Category: Rodeo Life Today

Teton Ridge NFR Express to include Las Vegas Convention Center and

24 hotel properties

LAS VEGAS – November 19, 2021 – Rodeo fans looking for transportation to and from the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo^â will have the option to utilize the complimentary shuttle bus service – the Teton Ridge NFR Express – with routes from the Las Vegas Convention Center and NFR official host hotels on the Las Vegas Strip and Downtown to the Thomas & Mack Center.

From Thursday, Dec. 2 through Saturday, Dec. 11, shuttle buses will pick up at The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas located at the Las Vegas Convention Center. This one-way route will run from the Las Vegas Convention Center South Hall directly to the Thomas & Mack Center.

Also beginning on Dec. 2, the Teton Ridge NFR Express will begin complimentary routes to and from the NFR sponsor hotels. There are now fourteen routes, covering 24 hotel properties.

“The Teton Ridge NFR Express continues to be the most efficient means to get to the Thomas & Mack Center,” said Pat Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events. “In addition to the routes that service our hotel partners, there is a one-way shuttle that allows fans to move from The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas to the arena. Due to increased traffic and parking congestion in around the Thomas & Mack Center, and the early start time, we encourage fans to consider this complimentary mode of transportation.”

In 2021, all Wrangler NFR performances begin at 5:45 p.m. (PT). NFR Express will begin pick-ups at 4 p.m. (PT) and include return service until 9:45 p.m. (PT).  There is no shuttle bus service during the actual rodeo performance from 6 p.m. through 8:15 pm.

Rodeo fans are urged to utilize the Teton Ridge NFR Express for round-trip transportation. In addition, fans are asked to allow approximately 15 minutes for traffic conditions from each hotel pick-up point. The Teton Ridge NFR Express routes and pick-up points are as follows:

Route 1 – One-Way Express Shuttle

• Cowboy Christmas – Las Vegas Convention Center, South Halls (East Entrance)

Route 2

• MGM Grand – West wing entrance

Route 3

• Sam’s Town – Rear entrance (behind the food court)

Route 4

• Mandalay Bay – Shark Reef entrance
• Tropicana – North entrance

 Route 5

• Resorts World – Rideshare Lot at south entrance
• Westgate – North Tower entrance

Route 6

• New York-New York – Main entrance
• The Orleans – Valet entrance

Route 7

• Gold Coast – Valet entrance
• Rio – Rotunda entrance

 Route 8

• The D – Main entrance
• Golden Nugget – Carson Tower entrance

Route 9

• Downtown Grand – Entrance at 3^rd St. and Ogden Ave.
• The Plaza – The Plaza Welcome Sign – Main St. and Carson Ave.

 Route 10

• Caesars Palace – Tour bus area (Under Planet Hollywood sign)
• The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas – Main entrance (north wall)

Route 11

• The Mirage – North valet entrance
• Treasure Island (TI) – Bus loading zone, near the South Side Valet

Route 12

• Flamingo – Tour bus area
• Harrah’s – Bus tour lobby

Route 13

• Planet Hollywood – Tour bus depot
• Virgin Las Vegas – Main entrance

 Route 14

• Silverton – Main entrance
• South Point – Main entrance

For more information on the Wrangler NFR and The Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas, please visit www.NFRexperience.com or through social media at /LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR. For the latest Pro Rodeo news and Wrangler NFR coverage, please visit prorodeo.com or through social media at @PRCA_ProRodeo.

# # #

About the Wrangler NFR

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR), considered the world’s premier rodeo, features 10 straight days of the best in PRCA PRORODEO competition, with a total of 120 contestants competing every night in seven events. Each December, the top 15 contestants, based on the PRCA | RAM World Standings, in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and bull riding qualify to compete at the Wrangler NFR.

www.prorodeo.com

 

WACO, TEXAS – If Sunday morning at the 2021 WPRA World Finals presented by Nutrena in Waco, Texas, was any indication of how ready Dona Kay Rule and High Valor are for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo next month, they passed the test with flying colors.

During the final round of the WPRA Card Holder Race at EXTRACO Event Center, Valor laid down the fastest time of the entire weekend stopping the clock in 15.457 seconds to capture the round and average title. Rule added another $1,770 for the round win and $3,584 for the average to her 2022 WPRA ProRodeo World Standings. Valor raced against many of the same horses that will be running down the alleyway at the Thomas and Mack in just a few short weeks including Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi and Ima Famous Babe, who finished second in the final round in a time of 15.626; Emma Charleston and Makana, a horse Stevi Hillman plans to have in her arsenal in Las Vegas, were sixth in a time of 15.873 and Jordon Briggs and Famous Lil Jet, finished eighth in the round at 15.901.

Rule of Minco, Oklahoma, entered the final round third in the average behind Jimmie Smith and Jordon Briggs but after saving their best run for the final day, Rule and High Valor took home the average title with a total time of 47.043 on three runs.

Laura Mote, daughter of four-time PRCA World Champion Bareback Rider Bobby Mote, turned 18 in July and bought her WPRA permit the end of August. Competing this weekend in the WPRA permit only race, Mote blasted through the cloverleaf pattern aboard Reb Hot Redbull winning two rounds en route to the average title. She topped the leaderboard in the second round in a time of 15.811 seconds and returned for the final round also turning in the top time with a 15.913. She easily won the average with a three run total of 47.955 seconds. Mote will now turn her attention to her next goal of winning the 2022 WPRA Rookie of the Year title.

Complete coverage of the 2021 WPRA World Finals will be in the January WPRA News issue.

