Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif., 8.7.

    Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Cheyenne Hattesen, Kerman, Calif., 15.14 seconds. 2, Michelle Darling, Medford, Okla., 15.18. 3, Stephanie Fryar, Waco, Texas, 15.41. 4, Lisa Zachoda, Okotoks, Ablerta, 15.42.

    Bull Riding: 1, (tie) Stetson Wright, Big Rafter Rodeo’s Times Up and Fletcher Jowers, Waxahachie, Texas, on Milford, Utah, on Big Rafter Rodeo’s Karaoke, 84 points each. 3, Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah, 81.5. 4, Chauk Dees, Sterling, Okla., 76.

    Third Performance —

    Bareback Riding: 1, Dean Thompson, Altamont, Utah, 80.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Zipper Trick. 2, Jayco Roper, Oktaha, Okla., 80. 3, Mason Clements, Spanish Fork, Utah, 77. 4, (tie) Kash Wilson, Gooding, Idaho, Shane O’Connell, Rapid City, S.D., and Kelby Schneiter, Colorado Springs, 74.

    Steer Wrestling: 1, Laramie Warren, Adair, Okla., 4.6 seconds. 2, Josh Garner, Live Oak, Calif., 4.8. 3, Sam Goings, Fallon, Nev., 7.2. 4, Chisum Docheff, Mead, Colo., 9.2.

    Team Roping: 1, Tanner James, Porterville, Calif., and Phoenix Everano, Pendleton, Ore., 6.0 seconds. 2, Marcus Theriot, Lumberton, Miss., and Jim Ross Cooper, Mutual, Okla., 6.1. 3, Dex Maddock, Adrian, Ore., and Joby Barquin, Meeker, Colo., 6.9. 4, Cory Kidd, Statesville, N.C., and Lane Mitchell, Stephenville, Texas, 7.5.

    Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, CoBurn Bradshaw, Beaver, Utah, 84.5 points on Cervi Brothers Rodeo’s Vitalix Assailant. 2, Creighton Curly, Allentown, Ariz., 75. 3, Cable James Wareham, Whiting, Kan., 71. 4, Layton Green, Meeting Creek, Alberta, 60.

    Tie-Down Roping: 1, Quade Hiatt, Canyon, Texas, 8.0 seconds. 2, Landyn Duncan, Weatherford, Texas, 8.4. 3, Blake Chauvin, Raceland, La., 8.6. 4, Monty Lewis, Hereford, Texas, 9.2.

    Women’s Barrel Race: 1, Steely Steiner, Weatherford, Texas, 15.22. 2, Abby Phillips, Marshall, Texas, 15.34. 3, Carly Taylor, Andersonville, Tenn., 15.47. 4, Lois Ferguson, West, Texas, 15.55.

    Bull Riding: (two qualified rides) 1, Coleman Albert Entze, Golden Valley, N.D., 81 points on Silver Creek Rodeo’s Time to Shine. 2, Clayton Savage, Banner, Wyo., 80.

  • College Rodeo Scholarship Awards

    College Rodeo Scholarship Awards

    A major component of the 72nd College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) June 6 -12, 2021 was awarding thousands of dollars in scholarships to members of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA).

    Winners during the competition earn scholarships, and special scholarships are awarded to NIRA members. The total given through the seven days of competition is over $150,000.

    The Walt Garrison Top Hand Award is a $2,500 scholarship awarded for loyalty, determination, integrity and leadership. Each of the NIRA’s 11 geographic regions nominate one rodeo athlete for this award then one winner is selected from those nominees. Garrison, a former professional steer wrestler and professional football player with the Dallas Cowboys, started numerous scholarship programs.

    This year’s Top Hand is Mayce Marek of Arp, Texas, who just completed her sophomore year at Wharton County Community College in Texas and plans to continue her education this fall at Texas A & M Commerce where she will major in agricultural business. Marek was the Southern Region’s nominee and competed in goat tying at her first CNFR last week.

    The Harry Vold “Duke of the Chutes” Scholarship is presented in honor of the distinguished and respected stock contractor’s longtime association with college rodeo. Madison Deck, a West Virginia native and pre-vet student at Murray State University, received this $2,500 scholarship. Deck, who competes in barrel racing, maintains a 4.0 grade point average.

    The $2,500 Shane Drury “Nothin’ But Try” Scholarship is given each year to an NIRA member who exhibits Drury’s never-give-up attitude in the face of adversity. Drury, a bull rider who competed at the CNFR and was part of a men’s championship team, died after a battle with cancer.

    This year’s winner Brandy Schaack of Hyannis, Nebraska, competed at her second CNFR for the University of Wyoming. In 2019 when she was a junior, Schaack went through serious health challenges. She had a debilitating bout with ulcerative colitis in the fall of 2018, then in the spring suffered from leg pain. The cause was a blood infection normally seen in horses and called “strangles”. While undergoing surgery for that, doctors discovered she had stage 4 non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma that had spread to her liver, bones and throughout her body. As soon as she recovered from leg surgery, she began chemotherapy and two years later she was back at the CNFR in the breakaway roping.

    Three other “Nothin’ But Try” $500 scholarships have been established since Shane Drury awarded the first in 2006. The Lee Akin scholarship went to Cheyenne Bartling of Oklahoma State University. Tyree Cochran of Cal Poly State University – San Luis Obispo received the Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff scholarship, and the Levi Wisness scholarship went to Tayle Brink of Black Hills State University.

    The John J. Smith Scholarship in honor of longtime NIRA commissioner John Smith is for NIRA members pursuing a graduate degree at an accredited institution. This year’s winner of the $2,000 scholarship is McKenzie Frizzell of Cochise, Arizona. She competed at the 2021 CNFR in breakaway roping and is a spring graduate of New Mexico State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and economics.

