Category: Newsletter Articles

Are you ready for the country’s premier championship rodeo event slated for December 7-16 in Las Vegas? Korkow Rodeos of Pierre, South Dakota is! Their ‘Anchor K’ branded bucking stock has been selected by the top cowboys for the 58th time to perform at the 2017 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). 2017 marks the 58th annual finals event, produced by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), where the top 15 money-earners of the year compete in their respected event, 7 main events total, to determine a World Champion.
Korkow Rodeos is in their 70th year of rodeo stock contracting, raising and providing bucking stock for and producing rodeos. Erv Korkow started his company in 1947 and it has continued with son, Jim Korkow, grandson, TJ Korkow, and many family members and friends along the rodeo trail.
Korkow Rodeos is being presented with the Remuda Award by the PRCA during the 2017 PRCA Convention in Las Vegas. The Remuda Award is given to the PRCA Stock Contractor that produces and provides the deepest and most level herd/remuda of high caliber bucking stock for the cowboys to draw from at a rodeo. The cowboys appreciate a level playing field of the herd in which they have a chance to draw, ride and win on. Numerous good horses and bulls to draw from means a better chance for the rough stock riders to earn prize money.
Danny Etbauer, an eight time NFR qualifier, a South Dakota native and a member of the famed Etbauer saddle bronc riding family says, “My brothers and I were raised on Korkow bucking horses since we were kids. Some we got on as kids, we got on later at the NFR. I loved going to Korkow rodeos because you always had a chance to win on every horse you drew. If you made a good ride, you had a chance. There’s not many contractors out there like that. I appreciate everything they put in to their breeding program and all they’ve done for my career and rodeo. Thank you Erv, Jim, TJ and the whole family for all your efforts.”

Courtesy of Ted Harbin

 

Coleman Proctor has had a pretty good year, but he’s hoping it just keeps getting better.

“The best part of this year was definitely having this little princess,” Proctor said of Stella Rein Lèon Proctor, born Oct. 27. “Watching her being born, seeing the gift of life right in front of you … it was something I was really looking forward to.”

With that, he will have one more fan in the stands as the team roper from Pryor chases his gold-buckle dreams at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, set for Dec. 7-16 in Las Vegas.

His fourth qualification is just the icing on the cake to a terrific 2017 season, one in which he earned $98,000 through the regular season and enters ProRodeo’s grand finale No. 5 in the world standings.

“She’s pretty well got me wrapped around her finger already,” he said.

Proctor, a header, had the best regular season of his career. Roping with Billie Jack Saebens of Nowata, Okla., Proctor has established himself as one of the best headers in ProRodeo. This is his fourth straight NFR qualification and his second with Saebens.

“Billie and I just had a great year,” Proctor said. “It got slow this winter, but I didn’t head very good this winter. I made some adjustments to my game at the arena here at the house. It made a big difference.

“I also made a mentality change, and it happened about the time I found out we were having Stella. The first person I told was (former partner) Jake Long, and he said, ‘Boy, you’re going to start doing some winning.’ ”

Long was right. Proctor and Saebens reeled in 11 victories, including three that were lucrative Wrangler Championship Challenge events. Those, combined with placing at key rodeos along the way, helped push both men into the top five in their respective standings.

“You want to be a top-five guy throughout the year,” he said. “I’m tired of going to the NFR at the bottom. That’s where the last two years have been. But I’ve done my job, and I’ve got the best heeler in the world.

“It’s something I’ve been working toward. Now I have a legit chance to win a world title. That made the year a lot less stressful.”

But the year didn’t come without its stress. On Sept. 14, Proctor’s father-in-law, Garey Arnold, died unexpectedly. Not only was he trying to comfort his wife, Stephanie, and her family, but Proctor also realized his own mourning at the time.

While Proctor was on the rodeo trail, Arnold took care of things around the house.

“When I was gone, I never had to worry,” Proctor said. “He did everything around here. We’ve got some projects going on every time I was home.

“I’m just going to miss having my running buddy.”

But he’ll have plenty of memories, all while making memories with his own daughter. She won’t remember anything from her first trip to Las Vegas, but Daddy is hoping she’ll have a good scrapbook. By roping consistently throughout the season, he has the first few pages already crafted.

Though he struggled some during the summer months, his solid start to the season helped the tandem stay in contention despite a mediocre middle. Although he trails leader Kaleb Driggers by nearly $36,000, Proctor can make that up over two nights in the Nevada desert, where go-round winners will pocket more than $26,000 per night for 10 rounds.

“My roping’s been good,” he said. “I feel better than I’ve ever felt. It’s just been easy, and that’s always fun when it’s easy because there’s so much confidence you have in your ability. I’ve got a lot of confidence in Billie and I as a team. I think our runs have developed, and it’s easier to see things coming.”

That’s the measure of a team’s development hitting its stride. Proctor’s team includes much more than Saebens. It includes his wife, daughter, family, friends and sponsors – Southern Welding, SpeedRoping.com, Riverbend Arena, Lonestar Ropes, Justin Boots, Wrangler, Coats Saddlery, CSI Saddlepads, Brazos Valley Equine Hospital, DF Quarterhorses, Purina, Hot Heels and Classic Truck Sales.

While they’ve all shared their support in many ways, he knows he has a team of equine stars that help put food on the table.

“Horsepower is so important, and I’m real confident in the ones I have,” Proctor said. “When your horses are good and your attitude’s good, it seems like the winning keeps coming around. It’s been fun all year.”

He’s counting on that fun to continue down the road to Las Vegas, where the arena is lined with gold, just like Coleman Proctor’s dreams.

Courtesy of South Point

 

Famed professional football tight-end, Bear Pascoe, will compete in the 2017 Permit Challenge at the South Point Arena on Thursday, Dec. 7, where he will test his skill in the Steer Wrestling competition. The Permit Challenge invites the top five Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Permit holders in each rodeo event to compete for $21,000.

Pascoe is from Morro Bay, California and qualified in the fifth spot, earning $5,043 throughout 2017. He is not new to the Western lifestyle, growing up on a cattle ranch in California’s Central Valley and the son-in-law of ProRodeo Hall of Fame Steer Wrestler, John W. Jones JR.

