Category: Newsletter Articles

Former contestants are now judges at Buffalo Bill Rodeo.

 

North Platte, Neb. –May 31, 2022 – The men who are behind the scenes at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte, Nebraska next month have been on the scenes in the past.

 

PRCA judges Skip Emmett and Clayton Macom used to ride and compete in North Platte. Now they will serve as judges for the competition.

 

Emmett, of Ponca, Arkansas, and Macom, Stigler, Oklahoma, have been on both sides of the “arena,” in North Platte, so to speak.

 

Emmett rode bareback horses, steer wrestled and team roped before he retired from competition.

 

He won the College National Finals Rodeo in 1975, having become a PRCA member in 1970 and quitting the bareback riding in 1986 but adding steer wrestling and team roping.

 

In the 1970s, cowboys who were injured had to serve as a rodeo judge, so Emmett took his turn at that. A school teacher, he taught ag then became a principal for ten years.

 

In 2005, he began judging rodeos, juggling his teaching job and traveling on weekends and in the summers. In 2011, he retired and the next year was on the road for 100 performances, judging, including being selected to work the National Finals Rodeo, pro rodeo’s championship event, in 2014 and 2017.

He went back to teaching for three years, but retired a second time this spring, and now works as one of the PRCA’s official judges.

 

Clayton Macom’s career started much like Emmett’s. He competed in the bareback riding and bull riding, qualifying for the Prairie Circuit Finals Rodeo several times. After retiring from competition in 1999, he began as a PRCA judge in 2005. He began judging to stay involved in the sport.

 

Macom competed at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo three times, winning second one year. When he’s not on the rodeo trail, he ranches and does leatherwork.

 

Both men have judged the rodeo more than once, and they enjoy it.

 

“There’s tons of tradition at that rodeo,” Emmett said. “That rodeo draws good crowds and the fans enjoy it. When you have a good crowd and good facilities, it’s fun to work those rodeos.”

 

Macom has a much more memorable experience from the Buffalo Bill Rodeo. In the early 1990s, he and a fellow contestant were flying in a twin engine plan, headed home. As they took off from the North Platte airport, the plane blew a tire. “It was really nip and tuck for a minute,” he said, “getting off the ground.” The pilot was ordered to land the plane, and Macom, who would have rather driven than flown anyway, looked down and saw a line of ambulances and fire trucks, waiting for them as they made an emergency landing.

 

“I was OK till I looked down at the runway,” he said. “Then I started to panic. We are going to die in North Platte,” he quipped. But the pilot landed the plane with no problems. The cowboys stayed overnight as the plane got a new tire, missing the next rodeo, “but we lived to talk about it,” he laughed.

 

While they’re in town, Emmett and his wife MaryLynn will shop, as will Macom. The men have brought their golf clubs, too, hoping to get a round of golf in.

 

Being a rodeo judge doesn’t always make a person a favorite of the contestants, but Emmett and Macom know they have a job to do. “There are difficult calls to make,” Macom said. “I’m not always (the cowboys’) favorite person. Sometimes I am, if they win, and sometimes I’m not. But I enjoy it. I still get to travel and be around rodeo.”

 

DeWitt Forrest is the third judge for the rodeo.

 

The Buffalo Bill Rodeo takes place June 15-18 at the Wild West Arena in North Platte. Performances are held nightly at 8 pm.

 

Tickets are on sale at NebraskalandDays.com and at the gate and range in price from $10-$23.

 

For more information, visit the website or call the office at 308.532.7939.

Nebraska high school cowgirl headed for a nursing degree with full ride scholarship.

 

Broken Bow, Neb.  (May 9, 2022) – A Nebraska high school rodeo cowgirl is getting her college education paid for.

 

Kenna McCaslin, Broken Bow, Neb., has been selected as one of nineteen students from across the state for participation in the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP).

 

The program pays for her entire tuition and board at Chadron (Neb.) State College and guarantees her a spot at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Scottsbluff. In return, RHOP recipients must spend two to four years working in rural Nebraska.

 

The eighteen-year-old cowgirl competes in the breakaway roping, barrel racing and goat tying. A graduate of Broken Bow High School, throughout her high school career she played volleyball for a year, basketball for two years, and was a member of her school’s FFA chapter and Future Health Professionals (HOSA). She is a member of the National Honor Society.

 

Tagging along with her veterinarian grandpa, Harold McCaslin, as a kid, she always wanted to be a vet. “I looked up to him in so many ways,” she said. “I loved spending time with him and at the farm.”

 

But as she job shadowed at the local hospital in high school, she changed her mind. “I did a twelve-hour shift the first day and fell in love with it.” Being able to talk to her patients instead of guessing where they hurt, like with animals, made a difference. “I thought it might be nice to have patients that can tell you what’s wrong, instead of playing a guessing game,” she joked.

 

In addition to rodeo and her high school activities, Kenna stays busy with several other activities. She loves her job at the feedlot and got her certified nursing assistant certificate (CNA) and will work at a local nursing home this summer.

 

McCaslin has qualified for the Nebraska State High School Finals Rodeo the last three years, finishing in the top twenty in the goat tying twice.

 

She will work towards a bachelors in science- nursing degree and is undecided if she will specialize in pediatrics or trauma.

 

High school rodeo teaches life lessons to students, she believes. “I think it builds character. It teaches you how to be responsible, because you’re not only caring for yourself but your animals, too. And you’re learning how to balance something that takes a lot of time, and staying on top of your schoolwork. It’s not an easy thing to accomplish, but it is possible.”

 

She is the daughter of Thomas and Ann McCaslin.

 

The RHOP program requires that recipients maintain a grade point average of 3.3.

 

McCaslin, along with about 150 other high school youth competitors, will compete at the Nebraska High School Finals Rodeo in Hastings June 10-12 at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Rodeo performances begin at 11 am and 6 pm on June 10-11, with the short round on June 12 at 1 pm.

 

The cutting horse competitions will be at 7 am on June 10-11 with the finals at 8 am on June 12. The reined cow horse takes place at 10 am on June 10-11.

 

For more information, visit AdamsCountyFairgrounds.com or hsrodeo-nebraska.com, or call 402.462.3247.

“Do what’s right, do the best you can, and treat other people the way you want to be treated.”

