Category: Rodeo Life Today

 

LAS VEGAS – Big Stone Rodeo Inc.’s Spotted Demon has been too much to handle for almost every cowboy. But the 2018 PRCA Bull of the Year met his match Saturday night. Montpelier, La., cowboy Koby Radley registered an electric 92-point ride on Spotted Demon to win Round 3 at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo before 16,831 at the Thomas & Mack Center. “I don’t know – but I knew a lot of it was the bull,” Radley said about his ride, which was a career best. “He has been around a long time and I’d seen a lot of good guys get on him and a lot of good guys get bucked off him. “It’s huge to ride Spotted Demon and to be 92 on him and win a round on him. To be able to ride one of the greatest bulls of all time is great. You are on Cloud 9; he was stout and all there, and I felt all 92 points out of him.” Radley – counting ground money – earned $33,560 for his victory. “It’s great,” Radley said of the big payday. “This is the rank pen and the best bulls in the world, and everyone who rode here had their hands full.” Radley made his Wrangler NFR debut a year ago but didn’t win a round. “I didn’t get a round win last year, and that was one of my goals this year,” Radley said. “It’s huge for my confidence to get a big win early in the Finals.” Chase Brooks ties Round 3 saddle bronc riding record  Chase Brooks won his first round of the 2019 Wrangler NFR with a Round 3 record-tying ride. The Deer Lodge, Mont., cowboy had a 90-point ride on Outlawbuckers Rodeo’s Lunatic Party. Brooks shares the Round 2 record with ProRodeo Hall of Famer Billy Etbauer, who had 90-point rides in 1999 and 2005, and Isaac Diaz, who did it in 2018. “Yeah, it was nice to have one that was that much fun,” Brooks said of Lunatic Party. “(Friday night) was a lot of work, and I came up a little short. “Oh, man, that’s awesome (to tie the record). Shoot, it’s cool to have my name by those guys. I’ve watched them since I was starting and looked up to them.” Between the 2018 Wrangler NFR and this year’s Finals, Brooks has been on a roll, winning three of the last seven rounds. “That’s pretty cool,” he said. “It’s nice to do one by myself, because I split every other (round win). It’s good to get one alone.” Tuf Cooper tops tie-down ropers Tuf Cooper, a three-time, tie-down roping world champion, knows how to win at the Thomas & Mack Center. Cooper added to his Wrangler NFR success by winning Round 3 with a 6.9-second run. Cooper earned a $26,231 check for his win. He’s sixth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $141,823. He’s also leading the average with a 24.5-second time on three head. Cooper, who won the 2017 all-around world title, is third in the all-around standings after three rounds. “It’s every cowboy’s dream to compete here, and winning a round feels amazing,” Cooper said. “I felt relaxed and was able to get the start that I wanted, so that helped out.” Although Cooper is a Wrangler NFR veteran, he still enjoys soaking in the experience. “Vegas is Cowboy Town during the NFR, it’s amazing,” Cooper said. “Our whole family is here and the entire Western industry. If you’re not here and read this, you’ve got seven nights to get out here. It’s a 10-day marathon, each night you’ve got to do your best. Every night you’ve got to rope better than all the other guys.” Bareback rider Tanner Aus takes win with 90-point ride The rematch for Tanner Aus was as good as the first. After winning Rodeo Corpus Christi (Texas) with a 90-point ride on Frontier Rodeo’s Full Baggage in April, it was more of the same for Aus and Full Baggage in Round 3 of the Wrangler NFR. Aus had a 90-point trip on Full Baggage to win the round and earn $26,231. “I would like to keep this 90-point streak going with that horse,” Aus said. “I was really excited to see that I had that one. That was a great horse to have in this pen. There were a lot of strong horses out (Saturday night), horses that strike fear into the hearts of men. I had a little history with that horse, and I was thankful. It feels good. You can’t stub your toe on him.” The ride was everything Aus thought it would be – and more. Full Baggage was the PRCA Bareback Horse of the Year in 2011 and 2013. “It kind of felt like it was all I could do to keep up with him to be honest,” Aus said. “It was a fight to the end, and he got to the fence right there at the whistle and it timed out perfectly. It was one of those where you don’t know what the score is going to be. I was thankful to hear it (the score). I’m kind of getting things rolling this week. It was a tough first couple of rounds, and now I got something good.” Aus received a no score in Round 1 and failed to place in Round 2. Team ropers Wade/Davison claim second win in three rounds Team ropers Tyler Wade and Cole Davison have already had a stout Wrangler NFR, and only three rounds have been completed. Wade/Davison won Round 1 with a 4.0-second run, then went out Saturday night and recorded a 3.7-second run to capture the Round 3 victory. “The money is awesome, and we have $62,000 won already and that is a good feeling,” Wade said. “It’s nice to have that much in the third round, but right now it’s too early to talk averages.” Davison also is happy about the way things are unfolding for his team. “Obviously, we are here to catch every one of them, and nobody thinks about the average until the end of the week because there’s so much money,” Davison said. “This is a humbling sport, so I just try to stay even keeled.” Wade and Davison know their respective horses are fueling their victory binge. “I rode my new bay named Spur,” Wade said. “This is his fifth steer with me in a rodeo setup, but he’s 12 years old now and was used for roping before by his previous owner. We did a lot of practice with him and he is taking it well. I was a little nervous about the crowd and sounds, but he’s doing great so far, and I hope he keeps it up.” Davison also praised his mount. “I was riding Apollo Oak,” Davison said. “I bought him from Rhen Richard. He (Apollo Oak) is pretty spot on, and I didn’t do a good job of getting out, but he reads the cow well.” Steer wrestler Hunter Cure claims title Hunter Cure, a two-time PRCA world champion steer wrestler, grabbed the headlines Saturday night. The Holliday, Texas, cowboy won the round with a 3.8-second run. The victory came after Cure had a wild Round 2 run where he flipped over and still registered an 8.9-second time. “It feels good to actually break the ice at any point in the week and get your first check, and it’s pretty sweet following up a pretty unique run from (Friday night) to a first-place run (Saturday night). It’s kind of a daylight and dark kind of thing.” Cure used his Friday run as a learning tool. “My hazer, Lee Graves, and I took about five minutes (Friday) when we finally got the right angle of both horses and the steer,” Cure said. “We frame-by-framed it until we figured out where our deficiencies were and got up this morning and tried to work on those.” Cure was quick to credit his success to Graves, who won steer wrestling world championships in 2005 and 2009. “You can’t replace a two-time world champion steer wrestler, but also a man who’s hazed over 100 steers in this building,” Cure said. “So, I’m very fortunate to have him in my corner.” Amberleigh Moore is tops in barrel racing Barrel racer Amberleigh Moore is back on track. After knocking down a barrel in Round 1, she picked up an $11,000 check in Round 2. In Round 3, Moore claimed the title with a 13.62-second run. “Paige (Moore’s horse) just loves this arena so much,” Moore said. “She came in the first night, and she was so excited to be here that I think she got too excited. She over-worked and lost me. She came back (Friday night) and played it safe, which was fine because we picked up a check. Then tonight, I knew she’d come back and tighten it up, and I just had to be ready to let it roll.” Moore said her Wrangler NFR experience is paying off. “Being that it’s my fourth year here and it’s Paige’s 33rd run in that arena, we both know every inch of that arena, and I just have to be ready for it every step of the way,” Moore said.   Third Performance Results, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas Bareback riding: 1. Tanner Aus, 90 points on Frontier Rodeo’s Full Baggage, $26,231; 2. Trenten Montero, 89, $20,731; 3. Kaycee Feild, 88, $15,654; 4. Tim O’Connell, 87, $11,000; 5. Clayton Biglow, 86, $6,769; 6. Caleb Bennett, 84, $4,231; 7. Steven Dent, 82; 8. Tilden Hooper, 79.5; 9. Richmond Champion, 79; 10. Taylor Broussard, 76; 11. Orin Larsen, 75; 12. Clint Laye, 71; 13. Austin Foss, Ty Breuer and Jake Brown, NS. Average standings: 1. Tim O’Connell, 264.5 points on three head; 2. Trenten Montero, 263.5; 3. Richmond Champion, 259.5; 4. Clayton Biglow, 258.5; 5. Kaycee Feild, 252.5; 6. Steven Dent, 252; 7. Taylor Broussard, 246.5; 8. Clint Laye, 246; 9. Tilden Hooper, 244; 10. Orin Larsen, 239; 11. Caleb Bennett, 174 points on two; 12. Tanner Aus, 172.5; 13. Ty Breuer, 171; 14. Austin Foss, 167.5; 15. Jake Brown, 86.5 points on one. World standings: 1. Clayton Biglow, $219,452; 2. Kaycee Feild, $201,859; 3. Orin Larsen, $185,558; 4. Richmond Champion, $182,714; 5. Tim O’Connell, $161,668; 6. Tilden Hooper, $158,559; 7. Caleb Bennett, $140,857; 8. Trenten Montero, $137,719; 9. Clint Laye, $128,954; 10. Tanner Aus, $117,826; 11. Ty Breuer, $107,584; 12. Jake Brown, $105,068; 13. Steven Dent, $103,799; 14. Austin Foss, $102,895; 15. Taylor Broussard, $93,502. Steer wrestling: 1. Hunter Cure, 3.8 seconds, $26,231; 2. (tie) Will Lummus and Tyler Pearson, 4.1, $18,192 each; 4. (tie) Tyler Waguespack, J.D. Struxness and Bridger Chambers, 4.3, $7,333; 7. Matt Reeves, 4.4; 8. Cameron Morman, 4.7; 9. Ty Erickson, 4.8; 10. (tie) Riley Duvall and Kyle Irwin, 5.7; 12. Tanner Brunner, 6.6; 13. Scott Guenthner, 7.4; 14. Dakota Eldridge, 13.6; 15. Stetson Jorgensen, 16.0. Average standings: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 12.0 seconds on three head; 2. J.D. Struxness, 12.4; 3. Matt Reeves, 13.6; 4. Cameron Morman, 14.4; 5. Riley Duvall, 15.3; 6. Hunter Cure, 17.4; 7. Bridger Chambers, 22.3; 8. Tyler Pearson, 23.4; 9. (tie) Stetson Jorgensen and Dakota Eldridge, 24.3; 11. Kyle Irwin, 24.6; 12. Scott Guenthner, 29.9; 13. Ty Erickson, 32.5; 14. Will Lummus, 8.4 seconds on two; 15. Tanner Brunner, 16.6. World standings: 1. Ty Erickson; $156,081; 2. Tyler Waguespack, $147,464; 3. Hunter Cure, $140,799; 4. J.D. Struxness, $134,150; 5. Scott Guenthner, $128,545; 6. Stetson Jorgensen, $127,015; 7. Dakota Eldridge, $117,334; 8. Will Lummus, $115,998; 9. Bridger Chambers, $114,554; 10. Tyler Pearson, $112,712; 11. Kyle Irwin, $97,703; 12. Matt Reeves, $96,259; 13. Riley Duvall, $95,963; 14. Cameron Morman, $88,114; 15. Tanner Brunner, $84,950. Team roping: 1. Tyler Wade/Cole Davison, 3.7 seconds, $26,231 each; 2. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 3.9, $20,731; 3. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 4.0, $15,654; 4. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.6, $11,000; 5. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 4.7, $6,769; 6. Matt Sherwood/Hunter Koch, 5.1, $4,231; 7. Luke Brown/Paul Eaves, 8.9; 8. Erich Rogers/Kyle Lockett, 14.0; 9. Tate Kirchenschlager/Tyler Worley, 14.5; 10. Jake Cooper/Caleb Anderson, 14.8; 11. Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, Clay Tryan/Jake Long, Riley Minor/Brady Minor and Ty Blasingame/Travis Graves, NT. Average standings: 1. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 13.5 seconds on three head; 2. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 14.0; 3. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 14.9; 4. Matt Sherwood/Hunter Koch, 19.9; 5. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 25.1; 6. Erich Rogers/Kyle Lockett, 28.0; 7. Tate Kirchenschlager/Tyler Worley, 29.1; 8. Jake Cooper/Caleb Anderson, 34.2; 9. Tyler Wade/Cole Davison, 7.7 seconds on two; 10. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 9.4; 11. Ty Blasingame/Travis Graves, 10.5; 12. Luke Brown/Paul Eaves, 13.6; 13. Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 13.8; 14. Clay Tryan/Jake Long, 4.6 seconds on one; 15. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 19.0. World standings (headers): 1. Clay Smith, $186,743; 2. Kaleb Driggers, $153,558; 3. Tyler Wade, $135,856; 4. Clay Tryan, $133,896; 5. Brenten Hall, $130,657; 6. Riley Minor, $125,418; 7. Cody Snow, $120,707; 8. Coleman Proctor, $114,318; 9. Chad Masters, $112,298; 10. Ty Blasingame, $111,490; 11. Matt Sherwood, $111,166; 12. Erich Rogers, $99,653; 13. Luke Brown, $97,055; 14. Tate Kirchenschlager, $93,071; 15. Jake Cooper, $90,524. World standings (heelers): 1. Junior Nogueira, $150,877; 2. Jade Corkill, $144,869; 3. Jake Long, $137,627; 4. Cole Davison, $134,371; 5. Chase Tryan, $128,076; 6. Brady Minor, $125,418; 7. Kyle Lockett, $124,384; 8. Hunter Koch, $119,269; 9. Ryan Motes, $119,166; 10. Joseph Harrison, $115,047; 11. Travis Graves, $113,165; 12. Wesley Thorp, $112,950; 13. Paul Eaves, $101,562; 14. Caleb Anderson, $89,723; 15. Tyler Worley, $88,524. Saddle bronc riding: 1. Chase Brooks, 90 points on Outlawbuckers Rodeo’s Lunatic Party, $26,231; 2. Zeke Thurston, 89.5, $20,731; 3. Dawson Hay, 88.5, $15,654; 4. Brody Cress, 88, $11,000; 5. (tie) Spencer Wright and Jake Watson, 87, $5,500 each; 7. Ryder Wright, 86.5; 8. Jesse Wright, 85.5; 9. Jacobs Crawley, 84.5; 10. Mitch Pollock, 84; 11. Rusty Wright, 83.5; 12. Colt Gordon, 82.5; 13. Sterling Crawley, Bradley Harter and J.J. Elshere, NS. Average standings: 1. Brody Cress, 252 points on three head; 2. Rusty Wright, 250.5; 3. Zeke Thurston, 177.5 points on two; 4. Chase Brooks, 176; 5. Jesse Wright, 175; 6. Spencer Wright, 173; 7. Dawson Hay, 171.5; 8. Jacobs Crawley, 169; 9. Colt Gordon, 162; 10. Jake Watson, 87 points on one; 11. (tie) Ryder Wright, Bradley Harter and J.J. Elshere, 86.5; 14. Mitch Pollock, 84; 15. Sterling Crawley, NS. World standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $234,488; 2. Zeke Thurston, $233,953; 3. Chase Brooks, $159,847; 4. Rusty Wright, $148,923; 5. Jacobs Crawley, $146,666; 6. Brody Cress, $145,205; 7. Spencer Wright, $142,938; 8. Jesse Wright, $132,736; 9. Bradley Harter, $127,543; 10. Dawson Hay, $125,965; 11. Sterling Crawley, $124,427; 12. Jake Watson, $124,291; 13. J.J. Elshere, $119,003; 14. Mitch Pollock, $109,542; 15. Colt Gordon, $101,071.   Tie-down roping: 1. Tuf Cooper, 6.9 seconds, $26,231; 2. Shane Hanchey, 7.1, $20,731; 3. (tie) Ty Harris and Shad Mayfield, 7.3, $13,327; 5. Tyler Milligan, 7.6, $6,769; 6. Taylor Santos, 7.9, $4,231; 7. Rhen Richard, 8.5; 8. Haven Meged, 8.6; 9. Tyson Durfey, 9.1; 10. Adam Gray, 9.2; 11. Marty Yates, 9.4; 12. Michael Otero, 10.5; 13. Cooper Martin, 11.0; 14. Caleb Smidt, 15.7; 15. Riley Pruitt, 16.7. Average standings: 1. Tuf Cooper, 24.5 seconds on three head; 2. Taylor Santos, 24.7; 3. Marty Yates, 25.1; 4. Haven Meged, 25.5; 5. Shad Mayfield, 25.6; 6. Tyson Durfey, 26.2; 7. Michael Otero, 28.2; 8. Rhen Richard, 29.5; 9. Tyler Milligan, 33.6; 10. Cooper Martin, 34.5; 11. Caleb Smidt, 35.1; 12. Adam Gray, 37.4; 13. Riley Pruitt, 40.6; 14. Shane Hanchey, 14.7 seconds on two; 15. Ty Harris, 17.8. World standings: 1. Shane Hanchey, $159,158; 2. Haven Meged, $158,860; 3. Marty Yates, $146,431; 4. Caleb Smidt, $141,900; 5. Taylor Santos, $141,869; 6. Tuf Cooper, $141,823; 7. Tyson Durfey, $137,263; 8. Tyler Milligan, $134,974; 9. Shad Mayfield, $127,075; 10. Ty Harris, $120,976; 11. Michael Otero, $111,924; 12. Riley Pruitt, $109,535; 13. Adam Gray, $102,173; 14. Rhen Richard, $98,661; 15. Cooper Martin, $96,260. Barrel racing: 1. Amberleigh Moore, 13.62 seconds, $26,231; 2. Emily Miller, 13.63, $20,731; 3. Dona Kay Rule, 13.68, $15,654; 4. Jessica Routier, 13.84, $11,000; 5. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 13.88, $6,769; 6. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, 13.90, $4,231; 7. Nellie Miller, 13.93; 8. Lisa Lockhart, 13.94; 9. Hailey Kinsel, 13.96; 10. Lacinda Rose, 13.99; 11. Shali Lord, 14.11; 12. Stevi Hillman, 14.18; 13. Jennifer Sharp, 14.19; 14. Cheyenne Wimberley, 14.31; 15. Ericka Nelson, 19.03. Average standings: 1. Emily Miller, 41.00 seconds on three runs; 2. Dona Kay Rule, 41.45; 3. Lisa Lockhart, 41.49; 4. Jessica Routier, 41.71; 5. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, 41.80; 6. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 41.86; 7. Nellie Miller, 41.89; 8. Shali Lord, 42.04; 9. Jennifer Sharp, 42.27; 10. Lacinda Rose, 42.73; 11. Hailey Kinsel, 46.35; 12. Stevi Hillman, 46.69; 13. Ericka Nelson, 47.06; 14. Cheyenne Wimberley, 47.60; 15. Amberleigh Moore, 51.21. World standings: 1. Lisa Lockhart, $181,313; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $179,597; 3. Nellie Miller, $175,611; 4. Emily Miller, $170,760; 5. Dona Kay Rule, $148,392; 6. Amberleigh Moore, $140,290; 7. Stevi Hillman, $130,989; 8. Jessica Routier, $123,082; 9. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $122,273; 10. Shali Lord, $121,776; 11. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, $114,269; 12. Jennifer Sharp, $107,254; 13. Ericka Nelson, $103,433; 14. Cheyenne Wimberley, $100,361; 15. Lacinda Rose, $98,936. Bull riding: 1. Koby Radley, 92 points on Big Stone Rodeo Inc.’s Spotted Demon, $33,564; 2. Jordan Hansen, 90, $28,064; 3.Trey Benton III, 89.5, $22,987; 4. Stetson Wright, Sage Kimzey, Trevor Kastner, Josh Frost, Tyler Bingham, Jeff Askey, Garrett Smith, Daylon Swearingen, Jordan Spears, Trey Kimzey, Clayton Sellars, Boudreaux Campbell, NS. Average standings: 1. Jordan Hansen, 179.5 points on two head; 2. (tie) Koby Radley and Garrett Smith, 178.5; 4. Boudreaux Campbell, 174.0; 5. Sage Kimzey, 172; 6. Stetson Wright, 92.5 points on one; 7. Tyler Bingham, 90; 8. Trey Benton III, 89.5; 9. Clayton Sellars, 84.5; 10. Jordan Spears, 82.5, 11. Trevor Kastner, Josh Frost, Jeff Askey, Daylon Swearingen, Trey Kimzey, NS. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $290,271; 2. Stetson Wright, $188,652; 3. Boudreaux Campbell, $180,489; 4. Garrett Smith, $171,769; 5. Jordan Hansen, $163,811; 6. Trevor Kastner, $159,100; 7. Koby Radley, $158,118; 8. Trey Benton III, $155,264; 9. Tyler Bingham, $153,181; 10. Clayton Sellars, $139,191; 11. Jordan Spears, $131,548; 12. Josh Frost, $129,561; 13. Jeff Askey, $123,694; 14. Daylon Swearingen, $121,837; 15. Trey Kimzey, $118,160. All-Around Standings: 1. Stetson Wright, $219,230; 2. Clay Smith, $197,595; 3. Tuf Cooper, $195,986; 4. Caleb Smidt, $155,190; 5. Trevor Brazile, $129,754; 6. Landon McClaugherty, $112,119; 7. Steven Dent, $111,577; 8. Rhen Richard, $104,653; 9. Josh Frost, $92,732; 10. Daylon Swearingen, $80,920.

