Category: Newsletter Articles

Courtesy Siri Stevens

19-year-old Cassidy Brown from Montgomery, Alabama, made NBHA history Saturday night. For the first time in NBHA history, a run off happened to crown the 1D Champion at the 2020 NBHA Youth World Champion Teen Division. Cassidy and Caleb Cline stopped the clock at 14.686 in the short round. They came back and Cassidy won it with a 14.682. “I’m over the moon – I did not go into this past week thinking this would happen; I really didn’t.”

Cassidey began her clover leaf career at a very young age, learning the art of three barrels from her mom Tracey. She attended a Martha Josey Clinic when she was nine. “Chuck and Linda Gail Steward helped me a lot as well,” she said. “The morning of the finals, we received the news that Mrs. Linda Gail lost her battle to cancer that night. I told myself the day of the finals that I’d be running for her and Mr. Chuck. One other thing that really helped my nerves is I knew she’d be riding with me the whole time and I know I had made her smile from heaven.”

She also handles her nerves by having a huge support system around her. “They stayed in the back talking to me; people come and pray with me – it was sweet of everyone to be there with me – it helped my nerves. I love having people there with me – if I was there by myself, I’d overthink everything and get too nervous.”

Cassidy gives all the credit to Tito, a nine-year-old gelding that she’s been riding for five years. “His name is Chasin’ Memories, and he’s pretty cool,” she said. “It takes a whole lot of heart to run a 14.68 twice and he did it.” Tito was clocking like he should for a four year old, but it wasn’t consistent. “Buying him as a four year old – there’s a lot of unknowns. Now he’s consistent and I think taking him to Craig Brooks – who we bought him from – helped us a lot.”

Cassidy is a sophomore studying finance at the University of Alabama. “I enjoy the business aspect of things and I’m good with numbers and finance.” Since her classes will be online only, she is looking forward to being on the road more. Her next big race is the Good Times Barrel race over Labor Day weekend, where she will race to qualify for the Junior American. “I’m excited to take a shot at it.” Throughout the week she keeps Tito in shape by working circles keeping him bending and loose and good in the face and mouth. “Whenever I get to the event, I’ll do the same thing. I might put him on the barrels for muscle memory, mostly for me. He’s got a good mind and heart so when it’s on barrels it’s me.”

Cassidy is well on her way to her degree having completed several of her undergraduate classes in high school. After that, she plans on hitting the barrel racing road. “The futurity side of things seems like a really good place to be – maybe someday I can do that.” For now, ”I hope to do good and see others do good. I hope I can do my horse justice – he’s awesome.”

Courtesy 

WCRA ANNOUNCES COMPETITION FORMAT FOR AUGUST STAMPEDE AT THE E

–New Opportunity For Youth and Open Athletes To Compete In $300,000 Main Event–

 

AUSTIN, TEXAS- WCRA (World Champions Rodeo Alliance) today announced format details regarding the August 11-15 Stampede at The E along with entry dates. The newly added open qualifying pool format will give both DY (youth) and open timed event athletes the opportunity to enter and potentially qualify to compete in the August 15 one-day $300,000 rodeo.

 

Contestants in nine disciplines—bareback riding, women’s breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing, bull riding, and team roping (heading and heeling)—will compete for their piece of the $300,000 purse. Athletes in each discipline will compete for a share of $28,000 in the main event with the champions walking away with a minimum of $12,500 each. All 10 qualifiers will earn money in the main event.

 

“As far as we can see, this $300,000 main event will be one of the single biggest opportunities this year,” said WCRA President Bobby Mote. “Paired with a qualifier, the projected payout could be greater than $600,000.”

 

WCRA also announced that open timed event athletes will now have the opportunity to compete in the Stampede At The E through the “Open to the World Qualifying Pools”. These pools will give any open athlete the opportunity to enter and earn a spot in the August 15 one-day $300,000 rodeo. In addition, the timed events will be multiple entry allowing athletes to potentially compete in both the WCRA Pool and Open Pool.

 

In addition; DY athletes (competing in timed events only) can enter the DY qualifying pool  and compete in a two head aggregate where the number one youth athlete in each timed event discipline will advance to the main event and go head-to-head with the pros at the Stampede At The E for their share of the $28,000 per discipline.

 

DY athletes will have the option to enter in either the open pools or the DY pool. All youth athletes that have been participating in segment six have until Friday, July 10 to contact support@wcrarodeo.com to switch to the DY pool.

 

All timed event athletes competing in the Open To The World Qualifying Pools will compete in two rounds of competition with 16 athletes advancing to the progressive round of competition.

 

In the progressive round- the 16 athletes from the open pools in each discipline will compete in a single pool with the top four advancing to the main event.

 

Entries for the Open to the World pool will open July 13 at Noon CT and close August 5 at 5 p.m. CT. Entry fees for the open division will be $625 while DY fees will be $500. All entries will be taken on entrytool.com.

 

Athletes from around the globe have the opportunity to compete in the Stampede at the E and may qualify and earn points by nominating their efforts through the WCRA Virtual Rodeo Qualifier (VRQ) until July 26. All timed event athletes ranked 1-16 on the segment six leaderboard as of July 26 will not be required to pay an entry fee. All timed event athletes ranked 17-64 will be required to pay a reduced entry fee of $250. The confirmed athletes advancing through the WCRA Leaderboard will enter the event on August 4 at 9 a.m. CT through August 5 at 5 p.m. CT.