 

John Luthi is retiring from 41 years of coaching the same way he retired from 23 years of rodeo competition – still doing a good job but feeling like God is telling me it was time to turn the page.
Born and raised in Gridley, Kansas, one of John’s first experiences on a horse was when he was six. “My folks didn’t rodeo, but my dad had a horse he used on our ranch and he put me on his back to ride him home. The horse started trotting and the stirrups just bounced around, and pretty soon he was galloping. I figured the only way out was to jump and I landed on my head. I didn’t want to get on a horse again.”
His sister begged for a horse as we got older, so they both got one. “She got a high spirited one, and I got a real gentle one. It made her try that much harder and me want to. Next thing you know we went to youth rodeos and got the bug. I played basketball and football, and ran track in high school, but after two years, track got in the way of rodeo.

He competed through junior rodeos, National Little Britches, high school rodeo, and then in college rodeo. His dad was a diversified farmer, so he figured his kids should be diversified in rodeo. The overhead was about the same to travel, if in one or multiple events and they had a better chance of winning if they entered every event, so they did. His dad entered them in a Little Britches rodeo and told him he was entered in the bareback riding. “I’d never been in the bareback before.” His dad said that you will have by the time we get back. When he went to college, he rodeoed in amateur associations the first summer, them got his permit and card in PRCA. In the PRCA “I rode bareback and bulls because that’s what I won the most in. I bulldogged for a while, but it was difficult to work both ends of the arena. When we were in high school, we didn’t have the chance to practice much – in the summer, we were either working or at a rodeo.” He rodeoed in the Prairie Circuit from 1977 – 1990, continuing for several years after becoming a coach. He was a five-time qualifier in the bareback and three-time qualifier in the bull riding, winning 15 all-around saddles. “When I got married, I wanted to slow down and focus on coaching and put all my energy into one area.
He got his first coaching job just one year out of college. While pursuing his master’s degree, his roommate talked him into going to the last college rodeo and his old rodeo coach from Ft. Scott was there. “He asked me what I was going to do when I got out of school and if I was interested in a job as a Rodeo Coach. A month later, I had my first opportunity to coach,” said John. “It was a challenge; I was just a year out of college, but I hung in there and was committed to do a good job. I won the American Royal my first year of coaching and Bruce Ford called up and told me to quit coaching and go rodeo.” He told Bruce that he was not going to quit in the middle of the year.

His rodeo team consisted of 19 members that first year and 16 years later, it had grown to 70. “There were times I’d finish out the year and think I’d be done, but I’d get a little raise and try it again. 41 years later, it has been a blessing. It’s been good to work young people and help them with their opportunities in rodeo and in life.”

When John started coaching, he wanted his team members to be self-motivated instead of incentive motivated. “Helping Lyle Sankey at his rodeo schools was a start of developing a format of goal setting.” The real help came from a Positive Thinking Rally he attended in Kansas City, MO, for $15. Motivational speakers like Art Linkletter, Colin Powell, and Zig Ziglar among others filled John with great ideas to share. “Zig wrote a book called See You at the Top. He talked about things that he learned from his parents and he’d make it fun – but he got his point across. Zig developed this “I Can” course that was mainly taught in high schools. The course was full of life lessons. John got the idea to take the course back to his Dean of Instruction at Fort Scott Community College. He sold his Dean of Instruction on starting a class which was called The Psychology of a Healthy Personality.

John started teaching this class – it was basically about building self- image, goal setting, and dealing with people. “A few times, local students would take the class, and then the next semester, their mom would take it. We said the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer before class every day and I told them, ‘if you don’t want to do that, then you don’t have to take the class.’” A lot of the material was directly related to the Bible and Zig made reference to that. “When I left Ft. Scott, I brought a lot of that stuff with me to my coaching job at UT Martin.” He never taught the class again but used material from the class and other handouts he collected at the weekly team meetings. “I wanted to help our team members not only learn about rodeo but about life; and how to be self-motivated. In the fall semester each year we would teach our members how to set goals. In the spring each team member would have to turn in a set of school, personal and rodeo goals in to me before they could participate. Big goals are important but the process of how to reach those big goals are the most important. At the end of each team meeting we would have some handouts dealing with the mental side of competition or life. After you learn how to do something, your success is 80% mental and 20% physical. At the end of each meeting, we had a short Bible study – I’d find a Bible verse that directly applies to the topic we discussed in the meeting.” We have a rule book in rodeo and a rule book in life. My belief is that life is tough but when you are tough on yourself (striving to live like God wants us to) , life is much easier on you. John shared his testimony with his team and talked about what makes him tic. “I think that’s important. You teach about rodeo, but more important, you teach about life. Not many are going to make a living at rodeo, so life is very important.
John went from Ft. Scott to University of Tennessee – Martin in 1997. “I wanted a chance to keep kids for four years instead of just two,” he said. “My recruiting mainly came from former students who told me about prospects.” His success at Martin helped produce the first-ever National Champion Men’s team east of the Mississippi river in 2014, and every team member on that team was born and raised east of the Mississippi. Martin has sent a team to the CNFR 24 out of the 25 years he’s coached there. He was named coach of the year in 2013 and he has helped produce and promote the UT Martin’s Annual Spring College Rodeo. The event has been named the Ozark Region’s “rodeo of the Year” 13 times in the span of 14 years.

“I’m a full-time fund raiser and part time coach,” he jokes. “Our rodeo got so big in 2019 that we were forced to go to reserve seats – we have lots of support from the community.” He is quick to add that much of the success in the fund raising comes from his wife, Diane, who he met at one of Sankey Rodeo Schools. “She does a silent auction during the rodeo – that brought in $22,000 in three days this year. She does our social media page and helps out in many ways. Coach Luthi says that behind every good man there is a Great Woman and she is his great woman. They have one daughter, Katelyn, 27, who is a mechanical engineer for Eastman Chemical Company. The plan is to move over by their daughter in Kingsport, Tennessee. “We’ll find something to do; I’m not sure what, but I’m sure God will lead us to do something – I’m not just going to sit around the house.”
He is very thankful for the many opportunities that God has blessed him with. “Do what’s right, do the best you can, and treat other people the way you want to be treated are three rules that he asks his team members and himself to strive to live by. He learned that from a video tape called Do Right by Lou Holtz. I tell our kids you learn a lot from your mom and dad – one of the most valuable lessons that mine taught me was how to work. If you’ve got that, a good attitude and faith in God, your chances having a positive impact in life are much better.”