 

“My heroes have and always will be my dad, my brother Ryan Pascoe and John W. Jones JR.,” said Pascoe. “He has had a big impact on me in the rodeo arena. He’s the one that taught me how to steer wrestle. Johnny has taught me a lot over the past couple years and I am honored and blessed to have him as a coach, father-in law and most importantly a friend.”

 

Bo Pickett, competing in the Tie-Down Roping, and Dawson Hay, competing in the Saddle Bronc Riding, also come from very successful rodeo families.

 

Pickett’s uncle, Dee Pickett has been inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and is a two-time world champion. Bo’s cousin, Cody Pickett, was a quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.

 

Dawson Hay is working to keep a family legacy alive. His dad, Rod Hay has competed at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) 20 times. His Uncle, Denny Hay, qualified for the WNFR four times.

 

To purchase a PRCA membership card contestants must fill their permit, meaning they must win $1,000 at PRCA sanctioned rodeos that year. They can then purchase their PRCA card and compete in hopes to qualify for the “Super Bowl” of rodeo, the WNFR. Many contestants choose to compete on their Permit for a full year to gain experience prior to their rookie year as a PRCA card holder and to qualify to compete at the Permit Challenge.

 

Other Permit Challenge Contestants by Event:

Bareback Bronc Riding:

1. Cole Picton Marshall, MO $18,870.54
2. Zach Hibler Wheeler, TX $16,571.42
3. Tristan Hansen Dillon, MT $16,501.06
4. Tyler Berghuis Atwater, MN $15,265.25
5. Logan Patterson Kim, CO $14,883.92

 

Steer Wrestling:

1. Ben Kilburg LaMotte, IA $11,619.79
2. Walt Arnold Coleman, TX $10,564.28
3. Joby Allen Alva, OK $7,846.92
4. Paul Bianchi Salinas, CA $5,999.04
5. Bear Pascoe Morro Bay, CA $5,043.33

 

Team Roping- Headers:

1. Curry Kirchner Ames, OK $13,466.91
2. Butch Levell Glenwood, IA $12,531.34
3. Jeff Flenniken Caldwell, ID $11,843.15
4. Colton Campbell Klamath Falls, OR $10,603.54
5. Quinton Parchman Cumberland City, TN $7,809.66

 

Team Roping- Heelers:

1. James Arnold Midway, TX   $25,805.62
2. Hunter Koch Walters, OK $21,849.32
3. Coy Brittain Rockwall, TX $12,512.02
4. Wyatt Hansen Oakdale, CA $8,297.86
5. Trey Michaelis Mercer, MO $8,137.46

 

Saddle Bronc Riding:

1. Cameron Messier Herald, CA $20,905.01
2. Ross Griffin Tularosa, NM    $14,491.57
3. Dawson Hay Wildwood, AB $12,247.93
4. Tyler Turco Franktown, CO  $11,917.40
5. Johnny Espeland Tygh Valley, OR $10,601.01

 

Tie-Down Roping:

1. Cory Craig Wendell, ID       $11,593.67
2. Bo Pitckett Caldwell, ID $11,492.66
3. Riley Istre Vinton, LA $7,773.82

 

Bull Riding:

1. Clayton Sellars Fruitland Park, FL $36,716.56
2. Aaron Williams Pismo Beach, CA             $32,241.70
3. Jess Davidson Miles City, MT $24,310.79
4. Fulton Rutland Stilwell, OK        $21,644.86
5. Colby Demo Red Bluff, CA   $19,559.08

 

To learn more about the rodeo events visit PRCA’s website.

 

Tickets for the 2017 Permit Challenge can be purchased at on the South Point Arena website.

 

If you would like more information, to sign up for press credentials, or would like to schedule an interview with any of our contestants, please call Madelaine Mills at (720) 224-7091 or email at MissRodeoColorado2016@gmail.com.

 

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About 2017 Permit Challenge:

The eighth annual Permit Member of the Year Challenge will be hosted in conjunction with the Benny Binion’s Bucking Horse & Bull Sale. Taking place on Dec. 7th at the South Point Arena, the rodeo will begin at noon, with two rounds for each event. The top five Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Permit holders in each rodeo event will compete for a total purse of $21,000. This year, a Rookie Bull Riding, with five of our top 15 rookie bull riders, will also be held boasting a $2,500 prize. Following the rodeo, a winner’s presentation will take place in the arena.

 

About South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa:

Featuring more than 2,100 guestrooms, South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa overlooks the famous Las Vegas Strip and the serenity of the surrounding mountainscape. Each oversized guest room features state-of-the-art LED televisions as well as WiFi with high-speed internet connections. Guests visiting South Point will experience affordable luxury through a casino offering top-of-the-line gaming technology, more than 60 table games and a separate race and sports book area, 11 restaurants, including the award-winning Michael’s Gourmet Room, the world-class Costa Del Sur Spa and Salon, a 400-seat showroom featuring headliner entertainment, a 700-seat Bingo room, a 16-screen Cinemark movie complex, a state-of-the-art 64-lane bowling center, a 52,000-square foot Conference Center and an 80,000-square foot Exhibit Hall. South Point Hotel is also home to the Tournament Bowling Plaza, a multi-million dollar professional bowling tournament facility. In addition, South Point has the finest equestrian event facility in the country. The 240,000 square feet of event space features three climate-controlled arenas, vet clinic, feed store, more than 1,200 climate-controlled stalls and plays host to some of the country’s most unique events.  South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa is at 9777 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89183.

 

For more information or for room reservations, call (702) 796-7111 or visit the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa website. Connect with South Point on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and foursquare.

 

For More Information:

Madelaine Mills

2017 Permit Challenge

MissRodeoColorado2016@gmail.com

702.224.7091

 

Jaclyn Dadas / Lea Komitzky / Rebecca Baia

Kirvin Doak Communications

SouthPointPR@kirvindoak.com

702.737.3100

Courtesy of  Ted Harbin

 

CLEMENTS, Calif. – Cowboy is all Clayton Biglow has wanted to be, what he aspires to be.

“Ever since I hit the ground, I wanted to be a cowboy,” said Biglow, 21, of Clements. “I never went a day without thinking about it.”

