SHAWNEE, Okla. — In front of an electric crowd at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center, rodeo athletes from across the globe were crowned IFYR (International Finals Youth Rodeo) champions and walked away with upwards of $250,000 in payouts. The six-day event featured over 930 entries from 35 different states.

California bareback rider Jacek Frost (Browns Valley, CA) landed in the final round after a 77.0 ride in the first go and a 79.0 ride in the second go alongside Luke Thrash (Bastrop, LA) and Bradlee Miller (Huntsville, TX). The California High School Rodeo athlete topped Thrash’s and Miller’s averages after earning a 74.0 in the round to land the championship position.

The team roping duo Brodee Snow (Bentonville, AR) and Jordan Lovins (Canadian, TX) found themselves in the short round after earning two of the fastest times in the long rounds.  Snow and Lovins matched up against Wyoming cowboys Coy Johnson (Buffalo, WY) and Jade Espenscheid (Big Piney, WY) along with Kreece Dearing (Chico, TX) and Beldon Cox (Weatherford, TX). The dominate wave of team roping youth ended with Snow and Lovins recording a 7.0 final round run, besting Johnson/Espenscheid 22.8 second average and Dearing/Cox’s 23.6 second average.

The Garden City, Kansas steer wrestler Tanner Meier delivered almost identical times to Newark, Illinois Cowboy Garrett Leathermans in the first two long-rounds. The two athletes tied in the short go, but Merier’s split second better time from the second go would best Leatherman’s 14.6 average with a 13.5.

Being the only saddle bronc rider to cover all three, Statler Wright (Millford, UT) – Who is brother of 3x World Champion Stetson Wright, exhausted the competition earning the high-marked-ride in two out of three rounds at the IFYR and earned more than $2500.

Breakaway roper Della Bird (Williston, FL) delivered a powerful performance when her string broke away from her saddle horn at the 2.0 second mark in the final round Friday night. After defeating the all-around cowgirl Taylor Cuccurullo’s (Pilot Point, TX) 2.3-second time and Kaydence Crawford’s (Stephenville, TX) 2.4-second run to earn the top time in the average.

After earning one of the fastest times of the week’s in the second-go with a 7.7-second run, Trevor Hale (Perryton, TX) backed into the box having to run a 9.1-second time or better to win. The Texas tie-down roper earned the number one spot in the average after notching exactly a 9.1-second time and besting Dylan Hancock’s (San Angelo, TX) 25.8 average by one-tenth of a second.

After earning an advancement to the Final Round for landing two of the fastest times of the week, Payton Askins (El Cajon, CA) went into the final round as last to go behind Haiden Thompson (Yoder, WY) and all-around cowgirl Taylor Cuccurullo (Pilot Points, TX). Thompson opened the final round with a swift 16.4 second run which was followed by Cuccurullo’s 16.2 second time. Askins had to make a run faster than 16.9 to win the average and delivered an abrupt 16.0 second run to take home the top spot in the average.

Tate Pollmeier (Fort Scott, KS) was unstoppable in the Bull Riding. The former 2x Kansas Junior High School Bull Riding Champion recorded an 84.5-point score in the long round, prior to delivering the highest marked ride of the night with an impressive 88.0 points.

Kaylie Garza (Marion, TX) won the goat tying title at the IFYR courtesy of her 7.4 and 7.6-second run in the long round, and her 7.1-second run in the showdown round, all three the quickest times of the rounds. Garza topped Staheli Adams (Cedar Park, UT) 23.6 average. In the pole bending high school pole bending record holder Rylee Hardin (New Castle, TX) and expertly navigated the course as her 19.9-second run in the final round was the quickest, distancing runner-up Kylie Cliburn (Prairieville, LA) who recorded a 19.9-second run.

AVERAGE WINNERS

Barrel Racing: Payton Askins, El Cajon CA  48.767/3 $1,694.81; Haiden Thompson, Yoder WY  49.616/3 $1,473.75; Taylor Cuccurullo, Pilot Point TX  49.625/3 $1,252.69; Biloxi Shultz, Abilene TX  49.723/3 $1,031.63; Rylee Butler, Arcadia FL  49.793/3 $810.56; Kylie Jo Castor, Springdale AR  49.817/3 $589.50; Kiley Slavin, Goodwell OK  49.855/3 $368.44; Jordan Morman, Gillette WY  49.927/3 $147.38

Pole Bending: Rylee Hardin, New Castle TX  60.172/3 $1,060.31; Kylie Cliburn, Prairieville LA  61.861/3 $877.50; Paisley Pierce, Sweeny TX  62.435/3 $694.69; Jayci Lee Byler, Bellville TX  62.474/3 $511.88; Konner Bickerstaff, Ada OK  62.544/3 $329.06; Millie Frey, Eunice LA  62.635/3 $182.81

Breakaway Roping: Della Bird, Williston FL  7.0/3 $1,896.64; Taylor Cuccurullo, Pilot Point TX  7.2/3 $1,649.25; Kaydence Crawford, Stephenville TX  7.4/3 $1,401.86; Emma Ricke, Lawton AL  7.8/3 $1,154.48; Kaylie Garza, Marion TX  8.9/3 $907.09; Claire Vincent, Sulphur LA, Kate Kelley, Tahlequah OK split  17.0/3 $536.01 ea; Owen Gibson, Gadsden TN  4.5/2 $164.93

Goat Tying: Kaylie Garza, Marion TX  22.1/3 $1,187.55; Staheli Adams, Cedar City UT  23.6/3 $982.80; Kayleah Hurst, Slick OK  24.1/3 $778.05; Jayci Lee Byler, Bellville TX  24.4/3 $573.30; Kallie Deveer, Geismar LA  24.6/3 $368.55; Adi Jo Martin, San Tan Valley AZ, Katie Schlang, Lake Charles LA split  24.7/3 $102.38 ea

Calf Roping: Trevor Hale, Perryton TX  25.7/3 $1,260.11; Dylan Hancock, San Angelo TX  25.8/3 $1,095.75; Cash Fuesz, Eureka KS  27.9/3 $931.39; Mason Appleton, Copan OK  28.0/3 $767.03; Jake Holmes, Mulberry KS  28.6/3 $602.66; Houston Shipley, Copan OK  29.3/3 $438.30; Mason Theriot, Poplarville MS  29.9/3 $273.94; Cash Goble, Dalton GA  30.3/3 $109.58

Steer Wrestling: Tanner Meier, Garden City KS  13.5/3 $835.20; Garrett Leatherman, Newark IL, Quinten Freeman, Snyder TX split  14.6/3 $619.20 ea; Rhett Witt, Valentine NE, Clate Harwell, Artesia NM split  15.1/3 $331.20 ea; Clay Clayman, Highlandville MO  15.6/3 $144.00

Saddle Bronc: Statler Wright, Beaver UT  226.0/3 $866.25 ea; Jefferson Parsons, Springdale AR  144.5/2 $519.75 ea; Benny Proffitt, Canadian TX  135.0/2 $346.50 ea

Bareback Bronc: Jacek Frost, Browns Valley CA  230.0/3 $796.50; Luke Thrash, Bastrop LA  228.5/3 $531.00

Bull Riding: Tate Pollmeier, Fort Scott KS  172.5/2 $600.30; Caden Bunch, Tahlequah OK  164.5/2 $496.80; Cooper James, Tooele UT  159.5/2 $393.30; Bradlee Miller, Huntsville TX  79.5/1 $289.80; Riley Calvert, Luther OK  78.5/1 $186.30; Riggen Hughes, Kempner TX  75.0/1 $103.50

Team Roping: Brodee Snow, Bentonville AR – Jordan Lovins, Canadian TX  21.4/3 $1,213.54; Coy Johnson, Buffalo WY – Jade Espenscheid, Big Piney WY  22.8/3 $1,055.25; Kreece Dearing, Chico TX – Belden Cox, Weatherford TX  23.6/3 $896.96; Carson Coffelt, Ponce De Leon MO – Roper Goodson, Holdenville OK  23.7/3 $738.68; Boomer Smith, Pleasanton TX – Rymond Haby, El Indio TX  24.7/3 $580.39; Clayton Huston, Decatur TX – Dylan Hancock, San Angelo TX  27.3/3 $422.10; Tyler Espenson, Wildorado TX – Brock Corman, Canyon TX  31.4/3 $263.81; Owen Clemons, Okeechobee FL – Cole Clemons, Okeechobee FL  32.9/3 $105.53

Estes Park rodeo returns and puts on a heck of a show for big crowds

ESTES PARK, Colo. – In January, the members of the Estes Park Western Heritage Inc., began planning an event they didn’t even know if they’d be able to have.