 

The number one athlete on the segment six leaderboard in each discipline as of July 26 will earn a direct spot in the $300,000 main event. The number one athlete will also have the option to enter and compete in the qualifying rounds if they choose without forgoing their position.

 

All timed event athletes ranked in the top 64 on the leaderboard as of July 26 will compete in a separate pool. Following two-rounds of competition, 16 will advance to a one-run progressive round consisting of a single pool. The top four times in each discipline will advance to the main event, joining the number one athlete from the leaderboard, the number one DY athlete, and the four open pool qualifiers.

 

Rough stock athletes ranked 1-10 on the segment six WCRA leaderboard as of July 26 will earn a direct position into the $300,000 main event on August 15 with no entry fees.

The Stampede at the E will be coupled with the historic Lazy E Arena Bullnanza, a PBR (Professional Bull Riders) event, creating a weekend of can’t miss western sports action. Details regarding bull riding format will be released at a later date.

The CBS Television Network will broadcast the Stampede At The E on Saturday, Aug. 29.

 

All rodeo athletes interested in learning more about the VRQ should be directed to wcrarodeo.com or contact support@wcrarodeo.com

Since launching in May of 2018, the WCRA and its partners have awarded more than $7,300,000 in new money to rodeo athletes.

Courtesy 

–Event to Offer Open Entry For Both Youth And Open Athletes–

 

AUSTIN, TEXAS- World Champions Rodeo Alliance (WCRA) today announced that in light of COVID-19 restrictions in the state of Washington, the Puget Sound Showdown will be replaced with a one-day $300,000 rodeo in Guthrie, OK at the Lazy E Arena on August 15. The “Stampede At The E” will be coupled with the renowned Bullnanza on May 14, creating a weekend of premier western sports action.

 

The Stampede At The E will be preceded by timed event and rough stock qualifier August 11-14 which will raise the week’s total payout upwards of $600,000. The top eight athletes in each discipline from the qualifier will earn a spot in the Saturday night Stampede At The E main event.

 

Contestants in nine disciplines—bareback riding, women’s breakaway roping, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing, bull riding, and team roping (heading and heeling)—will compete for their piece of the $300,000 purse. Athletes in each discipline will compete for share of $28,000 in the main event with the champions walking away with a minimum of $12,500 each.

 

Bull riders will compete for a total $78,000 purse as the $50,000 payout from Kansas City is carried over due to no qualified rides in the showdown round at the Royal City Roundup. The bull riding event champion will earn a minimum payout of $62,500.

 

Athletes from around the globe have the opportunity to compete in the Stampede at the E and may qualify and earn points by nominating their efforts through the WCRA Virtual Rodeo Qualifier (VRQ) until July 26 at 11:59 p.m. CT. The number one athlete on the segment six leaderboard in each discipline as of July 26 will earn a direct spot in the $300,000 main event.

 

WCRA also announced any athlete has the opportunity to compete at Stampede At The E through the addition of the “Open to the World Qualifying Pools” for the opportunity to compete in the August 15 main event.

 

Youth athletes ages 13 and up will also have an opportunity of their own to run at the Stampede At The E, as the WCRA also announced the addition of DY Youth Pool of competition.

 

Open To The World Entries for the Stampede at The E will begin on July 13 at Noon CT and close on August 5 at 5 p.m. CT. Early entry fees for the open division will be $625 while youth fees will be $500. All entries will be taken on entrytool.com.

 

A total of 10 positions in timed events and nine positions in rough stock will be available in the Stampede at The E with multiple combinations of pay-outs available throughout all stages of qualification.

 

All athletes ranked 1-16 on the WCRA Leaderboard in timed events and 1-9 in rough stock will not be required to pay an entry fee.

 

Additional details on open entry, entry fees, and event format will be released next week.

 

If WCRA athletes would like to request a refund for their segment six nominations, please email support@wcrarodeo.com by Friday June 26 at Noon for a full refund.

 

All rodeo athletes interested in learning more about the VRQ should be directed to wcrarodeo.com or contact support@wcrarodeo.com

Since launching in May of 2018, the WCRA and its partners have awarded more than $7,300,000 in new money to rodeo athletes.

Courtesy 

June 10, 2020

The Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame awarded their 2020 collegiate scholarships to twelve deserving high school seniors at The Montana High School Rodeo State Finals in Baker Montana.  These scholarships are awarded based on academics, rodeo participation, community service and need.

This year marks the sixteenth year that these scholarships have been awarded to deserving Montana high school rodeo athletes.  This year’s recipients are Blayne Hubing- Circle MT, Nathan Ruth-Big Timber,  Bode Spring-Bozeman MT, Rachael Stevenson-Hobson MT, Sadie Johnson-Lewistown MT, Cheyanne Carl- Ballantine MT, Teanna Layne-Valier MT, Tori Yeager-Choteau MT, Kaylee Hughes-Butte MT, Ellie Meeks- Geraldine MT, Ethan Frasier-Ashland MT, and Laney Johnson-Havre MT (Miss Montana High School Rodeo 2020).