That’s a good thing, since he’s pretty good at it. Biglow is a bareback rider, and he’s one of the best. He is about to embark on his second straight Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, set for Dec. 7-16 in Las Vegas.

He earned the right to compete with the best in ProRodeo by having a tremendous 2017 regular season; he pocketed $128,153 and sits third in the world standings. Most importantly, he’s living his dreams on the rodeo trail.

“I played football, basketball and baseball growing up, and I thought I was going to play baseball because I loved it so much,” he said. “But I was always upset with practice because I didn’t have time to rope or ride steers. I guess that’s a ‘Here’s Your Sign’ moment.”

It comes naturally to Biglow. His father, Russ, is a team roper who used to ride bareback horses, and his mom, Jessie, trains jumping horses; his older sister, Taylor, is a barrel racer and breakaway roper, and younger sister, Maddie, competes in jumping and virtually all girls rodeo events.

That’s what happens for children who are ranch-raised. It doesn’t hurt that his father also understands Biglow’s trade.

“I wanted to try all the events,” he said. “My dad made me quit riding bulls because I was so little; I didn’t grow until the end of my sophomore year of high school. The first bareback horse I ever got on, I just fell in love with it. I got off, and I knew right that that it was the event I wanted to pursue.

“My dad was the biggest and still is the biggest influence in my career. Before I got on my first bareback horse, I already knew what to do. My dad was tremendously helpful.”

Dad wasn’t the only trainer. Having a mother who showed jumping horses came into play. Not only could he ride the jumpers, but he oftentimes rode them bareback, even setting up jumps. As the horse would clear the jump, Biglow would hold his heels above the animal’s shoulders. That’s the markout, the starting point for all bareback riders and an integral part of every ride.

It was just another level of training that has been so beneficial to the talented, young cowboy. It’s why he’s propelled himself to the top of the game in just his second year competing in ProRodeo. He finished his first campaign with $171,000 and was crowned the rookie of the year – $94,000 came at last year’s NFR.

“Making the NFR last year was just a goal,” Biglow said. “I’m not going to say it was a surprise, because this is how I wanted to do it. I wanted things to happen now. I didn’t expect anything less.

“There’s a huge difference between confidence and cockiness. It’s another thing to be humble, too, and that’s what I strive for most. Don’t get caught up in what you’ve done. You learn something from every single horse you get on.”

He picked up some big wins this season, from Puyallup, Wash., to Sikeston, Mo., and numerous points between. In all, he earned at least a share of the title at 12 rodeos. That was critical to his season in ProRodeo, where dollars equal points; the contestants in each event with the most money earned at the conclusion of the NFR will be crowned world champions.

“That’s the goal, and that’s been the goal since I started riding bareback horses,” he said. “If you don’t have your mind on the gold buckle, then you might as well not even ride.”

As he heads into ProRodeo’s grand championship, Biglow understands what it’s going to take to earn that coveted gold. He trails the leader, Tim O’Connell, by nearly $74,000, but he can make up ground in a hurry. The NFR is the world’s richest rodeo, featuring an $8 million purse. Go-round winners will earn more than $26,000 per round for 10 nights.

If things went just right, Biglow could catch up to O’Connell in three nights. But just as importantly, the trip to Vegas is all about the business of making money while riding bucking horses. It’s something he’s battled to do all season while traveling with his good friends Cash Wilson and Wyatt Denny, the 2015 rookie of the year.

It’s a tough business. Besides getting on nearly 100 bucking horses a year, the three men travel tens of thousands of miles in order to compete in the sport they love. It takes a toll on their bodies. But he has an ace in the hole in Dr. Brett Lemire at Universal Chiropractic Spine & Sport in Elk Grove, Calif.

“I go to Dr. Brett every time I’m home,” said Biglow, who credits sponsors Barstow, Resistol and Wrangler with helping him get down the rodeo trail, along with his grandmother, Carol Atkinson, who pays for his diesel. “I get massages, and he pretty much puts me back together. I started going to him last year when I got hurt, and I know it’s done a huge part with my riding. I feel great when I get on; I didn’t realize how important that is.”

In fact, Lemire is also planning to be in Vegas for part of Biglow’s team at the NFR. Besides that aspect of his wellness, the northern California cowboy also works diligently on building his body.

“I always go to the gym, and I rope and ride a lot when I’m home,” he said. “I like to ride my horses bareback quite a bit. I’ve got a couple of head horses that I’m trying to get in shape, so I ride them bareback. It’s good for your balance, and it keeps your groins in shape.”

He’ll need every advantage he can get in the City of Lights. The bareback riders will test their skills against the 100 best horses in the game in 2017. It’s a rugged test that happens over 10 straight nights.

From his first foray into ProRodeo four seasons ago to this year’s run for the gold buckle, things are lining up for Biglow.

“I think my riding has come around a lot since 2014,” he said. “What I like now is that I know what’s going on when I’m riding. I can feel the horses better, and I can pick up my timing better. I’ve got a lot more control.”

Now he hopes to control his own fortunes, and Las Vegas is the best place to make that happen.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – When the contestants arrive at the upcoming Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER, Dec. 7-16, there will be plenty of drama to see who will win gold buckles.

The coveted all-around gold buckle race at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas will be full of intrigue. Trevor Brazile will arrive in Las Vegas leading the WEATHER GUARD® PRCA World Standings for all-around with $243,760. Tuf Cooper, Brazile’s brother-in-law, is second in the all-around with $230,022.

Brazile overtook Cooper for the all-around lead with his solid performance at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping in Mulvane, Kan., Nov. 10-11.

Brazile placed second in the final steer roping standings with $126,538. He earned $63,273 at the NFSR. Cooper qualified for his first NFSR in 2017 and placed 12th in the final standings with $60,107. Cooper won $14,891 at the NFSR.

Brazile, who has won a PRCA record 23 world championships, has captured 13 all-around gold buckles, his last coming in 2015. Cooper, meanwhile, is making his first run at winning an all-around title.

Brazile and Cooper likely will decide the all-around championship as they are both competing in tie-down roping at this year’s WNFR. Cooper is first in the tie-down roping standings with $190,445. Brazile is sixth in the standings with $101,433.