The organization is a group of volunteers that annually works with the town of Estes Park to produce Rooftop Rodeo, which just completed its six-day run Saturday night. After having to cancel the 2020 edition of the community’s most prestigious events, there were some challenges that had to be overcome in order for the rodeo to occur this year.

“The first numbers regarding capacity for our rodeo were just ugly,” said Mark Purdy, the group’s chairman. “We were going to be allowed just 25 percent of capacity, and we could not have run it at that level. Once we got to 50 percent, it was still ugly, but we started thinking we could possibly pull this thing off.

“We also were at 50 percent of our normal sponsorships at April, and we started tightening our budget so we could have it this year. In May, Colorado went full capacity, so we got to add some things back. We just tried to make it as normal as possible.”

Over the years, Rooftop Rodeo has been recognized as one of the best events in ProRodeo. Six times it’s been honored as Rodeo of the Year: five times in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association as Small Rodeo of the Year and once as the Medium Committee of the Year in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.

Regularly it has hosted hundreds of the greatest stars in the game and has been seen as a destination event, but something spectacular happened this year with 830 entries.

“We set a record,” Purdy said. “That was just incredible. We were just gratified to see the contestants were coming back. With that, we started seeing other things happen. We had all our box seats sold out three weeks out. We had our stands filled to about 90 percent to 95 percent capacity early in the week, and we were sold out on Friday and Saturday nights. Our traditional sponsors started coming back in a big way.”

What they saw was spectacular competition. There were big scores and fast times all week, with one of the biggest winners was Utahan Stetson Wright, who won the bull riding and all-around titles in Estes Park; he is the reigning world champion in both.

Actually, the leaderboards of all events were filled with world champions and National Finals Rodeo qualifiers, including saddle bronc rider Sterling Crawley, who claimed the crown with his 83-point ride on the final night. The times in barrel racing were exceptionally fast throughout the week of competition, with NFR qualifier Shelley Morgan winning the title in a time of 16.66 seconds, just two-tenths off the arena record.

It all happened because a group of dedicated volunteers made a concerted effort to overcome whatever challenges they faced and produce an incredible event for members of the Estes Park community and the tourists that make it such a vibrant mountain town each summer.

“We have a really passionate group of committee people, and they never wavered,” Purdy said. “I know a lot of rodeos and other events had a real big problem with volunteer retainment after the pandemic, but we didn’t have a problem with that.

“Everybody stepped up. We were ready for a 50 percent capacity in April, and then it opened up. We also got a handful of new sponsors are now long-term committed to our rodeo. Our future is looking very bright at Rooftop Rodeo.”

Rooftop Rodeo
Estes Park, Colo.
All-around cowboy: Stetson Wright, $4,276, saddle bronc riding and bull riding.

Bareback riding: 1. Tyler Johnson, 87.5 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s Zipper Trick, $5,534; 2. Tray Chambliss III, 86.5, $4,243; 3. Bodee Lammers, 84.5, $3,136; 4. Garrett Shadbolt, 83.5, $2,029; 5. (tie) Lane McGehee, Will Lowe, Luke Creasy and Jake Brown, 83, $876 each.

Steer wrestling: First round: 1. Dirk Tavenner, 3.3 seconds, $1,861; 2. Brandon Harrison, 3.4, $1,541; 3. Dalton Massey, 3.7, $1,220; 4. (tie) Tristan Martin and Payden McIntyre, 3.8, $738 each; 6. (tie) Cade Staton, Kyle Broce and Bill Claunch, 3.9, $107 each. Second round: 1. Jule Hazen, 3.4 seconds, $1,861; 2. Grady Payne, 3.5, $1,541; 3. Rowdy Parrott, 3.6, $1,220; 4. (tie) Kyle Irwin, Riley Krassin, Jacob Talley, Will Lummus and Laramie Warren, 3.8, $359 each. Average: 1. Brandon Harrison, 7.9 seconds on two head, $2,792; 2. (tie) Jacob Talley and Will Lummus, 8.0, $2,070 each; 4. Laramie Warren, 8.4, $1,348; 5. (tie) Tyler Waguespack and Riley Krassin, 8.5, $674 each.

Team roping: First round: 1. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.5 seconds, $1,811 each; 2. Tate Kirchenschlager/Cole Davison, 4.8, $1,499; 3. Coy Rahlmann/Douglas Rich, 5.0, $1,186; 4. (tie) Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith and Rhen Richard/Jeremy Buhler, 5.1, $718 each; 6. Lightning Aguilera/Shay Dixon Carroll, 5.2, $312. Second round: 1. Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 4.2 seconds, $1,811 each; 2. John Gaona/Trevor Nowlin, 4.4, $1,499; 3. Colby Lovell/Paul Eaves, 4.5, $1,186; 4. Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 4.7, $874; 5. (tie) Tyler Waters/Richard Durham and Tate Kirchenschlager/Cole Davison, 4.9, $437 each. Average: 1. (tie) Tate Kirchenschlager/Cole Davison and Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 9.7 seconds on two head, $2,482 each; 3. Tyler Waters/Richard Durham, 10.3, $1,780; 4. Andrew Ward/Buddy Hawkins II, 10.8, $1,311; 5. Erich Rogers/Paden Bray, 10.9, $843; 6. Jake Orman/Brye Crites, 11.0, $468.

Saddle bronc riding: 1. Sterling Crawley, 83 points on Cervi Championship Rodeo’s 2 week Notice, $5,584; 2. Colt Gordon, 81.5, $4,281; 3. (tie) Jacob Kammerer and Ryder Wright, 79, $2,606 each; 5. (tie) Layton Green, Mitch Pollock, Wyatt Casper and Jacobs Crawley, 78, $884 each.

Tie-down roping: 1. Riley Pruitt, 7.3 seconds, $4,054; 2. Trenton Smith, 8.0, $3,627; 3. Bo Pickett, 8.4, $3,201; 4. Andrew Burks, 8.6, $2,774; 5. Tom Crouse, 8.7, $2,347; 6. Ryan Belew, 8.8, $1,920; 7. (tie) Hunter Reaume and Colton Farquer, 8.9, $1,280 each; 9. (tie) Marty Yates and Bryce Barney, 9.1, $427 each.

Barrel racing: 1. Shelley Morgan, 16.66 seconds, $4,221; 2. Dona Kay Rule, 16.68, $3,376; 3. Sissy Winn, 16.78, $2,743; 4. Jessie Telford, 16.80, $2,110; 5. Sidney Forrest, 16.85, $1,688; 6. Katie Halbert, 16.93, $1,266; 7. Michelle Alley, 16.95, $1,055; 8. Emily Miller-Beisel, 16.96, $950; 9. (tie) Jill Wilson and Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 16.97, $791 each; 11. Nicole Waggoner-Ludwick, 16.98, $633; 12. Jessi Fish, 17.00, $528; 13. Paige Jones, 17.01, $422; 14. Lisa Lockhart, 17.02, $317; 15. Maddy Dickens, 17.03, $211.