###

 

WPRA Card Holder Race

First round: 1. Kylee Scribner (Firewater Cartel), 15.640 seconds, $2,390; 2. Jodee Miller (Mr Repete Pete), 15.744, $2,048; 3. Jackie Ganter (Smokn Lane), 15.799, $1,707; 4. Jimmie Smith (A Valiant Nicky), 15.816, $1,479; 5. Dona Kay Rule (High Valor), 15.824, $1,138; 6. Alex Lang (Angels On The Moon), 15.861, $1910; 7. Randee Prindle (Red Man Jones), 15.869, $683; 8. Carrie Potashnick (Perks In The House), 15.877, $455; 9. Haley Wolfe (Iron Eyes Rio Bravo), 15890, $341; 10. Cassidy Kruse Deen (Outta Clear Blue), 15.892, $228. Second round: 1. Jordon Briggs (Famous Lil Jet), 15.605 seconds, $2,390; 2. Jimmie Smith (A Valiant Nicky), 15.707, $2,048; 3. Emma Charleston (Makana), 15.725, $1,707; 4. Tillar Murray (Dashing Canelo), 15.753, $1,479; 5. (tie) Cheyenne Wimberley (Royal Blue Fame) and Dona Kay Rule (High Valor), 15.762, $1,024 each; 7. Tandy Meyers (Streakin Dusty Light), 15.769, $683; 8. Tera Moody (Pennys Final Fling), 15.789, $455; 9. Rylee Shields (Fury’s Princess), 15.809, $341; 10. Liz Pinkston (Cash Flow Depot), 15.812, $228. Final round: 1. Dona Kay Rule (High Valor), 15.457 seconds, $1,770; 2. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi (Ima Famous Babe), 15.626, $1,328; 3. Wendy Cline (Streakin And Shaken), 15.836, $885; 4. Steeley Steiner (XS Dirty Lil Secret), 15.867, $443. Average: 1. Dona Kay Rule, 47.043 seconds on three runs, $3,584; 2. Jordon Briggs, 47.462, $3,072; 3. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 47.611, $2,560; 4. Tandy Meyers, 47.664, $2,219; 5. Jimmie Smith, 47.763, $1,707; 6. Emma Charleston, 47.770, $1,365; 7. Stephanie Fryar, 47.790, $1,024; 8. Michelle Darling, 47.934, $683; 9. Wendy Cline, 47.957, $512; 10. Cayla Small, 47.971, $341.

 

WPRA Permit Only Race

First round: 1. Mindy Holloway (Heavens Got Credit), 15.998 seconds, $981; 2. Suade Furr (Stackin Bills), 16.103, $841; 3. Kaycee Killingsworth (Firewater Ta Party), $701; 4. Laura Mote (Reb Hot Redbull), 16.231, $607; 5. Jordyn Williams (Kool Speed Ta Kash), 16.270, $467; 6. Rylee Leach (NMD Chesterslilbunny) 16.277, $374; 7. Traci Nelson (The Cat Dun It), 16.320, $280; 8. Masyn Powers (BW Lilsisterdontcha) 16.341, $187; 9. Jesse Harris (BR Galsfrench Hayday), 16.373, $140; 10. Anna Johnson (Famous Resurection) 16.375, $93. Second round: 1. Laura Mote (Reb Hot Redbull), 15.811, $1,238; Suade Furr (Stackin Bills), 16.004, $1,098; 3. DeeDee Jordan (Firen For Jack), 16.218, $958; 4. Taci Nelson (The Cat Dun It), 16.252, $864. Final round: 1. Laura Mote (Reb Hot Redbull), 15.913 seconds, $890; 2. Traci Nelson (The Cat Dun It), 16.029, $668; 3. Robin Kuhnhein (MR JB Chasin Roses), 16.384, $223; 4. (tie) Lauren Merica (Gogo Romeo), 16.399, $111 each.  Average: 1. Laura Mote, 47.955 seconds on three runs, $1,402; 2. Traci Nelson, 48.601, $1,202; 3. Jennifer Dunn, 49.453, $1,001; 4. Lauren Merica, 49.524, $868; 5. Ella Gohlke, 49.569, $668; 6. Robin Kuhnhein, 49.764, $534; 7. Brooke Andrews, 49.882, $401; 8. Dee Dee Jordan, 49.898, $257; 9. Lindsey Stevens, 49.926, $200; 10. Margo Thomas, 49.983, $134.

 

 

Cole Patterson  joins his father as a steer roping world champion. Rocky won championships in 2009-10, 2012 and 2016. The Pattersons are the third father and son to win steer roping world titles. They join John McEntire (1934) and Clark McEntire (1956-57, 1961) and Charles Good (1975) and Gary Good (1979).

Cole won over $83,000 in the ten rounds. Jess Tierney won $41,000

 