Other cowboys who could factor in the all-around race – with huge performances at the WNFR – are tie-down roper Caleb Smidt, steer wrestler Ryle Smith, team roping heeler Junior Nogueira, team roping header Erich Rogers, team roping heeler Russell Cardoza and steer wrestler Dakota Eldridge.

Nogueira made ProRodeo history by becoming the first Brazilian to don a gold buckle when he won the 2016 all-around cowboy world title, defeating Clayton Hass by $3,620. Nogueira is a native of Presidente Prudente, Brazil.

South Dakota horse “Fiery Miss West” wins Badlands Circuit Barrel Horse of the Year

Minot, N.D. (October 10, 2017) – A young exceptional horse has won the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association Badlands Circuit Horse of the year.

“Missy”, a six year old palomino owned by Gary Westergren of Lincoln, Neb. and ridden by Jessica Routier of Buffalo, S.D. earned the title after carrying her rider to a qualification and the championship at the 2017 Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo in Minot.

Missy, whose registered name is Fiery Miss West, is an “early bloomer,” Routier said. “She didn’t have a lot of barrel racing time put on her in her early years,” as Routier and husband Riley Routier added twin daughters and another daughter to their clan. However, they ranched on the palomino. “I’m a firm believer that that’s what makes a horse great: learning to work hard at a young age. If you ranch on them, the barrel racing should seem easy.”

Last year, Routier took her to futurities, where she did well. This year, she took Missy to pro rodeos, and the team placed almost everywhere they competed, winning first in Plentywood, Mont., Onida and Aberdeen, S.D., Granite Falls, Minn., and second at Rapid City’s summer rodeo and in Deadwood, S.D. They entered the circuit finals in Minot last week in first place, with over $20,000 accumulated from the season. During the season, they knocked over a few barrels, but Routier credited that to Missy’s youth. “They were young and green horse moments where we didn’t have our timing.”

Missy does well with nearly every arena situation, Routier said. “She handles all types of ground, and every arena set up. I was little nervous for the first round (at the circuit finals in Minot) because we’ve never done a blind first barrel before. But she handled it fine.” The way the barrel pattern is set up at the circuit finals, horses are not able to see the first barrel till they are through the alley.

Missy also has a generous personality. “She’s very kind,” Routier said. “She loves all our kids. She’s laid back. The kids can ride around on her.” She does have one small flaw. “Her only vice is she doesn’t like to stand still. But that we can deal with.”

Missy was sired by Firewater Frenchman and out of Frenchmans Bodashus.

Routier, who grew up in Wisconsin, has qualified for the Great Lakes Circuit Finals Rodeo four times and the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo eight times. She was the 2010 year-end Badlands Circuit champion as well as this year’s champion.

The horse also won the Badlands Circuit’s Rising Star award as well.

For the first time, the Greeley Stampede, Rooftop Rodeo Estes, and Larimer County Fair & PRCA Rodeo partnered to recognize one contestant from the combined rodeo series that earned the most points in 2017 for the Rodeo 34 Award.

The new alliance, named after the highway that connects the three rodeos, was created to help promote the sport of rodeo.  Members from the three rodeo committees will meet throughout the year to share information, cross promote and build new partnership.

Points were given to the top ten contestants of each rodeo event at all three rodeos. The points were determined on placing with first place earning ten points through tenth place earning one point. To be qualified for the award, contestants were required to compete in all three rodeos.

The recipient of the inaugural Rodeo 34 Award, will receive a $3,000 gas & grocery gift card and a championship pure beaver custom cowboy hat courtesy of Greeley Hat Works valued at $1,650.

This year, the winner of the Rodeo 34 Award is barrel racer Sydni Blanchard of New Mexico. Sydni will be recognized on Saturday, October 28 during the Mountain States Circuit Finals in Loveland.

 

The top nine contestants from the series include:

1. Sydni Blanchard                      Barrel Racing                          23.5 points
2. Brody Cress                             Saddle Bronc                           20.5 points
3. Billy Bugenig                           Steer Wrestling                       20 points
4. Seth Hardwick                         Bareback Riding                      16 points
5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi             Barrel Racing                          15 points
6. Baylor Roche                           Steer Wrestling                       13.5 points
7. Leon Foundation                     Saddle Bronc                           13.5 points
8. Jake Pratt                                Tie Down Roping                     12 points
9. Josh Frost                                Bull Riding                               11 points

 

 

courtesy of Kevin McFarling, Marketing Coordinator

THE TWENTY FIFTH ANNUAL SHERIDAN, WYOMING, ELK’S YOUTH RODEO was held on August 26 and 27, 2017. The rodeo’s 26 events attracts contestants from Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas, Montana, Idaho, North  Dakota, Colorado, South Dakota, Nebraska, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming.  Three arenas, running at the same time, were used to accommodate the 744 entrees each day. Some of the events included 131 goat tiers, 128 barrel racers and 94 break away ropers each day. This was a hard two days with very skilled competitors. We were impressed with the contestants’ attitudes and their commitment.

Cash and awards of $71,590.00 were presented to contestants ages 17 and under.  These consisted of cash and scholarships of $12,252.00 and awards valued at $59,338.00.

Ellie Bard, 16, from Sheridan, Wyoming, won the Senior All Around, a one-year lease of a new Ford truck, provided by Fremont Motors, Sheridan, WY. Ellie has been a contestant in this rodeo since she was a Pee Wee. She has always been willing to help other contestants or our rodeo crew. The Elks are very proud of her and wish her the best in the future.

Cooper Deveraux, 16, From Newcastle, Wyoming, won the All Around Youth award, a Jackson three horse slant load trailer, provided by Prime Rate Motors, Sheridan, WY.

Hadley Thompson, 9, from Yoder, Wyoming received a $2,000.00 scholarship as the All Around Youth Reserve Champion.

Krissy VanderVoort, 17, From Billings, Montana received the All Around Youth Reserve Runner-up $1,000.00 scholarship and Tanner McInerney, 17, From Alzada, Montana received the Senior Reserve Champion $2,000.00 scholarship

The Senior Reserve Runner-up receiving a saddle was Bella Fossum 16, From Billings, Montana. The saddle for the Intermediate All Around went to Haiden Thompson, 13, from Yoder, Wyoming. The saddle for the Junior All Around went to Hadley Thompson, 9, From Yoder, Wyoming, and the saddle for the pee wee all around went to Jewel Randall, 6, From Wheatland, Wyoming. The other winners are as shown on the attached list.

