Category: Rodeo Life Today

Minot, N.D. (September 25, 2023) – The best cowboys and cowgirls in the Dakotas will be in Minot next month for the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo.

 

And these number ones lead the charge, in their respective events.

 

North Dakota cowboy Chase Lako leads the tie-down roping. The Mandan man has won more than $17,000, with this the fifth time he has qualified for the Badlands Circuit Finals.

A financial advisor by day, rodeo is more of a “hobby” for he and his wife Kennedi, a barrel racer.

 

“It’s a hobby but a serious one,” he said. “My wife and I go to the barn every night and we’re riding five or six horses.” He will ride his nine-year-old gelding named Dunnie, who he trained.

 

South Dakota cowboy Mason Moody is on top of the pile of bull riders.

 

The 20-year-old is in his rookie year of PRCA action, and went straight from high school to rodeo. He competed in the PBR last year but decided to switch to professional rodeo this spring, and has done well, having won money at rodeos in Newtown, N.D., Mobridge, S.D., and Hamel, Minn.

 

“I felt like I could make a pretty good living rodeoing so I decided to pro rodeo and it’s worked out for me,” he said. “I’m definitely paying my bills, and this is definitely something you’ll always remember, when you look back at your rodeo career.”

 

Moody has more than $31,000 in winnings, ahead of the number two man, Chance Schott, who has won nearly $20,000.

 

Moody’s first trip to the Badlands Circuit Finals was two years ago, when he was a high school senior. He also qualified last year. He is ranked 36^th in the world standings.

 

In the barrel racing, a fan favorite, Jessica Routier, leads her event.

The South Dakota cowgirl has won more than $20,000 this year, having done well at Mandan and Killdeer, N.D., and Mobridge and Deadwood, S.D.

 

She also won the NFR Open (previously known as the National Circuit Finals Rodeo), which gave her a big boost in the world standings. Champs from each circuit finals qualify for the NFR Open, held in Colorado Springs in July. It was “super exciting,” she said, “and a result of winning the circuit finals, and all the more motivation to try to get back there this year.”

 

For most of the year, she rode Missy, her twelve-year-old mare who is a multiple Badlands Circuit Barrel Horse of the Year winner. She also rode Nicki, a daughter of the mare she won her first Badlands Circuit title on.

 

Routier, Buffalo, S.D., has won six year-end titles in the Badlands Circuit (2010, 2017, 2019-2022).

 

Another North Dakota cowboy, Joe Nelson, comes into the circuit finals in first place, in the steer wrestling.

The Watford City resident had planned to rodeo across the nation, but a horse injury forced him to come home and ride a borrowed horse.

 

He rode River Voigt’s horse, Woody, and on Woody, won money in Mobridge and Belle Fourche, S.D., Ashley and Killdeer, N.D. and Gordon, Neb.

 

Nelson rodeoed in the circuit and worked as a horse shoer and electrician.

 

As a kid, his sport of choice was baseball, not rodeo.

 

One day, he participated in a youth rodeo, winning the dummy roping, “and it was game on from there,” he said. “I told my parents I was done playing baseball.”

 

Nelson, who is 28 years old, won the average at the 2019 Badlands Circuit Finals. This is his fourth trip to the finals.

 

Other leaders coming into the circuit finals include bareback rider Ben Kramer, Max, N.D.; saddle bronc rider Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D.; team ropers Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, S.D. (header) and Cash Hetzel, Lemmon, S.D. (heeler); and breakaway roper Tanegai Zilverberg, Holabird, S.D.

 

The top twelve contestants in each of eight events, after the pro rodeo season, compete at the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo.

 

The rodeo is Oct. 13-15, with shows starting at 7 pm on Oct. 13-14 and at 1 pm on Oct. 15.

 

Tickets are $25 for adult general admission and $10 for kids ages 3-10. Gold buckle seats, the five rows closest to the arena floor, are $35 for all ages. The October 15 performance is Family Day with all general admission tickets at $10. They are available online at RodeoMinot.com, at North Country Mercantile in Minot (2000 20^th Avenue SE) and at the gate.

 

For more information, visit the website at RodeoMinot.com or Facebook and Instagram (search for Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo.)

 

A complete list of contestants follows.

 

– ### –

 

The list of the top 12 men and women in their respective events in the Badlands Circuit, after the regular season is over, qualify to compete at the Badlands Circuit Finals Rodeo.

 

Bareback riding

1. Ben Kramer, Max, N.D.
2. Shane O’Connell, Rapid City, S.D.
3. Nate McFadden, Elsmere, Neb.
4. Andy Gingerich, Aberdeen, S.D.
5. Clay Jorgenson, Watford City, N.D.
6. Bobby Reynolds, Humboldt, S.D.
7. Kaden Clark, Black Hawk, S.D.
8. Kyle Bloomquist, Raymond, Minn.
9. Steven DeWolfe-Shedeed, Buffalo Gap, S.D.
10. Ty Breuer, Mandan, N.D.
11. Cole Gerhardt, Mandan, N.D.
12. Chase Yellow Hawk, Blunt, S.D.