Bust of North Platte rodeo announcer, Hall of Fame member Hadley Barrett graces Wild West Rodeo Arena.

 

The PRCA Hall of Fame member, a native of North Platte, was best known as a rodeo announcer, having announced some of the biggest pro rodeos across the nation, including the National Finals Rodeo four times and as television announcer for the Finals 22 years. Barrett passed away in March of 2017 at the age of 87, less than a week after announcing the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.

 

But before he was a rodeo announcer, he was lead for the band Hadley Barrett and the Westerners, singing at dance halls, proms, and county fairs across Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado.

 

In his youth, Barrett rode bareback horses and bulls and roped. He was, first and foremost, a rancher.

 

He started his son-in-law, Randy Corley, in the rodeo announcing business in North Platte, and the two co-announced several rodeos, including the Buffalo Bill Rodeo, which Barrett began in 1965 and Corley in 1980.

 

“Hadley took me under his wing,” Corley said. “He never tried to tell me how to announce a rodeo, but he told me the shortcuts. He was one of the greatest mentors a person could have. He was so good. There’s not a rodeo that he and I worked together, that I go today, that I have a real emptiness in my heart for what Hadley Barrett was.”

The sculptor of Barrett’s bronze is Jake Hebbert, who was born and raised in the Sandhills of Nebraska, near Hyannis.

 

Hebbert knew he had a serious mission: to portray the man who meant so much to rodeo and the residents of North Platte.

 

When people heard he was working on the bust, they would get excited. “I’d tell people I was working on this project, and their eyes would light up. You can’t go very far around here without running into a story about Hadley.”

 

Hebbert used one of Barrett’s cowboy hats as part of the model. “The family lent me his hat, and I sculpted around that. If you get the hat right, especially with cowboys, then you’re a long ways towards the likeness. You can recognize people by their hats, and that was one thing I wanted to get absolutely perfect.”

 

The bust will greet rodeo fans as they enter the grandstands at the Wild West Arena.

 

Donors for the Hadley Barrett bust include Jim Backenstose, Benje Bendele, Beveridge Inc./Chrystal Minshull, Beutler and Son Rodeo Co., Todd and Ann Bissell, Randy and Michelle Corley, Duane Deterding, Vern Ehlers, David and Lisa Fudge, Gaye Fudge, Larry Gosnell, Merla Hebbert, Leonard K. Hiatt, Dan Keenan, Cory and Ashley Johanson, Dr. Ben Lashley, Lowell and Frankie Moore, Jack Morris, Shawn P. Murdock, NebraskaLand National Bank, Marty Petersen, Matt and Lindsey Pederson, Michael Phillips, Lance Polk, Rick Salee, Chuck Salestrom, Rosenberg Insurance/Larry Stobbs,  Chuck Salestrom, Travis Schauda, Kimberly Schroll, Larry Seger, Three Cedar Inc., Bill and Laura Troshynski, Lacy Wickham, Sara and Greg Wilke, Jan Wright, and anonymous gifts.

 

This year’s Buffalo Bill Rodeo will be held June 15-18 at the Wild West Arena in North Platte, Neb. Performances begin at 8 pm nightly. Tickets are on sale at NebraskalandDays.com and range in price from $10-$23.

 

For more information, visit the website or call the office at 308.532.7939.

 

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Hadley Barrett’s first pro rodeo announcing job was at the Buffalo Bill Rodeo in North Platte in 1965. Now he is remembered there with a life-size bronze bust commemorating his contributions to the rodeo industry, music world, and the North Platte community. Photo courtesy NebraskalandDays.

 

Members of Hadley Barrett’s family gather around a bronze bust of the famed rodeo announcer, musician, contestant and rancher. The bust is located at the Wild West Arena in North Platte, the first pro rodeo Barrett announced. From left to right: Randy Corley, Michelle Corley, Brittany Ballard holding her daughter (and Hadley’s great-granddaughter) Hadley Ann; Kim Jurgens; Wyatt Barrett and Trent Barrett.

No cowboy has won more PRCA Division 1 Xtreme Bulls events than Sage Kimzey.

 

He upped that total to 10 for his career by winning the Cactus Jack Division 1 Xtreme Bull Riding Saturday night in Uvalde, Texas.

 

However, it didn’t come easy – at all.

 

Kimzey won the three-head average with 261 points. He clinched the title on a re-ride bull with an 86-point trip.

 

Kimzey, the reigning PRCA Bull Riding World Champion, and Xtreme Bulls Tour champ, was the only competitor to cover three bulls in Uvalde

 

“I was the last guy out in the short round,” said Kimzey, 27. “The bull I drew (Lancaster & Jones Pro Rodeo’s Juicy) fell down, so I got on the re-ride bull some young bull. They told me he was good, and it worked out for me.

 

“I got on two back-to-back and it is 105 degrees down here. It’s a little warm. I was definitely pretty gassed afterward. It was a long night.”

 

This was Kimzey’s first Division 1 Xtreme Bulls win since July 20, 2021, in Spanish Fork, Utah.

 

On Friday night, Kimzey made his first ride an 86.5-point trip on New Star Pro Rodeo’s Buck Dynasty. That left him fourth in the first round and set his victory in motion.

 

Kimzey came back Saturday night with an 88.5-point ride on Lancaster & Jones Pro Rodeo’s Mr. Quick.

 

The ride looked good on the scoreboard, but it was far from smooth sailing for Kimzey.

 

“That was a really nice bull,” Kimzey said. “He kicked out and went left and it was all I could do to keep up with him. He threw me off right at the whistle. I took a little shot to the chin and broke my helmet and I turned around and got ready for the short round.

 

“I had to borrow my little brother Trey’s helmet for the short round. I’m glad everything paid off. I’m literally still catching my breath and trying to cool down. It’s cooler now, it’s a balmy 91 degrees.”

 

Kimzey departed Uvalde after earning $11,194. He’s aiming to capture his sixth career Xtreme Bulls Tour crown in 2022.

 

“This win (in Uvalde) for sure feels good,” Kimzey said. “May is usually one of our slower months and to have a couple of these big stand-alone events that we can go to and win a lot of money is really nice.”

 

Uvalde is a 3½-hour drive to Kimzey’s home in Salado, Texas, where he plans to spend Mother’s Day with his wife, Alexis, and their 3½-month old son Steele Randall Kimzey.