 

LAS VEGAS – Jesse Wright is no stranger to success at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Making his eighth appearance at the Wrangler NFR, Wright won his 10th career round with an 89.5-point ride on United Pro Rodeo’s Awesome Sauce before 16,809 spectators at the Thomas & Mack Center, Friday night. “My nephew (Ryder) got on him in Cheyenne (Wyo.) and missed him out, and Stetson had been on him three or four times,” Jesse Wright said. “That horse is really hard to mark out and is really droppy. I got a good start on him, my mark out was good and strong, and then it got rolling after that.” Jesse’s trips to the Wrangler NFR have come in 2010-14, 2016 and 2017, highlighted by his 2012 world championship. He entered this Wrangler NFR 13th in the PRCA | RAM World Standings. After his $26,231 victory, Wright moved into eighth place in the world standings with $132,736. “It feels really good,” Wright said. “You go from really low (after getting a no score in Round 1) to really high. It’s been a while (since I won a round), and it felt good.” Jesse had reason to smile since only four saddle bronc riders made 8-second rides Friday. Rusty Wright, Jesse’s nephew, placed second in the round with an 85.5-point ride on Dakota Rodeo’s Cash Deal. “Horse by horse and just try to stay positive, have fun and take it all in,” Jesse said about his mindset for the remainder of the Wrangler NFR. “You’ve got to keep having fun no matter what is going on, because if you start beating yourself up too bad it isn’t going to get too much better than what it is. Round by round, and horse by horse.” Trenton Montero wins with Round 2 bareback riding record This is Trenton Montero’s first appearance at the Wrangler NFR, and it didn’t take him long to create a lasting memory. The Winnemucca, Nev., cowboy had a 90.5-point ride on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Prairie Rose to break the NFR Round 2 record and capture the victory. Montero broke the Round 2 record of 89.5 points set by Cimarron Gerke in 2004. “It is a huge honor to be able to get on a horse like that, and being able to get by him was great,” said Montero, 27. “I thought I was going to be on the ground more than once during that ride, and I feel like I definitely worked hard for it. I’m humbled to be part of that legacy. “It’s a huge relief to win a round here. Even though I have worked my whole life for this and I was able to get here, you see the guys like Kaycee Feild and Clayton Biglow and Orin Larsen in the locker room with you, and it is hard not to question yourself. I proved to myself that I belong here with these guys.” It was Montero’s first trip aboard Prairie Rose, and it was a match-up he was craving. “I have watched it a ton of times, and I have to say I was pretty stoked to see that I had it drawn,” Montero said. “(The ride) was pretty much all reaction. I didn’t even know where I was half of that ride. All I could do was just keep setting my feet. It goes back to getting on the spur board and it all just clicked, and I kept gassing it.” Tyler Waguespack continues success in Vegas The Thomas & Mack Arena has been extremely good to steer wrestler Tyler Waguespack. The Gonzales, La., cowboy won world championships and average titles at the Wrangler NFR in 2016 and 2018, and he shows no signs of slowing down at the 2019 Finals. Waguespack won Round 2 with a 3.6-second run, claiming the ninth NFR round win of his career. “It’s amazing to have a round win at the National Finals,” Waguespack said. “I actually ran that steer in the Cinch Shootout in Fort Madison (Iowa) earlier this year, and I was fortunate enough to win it on him. So, I had a really good game plan and knew some particulars about him. I was 4.3 on him in the Cinch Shootout and came back and cleaned it up a lot with a 3.6 tonight, so it was awesome.” Waguespack, with his $26,231 round win, moved into second place in the PRCA | RAM World Standings with $140,130. “My goal going forward is to do the best I can on each steer I draw, and if I’m fortunate enough to get another gold buckle, that would be outstanding,” he said. “In the meantime, I’ve got eight more rounds to go and I’m going to try to do as well as I can on each animal I draw.” Marty Yates wins tie-down roping in Round 2 Marty Yates has always been known as a fast roper who is not afraid to take chances. The Stephenville, Texas, cowboy had his skills on display Friday, winning Round 2 with a 7.3-second run. “It’s awesome to start off on a good foot,” Yates said. “(Thursday night) I was fortunate to place a little bit (splitting fourth with an 8.4-second run). The calves have been a little funny. … So, it’s nice to come out on top the second round and have a little bit of a lead so far.” Yates, who came to the Wrangler NFR seventh in the world standings, moved up to second in the standings with $146,431. He’s already earned $45,115 at the NFR. “It’s great starting the momentum off early and being able to carry it through the week and put as much money in my pocket as possible,” said Yates, who is making his sixth consecutive appearance at the NFR. Garrett Smith captures bull riding Round 2 win Bull rider Garrett Smith is making the most of his third-career appearance at the Wrangler NFR. The Rexburg, Idaho, cowboy has already covered two bulls, his latest 8-second ride a 91.5-point, Round 2 victory on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Black Gold. Counting ground money, Smith collected a $33,564 check, which pushed him to fourth in the world standings with $171,769. He’s also leading the NFR average with 178.5 points on two head. “That’s pretty sweet,” Smith said. “I didn’t even know how much it was at first, but just winning a round even if everyone stays on is big money. I knew he (Black Gold) went right, but that’s pretty much all. Riding him is like letting a balloon loose. It was going by really fast and at one point I closed my eyes, and it worked out.” Smith won Round 10 in 2016 and Round 2 in 2017 and was thrilled to get his third round victory. “This one is big. I’d won two rounds before, but it was all on the same bull, Rafter G Rodeo’s J Lazy, and now I needed to pick a new one,” he said. Team ropers Smith/Corkill claim Round 2 crown Team roping header Clay Smith and heeler Jade Corkill know how to win world championships. Smith is the reigning team roping header world champion, and Corkill has three team roping heeler world titles – 2012-14. The duo teamed up this summer, and the partnership is still paying dividends at the Wrangler NFR. Smith and Corkill won Round 2 Friday with a 4.4-second run. “He (Corkill) did everything,” Smith said. “I kind of missed my dally, and by the time I looked up, it was time to face.” Corkill also was quick to credit his partner. “I tried to focus on doing my job and plan on him turning the steer, and he does it better than anyone else,” Corkill said. Smith and Corkill were quick to acknowledge their horsepower. “I was riding Marty, he’s 12 years old,” Smith said. “He’s been good for a long time, and I’ve had him since he was 4 years old. He did pretty good tonight.” Corkill also praised his horse. “I was riding Huey,” he said. “He’s 10 years old, and I’ve had him for a year. He scores good and fast and can do everything we need – and he wants to do it. He did first-place good tonight.” After their Round 2 victory, Smith and Corkill are leading their respective world standings, but Corkill knows there are no guarantees with eight rounds remaining. “When you do well early, it helps, but it’s over now and we have to start over (Saturday) night and do our jobs every time and hope the end results are what we want,” Corkill said. “It won’t be for lack of trying. We’re feeling 10 times better than last night.” Smith and Corkill had a 9.4-second run in Round 1 and did not place. Dona Kay Rule sets pace in barrel racing Barrel racer Dona Kay Rule didn’t place in Round 1 but made up for it in Round 2. Rule, making her inaugural appearance at the Wrangler NFR, won Round 2 with a 13.69-second run. “Oh, it’s incredible,” Rule said. “I never doubted my ability, but I never had a good opportunity like I do now with the beautiful, wonderful horse I have and all the extras he comes with that you need. I envisioned myself doing this years ago, and I remember being at the Cow Palace in the early ’70s or late ’60s and Sammy Thurman riding by, and she turned and winked at me. I thought, ‘I want to be her someday.’ It just took me 60-something years to get there.” Rule was pleased with the smooth run she made Friday. “We had a little trouble last night and stumbled, and I just knew I needed to hold his hip in on barrel one,” she said. “Boy, he took it.” Rule is riding High Valor, 10, the winner of the 2019 Purina Horse of the Year presented by AQHA Award. “I knew he was special, but it took me a long time to train him because he’s pretty busy-minded. I’ve really enjoyed him, and he counts on me a lot. It’s been kind of fun having a real friend and an ally.” Second Performance Results, Friday, Dec. 6, 2019 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas Bareback riding: 1. Trenten Montero, 90.5 points on Sankey Pro Rodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Prairie Rose, $26,231; 2. Tim O’Connell, 89.5, $20,731; 3. Richmond Champion, 89, $15,654; 4. (tie) Clint Laye and Ty Breuer, 87.5, $8,885 each; 6. Taylor Broussard, 87, $4,231; 7. Jake Brown, 86.5; 8. Steven Dent, 84; 9. Tanner Aus, 82.5; 10. Clayton Biglow, 82; 11. Austin Foss, 81.5; 12. Kaycee Feild, 77.5; 13.Orin Larsen, 76.5; 14. Tilden Hooper, 76; 15. Caleb Bennett, NS. Average standings: 1. Richmond Champion, 180.5 points on two head; 2. Tim O’Connell, 177.5; 3. Clint Laye, 175; 4. Trenten Montero, 174.5; 5. Clayton Biglow, 172.5; 6. Ty Breuer, 171; 7. Taylor Broussard, 170.5; 8. Steven Dent, 170; 9. Austin Foss, 167.5; 10. (tie) Kaycee Feild and Tilden Hooper, 164.5; 12. Orin Larsen, 164; 13. Caleb Bennett, 90 points on one head; 14. Jake Brown, 86.5; 15. Tanner Aus, 82.5. World standings:1. Clayton Biglow, $212,683; 2. Kaycee Feild, $186,205; 3. Orin Larsen, $185,558; 4. Richmond Champion, $182,714; 5. Tilden Hooper, $158,559; 6. Tim O’Connell, $150,668; 7. Caleb Bennett, $136,627; 8. Clint Laye, $128,954; 9. Trenten Montero, $116,988; 10. Ty Breuer, $107,584; 11. Jake Brown, $105,068; 12. Steven Dent, $103,799; 13. Austin Foss, $102,895; 14. Taylor Broussard, $93,502; 15. Tanner Aus, $91,595. Steer wrestling: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 3.6 seconds, $26,231; 2. (tie) Scott Guenthner, Stetson Jorgensen and J.D. Struxness, 4.3, $15,795 each; 5. Matt Reeves, 4.7, $6,769; 6. Kyle Irwin, 4.9, $4,231; 7. Riley Duvall, 5.0; 8. Cameron Morman, 5.4; 9. Dakota Eldridge, 7.1; 10. Hunter Cure, 8.9; 11. Tanner Brunner, 10.0; 12. Bridger Chambers, 14.2; 13. Ty Erickson, 14.3; 14.Tyler Pearson, 15.0; 15. Will Lummus, NT. Average standings: 1. Tyler Waguespack, 7.7 seconds on two head; 2. J.D. Struxness, 8.1; 3. Stetson Jorgensen, 8.3; 4. Matt Reeves, 9.2; 5. Riley Duvall, 9.6; 6. Cameron Morman, 9.7; 7. Dakota Eldridge, 10.7; 8. Hunter Cure, 13.6; 9. Bridger Chambers, 18.0; 10. Kyle Irwin, 18.9; 11. Tyler Pearson, 19.3; 12. Scott Guenthner, 22.5; 13. Ty Erickson, 27.7; 14. Will Lummus, 4.3 seconds on one head; 15.Tanner Brunner, 10.0. World standings: 1. Ty Erickson, $156,081; 2. Tyler Waguespack, $140,130; 3.Scott Guenthner, $128,545; 4. Stetson Jorgensen, $127,015; 5. J.D. Struxness, $126,816; 6. Dakota Eldridge, $117,334; 7. Hunter Cure, $114,568; 8. Bridger Chambers, $107,221; 9. Will Lummus, $97,805; 10. Kyle Irwin, $97,703; 11. Matt Reeves, $96,259; 12. Riley Duvall, $95,963; 13. Tyler Pearson, $94,520; 14. Cameron Morman, $88,114; 15.Tanner Brunner, $84,950. Team roping: 1. Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 4.4 seconds, $26,231; 2. Clay Tryan/Jake Long, 4.6, $20,731; 3. Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 4.7, $15,654; 4. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, Tate Kirchenschlager/Tyler Worley and Jake Cooper/Caleb Anderson, 4.8, $7,333; 7. Ty Blasingame/Travis Graves, 5.0; 8. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 5.1; 9. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 6.0; 10. Erich Rogers/Kyle Lockett, 9.7; 11. Matt Sherwood/Hunter Koch, 10.7; 12. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 14.4; 13. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, Luke Brown/Paul Eaves and Tyler Wade, NT. Average standings: 1. (tie) Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira and Riley Minor/Brady Minor, 9.4 seconds on two head; 3. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 9.6; 4. Ty Blasingame/Travis Graves, 10.5; 5. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 10.9; 6. Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 13.8; 7. Erich Rogers/Kyle Lockett, 14.0; 8. Tate Kirchenschlager/Tyler Worley, 14.6; 9. Matt Sherwood/Hunter Koch, 14.8; 10. Jake Cooper/Caleb Anderson, 19.4; 11. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 20.4; 12. Tyler Wade/Cole Davison, 4.0 seconds on one head; 13. Clay Tryan/Jake Long, 4.6; 14. Luke Brown/Paul Eaves, 4.7; 15. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 19.0. World standings (headers): 1. Clay Smith, $186,743; 2. Kaleb Driggers, $142,558; 3. Clay Tryan, $133,896; 4. Riley Minor, $125,418; 5. Coleman Proctor, $114,318; 6. Ty Blasingame, $111,490; 7. Brenten Hall, $109,927; 8. Tyler Wade, $109,625; 9. Matt Sherwood, $106,935; 10. Chad Masters, $105,529; 11. Cody Snow, $105,054; 12. Erich Rogers, $99,653; 13. Luke Brown, $97,055; 14. Tate Kirchenschlager, $93,071; 15. Jake Cooper, $90,524. World standings (heelers): 1. Jade Corkill, $144,869; 2. Junior Nogueira, $139,877; 3. Jake Long, $137,627; 4. Brady Minor, $125,418; 5. Kyle Lockett, $124,384; 6. Ryan Motes, $119,166; 7. Hunter Koch, $115,038; 8. Travis Graves, $113,165; 9. Joseph Harrison, $108,278; 10. Cole Davison, $108,140; 11. Chase Tryan, $107,345; 12. Paul Eaves, $101,562; 13. Wesley Thorp, $97,296; 14. Caleb Anderson, $89,723; 15. Tyler Worley, $88,524.   Saddle bronc riding: 1. Jesse Wright, 89.5 points on United Pro Rodeo’s Awesome Sauce, $26,231; 2. Rusty Wright, 85.5, $20,731; 3. Jacobs Crawley, 84.5, $15,654; 4. Brody Cress, 78.0, $11,000; 5. Ryder Wright, Zeke Thurston, Chase Brooks, Spencer Wright, Sterling Crawley, Mitch Pollock, Jake Watson, Dawson Hay, Bradley Harter, Colt Gordon, J.J. Elshere, NS. Average standings: 1. Rusty Wright, 167.0 points on two head; 2. Brody Cress, 164.0; 3. Jesse Wright, 89.5 points on one head; 4. Zeke Thurston, 88; 5. (tie) Bradley Harter, J.J. Elshere, 86.5; 7. Chase Brooks and Spencer Wright, 86; 9. Jacobs Crawley, 84.5; 10. Dawson Hay, 83; 11. Colt Gordon, 79.5; 12. Ryder Wright, Sterling Crawley, Mitch Pollock and Jake Watson, NS. World standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $234,488; 2. Zeke Thurston, $213,222; 3. Rusty Wright, $148,923; 4. Jacobs Crawley, $146,666; 5. Spencer Wright, $137,438; 6. Brody Cress, $134,205; 7. Chase Brooks, $133,617; 8. Jesse Wright, $132,736; 9. Bradley Harter, $127,543; 10. Sterling Crawley, $124,427; 11. J.J. Elshere, $119,004; 12. Jake Watson, $118,791; 13. Dawson Hay, $110,311; 14. Mitch Pollock, $109,542; 15. Colt Gordon, $101,071. Tie-down roping: 1. Marty Yates, 7.3 seconds, $26,231; 2. Tyler Milligan, 8.2, $20,731; 3. (tie) Haven Meged and Shad Mayfield, 8.6, $13,327 each; 5. (tie) Taylor Santos and Tyson Durfey, 8.7, $5,500 each; 7. Tuf Cooper, 8.9; 8. Michael Otero, 9.1; 9. Adam Gray, 9.3; 10. Cooper Martin, 9.6; 11. Caleb Smidt, 9.7; 12. Ty Harris, 10.5; 13. Rhen Richard, 11.7; 14. Riley Pruitt, 13.6; 15. Shane Hanchey, NT. Average standings: 1. Marty Yates, 15.7 seconds on two head; 2. Taylor Santos, 16.8; 3. Haven Meged, 16.9; 4. Tyson Durfey, 17.1; 5. Tuf Cooper, 17.6; 6. Michael Otero, 17.7; 7. Shad Mayfield, 18.3; 8. Caleb Smidt, 19.4; 9. Rhen Richard, 21.0; 10. Cooper Martin, 23.5; 11. Riley Pruitt, 23.9; 12. Tyler Milligan, 26.0; 13. Adam Gray, 28.2; 14. Shane Hanchey, 7.6 seconds on one head; 15. Ty Harris, 10.5. World standings: 1. Haven Meged, $158,860; 2. Marty Yates, $146,431; 3. Caleb Smidt, $141,900; 4. Shane Hanchey, $138,428; 5. Taylor Santos, $137,638; 6. Tyson Durfey, $137,263; 7. Tyler Milligan, $128,205; 8. Tuf Cooper, $115,592; 9. Shad Mayfield, $113,748; 10. Michael Otero, $111,924; 11. Riley Pruitt, $109,535; 12. Ty Harris, $107,649; 13. Adam Gray, $102,173; 14. Rhen Richard, $98,661; 15. Cooper Martin, $96,260. Barrel racing: 1. Dona Kay Rule, 13.69 seconds, $26,231; 2. Hailey Kinsel, 13.73, $20,731; 3. Emily Miller, 13.74, $15,654; 4. Amberleigh Moore, 13.78, $11,000; 5. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, 13.83, $6,769; 6. Lisa Lockhart, 13.85, $4,231; 7. Jessica Routier, 13.90; 8. Shali Lord,13.92; 9. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 13.96; 10. Ericka Nelson, 13.98; 11. Nellie Miller, 14.06; 2. Jennifer Sharp, 14.11; 13. Cheyenne Wimberley, 14.20; 14. Lacinda Rose, 14.28; 15. Stevi Hillman, 18.76. Average standings: 1. Emily Miller, 27.37 seconds on two runs; 2. Lisa Lockhart, 27.55; 3. Dona Kay Rule, 27.77; 4. Jessica Routier, 27.87; 5. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, 27.90; 6. Shali Lord, 27.93; 7. Nellie Miller, 27.96; 8. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 27.98; 9. Ericka Nelson, 28.03; 10. Jennifer Sharp, 28.08; 11. Lacinda Rose, 28.74; 12. Hailey Kinsel, 32.39; 13. Stevi Hillman, 32.51; 14. Cheyenne Wimberley, 33.29; 15. Amberleigh Moore, 37.59. World standings: 1. Lisa Lockhart, $181,313; 2. Hailey Kinsel, $179,597; 3. Nellie Miller, $175,611; 4. Emily Miller, $150,029; 5. Dona Kay Rule, $132,738; 6. Stevi Hillman, $130,989; 7. Shali Lord, $121,776; 8. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $115,503; 9. Amberleigh Moore, $114,059; 10. Jessica Routier, $112,082; 11. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, $110,038; 12. Jennifer Sharp, $107,254; 13. Ericka Nelson, $103,433; 14. Cheyenne Wimberley, $100,361; 15. Lacinda Rose, $98,936. Bull riding: 1. Garrett Smith, 91.5 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Black Gold, $33,564; 2. Sage Kimzey, 84.5, $28,064; 3. Boudreaux Campbell, 82, $22,987; 4. Stetson Wright, Trevor Kastner, Josh Frost, Tyler Bingham, Koby Radley, Jeff Askey, Daylon Swearingen, Jordan Hansen, Jordan Spears, Trey Kimzey, Clayton Sellars and Trey Benton III, NS. Average standings: 1. Garrett Smith, 178.5 points on two head; 2. Boudreaux Campbell, 174; 3. Sage Kimzey, 172; 4. Stetson Wright, 92.5 points on one head; 5. Tyler Bingham, 90; 6. Jordan Hansen, 89.5; 7. Koby Radley, 86.5; 8. Clayton Sellars, 84.5; 9. Jordan Spears, 82.5; 10. Trevor Kastner, Josh Frost, Jeff Askey, Daylon Swearingen, Trey Kimzey and Trey Benton III, NS. World standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $290,271; 2. Stetson Wright, $188,652; 3. Boudreaux Campbell, $180,489; 4. Garrett Smith, $171,769; 5. Trevor Kastner, $159,100; 6. Tyler Bingham, $153,181; 7. Clayton Sellars, $139,191; 8. Jordan Hansen, $135,747; 9. Trey Benton III, $132,277; 10. Jordan Spears, $131,548; 11. Josh Frost, $129,561; 12. Koby Radley, $124,554; 13. Jeff Askey, $123,694; 14. Daylon Swearingen, $121,837; 15. Trey Kimzey, $118,160. All-Around World Standings: 1. Stetson Wright, $219,230; 2. Clay Smith, $197,595; 3. Tuf Cooper, $169,756; 4. Caleb Smidt, $155,190; 5. Trevor Brazile, $129,754; 6. Landon McClaugherty, $112,119; 7. Steven Dent, $111,577; 8. Rhen Richard, $104,653; 9. Josh Frost, $92,732; 10. Daylon Swearingen, $80,920; 11. Tanner Green, $72,714.

 