    The winners of the Patty Skogan Memorial Scholarships were chosen from nominees from each NIRA region who show determination, grit and kindness while overcoming obstacles and demonstrating a welcoming attitude. Tyree Cochran, a 2021 animal science graduate of Cal Poly – San Luis Obispo who qualified for her first CNFR in team roping, and Kamryn Duncan, a sophomore early childhood education major at McNeese State University who competed at her first CNFR in breakaway roping and goat tying, received these awards.

    The $1,000 George Howard Memorial Scholarships honor the life of Howard who spent 35 years as a college rodeo coach – first as an assistant at Dodge City Community College and Southwestern Oklahoma State University and later as head coach at the University of Wyoming. Howard’s teams qualified for the CNFR every year and he coached seven national championship teams and 27 individual champions.

    Two scholarships were given in 2021. Owen Gustafson, from Browning, Montana, a senior ranch management major at Dickinson State University, and Colton Crawford, from Walsh, Colorado, a senior public relations and mass communication major at Missouri Valley College, were the recipients.

    As a timed-event athlete, Gutafson also received the $1,000 NIRA Alumni Stan Harter Memorial Scholarship. Harter competed for Arizona State University and was the 1966 NIRA champion in both calf roping and ribbon roping. He went on to a successful professional rodeo career and was a long-time supporter of college rodeo who served as the alumni president.

    No one has a background in college rodeo that is as extensive as Sonny Sikes. He competed and won national titles in the team roping and tie-down roping for Sam Houston State University. He went on to coach there and from 1962 through 1979, he and his wife, Joanne, served as the NIRA Executive Secretary.

    Because of his dedication and passion for college rodeo, the NIRA started the Sonny Sikes Pioneer Award. This year’s winner is Jade Boote of Binford, North Dakota. Boote, a senior secondary education major at Dickinson State University, competed at her second CNFR in breakaway roping. She has served as the Great Plains Region Student Director and taken on several leadership roles.

    Fundraising efforts for these awards are ongoing through the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Foundation and the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association Alumni Association.

  • Cody Stampede

    Cody Stampede

    102nd Annual Cody Stampede Ends with a Bang

    CODY, Wyo. July 4, 2021 — The 102nd Cody Stampede came to a close on July 4th with several contestants moving into the money.

    One of those was the 2018 world champion saddle bronc rider Wade Sundell from Boxholm, Iowa. Sundell played to the crowd after getting off of C5 Rodeo’s horse named Kitty Whistle. The sold-out stands responded with a roar when his score of 90 points was announced.

    That put Sundell in a tie for first place with Mitch Pollock from Winnemucca, Nevada. Pollock rode Frontier Rodeo’s Maple Leaf on July 3. Those scores earned each of them $4,907 which they needed badly. Both Pollock and Sundell are hoping to qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December and both of them are outside of the top 15, but among the top 25. With three months full of rodeos, their goals are definitely in reach.

    Caleb Bennett got his second win at the Cody Stampede in the bareback riding and they both came aboard the same horse. In 2019, he set an arena record on Gun Fire from Frontier Rodeo with a 94. They matched up at Stampede Park again July 2, and the result this time was a 91.5 point score. The win was worth $5,746 for the Corvallis, Montana resident.

    In the steer wrestling, world standings leader Jacob Talley increased his lead when he added $6,269 to his earnings. Talley, from Keatchie, Louisiana, stopped the clock in 3.4 seconds for the win.

    A year ago, Tuf Cooper left Cody with a championship in the tie-down roping. He competed during the final rodeo and again left with the championship. Cooper, from Decatur, Texas, stopped the clock in 8.3 seconds and was the big winner of the rodeo at $10,671.

    The total payoff at the 102nd Cody Stampede was over $300,000. The dust hasn’t settled at Stampede Park as the Cody Nite Rodeo starts again July 5 and continues through Aug. 31.

    102nd Cody Stampede Champions

    Bareback Riding, Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, Mont., 91.5 points, $5,746

    Steer Wrestling, Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La., 3.4 seconds, $6,269

    Team Roping, Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont., and Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan., 4.0 seconds, $7,640 each

    Saddle Bronc Riding, Mitch Pollock, Winnemucca, Nev., and Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 90 points and $4,907 each.

    Breakaway Roping, Jayme Marcrum, Springtown, Texas, 2.0 seconds, $3,845

    Tie-Down Roping, Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 8.3, $10,671

    Barrel Racing, Emily Miller-Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 17.03 seconds, $10,124

    Bull Riding, Braden Richardson, Jasper, Texas, 93 points, $5,584

    The following are results from the 102nd Cody Stampede, Sunday, July 4, 2021

    Fourth Performance —

    Bareback riding: 1, Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif., 90 points on C5 Rodeo’s Black Feathers. 2, R.C. Landingham, Hat Creek, Calif., 86. 3, Seth Lee Hardwick, Ranchester, Wyo., 84.5. 4, Kody Lamb, Sherwood Park, Alberta, 81.

    Steer wrestling: 1, Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas, 4.0 seconds. 2, Logan Wiseman, Paola, Kan., 5.5. 3, Connor Curtis McKell, Springville, Utah, 13.8. 4, Matt Watson, Springville, Utah, 16.2.

    Team roping:  (three times) 1, Clint Summers, Lake City Fla., and Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas, 4.2. 2, Nick Sartain, Bandera, Texas, and Reagan Ward, Edmond, Okla., 5.0. 3, Brandon Webb, Big Wells, Texas, and Kollin VonAhn, Blanchard, okla., 19.5.

    Saddle bronc riding: 1, Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa, 90 points on C5 Rodeo’s Kitty Whistle. 2, Ks Thomson, Lundbreck, Alberta, 88. 3, Jake Watson, Hudsons Hope, British Columbia, 86. 4, Lefty Holman, Visalia, calif., 84.5.