Steer roping: First round: 1. Thomas Smith, 10.0 seconds, $9,155; 2. Cole Patterson, 10.3, $7,577; 3. Landon McClaugherty, 11.0, $5,998; 4. Chet Herren, 11.1, $4,420; 5. Slade Wood, 11.3, $2,841; 6. J. Tom Fisher, 12.4, $1,579. Second round: 1. Slade Wood, 11.7 seconds, $9,155; 2. Cash Myers, 11.8, $7,577; 3. Scott Snedecor, 12.0, $5,998; 4. Cole Patterson, 12.2, $4,420; 5. Thomas Smith, 13.3, $2,841; 6. Chet Herren, 13.5, $1,579. Third round: 1. Cole Patterson, 9.5 seconds, $9,155; 2. J. Tom Fisher, 10.8, $7,577; 3. Slade Wood, 11.6, $5,998; 4. Taylor Santos, 12.1, $4,420; 5. Jess Tierney, 12.7, $2,841; 6. Rocky Patterson, 13.2, $1,579. Fourth round: 1. Thomas Smith, 9.0 seconds, $9,155; 2. Cole Patterson, 11.2, $7,577; 3. (tie) J. Tom Fisher and Jess Tierney, 11.9, $5,209 each; 5. Rocky Patterson, 12.3, $2,841; 6. Landon McClaugherty, 13.7, $1,579. Fifth round: 1. Landon McClaugherty, 9.7 seconds, $9,155; 2. Cole Patterson, 9.9, $7,577; 3. Mike Chase, 10.8, $5,998; 4. (tie) Jess Tierney and J. Tom Fisher, 10.9, $3,631 each; 6. Slade Wood, 11.1, $1,579. Sixth round: 1. Thomas Smith, 10.3 seconds, $9,155; 2. Chet Herren, 10.4, $7,577; 3. Vin Fisher Jr., 11.1, $5,998; 4. Jess Tierney, 11.2, $4,420; 5. Rocky Patterson, 11.4, $2,841; 6. Landon McClaugherty, 11.7, $1,579. Seventh round: 1. Cash Myers, 10.1 seconds, $9,155; 2. Scott Snedecor, 10.3, $7,577; 3. Garrett Hale, 11.2, $5,998; 4. Cole Patterson, 11.6, $4,420; 5. Jess Tierney, 11.8, $2,841; 6. (tie) Landon McClaugherty and J. Tom Fisher, 12.9, $789 each. Eight round: 1. Cole Patterson, 9.9 seconds, $9,155; 2. Cody Lee, 13.5, $7,577; 3. Chet Herren, 14.6, $5,998; 4. J. Tom Fisher, 14.9, $4,420; 5. Taylor Santos, 15.0, $2,841; 6. Jess Tierney, 16.2, $1,579. Ninth round: 1. Scott Snedecor, 10.3 seconds, $9,155; 2. Cody Lee, 10.6, $7,577; 3. Cole Patterson, 11.2, $5,998; 4. Rocky Patterson, 11.3, $4,420; 5. Jess Tierney, 12.0, $2,841; 6. Mike Chase, 12.3, $1,579. Tenth round: 1. Taylor Santos, 9.8 seconds, $9,155; 2. Scott Snedecor, 10.3, $7,577; 3. Slade Wood, 11.6, $5,998; 4. Landon McClaugherty, 11.8, $4,420; 5. Cash Myers, 12.0, $2,841; 6. J. Tom Fisher, 12.8, $1,579. Average: 1. Cole Patterson, 97.7 seconds on nine head, $27,347; 2. Chet Herren, 133.7, $22,632; 3. Jess Tierney, 139.4, $17,917; 4. J. Tom Fisher, 101.2 on eight head, $13,202; 5. Scott Snedecor, 101.8, $8,487; 6. Rocky Patterson, 111.0, $4,71

WACO, TEXAS – Barrel racing action took center stage on Friday morning, Nov. 12 at the WPRA World Finals in Waco, Texas, and a familiar name tops the leaderboard after the first round of the WPRA Card Holder Race.

Kylee Scribner and Firewater Cartel seem to have found a profitable home at the EXTRACO Event Center. During the 2020 WPRA World Finals, Scribner kicked off her rookie season in the WPRA by turning in the fastest time of the weekend winning the second round after stopping the clock in 15.345. She and BB returned in 2021 to kickoff her second year in the WPRA with the Rookie of the Year title in tow and they laid down the fastest time of the first round with a 15.640. They set the bar high and early as she was the seventh runner in the opening round.

Jodee Miller and Mr Repete Pete would come the closest to Scribner at run No. 31 with a 15.744 followed by former NFR qualifier and 2015 WPRA Rookie of the Year Jackie Ganter aboard Smokn Lane with a 15.799 at run No. 41.

Scribner added a cool $2,390 to her 2022 WPRA World Standings and is looking to add more before the weekend is over. The second round is scheduled for Saturday, November 13 at 9:30 a.m.

While Scribner was making headlines in the card holder race, Mindy Holloway was making her own noise in the Permit Only race. Holloway and Heavens Got Credit turned in the fast time in the first round stopping the clock in 15.998 seconds. They knocked Suade Furr and Stackin Bills out of the top spot. Furr was contestant No. 80 and stopped the clock in 16.103 and Holloway was No. 86 so it was short lived for Furr. However, both made a huge step in filling their permit collecting $981 and $841, respectively. Rounding out the top 3 was Kaycee Killingsworth and Firewarter Ta Party with a 16.199. Killingsworth was No. 58 and held the lead until Furr ran at No. 80. Second round action of the Permit Only race will run at 8 a.m. CT on Saturday.

All barrel racing action can be viewed live at www.goldbucklemedia.net.

Tonight the third round of roping will be contested and will be streamed live on Wrangler Network.

 

WPRA Card Holder Race

First round: 1. Kylee Scribner (Firewater Cartel), 15.640 seconds, $2,390; 2. Jodee Miller (Mr Repete Pete), 15.744, $2,048; 3. Jackie Ganter (Smokn Lane), 15.799, $1,707; 4. Jimmie Smith (A Valiant Nicky), 15.816, $1,479; 5. Dona Kay Rule (High Valor), 15.824, $1,138; 6. Alex Lang (Angels On The Moon), 15.861, $1910; 7. Randee Prindle (Red Man Jones), 15.869, $683; 8. Carrie Potashnick (Perks In The House), 15.877, $455; 9. Haley Wolfe (Iron Eyes Rio Bravo), 15890, $341; 10. Cassidy Kruse Deen (Outta Clear Blue), 15.892, $228.