Bull riding: 1. Stetson Dell Wright, 86.5 points on The Cervi Brothers’ Major Leaguer, $4,276; 2. Briggs Madsen, 86, $3,278; 3. Jesse Hopper, 81, $2,423; 4. Dakota Nye, 78.5, $1,568; 5. Lon Danley, 77, $998; 6. Ednei Caminhas, 76, $713; 7. Trevor Reiste, 75, $570; 8. Sage Kimzey, 74.5, $428.

Champions crowned in each event

HASTINGS, NEB. (June 20, 2021) – The Nebraska High School Rodeo season wrapped up last weekend with the high school finals in Hastings at the Adams County Fairgrounds. Rodeo athletes from across the Cornhusker State competed in two go-rounds on June 17-18 and the short go-round on June 19. The top four contestants in each of fifteen events were determined, and they will go on to compete at the National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the Lancaster Events Center July 18-24.

The 2020-2021 champions are Spencer Denaeyer, Seneca, bareback riding; Elle Ravenscroft, Nenzel, barrel racing; Cooper Bass, Brewster, boys cutting; Jaya Nelson, Bassett, breakaway roping; Hunter Boydston, Grover, Colo., bull riding; Mekenna Fisher, Hershey, girls cutting; Wacey Day, Fleming, Colo., goat tying; Madison Mills, Eddyville, pole bending; Brody McAbee, Ansley, saddle bronc riding; Dane Pokorny, Stapleton, steer wrestling; Hayes Wetzel, Palmer, team roping header; Ryan Shepherd, North Platte, team roping heeler; Tate Talkington, Scottsbluff, tie-down roping; Tatum Olson, Bloomfield, reined cow horse; Jate Saults, Big Springs, light rifle shooting, and Tanner Ellis, Minden, trap shooting.

Boys rookie of the year is Hayden Stump, Elsmere, and the girls rookie of the year is Clancy Jo Brown, North Platte. Cooper Bass is the year-end boys all-around champion; Wacey Day is the year-end girls all-around champion. Girls state finals all-around winner was Madison Mills, Eddyville, and the boys state finals all-around winner went to Tate Talkington, Scottsbluff.

The 2021-2022 Miss Nebraska High School Rodeo queen is Ashton Werth, Hyannis.

The following are synopses of some of the champions.

 Barrel racing champion – Elle Ravenscroft, Nenzel

Nenzel’s Elle Ravenscroft won the barrel racing title for the 2020-2021 Neb. High School Rodeo Association. A graduate of Cody-Kilgore High School, she will play basketball at Chadron College this fall. Photo by Steph Miller.

Elle Ravenscroft led the pack all year long, with her competitors in the rearview mirror.

The Nenzel cowgirl led the barrel racing rankings the entire year, and even with a bobble at state finals, finished as the 2021 state barrel racing champion.

Going into state, she was twenty points ahead of the number two cowgirl, Taci Flinn. In the first round, she finished fifth; in the second round, she tipped a barrel to add a five second penalty to her time and take her out of the placings.

In the short round, she finished second behind Flinn. “She was on my back the whole finals,” Ravenscroft said. “Being chased is not a great feeling. I had great competition and that was a little intimidating at times.”

She didn’t realize she had won the state title till the announcer mentioned it. “I was holding my breath,” she said.

She’s excited to compete at the NHSFR in Lincoln, because of its proximity. “It’s hometown. I think there will be pressure to represent your state well. I’m really excited about it.”

The 2021 Cody-Kilgore High School graduate won’t compete in collegiate rodeo; she will play basketball at Chadron (Neb.) State College, where she’ll pursue a degree in physical education and health.

She was recruited by both the basketball and rodeo coaches, but chose basketball. “That was honestly, a big decision. I decided we’re going to try basketball. I can always rodeo in the summer. I wanted the opportunity to play basketball because rodeo’s always going to be there.”

She is the daughter of Eric and Shannon Ravenscroft.

Bareback riding champion – Spencer Denaeyer, Seneca

Spencer Denaeyer was the only bareback rider to make three qualified rides at state, to win the state title.

Entering state finals, he was three and a half points behind Tanner Drueke.

“I just went in super motivated, knowing I had my work cut out,” he said. “I had people to chase, and I think that honestly improved my performance more than anything.”

This is his second qualification for the NHSFR; his first one was as a freshman, which didn’t go as well as he would have liked. That provides incentive for this year. “I think it’s time to take advantage of the fact that it’s in Lincoln. It’s time to give it everything I’ve got and compete with all the year-end champs. It’ll be tough. It’ll be time to put the pedal to the floor.”

Denaeyer will be a senior at Mullen High School this fall; he participates in football, wrestling, and track and was on the honor roll for two quarters this year.

He is the son of Martin and Bree Denaeyer.

 Goat tying champion – Wacey Day, Fleming, Colo.

The closest race in all of the events came down to the goat tying, with eighteen-year-old cowgirl Wacey Day winning the title by one point over the number two cowgirl, Jessica Stevens.

It was a roller coaster year, with ups and downs all season, but at state, Wacey dominated, winning both the first and second round and the short round as well. “I didn’t have a choice but to do that if I wanted to win it,” she said.

She also finished second in the breakaway roping and will compete at Nationals in that as well. This will be her fourth trip to Nationals.

The salutatorian of the of Lone Star High School Class of 2021, she will attend Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colo. this fall and get her prerequisites done before transferring to another school to work towards a certification in radiology. She will rodeo collegiately, in the goat tying, breakaway roping, barrel racing, and team roping.

The daughter of Shane and Heather Day, Wacey is also the year-end all-around winner.

Pole bending champion – Madison Mills, Eddyville

Madison Mills’ 2021 pole bending title was the third state championship the Eddyville cowgirl has won.

She led the state the entire year, and felt a little pressure from freshman Clancy Jo Brown, but after four years of high school state qualifications and two years of junior high, she’s taught herself how to handle the pressure.

“I’ve learned how to deal with it and calm my nerves,” she said. “I tell myself, ‘it’s nothing new, I’ve been doing it for six years (through high school and junior high rodeo), we practice all week long,’ so I trust my horse and my own riding ability and that’s how I calm myself down.”

The Sumner-Eddyville-Miller High School graduate will attend Mid-Plains Community College in McCook this fall to study criminal justice. She has decided to forego college rodeo, at least for her freshman year, to be able to concentrate on her studies. “Rodeo will take up a lot of time and practice and I’d rather focus on school,” she said.

She also finished in third place in the barrels and will be at Nationals in that event as well.

She is the daughter of Matt and Melissa McTygue.

Light rifle champion – Jate Saults, Big Springs

Jate Saults is the light rifle champion for the Nebraska State High School Rodeo Association.  

State competition was held in an indoor shooting range, which was beneficial, he said, with no bad weather to affect the competitors.

He shot a personal best, with a final score of 298 out of 320. “That was a really good day for me.”

This will be Saults’ third trip to Nationals in the shooting; he will also compete in the team roping at the NHSFR, having won second with header Brent Charlton.

He’s ready to be in Lincoln for Nationals. “I’m looking forward to representing Nebraska. I think a lot of kids will really like how big our city is and how much there is to do. When you’re in Rock Springs (Wyoming, where former NHSFR events have been held), it’s out in the middle of nowhere.”

For complete results, visit http://www.hsrodeo-nebraska.com/results. For more information on the state finals and the NHSFR, www.hsrodeo-nebraska.com, www.NHSFRLincoln.org, and www.nhsra.com.