 

Steer wrestling

1. Joe Nelson, Watford City, N.D.
2. Cameron Morman, Glen Ullin, N.D.
3. Tyler Thorson, Manning, N.D.
4. Kaden Wooters, Elwood, Neb.
5. Logan Lemmel, Whitewood, S.D.
6. Reed Kraeger, Waco, Neb.
7. Scott Kleeman, Killdeer, N.D.
8. Jake Kraupie, Bridgeport, Neb.
9. Cole Fulton, Miller, S.D>
10. Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Neb.
11. Justice Johnson, Bismarck, N.D.
12. Joe Wilson, Martin, S.D.

 

Team roping – headers

1. Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, S.D.
2. Braden Pirrung, Hartford, S.D.
3. Brent McInerney, Alzada, Mont.
4. Guy Howell, Belle Fourche, S.D.
5. Cooper White, Hershey, Neb.
6. Clay Holz, Niobrara, Neb.
7. Jade Schmidt, Rapid City, S.D.
8. Tucker Dale, Halliday, N.D.
9. Jr Dees, Aurora, S.D.
10. Jon Peterson, Belle Fourche, S.D.
11. Reece Weber, Valentine, Neb.
12. Trevor Olson, Mud Butte, S.D.

 

 

 

Team roping – heelers

1. Cash Hetzel, Lemmon, S.D.
2. Jade Nelson, Midland, S.D.
3. Tanner McInerney, Alzada, Mont.
4. Riley Curuchet, Kaycee, Wyo.
5. Tucker White, Hershey, Neb.
6. Matt Zancanella, Aurora, S.D.
7. Conner Herren, Crooks, S.D.
8. Taylor Brower, Parshall, N.D.
9. Ros Ashford, Lott, Texas
10. Trae Smith, Georgetown, Idaho
11. Matt Kasner, Cody, Neb.
12. Jace Engesser, Spearfish, S.D.

 

Saddle bronc riding

1. Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D.
2. Lane Schuelke, Newell, S.D.
3. Kash Deal, Faith, S.D.
4. Cash Wilson, Wall, S.D.
5. Taygen Schuelke, Newell, S.D.
6. Lavern Borntreger, Elsmere, Neb.
7. Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D.
8. Jake Foster, Faith, S.D.
9. Jade Blackwell, Rapid City, S.D.
10. Traylin Martin, Faith, S.D.
11. Ty Manke, Rapid City, S.D.
12. Brady Hill, Onida, S.D.

 

Breakaway roping

1. Tanegai Zilverberg, Holabird, S.D.
2. Brooke Howell, Belle Fourche, S.D.
3. CY Christensen, Kennebec, S.D.
4. Rickie Engesser, Spearfish, S.D.
5. Jessica Holmes, Buffalo, S.D.
6. Kayla Olson, Chadron, Neb.
7. Taylor Engesser, Spearfish, S.D.
8. Samantha Fulton, Miller, S.D.
9. Danielle Wray, Ord, Neb.
10. Sawyer Gilbert, Buffalo, S.D.
11. Hailey Kleeman, Killdeer, N.D.
12. Misti Brown, Valentine, Neb.

 

Tie-down roping

1. Chase Lako, Arthur, N.D.
2. Jason Schaffer, Broadus, Mont.
3. Ty Moser, Volga, S.D.
4. Grant Turek, St. Paul, Neb.
5. Trey Young, Dupree, S.D.
6. Bodie Mattson, Sturgis, S.D.
7. Austin Hurlburt, Norfolk, Neb.
8. Matt Peters, Hot Springs, S.D.
9. Brock Belkham, Flandreau, S.D.
10. Rex Treeby, Hecla, S.D.
11. Cole Robinson, Moorcroft, Wyo.
12. Thane Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D.

 

Barrel racing

1. Jessica Routier, Buffalo, S.D.
2. Hallie Fulton, Miller, S.D.
3. Lakken Bice, Killdeer, N.D.
4. Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D.
5. Fonda Melby, Backus, Minn.
6. Nicole Bice, Killdeer, N.D.
7. Molly Otto, Grand Forks, N.D.
8. Taylor Hanson, St Onge, S.D.
9. Britany Diaz, Desdemona, Texas
10. Bobbi Olson, Sheyenne, N.D.
11. Britta Thiel, Belle Fourche, S.D.
12. Amanda Lewis, Oreana, Idaho

 

Bull riding

1. Mason Moody, Letcher, S.D.
2. Chance Schott, McLaughlin, S.D.
3. Jeff Bertus, Avon, S.D.
4. Riggin Shippy, Colome, S.D.
5. Jayden Hicks, Dunn Center, N.D.
6. Riley Shippy, Colome, S.D.
7. TJ Schmidt, Belle Fourche, S.D.
8. Dalton Wright, Keene, N.D.
9. Levi Schoenbaum, Burke, S.D.
10. Billy Stephenson, Jasper, Texas
11. Reid Helgoth, Burwell, Neb.