 

WPRA Permit Only Race

First round: 1. Mindy Holloway (Heavens Got Credit), 15.998 seconds, $981; 2. Suade Furr (Stackin Bills), 16.103, $841; 3. Kaycee Killingsworth (Firewater Ta Party), $701; 4. Laura Mote (Reb Hot Redbull), 16.231, $607; 5. Jordyn Williams (Kool Speed Ta Kash), 16.270, $467; 6. Rylee Leach (NMD Chesterslilbunny) 16.277, $374; 7. Traci Nelson (The Cat Dun It), 16.320, $280; 8. Masyn Powers (BW Lilsisterdontcha) 16.341, $187; 9. Jesse Harris (BR Galsfrench Hayday), 16.373, $140; 10. Anna Johnson (Famous Resurection) 16.375, $93.

 

 

LAS VEGAS (November 5, 2021) – The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo^â and Las Vegas Events announced today that they will be replacing the Mad Dash 30 with a new ticket opportunity for rodeo fans. The NFR Access ONLY ticket will provide access to the Thomas & Mack Center, but not a seat. It provides access to all the experiences at the NFR – Cowboy Corral, Aces High Saloon & Exhibit, Bull & Barrel Saloon and ProRodeo Zone – and then allows you to watch the rodeo in the designated areas. The Wrangler NFR runs from Dec. 2-11.

An NFR Access ONLY ticket will be sold for $65 (plus order fees). When rodeo fans purchase an NFR Access ONLY ticket, they will have multiple entertainment options to enjoy. Not only will attendees be able to experience the electric atmosphere that the Thomas & Mack Center has to offer, but they will also be automatically entered into an opportunity to win a pair of Premium Seats in the plaza level.

For more information on NFR Access ONLY and to purchase tickets, click here.

“The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo has been sold out for more than 330 consecutive performances, so we wanted to provide another opportunity for rodeo fans to experience the spectacle and excitement of the event at the Thomas & Mack Center,” said Pat Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events. “There are so many ways to enjoy the NFR Experience on-site, and we invite fans to explore this new ticket opportunity.”

The opportunities to enjoy the Wrangler NFR experience are abundant at the Thomas & Mack Center. Rodeo fans with an NFR Access ONLY ticket will be greeted by ProRodeo Zone and the Fan Zone which include sponsor tents, live music, the official ProRodeo and Wrangler NFR merchandise trailer, food and beverage options, video screens and tables for attendees to congregate.

 When rodeo fans enter the building, they will have access to all of the arena activation, including both the Aces High – Saloon & Exhibit and Cowboy Corral. Rebranded and re-energized for 2021, Aces High – Saloon & Exhibit will feature a saloon and a 2,500-square-foot, glass-enclosed balcony with Strip views. The Cowboy Channel will host their Pre-Show starting at 5 p.m. and the Post-Show immediately following the end of the performance each night. An additional highlight will be an all-encompassing exhibit detailing the 35-year history of the NFR in Las Vegas. The saloon would be a great place to take in the live broadcast of the rodeo each night as it will include a large-screen projection.

Meanwhile, on the arena’s southeast side opposite Aces High, fans can enjoy all the activities and amenities of the returning Cowboy Corral, which takes over the adjacent Cox Pavilion with live music, a huge bar and plenty of space to sit and relax or kick up your heels. The live entertainment will include The Britt Stokes Band and additional talent from Cowboy Revival each night starting at 4:30 p.m. Following the NFR, the Cowboy Corral will stay jumping with The Britt Stokes Band returning to the stage. Sitting right outside of Cowboy Corral is the Bull & Barrel Saloon, featuring its own bar and food service and the Hall of Champions with tributes to former NFR champions.

Known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, the Wrangler NFR attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding to compete for a share of the $10.257 million purse and the coveted PRCA Gold Buckle. In 2019, the event had a total attendance of 168,289 over the 10 days of competition at the Thomas & Mack Center and has sold out more than 330 consecutive performances in Las Vegas.

For more information on the Wrangler NFR, please visit NFRexperience.com or through social media at /LasVegasNFR and use #WranglerNFR. For the latest PRORODEO news and Wrangler NFR coverage, please visit prorodeo.com or through social media @PRCA_ProRodeo.

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The PRCA Linderman Award is one of the most prestigious awards in ProRodeo. It recognizes a cowboy who won at least $1,000 in three events, and those events must include at least one roughstock and one timed event. The 2021 Linderman Award winner is Randlett, Utah, cowboy Josh Frost. This past season Frost earned $130,192 in bull riding, $4,110 in tie-down roping, and another $1,070 in the steer wrestling. He said it’s an award he holds near and dear to his heart. “It means a lot to me, I think it’s the most cowboy award we have in the sport of ProRodeo,” said Frost, a two-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “You have to compete on both ends of the arena in roughstock and timed events, so it’s an award that is hard to qualify for and especially hard to win.” Frost now has won back-to-back Linderman awards. His first came in 2019, then the honor was not awarded in 2020. He said it’s an award he shoots for every season, but it was more difficult than ever in 2021. “Every year I set out with the goal of being in the running for the Linderman Award,” Frost said. “This year was a little different, I had a big goal of trying to be the PRCA World Champion Bull Rider this year. I went to as many rodeos as anybody, so I was on the road a lot and didn’t get to do as much as I wanted to do in the other events. “The plan was to get qualified for the Linderman those first two weeks of June. The tie-down roping went well, I won one check in the steer wrestling, but I was $300 short. But in August I entered a couple of the steer wrestling events and I finally ended up pulling my last check and getting qualified.” Frost is the second member of his family to capture the distinguished Linderman Award, his older brother,   Joe, 27, captured the award in 2014.   Kyle Whitaker holds the PRCA record for most Linderman Awards won with 10 in his ProRodeo career.

