Category: American Hat

Haven Meged has visions beyond rodeo. He recently won $150,000 in one week with his futurity horses. “Eventually that is what we will do,” said the tie down roper from Stephenville, Texas. His plan is to continue to make a name for himself and his horses. Haven is no stranger to big wins, coming out in 2019 as the college as well as the world champion tie-down roper – taking home $246,013 in earnings as well as winning the average with a time of 85.7 seconds on 10 head. He has been to every National Finals since.
Haven grew up in Miles City, Montana, where his family ranched and ran the Miles City Livestock Auction. His parents, Bart and Misty, along with his siblings, Hayes, Harley and Holden. He learned the work ethic and tenacity it takes to survive a Montana winter caring for 700 + pairs. “As far as I can remember, my dad’s sent hats to American Hat to get them fixed up – and then we get new ones – they are made to last,” said Haven about his partnership with American Hats. “It’s a cool family and I’m glad I get to be part of it.” Haven explains how the values of American Hat and his lineup. “I try to set a good example – in and out of the arena – not only taking care of business but going above that. I try to rope the dummy and take time with those young kids that are looking up to us – I also look for ways to help the committees.”
Haven hopes to add five more NFR qualifications to his belt before he focuses on training full time. His focus for the immediate future is his wedding to NFBR qualifier Shelby Boisjoli on May 13. “We’re gone for the next month and then we’re off.” The couple will honeymoon in the Dominican Republic. “I’ve never been there.”
The couple basically grew up together in the rodeo world, beginning with the National Junior High Finals and continuing through college. They moved to Stephenville at about the same time. Originally from Canada, Shelby has been part of every group of 15 breakaway ropers at the National Finals. They both know the grind of going down the road – and after they are married, they will still both go down the road in separate rigs.
“I do all the entering,” said Haven. “It’s a lot of work to figure it out – I know how to map it out, and it just works out that we have to take separate rigs.” He knows it won’t be forever. “I like rodeoing, I like seeing the sights, but I don’t like to drive that much.” He likes what he gets to do day in and day out, though. “We love roping and training horses and we get to do it together when we’re home,” he said.”

7x World Champion Bull Rider, Sage Kimzey, was forced into taking time off last year when a recurring left shoulder issue finally took its toll. On June 10, with more than $115,000 amassed for the season and sitting in the No. 3 position, Sage got bucked off Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Severe Weather and that ended his year. Dr. Tandy performed surgery on July 11, which included a bone graft. “I didn’t get to move it for two and a half months to let that bone graft heal in,” said the new father. He and his wife, Alexis, had a five-month-old son, Steele, and Sage was able to lay on the couch and hold him one armed. “It was a lot – the days were long that’s for sure.”
He was talking with the PBR about commentating early after his surgery and by mid-August, Sage was in Nashville. He started a complex rehab with a physical therapist and spent the next five months regaining his strength, commentating bull riding, settling into being a dad, and building his life with Alexis. “We are a team and my goals with my riding are ever evolving, especially with becoming a dad. It changed my perspective on what’s really important. I’m a huge planner and always have been – there’s a lot to be said for that, but there’s a divine plan that we are part of and we have to roll with the punches. It’s good to have a North star but nobody ever talks about the fact that life’s not fair. It comes down to figuring out how to live a life worth living.” He and Alexis are each other’s teammates. “At the end of the day, whatever she sets her mind and heart to do, I’m 100% supportive, and likewise.”
Alexis and Steele were there when Sage made his debut ride back at Ft. Worth, during the Xtreme Bulls, taking the win in his first trip out. Sage is not done competing – he is still chasing the 8th title that Donnie Gay has. But for him, the bigger picture is helping the younger guys be more professional. “If I can help the next generation have a little less learning curve than I had, my energy and focus will go to that. If there is a blueprint to be shared, I want to do that. I’m a huge advocate of learning.”
One of the things he has learned in the importance of good partnerships. “I have been very fortunate over the course of my career – I have stood with companies that stand for the same ideals and moral compasses that I do. I think it’s part of that bigger plan that I can’t fathom. American Hat is a great example. My partnership with them has allowed me to get to know that company – the cowboy way of life is not just a tagline for them.” Sage recalled his own childhood, dreaming about riding bulls at the NFR. “Being a world champion wasn’t enough, there was still something missing – I wasn’t completely fulfilled and I didn’t know why. The older I got, the goals changed from being a world champion, to being a great world champion.”
Sage feels a real obligation to be a steward of the sport he loves. “We need to take the time to teach that to the next generation so the next generation of rodeo athletes will have it better than we do now. That’s a driving force for me as a competitor and a person.” He has seen the prize money “go crazy” from his rookie year to now. “In the better part of a decade, it has doubled and some.” He believes the next step in the rodeo industry is to make it a viable career option. “If we can get it there – do you want your kids to do it? If it’s a resounding ‘yes,’ then we’ve got it covered. It’s not the easiest way to make a living, and you truly do have to love it.”
Sage believes there is a big void in rodeo from the image of the American West to the image of the American cowboy. “The American cowboy is idolized – I want to make it tangible for someone that doesn’t have the background of ranching and rodeo. I’m passionate about this – there’s too many guys that fall through the cracks and if I can help do that it’s a duty and an honor. With modern technology, we can shorten that gap and minimize the risk while raising the education. Give that kid an avenue of trust to where they can go try it out.”
Sage battled his way back from injury and each time he finished a workout, he would ask himself a simple question. ‘Why am I putting myself through this?’ And his answer was: “There’s a twelve year old Sage Kimzey watching my story, and someday my son will, and my story is not done. Keep progressing every day. This surgery and recovery has taught me that as long as I’m moving forward, there will be a breakthrough. I’m not sure there is a finish line, but I’m going to keep working. I don’t have a choice. I believe I was put on this earth to do this, that’s for sure.”