The Sheridan Elk’s Lodge #520 wishes to thank all of the contestants and sponsors for their help in making this possible and is looking forward to holding this event again next year.

Sincerely,

Youth Rodeo Chairman

courtesy of CBR

WEATHERFORD, Texas – October 10, 2017 – Championship Bull Riding (CBR), a professional bull riding company announced today the promotion of Murphy Lents to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This position was created to support the growth of CBR over the course of the last few years.  Lents is currently a member of the Board of Directors.

 

Murphy Lents, former President, Headwaters Roofing and Siding Group of Salt Lake City, UT, stated, “Authenticity is what separates CBR from many other bull riding ventures.  I was brought in by the CBR board because I have the organizational skills to help us grow but also because I have a heartfelt appreciation for the sport’s beginnings as a place for a bunch of cowboys to get together, show off their riding skill, and laugh a lot.  So, we plan to get a little bigger but still have fun and enjoy the ride.”

 

Lents has an MBA degree from Wharton School of Business in Pennsylvania and graduated from Rice University in Houston with a degree in English and Spanish.

 

Chairman of the Board, Benny Cude, said, “I am honored to bring Murphy on board to promote our efforts. Adding professionals with deep experience in their fields and strong credentials will make the future very bright for CBR.”

 

CBR is experiencing growth on all levels including the televised Road to Cheyenne tour and the qualifying Horizon Series. The industry’s top athletes such as six time World Champion Sage Kimzey and PRCA Rookie of the Year Boudreaux Campbell combined with the CBR Bull Team Challenge animal athletes make for an entertaining and authentic western show, and one of Lents’ goals is getting that show in front of more people.

 

“CBR has the most professionally run and fun bucking bull events in the country while still staying true to the authentic, cowboy sport that it is.  Everyone at CBR wants to introduce our riders and bulls to more people in larger venues.  At the same time, we respect the talent and courage of our riders and the breeding and strength of the bulls at our events.  If we can introduce more people to the sport while staying true to our cowboy roots, we will have done a good job for the company, our riders and bull owners, as well as the new fans we introduce to the sport and our values.”

 

Murphy’s interest in CBR came through his business partner and CBR Board of Directors member Bob Whisnant.  The two founded and operated Southwest Concrete Products in tandem and grew it to be one of the largest concrete products companies in the Southwest.

 

Lents began his business career in banking and private equity management and has served as the President of four corporations including Independent Gas Company, Eldorado Stone, Southwest Concrete, and Headwaters’ Roofing and Siding Group.

 

“I have founded and run a wide variety of businesses over my career.  One of the most important things I’ve learned is that I don’t know everything.  I have a healthy respect for the men and women in a business who are the real operators and boots on the ground. Fortunately, CBR has accomplished professionals that know the business like the backs of their hands.  What I can do is help the team develop meaningful goals and a plan to accomplish those goals. “

 

Murphy and his wife Dianne own Twisted Rose Farm outside of Kerrville, Texas and has piloted their family’s Morgan horses to multiple World Championships. “We’ve been lucky enough to take several of our horses to world championships and I was the reserve national gentleman’s western pleasure champion the last two years and earned the National gentleman’s Championship just last Saturday.  I’ve almost never been bucked off in less than 8 seconds.”

 

The Lents management style – “I get everyone rowing the boat in a good direction and the same direction while keeping an eye out for rocks and shallow water,” said Lents from his home in Kerrville, Texas.

 

For more information contact Leighann@cbrbull.com. Follow CBR on Facebook – Championship Bull Riding, Twitter and Instagram @cbrbull.com.

Photo Credit: Todd Brewer

 

About Championship Bull Riding

Located near the cowboy capital of the world, historic Weatherford, Texas, Championship Bull Riding (CBR) is an organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the very best elements of the sport. Under the direction of Chairman of the Board, Benny Cude and bull riding icon Tuff Hedeman, CBR has grown into an organization that works to put the best riders on the best bulls, delivering world-class qualified rides and entertainment to its legions of world-side fans. CBR has two tours, riders begin in the Horizon Series earning points to move onto the elite Road to Cheyenne Tour. The Road to Cheyenne Tour culminates in July in Wyoming at the legendary Cheyenne Frontier Days where the World Champion Bull Rider earns a $100,000 bonus. The CBR Bull Team Challenge is also part of the tour events where stock contractors bring their best bulls and compete for annual cash prizes that total over $1 million. Providing opportunities for contestants, stock contractors, fans and sponsors is why CBR is the REAL COWBOY SPORTtm. CBR is featured at over 70 venues across the United States with national television programming on the Fox Sports Networks for 26 consecutive weeks in prime time. Follow CBR on all major social media platforms as Championship Bull Riding and CBRbull. For more information visit www.cbrbull.com or call 817-626-BULL (2855).

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Five first-time winners were chosen as American Quarter Horse Association/Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Horses of the Year, which were announced Oct. 10.

Three horses were named in each of the six categories, and the lone repeat champion was team roping heeling horse Zans Colonel Shine (Colonel), which is the mount for Jake Long.

Long enters his seventh Wrangler National Finals Rodeo presented by Polaris RANGER fifth in the WEATHER GUARD^® PRCA World Standings. Long owns the horse with his wife, Tasha, and the horse helped him win rodeos at the Gladewater (Texas) Round-Up Rodeo, and Kit Carson County Fair & Rodeo (Burlington, Colo.) with partner Luke Brown, who is fourth in the team roping header standings.

“It means a lot to me and my family and any time people recognize your animal with something like this (Horse of the Year), it makes you feel good,” Long said. “Colonel is good in every setup. I can ride him anywhere from Salinas to the (Thomas & Mack Center) at the NFR. He never cost me money and it is never his fault. The cool thing about him is he really likes to go and compete.”