 

Unofficial list; subject to change.

 

 

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The 2023 Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping is shaping up to be the most competitive Finals yet with at least a third of the field entering this year’s finals with over $100,000 won. A year ago, only the No. 1 ranked cowgirl entered with over $100,000 won. Tickets are now on sale for this must-see championship event.

 

The NFBR, produced by the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association (WPRA) and Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), will be held at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center, Dec. 5-6. The roping will begin daily at 2 p.m. (PST) with doors opening at 1 p.m.

The Top 15 breakaway ropers will compete for prize money of $250,000 during the two-day, 10-round performance. This is the second year in a row the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center will play host to the NFBR.

“The South Point is a great place for the National Finals Breakaway Roping,” said Jimmie Munroe, WPRA President. “Michael Gaughan and the South Point are so welcoming it is a great place to have it. With it being held during the PRCA convention, it gives so many PRCA rodeo committees from all over the U.S. the chance to attend the National Finals Breakaway Roping to watch the best breakaway ropers in the world compete for a world championship.

 

“The growth of breakaway roping has been so phenomenal and so well received by all these committees. So, it’s great that they will have the opportunity to come to the National Finals Breakaway Roping at the South Point.”

 

Breakaway roping has gone from being featured at 30 PRCA rodeos in 2019 to more than 450 in 2023.

 

“I’m pleased to see the success and growth of breakaway roping since the inaugural National Finals Breakaway Roping in 2020,” PRCA CEO Tom Glause said. “Breakaway roping has experienced rapid growth and it is now featured at more than 450 rodeos annually. It is amazing that the breakaway ropers now have an opportunity to compete for $250,000 at the NFBR.”

 

General admission tickets are $30 each day, with reserve admission tickets available for $45 per day. Tickets can be purchased online at southpointarena.com, ticketmaster.com, or by using this direct event link: https://am.ticketmaster.com/southpoint/buy?filterType=169, by phone at 866-796-7111 or at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa box office. Tickets are electronic unless purchased at the box office or specified otherwise online or over the phone. Parking at the South Point Hotel and Casino is FREE.

 

“Anytime you do an event the first time, normally you would have some challenges, but this is what we do,” said Ryan Growney, General Manager of the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa. “I thought the event was well produced and well run. We sold more than 1,000 tickets each day, which was our original goal and I think now that people know about it, hopefully we can grow the audience. We are honored to have this event at our property.”

 

The South Point Hotel, which is a hotspot for contestants and visitors during the Wrangler NFR, is thrilled to be the event venue for the 2023 Wrangler NFBR. The 2023 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is Dec. 7-16 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

 

“We just want to create the awareness that the NFBR is a couple of days before the NFR,” said Steve Stallworth, General Manager of the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center. “We know the people who came last year are coming back. We are hoping to continue to grow that audience and get people to come to Vegas a couple of days early. I’m hoping for a big jump in year two.”

 

The 2020 National Finals Breakaway Roping took place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, in conjunction with the NFR and Jackie Crawford captured the world title. In 2021, the NFBR took place in Las Vegas at the Orleans Hotel and Casino and was won by Sawyer Gilbert.

 

Martha Angelone took home the title in 2022 and will be back to try and defend her title. She will be facing some stiff competition, one being her sister Sarah Angelone, who will be making her NFBR debut in 2023. In addition, she will face Shelby Boisjoli, who has qualified for every NFBR since its inception in 2020 as well as Hali Williams, who will be making her NFBR debut. Williams is the daughter of eight-time PRCA World Champion Team Roping Header Speed Williams and has been consistently ranked in the top two since March of 2023. She will be looking to add her own gold buckle to the family collection come December.

 

For more information visit www.wpra.com, www.prorodeo.com or www.southpointcasino.com.

A Wyoming horse enthusiast who owned two world-champion stallions in his lifetime has passed away at 74. Trigg Marquiss, a native of Gillette, Wyoming, died on August 30 after an ATV accident in Story, Wyoming.

Marquiss was born Oct. 25, 1948, the middle child of Quentin and “Toots” Marquiss. Both his grandfathers amassed historic ranches along the Belle Fourche River and helped nurture the fledgling town of Gillette. From the Wagensen side came Trigg’s love of horses; from the Marquiss side his quirky humor and inventive spirit.