The Montana Pro Rodeo Hall and Wall of Fame is the largest provider of scholarships to high school rodeo participants in the nation.  In sixteen years, $570,000.00 has been awarded to 190 students.  The MPRHWF is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the western and rodeo heritage of Montana, as well as providing Montana high school students the opportunity to continue their education.  For more information about our organization, please visit our website at www.montanaprorodeo.org

 

Courtesy 

The smell of barbeque is already in the air as we quickly approach Independence Day this weekend. Joining the community in celebrating the holiday, the Greeley Stampede will continue the traditional fireworks show. With the help of sponsors and community members, this year’s show will be bigger and brighter!

To enjoy the fireworks show, the Greeley Stampede is asking community members to watch from a distance. “We want everyone to stay safe and healthy as they enjoy the holiday & the fireworks,” commented Justin Watada, Greeley Stampede General Manager. “The fireworks are visible from at least 10 miles from the park, so there is plenty of space around the Greeley-area to watch the fireworks from.” There will be no organized activities or amenities in the park this year. If people do choose to come to Island Grove Park, they are encouraged to practice social distancing between groups and follow the City of Greeley’s park rules. The fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:30pm, July 4th (weather dependent) and will go for approximately 20 minutes.

Adding to the at-home experience of watching the fireworks, country music station and Greeley Stampede sponsor, BIG 97.9 will have a customized soundtrack to go with the show. “We have worked with the fireworks crew to sync the music to the show,” said Shawn Patrick, Big 97.9 Afternoon Show Host. “Having the music playing in the background really adds something special to the fireworks and brings the show to another level.” To listen to the custom soundtrack, tune into Big 97.9 on the radio or on the iHeart app before the show starts.

In addition to the customized soundtrack, 9News will be livestreaming the fireworks for those that are unable to make it to Greeley or prefer to watch the show from the comfort of their home. The livestream will be available on the 9News Facebook page as well as their YouTube Channel, 9News.com and apps.

The Greeley Stampede would like to thank all of the sponsors and community members that helped make this year’s fireworks show possible.

 

Gold Level Sponsors:

• JBS
• Power Services Company

 

Red Level Sponsors:

• Great Western Bank
• Renaissance Insurance
• Slaughter Roofing

 

White Level Sponsors:

• Aims Community College
• Atmos Energy
• BIG 97.9
• 9NEWS
• BURNCO
• Five Rivers Cattle Feeding
• J&M Displays
• McCreery & Sun
• Weld County Garage

 

Blue Level

• 5280 Stone
• Buckle Equipment
• Harold & Carol Evans
• Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply
• Reeedesign Concepts
• RE/MAX Alliance
• SCHEELS
• Warren & Julie Yoder
• Wranglers, Inc

 

Community Supporter

• Doubletree by Hilton Greeley
• Tessa Kaufman & Friends

Courtesy of Ann Bleiker

Emily Taylor of Emory, Texas, turned in her biggest weekend of her young WPRA rodeo career winning the Crossett Riding Club 72nd Annual PRCA Rodeo and placing seventh at the Mesquite Championship Rodeo.

The muddy conditions in Crossett, Arkansas, didn’t seem to bother first year member Taylor and her mare Czech as they stopped the clock in 17.67 seconds.

“Czech took the lead at Crossett, AR after a perf and slack,” wrote Taylor on her Facebook page on Thursday, June 25. “It was a sloppy mess, but I don’t think she even noticed. Three more perfs to go and the ground will probably dry up a lot these next few nights. Here’s hoping we hang in there for a check!”

Taylor most definitely got a check the largest of the weekend taking home $2,495 ahead of Wrangler NFR qualifier Tiany Schuster who took second in a time of 17.96 seconds and $2,121.

Taylor then made her way to Mesquite, Texas, where she rode her other mare she calls Diva. The duo stopped the clock in 15.35 seconds to finish seventh and added $277 to her weekend total.

“It was such a great and fun week,” wrote Taylor on Facebook. “I got to see some friends at each rodeo and even made a couple of new ones! I have no idea what I did to deserve these two mares, but I’m thankful for them every day.

With her success over the weekend, Taylor is now ranked 10th in the WPRA Rookie Standings.

Fellow Texan Jill Wilson of Snyder joined Taylor in having a profitable weekend winning the Mesquite Championship Rodeo in a time of 15.11 seconds to pocket $968 and was fourth in Crossett in a time of 18.20 to add $1,497 to her 2020 standings. Wilson is currently ranked fourth in the world and looking for her first Wrangler NFR qualification.

Brandy Gilbert of Springtown, Texas, was lightening fast in the breakaway roping in Mesquite stopping the clock in 1.9 seconds. Gilbert edged 17-time WPRA World Champion JJ Hampton who finished with a 2.0-second run.

The other ProRodeo over the weekend featuring breakaway roping was in Kadoka, S.D., where Rickie Engesser and Sawyer Gilbert tied for the win. Engesser and Gilbert both turned in 2.0 second runs to outdistance Rickie’s sister, Taylor, who stopped the clock in 2.4 seconds.

Winning the barrel racing in Kadoka was Callahan Tryan with a 17.72 second run. Tryan earned $1,424. Kelley Wheelhouse was second in 17.86 seconds, while Wrangler NFR qualifier Jessica Routier was third in 17.89 seconds.

This week will find contestants crisscrossing the United States on what has annually become known as “Cowboy Christmas.” While the 2020 edition will take on a whole new look with many contestants venturing to rodeos they have never been, it will by far be the busiest week of rodeos this year with 14 rodeos on the schedule (June 29-July 6) spread between Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota. WPRA Breakaway roping will be featured at six of those rodeos.