On the other side of team roping, Chad Masters’ horse Madison Oak (Clint), an 11-year-old he has owned since the horse was 4, took top honors. Masters, a two-time world champion (2007, 2012), is headed to his 11th WNFR. Masters and his partner, Travis Graves, had a strong regular season, which included Masters riding Clint to the win at California Rodeo Salinas. Masters enters Las Vegas seventh in the world standings.

Back in 2015, Clint finished third in the AQHA/PRCA Horse of the Year voting.

“For the group of horses that are in there, for mine to do good, means a lot to me,” Masters said.

The bulldogging mount which won Horse of the Year is Canted Plan (Scooter), owned by Tyler Pearson and Kyle Irwin. Pearson enters his second WNFR third in the world standings and Irwin is 11th.

During Pearson’s career-best regular season he had several wins, including at the Wrangler Champions Challenge presented by Justin Boots (Sioux Falls, S.D.), and the Lawton (Okla.) Rangers Rodeo. Irwin, meanwhile, is headed to his third WNFR and had big wins aboard Scooter at the Cody (Wyo.) Stampede, the Canby (Ore.) Rodeo, and the St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo.

“We’re pumped that he won this award,” Pearson said. “Kyle and I knew he deserved this, and I’m really happy that several other people thought the same.”

Irwin concurred with Pearson.

“Scooter is a one-of-a-kind horse,” Irwin said. “He has a personality. He’s a winner.”

Shane Hanchey’s tie-down roping horse, Simon Cow (Si), claimed the top spot. Hanchey, the 2013 world champion, has owned the horse since May of 2015, and he helped Hanchey finish third in the regular season world standings and qualify for his eighth career WNFR.

“It’s pretty cool that I now have a Horse of the Year,” Hanchey said. “He’s an easy-going horse that doesn’t care about anything, and he got this Horse of the Year honor because any style of roper can win on him and he’s good at any setup.”

The steer roping horse which took the top spot was John Bland’s Carols Sassy Doc (Salty). The horse helped Bland have the best season of his career and powered him to his first appearance at the Clem McSpadden National Finals Steer Roping, Nov. 10-11 in Mulvane, Kan.

Salty is 16 years old, and Bland has owned him his entire life.

“This is unbelievable to know that we’ve been together this long and that everybody thinks as much of him as I do,” Bland said.

 

Here are the full results in each event:

 

STEER WRESTLING

1. Canted Plan (Scooter), owners Tyler Pearson and Kyle Irwin
2. Landrys Cadillac (Cadillac), owner Frank Sterling Wallace
3. Famous Chuck (Chuck), owner Kyle Whitaker

 

TEAM ROPING-HEADING

1. Madison Oak (Clint), owner Chad Masters
2. RK Tuff Trinket (Bob), owner Riley Minor
3. Rappers Ruff Stuff (Rudy), owner Farrell Lee Webb

 

TEAM ROPING-HEELING

1. Zans Colonel Shine (Colonel), owners Jake and Tasha Long
2. Domino Lena (Kevin), owner Dixon Flowers QH
3. Leos Highbrow (Sug), owner Brady Minor

 

TIE-DOWN ROPING

1. Simon Cow (Si), owner Shane Hanchey
2. HA Nitros CD Player (Nitro), owner Samann Vest Watkins
3. MFO Harvey (Colonel), owner Timber Moore

 

STEER ROPING

1. Carols Sassy Doc (Salty), owner John Bland
2. Jacks Bay Wolf (Choctaw), owner Jason Evans
3. SHS Short Go Ike (AJ), owners Aaron and Willow Raley

 

BARREL RACING

1. Rafter W Minnie Reba (Sister), owner Sam Williams
2. MCM Imasharpguy (Sharpie), owners Matt and Bendi Dunn
3. Show Mance, owner Tiany Schuster

 

Pro Rodeo circuit rodeo determines champions in North, South Dakota

MINOT, N.D. (October 9, 2016) – The best of the best cowboys and cowgirls converged on Minot this weekend to duke it out, determing the Badlands Circuit champions.

The Pro Rodeo Cowboys Association designates the pro rodeos in North Dakota and South Dakota as the Badlands Circuit, and rodeo contestants who had won the most money after the season came to the RAM Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo, hosted by the Minot Y’s Men’s Rodeo for four performances October 5-8. The top two champs in each event, the year-end and average champions, qualify to compete at the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, held in Kissimmee, Fla. April 5-8, 2018, where $1 million is up for grabs.

It came down to the last rides and runs in most events, with just a few points or seconds making the difference between champ and second place.

It was the last two rides in the bareback riding that determined the year end and average (the most points on four rides combined) champions, and Ty Breuer squeaked past Shane O’Connell by $810 and two points in the average. It was a close race from the start. “Before the last couple of rodeos,” Breuer said, “I was looking at the standings and Shane had quite a bit of a jump on me.” Breuer, of Mandan, N.D., estimates that if a cowboy is within $1,000 of the next cowboy before circuit finals, he has a chance of catching up and overtaking him at circuit finals.

“I got lucky and got within $900 before circuit finals,” he said. With each round paying $4,193, split between first through fourth places, and the average paying $8,386, split between first and fourth, there’s plenty of money up for grabs at the rodeo.

Only two points separated the two bareback riders for the average win. Breuer had 324 points on two head and O’Connell of Wall, S.D. had 322. Breuer appreciated O’Connell’s talent. “Shane rides great,” Breuer said. “It was hard to get the win against him. He’s a good rider and a good guy.” O’Connell appreciated that the victory came down to the last ride. “That’s the way it should be,” he said.

Breuer also won both the year-end and average titles at last year’s circuit finals.

The steer wrestling average title went to Cameron Morman of Glen Ullin, N.D.

The race was between Morman, Chason Floyd and Beau Franzen, but Franzen had a 5.1 second time during Sunday’s rodeo, and Floyd missed his steer, leaving the door open for Morman to walk through. He scored a time of 4.9 seconds to take the average title (18.3 seconds on four head).

“I needed to get out of the barrier and catch four steers,” he said. “That’s what I kept thinking the whole time. That’s always been the key” at circuit finals. He finished first place in the first round (4.2 seconds) and fourth place in the second round (4.4 seconds). Morman, Floyd, of Buffalo, S.D., and Jake Rinehart, Highmore, S.D., rode Rinehart’s horse Rio, who also won the Badlands Circuit Steer Wrestling Horse of the Year. “I was very fortunate Jake brought his horse and let me ride. Rio is an outstanding horse.”