Daniel became an American Hat ambassador his 8th grade year at Nationals. “I went to their booth to get a new straw hat,” he said. Daniel has been wearing an American hat since he was 8. “As soon as I could wear a good hat, it was an American.” He met Keith Mundee, who gave him the hat and asked Daniel to join the Ambassador team for American Hat. “That was five years ago, and I’m still doing it. It’s grown to be a family now, which is super awesome. The people there are amazing.”

Daniel Miranda is a freshman at Cal Poly. The native from Maui had his eyes set on Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, which has a strong rodeo team and a school of agriculture. “The schooling is great here in California; it’s good competition but it’s about getting the degree first.” Daniel plans to pursue a degree in Ag systems management. “It’s close in line with getting an engineering degree but not the ridiculous math and having fun with everything else,” said the 19-year-old who ended his first sememster with a 3.1 and is currently leading the California ciruit in the tie down roping. His degree will help him learn about Animal Science irrigation management.
His father, Ken Miranda, is the general manager for Kaonoulu Ranch, and Daniel is a seventh generation family member on the ranch, through his mother, Morag, and the Rice family. He grew up with a rope in his hand. “I started roping as soon as I could hold the string to rope the cowboy toy,” he said. “Then I graduated to roping my three sisters (Elizabeth, 15; Rebecca, 27; Megan, 31). I remember some nights my youngest sister would run around the house and I’d rope her – I did that when my parents were gone of course.” Through a close family friend, Peter Baldwin, the Miranda’s were able to grow their Corriente herd. “We have around 200 momma cows now,” said Daniel. “We have three places we put ropings.”
Daniel went through the junior high and high school rodeo, making the trip to the mainland each summer to attend Nationals. Transporting horses from Maui to the mainland is nothing new to the Miranda family – they ship horses from island to island all the time. “My 8th grade year, I sent my horse, Allen, up to the Junior High finals in South Dakota. I calf roped, ribbon roped and goat tied, my team roping partner headed on him too. Allen made the 12-hour boat ride from Maui to the main island, then five hours by plane from O’ahu to Las Angeles, followed by a 22 hour drive to South Dakota.” Horses are quarantined upon arrival back to Hawaii. “Hawaii doesn’t have any major diseases, so it’s just coming back home when they have to be quarantined for a month and a half.” The cost is around $3,000 a horse to transport from Hawaii to South Dakota.
Along with the rodeo team, he is also part of the polo team. “All plans change, that’s why you have a plan, but my plan right now would be to graduate from Cal Poly and if I’ve got the support through my rodeo sponsors that I’ve acquired the past couple of years and my family up here and my family in California — I’d like to go try some pro rodeos a little bit.”