###

Nebraska High School Qualifiers for the 2021 National High School Finals Rodeo in Lincoln, Neb. July 18-24.

Bareback riding:

Champion: Spencer Denaeyer, Seneca

2. Tanner Drueke, Sutherland
3. Cole Kerner, Sutherland
4. Tate Miller, Springview

Barrel racing

Champion: Elle Ravenscroft, Nenzel

2. Taci Flinn, Arcadia
3. Madison Mills, Eddyville
4. Jenae Whitaker, Chambers

Alternate -Clancy Jo Brown, North Platte

Boys cutting:

Champion: Cooper Bass, Brewster

2. Hayden Jennings, Seneca
3. Cody Miller, Broken Bow
4. Bo Bushhousen, St. Libory

Alternate – Tatum Olson, Bloomfield

Breakaway roping

Champion: Jaya Nelson, Bassett

2. Wacey Day, Fleming, Colo.
3. Jace Hurlburt, Arcadia
4. Tehya From, Crookston

Alternate – Emma Ohm, Hyannis

Bull riding:

Champion:. Hunter Boydston, Grover, Colo.

2. Cole Kerner, Sutherland
3. Tanner Drueke, Sutherland
4. Dalton Garey, Broken Bow

Alternate – Drew Farrell, Merriman

Girls cutting:

Champion: Mekenna Fisher, Hershey

2. Peyton Fisher, Hershey
3. Faith Storer, Arthur
4. Whitney Jennings, Seneca

Alternate -Emma Pearson, Broken Bow

Goat tying:

Champion:. Wacey Day, Fleming, Colo.

2. Jessica Stevens, Creighton
3. Emma Ohm, Hyannis
4. Kaci Wickersham, Verdigre

Alternate – Kinley Greenough, Kearney

Pole bending

Champion: Madison Mills, Eddyville

2. Clancy Jo Brown, North Platte
3. Abigail Lawton, Overton
4. Jenae Whitaker, Chambers

Alternate – Lauren Lehl, Alliance

Saddle bronc riding

Champion: Brody McAbee, Ansley

2. Leif Meidell, Harrison
3. Monty Bailey, Lakeside
4. Dean Schroder, Taylor

Alternate – Augustus Painter, Ainsworth

Steer wrestling

Champion: Dane Pokorny, Stapleton

2. Coy Johnston, Stapleton
3. Rhett Witt, Valentine
4. Rex Day, Bartlett

Alternate – Gage Davis, Cody

Team roping

Champions: Hayse Wetzel, Palmer and Ryan Shepherd, North Platte.

2. Brent Charlton, North Platte and Jate Saults, Big Springs
3. Cooper Bass, Brewster and Zack Bradley, Brewster
4. Jace Hurlburt, Arcadia and Tate Talkington, Scottsbluff

Alternate – Jasper Neal, Amherst, Sage Dieter, Alma

Tie-down roping

Champion: Tate Talkington, Scottsbluff

2. Layne Wallinger, Stuart
3. Trace Travnicek, Minatare
4. Matthew Miller, Callaway

Alternate – Rhett Witt, Valentine

Reined cow horse

Champion: Tatum Olson, Bloomfield

2. Tate Talkington, Scottsbluff

3 (tie) Charlie Bortner, McCook, and Tucker Gillespie, McCook

Alternate – Hope Brosius, Enders

Light rifle shooting

Champion: Jate Saults, Big Springs

2. Cooper Phillips, Burwell
3. Kalyn Nielsen, Verdigre
4. Hope Brosius, Enders

Alternate – Justin Wenzel, Arthur

Trap shooting

Champion: Tanner Ellis, Minden

2. Ashton Higgins, Neligh
3. Justin Wenzel, Arthur
4. Ty Growcock, Barlett

Alternate – Shealynn Rasmussen, Burwell

Cutlines:

Spencer Denaeyer, Seneca, is the 2020-2021 Nebraska High School bareback riding champion. He will be a senior at Mullen High School this fall. Photo by Steph Miller.

Nenzel’s Elle Ravenscroft won the barrel racing title for the 2020-2021 Neb. High School Rodeo Association. A graduate of Cody-Kilgore High School, she will play basketball at Chadron College this fall. Photo by Steph Miller.

Cooper Bass wins the boys cutting for the 2020-2021 Neb. High School Rodeo Association. He is a resident of Brewster. Photo by Steph Miller.

Ansley’s Brody McAbee is the saddle bronc riding champion for the 2020-2021 Neb. High School Rodeo Association. Photo by Steph Miller.

CASPER, Wyo. (June 13, 2021) — After two years of ups and downs, the 72^nd edition of the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) got off to a rousing start at the Ford Wyoming Center in Casper.

Last year’s events were cancelled due to the pandemic and this year contestants, fans, coaches, the state of Wyoming and Casper community are all excited to be celebrating college rodeo again. The competition started off with the Bulls Broncs and Breakaway Sunday afternoon which saw the first round complete in four events.

The first round of bareback riding featured some of the best that the CNFR has ever seen. Cole Franks from Clarendon (Texas) College won his signature event with a score of 83.5 points. Franks is also in the top 20 in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and won the Southwest Region of the National Intercollegiate Association. He is making a bid for the all-around here competing in the saddle bronc riding as well where he got 73.5 points to finish in the 11^th spot.

– Sophomore Cole Franks from Clarendon College won the first round of bareback riding at the 72nd CNFR on Sunday with an 83.5-point ride. CNFR photo by Jackie Jensen.

Franks is the son of Bret Franks who qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in saddle bronc riding. Franks has been coaching at Clarendon College and has had two national saddle bronc riding champions to his credit. Wyatt Casper won the CNFR in 2016 and Riggin Smith was the 2019 champion and helped their men’s team finish in third place.

There were only six points separating the top eight in the bareback riding and among those was champion Lane McGeHee from Sam Houston State University who won the title here in 2016 as a freshman. McGeHee tied with Ty Pope from Missouri Valley College for the fourth spot with 80 points each.

The popularity of breakaway roping has always been high here, but with the addition of the event at pro rodeos across the country competition is getting tougher. A time under two seconds got the top spot on Sunday. Winter Williams from Southwestern Oklahoma State University stopped the clock in 1.9 seconds for the win.

Williams just earned her degree in allied health sciences and is also competing in the barrel racing here. She will have her first run in that event on Monday morning during slack and will be in contention for a women’s all-around title.

Another degree earning senior got the win in the saddle bronc riding and while he calls Craig, Colorado home, he is a Wyoming Cowboy. Garrett Uptain, who got his bachelor’s degree in ag business from the University of Wyoming scored 79.5 points to edge out Clarendon College’s Weston Patterson and Western Texas College’s Dylan Schofield who each had 79 points for second place.

The 2018 National High School Rodeo Association champion bull rider Cole Skender was the most successful contestant here in the first round. Skender, who won his high school title for his home state of Arkansas now attends Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He was one of seven successful riders on Sunday and earned the top spot with a 84.5-point ride.

Competition at the 2021 CNFR continues with slack on Monday, June 14 beginning at 7 a.m. The first round of barrel racing, goat tying, steer wrestling, tie-down roping and team roping will be completed then. The bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, bull riding and breakaway roping will be in the second round.

###

CASPER, Wyo.—The following are results from Bulls Broncs and Breakaway at the College National Finals Rodeo, June 13, 2021, courtesy of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. Complete results are available at www.collegerodeo.com.

Breakaway Roping: (first-round winners) 1, Winter Williams, Southwest Oklahoma State University, 1.9 seconds. 2, (tie) Grace Felton, Lassen College, and Zoie Bedke, Idaho State University, 2.1. 4, Harley Lynn, Southern Arkansas University, 2.2. 5, Abbie Shofner, New Mexico State University, 2.3. 6, Alli Masters, Northeastern Oklahoma State University, 2.5, 7, Courney Peters, Black Hills State University, 2.7. 8, (tie) Tanegai Zilverberg, Mitchell Technical Institute; and Jade Boote, Dickinson State University, and Catherine Clayton, Cochise, College, 2.8 seconds.

