Category: Newsletter Articles

Earning 28 world points, Leme decimates No. 1 Kaique Pacheco’s lead, now within 38 points of the top position in the world standings

OMAHA, Neb. – As action got underway for the first PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Unleash The Beast event in Omaha, Nebraska, in 12 years on Saturday evening, reigning World Champion Jose Vitor Leme’s (Ribas do Rio Pardo, Brazil) seemingly unstoppable form was on full display. The Brazilian phenom logged his league-leading seventh round win, victorious in Round 1 of the PBR Union Home Mortgage Invitational.

Matched up with Blue Crush (Cord McCoy/Chad Reese), Leme was embroiled in a rubber match.

He entered the showdown with a 1-1 record against the striking bovine athlete, having faced the bull in Chicago in both 2019 and 2020. During their first meeting, Leme rode Blue Crush for 87.25 points. However, last season, the tables turned, and Leme was bucked off in a hard-fought 5.61 seconds.

Inside CHI Health Center Omaha, Leme reversed his most recent fortunes aboard Blue Crush, reaching the requisite 8 for 89.25 points to win the round.

“That bull is hard,” Leme said dirtside moments after his ride. “He already bucked me off a couple of times ago. Round wins are very important. It’s more points. This year, the race is on fire. A lot of guys are riding really good – Kaique, Joao, Cooper. I just try to do my job and my best every time.”

For his efforts, the former semi-professional soccer player netted a crucial 28 world points, allowing him to significantly cut into 2018 PBR World Champion Kaique Pacheco’s (Itatiba, Brazil) lead atop the world standings. Solidifying his No. 2 ranking, Leme is now within a slim 38 points of Pacheco and holding the world No. 1 rank for the first time in 2021.

This season, Leme is attempting to achieve a feat only accomplished by one other rider in league history. Should he repeat as the league’s World Champion, he would join three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves (Pilar do Sul, Brazil) as the only rider to have won the coveted gold buckle in back-to-back seasons. Alves won his first two titles in consecutive years, topping the world in 2011 and 2012.

Fresh off his fourth Unleash The Beast victory of the year, winning last weekend’s event in Nampa, Idaho, Pacheco was bucked off in an uncharacteristic 2.34 seconds in Round 1 of the Cornhusker State event, dispatched by DJ Long John (Blake Sharp/High Voltage Cattle).

Derek Kolbaba (Walla Walla, Washington) and 2016 PBR World Champion Cooper Davis (Jasper, Texas) tied for second in the opening round, logging matching 88.5-point scores to earn 17.5 world points.

The duo covered Lil 2 Train (Jane Clark/Gene Owen) and Zorro (Jane Clark/Gene Owen), respectively.

Both riders earned a qualified ride on a bull they had bucked off in a previous season. Lil 2 Train first matched up against Kolbaba in 2020 in Guthrie, Oklahoma, bucking off the Washingtonian in 4.99 seconds. Zorro proved the more dominant athlete against Davis in 2019 in Los Angeles, sending the Texan to the dirt in 6.14 seconds.

Both Kolbaba and Davis gained ground in the feverish 2021 PBR World Championship race courtesy of the silver effort. Kolbaba climbed two positions from No. 10 to No. 8, and Davis furthered his stronghold on the No. 4 world rank, honing within 243 points of the No. 1 ranking.

Rounding out the Top 5 were the Top 2 contenders for the 2021 PBR Rookie of the Year honor, with Colten Fritzlan (Rifle, Colorado) finishing fourth and Chase Dougherty (Stephenville, Texas) concluding the evening fifth.

Fritzlan rode @PBR on TikTok (Paradigm Bull Company) for 87.75 points to earn 16 world points, and Dougherty covered Hard Juice (Next Level Bucking Bulls) for 86.75 points to collect 15 world points.

While both riders retained their world ranking, with Fritzlan holding down the No. 6 position and Dougherty No. 23, the qualified rides further intensified the race amongst first-year riders on the Unleash The Beast.

Top-ranked Rookie Fritzlan leads No. 2 Dougherty by 167.5 points.

Fans can relive all the action from Round 1 of the PBR Union Home Mortgage Invitational starting at 8:00 a.m. EDT on Sunday, May 2, on RidePass, at RidePass.com or via the mobile app.

PBR Unleash The Beast action from Omaha, Nebraska, and CHI Health Center Omaha will conclude on Sunday, May 2, starting at 1:45 p.m. CDT, with Round 2 and the championship round.

PBR Unleash The Beast

PBR Union Home Mortgage Invitational

CHI Health Center Omaha – Omaha, Nebraska

Event Leaders (Round 1-Round 2-Round 3-Event Aggregate-Event Points)

1. Jose Vitor Leme, 89.25-0-0-89.25-28 Points.
2. Cooper Davis, 88.5-0-0-88.50-17.5 Points.

(tie). Derek Kolbaba, 88.5-0-0-88.50-17.5 Points.

4. Colten Fritzlan, 87.75-0-0-87.75-16 Points.
5. Chase Dougherty, 86.75-0-0-86.75-15 Points.
6. Cody Teel, 86.5-0-0-86.50-13.5 Points.

(tie). Austin Richardson, 86.5-0-0-86.50-13.5 Points.

8. Eli Vastbinder, 85.5-0-0-85.50-12 Points.
9. Dener Barbosa, 85.25-0-0-85.25-11 Points.
10. Ramon de Lima, 84.75-0-0-84.75-10 Points.