“The day to day philosophy of this company is what keeps me here. They truly look at every one that works here as family and there’s not much of that left today.”

Stan Redding was raised in Winnsboro Texas. “When I was a kid in grade school the population was 3,000. It hasn’t changed.” As a small-town kid, he played little league baseball and all the sports. “My father was in the grocery business, he had three in three different towns. He showed cutting horses and AQHA halter horses.” Stan would ride his horse to baseball practice.
He went to college at Texas A&M, College Station, working on a degree in animal science and business. “I saw what my buddies were making when they graduated and I found a run-down convenience store and a bank to loan me the money and at 21 years of age, I was a business owner. Until I was in my early 30s, I never had a job. I had every kind of business – convenience store, pawn shop, Gulf gas distribution, a used car lot.” He juggled several of them at the same time as well as trading and selling cutting horses. His first real job came through Cavender’s. “James Cavender, Sr. talked me into coming to Longview Texas and manage that store. I stayed there six months, and he sent me to be the manager in Hurst Texas, the largest store in the chain. I was there for four years – I learned the retail side of western wear.” Stan did all the hat buying for Cavender’s and Resistol (Hatco) hired him as a sales rep in California. He managed that territory for five years. “I had three kids born in California, and I didn’t want to raise them there. I wanted to go back to Texas, but I couldn’t match the money.”
He moved his family back to Texas and went to work for Vogt Silversmiths as their rep in Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. Susan and Keith Maddox called him and shared the good news that they bought American Hat company and wanted Stan to help them. He worked as a consultant for American Hat, selling hats along with Vogt in his territory. Stan was approached again by Hatco to join management as Vice President of Sales and Marketing in Garland, Texas. He accepted the position and remained there for almost ten years. In 2010 Hatco underwent an acquisition of which Stan was a key component. “I was promoted to President at that time. I implemented strategic processes to improve profitability.” He accomplished that goal and others, retiring in January 2014.

“My plan was to enjoy ranch life,” he said. He was called by Keith Maddox within two weeks of his retirement. Stan wanted to take at least a year off and try ranch life. “I’m very blessed that my youngest son, Rhett, and daughter-in-law built a house on the ranch, and he takes care of a lot of it. He does the cattle side and I do the horse side.” The twenty-year friendship between Keith Maddox, Keith Mundee, and Stan lasted the time of Stan’s year long retirement. To the day, his phone rang again, and this time Stan came back on board. “I’d had a year break from the corporate world. I recharged my battery. But the big thing that made me go back is the family. I had a real comfort zone with Keith and the crew at American hat. His whole deal is quality of life. Keith Maddox always said, ‘bigger is not better, better is better.’ The business plan hasn’t changed.”
He came back with some conditions. “As long as it’s exciting for me and I love it, I’ll stay. One year turned into 7.” The other condition was that spending time with his family and on his ranch in Winnsboro came first. “We bought a ranch when we moved back from California (2002). I used to ride my Shetland pony on when I was a kid.” The ranch wasn’t on the market, but all the locals knew it was for sale. “My dad told me about it. I called one of the sons and was told their sister wouldn’t sell to just anyone. All the linens were still in the closets. His sister was there when we looked at the ranch, and I told them my history and they sold it to us.”
Stan and his wife Kimberly have a total of 9 children and 11 grandchildren.
Kimberly created a brand of women’s apparel that has continued to catch the eye of the western world. R Cinco Ranch was created in 2014 and its tag line “It’s not just a brand, it’s a lifestyle,” has steam rolled. Kimberly’s background in women’s apparel was fashioned out of necessity. When her youngest son was diagnosed with cancer, her career as an accountant ended. She soon put her eye for design and her crafty talent to work and created a tie-dye and rhinestone T-shirt line that landed in Dillard’s. Two Mud Pies gave Kimberly a look into the fashion business. In 2014, she and Stan put their talents and years of experience together and launched R Cinco Ranch, named after the ranch. She has concentrated her efforts on American made clothing, made on the ranch. She has an exclusive line with Forrie Smith, Lloyd on Yellowstone, to create T-shirts. She also has one-of-a kind purses made in Oklahoma. “T-shirts are huge – we can do up to 400 shirts per show – and we do all the work at the ranch.” The wholesale side got way big too fast and something had to go. “It wasn’t going to be my family, so we downsized and now it’s something I can do and still be available for the family and support Stan.”
Stan has no end date. “I love the industry, the people, and the business. For the past 18 years, I’ve had an opportunity to work for a company of powerhouse brands (American Hat, Vogt, and Hatco).