Bareback Riding: (first round winners) 1, Cole Franks, Clarendon College, 83.5 points. 2, Jacob Lees, Western Texas College, 83. 3, Waylon Bourgeois, McNeese State University, 81.5. 4, Lane McGehee, Sam Houston State University, and Ty Pope, Missouri Valley College, 80 points each. 6, Dean Thompson, Western Texas College, 79.5. 7, Kolt Dement, Panola Junior College, 79. 8, Nick Pelke, Missouri Valley College, 77.5.

Saddle Bronc Riding: (first round winners) 1, Garrett Uptain, University of Wyoming, 79.5 points. 2, Weston Patterson, Clarendon College, and Dylan Schofield, Western Texas College, 79 points each. 4, Jake Barnes, Tarleton State University, 77.5. 6, (tie) Cash Wilson, Clarendon College and Cash Wilson, College of Southern Idaho, 76 points each. 8, Quinten Taylor, Casper College, 75.

Bull Riding: (first round winners) 1, (tie) Cole Skender, Three Rivers College, 84.5 points. 2, Quinten Taylor, Casper, College, 79.4. 3, Cullen Telfer, Tarleton State University, 78. 4, Hunter Tate, Coffeyville Community College, 77. 5, Trey Holston, Fort Scott Community College, 73.5. 5, Chris Villanueva, Sam Houston State University, 73. 7, Holden Moss, Three Rivers College, 69.5.

Nebraska high school rodeo cowboys work in the arena alongside their dad

Hazard, Neb.  (June 8, 2021) – It’s a family affair when the Heikels work a rodeo.

Lance, and he and wife Marti’s sons Cinch and Riggin, work as pickup men at high school rodeos across the state.

A pickup man’s duties are to help the rider safely dismount from a bucking horse, as he takes off the bucking horse’s back cinch and flank strap and maneuvers his own horse close to the action.

It’s not a job for the faint of heart, and it helps if the pickup man is a good horseman.

Lance started picking up in 1992, working for regional rodeo associations and for PRCA stock contractors.

Older son Cinch, who is eighteen, started with his dad at Nebraska State High School Rodeo Association rodeos five years ago, and Riggin, who is fifteen, started this year.

It’s more than what goes on in the arena, however. Pickup men often help feed and sort cattle, and if the boys choose to stay out with friends till late, Lance still makes them get up and get to work. He tells them, “you’re hired to do a job. There isn’t any sleeping in.”

The boys are no strangers to hard work. While their dad works at the Kearney sale barn, they take care of the family’s cattle herd.

Being a pickup man requires the ability to be a good horseman and read livestock, Lance said. “You have to have livestock savvy,” he said, “and be able to read animals. And you have to ride a good horse.”

The Heikel have good partners, as Lance calls their horses. They make most of their own, and use them for more than just picking up at rodeos. They ranch and compete on them, both in high school rodeo and at ranch rodeos. “We have a theory at our place,” he said. “They have to do all the above or we don’t keep them.”

Being on good horses makes picking up easier. “You have to ride a good horse. If you have a good one underneath you, it makes it ten times easier.”

Cinch is a 2021 graduate of Pleasanton High School; Riggin will be a sophomore at Pleasanton High this fall. Both boys compete in the Nebraska State High School Rodeo Association, in the tie-down roping and the team roping. Last year, Cinch finished as reserve state champ header and qualified for the National High School Finals Rodeo in the team roping, heading for Hunter Heath.

Cinch has some rodeos lined out for this summer, to pick up. Then, this fall, he’ll attend horseshoeing school, and be back to work, shoeing horses, working for local ranchers, and picking up. Riggin will be in the high school rodeo arenas, alongside his dad, picking up.

Being a pickup man provides a front seat to the action in the arena, Lance said.

“If your (equine) partner is good, the horses are bucking and the cowboys are riding, there’s no better feeling in the world.

“Picking up is really just about being a cowboy.”

Riggin, who heels for Everett Blackburn, will compete at the Nebraska State High School Finals Rodeo in Hastings June 17-19. The rodeo takes place at the Adams County Fairgrounds (947 S. Baltimore Street). The first round is on June 17 at 10 am and 6 pm; the second round is June 18 at 11 am and 6 pm. The finals are at 1 pm on June 19.

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

Tim O’Connell took the win with a 94 point ride on Gunfire of Frontier Rodeo Company. “It was like old home week,” said Gail Woerner, rodeo historian, who attended the event at the Steiner Ranch in Weatherford, Texas, for the second time. “All the who’s who of rough stock riding were there.” It was great watching for the more than 300 in attendance.”

RIGGIN RALLY     2ND PERFORMANCE SATURDAY MATINEE        April 3, 2021

Section 1

1. 63 Chad Rutherford             Hillsboro, TX              447 NATURAL HELL R PK
2. 53 Shane O’Connell Rapid City, SD            2808 NIGHT LIVIN R PK
3. 64 Garrett Shadbolt Merriman, NE               400 NEARLY WILD L PK
4. 11 Jake Brown Cleveland, TX             2608 SHORT NIGHT L PK                           5.        24      Kaycee Feild Genola, UT 953 Bar Code R                     PK
5. 41 Orin Larsen Inglis, MB                9824 FRECKLED FROG R PK
6. 34 Clay Jorgenson Watford City, ND           P37 Happy Trails L CP
7. 5 Clayton Biglow Clements, CA               277 WHITCHY WOMAN L CP
8. 27 Seth Lee Hardwick           Ranchester, WY             224 Last Freckles R                          PK
9. 69 Bill Tutor Huntsville, TX               N5 Candy Girl L CP

Section 2

1. 38 Kody Lamb Sherwood Park, AB          303 PAINTED FLING R HV
2. 56 Logan Patterson             Kim, CO                   906+ TIP OFF R FR
3. 14 Richmond Champion Stevensville, MT           605 TIMES UP L FR
4. 72 Craig Wisehart Kersey, CO                 465 PRIME NEWS L FR
5. 54 Tim O’Connell Zwingle, IA                 50 BOTTOM LINE R FR
6. 61 Cole Reiner Kaycee, WY                 560 BIG DANCE R FR
7. 47 Will Martin Goodwell, OK               830 Sun Glow L HV
8. 30 Jamie Howlett Wasta, SD                   19 BIG LEAGUE L FR
9. 39 Bodee Lammers               Stephenville, TX            957 Crossfire  R            FR
10. 9 Ty Breuer                   Mandan, ND                  28 PAINTED SMOKE L FR

Section 3

1. 45 Buck Lunak Cut bank, MT               +13 Pow Wow Nation R UP
2. 7 Wyatt Bloom Belgrade, MT                K7 BIG SHOW R   CP
3. 31 Paden Hurst Bedias, TX                 813 SPICY CHICKEN L                           HV
4. 16 Mason Clements Spanish Fork, UT           467 Hoppin Tom   SS
5. 4 Tyler Berghuis Atwater, MN                288 Whiskey Trip R UP
6. 10 Taylor Broussard Estherwood, LA             107 POW WOW ROCKS R CP
7. 3 Caleb Bennett Corvallis, MT              767 PAINTED COAST L HV
8. 29 Tilden Hooper Carthage, TX               007 Moon Valley L HV
9. 59 Jess Pope                   Waverly, KS                202 KARATE HOTTIE R HV
10. 2 Tanner Aus                  Granite Falls, MN          307 RISKY MISTRESS L                          HV

Rerides: 1^st sect: 445 CP,C24 SS,2^nd Sect:829 HV, 746 HV,406 PK, 3^rd sect: 981 SS, 274 CP, 444 UP

Finals

Stock Contractors:

Championship Pro Rodeo              CP        Four Star Rodeo   JD

Frontier Rodeo                      FR        New Star Rodeo    NS

Pickett Pro Rodeo Co                PK        Salt River Rodeo  SR

Stace Smith Pro Rodeo               SS        United Pro Rodeo  UP

Various                             VS        Vold Rodeo        HV

GUTHRIE, Okla. (March 15, 2021) – Fans watched the greatest jackpot team roper in history extend his record of wins and break the all-time earnings record at the world’s richest pro roping Sunday night in Oklahoma.