The Digital Rodeo Tournament presented by The Cowboy Channel came to a close last week with champions being named in each event over the weekend Live on the Cowboy Channel. No. 14 ranked barrel racer at the start of the tournament, Brittany Barnett won the barrel racing fan voting over No. 8 Carly Taylor. A total of 60,255 voted in the final round with Barnett receiving 54.44% of the votes to Taylor’s 45.56%. Both ladies are looking for their first qualification to the Wrangler NFR this year and hoping they will have as much success in the real arena as they did in the digital arena. Congratulations to both and thanks to everyone who took the time to vote.

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Results:

Crossett, AR – 1. Emily Taylor, 17.67 seconds, $2,495; 2. Tiany Schuster, 17.96, $2,121; 3. Leia Pluemer, 18.00, $1,746; 4. Jill Wilson, 18.20, $1,497; 5. Kindyl Scruggs, 18.36, $1,247; 6. Victoria Williams, 18.37, $873; 7. Ivy Hurst, 18.47, $624; 8. Jimmie Smith, 18.55, $499; 9. Jennifer Sharp, 18.64, $437; 10. Kelley Carrington-French, 18.66, $374; 11. (tie) Josey Owens and Lisa Thornton, 18.75, $281 each.

 

Mesquite, TX – Barrels – 1. Jill Wilson, 15.11 seconds, $968; 2. Stevi Hillman, 15.23, $830; 3. Megan Swint, 15.25, $692; 4. Kindyl Scruggs, 15.28, $599; 5. Paige Jones, 15.30, $461; 6. Emily Miller, 15.31, $369; 7. Emily Taylor, 15.35, $277; 8. Shelby McCamey, 15.39, $184; 9. Jackie Ganter, 15.42, $138; 10. (tie) Cheyenne Wimberley and Shelley Morgan, 15.43, $46 each.

 

Breakaway – 1. Brandy Gilbert, 1.9 seconds, $763; 2. JJ Hampton, 2.0, $632; 3. Loni Kay Lester, 2.1, $500; 4. McKenzie Ray, 2.2, $368; 5. (tie) Kayelen Helton and Lari Dee Guy, 2.4, $184 each.

 

Kadoka, SD – Barrels – 1. Callahan Tryan, 17.72 seconds, $1,424; 2. Kelly Wheelhouse, 17.86, $1,221; 3. Jessica Routier, 17.89, $1,017; 4. Kristen Zancanella, 17.90, $882; 5. Amanda Welsh, 17.93, $678; 6. (tie) Erin Williams and Ginalee Sinner, 17.94, $475 each; 8. (tie) Lakken Bice and D’Ann Gehlsen, 18.01, $237 each; 10. Heather Crowley, 18.03, $136.

 

Breakaway – 1. Rickie Engesser and Sawyer Gilbert, 2.1 seconds, $1,819 each; 3. Taylor Engesser, 2.4, $1,438; 4. (tie) Moriah Glaus and Emma Charleston, 2.5, $1,058 each; 6. (tie) Kristi Steffes and Ginalee Sinner, 2.8, $550 each; 8. Amber Crowley, 2.9, $169

Courtesy Julie Mankin – Ullman-Peterson Events

GUTHRIE, Okla. (June 21, 2020) – By just seven hundredths of a second over six steers, professional team ropers Kal Fuller of Bozeman, Montana, and Reagan Ward of Purcell, Oklahoma, won the richest event of their sport and split a first-place paycheck worth a record $150,000 at the 43^rd Annual Bob Feist Invitational. The event is part of Wrangler BFI Week presented by Yeti, held for the first time inside the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie, Oklahoma, since its usual venue in Reno, Nevada, was shut down due to the pandemic.

“Words can’t describe this,” said Ward, who won in virtually his hometown, riding a horse he bought from world champion Kollin Von Ahn. “My header is pretty phenomenal. I’ve never met a 20-year-old that can do the stuff he can do. Most people can’t even do what he can do.”

The BFI is the most lucrative but challenging team roping event for professionals in America. Under the traditional format, the 100 best teams in the world are invited to rope six steers that have an 18-foot head start, for a purse of more than $600,000 in cash and prizes. Organizers allowed 140 teams this year behind a 20-foot head start, due to the location change, which pushed the purse over $700,000.

Fuller and Ward, 32, were fourth-fastest going into the finals and made a snappy run of 6.04 seconds to win the round and add $5,000 to their total haul. National Finals Rodeo veterans Billie Jack Saebens and Junior Nogueira each roped just one leg. Then the leading team after five rounds, Utah’s Pace Freed and Cole Wilson, roped their last steer in 8.35 but fell just short in the aggregate to settle for second and split $100,000.

The number of contestants competing in so many rounds meant the first team roped in Guthrie at 9 a.m. and the final round kicked off at 8 p.m. The BFI has long been a test of mental endurance, which adds to the bragging rights of a championship. Ward actually took a nap in his trailer in the three hours between his first two runs, while Fuller said he tried to keep moving throughout the day.

“I blocked all the pressure out in my mind and tried to just think of it as another practice steer,” said Fuller, who had practiced at the home of two-time world champion Chad Masters and at Ward’s place prior to the event.