LAS VEGAS – This was a bareback riding round for the ages at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, Thursday night.   Three riders all broke the previous round record, as Richmond Champion became the king of Round 1 with his 91.5-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Night Crawler before 16,792 spectators at the Thomas & Mack Center.   “It’s pretty fun,” Champion said. “I’ve never gone out in the NFR and gotten a round win this early. That’s always the goal when you come here, you want to come out hot. Hopefully it will stay that way. The guys are riding great and the horses are great. I expect these records to keep getting broken all week long.”   Earlier in the round, Caleb Bennett set the Round 1 record with his 90-point ride on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Top Egyptian. The previous Round 1 record was 89 points, shared by Kaycee Feild (2011) and Wes Stevenson (2006).   Bennett held the record for less than five minutes as Clayton Biglow made a 90.5-point trip on Cervi Champion Rodeo’s RodeoHouston’s Ain’t No Angel.   But Champion claimed the record on Night Crawler. Wyatt Denny won Round 1 of the 2018 Wrangler NFR with an 87.5-point ride on Night Crawler.   “I had never been on that horse before,” Champion said. “I saw him on video a couple of times, and Caleb and I were talking and saying how (Night Crawler and Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Nightlivin) are about the same horse. Nightlivin had an off day and Night Crawler saved the day. The nerves for the first one are always the hardest here. That (first ride) brought me back to level ground, and I was feeling excited to get on that re-ride.”   Champion entered the Wrangler NFR fifth in the PRCA | RAM World Standings and was thrilled with his start at the Thomas & Mack. Champion earned $26,231 for his ride, moving him to fourth in the world standings – $45,623 behind leader Biglow.   “That (re-ride) was awesome,” Champion said. “It was one of those where you black out for a few seconds off the start, and the next thing you know you’re in the middle of him with your feet over your head. It was a lot of fun. It’s the kind you dream about getting on. This is a great confidence boost, and I want to keep the momentum rolling.”   Wade/Davison tie team roping Round 1 record Team ropers Tyler Wade and Cole Davison equaled NFR history Thursday.   The partners registered a 4.0-second time to tie the NFR Round 1 record set by Turtle Powell and Dakota Kirchenschlager in 2014.   “Oh, man, that’s pretty cool, and the steers are better this year and that makes for faster rounds and faster roping,” Wade said.   The round win moved Wade to eighth in the header world standings and Davison to 10th.   “Last year I roped terribly for the first three rounds and didn’t catch one,” Davison said. “I don’t get worked up either way, but this is an easier start than last year. I’m humbled to even be here, and every win is a big win to me.”   Rookie Stetson Wright wins round in first Wrangler NFR trip It didn’t take bull rider Stetson Wright long to win a round at the Wrangler NFR.   The rookie won Round 1 with an electric 92.5-point ride on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Monte Walsh.   “It was amazing, I have envisioned it since I was a little kid here watching my dad (Cody Wright),” Wright said about his memorable eight-second performance. “I wanted to win a round in saddle bronc riding too, but I’m not complaining one bit.”   Wright, who also entered the NFR leading the all-around standings over team roping header Clay Smith, was excited to get aboard Monte Walsh – a bull he had done his homework on.   “I have watched him a bunch of times, and I wanted him before when we were out rodeoing and was so glad, I got him here instead,” Wright said. “He did exactly what I thought he would do, and he looked a little juicier.”   With one round victory under his belt, Wright felt a sense of relief.   “It means everything, it’s a great way to start the week, and my nerves have left the room because of that ride,” he said. “The main thing was proving I should be here, and now I know I belong here.”     Hanchey notches tie-down roping win Shane Hanchey was in top form in Round 1.   Hanchey, the 2013 PRCA Tie-down Roping World Champion, stopped the clock in 7.6 seconds to capture the victory.   “It feels good. It’s important to get off on the right foot,” Hanchey said. “It’s such a long rodeo. Going for 10 days, it seems like if it doesn’t go perfect the first couple rounds you get to panicking. I’ve been fortunate to have good luck in the past in the first round. This builds a lot of confidence and momentum for me, and I’m looking forward to it the next nine nights.”   Hanchey, who is competing in his 10th NFR, was staying focused on his job at hand.   “I didn’t watch many other runs,” Hanchey said. “When (Taylor Santos) recorded a time of 8.1 (seconds), I thought if I went a little faster than him, I’d win some good money. I bought my horse from Mike Johnson in 2016, his name is Bam Bam. He fits my style. This is my fourth NFR with him.”   Steer wrestler Eldridge gets off to fast start Dakota Eldridge seems to perform his best in Las Vegas’ bright lights.   In his first five appearances at the Wrangler NFR, he’s won the average twice – 2015 and 2017.   The Elko, Nev., cowboy had his talent on full display during his sixth trip, winning Round 1 in 3.6 seconds. The victory helped him rocket up from 11th to second in the world standings – $38,747 behind leader Ty Erickson.   “That was really one of my goals, to put the pedal down at the beginning,” Eldridge said. “This year, I just told myself I’m going to give it 100 percent and go for every round (win). I’m coming in at the best place you could ever come in, down toward the bottom, and nobody knows you’re in contention for a world title. So, my plan is to just keep slipping up there and go for every one and just have fun.   “It’s just a blessing to be down here after last year when I tore up my knee. You never take it for granted down here.”   In 2018, Eldridge suffered a season-ending left knee injury July 17 at Cheyenne (Wyo.) Frontier Days. Eldridge finished second in the world standings in 2015 and third in the world in 2017. He was quick to credit his horsepower and his hazer for his most-recent success. “I’m riding Rusty, my good horse, that I’ve ridden every year here,” Eldridge said. “He’s actually been here more than I have, and he knows the start here better than I do. Clayton Hass is hazing for me, and he’s worth his weight in gold. He just brings them where I need him to bring them. We’re a good team together.”   Thurston tops saddle bronc riding Round 1 leaderboard Zeke Thurston entered the 2019 Wrangler NFR in second place in the world standings – $47,497 behind Ryder Wright.   Thurston, of Big Valley, Alberta, edged closer to Wright by winning Round 1 with an 88-point ride on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Sue City Sue.   The $26,231 victory by Thurston got him within $21,266 of Wright.   “I’d never had it (Mo Betta Rodeo’s Sue City Sue) before, but I’d seen it lots,” Thurston said. “Cort Scheer and I split the sixth round here last year, and he was on that horse. They’ve won lots of rounds on it, and it’s a great horse. Everywhere they get on that horse, they’re going to win. I was very happy with the draw.   “She tries hard every time. She jumps out there and has a right-hand move, goes down the front of the chutes, gets up under herself and kicks really good. Just a bronc rider’s dream, I guess. She’s got lots of timing, has lots of snap and is kind of an electric little thing. She’s awesome.”   Thurston said the early win was just what he wanted.   “Oh, it’s great,” Thurston said. “It gives you a confidence boost. You’ve got the hardest one out of the way, and you just try to keep the ball rolling and just have fun.”   Barrel racer Emily Miller snares win Rookie Emily Miller was nearly overcome with emotion when she claimed a Round 1 victory with a 13.63-second run.   “I’m about to cry, I’m so excited, honestly,” Miller said. “It’s a dream come true. Any time you get to run with this caliber of women and this much horsepower, it’s surreal. To get the win tonight is pretty neat. You know it’s going to be amazing (to be here), but to actually experience it is unbelievable.”   Miller also praised her 9-year-old horse Chongo. “Chongo, he’s spectacular,” she said. “That horse is such an athlete. Honestly, I struggled with him for a long time, because he was so athletic. I was over-riding him and not giving him the space. He needed to do his job, so it took us a little while. “I took him back to Kylie Weast, who trained him, and she helped a lot. It kind of took just dumbing it down and letting him do his job. He knows what to do, and I’m so proud of him. It’s so neat to get to bring him here, because he deserves it.   First Performance Results, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas   Bareback riding: 1. Richmond Champion, 91.5 points on Pickett Pro Rodeo’s Night Crawler, $26,231; 2. Clayton Biglow, 90.5, $20,731; 3. Caleb Bennett, 90, $15,654; 4. Tilden Hooper, 88.5, $11,000; 5. Tim O’Connell, 88, $6,769; 6. (tie) Orin Larsen and Clint Laye, 87.5, $2,115 each; 8. Kaycee Feild, 87; 9. Steven Dent and Austin Foss, 86; 11. Trenten Montero, 84; 12. Ty Breuer and Taylor Broussard, 83.5; 14. Jake Brown and Tanner Aus, NS. World Standings: 1. Clayton Biglow, $212,683; 2. Kaycee Feild, $186,205; 3. Orin Larsen, $185,558; 4. Richmond Champion, $167,060; 5. Tilden Hooper, $158,559; 6. Caleb Bennett, $136,627; 7. Tim O’Connell, $129,938; 8. Clint Laye, $120,069; 9. Jake Brown, $105,068; 10. Steven Dent, $103,799; 11. Austin Foss, $102,895; 12. Ty Breuer, $98,699; 13. Tanner Aus, $91,595; 14. Trenten Montero, $90,757; 15. Taylor Broussard, $89,271.   Steer wrestling: 1. Dakota Eldridge, 3.6 seconds, $26,231; 2. (tie) J.D. Struxness and Bridger Chambers, 3.8, $18,192 each; 4. Stetson Jorgensen, 4.0, $11,000; 5. Tyler Waguespack, 4.1, $6,769; 6. (tie) Cameron Morman, Tyler Pearson and Will Lummus, 4.3, $1,410 each; 9.           Matt Reeves, 4.5; 10. Riley Duvall, 4.6; 11. Hunter Cure, 4.7; 12. Ty Erickson, 13.4; 13. Kyle Irwin, 14.0; 14. Scott Guenthner, 18.2; 15. Tanner Brunner, NT. World Standings: 1. Ty Erickson, $156,081; 2. Dakota Eldridge, $117,334; 3. Hunter Cure, $114,568; 4. Tyler Waguespack, $113,900; 5. Scott Guenthner, $112,750; 6. Stetson Jorgensen, $111,220; 7. J.D. Struxness, $111,022; 8. Bridger Chambers, $107,221; 9. Will Lummus, $97,805; 10. Riley Duvall, $95,963; 11. Tyler Pearson, $94,520; 12. Kyle Irwin, $93,472; 13. Matt Reeves, $89,490; 14. Cameron Morman, $88,114; 15. Tanner Brunner, $84,950.   Team roping: 1. Tyler Wade/Cole Davison, 4.0 seconds, $26,231; 2. Matt Sherwood/Hunter Koch, 4.1, $20,731; 3. Erich Rogers/Kyle Lockett, 4.3, $15,654; 4. Brenten Hall/Chase Tryan, 4.5, $11,000; 5. Kaleb Driggers/Junior Nogueira, 4.6, $6,769; 6. (tie) Riley Minor/Brady Minor and Luke Brown/Paul Eaves, 4.7, $2,115 each; 8. Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 4.9; 9. Ty Blasingame/Travis Graves, 5.5; 10. Chad Masters/Joseph Harrison, 6.0; 11. Clay Smith/Jade Corkill, 9.4; 12. Tate Kirchenschlager/Tyler Worley, 9.8; 13. Jake Cooper/Caleb Anderson, 14.6; 14. Coleman Proctor/Ryan Motes, 19.0; 15.      Clay Tryan/Jake Long, NT. World Standings (headers): 1. Clay Smith, $160,512; 2. Kaleb Driggers, $135,225; 3. Coleman Proctor, $114,318; 4. Clay Tryan, $113,165; 5. Ty Blasingame, $111,490; 6. Brenten Hall, $109,927; 7. Riley Minor, $109,764; 8. Tyler Wade, $109,625; 9. Matt Sherwood, $106,935; 10. Chad Masters, $105,529; 11. Cody Snow, $105,054; 12. Erich Rogers, $99,653. 13. Luke Brown, $97,055; 14. Tate Kirchenschlager, $85,738; 15. Jake Cooper, $83,191. World Standings (heelers): 1. Junior Nogueira, $132,544; 2. Kyle Lockett, $124,384; 3. Ryan Motes, $119,166; 4. Jade Corkill, $118,638; 5. Jake Long, $116,896; 6. Hunter Koch, $115,038; 7. Travis Graves, $113,165; 8. Brady Minor, $109,764; 9. Joseph Harrison, $108,278; 10. Cole Davison, $108,140; 11. Chase Tryan, $107,345; 12. Paul Eaves, $101,562; 13. Wesley Thorp, $97,296; 14. Caleb Anderson, $82,390; 15. Tyler Worley, $81,190.   Saddle bronc riding: 1. Zeke Thurston, 88 points on Mo Betta Rodeo’s Sue City Sue, $26,231; 2. (tie) Bradley Harter and J.J. Elshere, 86.5, $18,192 each; 4. (tie) Chase Brooks, Brody Cress and Spencer Wright, 86, $7,333 each; 7. Dawson Hay, 83; 8. Rusty Wright, 81.5; 9. Colt Gordon, 79.5; 10. (tie) Ryder Wright, Jacobs Crawley, Sterling Crawley, Jesse Wright, Mitch Pollock and Jake Watson, NS. World Standings: 1. Ryder Wright, $234,488; 2. Zeke Thurston, $213,222; 3. Spencer Wright, $137,438; 4. Chase Brooks, $133,617; 5. Jacobs Crawley, $131,012; 6. Rusty Wright, $128,192; 7. Bradley Harter, $127,543; 8. Sterling Crawley, $124,427; 9. Brody Cress, $123,205; 10. J.J. Elshere, $119,004; 11. Jake Watson, $118,791; 12. Dawson Hay, $110,311; 13. Mitch Pollock, $109,542; 14. Jesse Wright, $106,505; 15. Colt Gordon, $101,071.     Tie-down roping: 1. Shane Hanchey, 7.6 seconds, $26,231; 2. Taylor Santos, 8.1, $20,731; 3. Haven Meged, 8.3, $15,654; 4. (tie) Tyson Durfey and Marty Yates, 8.4, $8,885 each; 6. Michael Otero, 8.6, $4,231; 7. Tuf Cooper, 8.7; 8. Rhen Richard, 9.3; 9. Caleb Smidt and Shad Mayfield, 9.7; 11. Riley Pruitt, 10.3; 12. Cooper Martin, 13.9; 13. Tyler Milligan, 17.8; 14. Adam Gray, 18.9; 15. Ty Harris, NT. World Standings: 1. Haven Meged, $145,533; 2. Caleb Smidt, $141,900; 3. Shane Hanchey, $138,428; 4. Taylor Santos, $132,138; 5. Tyson Durfey, $131,763; 6. Marty Yates, $120,200; 7. Tuf Cooper, $115,592; 8. Michael Otero, $111,924; 9. Riley Pruitt, $109,535; 10. Ty Harris, $107,649; 11. Tyler Milligan, $107,474; 12. Adam Gray, $102,173; 13. Shad Mayfield, $100,421; 14. Rhen Richard, $98,661; 15. Cooper Martin, $96,260.   Barrel racing: 1. Emily Miller, 13.63 seconds, $26,231; 2. Lisa Lockhart, 13.70, $20,731; 3. Stevi Hillman, 13.75, $15,654; 4. Nellie Miller, 13.90, $11,000; 5. (tie) Jessica Routier and Jennifer Sharp, 13.97, $5,500 each; 7. Shali Lord, 14.01; 8. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 14.02; 9. Ericka Nelson, 14.05; 10. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, 14.07; 11. Dona Kay Rule, 14.08; 12. Lacinda Rose, 14.46; 13. Hailey Kinsel, 18.66; 14. Cheyenne Wimberley, 19.09; 15. Amberleigh Moore, 23.81. World Standings: 1. Lisa Lockhart, $177,082; 2. Nellie Miller, $175,611; 3. Hailey Kinsel, $158,867; 4. Emily Miller, $134,376; 5. Stevi Hillman, $130,989; 6. Shali Lord, $121,776; 7. Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, $115,503; 8. Jessica Routier, $112,082; 9. Jennifer Sharp, $107,254; 10. Dona Kay Rule, $106,507; 11. Ericka Nelson, $103,433; 12. Ivy Conrado-Saebens, $103,269; 13. Amberleigh Moore, $103,059; 14. Cheyenne Wimberley, $100,361; 15. Lacinda Rose, $98,936.   Bull riding: 1. Stetson Wright, 92.5 points on 4L & Diamond S Rodeo’s Monte Walsh, $26,231; 2. Boudreaux Campbell, 92, $20,731; 3. Tyler Bingham, 90, $15,654; 4. Jordan Hansen, 89.5, $11,000; 5. Sage Kimzey, 87.5, $6,769; 6. Garrett Smith, 87, $4,231; 7. Koby Radley, 86.5; 8. Clayton Sellars, 84.5; 9. Jordan Spears, 82.5; 10. Trevor Kastner, Josh Frost, Jeff Askey, Daylon Swearingen, Trey Kimzey and Trey Benton III, NS. World Standings: 1. Sage Kimzey, $262,207; 2. Stetson Wright, $188,652; 3. Trevor Kastner, $159,100; 4. Boudreaux Campbell, $157,502; 5. Tyler Bingham, $153,181; 6. Clayton Sellars, $139,191; 7. Garrett Smith, $138,205; 8. Jordan Hansen, $135,747; 9. Trey Benton III, $132,277; 10. Jordan Spears, $131,548; 11. Josh Frost, $129,561; 12. Koby Radley, $124,554; 13. Jeff Askey, $123,694; 14. Daylon Swearingen, $121,837; 15. Trey Kimzey, $118,160.