Kaique Pacheco, 0-0-0-0.00

João Ricardo Vieira, 0-0-0-0.00

Marco Eguchi, 0-0-0-0.00

Silvano Alves, 0-0-0-0.00

Mauricio Gulla Moreira, 0-0-0-0.00

Keyshawn Whitehorse, 0-0-0-0.00

Junior Patrik Souza, 0-0-0-0.00

Eduardo Aparecido, 0-0-0-0.00

Boudreaux Campbell, 0-0-0-0.00

Alex Cerqueira, 0-0-0-0.00

Taylor Toves, 0-0-0-0.00

Cody Nance, 0-0-0-0.00

João Henrique Lucas, 0-0-0-0.00

Marcelo Procopio Pereira, 0-0-0-0.00

Jesse Petri, 0-0-0-0.00

Paulo Ferreira Lima, 0-0-0-0.00

Michael Lane, 0-0-0-0.00

Brennon Eldred, 0-0-0-0.00

Kyle Jones, 0-0-0-0.00

Rodrigo Melgar, 0-0-0-0.00

Andrew Alvidrez, 0-0-0-0.00

Professional bareback bronc rider Jasen Olsen loves being a cowboy. His passion and excitement for the sport inspire others, moves them to tears, and exhilarates them.

Olsen’s remarkable drive and endurance for bronc riding goes far beyond what is imaginable. Two days before competing at the National Senior Pro Rodeo Association Rodeo (NSPRA) in Wickenburg, he competed in Gilbert with a broken leg and placed first in the bronc riding. On Feb. 13 at Everett Bowman Arena in Wickenburg, he competed again with a broken leg and had an eight-second bronc ride that earned him 68 points, giving him a lead in the world standings.

Olsen didn’t break his leg riding broncs however; he was teaching his 10-year old son how to skateboard down a half-pipe ramp. “I went down, snapped it clear in half,” Olsen said. “I live in the middle of nowhere, so I had to put it back together and drive three hours to the hospital.”

Despite his injury, Olsen persisted through competition using the strength of one leg. Two of his friends traveled from out of state to lift him on to the horse so he would be able to ride. “It’s just what we do,” Olsen said. “I think it’s normal.”

For 35 years, Olsen has been competing in rodeos. He has ridden thousands of broncs all over the country. Olsen grew up in South Jordan, Utah, and recalls admiring his cousin who rode broncs. “I thought it was so cool,” Olsen said. “It was speaking to me and I knew I wanted to be a cowboy.” At age 14 Olsen was riding broncs. “I’ve always done it,” Olsen said. “This is what makes me want to live. I can’t explain what it’s like to get on one of the best horses in the world. They jump out and they’re giving everything they’ve got and you’re giving everything you’ve got. The adrenaline is just running through you and it’s awesome.”

One of Olson’s favorite things about rodeo is that it brings communities together. He thrives off of crowd feedback and the thrill on children’s faces. In 2019, Olsen won the World Title. “I’ve wanted to win the World my whole life and it took me 34 years,” Olsen said. Olsen’s passion for bronc riding is compelling and immeasurable. He exemplifies the spirit of rodeo through grit and endurance. Nothing can stop him from riding. Not even a broken leg.

Although he retired from his bronc riding career at a young age, a career in rodeo is exactly the life Sylvain Bourgeois has enjoyed for the past 25-plus years. As the co-owner of Wild Time Productions and 2 Wild Ranch, Sylvain also works as the rodeo manager for the renowned Festival Western Saint-Tite, held in Quebec, Canada each September; and he has been instrumental in the growth and development of the sport of rodeo across Canada. “I started riding broncs as a 15-year-old in 1985 and loved it. However, the distance you had to travel back then was great and you often spent 50-60 hours a weekend traveling between rodeos. Although I sometimes regret letting go of bronc riding, I wouldn’t trade my life for anything, I love what I’m doing. I was still riding broncs in 1995 when I was hired by the festival, but once I started Wild Time Productions with a friend in 2000, I decided to focus on producing rodeos.” When Sylvain began producing rodeos, there were only about 5 or 6 in the province. Within 5 years, that number had increased to over 12 rodeos each season, and after working with the festival as the rodeo manager all these years, the numbers have steadily multiplied and there are now over 40 rodeos in the province for cowboys and cowgirls to compete. “In 2005, my partner decided to go a different direction, so I bought him out and ran things alone for a few years before selling half of the company to the festival in 2008. They had the office, accounting and marketing to offer me, and I was able to promote rodeos for them. It has been a wonderful partnership and things have grown incredibly for us both.”

In 1997, Sylvain married Tania Daudelin, a barrel racer from strong barrel racing lineage. A close friend, Gary Seutter, gave Sylvain and Tania a bucking horse, Wedding Band, as a wedding gift. “I bought 5 more bucking horses to go with him and started having rodeos in 2000 so that I had places to buck my horses. At the time I wanted to raise bucking horses, but we had too many rodeos and an immediate need for horses; so my partner, Eric Desjardins and I partnered and found land and started buying bucking horses from wonderful contractors all over north America. Ten years ago, we started our breeding program and we currently own approximately 60 to 70 horses. We have horses we’ve bred that are ready to buck right now, so having all of the rodeo cancellations this season has been overwhelming.” Sylvain leases all timed-event stock and bucking bulls for the rodeos he produces. Sylvain and Tania have two sons, Micheal, 30, who has worked for the past 10 years in Wild Time Productions as a sound man and DJ: and Zach, their 20-year-old bull and bronc rider.