Fuller had only entered the BFI once prior to this year. He credits much of his win to the sorrel horse he calls Marshall that he purchased from Nick Pullara. Meanwhile, Ward’s brother Andrew placed fourth in the aggregate with former BFI champ Buddy Hawkins, which meant the Ward brothers took $104,500 back to their native Edmond – less than 20 miles from Guthrie.

The annual Rickey Green Overall Fast Time Award went to Cory Clark and Wyatt Cox, whose 4.65-second time won the fourth round and was the only sub-5-second run of the day. The Montana Silversmiths Head Horse of the BFI Award went home with Chris Francis. He and Cade Passig, both of Las Vegas, N.M., placed seventh in the aggregate this year. Today and in 2018 when they won the BFI together, Francis rode Ima Monty Leo (“Dude”), the 13-year-old sorrel he bought from Kaleb Driggers.

And Trey Yates of Pueblo, Colorado, won the Heel Horse of the BFI award for his black gelding, In The Nic Of Shine. “Tux” was a tie-down roping horse before the Yates family converted him to heeling. Yates said he’s ridden the horse at the past four or five BFIs.

Several more competitions are on tap in Guthrie as Wrangler BFI Week continues. For more information, visit www.bfiweek.com.

 

Complete results from the 2020 Bob Feist Invitational:

 

First Round:  1. Cody Snow and Junior Nogueira, 7.04 seconds, $8,000; 2. Austin Crist and TJ Watts, 7.10, $6,000; 3. Casey Hicks and Steve Orth; Colby Lovell and Paul Eaves, 7.24 each; $3,000 each.

 

Second Round:  1. Justin Johnson and Cole Curry, 5.85 seconds, $8,000; 2. Aaron Macy and Jason Johe, 5.95, $6,000; 3. Rhen Richard and Jeremy Buhler, 6.09, $4,000; 4. Wyatt Imus and Joseph Harrison, 6.6, $2,000.

 

Third Round:  1. Brooks Dahozy and Brandon Bates, 5.30 seconds, $8,000; 2. Cole Morgan and Jett Hillman, 5.95, $6,000; 3. Colby Lovell and Paul Eaves, 6.06, $4,000; 4. Riley Minor and Brady Minor, 6.08, $2,000.

 

Fourth Round:  1. Cory Clark and Wyatt Cox, 4.65 seconds, $8,000; 2. Clay Tryan and Jake Long, 5.24, $6,000; 3. Clay Smith and Jade Corkill, 5.31, $4,000; 4. Dustin Egusquiza and Travis Graves, 5.58, $2,000.

 

Fifth Round:  1. Cory Kidd and Clay Futrell, 5.15 seconds, $8,000; 2. Clay Smith and Jade Corkill, 5.67, $6,000; 3. Riley Minor and Brady Minor, 5.83, $4,000; 4. Jake Barnes and Rich Skelton, 5.85, $2,000.

 

Wrangler/Priefert Short Round:  1. Kal Fuller and Reagan Ward, 6.04, $5,000; 2. Chris Francis and Cade Passig, 6.33, $3,000; 3. Casey Hicks and Steve Orth, 7.11, $2,000; 4. Andrew Ward and Buddy Hawkins, 7.13, $1,000.

 

Aggregate:  1. Kal Fuller and Reagan Ward, 46.89 seconds on six, $150,000; 2. Pace Freed and Cole Wilson, 46.96, $100,000; 3. Paul D. Tierney and Matt Kasner, 49.46, $74,000; 4. Andrew Ward and Buddy Hawkins, 49.92, $54,000; 5. Tyler Wade and Billie Jack Saebens, 50.67, $41,000; 6. Casey Hicks and Steve Orth, 50.79, $30,000; 7. Chris Francis and Cade Passig, 51.37, $24,000; 8. Matt Sherwood and Trey Yates, 51.63, $16,000; 9. Cody Snow and Junior Nogueira, 52.47, $14,000; 10. Derrick Begay and Ty Romo, 52.66, $13,000; 11. Riley Minor and Brady Minor 54.07, $12,000; 12. Trey Blackmore and Kory Bramwell, 61.16, $11,000; 13. Tate Kirchenschlager and Ross Ashford, 41.16 on five, $10,000; 14. Lane Ivy and Dillon Wingereid, 41.39, $9,500; 15. Jr Dees and Cody Cowden, 44.87, $9,500.

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About Wrangler BFI Week: 
Phoenix-based Ullman-Peterson Events has owned and produced the Bob Feist Invitational since 2012. Founded by notable rodeo announcer and publisher Bob Feist in 1977, the BFI is the richest team roping event for professionals and one of the most prestigious, due to its limited roster and long head-start for steers. Founded by Perry Di Loreto in 1996 and now with additional categories, the high-stakes amateur roping events surrounding the BFI are the most lucrative one-day events of their kind.

Houghton, MI – Following the successful launch of their revolutionary Trail Lodge Edition horse trailer, the Kingstar Company is again blazing trails with a unique line-up of truck campers.

The Kingstar Camino is the ultimate truck bed retreat, designed for ¾ and 1 ton pickup trucks targeting the rodeo and outdoor sports demographic.

Headquartered in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, The Kingstar Company ramped up production for the Camino at the beginning of the year and is manufacturing the campers alongside their growing line of innovative horse trailers.