Minot’s Badlands Circuit Finals crowns champs, designates titlists for the National Circuit Finals Rodeo

MINOT, N.D. (October 10, 2021) – The curtain dropped on the 2021 Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo in Minot, N.D., with gold buckles awarded to cowboys and cowgirls, and berths secured to the National Circuit Finals Rodeo next year.

Two sisters came into the finals sitting first and second in the breakaway roping, but when it was over, only one was still at the top.

Rickie  and Taylor Engesser, Spearfish, S.D., came into Sunday’s round in first and second place, respectively, but things didn’t go smoothly for either cowgirl in the round.

Rickie, the younger of the two, broke the barrier, adding a ten second penalty to her time. “I didn’t do my job,” she said. “I got antsy in the box, and I broke the barrier.” And Taylor didn’t fare well, either, drawing a tough calf to rope and recording a no-time.

Even with Rickie’s ten-second penalty on Sunday, she won enough through the regular season to finish as year-end champion.

The sisters traveled together all summer and enjoyed competing at the same rodeos.

“It’s a pretty big blessing to make it (to circuit finals) for both of us,” Rickie said. “We’re competing against each other, but we’re each other’s biggest supporters.

“I wanted her to win (the year-end title) just as bad as she wanted me to win it,” Rickie said. “Ideally, it would have been really cool if we had tied. She’s my biggest fan and my biggest blessing.”

The average title, the fastest combined times through the 3 rounds, went to Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D.

Gilbert, who is nineteen years old, roped three calves in a combined time of 8.7 seconds to win the average championship.

She had a business plan for this year, her second qualification to the Badlands Circuit Finals. “I was riding my good paint horse, and wanted to take care of business. I knew if I got them roped in all three rounds, they’d probably pay me for it. That was my game plan.”

Gilbert is also ranked second in the world standings and on her way to a qualification for the National Finals Breakaway Roping, the Women’s Pro Rodeo Association world event in December. But it hasn’t gone to her head. “You attack it one day at a time. It’s a run at a time. At the end of the day, it all comes down to one calf.”

She’s won more than $50,000 in the world standings this year, which has swayed her to quit college and rodeo full time. “I didn’t go back (to college) this year because I wanted to be a breakaway roper,” she laughed, and she probably won’t return. “I know my mom wants me to, but she’s having a hard time arguing about it now.”

A perennial bareback riding powerhouse won both the year-end and average title at the weekend’s Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo.

Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D., rode three horses for a combined total of 250 points to sweep the average, and finish the season with more than $21,000 in earnings.

He had the year-end title sewn up before circuit finals even began, but the win is still special. “It always feels good to get a win here,” he said.

The field of bareback riders at this year’s rodeo was cut from nine to three, due to injuries or surgeries for the other competitors, and Breuer missed having more contestants.. “It’s too bad the other bareback riders got hurt this year, that’s for darn sure,” he said. “It’s always more fun when your buddies are here and you get to ride against them.”

Breuer has won either the year-end or average title a total of seven times, from 2014-2018. He hasn’t missed qualifying for a circuit finals since 2009, except for last year, due to a bicep injury.

The 31-year-old has also competed at the National Finals Rodeo, pro rodeo’s world championship, five times and finished as high as thirteenth in the world standings in 2017.

In the bull riding, Chance Schott repeated as the year-end titlist for the circuit.

Even though the McLaughlin, S.D. man only made two out of three qualified rides, he won enough money to earn year-end accolades.

“I had a couple of good Sutton (Rodeo Co.) bulls, and I wasn’t able to capitalize on them” in rounds one and two, he said. “But I was able to clear my mind and pull it all together today.”

Schott, who finished the year in the top twenty-five in the world standings, was the 2020 year-end and average titlist.

“This (buckle) is pretty special,” he said. “The first one holds a special place in my heart, but I still really like this one, just as much.”

Out of the field of twelve bull riders, only three were able to made qualified rides on two bulls; no one covered all three bulls.

Riggin Shippy, Colome, S.D., finished as the bull riding average champion (165 points on two head.)

Other champions include Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D. (steer wrestling year-end) and Riley Reiss, Manning, N.D. (steer wrestling average); Braden Pirrung, Hartford, S.D. and Coley Nichols, Kinnear, Wyo. (team roping, year-end) and Cameron Irwin, Buffalo, Wyo. and Cash Hetzel, Lemmon, S.D. (team roping, average); Jade Blackwell, Rapid City, S.D. (saddle bronc riding, year-end) and Ty Manke, Rapid City, S.D. (saddle bronc riding, average); Trey Young, Dupree, S.D. (tie-down roping, both titles); and Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D. (barrel racing, year-end) and Amanda Welsh, Gillette, Wyo. (barrel racing, average);

The Badlands Rookie of the Year award went to Riley Curuchet, Kaycee, Wyo.; the Badlands All-Around was won by Riley Wakefield, O’Neill, Neb.

Deadwood, S.D.’s Days of ’76 rodeo won the title of Badlands Circuit Rodeo Committee of the Year.

The year-end champion is the cowboy/cowgirl who won the most money throughout the regular season in the Badlands Circuit. The average champion is the cowboy/cowgirl who won the most money at the rodeo taking place this weekend, Oct. 8-10, in Minot.