Starting around 1973, Marquiss raised cattle and horses on his grandfather Fred Wagensen’s Beaver Creek Ranch southwest of Gillette. He invested in the 1972 blue-roan Quarter horse stallion, Mr. Racerunner that later won a world title, and began raising Leo- and Clabber-Bar-bred horses with his TM brand on the right jaw or Dollar Sign on the left buttock.

Over Trigg’s 19-year marriage to Denise, they held several production sales “under the chandelier” in Gillette, plus hosted team roping jackpots and raised three children immersed in 4-H, rodeo and horsemanship. Trigg, who collected vintage silver bits and spurs like he did great horses, served on his county’s Land Board, in the Wyoming Quarter Horse Association, and more recently as a founding member of the Sheridan WYO Rodeo’s Gold Buckle Club.

In 2015, Marquiss invested in the blue-roan yearling Still Get Jealous by One Time Pepto out of a High Brow Cat/Smart Chic Olena mare. Now 9, the stallion is a former NRCHA futurity champ that was selected for herd work in last year’s World’s Greatest Horseman contest. Marquiss loved watching Jealous’ foals grow near his home in Story and would even move them near the highway so travelers could enjoy them, too.

For the past quarter-century, Marquiss enjoyed summers in Story and winters in Carefree, Arizona, with his wife, JoAnn. And he delighted in his grandson – Trigg’s namesake born on his own 60^th birthday. Marquiss “threw a big loop,” or was interested in many different facets of life. He provided horses and Longhorn steers to TV and movie sets. The proponent of “tough love” was at the same time quite proud of the accomplishments of his kids, his grandson, and of the horses he bred and raised.

He’s survived by his wife, JoAnn; his daughters, Stephanie Gies (Jason) and Stacy Marquiss; his son, Tait Marquiss (Jennifer); his grandson, Trigg Marquiss; and his stepdaughters Jennifer Newson and Jessica Newson. He’s also remembered by his brother, Gary Marquiss; his sister, Glo Clark; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, a lasting contribution in his memory can be made in the form of a donation to the Wyoming High School Rodeo Association (WHSRA), “In Memory of Trigg Marquiss.” Checks can be sent to:  Shelly Thompson; 4180 Rd 44; Yoder, WY 82244.

 

 

 

 

 

LAS VEGAS (August 25, 2023) – Las Vegas Events announced today the list of Opening Acts for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo®. The annual showcase is scheduled for Dec. 7-16 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

 

Thursday, Dec. 7 – Vegas Night

Friday, Dec. 8  – Ian Munsick (also playing at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Dec. 9)

Saturday, Dec. 9 – Bryan Martin

Sunday, Dec. 10  – Kodi Lee (America’s Got Talent winner, Season 14)

Monday, Dec. 11 – Chancey Williams (also playing at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Dec. 15)

Tuesday, Dec. 12 – Drake Milligan (also playing at the Palms Casino Resort, Dec. 14)

Wednesday, Dec. 13 – Eddie Montgomery (also playing at the Golden Nugget, Dec. 15)

Thursday, Dec. 14 – Jake Worthington (also playing at the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Dec. 13-14)

Friday, Dec. 15 – Lainey Wilson (also playing at the Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Dec. 13-16)

Saturday, Dec. 16 – Gold Night

Known as the richest and most prestigious rodeo in the world, the Wrangler NFR attracts the top 15 contestants in bareback riding, steer wrestling, team roping, saddle bronc riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding to compete for a share of the increased purse and the coveted PRCA Gold Buckle. In 2022, the event had a total attendance of 173,350 over the 10 days of competition at the Thomas & Mack Center and has sold out more than 350 consecutive performances in Las Vegas.

 

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

Cutlines for photos –

CALDWELL, Idaho (Aug. 19, 2023)—A barrel racer from Lampasas, Texas earned more money than any other contestant at the Caldwell Night Rodeo, and it was her second championship here. She also won in 2006.

Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi won the first round, was second in the second and the final round and earned the title in the D & B Arena with a time of 50.50 seconds on three runs. When her paychecks were added up, she left here with $10,068 riding Jets Top Gun that she calls “Benny.” She is leading the world standings and is on pace to win a third world championship.

If she does that, it will be her first since 2009. She also won a gold buckle in 2007 and will compete at her 17^th Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR) in December where world titles are determined.

 

California’s Stan Branco is on pace to qualify for his second Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and a win in the steer wrestling at the Caldwell Night Rodeo is going to help him achieve his goal. He had a total time of 13.2 seconds on three runs to win $9,457. CNR photo by Hailey Rae.

 

Stan Branco from Chochilla, California left here with the steer wrestling buckle. He had a total time of 13.2 seconds to win $9,457. That money will help him secure his second trip to Las Vegas for the NFR. He was there 10 years ago, and is currently inside the top 15 in the world standings that qualify at 12^th. The money he earned here should move him up a spot and give him a little more breathing room.