“Our goal was to create a camping experience that exceeds expectations” says Marcus Niemela, President at The Kingstar Company. “When you step into a Kingstar camper, you’ll know immediately that these aren’t mass-produced, cookie cutter units.”

ALL WEATHER CONSTRUCTION

The wood framing and closed cell spray foam insulation provides a rock solid, weathertight structure. Combine that with high quality thermal pane windows (standard on all Kingstar campers), and you have a unit that is ready to take on every climate and weather condition.

ALUMINUM OR FIBERGLASS

The Camino is available in either retro aluminum or smooth fiberglass siding, with several exterior color options to choose from. The interior is both rustic and refined, with solid ash wood accents complimenting tasteful combinations of soft leatherette and warm designer fabrics. Available in four rich color palettes ranging from southwestern motif to saltwater vibes, the quality and attention to detail is apparent everywhere.

INTERIOR LAYOUTS

Kingstar is offering the Camino in four distinct interior layouts, all of which include an east/west overcab sleeper berth with a 4” queen mattress, with a north/south berth coming in 2021.

Lounger

Another Kingstar exclusive, ideal for the solo traveler or couple, is the Lounger layout. Two built-in lounge chairs are separated by a solid ash console with cup holders and a hidden storage compartment. Each of the plush chairs are equipped with powered leg rests and easily accessible pocket tables.

Couch Bunk

The Couch Bunk layout will accommodate four, featuring an exclusive futon-style sofa that when deployed, rests at the same height as the overcab berth. This creates a bunk bed arrangement that allows for 6.5 feet of stretch-out room above and 6 feet below.

Dinette

For those that prefer the classic dinette arrangement, the floating bench Dinette offers an unheard-of amount of leg and elbow room and quickly drops down to a full 6 foot bed when the party is over.

Open Range

The Open Range floor plan offers maximum versatility and creates a spacious, multi-functional area. Rather than a built-in fixed seating arrangement, the Open Range comes with two high-quality camp chairs, which can be easily folded up and taken outside for those evenings around the campfire. The chairs can also be folded and stowed, creating an additional 6 feet of sleeping space for your two or four legged companions.

STORAGE GALORE

All Camino campers offer novel storage solutions to maximize space, from in-floor, lift-up boot storage, pull out drawers beneath the seating platforms, built-in shoe storage in the entry, conveniently placed clothing rack, and abundant cupboard space.
Starting at an MSRP of $21,500 (Open Range layout) the Kingstar Camino, comes equipped with an array of standard amenities. A host of upgrades including Soft Touch Ceilings, a Dometic Heki II skylight, a full Entertainment Package and more, can be easily added for a fully loaded price of $29,835

Kingstar offers their products factory direct and is taking immediate orders for the Camino. For more information, options, and pricing details, visit www.kingstar.net.

 

• Tour Launches Saturday, June 13, 2020 in Shelbyville, TN •

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Barbed Wire Entertainment flagship recording artist and owner of Maverick Management, Kolt Barber, has announced the launch the 2020 American Cowboy Showdown. In conjunction with Tony Keeton and Rockin’ K Rodeo (Lawenceburg, TN), the American country music traditionalist, “AG architect” and music business vet is the teaming with the professional stock contractor (Keeton) to take rodeo action and LIVE country music entertainment on the road.

 

Combining his heartfelt passions, Barber marries his devotion to the land with his love for music. The American Cowboy Showdown (sanctioned by the IPRA) embraces, and caters to, the blue collar, AG, farming, ranching and trucking communities and lifestyle. With 10 events contracted to date (and more being secured throughout the remainder of the year), the Southeast leg of the tour is set to launch on Saturday, June 13, 2020 in Shelbyville, TN.

 

“We were scheduled to launch in April; being sensitive to COVID-19 and the necessity for ‘safe distancing,’ we postponed,” Barber said.“While we remain extremely empathetic to the economic hardships that our friends, families and neighbors have endured, we are as equally enthusiastic to reunite them at this fun-filled, family and community event. …and our commitment, first and foremost, is to provide a safe environment—with all required guidelines in place—to enable folks a comfort to enjoy themselves at an entertainment outing that is affordable to bring the entire family.”

“While larger concerts and rodeo events have been cancelled, we have been encouraged by the overwhelming response to ‘open the gates.’ We are expecting some of the top competitors in the country as well as some reigning and former world champions,” Tony Keeton stated.“I believe folks are ready to get out and rodeo, and we are thankful we have the blessing of the IPRA to launch.”

 

“Customarily, we hold more than 450 IPRA sanctioned events each year. With nearly twenty percent cancelled, early on, due to the COVID-19 virus, this has been a trying time; cowboys and cowgirls are ready to get back to ‘rodeo’ as primary to their livelihood as their only source of income,” said IPRA Chief Field Rep, Ronnie Williams, who is an eight-time horseback champion and rodeo veteran.  “The American Cowboy Showdown will mean a lot to world championship contenders, the respective hosting communities and local merchants, and folks who come out to enjoy the excitement. We anticipate the American Cowboy Showdowns to draw some of the biggest crowds in the history of the IPRA in the coming weeks.”

 

“The cowboy hat is the most recognized symbol in the world and signifies a frontier spirit and an all-American lifestyle. Our hope is to revive this sentiment. Now more than ever, we all need it; it’s important,” added Barber.