Both year-end and average champions will represent the Badlands Circuit at the National Circuit Finals Rodeo, to be held in 2022. In the event that the same person has won both titles, the second person in the year-end race qualifies for the National Circuit Finals Rodeo.

 

– ### –

 

Cutlines:

Jade Blackwell, Rapid City, S.D., wins the Badlands saddle bronc year-end title. This is his first year-end win; he won the average title in 2018. Photo by Alaina Stangle Photography.

 

 

Chance Schott, McLaughlin, S.D., is the 2021 Badlands year-end bull riding champion. He, along with the other champions, will represent the Badlands Circuit at the National Circuit Finals Rodeo in 2022. Photo by Alaina Stangle Photography.

 

Year end and average winners for the Badlands Circuit

3^rd performance results from Oct. 10, 2021

 

All-around Champion: Riley Wakefield, O’Neill, Neb.

All-around champion for the Finals: Riley Wakefield, O’Neill, Neb.

 

Bareback riding

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

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

 

3^rd round results:

1. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D. 84 points on Bailey Pro Rodeo’s Easy Money; 2. Andy Gingerich, Aberdeen, S.D. 78; 3. Nate McFadden, Elsmere, Neb. 77.

 

Average results:

1. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D. 250 points on 3 head; 2. Nate McFadden, Elsmere, Neb. 225; 3. Andy Gingerich, Aberdeen, S.D. 224.

 

Steer Wrestling

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

Steer Wrestling Average Champion: Riley Reiss, Manning, N.D.

 

3^rd round results:

1. Riley Wakefield, O’Neill, Neb. 3.5 seconds; 2. (tie) Joe Wilson, Martin, S.D. and Riley Reiss, Manning, N.D. 3.8 each; 4. Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D. 4.2.

 

Average results:

1. Riley Reiss, Manning, N.D. 12.2 seconds on 3 head; 2. Riley Wakefield, O’Neill, Neb. 12.3; 3. Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D. 12.5; 4. Billy Boldon, Oglala, S.D. 13.4.

 

Team Roping

Team Roping Year End Champion Header: Braden Pirrung, Hartford, S.D.

Heeler: Coley Nicholls, Kinnear, Wyo.

Team Roping Average Champion Header: Cameron Irwin, Buffalo, Wyo.

Heeler: Cash Hetzel, Lemmon, S.D.

 

3^rd round results:

1. (tie) Guy Howell, Belle Fourche, S.D./Levi O’Keefe, Belle Fourche, S.D. and Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, S.D./Riley Wakefield, O’Neill, Neb. 4.5 seconds each; 3. Cameron Irwin, Buffalo, Wyo./Cash Hetzel, Lemmon, S.D. 5.1; 4. Jade Schmidt, Box Elder, S.D./Jade Nelson, Midland, S.D. 6.1

 

 

 

Average results:

1. Cameron Irwin, Bufaflo, Wyo./Cash Hetzel, Lemmon, S.D. 15.2 seconds on 3 head; 2. Jade Schmidt, Box Elder, S.D./Jade Nelson, Midland, S.D. 17.4; 3. Braden Pirrung, Hartford, S.D./Coley Nicholls, Kinnear, Wyo. 19.6; 4. Layne Carson, Grassy Butte, N.D./Elliott Gourneau, Kennebec, S.D. 24.6.

 

Saddle Bronc Riding

Saddle Bronc Year End Champion: Jade Blackwell, Rapid City, S.D.

Saddle Bronc Average Champion: Ty Manke, Rapid City, S.D.

 

3^rd round results:

Ty Manke, Rapid City, S.D. 81 points on Muddy Creek Rodeo’s Jack Rabbit; 2. (tie) Lane Schuelke, Newell, S.D., Dylan Schofield, Philip, S.D. and Taygen Schuelke, Newell, S.D. 78 points each.

 

Average results:

1. Ty Manke, Rapid City, S.D. 242 points on 3 head; 2. Taygen Schuelke, Newell, S.D. 237; 3. (tie) Dylan Schofield, Philip, S.D. and Cash Wilson, Wall, S.D. 236 points each.

 

Breakaway Roping

Year End Champion: Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D.

Average Champion: Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D.

 

3^rd round results:

1. Sarah Morrisey, Ellensburg, Wash. 2.5 seconds; 2. Katie Mundorf, Mullen, Neb. 2.7; 3. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D. 2.8; 4. Lynn Smith, Elfrida, Ariz. 3.5.

 

Average results:

1. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D. 8.7 seconds on 3 head; 2. Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D. 19.3 on 3 head; 3. Sarah Morrisey, Ellensburg, Wash. 5.0 seconds on 2 head; 4. Taylor Engesser, Spearfish, S.D. 6.3 on 2 head.

 

Tie-down Roping

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

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

 

3^rd round results:

1. Trey Young, Dupree, S.D. 8.8 seconds; 2. Chase Lako, Arthur, N.D. 9.5; 3. Ranch Johnson, Philip, S.D. 10.0; 4. Jason Vohs, Dickinson, N.D. 10.2.

 

Average results:

1. Trey Young, Dupree, S.D. 27.4 seconds on 3 head; 2. Ranch Johnson, Philip, S.D. 30.4; 3. Tanner Stec, Bassett, Neb. 33.7; 4. Clint Kindred, Oral, S.D. 40.8.

 

Barrel Racing

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

Barrel Racing Average Champion:  Amanda Welsh, Gillette, Wyo.

 

3^rd round results:

1. Amanda Welsh, Gillette, Wyo. 13.32 seconds; Allison Pauley, Honey Creek, Iowa 13.36; 3. Ellie Bard, Sheridan, Wyo. 13.39; 4. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D. 13.65.