 

“Mother’s Day (May 8) means a lot,” Sage said. “This is going to be Alexis’ first Mother’s Day to celebrate, so it is going to be pretty special.”

 

Kimzey acknowledged his win in Uvalde is part of the process to snare his eighth world championship in nine years. If Kimzey gets his eighth world title he will tie Don Gay for the PRCA-record for bull riding world championships.

 

“It (the season) is a marathon for sure,” Kimzey said. “It is just one step closer, I guess. I was really fortunate even though I didn’t go very hard this winter I had a really, really prosperous winter run. Now that we are in the spring and going into the summer, I definitely want to keep the ball rolling and keep riding strong.

 

“That’s definitely the end goal (to win the eighth world title) this year. There are a lot of miles and a lot of stops in between that. I’m just going to keep taking care of business one at a time and keep having fun.”

Utah Days of ’47 Young Guns Rodeo Returns This July

 

SALT LAKE CITY (May 2, 2022) – The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo is excited to announce that the Young Guns Rodeo will once again be a featured event during its annual rodeo this July. Come watch tomorrow’s world champion cowboys and cowgirls as they compete for a share of $54,000 in prize money at the Utah Days of ’47 Young Guns Rodeo. Kids from the ages of 6-18 will be competing in bareback riding, team roping, saddle bronc riding, breakaway roping, barrel racing, mini/junior bull riding and new for 2022, goat tying.

“The Utah Days of ’47 Young Guns rodeo is one of the largest youth rodeos in the State of Utah boasting over $50,000 in prize money,” said Tommy Joe Lucia, Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo General Manager. “We are honored to make this investment in tomorrow’s leaders and into the future of our sport. Come out and cheer on these young athletes.”

All qualifying round action will be contested at the Oakley (UT) Recreational Complex in Kamus, UT July 20-23, and is free and open to the public. Each day, the top two in each discipline and age category will advance on to participate in a head-to-head competition held that evening in Salt Lake City at the Utah State Fairpark Days of ’47 Arena as part of the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo’s preshow festivities. The fan favorite mutton busting will also be part of the preshow activities. A rodeo ticket is required to watch the nightly competition.

Entries are accepted on a first come, first serve basis and are limited to 15 per event per day in the timed events and 15 per event in the roughstock events. Entries are currently open online at https://ctrodeo-idaho.weebly.com/utah-days-of-47-young-guns-rodeo.html. Individuals may enter once per day with daily payouts of $1,000 in each category. Books close and fees are due NO LATER than July 1, 2022. The 6-13 age group for goat tying, breakaway roping and barrel racing are open to both boys and girls but the 14-18 age group in those three events are girls only.

“We had a great turnout for the Young Guns event in 2021 and are looking for an even bigger and better event this year,” said Cameron Tuckett, owner and operator of CT Rodeo and producer of the Utah Days of ’47 Young Guns Rodeo. “We are excited to add goat tying to the list of featured events this year, and with a total payout of $54,000, the young cowboys and cowgirls won’t want to miss this great opportunity. We can’t thank our Days of ’47 partners enough for investing in the next generation of rodeo stars.”

The overall champion (highest score over the course of the four days) in each age category (not including the pee wee age group) in the bareback and saddle bronc riding competition will earn a GOLDEN TICKET to the Junior Roughstock World Finals in Las Vegas during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in December. Meaning that four individuals (rookie, junior, senior and novice) have a chance to earn an automatic berth to Las Vegas in bareback and saddle bronc riding through the Utah Days of ’47 Young Guns Rodeo.

In addition, the top two scored individuals (over the course of the four days) in the pee wee division in bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding will advance to the Junior Roughstock Association Finals in Wickenburg, AZ. The same holds true for the top two Rookie, Junior, Senior and Novice bull riders.

For those kids that aren’t quite ready for the bucking horses and bulls, the Young Guns Rodeo will also feature mutton busting. There will be at least three sections each evening at the Days of ’47 Arena as part of the pre-rodeo entertainment beginning at 4:30 p.m. Always a crowd favorite, the mutton busting gives the younger kids an opportunity to “Get Their Cowboy On.” Mutton busting participants must weigh less than 55 pounds and be between the ages of 3 and 6 years old. No exceptions. Entries are on a first come, first serve basis and are free to sign-up at https://utahdaysof47rodeo.com/mutton-busting. Tickets to that night’s rodeo are required for participation and entry to the arena.

Tickets for the world’s only Gold Medal Rodeo are on sale now and range in price from $14 to $29. Tickets can be purchased through AXS tickets – online at https://www.axs.com/series/14522/2022-utah-days-of-47-rodeo-tickets or by phone at 800-888- 8499. Group sales of 20 tickets or more will receive $5 off per ticket, excluding the $14 priced tickets.

Gates to the Utah State Fairpark open at 4:30 pm daily (July 20-23, 25) and fans are encouraged to come early to enjoy the historical exhibits, commercial exhibitors, great food, carnival rides, and preshow activities including the showdown round of the Young Guns Rodeo. While many activities on the grounds are free, events held in the Days of ’47 Arena do require a rodeo ticket for admission. For more information on pre-event activities please visit www.utahdaysof47rodeo.com.

The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo has become a must stop on the summer rodeo schedule for contestants from the junior high level all the way to the pros of the sport as the pros vie for gold, silver and bronze medals awarded to the top three, setting this rodeo apart from any other rodeo in the world.

Please keep an eye on our website (www.utahdaysof47rodeo.com) and our social media platforms (https://www.facebook.com/daysof47rodeo, https://twitter.com/Daysof47Rodeo, http://instagram.com/daysof47rodeo) for the latest news regarding the 2022 event.

 

 

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About Days of ‘47

The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo presented by Zions Bank, takes place at the $17.5 million, state-ofthe- art Days of ’47 Arena at the Utah State Fairpark each July. The venue—an outdoor arena located in the heart of Salt Lake City—features over 10,000 stadium-style seats. The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo is the Official Rodeo of Utah and is one of Utah’s longest-standing traditions – celebrating Utah’s heritage since 1847. The rodeo, and other Days of ’47 events, commemorate the day – July 24, 1847 – when a determined company of Mormon pioneers realized their dreams upon entering the Great Salt Valley. The Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo is a private, non-profit, volunteer, charitable organization. Our mission is to honor Utah’s pioneer heritage and educate Utah’s kids. Please visit utahdaysof47rodeo.com for more information.