 

American Cowboy Showdown organizers are teaming with various sponsors and local youth organizations to provide facemasks and hand sanitizer to attendees at gate entry.  For more information visit koltbarber.com or americancowboyshowdown.com

 

June 13: Calsonic Arena (Shelbyville, TN)

June 20: Morgan County Celebration Arena (Priceville, AL)

July 4: Memorial Park (Hohenwald, TN)

August 8: John Barnes Park (Ardmore, TN)

August 29: Walter State Great Smoky Mountain Expo Center (White Pine, TN)

Sept 5: Conrad Mullins Multi Purpose Arena (Van Cleave, MS)

Sept 26: Cullman County AG Center (Cullman, AL)

October 3: Central Kentucky AG &Expo Center (Liberty, KY)

WPRA Rookie Amanda Butler and her 11-year old TS Cinch Ta Fame were more than ready to Kick Open the Chutes in Cave Creek, Arizona over Memorial Day Weekend. Ironically enough Butler calls her horse Kick and the duo stopped the clock in a blistering fast time of 15.45 seconds to run away with the title.

 

“I was third out in slack,” said Butler of Payson, Utah. “I clocked well but didn’t think I would end up where I ended up. I never have really been to a ProRodeo where there are big names. There were girls in Cave Creek that had been to the NFR. I said I guess we will just see where I end up but didn’t feel like I would even end up in the top 5 but you never know. It turned out to be great.”

 

Butler who bought her WPRA permit in October after turning 18 easily filled it at her first WPRA-approved jackpot in Buckeye, Arizona the first of January. She quickly upgraded to her rookie card and went on to win her first ProRodeo in Buckeye, Arizona, at the end of January. She has found great success in Arizona and is currently ranked seventh in the WPRA Rookie Standings after her big win in Cave Creek.

 

“I originally wanted to make the NFR,” said Butler, when asked about her goals for her rookie year in the WPRA. “I knew it would be hard because it would be my first year and I didn’t have any experience with really any ProRodeos. So I came to the realization that it would be really, really difficult. I am now shooting for WPRA Rookie of the Year. If I fall short there, I would like to win the Wilderness Circuit Rookie of the Year and win the circuit to get a chance to compete in Florida next year.”

 

Butler’s involvement in the WPRA is a new adventure for the whole family as her older sister, Lauren Butler Porter, and Amanda are first generation rodeo competitors in their family.

 

“My parents didn’t grow up around horses or have any interest in horses,” noted Butler. “Ever since my sister and I were little girls we wanted to own horses. I actually wanted to be a horse and it was a sad realization when I found out I couldn’t be a horse.

 

“We started competing through 4-H and leased a couple of horses. We had some good family friends the Pulhams (specifically Olin, a tie-down roper, and his mother Lori) who encouraged us to try high school rodeo. My dad was like ok whatever. He was never really involved when we participated in 4-H but he switched once we got into high school rodeo and really became competitive and loves it.”

 

They soon realized that the horses they had used in 4-H weren’t going to cut it for rodeo so they purchased new horses including Kick.

 

“I have had Kick for four years now,” Butler said. “We bought him my sophomore year in high school and I qualified for Nationals all three years I ran him. I won State on him my Junior and Senior years and won Nationals my Junior year.”

 

Butler had an idea she had a nice horse in her trailer but after Memorial Weekend in Cave Creek her confidence in him is through the roof now.

 

“I knew he was a super nice horse,” noted Butler, who not only shocked the barrel racing community but also herself with the win in Cave Creek. “I always thought he would be able to run with those tough horses but he went way above and beyond.

 

“It still doesn’t feel real to me that I won. I am still convinced something wasn’t right to win by that much against those tough horses. To win by one-hundredth of a second is one thing but by that margin… my horse ran quite a bit faster than the other horses so was just shocking to me.”

 

Butler, like many other rodeo competitors, was just thrilled to be back competing and the win was icing on the cake.

 

“It was really nice to be back at a rodeo again,” she said. “It was weird to not go fully back to normal rodeo where there are spectators, everyone warming up together and hanging out together. Instead, everyone was wearing masks and we had to social distance. Everyone was pretty excited to be back and we were super grateful to the people in Cave Creek for all they did to be able to put on a rodeo.”

 

Butler will continue to monitor which rodeos will be able to move forward this year. Her next rodeo outing will be Eagle Mountain, Utah, in June and she hopes she has the same success in her home State as she has had in Arizona.

 

Results: 1. Amanda Butler, 15.45, $2,025; 2. Dona Kay Rule, 15.77, $1,721; 3. Shali Lord, 15.83, $1,417; 4. (tie) Ivy Hurst, Brittney Barnett and Jessica Telford, 15.85, $979 each; 7. (tie) Mindy Goemmer and Cindy Smith, 15.89, $456 each; 9. (tie) Ashley Haller and Jill Wilson, 15.91, $329 each; 11. Tonia Forsberg, 15.98, $253; 12. (tie) Sarah Kieckhefer and Kathy Petska, 16.00, $101 each.

Coast to coast and border to border, horse trailers burn up the road year-round, hauling horses of all disciplines to competitions throughout the country. While the changes in scenery can be refreshing for our horse’s human companion, the changes in climate, water and location can be stressful for the animals. And although little can be done to change climate and location stresses, water should never be a cause for concern.