 

Average results:

1. Amanda Welsh, Gillette, Wyo. 40.21 on 3 runs; 2. Ellie Bard, Sheridan, Wyo. 40.85; 3. Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D. 41.34; 4. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D. 41.42.

 

Bull Riding

Bull Riding Year End Champion: Chance Schott, McLaughlin, S.D.

Bull Riding Average Champion: Riggin Shippy, Colome, S.D.

 

3^rd round results:

1. Chance Schott, McLaughlin, S.D. 86 points on Mosbrucker Rodeo’s Head Games; 2. Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D. 79; 3. Coleman Entze, Golden Valley, N.D. 78; no other qualified rides.

 

Average results:

1. Riggin Shippy, Colome, S.D. 165 points on 2 head; 2. Coleman Entze, Golden Valley, N.D. 163; 3. Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D. 160; 4. (tie) Chance Schott, McLaughlin, S.D. and TJ Schmidt, Belle Fourche, S.D. 86 points on one head each.

 

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

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The PRCA Donita Barnes Lifetime Achievement Award honors contract personnel such as announcers, bullfighters, clowns, specialty acts, secretaries and timers who have been PRCA members for at least 15 years and have committed their lives to the rodeo industry, yet received little recognition for their commitment and contributions.

The posthumous recipient of the inaugural Contract Lifetime Achievement Award was long-time PRCA secretary Donita Barnes, wife of ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee and PRCA stock contractor Bob Barnes and mentor to thousands of contestants and others involved with Barnes rodeos. The PRCA named the award in her honor in 2012.

The 2021 nominees are:

• Andrea Moon, a secretary and timer from Iron River, Mich., who has been with the PRCA since 1978. She served as the National Finals Rodeo’s secretary in 1990 and was a timer at the 1983 NFR.
• Irene Singer, a secretary and timer from Calhan, Colo., who has been with the PRCA since 1970. She served as the NFR secretary in 2004 and was a timer at the 1996 NFR. Singer also served as the secretary for the National Finals Steer Roping in 2009 and the National Circuit Finals Rodeo in 1999. She was the assistant secretary at the 1998 NCFR, too. Singer also was one of the timers at the NCFR in 1990 and 2012.
• The Harris Family. Grant Harris’ grandfather started producing rodeos in 1930, and in 1955 Grant’s father, Howard, started a weekly rodeo in New Jersey that continues to this day. Grant and Betsy Harris bought Cowtown Rodeo in 1978 and run the weekly rodeo that’s held in Woodstown-Pilesgrove, N.J. Grant has been with the PRCA since 1973, having competed in bull riding, team roping and saddle bronc riding. He was the First Frontier Circuit’s saddle bronc riding champion in 1975 and 1977-78. Betsy joined the PRCA in the late 1970s and served as assistant secretary for the 1994 NCFR and was the secretary for the 1995 NCFR. She was also a timer at the 1989 NCFR.
• Jennifer Nicholson, of the Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls, has been with the PRCA since 1990 and lives in Three Rivers, Calif. The Riata Ranch Cowboy Girls have been nominated for Specialty Act of the Year four times (2011, 2013, 2015-16). They performed at the NFR in 1985-89, 1996 and 2014.
• Kay Gay is a secretary and timer from Terrell, Texas, who has been with the PRCA since 1964.

Recipients of past Donita Barnes Awards are: Donita Barnes (2011); Art and Linda Alsbaugh (2012); Fred and Norma Dorenkamp (2013); Quail Dobbs (2014); Cotton Rosser (2015); Karen Vold (2016); Jim and Julie Sutton (2017); Hadley Barrett (2018); Roy and Virginia Honeycutt (2019) and Cindy Rosser (2020).

 

Contract personnel named for NFR, NFSR COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The contract personnel for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and the National Finals Steer Roping were announced Wednesday by the PRCA. For the eighth time in nine years, two of the announcers for the Wrangler NFR remain the same. Randy Corley and Wayne Brooks will be on the microphone for the 10 nights in Las Vegas Dec. 2-11. They will be joined by announcer Roger Mooney. Corley, who was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2017, will be making his 20th NFR appearance, while it will be the 10th of Brooks’ career. Mooney will be making his third appearance at the NFR and second in a row. Livestock superintendent John Barnes makes his 15th consecutive Wrangler NFR appearance. The chute bosses are Tony Amaral (timed events) and Tom Neuens (roughstock). Sunni Deb Backstrom, who was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2021, is the NFR secretary, marking the 16th year in a row she has been selected. Jennie Murray is the assistant secretary. Timers are Shawna Ray, making her second NFR trip in a row, Michelle Corley, who is making her first appearance as a timer, and Molly Twitchell, also making her NFR debut as a timer. BenjeBendele is the music director. Specialty acts for the NFR are Tomas Garcilazo, Madison MacDonald and Jessica Blair. At the NFSR at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kan., Nov. 12-13, Doug Mathis and Jody Carper will handle the announcing duties. This is Mathis’ second appearance at the NFSR and Carper’s seventh. Chute boss John Gwatney is back for his 12th consecutive trip, and the arena usher is Dalton Ward, who is making his first appearance. The NFSR secretary is Mikey Jo Duggan, who is making her third trip. The timers are Sandy Gwatney and Tammy Braden. Sandy Gwatney, John’s wife, is timing for the fourth time at the NFSR. Braden is timing for the third time.

 

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — ProRodeo Hall of Fame saddle bronc rider Clint Johnson has been named the 2021 Legend of ProRodeo.