Kory Koontz, 49, of Stephenville, Texas, clinched victory at the Wrangler Bob Feist Invitational (BFI) presented by Yeti for the record third time, riding a horse he raised and nursed back to health after a horrific auto accident a year ago. Exactly 25 years after Koontz won back-to-back BFI titles with Rube Woolsey and Matt Tyler, he and Manny Egusquiza Jr. roped six steers in 46.48 seconds to earn $150,000 cash plus epic prizes. They bested more than 130 teams at the 44^th BFI, held this year at the Lazy E Arena in Guthrie three months prior to its traditional June date.

“It felt like there was a lot of energy in this building for me and Manny to win this,” said the characteristically humble Koontz, who’s a grandfather now and has earned $2.5 million with his rope at rodeos alone. “I’m just a guy trying to rope for a living. In my career, I’ve truly been blessed.”

The championship at the 44^th BFI brings to a whopping 12 the number of “grand slams” at which Koontz has taken the victory lap over his 30-year career. He won the Wildfire Open to the World a record five times, took home three trailers from the George Strait Team Roping Classic, won the US Open and now, his third BFI. It puts him far ahead of Clay O’Brien Cooper and Travis Graves, who’ve won seven “majors” each. The only other heeler with three BFI titles is Hall-of-Famer Rich Skelton, whose all-time earnings record was just smashed by Koontz’ new BFI total of $239,514.

“When I won this roping in 1995, it paid $25,000,” marveled Koontz, who took home $77,000 cash on Sunday, plus a custom trophy Coats saddle, Gist buckle, Yeti cooler, Resistol hat, Heel-O-Matic training machine and more. “I feel like the things I won later have meant more. So, making the NFR in 2017-18, winning the Wildfire the fifth time and now the BFI the third time… I’m almost 50 years old, so I appreciate it more. In the old days, I was supposed to win. But I felt like when I walked in here today, there was no person that thought I was going to win. So it’s just such a blessing. It’s taken a lot of hard work.”

The BFI is the most lucrative but challenging team roping event for pros in America. The typical format has the hundred best teams in the world invited to rope six steers that have a 20-foot head start, for a purse of $700,000 in cash and prizes.

Koontz and Egusquiza, both from Stephenville, Texas, maintained their high callback position after a rare miss by veteran header Riley Minor in the fifth round. Roping last in the sixth and final round, they needed just a nine-second run to win the aggregate. Instead, Egusquiza and Koontz won the short round with a quick 7.1 to seal the deal over Andrew Ward of nearby Edmond, Oklahoma, and Buddy Hawkins, a Kansas native also of Stephenville now. The reserve champs – who raked in $54,000 for placing fourth last year – split $101,000 cash plus similar prizes.

“I was so focused today,” said Egusquiza, who at 44 is the older brother of 25-year-old Dustin Egusquiza – Koontz’ partner from 2017-19 and the current world No. 2 header. “I almost feel like I cheated because I get to compete so often around my little brother. He’ll see something I didn’t see and we help each other throughout the roping. We’re always pulling for each other. It’s peaceful.”

Koontz, a 22-time NFR heeler who has won every major rodeo and the ten-round NFR back in 1997, has been in so many roping spotlights that he doesn’t get nervous nor think of anything except “roping the cow.” As for Egusquiza, he kept his mind off the pressure by checking in with his wife, Candis, and son and daughter who were competing over the weekend, themselves.

Egusquiza and Koontz felt like their roping styles would fit the BFI perfectly. They often practice together and have been entering area rodeos since last fall. Egusquiza grew up in Florida, heeling, and switched ends about a decade ago. While he’s had success, including a fourth-place finish at the 2012 BFI heading for Brad Culpepper, this marks his biggest win to date.

“This is life-changing money,” said Egusquiza. He plans to use the windfall to finally purchase the horse he’s been riding for three years. “Sleepy” is registered as Ty’s Luck Star and owned by the Wiley family of Pleasanton, Texas. Formerly, he was a professional barrel racing horse owned by Ivy Hurst.

“He rode the hell out of him and made it look easy,” said Koontz of his partner.

Koontz’ dun horse “Remix” is better than he’s ever been after years of being “an outlaw” and months of rehabilitation stemming from the January 2020 accident that totaled Koontz’ truck and trailer and killed his other horse. Over Koontz’ illustrious 30-year-career, his former mounts Iceman, Jackyl and Switchblade will go down in history as the best heel horses ever. Remix was a gift as a yearling a dozen years ago from Joe Braman, and Koontz nicknamed him in hopes he’d feature attributes of all three great horses. On Sunday, 13-year-old Remix won the Heel Horse of the BFI trophy. It didn’t surprise Koontz.

“I thought he outshined every horse there,” he admitted. “He let me throw fast and he let me have another swing when I wanted it. He did everything a heel horse needed to do.”

The Head Horse of the BFI award went to a little 7-year-old buckskin gelding called “LeRoy” ridden by Oklahoma’s Jake Clay, who placed ninth in the roping with Rance Doyal for $13,000. Registered as Shining Freckles, the horse was trained and is owned by Kevin Williams of Arkansas.

“He scored awesome every time; ran hard, pulled and faced,” said Clay, who’s dating Williams’ daughter.

Finally, Canadian header Levi Simpson and his Texan partner Tyler Worley took home the annual Rickey Green Overall Fast Time award for their 5.53-second run that won Round Three (the pair also won the second round to split $16,000 total).

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

Complete results from the 2021 Bob Feist Invitational:

First Round:  1. Jr Dees and Gralyn Elkins, 6.54 seconds, $8,000; 2. Riley Minor and Brady Minor, 6.61, $6,000; 3. Cory Clark and Wyatt Cox, 6.84, $4,000; 4. Quinn Kesler and Caleb Hendrix, 6.96, $2,000.

Second Round:  1. Levi Simpson and Tyler Worley, 6.41 seconds, $8,000; 2. Justin Lovell and Tyler McKnight, 6.55, $6,000; 3. Briar Teague and Jessen James, 6.59, $4,000; 4. Rhen Richard and Jeremy Buhler, 6.61, $2,000.

Third Round:  1. Levi Simpson and Tyler Worley, 5.53 seconds, $8,000; 2. Cory Kidd and Ben O’Gambrell, 6.32, $6,000; 3. Colby Lovell and Paul Eaves, 6.38, $4,000; 4 (tie). Nick Sartain and Reagan Ward; Clint Summers and Ross Ashford, 6.67 each, $1,000 each.

Fourth Round:  1. Colby Lovell and Paul Eaves, 5.75 seconds, $8,000; 2. Cody Clark and Wyatt Cox, 6.27, $6,000; 3. Shane Philipp and John Philipp, 6.38, $4,000; 4. Clint Peverley and Jake Pianalto, 6.95, $2,000.

Fifth Round:  1. Dustin Egisquiza and Travis Graves, 5.75 seconds, $8,000; 2. Clay Tryan and Jake Long, 5.88, $6,000; 3. Aaron Macy and Jason Johe, 5.92, $4,000; 4. Cutter Duckett and JR Gonzalez, 6.43, $2,000.