 

Dehydration doesn’t just hinder a horse’s performance, as one of the leading causes of colic, it can be fatal. And when a horse is being hauled from location to location, even trace amounts of chlorine in a water supply can present enough of an odor and taste difference to cause horses, especially young, inexperienced horses, to reduce their water consumption.

 

For Jim and Stacey Warner, owners of 3/W Performance Horses, Greenwood, South Carolina, keeping  horses hydrated while they are on the road is paramount to the success of their business of starting barrel racing horses on the futurity circuit.

 

“It’s a constant battle for anyone that travels with livestock,” Stacey says of dehydration and the struggle to keep her barrel racing futurity horses hydrated. “We haul six colts everywhere we go—they drink a lot of water, but it is the single most important thing we can do to help our horses’ performance and their health.”

Last fall, Stacey came across ShowFresH₂0™ on Amazon, and she shares that the product has been life changing for both her and her horses.

 

“We used to haul a lot of water with us wherever we would go because the horses just wouldn’t drink. We train futurity horses and open horses so we are always campaigning new horses every year—hauling  is stressful for young, inexperienced horses. It’s hard on them mentally and physically; we could never keep them drinking on the road. But since we discovered ShowFresH₂0, instead of hauling water with us, we can drop ShowFresH₂0 right into the five-gallon water buckets,” she says, “We don’t haul water anymore.”

 

Available in easy-to-use, pourable containers, ShowFresH₂0 treats a five gallon bucket of water as easily as it treats a 150 gallon tank. And because the product eliminates chlorine from the water, rather than just masking it, it works every time to keep all classes of livestock hydrated.

 

Today, the Warners find themselves using the product at-home, as well as on the road, sharing that for the price of treatment and the improvements they have seen in their horses’ water consumption, they can’t afford not to.

 

“It is really affordable. We started using it at home as much as we are using it on the road,” Stacey says, “I can drop ShowFresH₂0 into our Rubbermaid® water tanks and never have to worry about our horses going off water because of the taste or smell of the water.”

Coleman, Oklahoma (May 26, 2020) — Tyler Pearson, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association 2017 world champion steer wrestler, added a new title to his resume over the Memorial Day weekend at the Nothin’ But Try (NBT) Jackpot.

 

Pearson was one of 77 entries in the steer wrestling held after a break-away roping that attracted nearly 40. That event’s winner was a high school freshman, Avery Landry from Arnaudville, Louisiana. While these two were the champions of their respective events, the real winner was the Nothin’ But Try Scholarships that the event raises money for. This year over $6,000 was donated to the scholarship fund.

 

Wrangler National Finals Rodeo steer wrestling qualifier Sean Mulligan started the jackpot in 2014 in his hometown of Coleman, Oklahoma. It was organized to raise money for the scholarship given in fellow competitor, Levi Wisness’s honor.

 

A scholarship in his name had been started in 2009. Wisness was the 2003 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) steer wrestling champion. He was also a student director for the Central Rocky Mountain Region and got his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming, Mulligan’s alma mater. Wisness had a brain tumor that was successfully treated. He was making his competition comeback when he passed unexpectedly in 2008.

 

Two more scholarships were added in 2009, one honoring Lee Akin who suffered a traumatic brain injury and is now living his best life in Idaho, and another one in honor of Betty Gayle Cooper Ratliff. This year, the jackpot started off with the Betty Gayle Open Roping giving breakaway ropers an opportunity to participate.

 

Cooper Ratliff was the coach at Southeastern Oklahoma State University when cancer took her life in 1999. Her involvement with college rodeo started as a competitor at Eastern New Mexico University where she won two national titles. After college she joined the ranks of other professional cowgirls and earned nine world titles.

 

In 1976, she moved to Durant, Oklahoma, completed her master’s degree and started coaching. During her tenure, nine National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association team titles and 16 individual championships were won. Her record as a winning college rodeo coach is unsurpassed.

Christi Braudrick attended college in Durant to be coached by Cooper Ratiliff and is Southeastern’s current coach. She organized the breakaway roping.

 

“This really means a lot to me,” Braudrick said. “I’ve seen how these scholarships have impacted people and to be able to have a roping that honors Betty Gayle and raises money for the scholarships is a win-win situation.”

 

As the breakaway champion, Landry got the first ever Betty Gayle Open Roping champion buckle. Braudrick  invited Cooper Ratliff, her college coach’s son, to present the awards. Landry had a total time of 8.2 on three runs, won the second round with a blazing 1.8-second time and earned $1,755 for her efforts. She also got a hand-painted feather for having the fastest time of the day.

Pearson has competed at the Jackpot several times, but this is his first time to collect the championship buckle that carries Levi Wisness’s brand. His total time of 13.2 seconds earned him $3,030. Second place went to Jacob Edler with a 13.5. Also in the mix were the 2001 steer wrestling world champion Rope Myers and 2018 NFR qualifier Blake Mindemann. Each go-round winner received a trophy knife and the fastest time received a hand-painted feather.

 

The second annual cornhole tournament gave local residents a chance to participate in the event and while the action got very competitive, it was a chance for everyone to have some fun.

 

“I can’t thank everyone enough for participating,” Mulligan said. “The U-Cross arena has been so generous for us and we’ve gotten a lot of support since we started this six years ago. Levi would have been the first guy here and the last to leave, so to have an event that people come have fun at and honors his spirit is awesome.”