Tuf Cooper has been an American Hat endorsee for years. “American Hat believed in me since day one. Just to be part of the legacy and be able to represent Keith Maddox and for them to believe in me was huge. It’s easy for me to ride for their brand; our values line up and that’s what makes the brand. None of this happens without Keith Mundee and when they brought Stan Redding on board, they had the team.”

Tuf Cooper is turning his attention from his rope to his wife, Tiffany, and daughter, Tru Fashion, born Sept. 20. “Being a dad is second to none,” said the 32-year-old from his home in Decatur, Texas. “I went to 40 rodeos this year – and I’ve been able to be home more. It’s been amazing to experience the growth of your child and pray continually for her.” Tuf has been practicing for the role with his 20 or so nieces and nephews.
The 13x NFR qualifier is heading back to the Thomas & Mack this December. “This is a very competitive awesome sport that we play. To do it at this level, you need a very big team, that goes with sponsors and supporters of your team. Your sponsors help make this lifestyle as awesome as it is.” Tuf admits when he gets home, he doesn’t want to leave. He also realizes that he still has goals to strive for in rodeo. “God has put me here to do and be my best – Covid has taught me that there’s a balance.” Tuf and Tiff are hoping to be able to get a bus and take their daughter on the road with them starting next spring.
In the meantime, Tuf is practicing at home with his team and making it work. “I’ve had a few rough spots in my life and I feel I had to go to those places to learn that God is a part of each and every thing – His love is in our hearts and as long as I’m getting out of my own way, I’m at my best. It’s a hard lesson to learn.”
“Roping has been a job for me since I was 14 years old,” he said. Tuf won his first All Around title at the age of 6. “I made a living with it for twelve years before I fell off for a year (2016) – I’d practice maybe for a day before going to a rodeo. I had to figure this thing out.” He came back in 2017 and won the All Around. Then he admits, “I got too big for my britches. But it led me here so I’m thankful. It’s all I knew and all I saw, that’s what’s fun. I still get to go back and relive this a little bit and get another chance to do it differently. I was trying to be my best, but my heart wasn’t fully there. There was too much on my mind to be in any one spot at any one time. I realize that to be my best, I must be grounded and that’s a daily work.
Tuf saw his new look on life come to life in Castle Rock, Colo., during a summer rodeo. “I was by my trailer and these kids were roping the dummy and they asked me to come rope with them. One of their parents walked up and realized that it was me (a world champion) and the little kids decided I was their best friend. God wants us to take what he has in our hearts and just like a child, come to him, and enjoy His love.”
“I’m so thankful being in the western community and given this opportunity – God is here in this western way of life.”

“My first hat was an American. I’ve always been particular about how I looked and that’s where it started – they are definitely family members at this point for me. They have a great product and have helped me progress and connect with other people.”