Wrangler/Priefert Short Round:  1. Manny Egusquiza and Kory Koontz, 7.16 seconds, $4,000; 2. Coleman Proctor and Logan Medlin, 7.17, $3,000; 3. Clay Tryan and Jake Long, 7.34, $2,000; 4. Andrew Ward and Buddy Hawkins, 7.79, $1,000.

Aggregate:  1. Manny Egusquiza and Kory Koontz, 46.48 seconds on six steers, $150,000; 2. Andrew Ward and Buddy Hawkins, 48.34, $100,000; 3. Clay Tryan and Jake Long, 49.76, $70,000; 4. Clint Summers and Ross Ashford, 50.64, $46,000; 5. Clayton VanAken and TJ Watts, 51.37, $38,000; 6. Jake Orman and Brye Crites, 52.86, $26,000; 7. Coleman Proctor and Logan Medlin, 53.70, $20,000; 8. Wyatt Bray and Mason Pitts, 53.97, $14,000; 9. Jake Cooper Clay and Rance Doyal, 58.77, $13,000; 10. Casey Hicks and Steve Orth, 58.79, $12,000; 11. Hayes Smith and Justin Davis, 44.63 seconds on five steers, $11,000; 12. Rhett Anderson and Cullen Teller, 46.22, $10,000; 13. Jaxson Tucker and Dustin Searcy, 46.50, $9,000; 14. Britt Smith and Jake Smith, 46.99, $8,000; 15. Jeff Flenniken and Shay Carroll, 47.26, $8,000.

###

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. It anchors four subsequent days of eight additional high-stakes amateur ropings that are among most lucrative in the world.

The Cinch Timed Event Championship is in the books, and Mississippi’s Marcus Theriot rode the roller coaster to the end of the tracks for the biggest win of his young career. With 25 runs—five each in heading, heeling, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and steer roping—done in 322.4 seconds, Theriot won $100,000 and is just the 17th Ironman in the tradition-rich TEC’s 37-year history.

This 9.2-second tie-down roping run in Round 5 moved Theriot to #1 in the average. Lazy E Photo James Phifer

“I love this event,” said the five-year Timed Event veteran, who made his first appearance at 18 and is still just 23. “It’s not easy, and I’ve had my ups and downs this week, like everyone else. It’s finally over, and I’m finally where I want to be when it’s finished. I’ve been working harder than I ever have, and it paid off.”

Theriot earned eight national titles—four in junior high, two in high school and two in college—on his climb up the rodeo ranks. But this Timed Event title trumps them all.

“This is definitely #1—100 percent,” said Theriot, who enlisted heading and heeling help from Shay Carroll, and had Tyler Pearson on the hazing side. “I’m not sure if this is a tougher physical or mental test, but as sore as I am right now, I might be leaning toward physical.

“The Lazy E is so historic, and every time we come here, it’s for a big event. I’ve been coming to this arena since I was a little kid, and it’s still as big as it’s always been. I love the Lazy E.”

Tyler Pearson is one of many unsung heroes that helped this week. Lazy E Photo James Phifer

Theriot will celebrate tonight, then turn right around and head for cousin Cole Curry in tomorrow’s BFI here at the E.

Rounding out the overall top five finishers at this year’s Ironman were South Dakota’s Paul David Tierney, New Mexico’s Seth Hall, California’s Lane Karney and Oklahoma native Clay Smith. Arizona’s Erich Rogers won Round 5 tonight in 51 seconds flat.

Tonight’s opening included the unveiling of the Timed Event Championship of the World Ring of Honor, which now includes the late Leo Camarillo, Trevor Brazile, K.C. Jones, Paul Tierney, Jess Tierney, Paul David Tierney, Daniel Green, Mike Beers, Jimmie Cooper, Bobby Harris, Olie Smith, Kyle Lockett, Josh Peek, Jordan Ketscher, Justin Thigpen and Taylor Santos, and included a touching tribute to the late Leo “The Lion.” Jones and Paul Tierney are now tied at 29 for the most Timed Event appearances ever.

Tonight, we honored 16 Ironman Legends, including the one who started it all and the first to leave us, Leo “The Lion” Camarillo. Lazy E Photo James Phifer

See complete 2021 Cinch Timed Event coverage and results at LazyE.com.

Briar Teague closed the deal on the 2021 Jr Ironman the hard way here at the Lazy E today. The Rattan, Oklahoma, teenager won Rounds 1 and 2, and it was a good thing, as Round 3 was a bit rocky and he ended up needing that buffer. Teague opened the third and final round with a 7-second heading run and a 13-second tie-down roping run. It was all about stopping the clock after that. Then he had to rebuild in the heeling, and missed his bulldogging steer. But Teague did not quit. He ran the length of the 400-foot Lazy E Arena to try and get that last steer thrown. The buzzer beat him, but he got it done anyway. And the crowd went crazy. With 200.4 seconds on 12 runs, Teague was able to hold off reserve champ Jaylyn Hash, who finished with a close 201.2 on 12.

“I thought a 60 (no time) was second,” managed an exhausted Teague at event’s end. “I just had to knock that last steer down is all that was going through my head. Then I missed him. It’s a big relief that it worked out the way it did. This is winning it the hard way.”

The Ironman comes down to horsepower. Teague rode his own horses in 3 out of 4 events. Lazy E Photo James Phifer

Teague won $11,500 for first in the average and the Round 1 and 2 wins.

“I’ll rodeo with this money,” he said. “To be recognized at this level is amazing. That I was able to do my job good enough to win it is the main thing. For the Lazy E to put an event of this caliber on for young guys who might be future Timed Event contestants is outstanding.”

Teague rode his own horses—Rolex, Cat and Vegas—in the heading, tie-down and heeling, respectively. World Champion Header Erich Rogers headed for him in the heeling, and Briar’s best buddy, Jessen James, heeled for him in the heading. Teague rode World Champion Steer Wrestler Tyler Pearson’s bay bulldogging horse Tubby, and Pearson hazed for him.

The Lone Star Ropes Jr Ironman Top Horse Award went to Hash’s steer wrestling horse, Cooper.

Another Round 3 highlight was Guthrie, Oklahoma’s own Dawson Price setting a new 3.9-second Jr Ironman record in his hometown here today.

See complete Jr Ironman and Cinch Timed Event Championship results and coverage at LazyE.com.

March 7, 2021 – RFD-TV’s The American Rodeo Presented by Durango Boots has crowned its 2021 champions, and each of these winners, for the first time in the American Rodeo history, are all from the top 10 world invitees, each taking home $100,000 in prize money.  Because no qualifier won their event, there was no million dollar bonus this year, and now the million will carry over to next year to potentially turn someone into the next multi-million dollar cowboy.

“All of these champions today demonstrated such strength and perseverance throughout the entire competition and there were so many incredible performances,” said The American Rodeo CEO Randy Bernard. “We were so fortunate to host this event this year under extraordinary times and all of the athletes were extremely appreciative to have something to look forward to and compete when many events were unable to operate due to Covid.”

After 11 days of competition from slack rounds to the Semi-Finals in Fort Worth to Arlington, the final champions of the American Rodeo have been decided in an epic battle to one of the most coveted titles in western sports.