    Breakaway roping: (three times) 1, Callie Hardwick, Fairfield, Texas, 2.5 seconds. 2, Katie Mundorf, Mullen, Neb., 3.3. 3, sequin Brewer, Canyon, Texas, 3.4. 4

    Tie-down roping: 1, Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 8.3 seconds. 2, Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif., 8.5. 3, Cy Eames, Gooding, Idaho, 9.8. 4, Koleby Hughes, St. George, Utah, 10.3.

    Barrel Racing: 1, Shali Lord, Lamar, Colo., 17.43 seconds. 2, Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas, 17.49. 3, Sue Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho, 17.68. 4, Randi Holliday, Chouteau, Okla., 17.77.

    Bull Riding: (one ride) 1, Chase Dougherty, Decatur, Texas, 84 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Out Cold. .

     

    Current Leaders —

     

    Bareback riding: 1, Caleb Bennett, Corvalis, Mont., 91.5 points on Frontier rodeo’s Gun Fire, $5,756. 2, Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif., 90, $4,405. 3, Mason Clements, Spanish Fork, Utah, 86.5, $2,107. 5, Richmond Champion, Stevensville, Mont., 85, $1,341. 6, Seth Hardwick, Ranchester, Wyo., 84.5, $958. 7, Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La.,  84, $766. 6, Will Lowe, Amarillo, Texas, 83, $575.

     

    Steer wrestling: 1, Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La., 3.4 seconds, $6,269. 2, (tie) Caden Camp, Belgrade, Mont., and Zack Jongbloed, Kinder, La., 3.6 and $5,279 each. 4, Gage Hesse, Keenesburg, Colo., 3.9, $4,289. 5, Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D.; Joe Wilson, Martin, S.D.; and Clayton Hass, Weatherford, Texas; 4.0 and $2,989 each. 8, (tie) Tucker Allen, Oak View, Calif.; Tyler Pearson, Louisville, Miss.; Baxtor Roche, Tremonton, Utah; and Luke Branquinho, Los Alamos, Calif.; 4.2, $742.

     

    Team roping: 1, Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont., and Jake Long, Coffeyville, Kan., 4.0 seconds, $7,640.  2, Dustin Egusquiza, Marianna, Fla., and Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 4.1, $6,835. 3, (tie) Clint Summers, Lake City, Fla., and Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas; Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz., and Paden Bray, Stephenville, Texas; and Cody Snow, Los Olivos, Calif., and Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas, 4.2 and $5,227 each. 6, Britt Smith and Jake Smith, Broken Bow, Okla., 4.3, $3,619. 76, Jake Clay, Spulpa, Okla., and Rance Doyal, Harshorn, Okla., 4.1, $2,815; 8, (tie) Jr. Dees, Aurora, S.D., and Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz.; Jaxson Tucker, Statesville, N.C., and Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas; and Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga., and Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prude, Brazil; 4.5, $1,206.

     

    Saddle bronc riding: 1, (tie) Mitch Pollock on Frontier Rodeo’s Maple Leaf and Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa on C5 Rodeo;s Kitty Whistle, 90 points and $4,907 each. 3, (tie) Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont., and K’s Thomson, Lundbreck, Alberta, 88 and $2,593. 5, (tie) Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., and Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D., 87.5, $1,111. 7, Jake Watson, Hudson’s Hope, British Columbia, 86, $741. 8, Ryder Wright, Milford, Utah, 85, $556.

     

    Breakaway roping: 1, Jayme Marcrum, Springtown, Texas, 2.0 seconds, $3,845. 2, Cheyanne Guillory, Gainesville, Texas, 2.1, $3,076. 3, (tie) Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D., and Hope Thompson, Abilene, Texas, 2.3 and $2,211 each. 7, Sloan Anderson, Whitehorse, S.D., 2.6, $961. 8, (tie) Kayelen Helton, Stephenville, Texas; Tracey Bolich, Belgrade, Mont., and Megan Burbidge, Tremonton, Utah,; 2.9, $769. 11, Sarah Verheist, Pryor, Mont., 3.0, $577. 12, (tie) lari Dee Guy, Abilene, Texas; Abbie Medlin, Tatum, N.M., and Anna Callaway, Billings, Mont., 3.1, $384. 15, Kelsie Chace, Dublin, Texas, 3.2, 4192.

     

    Tie-down roping: 1, Tuf Case Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 8.3 seconds, $10,671. 2, Kyle Lucas, Carstairs, Alberta, and Blake Chauvin, Raceland, La., 8.4 seconds and $8,986 each. 4, (tie) Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif.; Cody McCartney, Ottowa Lake, Mich.; Michael Pederson, Hermiston, Ore.; and Andrew Burks, Kiln, Miss.; 8.5, $5,617. 8, J. Cody Jones, Ukiah, Calif., 8.6, $2,808. 9, Westyn Hughes, Caldwell, Texas; Ryan Thibodeaux, Stephenville, Texas; and Adam Gray, Seymour, Texas, 8.7, $749.

     

    Barrel Racing: 1, Emily Miller-Beisel, Weatherford, Okla., 17.03 seconds, $10,124. 2, Hailey Kinsel, Cotulla, Texas, 17.05, $8,099. 3, Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas, 17.24, $6,580. 4, Cheyenne Wimberley, Stephenville, Texas, 17.25, $5,062. 5, (tie) Sabra O’Quinn, Ocala, Fla., and Dona Kay Rule, Minco, Okla., 17.31, $3,543 each.  7, Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla., 17.32, $2,531. 8, Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D., 17.35, $2,278. 9, (tie0 Jill Wilson, Snyder, Texas, and Ericka Nelson, Lake City, Fla., 17.40, $1,898. 11, Nellie Miller, Cottonwood, Calif., 17.42, $1,519. 12, Shali Lord, Lamar, Colo., 17.43, $1,265. 13, Jordon Briggs, Chilton, Texas, 17.45, %1,012. 14, Meka Farr, Honeyville, Utah, 17.46, $759. 15, Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas, 17.46, $506.