 

 

 

Days of 47 Fact sheet

 

• The Utah Days of ’47 Young Guns Rodeo will be part of the Nation’s Only $1 Million Gold Medal Rodeo

this July in the Salt Lake Valley.

• The Utah Days of ’47 Young Guns Rodeo will feature the next generation of rodeo stars ages 6-18 in

both roughstock and timed events including: bareback riding, team roping, saddle bronc riding, barrel

racing, breakaway roping, bull riding and new for 2022 goat tying). Ages are based on as of January 1,

2022

o Qualifying rounds for all disciplines will be held daily (July 20-23) at Oakley Recreation

Complex, 4300 UT-32, Kamas, UT 84036

o The top two (2) in each discipline and age category from each day will compete in a head-tohead

competition that evening during the preshow activities for the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo in

Salt Lake City

• One of the largest youth payout rodeos in the State of Utah with over $50,000 in prize money with

daily payouts of $1,000 in each category

• Entries are a first come, first serve starting May 1, 2022 online at https://ctrodeoidaho.

weebly.com/utah-days-of-47-young-guns-rodeo.html. Individuals can enter once per day

per discipline. Entries will be capped at 15 per category per day in the timed events and a total of 15

per discipline in the roughstock events. Entry fees are $75 per for each event each day and includes

three (3) tickets to that night’s Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo performance. Books close and fees are due NO

LATER than July 1, 2022. Payment made through Venmo.

• Entries will be accepted in the following categories:

Timed event categories:

o Team Roping – Age 18 and under

o Barrel Racing – Age 6-13

o Barrel Racing (Girls only)- Age 14-18

o Breakaway Roping – Age 6-13

o Breakaway Roping (Girls only) – Age 14-18

o Goat Tying – Ages 6-13

o Goat Tying (Girls only) – Ages 14-18

Roughstock categories –15 entries total per day in each of the following regardless of age. Payout will

be based on highest marked ride of the day, all groups combined but judged based on grouping. The

top two Pee Wee contestants in bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding will advance to the Junior

Roughstock Association Finals in Wickenburg, AZ.

o Bareback Riding – overall champion (highest score over the course of the four days) in each

age category (not including pee wee age group) will receive a GOLDEN TICKET to the Junior

Roughstock World Finals in Las Vegas. So 4 automatic berths to Las Vegas in Bareback riding

▪ Pee Wee – Ages 6-9

▪ Rookie – Ages 10-11

▪ Junior – Ages 12-13

▪ Senior – Ages 14-15

▪ Novice – Ages 16-18

o Saddle Bronc Riding – overall champion (highest score over the course of the four days) in each

age category (not including pee wee age group) will receive a GOLDEN TICKET to the Junior

Roughstock World Finals in Las Vegas. So 4 automatic berths to Las Vegas in saddle bronc

riding

▪ Pee Wee – Ages 6-9

▪ Rookie – Ages 10-11

▪ Junior – Ages 12-13

▪ Senior – Ages 14-15

▪ Novice – Ages 16-18

o Bull Riding – the top two scored individuals over the course of the four days in each age

category (not including pee wee age group) will advance to the Junior Roughstock Association

Finals in Wickenburg, AZ

▪ Pee Wee – Ages 6-9

▪ Rookie – Ages 10-11

▪ Junior – Ages 12-13

▪ Senior – Ages 14-15

▪ Novice – Ages 16-18

• Daily payouts in each event each day will be as follows:

o 1st: $400

o 2nd: $300

o 3rd: $200

o 4th: $100

• Additional tickets available online at https://www.axs.com/series/14522/2022-utah-days-of-47-rodeotickets

or by phone at 800-888-8499. Ticket price levels are $14, $19 or $29. Group sales of 20 tickets

or more will receive a $5 off excluding the $14 priced tickets

• In addition, mutton busting will be part of the pre-rodeo entertainment between Young Guns Rodeo

events at the Days of ’47 Arena. Participants must weigh less than 55 pounds and be between the ages

of 3 and 6 years old. Entries are on a first come, first serve and are free to sign-up at

https://utahdaysof47rodeo.com/mutton-busting. Tickets to that night’s rodeo are required for

participating and entry to the arena.

• For information on other activities including the nightly rodeo go to www.utahdaysof47rodeo.com
• For more information on the Days of ’47 Young Guns Rodeo visit www.ctrodeo-idaho.weebly.com,

email: ctrodeo.livestock@gmail.com or text questions to 208-219-4203.

Franklin woman delights as volunteer in parking lot for Franklin Rodeo

 

Franklin, Tenn. (April 25, 2022) – Catherine Ligon will be in a hurry to get her final college exam done on May 17.

 

While her dad is busy packing up his daughter’s things.

 

That’s because the two of them have to hurry home to Franklin from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville for the Franklin Rodeo, where she does one of her favorite things: volunteering in the parking lot for the rodeo.

 

The Franklin girl, who is nineteen years old, directs the vehicles as they park, optimizing the space and parking them as safely and as orderly as possible.

 

It’s a job she started doing with her dad, John Ligon, about ten years ago. At the time, she was too young to park cars, so she hung out with her dad. A few years later, she began her present job.

 

She’s usually there all three nights of rodeo, this year May 19-21, along with her dad John, a Rotarian. “She works hard at it,” he said, “and I don’t like doing it unless she’s there.”

Catherine is good at her job, her dad says. She loves to talk to people. “I’m a people person, let me tell you,” she said. She likes the older people as well as the little ones, dressed up in their boots, hats, and big belt buckles. “I get along with everyone I work with at the rodeo,” she said. “We’re all big old besties.”

 

When her shift in the parking lot is done, she and her dad move inside the Williamson Co. Ag Expo Park, where they help with the mutton busting and calf scramble. And on Saturday night, when the rodeo is over and it’s time to tear down, she stays with the Rotarians till two or three a.m., helping take down banners and put things away.

 

Catherine has attended a couple of Franklin Noon Rotary Club meetings, starting in third grade, with her dad. She enjoys the speakers and the “this day in history” facts that are presented. She’d be a Rotarian, if they’d let her. But she has to have a career and be invited before she can be a member.