By Greg Rook, Lancaster Event Center Operations Director & 13 NHSFR experiences

Rodeo touches the lives of so many throughout the world–especially thousands of youth in National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA), known for having the world’s largest rodeo. While I’ve been a rodeo athlete, I’ve spent most of my career behind the scenes of National High School Finals Rodeo (NHSFR) ensuring it runs smoothly and is a memorable experience for all the participants.

In 2019 my life changed when my daughter pursued a job opportunity in Omaha, Nebraska. Having successfully coordinated 13 NHSFR’s in Wyoming, when NHSRA announced Lancaster Event Center (LEC) in Lincoln, Nebraska as the NHSFR location for July 2020, 2021, 2026 & 2027, I approached LEC about potential job opportunities. Being offered the position of LEC Operations Director gave my wife and I the chance to move near our daughter and make a big impact on NHSFR and all LEC events.  Ready for new adventures, we took the leap.

Our transition to Nebraska’s capital city has been great. We’ve found Lincoln to be very friendly, with a small community feel in a big town setting. Located in the middle of America, LEC is truly at the center of it all, a big reason it attracts 120+ regional and national events annually and making it your ultimate rodeo destination.  Just off I-80 and near I-29, Lincoln has 70+ hotels with over 5,000 rooms, from full-service to economy options; over 900 restaurants; plenty of shopping; and numerous places offering family-friendly fun including feeding giraffes at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo.  Plus, there’s plenty to see and do as you make the drive to Lincoln.

Transitioning to LEC has been a breeze too.  My first week here was during the Lancaster County Super Fair, Nebraska’s largest county fair with 130,000 attendees, giving me my first look at the amazing LEC staff.  The genuine care the entire staff has for the facility and its numerous events has impressed me the most in my first months here. They’re willing to do almost anything to ensure all events run smoothly and are successful. LEC is proud to have four NHSFR Alumni on staff, competitors from 1978 to 2017, meaning we know first-hand how it feels to compete and we’re all the more committed to providing you an incredible rodeo experience.

As Operations Director, I’m focused on ensuring NHSFR preparation is on track for July 2020. With 400,000 square feet of buildings on our grassy fairgrounds, I’m excited for the rodeo to be less spread out than previous locations. LEC received $7 Million in funding to make improvements to host NHSFR, including additional and upgraded campgrounds, expanded outdoor multi-purpose arena and new 3,500-person covered grandstand.

Driving from Wyoming to Nebraska, it was easy to see how rodeo skills continue to be an integral part of Nebraska life, as they are in mine. I’m eager to continue making NHSFR’s great for thousands of youth at LEC with this incredible, dedicated staff. We hope to see you when the world’s largest rodeo rides into Lincoln, July 19-25, 2020!

While making your plans to attend NHSFR Lincoln or if you want to volunteer, are a vendor or sponsor, reach out to us on NHSFRLincoln.org and follow us on social media @NHSFRLincoln.

WACO, TEXAS – The 2019 WPRA Roping Season officially came to an end on Saturday night, Oct. 26, at the Extraco Event Center in Waco, Texas, when world champions were crowned.

In the tightest race for No. 1 in 2019 and most lucrative race year, Kelsie Chace held on to defend her title from a year ago winning the breakaway roping world title with $51,709. This marked her third consecutive world title in the breakaway roping and seventh overall world title, which includes titles in tie-down and all-around as well. Lari Dee Guy was hot on her heels with $51,301. Canadian Makayla Boisjoli squeaked by to win the average title in Waco with a four head time of 10.7 seconds. Nicole Baggarley and Hope Thompson finished in tie for second with 10.8-second totals. Taylor Munsell took home the WPRA Rookie of the Year title finishing with $50,301 in the final 2019 world standings.

The first event finished on the day was in the tie-down roping when high school cowgirl Montanna “Gracie” Gambino captured the world title at the young age of 17. She will turn 18 on Dec. 12. She finished with $3,881 on the season besting Tanegai Zilverberg with $2,907. Gambino of Lindale, Texas, first bought her WPRA Junior Roping card in 2017 and has quickly climbed the ranks. She finished third in the average in Waco with 77.6 seconds on four head.

Jordan Fabrizio originally from Colorado now making her home in Canyon, Texas, won the average in a total time of 53.6 seconds on four head in the tie-down roping. Fabrizio barely missed winning the reserve world title falling four cents short of Zilverberg in the final world standings. Shelby Massie won the WPRA Rookie of the Year award.

Whitney DeSalvo of Springfield, Arkansas had already secured her third consecutive team roping heeling world title before she roped one head in Waco. DeSalvo finished the year with $26,261 on the year with the reserve world champion Annette Stahl finishing with $11,357. DeSalvo teamed with Hope Thompson in Waco to finish sixth in the average in a total time of 131.8 seconds on four head.

Jackie Crawford and Jessica Remsburg took home the average title for the second straight year with a time of 29.3 seconds. Finishing second was Beverly Robbins and Rylie Smith with a 38.1 seconds. That finish helped Robbins win her first world title with $27,698 over reserve world champion Crawford with $22,484. Kyla Stamps was crowned the WPRA Rookie of the Year on the heading side while Danielle Lowman won it on the heeling side.

Crawford defended her title in the all-around and added her 19^th world title in 2019 finishing the year with $7,173, just ahead of good friend Chace that finished with $6,087.

This year the Wrangler Network added $15,000 in bonus money and developed the Wrangler Network Tour for breakaway and barrel racing. The breakaway roping money was handed out in Waco with Sarah Morrissey of Ephrata, Washington, taking the top spot and an added $5,000 to her bank account. The bonus money was paid out to the top five resulting in Hope Thompson, Amanda Hodges, Macy Fuller and Rylee Potter also receiving checks.

Full results can be found at www.wpra.com. Photo credit: WPRA photo by James Phifer, Rodeobum.com.

 

 

 

 

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2019 WPRA World Champion Ropers:

All- Around: Jackie Crawford

Breakaway Roping: Kelsie Chace

Team Roping Header: Beverly Robbins

Team Roping Heeler: Whitney DeSalvo

Tie-Down Roping: Montanna “Gracie” Gambino

 

Badlands circuit champs competing at the Minot Y’s Men’s Rodeo gain berths to National Circuit Finals in Florida

MINOT, N.D. (October 6, 2019) – The cowboys and the cowgirls came to Minot to play, and they did.

For the 65^th year, the Minot (N.D.) Y’s Men’s Rodeo took place, hosting the RAM Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo at the State Fair Center Oct. 4-6.

Ninety cowboys and cowgirls converged on the Magic City to compete for nearly $200,000 and the title of Badlands Circuit champion. Champions were crowned in each of eight events, with the final destination being the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo, where the champs from each of the continent’s fourteen circuits will duke it out for national titles in April of next year.

It was steer wrestler Joe Nelson’s first trip to a circuit finals rodeo, and he made this one count.

The Alexander, N.D. cowboy came into the RAM Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo in third place in the standings, and won a check in three out of four rounds to win the average, the fastest time on four runs.

His 20.2 seconds on four head was only one-tenths of a second faster than Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D., who finished second in the average with a time of 20.3 seconds.

“I was pretty excited to get here,” Nelson said. “My main goal was to catch all four (steers), get out of the barrier, and get four down.”

Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D., won the year-end steer wrestling title and was leading the average till the fourth round, when he missed his steer and didn’t get a time. But rodeo contestants, especially steer wrestlers, are the first to help their competitors; Nelson was helping with Lord’s steer in the chute before. “We all root for each other,” he said. “We want everybody to do well.”

Nelson rode his  horse named Balls, who he purchased last year. The horse is outstanding, he said. “He scores really good, runs hard, tries, and gives me a good chance.” When Alexander’s traveling partner Tyler Thorson’s horse was hurt in July, Thorson also rode Balls. “For the month of July, that horse had at least four runs on him everywhere we went,” Alexander said.

Nelson won the Badlands Rookie of the Year Award. He is a graduate of North Dakota State College of Science at Wahpeton, N.D.

He and Lord will represent the Badlands Circuit at the RCNFR in Kissimmee, Florida April 2-5, 2020.

Two more “newbies” left the circuit finals as champions.

Team ropers Jon Peterson and Trae Smith have roped at jackpots before, but this year, for the first time, they partnered up for pro rodeo, and did well all year.

They entered the circuit finals in first place with enough of a lead to fend off the competition, which was good, since they only placed once, winning first place in the first round.

“Luckily we won that first round or we wouldn’t be doing this interview,” Peterson joked.

The two are students at Gillette (Wyo.) College, where Peterson is an upperclassman and Smith is a freshman. They’re doing well in the collegiate ranks, too, having won the college rodeo at Riverton, Wyo. two weeks ago and being ranked in the top four in the collegiate region. “It was good to get that win in Riverton before coming here,” Peterson said. “It was a confidence builder.”

Peterson’s horse was injured two weeks ago, so his friend and fellow roper Levi O’Keefe lent him his good horse. Guy Howell also rode O’Keefe’s horse, named Slick, at the circuit finals. “He didn’t mess up a single time,” Peterson said of the bay gelding. “I think that is the best head horse right now. It was unreal. He was outstanding.”

Turner Harris, Killdeer, N.D. and Jade Nelson, Midland, S.D., won the year end title.

In the bareback riding, it was a sparring match between South Dakota’s Jamie Howlett and Norht Dakota’s Ty Breuer.

The two were atop the board for each the four rounds of rodeo, with each one of them winning two rounds and placing second in two rounds.

But it was Howlett who won the average, a mere two and a half points ahead of Breuer.

Howlett, who is originally from Australia but now lives in Rapid City, S.D., rode with broken bones in his foot and a swollen hand because of being smashed in the chute during the matinee on Oct. 5.

Shorty Garrett dominated the saddle bronc riding.

The Eagle Butte, S.D. cowboy won money in three of four rounds (first place twice and tied for first once) to win the average.

The 26 year old cowboy has qualified for the Badlands Circuit Finals four times, but this was his best year ever, due to new traveling partners, Isaac Diaz and Brody Cress. “I jumped in with a whole different crew, and I’ve been fortunate to have them as traveling partners. I owe a lot to Ike (Diaz). He keeps a guy positive and keeps a guy going. I look up to that man quite a little.”

The three cowboys make it fun. “Whenever we get in the rig,” he said, “we’re not going to work, we’re going to have fun, and that pays off.”

JJ Elshere, Hereford, S.D., won the year-end title. He had more than a $10,000 lead coming into the circuit finals, but because of a broken leg suffered ten days ago, wasn’t able to compete at the circuit finals.

In the barrel racing, Amanda Harris won the average title with a time of 55.05 seconds on four runs, just two-tenths of a second ahead of Cally Kindred, Spearfish, S.D.

She never dominated the leaderboard, but she was one of only five cowgirls out of the twelve to not knock down a barrel, adding a five second penalty to their time.

“My big thing was to take it one run at a time,” she said, “and not get caught up in the average, because you have to make four runs first before that pans out. That was my big deal, to take it one run at a time.”

She was aboard her nine-year-old gelding, Frenchmans Firefly, “Firefly” a horse raised and trained by her parents, Bob and Peggy Welsh of Gillette, Wyo. She first brought him to the circuit finals in 2016, as a six-year-old. In 2017, she was pregnant with her son, and last year, she rodeoed in a different circuit.

The horse has developed and grown, she said. “This year, he seemed a lot more mature mentally, and he’s been awesome for me all year.”

She and her husband Shawn’s kids, a daughter, who is four, and a son, who is two, are already anticipating a trip to Disney World, when their mother competes at the RNCFR.

Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D., won the year-end title for the Badlands Circuit.

Tie-down roper Trey Young, Dupree, S.D., won both the year-end and average titles for his event, aboard his horse Fozzy, an eleven-year-old sorrel who has twice been chosen the Badlands Circuit Tie-down Roping Horse of the year. This will be Young’s second trip to the RNCFR; he competed there in 2017, finishing in third place.

Bull rider Jeff Bertus snuck out a year-end win in his event, riding two of his four bulls with enough of a lead to take the title. Bertus, Avon, S.D. finished second in the average to Chance Schott, McLaughlin, S.D., who won the average with a score of 255 points on three head.

In the breakaway roping, Samantha Jorgenson, Watford City, N.D. won the year-end title. Tanegai Zilverberg, Holabird, S.D., won the average (10.4 seconds on four head.)

The all-around title for the year-end and the finals went to Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D.

Rodeo Rapid City was voted by the contestants as the Rodeo of the Badlands Circuit.

Stock of the year for the circuit was chosen. In the bareback riding, Korkow Rodeos’ Onion Ring won top honors. In the saddle bronc riding, South Point, owned by Sutton Rodeo, was voted as top. The Mosbrucker Rodeo bull named Chills and Thrills was selected as the Badlands Bull of the Year.

For the finals awards, the Bareback Horse of the Badlands Circuit Finals went to Blessed Day, owned by Championship Rodeo. The Saddle Bronc Horse of the Finals was won by Scandal, of Sutton Rodeo, and the Bull of the Circuit Finals went to Extra Dirty Martini, owned by Fettig Rodeo.

During the Sunday rodeo, the 2020 Miss Rodeo North Dakota was crowned.

Callie Enander, Fargo, N.D., won the title. The 23-year-old cowgirl is a graduate of Kindred High School, where she was involved in FFA through livestock judging and horse judging and won several national and state awards for her work. She is a barrel racer and the daughter of Randy Enander, Sandy Johnson and Jeremy Alm.

The Minot Y’s Men’s Rodeo is a not-for-profit venture by the YMCA Men of Minot, N.D. Proceeds from each year’s rodeo benefit the Triangle Y Camp at Lake Sakakawea, near Garrison, N.D. Next year’s Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo is tentatively set for October 9-11, 2020. Hess and 4- Bears Casino & Lodge are proud sponsors of the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo. National sponsors include the PRCA, WPRA, RAM, Cinch, Justin Boots, Pendleton, Montana Silversmith, American Quarter Horse Association, Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame, Only Vegas and Experience Kissimmee.

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Ram Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo, Minot, ND

4^th performance October 6, 2019

Year end and average winners for the Badlands Circuit

 

All-around Champion: Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D.

All-around champion for the Finals: Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D.

 

Bareback riding

Bareback Riding Year End Champion: Jamie Howlett, Rapid City, S.D.

Bareback Riding Average Champion: Jamie Howlett, Rapid City, S.D.

 

4^th go round results:

1. Jamie Howlett, Rapid City, S.D. 87 points on Fettig Pro Rodeo’s Adam’s Pet; 2. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D., 85; 3. Jake Camody, Mobridge, S.D., 76.5; 4. Ben Kramer, Towner, N.D., 69.5.

 

Average results:

1. Jamie Howlett, Rapid City, S.D. 338 points on 4 head; 2. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D. 335; 3. Jake Carmody, Mobridge, S.D. 289.5; 4. Ben Kramer, Towner, N.D. 218 on 3 head.

 

Steer Wrestling

Steer Wrestling Year End Champion:  Eli Lord, Sturgis S.D.

Steer Wrestling Average Champion: Joe Nelson, Alexander, N.D

 

4^th go round results:

1. (tie) Reed Kraeger, Elwood, Neb. and Colt Floyd, Buffalo, S.D. 3.7 seconds each; 3. Carson Good, Long Valley, S.D. 4.3; 4. Joe Nelson, Alexander, N.D. 4.4.