This will be Morman’s second trip to the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo; he qualified in 2015. The steer wrestling year-end title went to Floyd.

In the saddle bronc riding, veteran bronc rider JJ Elshere had the year-end award sewn up from the beginning.

The Hereford, S.D. man won big over July fourth rodeos and came into the circuit finals with a comfortable lead of over $8,000 over the number two cowboy, Shorty Garrett.

Elshere placed in every round, winning first in rounds one and two and fourth in rounds three and four to also win the average with a score of 321.5 points on four head.

The Badlands Circuit Finals might be considered “JJ’s house.”  “I’ve done well here,” Elshere said. “Every now and then you have a good year, and fortunately, I’ve had a couple.”

The rodeo fits him well, he said. “It’s just a great atmosphere here. It’s always fun when you get to come and hang out with everybody. It’s a pretty relaxed situation. I like that.”

The thirty-seven year old cowboy has made every circuit finals since 2003 except for two, and won the year-end title in 2006, 2007 and 2015. He has more good years in him, he hopes. He and his wife Lindsay have five sons, ages 15, twelve, eight, seven, and five, and he’d like to compete for another fifteen years, so he can ride against the youngest one. Age is just a number, Elshere said. “It feels old only if you’re counting the years. I feel like I’m still kicking.”

The team roping titles went to the duo of Logan Olson, Flandreau, S.D., and Matt Kasner, Cody, Neb. Olson, the header and Kasner, the heeler, won money in every round to win the year-end and the average title (22.4 seconds on four head).

The Badlands Circuit year end barrel racing winner was Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D. She led the pack coming into the circuit finals aboard her six-year-old palomino, Missy. Routier never planned on trying to make the circuit finals but Missy did better than expected, handling new situations and arena conditions like a veteran horse. “She’s very smart,” Routier said. “The crowd, the noise, the commotion, nothing bothers her one bit.” Missy, whose registered name is Fiery Miss West, is owned by Gary Westergren and won the Badlands Circuit Barrel Horse of the Year.

Nikki Hansen, Dickinson, N.D. won the average title with a time of 55.09 seconds. Less than a second separated the top four cowgirls’ average times: Hansen’s 55.09, Kristi Steffes’ time of 55.41, Routier’s time of 55.55, and Erin Williams’ 55.96. Barrel racing competition in the Badlands Circuit is tough, Routier said. “The group of horses that are here this year, I think they could win anywhere across the country, every one of them. They’re really tough horses and really tough riders.”

In the bull riding, no cowboy rode all four bulls, and only one rode three. Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D., won the average title with a score of 207 points on three. He also won the year-end title. In 2014, Bertus won both titles, and in 2012-2013, he won the average.

Tie-down roping titles went to Trey Young, Dupree, S.D. for the year-end and Paul David Tierney, Oral, S.D. for the average.

The Rookie of the Year was awarded to Tucker White, Hershey, Neb., and the all-around went to Paul David Tierney, Oral, S.D.

Awards were also given to the Badlands bareback horse, saddle bronc, and bull of the finals and the year. Chuckulator won Bareback Horse of the Finals, West Coast Kitty won Saddle Bronc of the Finals, and the bull High Roller won Bull of the Finals. All three are owned by Sutton Rodeo, Onida, S.D.

For the year-end awards, the Bareback Horse of the Year went to Hard Hat, Sutton Rodeo. The Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year was won by Spider, Bailey Rodeo, and the Bull of the Year was tied between Candy Crush and Judas, both owned by Sutton Rodeo.

The 2018 Miss Rodeo North Dakota was crowned. Hope Ebel, the former Minot Y’s Men’s Rodeo queen, won the title. The nineteen year old, a resident of Zeeland, N.D., is a student at North Dakota State University, majoring in animal science. She hopes to study to be a veterinarian after she serves as Miss Rodeo North Dakota.

The Minot Y’s Men’s Rodeo is a not-for-profit venture by the YMCA Men of Minot, N.D. Proceeds from each year’s rodeo benefit the Triangle Y Camp at Lake Sakakawea, near Garrison, N.D. Next year’s Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo will be October 4-7, 2018. Hess and 4- Bears Casino & Lodge are proud sponsors of the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo. National sponsors include Wrangler, Justin Boots, Las Vegas, Experience Kissimmee, Ram, and Montana Silversmiths.

 

– ### –

 

Ram Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo, Minot, ND

4^th performance October 8, 2017

Year end and average winners for the Badlands Circuit

 

All-around Champion:  Paul David Tierney, Oral, S.D.

All-around champion for the Finals: Paul David Tierney, Oral, S.D.

 

Bareback riding

Bareback Riding Year End Champion: Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D.

Bareback Riding Average Champion: Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D.

 

4^th go round results:

1. Shane O’Connell, Rapid City, S.D. 80.5 points on Korkow’s Gun It; 2. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D., 78.5; 3. Joe Gunderson, Gettysburg, S.D., 75; 4. Steven DeWolfe-Shadeed, Buffalo Gap, S.D., 71.

 

Average results:

1. Ty Breuer, Mandan, ND. 324 points on 4 head; 2. Shane O’Connell, Rapid City, S.D. 322; 3. Joe Gunderson, Gettysburg, S.D. 298.5; 4. Nick Schwedhelm, Sioux Falls, S.D. 286

 

Steer Wrestling

Steer Wrestling Year End Champion:  Chason Floyd, Buffalo, S.D.

Steer Wrestling Average Champion: Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D.

 

4^th go round results:

1. (tie) Jake Kraupie, Bridgeport, Neb., and Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D. 3.7 seconds each; 3. Jake Rinehart, Highmore, S.D., 3.8; 4. Taz Olson, Prairie City, S.D., 4.1.

 

Average results:

1. Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D. 18.3 seconds on 4 head; 2. Beau Franzen, Sidney, Mont. 20.3; 3. Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D. 22.3; 4. Forest Sainsbury, Camp Crook, S.D. 24.3.

 

 

Team Roping

Team Roping Year End Champion Header:   Logan Olson, Flandreau, S.D.