In 1999, Sylvain produced his very first International Professional Rodeo Association co-sanctioned rodeo and has produced only IPRA first-sanctioned rodeos ever since. The relationship with IPRA has led to many positive changes for rodeo in Canada. The IPRA Canada branch started out with 100 members and has grown to over 700 members attending over 40 rodeos across Ontario and Quebec in the IPRA Canada circuit. The Festival Western St-Tite is now a 10-day event that draws over 600,000 spectators and visitors to the area as well as the top cowboy and cowgirl competitors across Canada and the United States. Although they’ve had to cancel the event in 2020, they have plans for a virtual Festival Western St-Tite, with 10 days of performances being aired on the Wrangler network, and virtual concerts, dance lessons, and other exciting events available on an online platform. “It’s a way that we can still keep in contact with the fans, partners, volunteers, and the cowboys and cowgirls. In 2021, we will celebrate the 53^rd event. I look forward to life getting back to normal and getting back out there to all the committees that are a part of our family. It is hard not seeing them all summer, but we look forward to working with them and making their events successful in the future.”

When it looked like the Permit Finals Challenge wasn’t going to happen as part of the 2020 WNFR, Debbie Neely started working her magic. “We’ve been at every one of the Benny Binion’s-Bucking Horse/Bull Sale since it started in 1996,” said Debbie, mother of the saddle bronc permit challenge champion. This is the 11^th year for the permit challenge finals. “We’ve watched many of those contestants move into the pros.”

She kept waiting for the announcement for either the Benny Binion Sale or the Permit Finals. “We were told it wasn’t feasible given the logistics of getting stock in and out, plus the number of other events happening at the coliseum,” she said. “I made it my personal campaign to get change that – I got all the eligible contestants and asked them to contact the PRCA about the Permit Challenge.” It was finally agreed that the Permit Finals Challenge would happen. The next obstacle to get over was getting the stock. “I found a stock contractor – Pete Carr, Carr Pro Rodeo – and they stepped up and brought their best.”  Between Debbie, Mr. Taylor, and Mr. Carr a date was found to put the event on. “I got the finalization on October 27^th both on the added money, stock, and date (December 9) – we had less than two hours to get the event done.”

Her son, Reed, won the saddle bronc riding. “My dad (Jeff) rode bareback horses, and my mom did barrel racing and made me do all the events for pee wee. I started out with lead line; my mom would push me to ride by myself. I’m sure I did a lot of crying.”

He competed in Western pleasure, trail, and all the western events. “I was just happy to get a snow cone at the end of the day – I didn’t care what was going on.” He quit riding altogether for a few years, but  got started again under Adam Gray (6x NFR tie down qualifier) and it went from there. Somewhere along the way, he found a pair of his dad’s chaps and wanted to ride broncs, but his parents wouldn’t let him get on until he was about 16.

He made National Junior High Finals Rodeo in Gallup, New Mexico, in 2013 in the breakaway roping in 8^th grade. “We’d do roping and chute dogging, and goat tying. Once I got into high school, I competed in team roping and calf roping; when I was a sophomore I started riding broncs. I started with Rocky Steagall – an NFR judge that made the finals a bunch (5x NFR qualifier). My dad helped me too – and we had a lot of family friends that helped as well.”

“When Reed showed interest in riding broncs, his dad put in an arena. Once he fell in love with bronc riding, it gave him something to concentrate on,” said Rocky. “He’s got a great support team.”

When he was a senior, he went to George Veater to get some help. “He’s got a really nice bucking machine that I drive up to use and a lot of really nice bucking horses.”  George has been a family friend for 30 years and is a former bronc rider.

“Reed’s a great young man with a lot of talent, it’s a pleasure to have him around,” said George, who ranches north of Fresno, California. “I have about 20 bucking horses and have started a breeding program. “I’ve been involved in the sport of rodeo for several years.” He’s been a California Circuit Final Champion, CCRA Champion, and National Senior Pro in 2007, and 2010. He has shared his talents with others. In 2017, Reed won fourth at the National High School Finals.  He also won the California Circuit Finals in 2019.

Reed is currently attending Fresno State. “I’ve got one year of school left; I’m majoring in Agriculture Communication.” He plans to see how well rodeo does for him, and maybe get into some public speaking. “I’ve announced some rodeos and given some speeches for classes.”

In the meantime, he’s busy with rodeo, school, and teaching horseback riding lessons. “I’ve learned that I did about 6 weeks of rodeoing across the country, and I learned that if you are going to start, you’d better have a sum of money or it won’t work. There are so many scenarios that go into play – and expenses.”

He enjoyed his time at the Fort Worth Stockyards. “It’s an amazing town; walking down the road and seeing steak houses everywhere and longhorns walking down the street – then you walk into the coliseum and riding in there.”

The First in Our Legacy Series of Montana Worlds Champions

Courtesy of Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame

For 15 years, the original Dan Mortenson bronze has served the MPRHWF well as a fund raiser in raffles and auctions.  The mold has worn out and the artist, Ron Rains has passed.  We have commissioned renown western artist Bob Burkhart of Bozeman, Montana to create a new bronze of Dan on a saddle bronc.  Collaborating with Dan, Bob has created a spectacular piece.  We will be unveiling the #1 edition on May 14^th at the Metra, in Billings, Montana, in front of the original heroic size bronze of Dan on display there.  At that time, we will also be opening a sealed bid auction for this #1 of a kind collectors’ piece.  The sealed bid auction winner will be revealed at our Scholarship Fund Raising Banquet on October 2, 2021 at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center.  Another edition of this bronze will be offered in our annual ”Heads or Tails Raffle” at the banquet. There will only be 15 castings of this bronze made.  We are pre-selling them now.  If you are interested, call Jay Linderman at 307-710-6193.