 

Average results:

1. Joe Nelson, Alexander, N.D. 20.2 seconds on 4 head; 2. Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D. 20.3; 3. Colt Floyd, Buffalo, S.D.12.6 on 3 head; 4. Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D. 14.2.

 

Team Roping

Team Roping Year End Champion Header: Jon Peterson, Belle Fourche, S.D.

Heeler: Trae Smith, Georgetown, I.D.

Team Roping Average Champion Header: Turner Harris, Killdeer, N.D.

Heeler: Jade Nelson , Midland, S.D.

 

4^th go round results:

1. Cooper W White, Hershey, Neb./ Tucker White, Hershey, Neb. 4.4 seconds; 2. Jade Schmidt, Box Elder, S.D./ Matt Zancanella Aurora, S.D. 4.5; 3. Alfred Hansen, Dickinson, N.D./ Levi Tyan, Wallace, Neb. 4.6; 4. Wyatt Bice, Killdeer, N.D./ Parker Murnion, Bowman, N.D. 5.5.

 

Average results:

1. Turner Harris, Killdeer, N.D./Jade Nelson, Midland, S.D. 23.8 seconds on 4 head; 2. JB Lord, Sturgis, S.D./Jake Beard, Menoken, N.D. 25.0; 3. Jade Schmidt, Box Elder, S.D./Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D. 25.6; 4. Wyatt Bice, Killdeer, N.D./Parker Murnion, Bowman, N.D. 38.5.

 

Saddle Bronc Riding

Saddle Bronc Year End Champion: JJ Elshere, Hereford, S.D.

Saddle Bronc Average Champion: Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D.

 

4^th go round results:

1. Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D 87 points on Sutton’s Painted Fire; 2. Jade Blackwell, Rapid City, S.D. 84.5; 3. Cole Eshere, Faith, S.D. 83.5; 4. (tie) Jeremy Meeks, Scenic, S.D. and Louie Brunson, New Underwood, S.D. 83 each.

 

Average results:

1. Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D. 336.5 points on 4 head; 2. Jade Blackwell, Rapid City, S.D.320; 3. Ty Manke, Rapid City, S.D. 319; 4. Jeremy Meeks, Scenic, S.D. 310.

 

Barrel Racing

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

Barrel Racing Average Champion:  Amanda Harris, Spearfish, S.D.

 

4^th go round results:

1. Britany Diaz, Solen, N.D. 13.40 seconds; 2. Nikki Hansen, Dickinson, N.D., 13.59; 3. (tie) Amanda Harris, Spearfish, S.D. and Molly Otto, Grand Forks, N.D. 13.64 each.

 

Average results:

1. Amanda Harris, Spearfish, S.D. 55.05 seconds on 4 runs; 2. Cally Kindred, Harrold, S.D. 55.07; 3. Carey Rivinius, Carson, N.D. 55.37; 4. Molly Otto, Grand Forks, N.D. 55.55.

 

Tie-down Roping

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

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

 

4^th go round results:

1. Dane Kissack, Spearfish, S.D. 8.1 seconds; 2. Jason Vohs, Dickinson, N.D. 8.9; 3. Myles Kenzy, Iona, S.D.  9.6; 4. Trey Young, Dupree, S.D. 10.0.

 

Average results:

1. Trey Young, Dupree, S.D. 37.0 seconds on 4 head; 2. Jason Vohs, Dickinson, N.D. 39.4; 3. Myles Kenzy, Iona, S.D. 45.7; 4. (tie) Dane Kissack, Spearfish, S.D. and Rex Treeby, Hecla, S.D. 29.5 seconds on 3 head.

 

Bull Riding

Bull Riding Year End Champion: Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D.

Bull Riding Average Champion: Chance Schott, McLaughlin, S.D.

4^th go round results:

1. (tie) Chance Schott, McLaughlin, S.D. on Sutton’s Danielson, TJ Schmidt, Belle Fourche, S.D. on Bailey Pro Rodeo’s Cougar; and Coleman Entze, Golden Valley, N.D. on Sutton’s Mississippi Mud, 86 points each; 4. Riley Blankenship, Killdeer, N.D. 84.5.

Average results:

1. Chance Schott, McLaughlin, S.D. 255 points on 3 head; 2. Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D. 166.5 points on 2 head; 3. TJ Schmidt, Belle Fourche, S.D. 166 points; 4. Riley Blankenship, Killdeer, N.D. 165.6.

Women’s Breakaway Roping

Year End Champion: Samantha Jorgenson, Watford City, N.D,

Average Champion: Tanegai Zilverberg, Holabird, S.D.

4^th go round results:

1. (tie) Samantha Jorgenson, Watford City, N.D., Jennifer Belkham, Holabird, S.D., and Brandi Guttormson-White, Hazen, N.D. 2.9 seconds each; 4. (tie) Brooke Howell, Belle Fourche, S.D. and Tanegai Zilverberg, Holabird, S.D. 3.0 each.

Average results:

1. Tanegaie Zilverberg, Holabird, S.D. 10.4 seconds on 4 head; 2. Brandi Guttormson-White, Hazen, N.D. 11.7;3. Brooke Howell, Belle Fourche, S.D. 12.0; 4. Jennifer Belkham, Blunt, S.D. 12.2

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

 

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – It’s common for rodeo athletes and fans to use the hashtags “grateful” or “blessed.” Each year, that gratefulness is expressed at the annual PRCA Awards Banquet in Las Vegas before the start of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

The final online ballot process will be open Oct. 1-11 for applicable voting PRCA members. Eligible voters will need to keep an eye on their email inbox for voting information on Oct. 1. If no email is received for voting, contact Nate Vodehnal in Rodeo Administration for more information.

The winners for each category will be announced at the PRCA Awards Banquet at the South Point Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas on Dec. 4.

The following men, women and committees are among the bunch of highly skilled and enthusiastic nominees:

Announcer of the Year 

Andy Stewart

Bob Tallman

Randy Corley

Wayne Brooks

Will Rasmussen

Dress Act of the Year 

Bobby Kerr – Mustangs riding in car

Haley Ganzel – The Cowgirl Sweethearts – Roman & Trick Riding

Madison MacDonald – Magic in Motion – Trick Riding

Rider Kiesner – Trick roping, gun spinning, whips

Tomas Garcilazo – Horsemanship & Rope Artistry

Clown of the Year

Cody Sosebee

JJ Harrison

John Harrison

Justin Rumford

Keith Isley

Bullfighter of the Year 

Cody Emerson

Cody Webster

Clay Heger

Dusty Tuckness

Nathan Jestes

Wacey Munsell

(Please note that there are 6 nominees rather than 5 due to a tie. They will all be on the final ballot.)

Comedy Act of the Year

Cody Sosebee

Gizmo McCracken

John Harrison

Justin Rumford

Keith Isley

Music Director of the Year

Brandy Edmonds

Chuck Lopeman

Jill Loden Franzen

Josh Hambone Hilton

Randy Stretch Mayer

 

Photographer of the Year 

Dale Miller

Dan Hubbell

James Phifer

Matt Cohen

Robby Freeman

 

Stock Contracting Firm of the Year 

Cervi Championship Rodeo

Frontier Rodeo

Pete Carr Pro Rodeo

Powder River Rodeo

Stace Smith Pro Rodeos

Secretary of the Year 

Amanda Sanders

Brenda Crowder

Eva Chadwick

Haley Bridwell

Sandy Gwatney

Timer of the Year 

Allison France

Amy Muller

Jayme Pemberton

Shawna Ray

Toby Dunlavy

Pick Up Man of the Year

Jason Bottoms

Matt Twitchell

Shandon Stalls

Shawn Too Tall Calhoun

Tyler Robertson

Will O’Connell

(Please note that there are 6 nominees rather than 5 due to a tie. They will all be on the final ballot.)

 

Small Rodeo of the Year

Blackfoot, Idaho

Claremore, Okla.

Coulee City, Wash.

Huntsville, Texas

Yuma, Colo.

Medium Rodeo of the Year 

Amarillo, Texas

Belle Fourche, S.D.

Coleman, Texas

Estes Park, Colo.

Stephenville, Texas

Large Indoor Rodeo of the Year 

Denver, Colo.

Fort Worth, Texas

Houston, Texas

Nampa, Idaho

San Antonio, Texas

Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year 

Caldwell, Idaho

Cheyenne, Wyo.

Deadwood, S.D.

Dodge City, Kan.

Pendleton, Ore.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The contract personnel for the Dec. 5-14 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo were announced Wednesday by the PRCA.

They are as follows:

NFR Contract Personnel

Assistant General Manger

Bennie Beutler

Announcer

Randy Corley

Announcer

Wayne Brooks

Announcer

Andy Stewart

Secretary

Sunni Deb Backstrom

Assistant Secretary

Debi Davis

Office Manager

Vickie Shireman

Timer

Jayme Pemberton

Timer

Kim Sutton

Timer

Courtney Morehead

RE Chute Boss

Tom Neuens

Assistant RE Chute Boss

Brent Sutton

TE Chute Boss

Tony Amaral

Assistant TE Chute Boss

John Wagley

Music Director

Benje Bendele

Specialty Act

Madison MacDonald

Specialty Act

Niki Flundra

Livestock Superintendent

John Barnes

Asst. Livestock Super

Ryan Brown

* Photographers, barrelmen, bullfighters and pickup men will be announced at a later date.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) and Rural Media Group (RMG) announced a multi-year agreement which will see the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) move to The Cowboy Channel (TCC) and RFD-TV beginning in 2020. The ultimate annual rodeo event will now be seen by millions of people live simultaneously on two national TV networks. Also included in the deal is a wide variety of other PRCA programming, including expanded live coverage of the PRORODEO TOUR and the PRCA’s Xtreme Bulls Tour events which will result in a huge increase in the amount, availability and quality of PRCA PRORODEO coverage on The Cowboy Channel, including:

• All 10 nights of the NFR live, and a new East Coast Prime Time encore airing the next day
• Live coverage of at least 18 PRORODEO TOUR final performances each year plus a taped highlight show for encore airings on both The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV
• TV coverage of 10 episodes of PRCA’s Xtreme Bulls, including the Xtreme Bulls Tour Finale with encore airings on both TCC and RFD-TV.
• Extended pre- and post-coverage of the NFR each night (RODEO LAS VEGAS)
• A new weekly pro rodeo studio show, PRORODEO Tonight
• Heightened event production across all events, including the use of Sky Cam
• Enhanced fan experiences through programming that highlights the uniqueness of local rodeo communities, their organizing committees, and the charities they support, plus special access to the PRCA athletes and other PRCA members whose contributions are key to the sport of PRORODEO
• New national coverage of PRCA PRORODEO on one of the major broadcast networks will be announced at a later date

“This is a huge milestone in the growth of the PRCA,” PRCA CEO George Taylor said. “Never before has PRORODEO assumed the prime placement and coverage that will be seen under this deal. Our hats are off to Patrick Gottsch and his family, the owners of Rural Media Group, for their enthusiastic interest, support and devotion to our sport.”

“We are so proud and excited to partner with the PRCA, the rodeo committees, and of course all the PRCA cowboys & cowgirls to aggressively produce and distribute original programming that will support rodeo 365 days-a-year, on networks that are totally dedicated to serving and expanding the western sports community,” stated Patrick Gottsch, Founder & President of Rural Media Group, Inc. “There is a Golf Channel, the NFL Network, a baseball network, a tennis channel, and so on. Now rodeo has its own channel(s). RMG plans to do everything for rodeo and the PRCA that these other media partnerships have done for their sports.”

The deal will begin early in 2020 and will be preceded with the launch of the weekly PRORODEO Tonight show on The Cowboy Channel. The PRCA regular-season coverage on The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV is planned to begin in January. The finals of each televised PRORODEO TOUR event will be shown live on The Cowboy Channel and will be seen in taped highlight form later in the week in prime time and weekend afternoons on RFD-TV. Regular-season coverage also will include 10 episodes of the PRCA’s Xtreme Bulls series, each with multiple runs across dayparts. The coverage will be a co-production of PRCA and RMG.

NFR programming for 2020 will start with a 24-hour marathon of prior NFR finals, leading up to a red-carpet pre-event show, and the live NFR simulcast on both RFD-TV and The Cowboy Channel for 10 straight nights. Each episode of NFR coverage will conclude with a one-hour post-event show. Replays of each episode of the NFR will take place the next day on both networks, including in East Coast and West Coast Prime Time.

“Our new state-of-the-art studio in the Fort Worth Stockyards will serve as the base for producing the daily PRCA programming, leading up to and culminating each year with the National Finals Rodeo,” added The Cowboy Channel CEO Raquel Gottsch. “The massive volume of programming expected to be generated from this 6-year agreement will serve to populate both The Cowboy Channel and RFD-TV with original, unduplicated ‘live’ sports-related content which is very much desired by all cable, satellite, and distribution companies. We expect our distribution to grow substantially as a result.”

The networks are seen in a combined 94 million US TV homes. One or both are distributed by DISH, DIRECTV, Comcast, Spectrum, Cox, Sling, Verizon, AT&T, Mediacom, Suddenlink, AT&T Now and Roku.

“We expect a significant increase in the viewing of PRCA programming as a result of this groundbreaking new deal,” Taylor said. “This is one of the most exciting moments during my time leading the PRCA.”

You can see the media interview that happened yesterday on the Cowboy Channel on Facebook with RMG Founder and President Patrick Gottsch and PRCA CEO George Taylor, from the new Fort Worth Stockyards studio.  Media Inquires can be directed to Meghan Addessi Miele, mmiele@hstrategies.com or 212.776.1163.

Rodeo legends to be honored during prestigious weekend

 OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Rodeo icons will be recognized at the Rodeo Historical Society and National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s annual Rodeo Hall of Fame Weekend, November 8 – 9, 2019, with induction into the renowned Rodeo Hall of Fame. The Ben Johnson Memorial Award and Tad Lucas Memorial Award recipients will also be honored. The celebration will take place at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

The Rodeo Hall of Fame Class of 2019 inductees include Wacey Cathey, Buck LeGrand (1931 – 1997), Gene O. “Buddy” Cockrell, Thomas Joseph “T.J.” Walter (1949 – 2017), Lydia Moore, Frank Shepperson, Rob Smets and Jack Ward, and the Directors’ Choice Award recipient  is Dr. Charles “Bud” Townsend. The Tad Lucas Memorial Award recipient is Cindy Rosser, and the Ben Johnson Memorial Award recipient is Doug Clark.

“The National Cowboy Museum and the Rodeo Historical Society are delighted to celebrate rodeo by honoring the incredible men and women who helped make it an American tradition,” said Museum & President and CEO Natalie Shirley. “Rodeo Hall of Fame Weekend offers both rodeo enthusiasts and members of the public the opportunity to come together and celebrate a sport that is important to so many individuals — and families — across the country.”

Rodeo Hall of Fame inductions and awards are sponsored and selected by the Rodeo Historical Society, an organization under the auspices of the National Cowboy Museum whose worldwide members share an interest in preserving both rodeo history and the sport itself. Membership supports the Museum’s rodeo programs, including research, an oral history project, acquisition of materials for the American Rodeo Gallery and the distinguished Rodeo Hall of Fame.