Johnson will be honored at the 14th annual Wrangler Gold Buckle Gala on Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. (PT) at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

“I just found this news out, and it is pretty exciting,” said Johnson, 65. “I absolutely did not think this was an option for me. This is quite an honor. There’s been a list of prominent people who have received this honor, and I’m quite excited to be among them. I would like to thank the selection committee for choosing me, and I’m looking forward to a fun event.”

Johnson began his rodeo career at age 10, and his smooth, consistent style of riding saddle bronc horses led to 11 consecutive qualifications for the National Finals Rodeo from 1979-89. In those 11 career NFR trips he won four world championships (1980, 1987-89) and finished no worse than sixth in the world standings. He also won the NFR average in 1989.

“When you think of legends, you think of greatness. When you think of legends in rodeo, you think of those that accomplished greatness both inside and outside the rodeo arena,” said Kent Sturman, Director of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. “Clint Johnson is a four-time world champion and achieved an overwhelming amount of greatness in the rodeo arena throughout his career, starting in 4-H rodeo, continuing through high school and college rodeo and during his tenure in professional rodeo. And Clint is one of those cowboys who has demonstrated greatness outside of the arena, continually giving back to a sport that he loves by serving on boards, conducting schools and clinics, and providing his expertise to many programs and events throughout rodeo. He was an obvious choice as this year’s Legend of ProRodeo.”

Johnson was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1992 in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“None of these honors, like the Legend of ProRodeo and being in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame, are expected,” Johnson said. “Going through my career I tried to stay under the radar, but the Legend of ProRodeo is a great honor to be recognized by members of the organization and my peers.”

Johnson, who spent four years on the PRCA Board of Directors serving as vice chairman, was born in Spearfish, S.D. Johnson lived there until moving to the Amarillo, Texas, area where he has lived since 1988.

“Rodeo is the No. 1 sport in South Dakota,” Johnson said. “It was the thing to do when I was growing up. We all wanted to be cowboys, and we all wanted to be bronc riders. I was lucky enough to live that dream. I kept my goals pretty simple and tried to make the best ride I could every time. I wasn’t worried about winning rodeos. I was lucky enough to have a real fortunate career and I have received honors no one could dream of.”

Johnson also won his share of prestigious rodeos, including taking home the Calgary Stampede Rodeo’s $50,000 bonus three times.

Johnson also won in Cheyenne, Wyo., Salinas, Calif., Reno, Nev., San Antonio, Fort Worth, Texas, Ellensburg, Wash., Red Bluff, Calif., Greeley, Colo., San Francisco, Spanish Fork, Utah, and Prescott, Ariz.

Since Johnson stopped rodeoing, he’s been in the ranching business.

“I have a small ranch operation and run a few cows,” he said.

Johnson is the 16th man to be honored as a Legend of ProRodeo, following Jake Barnes, Jim Shoulders, Clem McSpadden, Harry Vold, Larry Mahan, Shawn Davis, Dean Oliver, Donnie Gay, Benny Binion, Mel Potter, Neal Gay, Michael Gaughan, Keith Martin, Cotton Rosser and Bob Tallman

Women’s Breakaway Roping will debut at the 2022 RODEOHOUSTON Super Series 

HOUSTON (Sept. 7, 2021) — Today, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo announced that women’s breakaway roping will debut at the RODEOHOUSTON Super Series in 2022.

Breakaway roping, sanctioned by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA), is an allwomen’s event that has recently been added to professional rodeos across the country. At the National Finals Breakaway Roping in Arlington, Texas, the 2020 WPRA World Champion was crowned.

“Breakaway roping is the fastest-growing event in rodeo, and we are thrilled to feature our second women’s rodeo event at RODEOHOUSTON in 2022,” said Chris Boleman, Rodeo president and CEO. “Like women’s barrel racing, breakaway roping is fast-paced and requires strong horsemanship skills, and it’s an event that promises to keep rodeo fans on the edge of their seats.”

Breakaway roping will be held seven nights during the 2022 RODEOHOUSTON Super Series, a tournament-style competition that crowns an event champion in bareback riding, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, team roping, women’s barrel racing, and now, women’s breakaway roping. RODEOHOUSTON will offer equal pay in the breakaway roping event. Champions in all events earn $50,000 on top of their Super Series earnings.

“This is truly a monumental day for the women in breakaway roping,” said Jimmie Munroe, WPRA President. “Not only will they have the opportunity to compete and showcase their talent on one of rodeo’s largest stages, but they will do so with equal prize money. The WPRA has had a long-standing relationship with RODEOHOUSTON and we are excited to expand our partnership to feature a second all-women’s event at this historic rodeo.”

2022 Women’s Breakaway Roping Schedule:

• Breakaway roping will be included in one performance in each Super Series, with performance dates to be announced.
• The top two athletes from each performance will advance to the Semifinal round, for a total of 10 athletes.
• Top four athletes from the Semifinal round will advance directly to the Championship Shootout Round on Saturday, March 19.

“It’s been great to see breakaway roping have the success it is having at PRORODEO® events across North America,” said Tom Glause, PRCA Interim CEO. “RODEOHOUSTON welcoming the ladies of breakaway is yet another example of that.”

RODEOHOUSTON has been a WPRA sanctioned event for decades, with earnings from the RODEOHOUSTON Super Series counting toward qualification for the NFR and the WPRA World Standings.

“The WPRA is very pleased and excited that RODEOHOUSTON has decided to add breakaway roping to the line-up of their iconic rodeo for the 2022 edition,” said Jolee Jordan, WPRA Roping Director. “It is awesome that WPRA members will have the opportunity to compete at the largest rodeo in ProRodeo and we look forward to growing the ropers’ relationship with RODEOHOUSTON in the future.”