     

    Bull Riding: 1, Braden Richardson, Jasper, Texas, 93 points on Frontier Rodeo’s County Jail, $5,584. 2, Jordan Wacey Spears, Redding, Calif., 91, $4,281. 3, J.B. Mauney, Cotulla, Texas, 90.5, $3,164. 4, (tie) Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah, and Koby Radley, Montpelier, La., 88.5 points each., Ariz., 85, $1,675. 6, Creek Young, Fort Scott, Kan., 87, $931. 7, (tie) Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont., and Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla., 86, $651.

  • College National Finals Rodeo Crowns 2021 Champions

    College National Finals Rodeo Crowns 2021 Champions

    CASPER, Wyo. (June 19, 2021) The 72nd annual College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) crowned 2021 individual, all-around and team champions during the final round of competition Saturday at the Ford Wyoming Center.

    Cole Franks of Clarendon, Texas, turned in the highest-marked ride of the week – 85 points on Vold Rodeo’s horse Misty Frontier – to win the final round of bareback riding and the national title. Franks, a sophomore agricultural business major at Clarendon College, came into the final round two points behind leader Jacob Lees, a Californian representing Western Texas College.

    Franks was crowned the 2021 CNFR All-Around Cowboy and the 2021 Men’s Rookie of the Year. He was the only cowboy to qualify for the final round in two events – bareback and saddle bronc riding.  Franks was competing at his second CNFR. His father Bret, the rodeo coach at Clarendon College, is a former CNFR and National Finals Rodeo saddle bronc rider.

    Tie-down roper Macon Murphy of Keatchie, Louisiana, was another second-generation CNFR athlete to win a 2021 title. His parents K.C. and Julie competed at the CNFR in the late 1980s with K.C. being a member of Montana State University’s 1988 national championship team.

    Murphy, who was part of the 2019 national championship team for Panola College,  roped and tied his calf in 9.8 seconds. Leader Caleb Berquist had a great opportunity to make a solid run and win the title, but he drew a kicking calf and could not finish fast enough to beat Murphy.

    The battle for the championship in breakaway roping came down to two freshmen. Zoie Bedke of Oakley, Idaho, trailed Grace Felton of Susanville, California, by three-tenths of a second as the round began. Bedke, a physical therapy major at Idaho State University, caught her calf in 2.4 seconds giving her a total of 10.3 on four runs. Felton, an agricultural business major at Lassen College, also caught her calf in 2.4 seconds, but she started too quickly and was assessed a 10-second penalty. Bedke took the title home to Idaho.

    In saddle bronc riding Dylan Schofield of Philip, South Dakota, scored 84.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s horse Popsicle to take the lead in the final round. Schofield, a junior welding major at Western Texas College, came into the round trailing Clarendon College’s Cash Wilson by 6.5 points overall. Vold Rodeo’s horse Ima Be threw Wilson in the dirt and Schofield earned the national title.

    Gavin Soileau of Bunkie, Louisiana, was the first national champion to hold onto first place Saturday night. The junior agricultural business major from McNeese State University wrestled his steer to the ground in 4.2 seconds which was good enough for second in the final round. His total time of 19.2 seconds earned him the national steer wrestling title to go along with his two National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) southern region championships.

    In goat tying Jill Donnelly of Surprise, Arizona, came into the final round in third place. The junior business administration major clocked a time of 6.5 seconds, giving her a total of 26.4 seconds. When leader Paige Rasmussen of Montana State University clocked a time of 6.3, it looked as if she would win the national title, but the goat failed to stay tied, disqualifying her. Donnelly, who carries a 4.0 grade point average, was competing in her second CNFR and won the national title to go along with her NIRA Grand Canyon region championship.

    The team roping finalists had tough time connecting. Until the final two teams rode in the box, only one qualified time had been made. The championship came down to two pairs of brothers. JC and LJ Yeahquo of Crescent, Oklahoma, trailed Kellan and Carson Johnson of Casper by one-tenth of a second. The Yeahquos, who both major in business administration at Western Oklahoma College, roped their steer in 6.9 seconds, giving them a total of 27.7. The Johnsons, who major in psychology and education respectively at Casper College, brought the hometown crowd to their feet when they caught their steer in 6.0 seconds to win the national title by one second.

    Tayla Moeykens of Three Forks, Montana, came from fourth place to win the barrel racing title. Her time of 13.99 seconds was the fastest of the week and won the final round. The freshman business and marketing major at Montana State University also won the first and the third rounds of barrel racing and earned the Women’s Rookie of the Year title.

    Tristen Hutchings of Blackfoot, Idaho, left no doubt as to who should win the bull riding title. The junior animal science major at Sul Ross State University in Texas rode Vold Rodeo’s bull Milk Mustache for 90 points to win the final round. He was the only athlete to ride three of four bulls in Casper.

    Montana State University won the women’s team championship with Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s team as reserve champions. Reserve champion men’s team was 2019 champion Panola College.

    Plans are underway for the 73rd

     

    2021 COLLEGE NATIONAL FINALS RODEO CHAMPIONS

     Bareback – Cole Franks, Clarendon College, 330.5 points

    Tie-Down Roping – Macon Murphy, Panola College, 39.1 seconds.