Taylor Broussard was probably the happiest cowboy here on Saturday. He finished second in the finals but had the highest overall score of 174 points on two horses. He was the first contestant to take the victory lap in front of the “Rowdies and Civies.” Broussard is just outside of the top 15 and has ground to make up to qualify for his second NFR.

History might have been made with a husband and wife winning titles on Saturday. Shelby Boisjoli won the breakaway roping with a total time of 8.7 seconds and then got to watch her husband Haven Meged in the tie-down roping. Meged also earned the championship with a total time of 25.8 seconds.

The team roping title went to Tayler Wade from Terrell, Texas, and Wesley Thorp from Throckmorton, Texas. They had a total time of 15.7 seconds on three runs. Ryder Wright of Beaver, Utah, rode two saddle bronc horses for 176.5 points for the win.

The bull riding featured one round of competition and Dustin Donovan Bouquet from Bourg, La., held on to the top spot with 88.5 points. The all-around winner was Brush Minton from Witter Springs, Calif., who earned $&,603 in tie-down roping and steer wrestling.

Plans are underway for the 100^th edition of the Caldwell Night Rodeo which will be August 13-17, 2024.

 

2023 Caldwell Night Rodeo Champions

Bareback—Taylor Broussard, Estherwood, La., 174 points, $5,765

Steer Wrestling—Stan Branco, Chowchilla, Calif., 13.2 seconds, $9,457

Team Roping—Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas, and

Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas, 15.7 seconds, $9,786 each

Breakaway Roping—Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas, 8.7 seconds, $6,373

Saddle Bronc Riding—Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah, 176.5 points, $8,503

Tie-Down Roping—Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont., 25.8 seconds, $$7,525

Barrel Racing, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, 50.90 seconds, $10,068

Bull Riding—Dustin Donovan Bouquet, Bourg, la., 88.5 points, $9,580

All-Around—Brush Minton, Witter Springs, Calif., $7,603 won in tie-down roping and steer wrestling

 

CALDWELL, Idaho (Aug. 19, 2023) — The following are unofficial results from the 99^th edition of the Caldwell Night Rodeo.

 

Championship Night followed by overall winners–

 

Bareback Riding: (final round) 1, Cooper Cooke, Victor, Idaho. 88 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Two Buck Chuck, $1,650. 2, Taylor Broussard, Esterwood, La., 87.5, $1,250. 3, (tie) Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan., and Dean Thompson, Altamont, Utah, 86.5, $750. 5, Keenan Reed Hayes, Hayden, Colo., 85, $350. 6, Ty Pope, Marshall, Mo., 83, $250. (total on two) 1, Broussard, 174, $3473. 2, (tie) Cooke and Thompson, 173 and $2,315 each. 4, (tie) Jess Pope and Richmond Champion, Stevensville, Mont., 169.5, $1,042. 6, (tie) Hayes, Ty Pope and Mason Clements, Spanish Fork, Utah, 168, $463.

 

Steer Wrestling: (final round) 1, Stan Branco, Chowchilla, Calif., 3.9 seconds. 2, Stephen Culling, Fort St. John, British Columbia, 4.0, $1,212. 3, Josh Garner, Live Oak, Calif., 4.3, $960. 4, Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev., 4.6, $708. 5, (tie) Jacob Talley, Keatchie, La., and Mike McGinn, Haines, Ore.,, 5.5, $354. (total on three) 1, Branco, 13.3, $6,060. 2, Culling, 13.5, $5,270. 3, Garner, 13.9, $4,479. 4, Eldridge, 14.4, $3,669. 5, McGinn, 14.7, $2,898. 6, Talley, 15.0, $2,108. 7, Denell Henderson, Damascus, Ark.,, 15.3, $1,317. 8, Tristan martin, Sulphur, La., 17.4, $527.

 

Team Roping: (final round) 1, Tanner Tomlinson, Angleton, Texas, and Patrick Smith, Lipan, Texxas, 4.8, $1,225. 2, Wyatt Dalton Bray and Josh Patton, Stephenville, Texas, 5.3, $1,014. 3, (tie) Paule David Tierney, Oklahoma City, and Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla.; and Tyler Wade, Terrell, Texas, and Wesley Thorp, Throckmorton, Texas, 5.6, $697. 5, Keven Daniel, Franklin, Tenn., and Travis Graves, Jay, Okla., 5.7, $380. 6, Dawson and Dillon Graham, Wainwright, Alberta, 11.6, $211. (total on three) 1, Wade and Thorp, 15.7, $5,453. 2, Tomlinson and Smith, 15.9, $4,742. 3, Tierney and Braden, 16.5, $4,021. 4, Bray and Patton, 16.7, $3,319. 5, Daniel and Graves, 17.6, $2,608. 6, Graham and Graham, 23.0, $1,897. 7, Jaxson Tucker, Statesville, N.C., and Clay Futrell, Union Grove, N.C., 26.5, $1,185. 8, Cash Dury, Weimer, Texas, and Sid Sporer, Cody, Wyo., 26.5, $474.