More exciting news.  This Dan Mortenson bronze is number one in a “Legacy Series” of bronzes that will be commissioned by the Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame.  Over the next few years, eleven more Montana World Champions will be commemorated with a bronze.  In order, they will be Deb Greenough, Bill Linderman, Benny Reynolds, Larry Peabody, Ty Erickson, Haven Meged, Loyd Ketchum, Shawn Davis, Clay Tryan, and Brad Gleason.

Courtesy of Chaney Larsen

 

Exactly a year ago this February, our youngest son, Waylon Weldon Larsen, came into this world. I remember the morning of the scheduled c-section vividly.

I had so many emotions leading up to this point that I broke down in tears as we arrived at the hospital. Joyful tears because we had made it this far, scared tears because of the unknown and just wanting him to be ok, and excited tears because we were finally going to meet this amazing little human being at last.

My husband held my hand and said everything was going to be ok. He was by my side every step of the way, and I’m so grateful for all he did.

I had made it through in-utero surgery to close the opening in Waylon’s back in December, avoided a preterm labor scare over my birthday the first week of February, and lived in a city for months on bed rest 1,400 miles away from home.

I’ve been told many times that I am superwoman, that I am so strong, but I know so many others have endured so much more, and I really just admire everyone that keeps fighting the good fight. Life will hand you lots of lemons, but it’s what you do with them that counts.

My strength came from my faith, and my support system from so many family, friends, and strangers. When people tell me how strong I am for what I’ve been through, I think of my good friend that lost her 6 month old baby boy, my father that’s fought cancer for many years, and all of the broken homes with little ones that are just trying to survive.

I am weak, but he is strong, the Bible hymn goes.  I am weak, I know that, but through him I am given strength. My superhero is my heavenly father, and I have so many heroes.

My superheroes are all of the mothers raising their kids to be the best possible human beings they can be, the nurses and frontline workers that have worked tirelessly during these hard times, and last, but certainly not least, my boys are my biggest superheroes because they both bring so much joy, laughter, and love to this world.

We all have our strengths and weaknesses, and too often we focus on the weaknesses that we have. We must constantly feed our strengths for only then can you become someone’s superhero. My boys will know that they have the strength within them to change the world, be more than they ever imagined, and ultimately be a light and a guiding force for those around them.

Psalms 46:1-5 says, ” God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the Earth be moved, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the dwelling thereof. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall come to her aid at early dawn.

There were plenty of uncertainties last year with Waylon’s condition and the virus that shook the world, but through any sign of trouble, we must always remember that God is our refuge and strength. We can’t live in fear, and we must embrace the unknown. Over 66% of babies diagnosed with spina bifida are terminated, and through Waylon’s story we hope to change that statistic. He has been a light to our family, and will always be momma’s little superhero.

We did it! If you’re reading this, congratulations! We’ve officially made it through 2020, and a new year has begun.

I believe wholeheartedly that life is what you make it. Do you look back at 2020 discouraged or can you point out the many positive things that happened in your life instead?

My youngest son, Waylon, was born in 2020. He definitely was a ray of sunshine during such a whirlwind year. He had nearly two dozen doctor appointments and a surgery for the fluid in his brain caused by his condition called spina bifida. Through it all though, he kept a smile and was such a trooper making this mama’s heart so full.

My husband and I chose life, when most parents terminate the pregnancy after finding out their child has this condition. Please choose life even when your little one may have a birth defect like spina bifida. Our Waylon has a full life ahead of him. He’ll have some obstacles along the way, yes, but don’t we all.

Waylon is a happy, healthy boy that loves life, and he is achieving so many milestones each and every month. I think he’s going to be a dreamer and a go-getter. Nothing will be able to stop him when he sets his mind to it.

My first born, Charlie, accomplished so many things in 2020 as well. He grew a tremendous amount, and evolved from a toddler to a little boy that can help his mama grab diapers, clean up toys, and do school work. He can name all of his planets, loves the outdoors, and with making so many trips to Dallas for Waylon’s appointments, he is a good traveler.

We asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up recently, and he said a driver. Guess that means we are on the road quite a bit. He’ll have good practice in traveling if he decides to rodeo professionally like his dad, Uncle Orin, or Grandpa Craig Latham.

2020 was a year of many greats passing away. Basketball Star, Kobe Bryant, is one of those individuals that left behind an amazing legacy and influence. One of his quotes that really stands out to me says, “The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.”

I love this quote. I hope to be a positive inspiration to my children. Someone they can look up to, someone that works hard, tries hard, and fights for what they believe in every day.

Another great that was taken from us in 2020 was country music icon, Charlie Daniels. His music, his mannerism, and his example are all qualities that I’d love for my boys to have.

I want both Charlie and Waylon to learn at least one instrument. Music is good for the soul, and can teach an individual many life lessons through the experience of learning something new, getting out of one’s comfort zone, and giving an individual the confidence needed in oneself in many areas, including to eventually be able to play in front of a crowd.