Heeler:  Matt Kasner, Cody, Neb.

Team Roping Average Champion Header: Logan Olson, Flandreau, S.D.

Heeler:   Matt Kasner, Cody, Neb.

 

4^th go round results:

1. Paul David Tierney, Oral, S.D./ Jade Nelson, Midland, S.D., 4.9 seconds; 2. (tie) Tyrell Moody, Edgemont, S.D./ Elliott Gourneau, Kennebec, S.D., and Cooper White, Hershey, Neb./ Tucker White, Hershey, Neb. 5.7 each; 4. Logan Olson, Flandreau, S.D./ Matt Kasner, Cody, Neb. 6.8.

 

Average results:

1. Logan Olson, Flandreau, S.D./Matt Kasner, Cody, Neb. 22.4 on 4 head; 2. Jason Thorstenson, Rapid City, S.D./J.D. Gerard, Kennebec, S.D. 35.5; 3. Paul David Tierney, Oral, S.D./Jade Nelson, Midland, S.D. 21.3; 4. Wyatt Bice, Killdeer, N.D./Derick Fleming, Killdeer, N.D. 28.0.

 

Saddle Bronc Riding

Saddle Bronc Year End Champion: JJ Elshere, Hereford, S.D.

Saddle Bronc Average Champion:  JJ Elshere, Hereford, S.D.

 

4^th go round results:

1. Ty Manke, Hermosa, S.D. 84.5 on Korkow’s Duck Butter; 2. Troy Crowser, Whitewood, S.D., 82; 3. (tie) JJ Elshere, Hereford, S.D., and Jade Blackwell, Rapid City, S.D., 79 each.

 

Average results:

1. JJ Elshere, Hereford, S.D. 321.5 on 4 head; 2. Troy Crowser, Whitewood, S.D. 316.5; 3. Ty Manke, Hermosa, S.D. 311.5; 4. Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D. 302.5.

 

 

Barrel Racing

Barrel Racing Year End Champion: Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D.

Barrel Racing Average Champion:  Nikki Hansen, Dickinson, N.D.

 

4^th go round results:

1. Nikki Hansen, Dickinson, N.D. 13.70 seconds; 2. Kristi Steffes, Vale, S.D. 13.77; 3. Jackie Schau, Almont, N.D. 13.84; 4. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D. 13.86.

 

Average results:

1. Nikki Hansen, Dickinson, N.D. 55.09 seconds on 4 runs; 2. Kristi Steffes, Vale, S.D. 55.41; 3. Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D. 55.55; 4. Erin Williams, Dickinson, N.D. 55.96.

 

Tie-down Roping

Tie Down Roping Year End Champion: Trey Young, Dupree, S.D.

Tie Down Roping Average Champion: Paul David Tierney, Oral, S.D.

 

4^th go round results:

1. Cole W Hatzenbuehler, Solen, N.D. 8.5 seconds; 2. Jess Woodward, Dupree, S.D. 8.7; 3. Riley Wakefield, O’Neill, Neb. 8.9; 4. Justin Scofield, Wessington Springs, S.D. 9.0.

 

 

Average results:

1. Paul David Tierney, Oral, S.D. 36.9 seconds on 4 runs; 2. Jess Woodward, Dupree, S.D. 40.4; 3. Trey Young, Dupree, S.D. 43.2; 4. Cole Hatzenbuehler, Solen, N.D. 66.4.

 

Bull Riding

Bull Riding Year End Champion: Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D.

Bull Riding Average Champion:  Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D.

 

4^th go round results:

1. Riley Blankenship, Killdeer, N.D. 77.5 points on Bailey Pro Rodeo’s Say When; 2. Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D., 46; no other qualified rides.

 

Average results:

1. Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D 207 points on 3 head; 2. Tate Smith, Litchville, N.D. 170 on 2 head; 3. Taylor Miller, Faith, S.D. 145.5; 4. Tyler Viers, Comstock, Neb. 82.5 on 1 head.

 

** All results are unofficial.  For more information, visit www.MinotYsMensRodeo.com and www.ProRodeo.com.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Twenty years ago, Kyle Whitaker won his first Linderman Award, a decoration bestowed upon select cowboys that win at least $1,000 in a minimum of three events, where two of three must include one roughstock and timed event.

Following in the footsteps of his father, Chip, a four-time recipient of the Linderman Award, Whitaker understands the magnitude of its legacy, as he now accepts his ninth career victory of the multi-event achievement.

“It’s something I’ve wanted to win ever since I was a little kid going to rodeos with my dad,” Whitaker said. “I always grew up knowing about it. That probably makes it more special to me than most of the guys that go. A lot of people don’t really know about it. I know the history of the award and respect it a lot.”

The Linderman Award, named after ProRodeo Hall of Fame cowboy Bill Linderman, is intended to recognize cowboys capable and willing to perform at both ends of the arena. In total, Linderman’s career ended with six world championships to his name, including two in the all-around (1950, 1953) and saddle bronc riding (1945, 1950) as well as claiming world titles in bareback riding (1943) and steer wrestling (1950).

Given the rigors of rodeo, even the spryest of cowboys are challenged to work multiple events. At the age of 41, Whitaker says it’s a matter of simply giving what he has.

He earned the majority of his money – $51,233 – in steer wrestling, while also collecting $9,666 in tie-down roping and $3,740 in saddle bronc riding.

“A lot of it is I just keep doing it,” Whitaker said. “I don’t get rusty. I just keep going. I haven’t taken a lot of time off to where I may lose some of my edge. Just stay in shape, and you have to keep the will to win at both ends.”

Despite his veteran age and the try on his body, Whitaker still has plans to rodeo this winter. Whenever the end to his career arises, and however it may finish, Whitaker will have no qualms with the time he’s spent in the sport he’s known for all his years.

“It’s something I’ve always dreamed of,” Whitaker said. “I remember when I won it the first time, nobody else had qualified and nobody had won it the year before. I thought well, I’d win it 10 times easy. And then here, to win it the ninth time 20 years later, it’s like man, that’s a lot of hard work and it takes a lot of perseverance to stick with it that long.

“It means a heck of a lot more now than it did when I was a 21-year-old kid.”