 

Breakaway Roping: (final round) 1, (tie) Taylor Engesser, Spearfish, S.D., and Shelby Boisjoli, Stephenville, Texas, 3.0 seconds and $944 each. 3, Cheyanne Guillory, Kingston, Okla., 3.2, $677. 4, Kendal Pierson, Wardlow, Alberta, 3.5, $499. 5, Sarah Angelone, Lipan, Texas, 12.1, $321. 6, Aspen Miller, Santa Fe, Texas, 12.2, $178. (total on three) 1, Boisjoli, 8.7, $3,161. 2, Engesser, 8.8, $2,749. 3, Guillory,, 9.1, $2,336. 4, Pierson, 9.88, $1,924. 5, Angelone, 18.0, $1,512. 6, Miller, 18.20, $1,099.

 

Saddle Bronc Riding: (final round) 1, Ryder Wright, Beaver, Utah, 88 points on Powder River Rodeo’s Miss Valley, 88, $1,650. 2, (tie) Chase Brooks, Deer Lodge, Mont., and Stu Wright, Coalville, Utah, 86 and $1,075 each. 4, Statler Ray Wright, Beaver, Utah, 84.5, $600. 6, Jake Watson, Hudsons Hope, British Columbia, 84, $350. 6, Brody Cress, Hillsdale, Wyo., 83.5, $250. (total on two) 1, Ryder Wright, 176.4, $3,639. 2, Stu Wright, 173, $2,790. 3, (tie) Brooks, Statler Wright and Kolby Wanchuk, Sherwood Park, Alberta, 170.5, $1,415. 6, Logan Cook, Alto, Texas, 169.5, $609. 8, (tie) Cress and Wyatt Casper, Miami, Texas, 168.5, $182.

 

Tie-Down Roping: (final round) 1, Haven Meged, Miles City, mont.., 7.9 secodns, $1,465. 2, Shane Hanchey, Sulphur, La.,, 8.9, $1,212. 3, Michael Otero, Lowndesboro, Ala., 9.0, $960. 4, Cory Solomon, Prairie View, Texas, 9.1, $707. 5, Cole Eiguren, Fruitland, Idaho, 9.5, $455. 6, J.T. Adamson, Cody, Nev., 9.9, $253. (total on three) 1, Meged, 24.8, $6,060. 2, Solomon, 26.5, $5,270. 3, Hanchey, 26.9, $4,479. 4, J.T. Adamson, Cody, Nev., 27.4, $3,689. 5, Otero, 27.5, $2,898. 6, Eiguren, 28.2, $2,108. 7, Westyn hughes, Caldwell, Texas, 28.5, $1,317. 8, Chet Weitz, London, Texas, 31.4, $527.

 

Barrel Racing:  (final round) 1, Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla., 16.98, $1,906. 2, Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi, Lampasas, Texas, 17.04, $1,430. 3, (tie) Ashley Castleberry, Montgomery, Texas, and Halyn Lide, CHINA Spring, Texas, 17.11, $715. (total on three) 1, Tonozzi, 50.80, $3,860. 2, Lide, 51.75, $3,309. 3, Smalygo, 51.83, $2,757. 4, Castleberry, 51.9, $2,389. 5, Paige Jones, Wayne, Okla., 51.92, $1,838. 6, Megan McLeod-Sprague, Marsing, Idaho, 52.00, $1,470. 7, Sissy Winn, Corpus Christi, Texas, 52.14, $1,103. 8, Andrea Busby, Brock, Texas, 52.45. 9, Jackie Ganter, Abilene, Texas, 52.52, $551. 10, Abby Phillips, Marshall, Texas, 56.60, $368.

 

Bull Riding: (round 1 winners) 1, Dustin Donovan Bouquet, Bourg, La., 88.5 on Powder River Rodeo’s Boo Ray, $9,580. 2, J.B. Mauney, Stephenville, Texas, 84.5, $7,428 3, Hayes Thayne Weight, Goshen, Utah, 83, $5,584. 4, Jeff Askey, Athens, Texas, 82, $3,740. 5, JaCauy Lathan Hale, Ganado, Ariz., 80.5, $2,152. 6, Cullen Tlefer, Plant City, Fla., 78, $1,537.

 

Legendary bull rider wins Abilene, team ropers repeat as champs

 Abilene, Kans. August 5, 2023 – The winningest man in bull riding history came to Abilene and won himself a check.

 

J.B. Mauney, of Stephenville, Texas, scored 90 points on the Andrews Rodeo Co. bull named The Kracken to walk away with the 2023 Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo title.

 

It was a bull that Mauney had seen at the Window Rock, Ariz. rodeo, that Cody Jesus won first place on, and he knew it was a good bull, although a small one.