Charlie Daniels left us with some great wisdom when he said, ” Lord, give us the courage to speak our mind, to be honest and bold about our feelings, no matter who, or how many we go against.”

And last but not least, Jeopardy host, Alex Trebek, sadly lost his life to cancer in 2020, but his presence will remain in many households for decades to come. In March of 2020, Alex stated, “Now, I’d be lying if I said the journey has been an easy one. There were some good days, but a lot of not so good days…if we take it just one day at a time, with a positive attitude, anything is possible.”

I see many people go through some very hard and trying times, but what separates them is their attitude they have in order to get through their circumstances. Yes, I know we all break down, we all get down at some point, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some bad days, but overall, I try to have a positive outlook, and it really does make a world of difference.

I’ve said it before, but I truly believe both my boys are going to achieve amazing things. They both have kind spirits, and enough energy to charge the sun.

As a parent, the most important thing is to spend quality time with your children, teach them qualities that they will need as they get older, and be an example for them to follow.

You are an icon, a hero, and the biggest influencer to your child. Teach them to inspire others, teach them to be bold, and teach them the power of positivity. Happy New Year!!

Rescheduled for Fall 2021

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (Jan. 25, 2021) – The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of

Fame has made the decision to postpone the 45th Annual Induction Luncheon and Ceremony that

was originally scheduled for spring 2021. The new date of the Induction celebrations will be

Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021 at the Dickies Arena, where the Museum will welcome five 2021

Inductees and the Patsy Montana Award Recipient.

The change of date was due to ensuring the well-being of visitors, staff, Honorees and

volunteers.

“As excited as we are to induct this new class of amazing Honorees, people’s health and safety is

our first concern,” said the Museum’s executive director Patricia Riley. “We appreciate

everyone’s understanding and will look forward to a great event in October.”

These incoming Hall of Fame members represent a wide range of cowgirls – from a country

music superstar, to a world champion breakaway roper, a renowned artist, cowboy hat designer

and an Olympic medalist. The induction class includes Pop Chalee, Lari Dee Guy, Kathryn

Kusner, Lavonna “Shorty” Koger and Miranda Lambert.

The Patsy Montana Award Recipient Christina Voros is a cinematographer and has worked on

hit series such as Yellowstone.

To read about each 2021 Inductee click here http://www.cowgirl.net/hall-of-fame/all-honorees/.

Induction Luncheon and Ceremony sponsorship opportunities are available at

http://www.cowgirl.net/hall-of-fame/.

About the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honors and celebrates women, past and present, whose lives

exemplify the courage, resilience and independence that helped shape the West, and fosters an appreciation of the

ideals and spirit of self-reliance they inspire. Established in 1975, the Museum is considered an invaluable national

educational resource for its exhibits, research library, rare photograph collection and award-winning distancelearning

programs for grades K-12 and adults. In 2019, the Museum opened the Kit Moncrief Galleries and It’s

Never Just a HorseTM exhibition. Located at 1720 Gendy Street Fort Worth, Texas 76107. Hours of operation are

Tuesday – Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults (ages 13+); $7 for seniors (60+), military,

first responders and children (ages 3 to 12) and children 3 and under get in free with paid adult. For more news and

information visit www.cowgirl.net or call 817-336-4475 and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and

YouTube.

Here is an observation from a college rodeo coach—Your GPA is a good indicator if you will make it to the NFR. Pretty crazy isn’t it. I have now had a lot of students qualify for the NFR, EVERY one them have been in the upper third of my teams GPA. Read that again. Every one of them have been in the upper third of the team GPA. In fact for those students I never had to worry about their eligibility while they were in college.

Here are a few reasons why I believe the GPA is a good indicator for student’s future success.

To keep a good GPA requires discipline. Most college students don’t maintain their GPA not because of lack of smarts, but rather a lack of discipline. It’s easy to skip a night of studying to go to the bar. When you are trying to make a living rodeoing do you get a good night’s rest or are you discipline enough to say no and do what is best in the long term. The majority of college students and rodeo students will sacrifice their long term goals for a good time. It’s really sad but it’s the truth.

Work ethic. Good grades don’t come easy. It takes studying and a strong work ethic to make the grade, whether that grade is an A in Microbiology or nodding your head in the yellow wrapped arena. The work ethic has to be there for you to be successful in either endeavor. Another interesting fact I have seen some students with a great work ethic in the arena but it didn’t carry over to the classroom. These students have been decently successful in their professional careers but they have never made the NFR. Work ethic, do your best no matter what you are doing and amazing things can happen.

The ability to finish what they start. Every year there are thousands of college students that start with the goal for straight A’s. There are also thousands of students who start with making the NFR as a goal. Every student and rodeo contestant will face obstacles during the year. Those obstacles are just enough of an excuse for some to change their goals or find something to blame for their lack of success. Those who have the ability to finish what they start will be successful. Plain and Simple.

It takes smarts to win. You have to be willing to adapt to different scenarios. You have to plan and have good time management skills. These same skills are needed for you to be successful in the classroom. The same lessons that you learn to be a successful college student will translate over to help you become a successful professional. Some of the best lessons in the classroom may not be what you learn in the classroom but how you learn to learn. This skill will be invaluable as you move forward in life.

Have the students that made the NFR always been the smartest or the most talented? No, not even close in most cases.  There have been some amazingly talented students who will never compete at the highest level because they lacked the traits listed above. There are also some incredibly smart students who will never earn a 4.0 GPA because of the same reason. Take advantage of your opportunities and apply them to all areas of your life if you want to be successful inside and out of the arena.