    Breakaway Roping – Zoie Bedke, Idaho State University, 10.3 seconds

    Saddle Bronc Riding – Dylan Schofield, Western Texas College, 310 points

    Steer Wrestling – Gavin Soileau, McNeese State University, 19.2 seconds

    Goat Tying – Jill Donnelly, Cochise College, 26.5 seconds

    Team Roping – Kellan and Carson Johnson, Casper College, 26.7 seconds

    Barrel Racing – Tayla Moeykens, Montana State University, 56.84 seconds

    Bull Riding – Tristen Hutchings, Sul Ross State University, 241.5

    Men’s All-Around – Cole Franks, Clarendon College, 195 points

    Women’s All-Around – Paige Rasmussen, Montana State University and Jill Donnelly, Cochise College 180

    Men’s Team – Clarendon College, 890 points

    Women’s Team – Montana State University, 590 points

    Men’s Rookie – Cole Franks Clarendon College 395

    Women’s Rookie – Tayla Moeykens, Montana State University, 320

    Men’s AQHA Horse of the Year – Bridger Anderson, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, “Teller I Pass”

    Women’s AQHA Horse of the Year – Jaylie Matthews, East Mississippi Community College, “Feelin the Firewater”

    CASPER, Wyoming—The following are final round and overall winners at the 72nd annual College National Finals Rodeo, June 19, 2021, courtesy of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Complete results are available at www.collegerodeo.com.

    Bareback Riding: (final round) 1, Cole Franks, Clarendon College, 85 points on Vold Rodeo’s Wrangler Valley. 2, (tie) Gauge McBride, Panola College, and Nick Pelke, Missouri Valley College, 83 each. 4, (tie) Waylon Bourgeois, McNeese State University and Kolt Dement, Panola College, 82.5. (overall winners) 1, Franks, 330.5 points on four. 2, Dement, 322. 3, Pelke, 321.5. 4, Jacob Lees, Western Texas College, 320. 5, Bourgeois, 313. 6, McBride, 309.5. 7, Dean Thompson, Western Texas College, 308.5. 8, Brody Smith, University of Montana Western, 307.5.

     Tie Down Roping: (final round) 1, Connor Atkinson, Wharton County Community College, 9.4 seconds. 2, Macon Murphy, Panola College, 9.8. 3, Kincaid Henry, Panola College, 11.5. 4, Collin Palmer, Black Hills State University, 13.3. (overall winners) 1, Murphy, 39.1 seconds on four. 2, Caleb Berquist, Montana State University, 44.3. 3, Atkinson, 47.6. 4, Palmer, 49.1. 5, Henry, 52.0. (on three) 6, Ladd King, Weber State University, 32.6. 7, Garrett Jacobs, Sul Ross State University, 33.8. 8, Levi Delamarter, Montana State University, 34.3.

     Breakaway Roping: (final round) 1, Zoie Bedke, Idaho State University, 2.4 seconds. 2, Hannah Phillips, Sam Houston State University, 2.7. 3, Catherine Clayton, Cochise College, 2.8. 4, Jayce Blake, Treasure Valley Community College, 3.0. (overall winners) 1, Bedke, 10.3. 2, Courtney Peters, Black Hills State University, 11.3. 3, Clayton, 13.7. 4, Brianna Williams, Chadron State College, 17.9. 5, Grace Felton, Lassen College, 20.0. 6, Phillips, 21.0. 7, Blake, 30.1. 8, (tie) Winter Williams, Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Blair Bryant, East Mississippi Community College, 9.5 seconds on three.

    Saddle Bronc Riding: (final round) 1, Dylan Schofield, Western Texas College, 84.5 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Popcicle. 2, Weston Patterson, Clarendon College, 80. 3, Clayson Hutchings, Utah State University Eastern, 79.5. 4, Reed Neely, California State University Fresno, 77.5. (overall winners) 1, Schofield, 310 on four. 2, Patterson, 301.5. 3, Hutchings, 296.5. 4, Neely, 292.5. 5, Russell Kay, College of Southern Idaho, 273. 6, Scott Lauaki, Utah State University Eastern, 264. (on three) 7, Cash Wilson, Clarendon College, 232. 8, Ty Pope, Missouri Valley College, 226.

     Steer Wrestling: (final round) 1, Grant Peterson, Cal Poly State University – San Luis Obispo, 4.0 seconds. 2, Gavin Soileau, McNeese State University, 4.2. 3, Trisyn Kalawai’a, Central Arizona College, 4.4. 4, Bryce Harrison, University of Montana Western, 4.6. (overall winners) 1, Soileau, 19.2 seconds. 2, Peterson, 27.8. 3, Harrison, 29.2. 4, Chadron Coffield, University of Wyoming, 29.8. 5, Seth Peterson, University of Wyoming, 32.1. 6, Kalawai’a, 33.5. 7, Gus Franzen, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, 35.4. 8, Sterling Lee, Mid Plains Community College, 40.9.

    Goat Tying: (final round) 1, Sheyenne Anderson, Missouri Valley College, 6.2 seconds. 2, Jill Donnelly, Cochise College, 6.5. 3, (tie) Heather McLaughlin, University of West Alabama, and Maddee Doerr, Cochise College, 6.8 each. (overall winners) 1, Donnelly, 26.4 on four. 2, Anderson, 26.6. 3, Doerr, 27.5. 4, Kodey Hoss, Weatherford College, 27.6. 5, McLaughlin, 27.7. 6, Kamryn Duncan, McNeese State University, 27.8. 7, Madelyn Schauer, Eastern New Mexico University, 28.2. 8, Taylour Latham, University of Wyoming, 29.4.

     Team Roping: (final round) 1, Kellan and Carson Johnson, Casper College, 6.0 seconds. 2, J.C. and L.J. Yeahquo, Western Oklahoma State College, 6.9 seconds. 3, Jase Staudt, University of Wyoming and J.C. Flake, Gillette College, 11.5. 4, Ethan Griffin, Oklahoma State University and Blayne Horne, Western Oklahoma State College, 11.7. (overall winners) 1, Johnson and Johnson, 26.7 seconds on four. 2, Yeahquo and Yeahquo, 27.7. 3, Will Eddleman, Cisco College and Garrett Jacobs, Sul Ross State University, 46.4. (on three) 4, Griffin and Horne, 24.7. 5, Staudt and Flake, 27.4. 6, Wyatt Murray, and Whitt Crozier, Panhandle State University, 29.1. 7, Jon Peterson, and Trae Smith, Gillette College, 29.8. 8, Jace Hanks, Utah Valley University and Kale Lamb, Utah State University Eastern, 36.8.