 

“It was a little bit smaller of a bull than I like,” he said. “I have longer legs so it’s harder for me to get ahold of” small bulls. But the bull performed like Mauney expected. “He did exactly what I thought he’d do. He bucked hard.”

 

The 36 year old cowboy is a two-time PBR champion (2013, 2015) and has lately turned to PRCA rodeos. He sat out much of last year due to groin injuries, resulting in surgery to put a plate on the pelvis after the muscles were ripped off the bone. After rehab, Mauney returned to bull riding, but after seven bulls, he ripped the groin muscle in half again and he was out the rest of the year.

 

Scores of fans stood in line, waiting for the autograph of the man who is considered the best bull rider ever. Mauney complied, visiting with every fan who was in line.

 

In the team roping, two teams tied for the title, and one of those teams is a repeat from last year.

 

Header Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, and his heeler Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla., along with header Braden Pirrung, Hartford, S.D. and his heeler Jade Nelson, Midland, S.D. both turned in times of 4.4 seconds each.

 

For Tierney and Braden, it was the second consecutive year to win the Abilene rodeo.

 

Tierney didn’t throw a very good loop, “but it ended up falling on,” he said. “I just turned my horse and let Tanner do what he does. He had to make a hand, and he did.”

 

Abilene is a tough rodeo to win, Braden said. The steers were evenly matched, which gave every team a good chance. And the best of the best come to Abilene. “You have the best fifty guys around, so you know you have to make a good run, and not beat yourself.”

 

The duo went to college together at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, where they roped together. They’ve roped together the last several years, missing making the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo last year by a couple thousand dollars.

 

Tierney’s older brother, Jess, won the steer roping held at the rodeo on Monday, and Paul David won the all-around title, the most money won at a rodeo in two or more events. He competed in the tie-down roping as well.

 

Other 2023 champions include bareback rider Rocker Steiner, Weatherford, Texas (84); steer wrestler Gus Franzen, Kearney, Neb. (84 points); breakaway roper Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, Ariz. (1.9 seconds); saddle bronc rider Ryder Sanford, Sulphur, La. (90.5 points); tie-down roper Riley Webb, Denton, Texas (7.8 seconds); and Jordon Briggs, Tolar, Texas (17.05 seconds).

 

Next year’s Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo is tentatively set for July 30-August 2, 2024.

 

###

 

Jordon Briggs rounded the barrels in 17.05 seconds to win the Abilene rodeo championship. Photo by Fly Thomas.

 

Results, Wild Bill Hickok Rodeo – Abilene, Kansas August 1-5, 2023

 

All-Around champion: Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City – team roping and tie-down roping

 

Bareback riding champion: Rocker Steiner, Weatherford, Texas

1. Rocker Steiner, Weatherford, Texas 84 points on Andrews Rodeo’s Cash and Carry; 2. Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas 83.5; 3. Gauge McBride, Kearney, Neb. 82; 4. Trent Tuten, Okeechobee, Fla. 80; 5. Quintonn Lunsford, McCune, Kan. 77; 6. Colt Eck, Redfield, Kan. 75.

 

Steer wrestling champion – Gus Franzen, Kearney, Neb.

1. Gus Franzen, Kearney, Neb. 3.9 seconds; 2. Tyler Pearson, Atoka, Okla. 4.6; 3. Olin Hannum, Malad, Idaho 4.7; 4. (tie) Chad Van Campen, McCook, Neb., Hoyt Kraeger, Weeping Water, Neb., and Mitch Hutto, D’Hanis, Texas 4.8 each; 7. (tie) Tevin Cowan, Harrold, S.D. and Travis Munro, Townsville, Australia 4.9 each.

 

Breakaway roping champion – Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, Ariz.

1. Danielle Lowman, Gilbert, Ariz. 1.6 seconds; 2. Ashley Goforth, Azle, Texas 1.8; 3. (tie) Kelsey Domer, Dublin, Texas and Tacy Webb, Midway, Texas 1.9 each; 5. Hope Thompson, Abilene, Texas 2.0; 6. (tie) Nicole Baggarley, Las Cruces, N.M., Jordi Edens, Gatesville, Texas and Alli Masters, Leon, Iowa 2.1 each; 9. (tie) Kamie Landolfi, Ada, Okla., Morgan Kessler, Callaway, Neb., Rheagan Cotton, Fairfield, Texas and Alex Loiselle, Decatur, Texas 2.2 each.

 

Saddle bronc riding champion – Ryder Sanford, Sulphur, La. 90.5 points

1. Ryder Sanford, Sulphur, La. 90.5 points on Andrews Rodeo Co.’s Cracker Jack;

Ean Price, Goodwell, Okla. 88.5;  3. Denton Ward, Goodwell, Okla. 85.5; 4. (tie) Riggin Smith, Winterset, Iowa and Wade Sundell, Boxholm, Iowa 85 each; 6. (tie) Jake Finlay, Goondiwindi, Australia and Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D. 83 each; 8. Will Pollock, Utopia, Texas 82.5.