The following story includes an announcement of the Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff Fast-Time Award as well as gathers from feature stories written about her multiple times over the years and carried in the Durant Daily Democrat.

FORT WORTH, Texas – The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the creation of a new award in honor of the late 1987 Cowgirl Honoree Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff. The Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff Fast-Time Award is in celebration of the inaugural National Finals Breakaway Roping (NFBR) during the Wrangler NFR.

The NFBR is an exciting advancement for Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) ropers. This is the first time cowgirls have had the opportunity to rope alongside the Wrangler NFR. The event will be at Globe Life Field in Arlington, TX, Dec. 8-10.

“We are thrilled to see the increased interest in breakaway roping from the larger community and creating this award was a natural next step,” said the Museum’s associate executive director Dr. Diana Vela. “We are excited for all the competitors who qualified this year and will eagerly watch results during this year’s Wrangler NFR.”

Born into a family of rodeo stars, the late 1987 Cowgirl Honoree Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff was a nine-time world champion, which included 1989 breakaway champion and four tie-down roping championships. She won her first championship at 12 in junior calf roping.

Ratliff worked as rodeo director of the WPRA to strengthen the sport and helped reorganize the American Junior Rodeo Association. She coached the men’s and women’s rodeo teams for Southeastern Oklahoma State University to win national titles.

“Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff is one of the reasons we are here today,” said 2021 Inductee and champion breakaway roper Lari Dee Guy. “What an honor to be here roping and being able to continue to carry the torch she and many other strong women lit for us.”

This award is determined by the cowgirl that ropes the fastest time in the first round. If there is a tie, the award will go to the roper that qualified with the most money. The winner will be awarded a beautiful custom, one-of-a-kind Montana Silversmiths buckle.

In addition to this new award, the Museum, partnered with the WPRA will present the Jerry Ann Taylor Best Dressed Cowgirl Award to the NFR Barrel Racer who exemplifies the style and spirit of the late Jerry Ann Taylor.  This award is fan-voted on after each NFR round 1 through 9 and awarded before the final round.

The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame celebrates the Wrangler NFR being hosted in Texas and welcomes rodeo fans to visit the Museum, Dec. 3-12. The Anne W. Marion Gallery will feature Girls Rode Association (GRA) artifacts, NFR Barrel Racing and NFBR Breaking Roping Qualifiers and the barrel racer’s qualifier saddles. Also, discounted admission of $8 will be offered to rodeo fans, as well as live music, membership specials, The Shop at the Cowgirl sales and more. The Museum will be closed for private events Dec. 3 and Dec. 7.

Cooper Ratliff is the most decorated cowgirl in the United States in rodeo.  Having won 9 world championships personally in the WPRA and nine NIRA team championships and five reserve championships, and 70 regional championships in her tenure. 1976-1999.

As a competitor, she has won 4 world championships in tie down roping, one each in goat tying and breakaway roping, three all-around crowns.  She was reserve champion in tie down and goat tying three times and twice in the all-around. In the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.

Cooper Ratliff competed growing up in the AJRA junior rodeo association.  She won the breakaway title five years straight.  She was quoted as saying “Mom and dad gave up everything for their children, hauling us to rodeos and spending hours on end helping us with practice.  “We always had good horses and Tuffy showed us how to train them ourselves.  I am what I am because of my parents.”

She completed her undergraduate degree at Eastern New Mexico University from 1970-1974 on academic and rodeo scholarships.  In her sophomore-senior years she was on the Dean’s honor roll.  She won the region all-around title three of the four years she attended the university and graduated with a 3.6 grade point average.  She played two years of volleyball as well which earned her number one sports woman two years at ENMU.   She was named in “Most Outstanding College Athletes of America and Who’s Who Among America three years in a row.

During her Intercollegiate rodeo career she won the regional all-around title for three years and the NIRA championship in the breakaway roping.

She coached volleyball and gymnastics for a year and a half in Lovington, New Mexico before coming to southeastern to complete her master’s degree and assist with coaching duties.

“I try to be feminine in both professions – coaching and rodeoing,” said Cooper Ratliff. “I think that’s very important for a women.  It’s hard for some people to understand a woman can be both feminine and a top athlete at the same time. I am not at all a women’s libber but I believe woman can be both a lady and an athlete. Appearance is very important.  It’s something I stress.”

Cooper Ratliff says her father taught her that both mental and physical preparation is important for a rodeo and that’s why she ropes several calves every day, going over an event in her mind before she competes.

She is quoted as saying “Women’s rodeo has come a long way over the years, but we still have a long way to go to bring it to the national prominence of the PRCA.”

With the sponsorship of Smith Brothers, she hosted the first BG Cooper open to the world calf roping, breakaway roping, and goat tying timed event in Denton Texas in 1982.  She made one of the first women’s instructional roping and goat tying VCR/DVD videos.  She created and marketed the Magic Loop Roping Breakaway’s and was endorsed from several sponsors.

“I was going for my 10th world championship two years ago,” said Cooper Ratliff. “Two weeks before the Women’s National finals in Fort Worth I had an MRI done because I thought I had a shoulder injury. That was when they discovered I had cancer and couldn’t compete in the WPRA finals.”