    Barrel Racing: (final round) 1, Tayla Moeykens, Montana State University, 13.99 seconds. 2, Bradi Good, Weatherford College, 14.03. 3, Shai McDonald, Montana State University, 14.21. 4, Abby Hepper, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 14.24. (overall winners) 1, Moeykens, 56.84 on four. 2, Jaylie Matthews, East Mississippi Community College, 57.13. 3, Hepper, 57.16. 4, McDonald, 57.29. 5, Good, 57.54. 6, Karson Bradley, University of Wyoming, 57.71. 7, Payton Schoeppach, Cuesta College, 57.75. 8, Sadie Wolaver, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 61.84.

     Bull Riding: (final round – two rides) 1, Tristen Hutchings, Sul Ross State University, 90 points on Vold Rodeo’s Milk Mustache. 2, Cole Skender, Three Rivers College, 83. (overall winners) 1, Hutchings, 241.5 points on three. 2, Skender, 167.5 on two. 3, Austin Allred, Utah State University Eastern, 147.5. 4, Holden Moss, Three Rivers College, 147. 5, Stefan Tonita, Larimie County Community College, 81. 6, Quinten Taylor, Casper College, 79.5. 7, Cullen Telfer, Tarleton State University, 78. 8, Hunter Tate, Coffeyville Community College, 77.

     

    Men’s All-Around: 1, Cole Franks, Clarendon College, 395. 2, Seth Peterson, University of Wyoming, 185. 3, (tie) Garrett Jacobs, Sul Ross State University, and Jace Staudt, University of Wyoming, 160.

     

    Women’s All-Around:  (tie) 1, Paige Rasmussen, Montana State University and Jill Donnelly, Cochise College, 180 points each.

     

    Men’s Team: 1, Clarendon College, 890 points. 2, Panola College, 790. 3, Casper College, 755. 4, Western Texas College, 715.

     

    Women’s Team: 1, Montana State University, 590. 2, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, 432.5. 3, Cochise College, 403.33. 4, East Mississippi Community College, 257.5.

  • NIRA announces new commissioner

    NIRA announces new commissioner

    CASPER, Wyo. (June 18, 2021) — The National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) is proud to announce that Jim Dewey Brown, former coach at New Mexico State University, will take the reins of the organization January 1, 2022.

    He is following in the footsteps of Roger Walters who has been the commissioner of the organization since 2009. The NIRA has enabled college students to pursue their rodeo and educational goals since 1949. Thousands of students have gone on to be successful pro rodeo athletes. Even more have used their education to make major contributions outside of the arena.

    When the NIRA was first organized, Sonny Sikes was at the helm. Brown has been mentored by Sikes, commissioner John Smith and Walters. Tim Corfield was leading the organization when they moved the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) to Casper, Wyoming in 1999.

    “Being commissioner of the NIRA has been an honor and a privilege,” said Walters who will continue until Brown takes over. “I’ve met so many people, seen the College National Finals Rodeo grow, survived a pandemic and am so pleased to have him at the helm in the future.”

    Brown’s college rodeo career started at Tarleton State University where he competed under coach Bob Doty. He became an assistant under Doty and eventually made his way to Las Cruces where he was the coach for 13 years and was selected as NIRA Coach of the Year in 2007.

    Brown has been the production manager at the CNFR since 2009, a position that will benefit him in the new position as one of his major responsibilities is working with the Casper committee.

    “I’m honored and excited to take on this challenge,” Brown said. “I’ve been involved with this organization as a competitor, coach, and production manager. I love college rodeo. It has been a blessing for me and I will work hard to see it be a blessing to others.”

     

  • 2021 CNFR competition kicks off with Bulls Broncs & Breakaway

    2021 CNFR competition kicks off with Bulls Broncs & Breakaway

    CASPER, Wyo. (June 13, 2021) — After two years of ups and downs, the 72nd edition of the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) got off to a rousing start at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper.

    Last year’s events were cancelled due to the pandemic and this year contestants, fans, coaches, the state of Wyoming and Casper community are all excited to be celebrating college rodeo again. The competition started off with the Bulls Broncs and Breakaway Sunday afternoon which saw the first round complete in four events.

    The first round of bareback riding featured some of the best that the CNFR has ever seen. Cole Franks from Clarendon (Texas) College won his signature event with a score of 83.5 points. Franks is also in the top 20 in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and won the Southwest Region of the National Intercollegiate Association. He is making a bid for the all-around here competing in the saddle bronc riding as well where he got 73.5 points to finish in the 11th spot.

    – Sophomore Cole Franks from Clarendon College won the first round of bareback riding at the 72nd CNFR on Sunday with an 83.5-point ride. CNFR photo by Jackie Jensen.

    Franks is the son of Bret Franks who qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in saddle bronc riding. Franks has been coaching at Clarendon College and has had two national saddle bronc riding champions to his credit. Wyatt Casper won the CNFR in 2016 and Riggin Smith was the 2019 champion and helped their men’s team finish in third place.

    There were only six points separating the top eight in the bareback riding and among those was champion Lane McGeHee from Sam Houston State University who won the title here in 2016 as a freshman. McGeHee tied with Ty Pope from Missouri Valley College for the fourth spot with 80 points each.