Click Thompson grew up in Virginia. His passion for photography was sparked in high school, and further fueled in college when he went to his first PBR event. “I was hooked,” said the 34-year-old who migrated to Decatur, Texas, in 2019 to further his plan to become a successful Western sports photographer. “I started shooting bull riding and barrel racing. I was working at a theme park and got my first taste of shooting at a monthly event three hours from my house.” Click received his undergrad degree in visual communications from Virginia State University. “It was a mix of communication tools like graphic design and photography,” he explained. He went on to get his Master’s of Fine Arts in photography from Savannah College of Arts and Design while working as a photographer for the Department of Defense. “What you learn what you’re interested in from a bachelor’s degree. The Master’s degree is where you develop your own voice.” He picked Western Sports because of the unique aspect of the photography.
“Western sports are a reactionary type of photography; I have learned how to be conceptual and intentional in what I shoot,” he explains. With clients ranging from American Hat Company to individual athletes, and projects including catalogs, print and social media creative, and photography, he has etched out a market that allows him to utilize his many talents into various platforms that his clients need for marketing.
He admits the last three and a half years have been a whirlwind. “Overall, I’ve shot western sports for 11 years. Geographically, moving to Texas was perfect. Fort Worth is the headquarters for all of it. It allowed me to network and meet new people and clients to work with.” Click planned out this future for himself. “When Covid hit, I had to step back, but that allowed me to focus on my profession and process. I am dedicated to my craft and being a professional.” His short-term goal is to continue to give back to the western industry through his work as an artist. However, it’s his work as an instructor that serves as the driving force and foundation for his long-term legacy. Click instructs the next generation of rodeo photographers hosting clinics and workshops nationwide. “That ties back to me being an instructor years ago at Virginia State.”
For now, it’s on to the next one for this American hat wearing cowboy from Virginia.

Amberley Snyder is living proof of Positive Times, the tagline of American Hat. “To me it’s the lifestyle –the people who are constantly looking to improve themselves and the world around them. That’s the group that makes up American Hat. I want to grow with them, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.” Like Amberley, American Hat has overcome obstacles, including losing Keith Maddox, who coined the phrase, positive times. “That’s what I try to live regardless of what life throws at me .”
Life threw Amberley a curve ball on January 10, 2010. She was on her way to the National Western Stock Show and had just gotten fuel. She forgot to fasten her seatbelt and while she looked down to check her map, she drifted into the other lane and overcorrected. The vehicle slid off the road in the ice, and Amberley was ejected and slammed into a fence post. Paralyzed from the waist down, Amberley slowly rebuilt her life, which includes motivational speaking engagements across the country, a Netflix movie – Walk, Ride, Rodeo, based on her life, and the return to competitive barrel racing. Her mother recalls seeing her WPRA application in the trailer after her accident, and today, Amberley is chasing another spot in the Wilderness Circuit Finals. Thanks to grit, determination, and the help of many, she can cruise through the cloverleaf pattern without the use of her legs.
“I’m racing with the best of the best and I have issues with my balance – but I’ve learned to do the best I can with what I’ve got,” she said. “I have to forget my legs when I get on – I can’t be in control of them – I try to tell them to sit still and not get in the way.” She uses the same straps she started with 12 years ago. She is getting a new saddle, having worn out the one she got in 2004. “I’m not changing a thing about the saddle,” she said. Many things have seen an upgrade, including a Hart trailer with living quarters made to accommodate her needs. “It’s made it so I can do more things I need to – I have time to stand, I’ve been doing CrossFit, and I even have to do lessons.” She travels with her best friend, Emmy. “I convinced her last year to quit her job and work for me this summer.”
She has made barrel racing her focus this year, limiting her speaking engagements to around 25. Amberley has three horses, her main mount is her gelding, Legacy, she has had for eight years. Power, who used to be her main mount, is retired and babysits her recipient mare, who just had a baby. Penny is her back up mare and she has an up-and-coming mare, Willow, six this year. Finding horses has been trial and error. “If they take advantage of my legs not working, then they go on down the road. I’ve not had any bad horses, but they have to work with me.” Along with relearning cues, her horses have to stand still while Amberley gets on, a process that takes several steps.
“My struggle has stayed the same, I have to have patience with change and realize the inability that I have in some things – it’s still a challenge. This summer I’m working to be able to keep up at the bigger rodeos that I’m running in – hopefully we are in a position to do that and make the run I’m capable of and what I’m trained to do.”

“I’ve worn American hats for as long as I’ve been in rodeo,” said the 20-year-old who started competing in the sixth grade.  “When anybody thinks about who a cowboy is, one thing they picture is a nice cowboy hat. American Hat is the supplier of those nice hats.” Kase has always liked the style and quality of the hats and his favorite is the original black felt.