 

Last year, she was received the Junior Rotarian of the Year award for her volunteer work with the club; her grandpa Ron Ligon is a member, as is her uncle, Matt Ligon. Ron has been a Noon Rotary Club member and a volunteer at the Franklin Rodeo since 1970.

 

She loves the time spent with her dad, at the rodeo and the “Vitamin D,” she gets by being outside while parking cars. “It’s hard to say why parking is fun,” she said. “It doesn’t sound like fun, but I like to be in charge, directing cars,” she laughed.

 

Her dad loves spending time with her. “She’s a good running buddy,” he said. “She’s really funny and witty.”

 

Catherine’s mom is Paula Ligon; Paula and Jon have an older daughter, Catherine’s sister, Margaret.

 

The Franklin Rodeo will be held May 19-21 at the Williamson Co. Ag Expo Park. Performances start at 7 pm each night. Tickets are $25 for adults and $12 for kids ages twelve and under, and are available online at www.FranklinRodeo.com. For more information, visit the website.

 

 

World-acclaimed traditional charro to perform at the Black Hills RoundUp

 

Belle Fourche, S.D. (April 25, 2022) – Tomas Garcilazo will bring the Mexican art of La Charreria to the Black Hills Roundup June 30-July 4 in Belle Fourche, S.D.

 

Garcilazo was born and raised in Mexico City and as a child learned the rope work and horsemanship that comes with the family heritage.

 

La Charreria is the official national sport of Mexico and, for Garcilazo, exhibits his skills aboard a horse.

 

On his beautiful mount, he does sliding stops, spins, turns, reining, side passes, all in Mexican style, choreographed to music. Garcilazo makes it look effortless, belying how much time he has put into his life’s work.

 

While he performs, he wears the traditional Charreria attire, proud to represent his culture through his outfits and skills.

During his routine, he incorporates fancy roping, standing on his horse and jumping through his rope, like the Texas Skip, and finishing his act with the Wedding Ring, a big loop rope trick with 70 feet of rope spinning around him and his horse as they walk around the arena.

 

Garcilazo grew up with a rope in his hands. “I didn’t have many toys,” he said. “My toy was my rope.” He competed in bull riding and roping at Mexican rodeos and moved to the U.S. when he was 22 years old. Since then, he’s spent two years on tour with the Will Rogers Follies, a six-time Tony Award winning show, performing in 48 states and two countries and twice in the White House. He’s been a featured performer at Disney’s Wild West Show in Paris for three years and performed at several horses shows in Holland, Germany and Italy. He’s performed for numerous Mexico presidents and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

 

While in Paris, he met his wife, Justine, who is French. They have two sons: Louis, who is seven, and Gaspar, age nine months. Louis performs alongside his dad in the arena, and loves it. “I like doing stuff with my dad. I like trick roping, riding, and practicing. It’s so much fun.” He dresses in charro costume, like his dad, and ropes in sync with him, wowing the crowd with his superb trick roping.

 

Louis has a rope in his hand wherever he goes, his mom reports. “It’s even hard to go to the grocery store without one,” she laughed. But she and Tomas are pleased that their older son shows an inclination for charro and performing. “It’s great that he’s loving it. It’s something he’s passionate about, and it’s nice that the legacy and the heritage keeps going.”

 

Tomas and Justine’s youngest son, Gaspar, is less than a year old but already showing signs of loving horses. When they put him in the saddle with them, as the horse stands still, “he doesn’t want to get off, and he moves like he’s riding,” Justine said.

 

Garcilazo, a four-time PRCA Dress Act of the Year Award winner, has performed at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 25 consecutive years, starting in 1997. He’s one of the few rodeo acts who has worked the rodeo so many years in a row, because he’s a fan favorite and a professional at what he does. Tomas and his family won the TBS Show Go Big contest in March, winning $100,000.

 

He is a third generation Charro, devoting his life to sharing Mexico’s National Sport La Charreria with the world. He and his family live in Stephenville, Texas.

 

His love for his art is evident to rodeo fans around the world, who see it through his relationship with his horse and skills with a rope. “I’m passionate about what I do.”

 

The Black Hills Roundup kicks off June 30 and runs through July 4 with nightly performances at 7 pm, except for July 4, which is a 3 pm matinee. with a ranch rodeo at 7 pm. Family night is July 1; July 2 is Chutes for Charity night, and July 3 is Tough Enough to Wear Pink night. July 4 is Military and First Responders Day.

 

General admission tickets are $15 for children 12 and under and $24 for adults. Reserved seating tickets $29-$34. They can be purchased online and at the gate.

 

For more information, visit the website at BlackHillsRoundup.com or call the Black Hills Roundup Office at the Tri-State Museum and Visitor Center at 415 Fifth Avenue, Belle Fourche, S.D. (605.723.2010).

The NIRA Alumni will honor all past NIRA national champions, championship teams, top finishers, queens, coaches, and  faculty and student presidents from the years ending in “2” at the reunion on Friday, June 17 with registration at 8:45 am.  Please note the correct dates.  The 30^th Reunion will be at the Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center, Casper, Wyoming, Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18, 2022   Please help notify the champions listed below.  Some are deceased, so family or friends are welcome to represent them at the reunion. Reservations for the Friday reunion and luncheon ($25) need to be made by June 6 at niraainfo@gmail.com or call 210-415-9091.

 

1952 Champions   Team: Colorado A&M, Bareback: Dick Barrett, OKAM;  Saddle Bronc: Joe Chase, H-SU;  Calf Roping: F.C. Stover, NMAM;  Ribbon Roping: Art Fulkerson, WASt;  Steer Wrestling: Don Driggers, NMAM;  Bull Riding: Johnny Ackely, Sul Ross;  All-Around: Dick Barrett, OKAM.

   1962 Champions   Men’s Team: Sul Ross State;  Women’s Team: Sul Ross State;  Bareback: Fred Wilson, UWY;  Saddle Bronc: Ed Workman, LCCTX;  Calf Roping: ½. Billy James, Sul Ross, ½, Dub Cox, NMU-LC;  Ribbon Roping: Bill James, Sul Ross;  Steer Wrestling: Sonny Ehr, UAZ;  Bull Riding: George Eads, Sul Ross;  Barrel Race: Lorraine Taylor; Goat Tying: Donna Jean Saul, Sul Ross;  Men’s All-around: Ed Workman, Lubbock Christian College;  Women’s All-around: Donna Jean Saul, Sul Ross State.