She has been inducted into multiple Halls of Fame, including Lea Cowboy Hall of Fame in Hobbs, N.M., the ENMU Athletic Hall of Fame, the Cowgirl Hall of Fame, and the Southeastern Oklahoma State Rodeo Hall of Fame.

Below is a special letter to the editor in the Durant Daily Democrat from Carol Hill
Probably one of the greatest athletes and inspirations evert o grace a sport passed this last week.  No, it wasn’t Walter Peyton – though he certainly fills the bill.  It was a lady, and she walked among us here in Durant, Oklahoma. Betty Gayle Cooper-Ratliff won 9 professional national championships coaching at Southeastern, 9 professional championships, and was a national champion herself in college and high school.  I know one else on this earth with that overall record.  From a ‘women’s lib’ point of view, one has to wonder what fame would have found her if she was a man.

Her sport was rodeo.  She made the professional women’s hall of fame and was aboard member of the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.

Betty Gayle believed in looking sharp and being sharp.  She liked having doors opened for her.  She was a true friend.  She spoiled everyone’s kids and she truly adored her and Rip’s only child Coop.

She won and wore many titles well, but the one that meant the most to her was “Mom.”  Betty Gayle was one of the truest champions ever to favor us with his or her life.  She will be missed.  There was only one Betty Gayle Cooper-Ratliff.

All quotes and information are from former articles from the Durant Daily Democrat.

I hope everyone is off to a productive and prosperous start to their New Year. I hope everyone is crushing their goals and sticking to their New Years resolutions. According to some research I did, less than 8% of people actually stick to their resolutions. Most, people don’t even make it two full months with their goals. Listen, if you have made a resolution and are crushing it and sticking to it, that is great I’m proud of you. On the other hand, if you have fallen short of your goals for the new year, have gotten a little lazy, missed a few days, and have given up on your resolution, it’s not to late to pick it back up and crush that goal!

I prayed about my resolutions for the year. What did I want to change in my life? What would make me a better person? What would make my life better in 2021 than in 2020? After some serious praying and searching I came up with two resolutions and one word to work on for the year. My resolutions were to read the Bible completely through front to back, and to compliment my wife every single day. My word for the year to work on was prayer. Now, I would be lying if I’ve said I’ve hit every single day but to date, the end of January, I’m over half way throughthe book of Exodus, and I haven’t missed more than three days of compliments to my wife, and my prayer life has grown significantly.

Now, whether your goals and resolutions were weight loss, money saving, more organization, less social media time, or whatever it may be I’m going to give a few tips that have helped me out to stay on track.

First, with goal setting or resolutions I think it is important to set them for the right reasons. It’s important to set goals that have deep meaning to you, rather than what is expected of you or what someone else wants of you. When we set goals that are important to us, they will stick with us in the back of our mind. We will strive for them daily because we actually want to accomplish them. When we miss a day or get to slacking, if they really have meaning to us we will pick back up and try again because we actually want to accomplish them or make the change. For me, reading the whole Bible is something I have not done that I really want to accomplish. I figured daily time in my bible every day will be good for my spiritual relationship with God. With my complimenting my wife resolution, that would make me think of something that I like about my wife everyday. She would see that I notice her more and an proud of her. It would also be a positive note to her day. Both of these resolutions have great meaning to me.

Next, I have found what helps me with my goals is to make a plan and set smaller goals to achieve the big goal. We can become overwhelmed with the big goal, lose fifty pounds, read the whole Bible, or save five thousand dollars. But, when we break it down and make a plan to actually achieve the goal it makes it more realistic. If your goal is weight loss it might be, loose five pounds a month by changing your diet, working out for an hour a day four days a week, and loose five pounds a month. If it is saving money, it might be to budget your money, find something that you are spending money on that you could live without, and put five dollars a week in a piggy bank. For me it was to find a reading plan that guided me through the whole Bible in a year, and be setting time aside in the morning to do my Bible reading. Whatever you goals are, break them down, make a plan, and build the obedience and habit to stick to your plan.

Third, document your progress. I have found it can be hard to stick to your goals if you aren’t seeing progress. Keep track of your successes. Make a calendar and check it off when you have accomplished it for the day, week, or month. Take weekly pictures or videos ect. When you track your progress and see the improvements it keeps you motivated.

Lastly, I think it is important to reward ourselves for achievements along the way. Look, resolutions are a marathon not a sprint. They are habits that require obedience. It is ok to reward yourself for being obedient and sticking to your goals. If it is dieting and weight loss and you have not missed a work out in three months and have lost fifteen pounds, take a rest day and eat a candy bar or have a cheat meal. If it is saving five hundred dollars a month and you have done that for three months, go buy yourself something small that you have wanted but couldn’t afford. Resolutions should not be all about hard work and no fun. That is why it is important to reward yourself. Occasional rewards provide tangible proof that your resolution plan is working.

Resolutions and goal setting can seem like a daunting task. If you struggle with keeping resolutions or goals it’s ok. I promise it’s not a losses cause. The most important thing is to keep trying and to never give up on getting better. Keep trying, keep going at it, and don’t weaken!

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”

Colossians 3:23-24

February 4, 2021 – Fort Worth, Texas – RFD-TV’s The American Rodeo presented by Durango Boots announced today the top 10 cowboys and cowgirls in each event who will be competing at this year’s richest weekend in western sports taking place March 6-7, 2021 at AT&T Stadium.