Tie-down roper, Kase Bacque, from Port Barre, LA, is headed to the College National Finals in 11^th position after taking the Southern Region Tie Down Roping championship, beating his friend, Kincade Henry. “Kincade Henry and I are best friends; we grew up high school rodeoing together. For me it was a big deal (winning the Southern region). Kincade always beat me at the end all the way through high school, so I finally got to beat him. It’s a friendly rivalry we have going on.”

Kase grew up around tie down roping. His dad, Ken Bacque, made the NFR in tie down roping in 1992. “He passed away when I was three, but my brother (Carter), taught me how to swing a rope and it’s progressed from there. My mom (Chiara) was my help, my driver, my chute person, my everything. I grew up raising cattle, Brahmas – that was her passion and that’s what she did. My favorite part of working cattle is being away from everything. It was a good place to be.”

His mom sold their place in Louisiana, and they moved to Huntsville, Texas, where Carter lives. “He is a cowboy – he trains horses. My sister (Lindsey) lives in Dallas, my mom stays in Madisonville, and I’m in Huntsville.” They all come together to cheer Kase on. “I’m the only one that continues to compete in rodeo. That’s how we see each other.” Kase has team roped a little but tie down is what he likes best.

He is preparing for the College Finals with the help of Joe Beaver. “I’m at his house right now. Just to have Joe on your side – he’s great for my mental game and roping with him boosts my confidence through the roof,” explains Kase. “Just to have Joe on my side helps my confidence. It’s more of an explanation of one thing that will give me that boost. He says things like; ‘you’ve won this multiple times, just go and do your job.’”

Kase admits his head gets in the way – “it’s getting a lot better. Some of it is nerves, but a lot of it is wanting to do good and be the best at everything I do. I want to win first, but I know if I can place and make the run – first isn’t always an option. My realizing that I sometimes I place second or fourth or fifth and knowing that when it’s my time, I’ll win first.” PULL OUT QUOTE

Kase competes in the PRCA, this is his rookie year. He is currently sitting second in Resistol Rookie standings, behind Riley Webb. He will hit the road this summer, traveling with Macon Murphy and John Douch, who is currently leading the world. “Macon is doing the entering for us. I’m taking two horses and we will more than likely each drive our own rigs and stage them along the way. This will be my first summer run as a pro athlete and I’m super excited about it. I’ve gone to Cheyenne and a couple other big ones, but I’ve never entered. I’ve only entered around here.” Kase has been watching old tapes of cowboys roping in the big arenas, and he’s excited to finally be in those videos. He’s got a really good horse, Hard Times, that he’s been riding for about a year. “We’ve been getting along good, and I’ve got a soft spot in my heart for him – we fit each other’s style. My back up horse is Karma.  All I do is rope – I do that every day when I can. I am keeping my horses in shape and looking good, braiding manes and tails.”

His other passion is duck hunting. “I grew up and fell into duck hunting,” he said. “Someday after I’m done rodeoing, I’d like to manage or own a duck hunting lodge and guide people in duck hunts either in Arkansas or Missouri.” His major in Agricultural Engineering and minor in Ag Business will help with the mechanical and business side of this goal. He loves to cook duck. “One of the best ways is to bake it into a gravy, like rice and gravy. It takes three or four hours, but it’s so good. The other way to make it is wrap it in cream cheese, and jalapeno peppers – jalapeno poppers.”

Kase will head out for the College Finals the first week in June. He and his horses will live off site at a place his mom found. “My mom is magical at finding places like that,” he said. His whole family is coming to cheer him on; there will be seven total. “I feel prepared and ready to go get a national championshi