   1972 Champions    Men’s Team:  Montana State University, Women’s Team: Eastern New Mexico University, Bareback: Robert Schall, MTSt, Saddle Bronc: Jock McDowell, MTSt, Calf Roping: Danny Torricellas, BlMTN, Ribbon Roping: Dean Perkins, MTSt, Steer Wrestling: Lynn Perry, MTSt, Bull Riding: LaMar Roche, RICKS, Barrel Race: Becky Fullerton, BlMtn, Goat Tying: Wendy Bryan, UAZ, Break-away:  Betty Cooper, ENMU, Men’s All-around: Dave Brock, SCSC, Women’s All-around: Linda Munns, USU.

   1982 Champions   Men’s Team: Sul Ross State University, Women’s Team: Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Bareback: Thom Hickey, EFIELD, Saddle Bronc: Chuck Morris, HARTNL,  Calf Roping:  Jim Zant, WTEX, Team Roping: Allen Gill, CAPSLO,  Steer Wrestling: Ross Rianda, HARTNL  Bull Riding: Scott Breding, MILES,  Barrel Race: Lori McNeil, UTAHST, Goat Tying: Linda O’Neal, UARIZ, Break-away Roping: Sabrina Pike, SEOKS, Men’s All-around: Cody Lambert, SLROSA, Women’s All-around:  Sabrina Pike, SEOKS.

   1992 Champions   Men’s Team:  Southwestern Oklahoma State Univ.,   Women’s Team: Walla Walla Community College,  Men’s All Around: Casey Biar Minton, West Hills College, Women’s All Around: Penny Conforth, Walla Walla Community College, Saddle Bronc: Michael Giannini, Idaho State University, Bareback: Shawn Ross Vant, Montana State University, Bull Riding: Jerome Carson Davis, Odessa College, Calf Roping: Chad David Hiatt, Panhandle State University, Steer Wrestling:  Jesse Duane Peterson, Western Montana College, Team Roping:  Seth Alan Weishaar, South Dakota State University, Barrel Racing: Mindy Lin Morris, Texas A&M University, Breakaway Roping:  Brenda Lynne Mays, Walla Walla Community College, Goat Tying: Lana Marie Tibbetts, Montana State University.

   2002 Champions    Men’s Team: College of Southern Idaho, Women’s Team: Texas A&M University, Men’s All Around: Cody J Demers, College of Southern Idaho, Women’s All Around: Jonlyn M Vaccaro, University of Nevada-Las Vegas,  Saddle Bronc Riding: Cody S Martin, Missouri Valley College, Bareback Riding: Colby J Olsen, Northwest College,  Bull Riding: William G Farrell, Chadron State College, Calf Roping:  Trent L Creager, Oklahoma State University  Steer Wrestling:  Samuel C MacKenzie, Walla Walla Community College,  Team Roping:  Colt A Braden, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, Wendall W Stanley, Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College,  Barrel Racing:  McKenzie Miller, Ricks College, Breakaway:   Keli J Smith, New Mexico Junior College  Goat Tying: Jonlyn M Vaccaro, University of Nevada-Las Vegas.

   2012 Champions: Men’s Team: Walla Walla Community College,  Women’s Team: Texas Tech University-Lubbock, Men’s All Around: Bryce K Palmer, Walla Walla Community College, Women’s All Around:  Hayden S Segelke, Northeastern Junior College.  Saddle Bronc Riding:  Tyrel C Larsen, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Bareback Riding: Tanner K Aus, Missouri Valley College,  Bull Riding: Taggert J Elliott, Utah Valley University,  Tie Down Roping: Chant J DeForest, Western Oklahoma State College, Steer Wrestling: Benjamin T Carson, Utah Valley University, Team Roping  Tyler J Schnaufer, University of Wyoming, Shay D Carroll, Northeastern Junior College,  Barrel Racing: Liz A Combs, Sam Houston State University,  Breakaway Roping: Joey L Painter, Black Hills State University, Goat Tying: Lacey L Tech, Central Wyoming College.

Texas tie-down roper wins $100,000 during rodeo in AT&T Stadium

 

AT&T Stadium is just four hours from Caleb Smidt’s home in Bellville, Texas, a community of about 4,200 people near Houston.

That makes it easy for those that love him most to make the trip to see their favorite cowboy compete. It’s also easy for Smidt to find success in an arena filled with that much support. On the opening Sunday of March, the three-time and reigning world champion tie-down roper won The American for the second time and pocketed another $100,000 for doing so.

 

“It’s just awesome to have as many people that I have in my family come watch and support me,’ said Smidt, who also won inside “Jerry World” in 2019. “They make a point to go everywhere they can and to do the other things to support me. It makes it so much sweeter when you go back to them.

“My wife and kids are still excited whether I win or don’t win, but it makes you want to do better and do the things to support my family. It wouldn’t mean as much to me if they didn’t want to go. For them to want to go makes it that much better.”

The feelings are mutual. Over his career, Smidt has qualified for the National Finals Rodeo eight times. The three years he’s claimed the Montana Silversmiths gold buckle (2015, ’18 and ’21), he also won the NFR average championship. This past December, he pocketed nearly $192,000 in 10 days of ProRodeo’s grand finale and finished the year with $318,456.

The American is a unique event that featured 10 cowboys that were exempt based on being among the top 10 in the 2021 PRCA world standings. The remaining competitors in the field had earned their way through a series of qualifiers. Winners of each event pocketed $100,000, but the qualifiers were eligible for part of the $2 million side pot along with the one-hundred grand.

By the time the dust settled, Brazilian bull rider Kaique Pacheco was the only qualifier to win his event, thereby earning $2.1 million. For Smidt, the victory inside AT&T Stadium provided him an emotional outlet to showcase his faith and his talent with a rope. He nearly broke down with his post-ride interview that was shown to the large crowd and to millions of viewers on national television.

“It’s the biggest one-day, well, two-day, rodeo there is,” he said. “Any time you can win it once is a dream come true, so winning twice is unbelievable. It’s dang sure a blessing to be able to win it twice.”

It was also a bit of redemption after the previous 15 months. After qualifying for the NFR in 2020, he wasn’t allowed to compete because of a positive COVID test directly before the championship at its one-time home of Globe Life Field in Arlington. He advanced into The American through the qualifying events, but things didn’t work out for him to talk away with an incredible payday a year ago.