    The popularity of breakaway roping has always been high here, but with the addition of the event at pro rodeos across the country competition is getting tougher. A time under two seconds got the top spot on Sunday. Winter Williams from Southwestern Oklahoma State University stopped the clock in 1.9 seconds for the win.

    Williams just earned her degree in allied health sciences and is also competing in the barrel racing here. She will have her first run in that event on Monday morning during slack and will be in contention for a women’s all-around title.

    Another degree earning senior got the win in the saddle bronc riding and while he calls Craig, Colorado home, he is a Wyoming Cowboy. Garrett Uptain, who got his bachelor’s degree in ag business from the University of Wyoming scored 79.5 points to edge out Clarendon College’s Weston Patterson and Western Texas College’s Dylan Schofield who each had 79 points for second place.

    The 2018 National High School Rodeo Association champion bull rider Cole Skender was the most successful contestant here in the first round. Skender, who won his high school title for his home state of Arkansas now attends Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He was one of seven successful riders on Sunday and earned the top spot with a 84.5-point ride.

    Competition at the 2021 CNFR continues with slack on Monday, June 14 beginning at 7 a.m. The first round of barrel racing, goat tying, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping will be completed then. The bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding and breakaway roping will be in the second round.

     

    ###

     

    CASPER, Wyo.—The following are results from Bulls Broncs and Breakaway at the College National Finals Rodeo, June 13, 2021, courtesy of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Complete results are available at www.collegerodeo.com.

     

    Breakaway Roping: (first-round winners) 1, Winter Williams, Southwest Oklahoma State University, 1.9 seconds. 2, (tie) Grace Felton, Lassen College, and Zoie Bedke, Idaho State University, 2.1. 4, Harley Lynn, Southern Arkansas University, 2.2. 5, Abbie Shofner, New Mexico State University, 2.3. 6, Alli Masters, Northeastern Oklahoma State University, 2.5, 7, Courney Peters, Black Hills State University, 2.7. 8, (tie) Tanegai Zilverberg, Mitchell Technical Institute; and Jade Boote, Dickinson State University, and Catherine Clayton, Cochise, College, 2.8 seconds.

     

    Bareback Riding: (first round winners) 1, Cole Franks, Clarendon College, 83.5 points. 2, Jacob Lees, Western Texas College, 83. 3, Waylon Bourgeois, McNeese State University, 81.5. 4, Lane McGehee, Sam Houston State University, and Ty Pope, Missouri Valley College, 80 points each. 6, Dean Thompson, Western Texas College, 79.5. 7, Kolt Dement, Panola Junior College, 79. 8, Nick Pelke, Missouri Valley College, 77.5.

     

    Saddle Bronc Riding: (first round winners) 1, Garrett Uptain, University of Wyoming, 79.5 points. 2, Weston Patterson, Clarendon College, and Dylan Schofield, Western Texas College, 79 points each. 4, Jake Barnes, Tarleton State University, 77.5. 6, (tie) Cash Wilson, Clarendon College and Cash Wilson, College of Southern Idaho, 76 points each. 8, Quinten Taylor, Casper College, 75.

     

    Bull Riding: (first round winners) 1, (tie) Cole Skender, Three Rivers College, 84.5 points. 2, Quinten Taylor, Casper, College, 79.4. 3, Cullen Telfer, Tarleton State University, 78. 4, Hunter Tate, Coffeyville Community College, 77. 5, Trey Holston, Fort Scott Community College, 73.5. 5, Chris Villanueva, Sam Houston State University, 73. 7, Holden Moss, Three Rivers College, 69.5.

     

  • Local resident wins bull riding at Douglas County Fair & Rodeo

    Local resident wins bull riding at Douglas County Fair & Rodeo

    For Immediate Release
    Courtesy Susan Kanode

    CASTLE ROCK, Colorado (Aug. 2, 2020) – Nathan Hatchel will always call Hennessy, Oklahoma home because that is where he was born and raised, but on Sunday afternoon, he was very proud to be a current resident of Douglas County Colorado.

    Hatchel rode Summit Pro Rodeo’s bull named Sandhills Terror for 87 points to win $2,546 at the 102nd Douglas County Fair & Rodeo. It was one of the biggest wins of his young career and definitely a memorable one.

    One year ago, Hatchel was just three months into a new job working for his grandfather who owns a custom home construction company in the area. He was preparing for a September wedding and was just a few months out of college. He graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a business management degree. His wife, Kodi, has a nursing degree from the same institution.

    He competed in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association and qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo. And while he loves riding bucking bulls, his priority is the homebuilding business. So, on the weekends he will be decked out in boots, cowboy hat and spurs, and during the week, his attire turns to business casual.

    Many rodeo contestants say that their hometown rodeo is the hardest to win, they feel more pressure there with family and friends in attendance and never do as well as they would like. Hatchel had plenty of people rooting for him, but the bulk of them had to watch it on The Cowboy Channel.

    Another Colorado cowboy that had success at the 102nd Douglas County Fair & Rodeo on Sunday afternoon was bareback rider Logan Patterson of Kim. He rode Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail to tie Draper, Utah’s Mason Clements. They each had 87-point rides and won $2,058.

    Patterson is currently 19th in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings. The money he won here will get him closer to the top 15 who qualify for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo held in Las Vegas in December.

    The Douglas County Fair & Rodeo celebrated their 102nd anniversary this year. The committee worked to put on a rodeo in a time when many events are cancelling due to COVID-19. Social distancing and extra safety measures were put into practice. This year’s rodeo saw a $4,000 increase in their total payoff. Their event is continuing to grow and attract great contestants from the Mountain States Circuit as well as across North America.

    One of those contestants was saddle bronc rider Jake Watson from Hudson’s Hope British Columbia. Watson rode a horse from Summit Pro Rodeo named Western Expo for 87 points to win $2,284. Blake Knowles from Heppner, Oregon finished at the top of the leaderboard in the steer wrestling. He stopped the clock in 4.5 seconds to win $2,097.