“I like American Hat,” said bareback rider, Tim O’Connell. “I like what they represent, stand for, and believe in.” For the past few years, Tim has spent the winter in Bowie, Texas, so he is well acquainted with the American Hat headquarters (located in Bowie, Texas). “I actually wore an American hat before I was an endorsee. Their hats always stood out to me because of the craftsmanship, comfort, and style.” American hats are his choice in and out of the arena.
The 30-year-old has made eight trips to the NFR, taking the title three times, and winning the average three times as well. The Iowa cowboy credits his rise to the top to Three Hills Rodeo’s Free Ride Program, which provides instruction, as well as pays permit dues and entry fees for all the rodeos produced by Three Hills. He also competed in high school wrestling which helped his riding ability. His talent landed him a Wisconsin high School bull riding Championship in 2010 as well as a four-time qualification to the National High School finals. He qualified for the CNFR in 2011 and 2012 and earned the Resistol Bareback Riding Rookie of the Year in 2013.
Tim married his wife, Sami, in October of 2015 and they have a son, Hazen, and another son on the way in May. “Hazen just turned 4 and it’s a lot of work. We don’t live near either one of our families, so it’s always on her when I’m gone.” Tim has made going home a priority now that he has a family. “Honestly, it’s more important being a parent than being a rodeo athlete. I come home a lot. I will fly home often, even if it is just for a day or two to spend as much time as I can with my family.” He feels the longer he is away from his family, the worse he rides. “I come home, recharge my batteries, and I’m good to go.”
As far as the competition in the bareback riding goes, Tim loves it. “I’ll never shy away from competition.” He stays at the top of his event by hard work. “I have a personal trainer at Missouri Valley College, where I am a volunteer assistant coach. There is nothing easy about riding bareback horses, there’s not an easy route to being good at it. I have a great team of PT trainers, and when I’m hurt I can get the treatment I need. The team is dedicated to winning. We work so my body can take that abuse.”
Tim grew up around rodeo; his dad (Ray) is a pickup man and his brother, Will is a PRCA bullfighter. “I knew I’d be involved – I had a passion to be great. I don’t accept defeat very easily and I don’t accept mediocracy. I always said I’d be a world champion, just not multiple – and I thought it was going to be bull riding.” Tim went to a school in 2010 and got on some bucking horses. “One through me over his head; I tried it one more time and rode it and I slowly got on more horses.” Tim got a college scholarship to ride horses and bulls and he found out that he loved the bucking horses better than bulls.
He graduated with an Associates in fire science and a Bachelors in public relations. “All but two of us went on to get jobs in the field, but I knew by the second year I was destined to be a rodeo athlete.” When he finished school, he was two years into college rodeo, and he transferred to Missouri Valley. “I fell in love with the school and the program; it was centrally located, so I could rodeo on the side.”
He jumped in with a couple great guys (Jared Keylon and Kyle Brennecke) that had been doing it awhile and took careful notes on entering. “A couple years later, I had my route figured out and I just tweaked it over the years to make it feasible to make money. I know where to go and when to be there.”
Besides the NFR, Tim doesn’t have a favorite rodeo. “I just love rodeoing from the little ones to the big ones .. Cheyenne, Pendleton, Calgary … it’s hard not to be a true fan of rodeo in general.” He’s not sure what he’s going to do when rodeo is over. “I haven’t found the thing – I can do anything I want, but I’d like to find something I’d be half as passionate about as I am about rodeo.”