Rodeo Hall of Fame Weekend includes the Rope ‘N’ Ride Cocktail Reception Friday, November 8, as well as the Inductee panel discussion and the Champions’ Dinner, Induction Ceremony and Benefit Auction on November 9. For more information, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org/event/rodeo-hall-of-fame-weekend/. Reservations for most events are required in advance and can be purchased online or by calling (405) 478-2250 ext. 218. Package pricing and à la carte options are available.

About the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City is America’s premier institution of Western history, art and culture. Founded in 1955, the Museum collects, preserves and exhibits an internationally renowned collection of Western art and artifacts while sponsoring dynamic educational programs to stimulate interest in the enduring legacy of the American West. For more information, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org.

CALDWELL, Idaho (Aug. 17, 2019) – If a script had been written for the conclusion of the Caldwell Night Rodeo, it couldn’t have played out any better than the actual competition on Saturday night.

It started with outstanding bareback riding where four-time and world standings leader Kaycee Feild tied for the arena record. Feild rode the Northcott & Macza horse named Spilled Perfume for 91 points to win the final round and the overall title. His total of 180 points on two rides is the highest on record here and added $8,702 to his earnings.

Feild won the championship here in 2012, a year after he won his first of four consecutive world titles. He qualified for his first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in 2008 and has competed at rodeo’s championships nine times. The most recent of those was last December.

He started off this year with a big win at RodeoHouston last March. Then while competing in Austin, Texas, he was injured sustaining facial and skull fractures. He returned to competition over the Fourth of July and won his first rodeo back at Mandan, North Dakota.

Feild has been in the lead of the world standings for most of the year and helped his quest to remain number one in Caldwell. The man behind him there also finished second here, Clayton Biglow, from Clements, California.

In the saddle bronc riding, a win here could have a big impact on Mitch Pollock’s season. Pollock, from Winnemucca, Nevada was 18^th in the world standings before he rode here. The top 15 at the end of September qualify for the NFR and Pollock needed a big win to move him in the standings.

He won the first round here with a 90-point ride, then came back and won the overall title with 176.5 points on two head. The $7,156 he won here should move him into the top 15 and give him an opportunity to compete in Las Vegas in December for the first time.

Pollock grew up in Nevada, but after coming to college in Idaho he has made the Twin Falls area his home. He had a lot of friends and fans that got to watch him make his victory laps around the arena and now they are all hoping to see him compete in Las Vegas.

A world champion bucking bull was the superstar here on Saturday. Powder River Rodeo’s Sweet Pro’s Bruiser had a much-anticipated match up with Challis, Idaho, resident Ruger Piva. Piva not only made it to the whistle, he scored 92-points and won the rodeo adding nearly $8,000 to his earnings.

Piva could also be headed to his first NFR thanks to the Caldwell championship. He was 17^th in the world standings and with the money he won here, he should move into the top 15. This year’s rodeo had a total payout of $327,501.

Plans are underway for the 86^th Caldwell Night Rodeo. More information is available at www.caldwellnightrodeo.com.

 

2019 Caldwell Night Rodeo Champions

Bareback Riding – Kaycee Feild, Genola, Utah, 180 points, $8,702

Steer Wrestling – (tie) Aaron Vosler, Laramie, Wyo., 13.9 seconds, $5,766

Kodie Jang, Townsville, Australia, 13.9 seconds, $6,888

Team Roping – Jr. Dees, Aurora, S.D., &

Lane Siggins, Coolidge, Ariz., 15.4 seconds, $7,946 each

Saddle Bronc Riding – Mitch Pollock, Winnemucca, Nev., 176.5 points, $7,156

Tie-Down Roping – Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 28.0 seconds, $8,785

Barrel Racing – Dona Kay Rule, Minco, Okla., 51.38 seconds, $8,718

Bull Riding – Ruger Piva, Challis, Idaho, 92 points, $7,952

CALDWELL, Idaho (Aug. 17, 2019) — The following are final results from the 85^th annual Caldwell Night Rodeo.

Bareback Riding: (final round) 1, Kaycee Feild, Genola, Utah, 91 points on Northcott & Macza’s Spilled Perfume, $1,650.* 2, Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif., 88.5, $1,250. 3, Steven Peebles, Redmond, Ore., 86, $900. 4, Seth Lee Hardwick, Ranchester, Wyo., 85, $600. 5, Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, 84.5, $350. 6, Caleb Bennett, Corvallis, Mont., 83.5, $250. (total on two) 1, Feild,180, $3,526. 2, Biglow, 174.5, $2,703. 3, Peebles, 172, $1,998. 4, Hardwick, 170, $1,293. 5, Bennett, 186, $823. 6, Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, 165.5, $588. 7, Cole Reiner, Kaycee, Wyo., 151.5, $470. (on one) 8, Clint Laye, Cadogan, Alberta, 83, $353.

Steer wrestling: (final round) 1, Aaron Vosler, Laramie, Wyo., 4.5 seconds, $1,305. 2, Levi Rudd, Chelsea, Okla., 4.6, $1,030. 3, (tie) Will Lummus, West Point, Miss., and Kodie Jang, Townsville, Australia, 4.7, $743 each. 5, Nick Guy, Sparta, Wis., 4.8, $405. 6, Kyle Irwin, Robertsdale, Ala., 5.3, $225. (total on three) 1, (tie) Vosler and Jang, 13.9, $4,024 each. 3, Lummus, 14.1, $3,182. 4, Irwin, 14.3, $2,620. 5, (tie) Rudd and Guy, 14.5, $1,778. 7, Jace Melvin, Fort Pierre, S.D., 15.6, $936. 8, Taylor Gregg, Walla Walla, Wash., 16.1, $374.

Team roping: (final round) 1, Jr. Dees, Aurora, S.D., and Lane Siggins, Coolidge, Ariz., 5.1 seconds, $1,138. 2, Garrett Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, and Dustin Davis, Terrell, Texas, 5.6, $942. 3, Jeff Flenniken, Caldwell, Idaho, and Tyler Worley, Berryville, Ark., 6.3, $745. 4, Clayton VanAken, Descanso, Calif., and Trey Yates, Pueblo, Colo., 6.7, $550. 5, Kaden Richard, Roosevelt, Utah and Bradey Ramone, Orangeville, Utah, 7.0, $353. 6, Clay Tryan, Billings, Mont., and Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 7.2, $196. (total on three) 1, Dees and Siggins, 15.4, $4,561. 2, Tonozzi and Davis, 16.7, $3,966. 3, Tryan and Graves, 17.0, $3,371. 4, Flenniken and Worley, 17.5, $2,776. 5, VanAken and Yates, 19.0, $2,181. 6, Richard and Ramone, 19.1, $1,586. 7, Aaron Tsinigine, Tuba City, Ariz., and Patrick Smith, Lipan, Texas, 22.0, $992. 8, Jaguar Terrill, Blackfoot, idaho and Jason Warner, Rexburg, Idaho, 26.4, $397.

Saddle bronc riding: (final round) 1, (tie) Spencer Wright, Milford, Utah on Powder River Rodeo’s Rich N Fancy and Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah, on Powder River Rodeo’s Look Again, 86.5 points and $1,450 each. 3, Mitch Pollock, Winnemucca, Nev., 86.5, $900. 4, Colt Gordon, Comanche, Okla., 86, $600. 5, Hardy Braden, Welch, Okla., 85, $350. 6, Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., 84.5, $250. (total on two) 1, Pollock, 176.5, $3,128. 2, Boore, 171.5, $2,398. 3, Wright, 170.5, $1,772. 4, Gordon, 168, $1,147. 5, Zeke Thurston, Big Valley, Alberta, 167.5, $730. 6, Braden, 166, $521. 7, Cress, 164, $417. 8, Bradley Harter, Loranger, La., 162, $313.

 Tie down roping: (final round) 1, Tyler Milligan, Pawhuska, Okla., 9.4 seconds, $1,334. 2, Tuf Cooper, Decatur, Texas, 10.0, $1,104. 3, (tie) Dane Kissack, Spearfish, S.D., and Marty Yates, Stephenville, Texas, 10.4, $759 each. 5, J.D. McCuistion, Collinsville, Texas, 11.2, $414. 6, Lane Livingston, Seymour, Texas, 11.5, $230. (total on three) 1, Cooper, 28.0, $4,569. 2, Milligan, 28.1, $3,973. 3, Livingston, 29.2, $3,377. 4, Yates, 31.0, $2,781. 5, (tie) Kissack and McCuistion, 31.9, $1,887. 7, Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif., 32.2, $993. 8, Colton Farquer, Oakdale, Calif., 37.6, $397.

Barrel racing: (final round) 1, Dona Kay Rule, Minco, Okla., 17.00, $1,637. 2, (tie) Christine Laughlin, Pueblo, Colo., and Stevi Hillman, Weatherford, Texas, 17.23 &  $1,023 each. 4, Carly Taylor, Andersonville, Tenn., 17.25, $409. (total on three) 1, Rule, 51.38, $3,315. 2, Hillman, 51.55, $2,841. 3, Taylor, 51.99, $2,368. 4, Amberleigh Moore, Salem, Ore., 52.12, $2,052. 5, Laughlin, 52.13, $1,578. 6, Brittney Barnett, Joliet, Mont., 52.16, $1,263. 7, Cheyenne, Wimberley, Stephenville, Texas, 52.36, $947. 8, Tanya Jones, Prineville, Ore., 52.41, $631. 9, Amanda Lewis Waller, Oreana, Idaho, 52.50, $474. 10, Cindy Smith, Hobbs, N.M., 52.97, $316.

Bull Riding:  1, Ruger Piva, Challis, Idaho, 92 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Sweet Pro’s Bruiser, $7,952. 2, Sage Steele Kimzey, Strong City, Okla., 89.5, $6,097. 3, Derek Kolbaba, Walla Walla, Wash., 87.5, $4,506. 4, Daylon Swearingen, Rochelle, Ga., 87, $2,916. 5, Chase Dougherty, Canby, Ore., 81.5, $1,856. 6, (tie) Happy Weight, Goshen, Utah and Colten Fritzlan, Rifle, Colo., 80, $1,193. 8, Shad Winn, Westmoreland, Kan., 79.5, $795.

*Tied for arena record with Steven Dent in 2008.

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Stars converged at the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as the Hall enshrined its 12-member class of 2019 Saturday.

 

The class was headlined by four-time world champion team roping heeler Allen Bach (1979, 1990, 1995 and 2006).

“I’ve just been reflecting on how cool our sport has been,” Bach said. “Everything about my life is based around rodeo. The team roping schools I do, the business that I do. Had it not been for rodeo, I would not have anything. I’ve just been doing a lot of reflection on how cool it was to live this kind of life.”

 

Bach holds the PRCA record for most qualifications (including invitations) by a team roper to the National Finals Rodeo with 30 (1978-96, 1998-2008).

 

“I’m not the most talented, but I loved what I did,” Bach said. “I probably outworked most of the people I roped against. A lot of talented guys didn’t make it as far as guys like us just because we loved it and we didn’t mind working hard at it. My deal was the work ethic I learned, not just in the arena, but driving all night and persevering through dry spells in July and August. Everybody likes to hear about the winning, but you have to learn to accept losing to get to the winning.”

 

The rest of the 2019 ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductees included Commotion, one of the greatest bucking horses of all time; stock contractors Elra Beutler and his son, Jiggs, posthumously; two-time world champion steer wrestler Dean Gorsuch (2006, 2010); world champion bull rider Doug “Droopy” Brown (1969); world champion bareback rider Larry Peabody (1984); notable Jerome Robinson; the Cody (Wyo.) Stampede Rodeo; contract personnel Tommy Lucia, posthumously; and three Women’s Professional Rodeo Association inductees – barrel racers Jimmie Gibbs Munroe and Sammy Thurman Brackenberry and notable Florence Youree.

 

In addition to the inductees, Guy Elliott, a former arena director for the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo in Denver and the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and a number of others, received the Ken Stemler Pioneer Award, which honors individuals in recognition of their groundbreaking, innovative ideas and forward thinking.

 

Bach also won NFR average titles in 1979 and 2006, roping with Jesse James and Chad Masters, respectively. In 1990 and ’95, Bach paired with Doyle Gellerman and Bobby Hurley.

In 2007, Bach became the 11th rodeo competitor to surpass $2 million in career earnings. Bach joined the PRCA in 1978.

 

Bach rallied from 15th to world champion with his 1990 victory in Las Vegas, becoming the first timed-event cowboy to go from 15 to 1 at the NFR. The first year that the PRCA crowned both world champion header and world champion heeler saw Bach and partner Bobby Hurley take the top spots.

 

Commotion – Bareback Horse

Commotion won three Bareback Riding Horse of the Year awards (1998-2000) when he was part of the Beutler and Gaylord Rodeo Company string.

 

The 1,300-pound, bay stallion, who stood at 16.1 hands, was voted the top bareback horse at his first Wrangler NFR in 1997.

 

He made 10 consecutive trips (1997-2006) to the Wrangler NFR before retiring in his prime at the 2006 Finals at the age of 15. Two rounds were won on him at the Wrangler NFR.

 

Commotion has sired more than 70 horses who have gone on to compete at the Wrangler NFR. His daughter Killer Bee was named the Top Saddle Bronc at the Wrangler NFR in 2013 and 2014 and was runner-up for Saddle Bronc of the Year in 2015. Another daughter of his is Wound Up, the 2016 Top Saddle Bronc at the Wrangler NFR and the 2017 Saddle Bronc of the Year.

 

“The thing about him is we raised Commotion,” stock contractor Bennie Beutler said. “What made Commotion so special was his disposition and he knew it. When you saw himself carrying himself around the arena, he knew he was something special. A lot of guys break them and halter break them, I wanted him to be was wild. We never broke him. I think what Commotion’s legacy will be is all the horses he has sired.”

 

In August 2013, artist T.D. Kelsey’s larger-than-life-statue of Commotion was dedicated at the National Route 66 Museum Complex in Elk City, Okla. He passed away Sept. 7, 2016, at the Beutler & Son ranch near Elk City, Okla., at 25. He was buried next to the statue.

 

Elra Beutler & Jiggs Beutler – Stock Contractor

Elra and his son, John Arthur “Jiggs,” Beutler formed Beutler and Son Rodeo Company in 1956.

 

Elra had previously worked with his brothers, Jake and Lynn, to form the Beutler Brothers Rodeo Company. The new company started with seven rodeos its first year. That steadily increased until the Beutlers were putting on about 30 each year across six states.

 

The Beutler name has been part of professional rodeo for decades, from the onset of Beutler Brothers Rodeo Company in 1929 to the collaboration of Beutler & Son Rodeo Company.

 

Beutler & Son became synonymous with top livestock and a quality rodeo production.

 

Focusing on quality over quantity, they chose rodeos based on the traveling needs of their stock. They sent livestock to the NFR every year between 1959-1962 and from 1964-1988.

 

Elra and Jiggs were among the foremost rodeo promoters in the business.

 

“I always thought Jiggs and Elra should have been in the (ProRodeo Hall of Fame) before me,” said Bennie Beutler, who was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2010. “Elra taught me all about the stock and being a horseman and Jiggs taught me how to run the rodeos. They were good at what they did, and they lived and bled rodeo. It doesn’t get any better than this to get Commotion and Jiggs and Elra in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.”