    In the team roping it was Kaleb Driggers from Hoboken, Georgia and Carson Johnson of Casper, Wyoming who got the win. They earned the biggest paychecks of any contestant here at $2,666 each for their 4.7-second run. Kincade Henry from Mount Pleasant, Texas had the fastest time in the tie-down roping at 8.8 seconds, good for $2,530.

    The best barrel racing run came during Saturday night’s performance when Emily Miller of Weatherford, Oklahoma stopped the clock in 17.19 seconds. Riding her great horse Beau, she added $1,854 to her season earnings.

     

    CASTLE ROCK, Colo., (Aug. 2, 2020) — The following are unofficial results from the 102nd Douglas County Fair & Rodeo.

     

    Bareback riding: 1, (tie) Logan Patterson, Kim, Colo., on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Game Trail and Mason Clements, Draper, Utah, on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Revolving Door, 87 points and $2,058 each. 3, Tim O’Connell, Zwingle, Iowa, 84.5, $1,320. 4, Craig Wisehart, Kersey, Colo., 83, $854. 5, Tilden Hooper, Carthage, Texas, 82.5, $388. 6, Jeffery Zdziarski, Weston, Wyo., $388. 7, Tanner Aus, Granite Falls, Minn., 80, $311. 8, (tie) Cole Reiner, Kaycee, Wyo., and Jake Brown, Cleveland, Texas, 79, $116.

     

    Steer wrestling: 1, Blake Knowles, Heppner, Ore., 4.5 seconds, $2,097. 2, Kalane Anders, Bayard, Neb., 4.8, $1,824. 3, Dalton Burgener, Douglas, Wyo., 4.9, $1,550. 4, Seth Peterson, Saguache, Colo., 5.3, $1,277. 5, Trey Jackson, Keensburg, Colo., 5.4, $1,277. 6, Mike Garcia, Casper, Wyo., 5.6, $729. 7, Tanner Jackson, Keensburg, Colo., 5.7, $456. 8, Austin Eller, Glendo, Wyo., 5.9, $182.

     

    Team roping: 1, Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga., and Carson Johnson, Casper, Wyo., 4.7 seconds, $2,666 each. 2, J.B. James Jr., Bennett, Colo., and Brock Hanson, Bennett, Colo., 4.8, $2,385. 3, Garrett Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, and Dustin Davis, Terrell, Texas, 5.1, $2,104. 4, Cory Kidd V, Statesville, N.C., and Clay Futrell, Union Grove, N.C., 5.4, $1,824. 5, (tie) Casey Tew, Billings, Mont., and Jared Fillmore, Payson, Utah; and Jhett Trenary, Salida, Colo., and Trevor Schnaufer, Pueblo, Colo., 5.5, $1,403. 7, (tie) Austin Crist, Fountain, Colo., and Caleb Anderson, Mocksville, N.C.; and Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz., and Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo.; and Philip Schuman, Johnstown, Colo., and Josh Fillmore, Penrose, Colo., 5.9, $702. 10, Brit Ellerman, Fort Lupton, Colo., and Trey Johnson, Weatherford, Texas, 6.0 and $140 each.

     

    Saddle bronc riding: 1, Jake Watson, Hudson’s Hope, British Columbia, 87 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Western Expo, $2,284. 2, Cody Demoss, Heflin, La., 86, $1,751. 3, Mitch Pollock, Winnemucca, Nevada, 82.5, $1,294. 4, Tanner Butner, Daniel, Wyo., 79, $838. 5, Layton Green, Meeting Creek, Alberta, 78.5, $533. 6, Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah, 77.5, $381. 7, Tyler Corrington, Laramie, Wyo., 75, $305. 8, CoBurn Bradshaw, Beaver, Utah, 74, $228.

     

    Tie-down roping: 1, Kincade Henry, Mount Pleasant, Texas, 8.8 seconds, $2,530. 2, Stetson Vest, Childress, Texas, 9.0, $2,200. 3, Clint Graves, Limon, Colo., 9.2, $1,870. 4, Hagen Houck, Henrietta, Texas, 10.1, $1,540. 5, Joey Dickens, Loveland, Colo., 10.3, $1,210. 6, Ryan Belew, LaJunta, Colo., 10.5, $880. 7, Sterling Williams, Stephenville, Texas, 10.8, $550. 8, Rance Johnson, Cheyenne, Wyo., 11.0, $220. .

     

    Barrel racing: 1, Emily Miller, Weatherford, Okla., 17.19 seconds, $1,854. 2, Leia Pluemer, Bosque Farms, N.M., 17.31, $1,589. 3, Michelle Alley, Madisonville, Texas, 17.36, $1,324. 4, Megan Champion, Ukiah, Calif., 17.43, $1,147. 5, Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas, 17.47, $883. 6, Amanda Welsh, Gillette, Wyo., 17.50, $706. 7, Kathy Grimes, Medical Lake, Wash., 17.60, $530. 8, Mindy Goemmer, Battle Mountain, Nev., 17.64, $353. 9, (tie) Fallon Taylor, Dallas, Texas, and Chris Gibson, Windsor, Colo., 17.67, $221 each.

     

                   Bull Riding: 1, Nathan Hatchel, Hennessy, Okla., 87 points on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Sandhills Terror, $2,546. 2, Ruger Piva, Challis, Idaho, 83.5, $1,960. 3, Garrett Smith, Rexburg, Idaho, 82.5, $1,458. 4, Dylan Grant, Pavillion, Wyo., 81, $956. 5, Stetson Wright, Milford, Utah, 75.5, $621. 4, Dillon Tyner, Eaton, Colo., 75, $454. 7, Gray Essary III, Somerville, Tenn., 74, $370.