Jackie Crawford is accustomed to pressure. The 20x World Champion breakaway roper backed into the box at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and made a 2.26 second run to win The 2022 AMERICAN and $100,000. “When you’re roping at this level, once you leave the box, you don’t think – you can think before, but muscle memory has to take over. You’ve got to nail the barrier and take your first best shot.”
Jackie has been amongst a handful of women that have blazed the way for breakaway ropers to rope for incredible amounts of money. When she saw a need for a breakaway roping event in California, she started one – California’s Richest. “I drove out there for two years to make sure it got going.” When they added breakaway roping to the rodeo in Ellensburg Rodeo in Washington, she drove there from Texas to support it. “I was trying to be a face there supporting it and thanking the committees for it,” she said. Her son, Creed, was a newborn when she started making that trek. She has given back to the sport by teaching what she knows to others, creating the next generation of successful breakaway ropers.
One of her many sponsors is American Hat. “American Hat is one of the companies that our family is proud to be part of. It’s not just about putting a hat on,” she explains. “They’ve tried to help us as endorsers to be more successful in our business. They have invested in us and our future.” Jackie and her family have been welcomed into the American Hat family with open arms. “They are one of my favorite companies.”
Jackie and her husband, Charly (11-time PRCA NFR qualifier Team Roping Header), make their home in Stephenville, Texas. Along with Creed, they have a step-daughter, Kaydence, and a daughter, Journey Lynne Crawford, who is celebrating her first birthday in March. Jackie roped her last calf at the NFR, just three months before Journey was born. She had a special saddle made for her, without the horn, to accommodate her growing baby. “The day I roped my last calf at NFR I quit; from December to March.” Although she missed riding and roping, she did other things. “I try to look at the positive in everything in life; I took the time to do what I don’t do when I ride.” She decorated her house and got it ready to be featured as part of cowboy cribs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhFrytGGfm8.
The family literally lives within the barn, where the horses are. “We built everything under one roof: a three-bedroom home, the gym, an apartment, and a six stall barn. Our horses are part of our family.” In order to be as ready as she can be for an event, she has built boxes in one of the two outdoor arenas that are adjustable, so they can be changed to the setup for wherever she goes.
Jackie juggles her time between family, roping, riding, clinics, lessons, preparing for her weekly group coaching meeting, social media, interviews, and helping around the place with the rentals and numerous other things that pop up during the day. “Having kids – honestly – it’s like trying to manage a walking circus; you figure it out and keep going forward. I can’t do the things I used to do – I don’t have the time.” She admits she has a hard time delegating. “I want to be whatever everybody needs.” She and Charly have lots of things in the works in preparation for the future. “We don’t want to look up one day and be broke down and broke.” They feel blessed to have accomplished all they have done. “To be able to have this home is a dream – it’s more than either one of us expected to have – Rodeo has given us this opportunity and to have our kids grow up with these opportunities is truly amazing.”

“The name speaks for itself,” said Shane Hanchey about American hats. “American hats and American cowboys are what the Western way of life is all about. There is more concrete getting poured and less ranching, so it makes it that much more special.”
Shane is proud to be part of the American Hat Company brand ambassador program. “If you go down the roster, it’s the who’s who of professional rodeo.” Shane has been on the team since 2018, and loves wearing the American hat. “I am part of the positive times movement that was started by the late Keith Maddox and his legacy for positive times and American hats are the best – made right here in Bowie, Texas.
From Sulphur, Louisiana, Shane started roping left-handed when he was very young, roping with his brother, Jason and his uncle, Butch Loft. Jason switched him to right-handed when he was five. “He said it wouldn’t be a fair advantage to be left-handed, only six guys have ever made the NFR left-handed.” Shane played a lot of sports and didn’t get serious about roping until high school. “I realized I could make a living at this.” He went through the Louisiana High School Rodeo Association, making Nationals three out of four and winning the state twice. He went to college in 2009, making the CNFR, and earned Resistol Rookie of the Year in 2009. He made his first of 12 appearances at the Wrangler National Finals in 2010. Shane won the World in 2013 and won the National Finals twice – 2013 and 2020.
Shane has had his share of misfortune, missing two world championships by one tenth of a second. He has also lost two horses, one two weeks before the 2021 WNFR. He has never let any of adversity stop him. “I still battle with it every day – I still think about it; but in order to move on and keep my head up, I’ve got to be confident and trust what God has in store for me and He has a bigger plan than what you think you have.”
Shane met his wife, Taylor Jacob, through rodeo. She made the WNFR in 2013 and 2015. They started dating in 2015 and got married in April of 2021. They both just won a round at San Antonio, qualifying for the finals there. They have relocated to Texas, where Shane is sharing his Louisiana culture by running a food trailer, Bo’s Boil n Geaux, specializing in crawfish boils, shrimp, gumbo, and all things Cajun. “We go from Stephenville to Weatherford, and Giddings. “Taylor and I run it – and it’s something we can do after our careers in rodeo. I usually lay low from March until June, and this works out perfectly.” Shane is now technically a chef, and his love of Cajun food is what got him started on this path. “I love everything about Louisiana from the people to the food and I wanted to bring that to the people in Texas.”
The first thing that comes to his mind about future goals are more world titles. “That is obviously the first thing, but after that, we want the food trailer to be successful. We hope to have kids and I’d like to be retired from rodeo by the time I’m 40. Then I want to ride off into the sunset with no regrets.”