“I got to rope for $1 million at The American last year, but I didn’t pull it off,” Smidt said. “It’s saddening to know you had a chance and didn’t come through.

“I’ve been in a lot of pressure situations. When you compete at a high level, you get in situations where you have to win and need to win. When you don’t come through, it sits deep in your stomach. It’s going to bother you if you have a winner’s mentality. I didn’t just shake it off and walk out of the arena. It made me want to be better. That’s what pushes me to get better.”

It worked, and he has 100,000 reasons to believe in himself. Because The American wasn’t sanctioned by the PRCA, the money earned doesn’t count toward the 2022 world standings, but it can come in quite handy. More than likely, though, his wife Brenna will have a plan soon.

“I’m sure my wife can find something,” he said with a laugh. “We have a three-bedroom house and three kids, so two of them share a room.

“Before too long, we’re going to have to add to our house.”

The way the competition worked, there were 17 cowboys in the first round of The American, which took place March 4 at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, Texas. The top 10 times moved on to AT&T Stadium for Sunday, where the field was pared down the cowboys with the top four scores. Smidt was the third roper to make a run after watching Tuf Cooper and Riley Webb secure 7.60- and 7.81-second runs, respectively.

Smidt then roped and secured his calf in 6.87 seconds with only friend Hunter Herrin to compete. When Herrin struggled, Smidt lowered his head, dejected for his friend. It all factored into the emotions the Texan shared on the stage inside the massive stadium.

“Me and Hunter have become pretty close, and he helps me out and I help him out a lot,” Smidt said. “We were the last two guys to go; he got to rope for $2.1 million, me for $100,000. I wouldn’t have been disappointed at all if he would have won, because winning that kind of money was going to be life-changing.

“I couldn’t imagine what he was going through. I was just disappointed for him.”

That’s the nature of rodeo that isn’t seen in many other professional sports. Friendships develop, and relationships become more like family. He spent the last couple of years traveling with 2019 world champion Haven Meged, and the two have become really close friends. That helps. Meged was standing in the roping box with Smidt when he nodded his head for big money that Sunday afternoon.

While Brenna Smidt may have plans for that dough, Caleb would like to transfer some of it directly into is rodeo account to help pay for the expenses that come with being an elite cowboy. He wants to battle for another gold buckle, but he’s got some work to do; as of March 7, he was 27th in the world standings.

“My winter’s been really slow, but I also haven’t been a whole lot,” he said. “I like to hunt a lot more in the winter. After the finals, I call it good until February. I just show up at Fort Worth and San Antonio this year, but I haven’t had a lot of luck. My roping was just OK until I showed up in Fort Worth (for The American). I got to practice and put my body through a lot of stress.

“When you back in the box for $100,000, all that stuff goes away. That dang sure made it an awesome winter right away. Hopefully I can do good at Houston and Austin and get some points in the PRCA.”

Sometimes it takes just a moment, a flash of time, for everything to go in the right direction. Years of muscle memory return quickly to one of the greatest ropers in the business.

“To me, it’s more mental,” Smidt said. “At my age, you can’t go in the practice pen and run 20 calves every day like I did when I was 25. I’ve got to be mentally sharper and enjoy roping more because I’m not going to be roping for many more years.

“Someone’s mental deal can get in the way. I’ve seen a lot of people that can dang sure rope, but their mental game and lack of horsemanship gets in the way. It’s not easy. You still have to practice and work at it, but you need to be as strong mentally as you are physically. This is a tough sport.”

The sport isn’t any tougher than Caleb Smidt; his two titles at The American and three world championships prove it.

American Royal Youth Rodeo Will Serve As A Regional Qualifier For The 2023 Hooey Jr. Patriot Rodeo

The American Royal Youth Rodeo has partnered with the Patriot event to serve as a regional qualifier for their 2023 Hooey Jr. Patriot Rodeo in Fort Worth. The 2022 American Royal Youth Rodeo will take place May 2nd through the 4th in Kansas City at the American Royal Complex.

 

“This opens a new opportunity for our youth rodeo contestants,” said Jackie McClaskey, American Royal Association President and Interim CEO. “This gives contestants from the Midwest the chance to compete at one rodeo and not only win the American Royal but also qualify for the Hooey Jr. Patriot.”

 

The top 15 contestants from select events will qualify to compete in the 2023 Hooey Jr. Patriot

Rodeo. Contestants must complete a separate entry to be considered to qualify.

 

For over 20 years, the American Royal Youth Rodeo has welcomed contestants from across the

Midwest to Kansas City to compete in a one-of-a-kind experience.

 

“We are excited to partner with the American Royal to host our first ever regional qualifier,” said Kevin Hall, Hooey Jr. Patriot Producer. “This allows young rodeo contestants from the Midwest an opportunity to compete on a national level.”

 

The American Royal Spring Field Trip program is held in conjunction with the youth rodeo. This program welcomes third graders from the Kansas City area to learn more about agriculture and the sport of rodeo.

 

Entries are currently open, visit AmericanRoyal.com for more information on how to enter.

 

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About the American Royal Association

A Kansas City tradition since 1899, the American Royal currently provides opportunities for youth and adults from around the world to compete in a variety of events including our Livestock Show, Pro Rodeo, Equine Shows, and the World Series of Barbecue. These events allow the American Royal, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, to give over $1 million annually for youth scholarships and to support agriculture education programs.

 

About The Patriot Event and Jr Patriot Rodeo

The Patriot is a multi-equine sport and entertainment entity, founded in 2014. The Patriot hosts many events, including: team roping, barrel racing, calf roping, steer wrestling, goat tying, pole bending and rough stock. The Patriot Event runs a series of Nationwide Qualifying Events to

feed into two Finale Events, Patriot Vegas in December and Patriot Fort Worth each February. Showmanship is held in the highest regard and has been a focal point in all Patriot Event productions.

The Jr Patriot Rodeo is a youth multi-equine rodeo production, developed by The Patriot Event to advance the sport of rodeo from the ground up. A series of over 100 qualifiers feed contestants from across the globe to gather in Fort Worth for one of the greatest events of the year. Together with their Sanctioning Bodies, the Jr Patriot has proven to be a leading innovator in the Western World’s Youth Industry.