The following 2021 American Rodeo winners are as follows:

7X NFR qualifier Tilden Hooper takes the Bareback title and after a seasoned career can now claim winner of The American Rodeo and sets him up well for a world title.  “Man that was awesome.  That Gunfire is a special horse and I was super excited to draw her,” he said when accepting his $100,000 check. Below photo by Jake Link Photography The American Rodeo / Rural Media Group

Ryder Wright on horse All or Nothing wins Saddle Bronc with a 91.25, making this his second American Rodeo win in three years.  When asked about winning this year and the support of his brothers he responds, “It’s awesome and I think that’s why we have so much success.  We all do the same thing and to have my brothers behind me on the chutes, you can’t beat family.” He adds, “This is awesome and all of us cowboys appreciate these guys pulling through and having this rodeo with all the stuff going on right now.”  Below photo by Jake Link Photography The American Rodeo / Rural Media Group

Colten Fritzlan wins his first American Rodeo in Bull Riding at the age of 21 and climbs the steps for his check with a big smile on his face.  “This is definitely what I’ve been looking forward to for a long time. I’m glad it worked out and I am blessed.  For one thing, I like it over here in Arlington and all the hard work we put in everyday made it work out. I just take it every bull at a time and have the right mindset and let it all hang out.” Colten also won in 2020 the PRCA Resistol Rookie of the Year for bull riding.  Below photo by Jake Link Photography The American Rodeo / Rural Media Group

Breakaway Roping winner Jill Tanner took eight years off and said, “I for sure didn’t think I was going to win it.  I am definitely not the best roper here but today was my day.“ Below photo by Shelby Caitlin PhotographyThe American Rodeo / Rural Media Group

Shane Hanchey ends up with the win for Tie-Down Roping and has the will and heart of a champion.  “I just feel like I am the best roper in the world.  If you don’t believe it, then you’re not it.  Confidence is the main key to this game from bareback to bull riding.  I just felt on that horse, I had all the confidence in the world and if not for TJ, I wouldn’t be here.” Below Photo by Jake Link Photography The American Rodeo / Rural Media Group

Barrel Racing winner Hailey Kinsel continues to win and is a 3x American Rodeo champion.  “We are grateful for every opportunity, especially really nice ones like this and especially after such a hard year on everyone and being given something to run at and able to showcase my amazing horse.”  Below Photo by: RC Photography – The American Rodeo / Rural Media Group

Veteran world champion Erich Rogers and young gun Paden Bray, who won the 2020 NFR average, take the American Rodeo title for Team Roping and Rogers, a 10X NFR qualifier, says this is one he’s been wanting for a long time.  “This buckle here is pretty sweet. The fans and sponsors and everyone behind the scenes have given us the opportunity for this money and buckle and we are here to show our talents.” said Rogers.  Below photo by Shelby Caitlin Photography – The American Rodeo / Rural Media Group

Steer Wrestling The American Rodeo champion Jacob Talley puts on a show winning the $100,000 prize and had a spectacular run all day in both the long go and short go rounds.  When asked how he felt about his final ride he said, “It’s a little nerve wracking waiting to go.  It’s amazing and unreal to win so early in the year.”  Below photo by Shelby Caitlin Photography – The American Rodeo / Rural Media Group

BAREBACK RESULTS

1             Tilden Hooper    90.50     $100,000

2             Tim O’Connell     89.25     $25,000

3             Kaycee Feild        88.50     $15,000

4             Cole Reiner         88.25     $5,000

BREAKAWAY RESULTS

1             Jill Tanner            2.65       $100,000

2             Kaycee Hollingback          3.08       $25,000

3             Sydnie Romero   3.78       $15,000

4             Hope Thompson               1000      $5,000

TEAM ROPING RESULTS

1             Erich Rogers/Paden Bray               5.05       $100,000 (each)

2             Luke Brown/Wesley Thorp            6.35       $25,000

3             Derrick Begay/Matt Sherwood     7.87       $15,000

4             Clay Smith/Jade Corkill    9.44       $5,000

STEER WRESTLING RESULTS

1             Jacob Tally          3.87       $100,000

2             Tyler Pearson     4.82       $25,000

3             Cody Devers       4.88       $15,000

4             Will Lummus       5.86       $5,000

SADDLE BRONC RESULTS

1             Ryder Wright      91.25     $100,000

2             Stetson Wright   86.75     $25,000

3             Zeke Thurston    82.50     $15,000

4             Sage Newmann  0             $5,000

TIE-DOWN ROPING RESULTS

1             Shane Hanchey  7.74       $100,000

2             Tuf Cooper          8.14       $25,000

3             Cody Craig          10.20     $15,000

4             Hunter Reamue  1000      $5,000

BARREL RACING RESULTS

1             Hailey Kinsel       15.420   $100,000

2             Stevi Hillman       15.903   $25,000

3             Jessica Routier   16.014   $15,000

4             Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi     22.002   $5,000

BULL RIDING RESULTS

1             Colten Fritzlan    90.25     $100,000

2             Sage Kimzey        89.00     $25,000

3             Dustin Boquet    87.00     $15,000

4             Marco Eguchi     0             $5,000

The American Rodeo Semi-Finals have come to a finish at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX, and the athletes moving on to compete against the best in world have been determined. Here’s a look at the top athletes moving on in each event to fight for the next $1 million. The action for the AMERICAN shoot out starts at 2 pm CST on the Cowboy Channel.

BAREBACK RESULTS

1             Kaycee Feild        88.5

2             Tim O’Connell     87.00

3             Clayton Biglow   86.5

4             Tilden Hooper    86.25

5             Mason Clements               85.25

6             Jess Pope             84.75

7             Tanner Aus          84.25

8             Cole Reiner         83.75

BREAKAWAY RESULTS

1             Sydnie Romero   2.35

2             Jill Tanner            2.81

3             Whitlee Burgess 3.29

4             Loni Kay Lester   3.44

5             Kaycee Hollingback          3.55

6             Josie Conner       3.77

7             Hope Thompson               3.98

8             MiKayla McCoy  4.47

TEAM ROPING RESULTS

1             Clay Smith/Jade Corkill    4.75

2             Jeff Flenniken/Tyler Worley          4.82

3             Luke Brown/Wesley Thorp            4.90

4             Derrick Begay/MattSherwood      5.00

5             Colby Lovell/Paul Eaves 5.17

6             Clay Tryan/Jake Long      5.24

7             Erich Rogers/Paden Bray               5.29

8             Britt Smith/Douglas Rich                5.75

STEER WRESTLING RESULTS

1             Scott Guenthner               3.96

2             Will Lummus       4.48

3             Tyler Waguespack            4.52

4             Jacob Edler         4.59

5             Tyler Pearson     4.90

6             Jacob Talley        5.06

7             Cody Devers       5.26

8             Tanner Milan      5.46

SADDLE BRONC RESULTS

1             Ryder Wright      90.75

2             Sage Newman    87.25

3             Brody Cress         87.00

4             Allen Boore         86.25

5             Rusty Wright       86.25

6             Lefty Holman      84.50

7             Stetson Wright   84.25

8             Zeke Thurston    83.75

TIE-DOWN ROPING RESULTS

1             Marty Yates        7.94

2             Shane Hanchey  8.13

3             Tuf Cooper          8.54

4             Garrett Jacobs    8.55

5             Westyn Hughes 9.04

6             Hunter Reaume 9.17

7             Cody Craig          9.40

8             Riley Webb          9.59

BARREL RACING RESULTS

1             Stevi Hillman       15.807

2             Hailey Kinsel       15.917

3             Jill Wilson            16.061

4             Emily Miller         16.076

5             Taylor Smith       16.089

6             Tiany Schuster    16.112

7             Jessica Routier   16.151

8             Brittany Pozzi-Tonozzi     16.155

BULL RIDING RESULTS

1             Colten Fritzlan    89.75

2             Sage Kimzey        86.50

3             Marco Eguchi     86.50

4             Dustin Boquet    85.25

5             Dalton Kasel       84.25

6             Jeff Askey            84.00

7             Cooper Davis      81.50

8             Ky Hamilton*Advances on time* 0