“The American Rodeo is the only place to see the top 10 best cowboys and cowgirls in the world compete under the same roof, on the same night, other than the NFR,” said Randy Bernard, The American Rodeo CEO. “This rodeo is life-changing with the amount of money that is available for these athletes to win in one weekend and brings out a level of competition you just don’t see at other rodeos.”

The American Rodeo has catapulted careers for competitors such as Richmond Champion, who in The American’s inaugural year, won the bareback riding at the age 21 and was awarded $1.1 million dollars as he not only won the event, but won as a qualifier which made him eligible for the million dollar bonus. That year he then qualified for his first NFR.  Hailey Kinsel who also competed as an American qualifier, first won the 2017 American in barrel racing and continues to break records today as a WPRA and NFR World Champion.

 

The following are quotes from several top competitors for this year’s event:

“The American is like no other!” said Shad Mayfield, Tie-Down Roper.  “It’s been an amazing feeling to get to compete at the highest level against the best for the highest amount of money and I am really looking forward to it this year.”

“I’m glad that a rodeo like The American is sticking their neck out in the midst of what’s going on to allow us to make a living,” said Will Lummus, Steer Wrestling.

“I’m thankful for The American because in a time of uncertainty, they always press forward for the sake of the Cowboys and Cowgirls, helping us fulfill our American dream,” said Tim O’Connell, bareback rider.

The 2021 American Rodeo Top 10 Contestants are as follows:

Bareback: Kaycee Feild, Tim O’Connell, Jess Pope, Tanner Aus, Cole Reiner, Orin Larsen, Clayton Bigelow, Richmond Champion, Mason Clements and Tilden Hooper. (Leighton Berry qualified for the Top 10, however due to injury at Sandhills Stock Show & Rodeo, he is unable to compete and therefore Tildan Hooper, the #11 in the world standings from NFR is taking his place)

Saddle Bronc: Ryder Wright, Wyatt Caspter, Brody Cress, Rusty Wright, Allen Boore, Lefty Holman, Stetson Wright, Chase Brooks, Zeke Thurston, and Shorty Garrett.

Bull Riding: Stetson Wright, Ty Wllance, Colten Drizlan, Ky Hamilton, Sage Kimzey, Roscoe Jarboe, Jeff Askey, Dustin Boquet, Brady Portenier, and Boudreaux Campbell

Steer Wrestling: Jacob Edler, Stetson Jorgensen, Tyler, Waguespack, Matt Reeves, Will Lummus, Dakota Eldridge, Jacob Talley, Blake Knowles, Bridger Anderson, and Jace Melvin.

Team Roping (Header): Colby Lovell, Luke Brown, Erich Rogers, Nelson Wyatt, Andrew Ward, Clay Smith, Dustin Egusquita, Jeff Flenniken, Clay Tryan, and Chad Masters.

Team Roping (Heeler): Paul Eaves, Paden Bray, Joseph Harrison, Levi Lord, Buddy Hawkins, Jade Corkill, Tyler Worley, Jake Long, Travis Graves, and Wesley Thorp.

Tie Down Roping: Shad Mayfriend, Marty Yates, Shane Hanchey, Hunter Herrin, Cory Solomon, Westyn Hughes, Haven Meged, Tuf Cooper, Ty Harris, and Ryan Jarrett.

Barrel Racing: Hailey Kinsel, Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi, Jill Wilson, Emily Miller, Jimmie Smith, Stevi Hillman, Jessica Routier, Lisa Lockhard, Shelley Morgan and Tiany Schuster.

 

For this year’s competition, the American Rodeo extended an exemption invitation to tie-down roper Caleb Smidt and barrel racer Dona Kay Rule.  Due to an unfortunate turn of events last year and testing positive for COVID-19, both Smidt and Rule were sent home and unable to participate in the 2020 National Finals Rodeo (NFR) and interfered with the opportunity to be invited to compete at the 2021 American Rodeo as a Top 10 contestant. Rule accepted the exemption invitation and will be joining the Top 10 barrel racers in the world to compete for $100,000 at AT&T Stadium.  Smidt, thankful for the exemption opportunity, decided to turn the invitation down and try to make the finals on his own and win a shot at the $1 million qualifier cash bonus.

The American Rodeo is known as the world’s richest weekend in western sports due to its tremendous prize offering of $2.3 million.  Qualifying events are held across the country, throughout the calendar year, as ropers and riders hope to compete and make it to The American Rodeo Semi-Finals and Finals in Texas.

The 11-day rodeo competition kicks off on February 25th in the Fort Worth Stockyards for slack and semi-finals and the finals take place over the weekend of March 6-7, 2021 at the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX.  The American Rodeo unites the top athletes in the world from the PRCA and pits them against underdogs who advance from The American Rodeo Semi-Finals, together to battle for the biggest single, life-changing paycheck of their lives. All events will be broadcast live on The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV.

Tickets for The American Rodeo at AT&T Stadium March 6-7, 2021 can be purchased atSeatGeek.com.  Standard ticket prices range from $20-$150, encompassing four pricing tiers for every level of rodeo fan.  Due to current COVID-19 restrictions, only a limited number of tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Tickets will be sold in seating pods of 2, 4, or 6.  Tickets to The American Rodeo Semi-Finals March 3-5, 2021 at Cowtown Coliseum in the Fort Worth Stockyards can be purchased atCowtownColiseum.com. Standard ticket prices range from $25-$55.

For more information and a complete listing of all RFD-TV’s The American Rodeo presented by Durango Boots events in Fort Worth and Arlington, please visitwww.americanrodeo.com