 

Jiggs was Bennie’s father and Elra was Bennie’s grandfather. Bennie’s sisters, rodeo secretaries Vickie Shireman and Dollie Riddle, gave the acceptance speech for Elra and Jiggs.

 

Fast-forward to the present, and Bennie and his son, Rhett, operate Beutler & Son Rodeo Company.

 

“This is kind of unreal,” said Shireman about Jiggs and Elra being inducted. “It is just a tremendous honor to get this kind of award. This is what it is all about.”

 

Elra passed away in 1987 at the age of 90. Jiggs died in a tractor accident in 1980 at the age of 55.

 

Lynn Beutler, Elra’s brother, was inducted into the inaugural ProRodeo Hall of Fame class in 1979.

 

Elra and Jiggs owned Old Spec, the curiously spotted, cross-bred Brahma bull that in 350 attempts, over a seven-year bucking career, allowed only seven riders to make qualified rides. Old Spec was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 1979. Elra and Jiggs also owned the 1973 Saddle Bronc Horse of the Year, Sam Bass.

 

“This is a special day,” Riddle said. “… Today is the highlight for me with our dad and granddad being recognized for the work they did.”

 

Dean Gorsuch – Steer Wrestler

Gorsuch, a steer wrestler with two world titles, eight qualifications to the Wrangler NFR, two Tour titles and $1.3 million in career earnings has certainly earned his spot in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

 

“Oh, gosh, it’s still a dream come true,” Gorsuch said. “I’m very humbled and can’t tell you how awesome it is, it’s something you want when you start your career, but you never know if you will be part of it. It’s very, very amazing. When I got a call (announcing his induction into the Hall of Fame) I thought they were joking, but I teared up and started crying because it’s a huge honor to be here.”

 

Gorsuch said it takes complete dedication to compete and be successful in ProRodeo. When his sons (Taydon, Trell and Teagan) got older, his priorities shifted from rodeo to fatherhood.

 

“Rodeo has been God’s plan, and I couldn’t have thought it out or dreamed it would be like this,” Gorsuch said.

 

The Nebraska cowboy started his PRCA career in 2002 and rapidly rose to ProRodeo stardom as he made his first Wrangler NFR qualification in 2005 and won his first world title in 2006. He went on to qualify again ever year from 2008 through 2013, picking up his second world title in 2010.

 

Gorsuch competed at the RAM National Circuit Finals Rodeo in 2005 and 2010 and was named Tour champion in 2006 and 2008.

 

Doug “Droopy” Brown – Bull Rider

Whether he believes it or not, Brown will soon be surrounded by the legends he’s admired.

 

Brown won the 1969 bull riding world championship with $27,610. It was one of 13 total NFR qualifications – five in bull riding and eight in saddle bronc riding (though one year he did not compete due to injury).

 

All that success landed Brown a Hall of Fame selection.

 

“It’s pretty humbling when you go through (the Hall of Fame) displays of all the predecessors who are in here and to think that you’re in with this group,” Brown said. “You wonder how many world champions are in here. You’re just another one coming in. I’m very thankful.

 

“I think every cowboy going down the road wants his career to end this way. It’s a great way to check out.”

 

Larry Peabody – Bareback Rider

Peabody, a Montana native, made a steady climb in rodeo to his 1984 bareback riding world title.

 

Within three years of becoming a member, Peabody had qualified for his first National Finals Rodeo. He went on to make five total, all consecutive, and crowned it with the 1984 bareback riding championship.

 

Saturday he was still trying to come to grips that he is now a ProRodeo Hall of Famer.

 

“Yes, it did (catch me off-guard),” said Peabody about his induction. “You get emotional, you get to wondering why you got chosen. Sleepless nights (since getting here for the ceremonies). It’s been a very enjoyable deal, but it’s almost like it’s too overwhelming.”

 

Peabody also won the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association bareback riding title in 1981. He won the Montana Pro Rodeo Circuit bareback riding year-end title four times, the circuit team roping title once and the all-around once.

 

In 1981, that first NFR trip, he set a then-NFR record with an 89-point ride on Growney’s Dreamboat Annie. He also split the NFR average in 1983 and finished the season in third place.

 

He edged fellow Hall of Famer Lewis Feild for the 1984 title by $2,000. The race was so close it came down to the final round of the NFR. Even after he’d been declared the champ, it took a while for Peabody to truly believe it.

 

“It (the world title) meant I accomplished what I wanted to accomplish,” Peabody said. “That’s why I slowed down after that. I never had the drive to rodeo and pursue another world championship.”

 

Jerome Robinson – Notable

Robinson was a cowboy with many hats – a contestant, contractor, event producer, contract personnel and member of the PRCA Board of Directors. With so many titles on his résumé, Robinson is being inducted to the HOF as a Notable, a word that summarizes his career.

 

“It’s pretty humbling, very humbling, when you think of all those who preceded you and are more deserving,” Robinson said. “It’s very humbling to be recognized for accomplishments, and you almost feel guilty because you know there are others who did as much as you did. I’m thankful and appreciative to the PRCA for everything they contributed to my life.”

 

Robinson competed with the PRCA for 16 years, starting in 1967, and made 11 trips to the NFR (1970-75, ’77 and ’81). He mentored several PRCA world champion bull riders and many others involved with rodeo production.

 

Robinson was instrumental in creating PROCOM in 1975, a system still in use today for entering rodeos. This task, along with starting the Winston Tour, are what he considers to be his most difficult achievements.

 

“I was a bull rider, but I was afforded the opportunity to get on the board,” Robinson said. “It was an educational experience where I learned a lot and was fortunate enough to be around when Ken Stemler took over. He was a linear thinker who could explain things.”

 

Cody Stampede Rodeo – Committee

Cody, Wyo., is often called the “Rodeo Capitol of the World” – and for good reason, as it’s home to the Cody Stampede Rodeo, which has attracted countless tourists to the small town just east of Yellowstone National Park since 1919.

 

Now in its centennial year, the Cody Stampede was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

 

“It is still really overwhelming, and to be part of this impressive class of inductees means the world to us,” said Marc Thompson, a co-president of the Cody Stampede with Mike Darby.

 

Darby also was thrilled about the ultimate recognition given to the Cody Stampede on the year of its 100th anniversary.

 

“It’s the icing on the cake, and that’s an understatement,” said Darby. “It’s a dream come true and a whirlwind of happenings and an honor to be here. We try to put on the best possible rodeo every year with the best athletes and best stock and showcase the very best the sport has to offer.”

 

Thompson knows the Hall of Fame induction is something that was years in the making.

 

“I feel blessed with this honor because it honors our 100-year history,” Thompson said. “We know how much time, effort and energy they put into making this the lasting legacy and getting Hall of Fame status is an honor to the past directors and the Cody community.”

 

The Cody Stampede won the PRCA’s Best Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year in 1998 and 1999.

 

Tommy Lucia – Contract Personnel

Lucia was a Wrangler NFR Barrelman (1973), three-time Wrangler NFR Specialty Act (1997, 1999 and 2004) and three-time PRCA Specialty Act of the Year (2003-05).

 

For more than 50 years he worked as a barrelman and specialty act, entertaining at rodeos across the U.S. In 2010, he was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, and in 2016, he was inducted into the National Cowboy Rodeo Hall of Fame.

 

Lucia passed away June 1, 2016, on his 75th birthday.

 

His son, Anthony, a ProRodeo announcer, trick rider and team roper, knew first-hand the passion his father had for rodeo and success.

 

“We’re proud of the way that he was, and we’re proud of how hard he worked to achieve the things that he did,” Anthony said. “When it came down to it, he wasn’t doing it for glory he was doing it to survive and to provide for his family. He gave his heart and his soul to professional rodeo, his animals and everybody around him so that he could provide for his family. When it came down to it, that’s who my dad was.”

 

Dominic Lucia, Anthony’s older brother, echoed his brother’s sentiments.

 

“Our dad’s legacy, as time has moved on, I think we’ve all realized the importance of that and I think at the end of his life he realized the importance of that,” Dominic said. “So, it’s something like this that will be there for our kids, our kids’ kids and generations to come to see what he did. What he contributed not only to rodeo, but also society is something that is very meaningful to us as a family.”

 

Jimmie Gibbs Munroe – Barrel Racer

While Gibbs Munroe initially made a name for herself in the rodeo arena, winning a world title in 1975, her love and commitment to the association cemented her legacy in the sport.

 

“It’s just a tremendous honor to be included in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame because it’s the only hall that’s solely dedicated to the sport of professional rodeo and I’m just so excited that women have a place now and can be included in the Hall thanks to the PRCA,” Munroe said.

 

Munroe was an 11-time NFR qualifier and WPRA president from 1978-93.

 

“I spent a lot of years in the sport of professional rodeo and it was certainly good to me,” Munroe said. “I was very fortunate in what I was able to do and achieve in the sport.

 

“It’s exciting to be able to join my husband who was inducted as competitor in the Hall (Dan “Bud” Monroe, a 12-time NFR qualifier, 1986 PRCA World Champion Saddle Bronc Rider and 2007 inductee), that’s really something and means a lot.”

 

Sammy Thurman Brackenbury – Barrel Racer

Brackenbury was also an all-around talent, even roping and winning money in PRCA rodeos. Brackenbury qualified for the NFR 11 consecutive times, winning the world title in 1965.

 

During her career she served as the California Circuit Director, All-Events Director, vice president of the Association and in 1975 served as the president of the Girl’s Rodeo Association.

 

“I’m very proud to be honored, and I’m glad to be here,” Brackenbury said. “Everyone has been really good, and I’m proud to be inducted with the other barrel racers.

 

“My dad rodeoed, and my grandfather even rodeoed. It was a way of life for me. I grew up going to rodeos with my dad and mom – it was my life, it always has been my life, and I was very proud to win the world.”

 

Florence (Price) Youree – Notable

Youree is the first notable inducted under the WPRA umbrella into the Hall of Fame.

 

Youree was among the Top 15 six times and won the WPRA all-around title in 1966. But it was her services to the GRA/WPRA in an administrative capacity that landed her induction.

 

Youree served the association as a director, then president from 1960-64 and then secretary-treasurer, where she made the biggest impact. It was during that time that Youree worked to get the barrel racing included at the NFR as it is today.

 

“This is the biggest honor I could ever receive,” Youree said. “I couldn’t believe it (when they told me I was going to be inducted). When you do things that you really enjoy doing, you really don’t think you’re doing anything. I’ve had fun since I joined what was then the Girls Rodeo Association in 1951.”

 

And, Youree truly appreciated when the NFR added barrel racing.

 

“We were very grateful. It was like a dream come true,” she said “… I met with Mr. Stanley Draper that day and convinced him that they (the NFR) needed the girls, they needed some color.”

 

The WPRA contributed to this report.

Deeply respected and loved by his family, friends and the thousands of athletes whose lives he touched, Dr. J. Pat Evans passed away peacefully Monday July 22^nd at his Dallas home.

Evans, a Native Texan, was born August 5, 1930 and raised in Dallas. He was a devoted Christian, spending summers as a youth at Young Life camp in Colorado.  In 1947, following in the footsteps of his father, Evans served as Lodge Chief for Boy Scout Troop 42. He was one of the first to help settle Camp Constantin and instigated the long-standing ceremony of a torch-lit canoe paddle across Possum Kingdom Lake.

He attended Whitworth University in Washington on a football scholarship.  The disappointment of suffering a severe knee injury ultimately led Evans to discover his true passion at an early age. Now sidelined, Evans became the team’s Student Athletic Trainer. Upon graduation he promptly attended the Grady Vaughn School of Physical Therapy to further pursue his career in working with athletes.

Evans began his career at Baylor Hospital as a Physical Therapist. His success there soon led the department head to ask him why he didn’t just go to medical school and become a doctor.  Never one to ignore good advice, Evans graduated from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 1959, interned at Baylor University Medical Center and was promptly offered a staff position.  He practiced at Baylor Hospital for over 30 years.

Staying true to his original passion Evans was one of the very first surgeons in the U.S. to focus solely on sports medicine. He fought to have his category of “Sports Medicine” recognized as a subspecialty by the medical community. He was the Team Physician for the Dallas Cowboys from 1970 to 1989 and the Dallas Mavericks from 1980 to 1992.

In 1979 Evans was introduced to the world of rodeo by Walt Garrison who was both a Dallas Cowboy and rodeo cowboy. Along with his friend Don Andrews, then the Athletic Trainer for the Fort Worth Texans Hockey Team, Evans realized that rodeo cowboys usually took a bigger beating in 8 seconds than any NBA or NFL player. With the support of Garrison and world champion bull rider Don Gay, Evans and Andrews convinced the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association to initiate an onsite medical team. The Justin Boots Sports Medicine program was inaugurated at the 1980 National Finals Rodeo and remains the premier provider of top-tier medical support at major rodeos throughout the U.S. By the time Evans retired in 2000 the Sports Medicine team had racked up an incredible contribution toward caring for rodeo cowboys.  They attended 3,300 rodeos and 13,000 rodeo performances, treated over 135,000 athletic injuries, traveled 2.7 million miles and managed to have hundreds of doctors donate $28,000,000 of free medical services to the cowboys.

Dr. Evans’ many accomplishments and awards include being inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2002 and the ProRodeo Hall of Fame in 2004. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund in 1988. In 2006 he established the J. Pat Evans Foundation for rodeo research. He received the Jim Shoulders Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 from the Professional Bull Riders Association.

Evans credited his faith in Jesus Christ for his surgical abilities. He was grateful and humbled to be able to treat and extend the careers of so many athletes.  He gained the trust of his patients because he understood firsthand the frustration of being sidelined from competition. He loved his work and proclaimed that ‘cowboys are the toughest guys on the planet!’ The Sports Medicine Program was a dream of his and the world is a better place thanks to his determination, devotion and love of the athletes.

Early in his career Evans met an unsuspecting young woman, Joanie, whom he courted and eventually tricked into marrying him.  Little did she know what a life he had in store for her! Early on, Pat, the ever-attentive boyfriend, agreed to take Joanie to the country to shoot a shotgun for the first time. Pat carefully positioned a rather naïve Joanie in a cleverly chosen spot.  He carefully explained she should lean back a little and then pull the trigger. As expected, the the kick from this 12 gauge shotgun knocked the 97 pound Joanie backwards directly into the mud puddle located right behind her.  Pat and his accomplice, Bob Chambless, told and retold this story for the rest of their lives (but only when Joanie wasn’t around).  Despite this dreadful behavior Joanie agreed to marry Pat and they tied the knot in 1957.  Joanie was the love of Pat’s life and together they raised three high-spirited (putting it mildly) children; a daughter, Kerrie, and two sons, Mike and Kirk.

An avid outdoorsman, Evans taught his children the love of nature, hunting and fishing. The family often spent summers ‘Up Top’ at the family property in a somewhat remote area in Colorado. Most of the family’s weekends were spent at their Texas ranch not far from Dallas shooting, fishing, playing practical jokes on each other and creating a lot of chaos at all times.

Dr. J. Pat Evans’ tireless efforts to help others was endless.  His kindness and humor is the thing legends are made of. He is a Hero. We rejoice knowing he is Home at last with Joanie, his parents and friends that left this temporary home before him.

Thank you, Good Doctor.