 

Tie-down roping champion – Riley Webb, Denton, Texas

1. Riley Webb, Denton, Texas 7.8 seconds; 2. Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla. 8.4; 3. (tie) Kadin Boardman, Jackson, Mo. and Jax Clegg, Coweta, Okla. 9.1 each; 5. Roan Hudson, Arcadia, Fla. 9.4; 6. Nolan Richie, Bristol, S.D. and Lane Livingston, Seymour, Texas 9.5 each; 8. Pax Vogel, Mattfield Green, Kan. 9.8; 9. Logan Wiseman, Paola, Kan. 9.9; 10. (tie) Dallen McIntire, Thayer, Iowa, Colton Greene, Rock Springs, Texas, and Tom Crouse, Osage City, Kan. 10.1 each.

 

Team roping co-champions: Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla./Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla. and Braden Pirrung, Hartford, S.D./Jade Nelson, Midland, S.D.

1. (tie) Paul David Tierney, Oklahoma City, Okla./Tanner Braden, Dewey, Okla. and Braden Pirrung, Hartford, S.D./Jade Nelson, Midland, S.D. 4.4 seconds each; 3. (tie) Brye Crites, Welch, Okla./Rance Doyal, Hartshorne, Okla. and Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz./Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo. 4.5 each; 5. (tie) Clay Smith, Broken Bow, Okla./Coleby Payne, Stephenville, Texas and Blake Hughes, Sulphur, Okla./Casey McCleskey, Hedley, Texas and Brent Mibb, Pryor, Okla./Austin Rogers, Crescent, Okla. 4.7 each;8. (tie) Mason Appleton, Chelsea, Okla./Cooper Freeman, Carthage, Mo. and  Zack Woods, Walters, Okla./Gavin Foster, Elmore City, Okla. 4.8 each; 10. Wheston Jones, Okla./Lane Reeves, Wann, Okla. 4.9.

 

Barrel racing champion – Jordon Briggs, Tolar, Texas

1. Jordon Briggs, Tolar, Texas 17.05 seconds; 2. Rainey Skelton, Llano, Texas 17.12; 3. Hico, Texas 17.22; 4. Sara Winkelman, Big Lake, Minn. 17.27; 5. Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D. 17.33; 6. Quincy Sullivan, Peralta, N.M. 17.46; 7. (tie) Sadie Wolaver, Weatherford, Okla., Timber Allenbrand, Paola, Kan. and Katie Sowada 17.48 each; 10. Cayla Small, Afton, Okla. 17.53; 11. Michelle Darling, Medford, Okla. 17.56; 12. (tie) (tie) Sissy Warren, Glenwood, Iowa and Nikki Singler, Ashland, Wis. and LaTricia Duke, Three Rivers, Texas and Jamie Olsen 17.59 each.

 

Bull riding champion – JB Mauney, Stephenville, Texas 90

1. JB Mauney, Stephenville, Texas 90 points on Andrews Rodeo Co.’s The Kracken 2. Braden Richardson, Jasper, Texas 88.5; 3. Hudson Williams, Midlothian, Texas 86; 4. Cody Teel, Kountze, Texas 84.5.

 

Steer roping champion – Jess Tierney, Hermosa, S.D.

First round: 1. Brian Garr, 11.9 seconds; 2. Cody Lee 12.0; 3. (tie) Trenton Johnson and Trey Wallace, 12.7 each; 5. Brodie Poppino, 13.2; 6. Jess Tierney 13.3

Second round: 1. Jess Tierney 9.6; 2. (tie) Brodie Poppino and Slade Wood, 10.6; 4. Tanner Stec 11.1; 5. Billy Good 11.2; 6. Coleman Proctor, 11.3.

Third round: 1. Scott Snedecor 9.1; 2. Cole Patterson 9.4; 3. Rocky Patterson 10.1; 4. Kyle Cauthorn 10.2; 5. Matt Phipps 10.8; 6. J. Tom Fisher 10.9.

Average: 1. Jess Tierney 30.0 seconds on three head; 2. Brodie Poppino 35.1; 3. Cody Lee 36.9; 4. Martin Poindexter 43.4; 5. Brian Garr 53.1; 6. Cole Patterson 21.2 on two head.

 

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

 

 

 

CHEYENNE, Wyo., July 29, 2023 — A sold-out rodeo crowd of more than 15,000 watched the final contestants in the Semi Finals at Cheyenne Frontier Days advance to Sunday’s Championship Finals.

Saturday was filled with surprises during the rodeo in every event. The bareback riding win went to reigning world champion Jess Pope from Waverly, Kansas. Pope got on the Three Hills Rodeo horse named Short Stuff Bucks for 86.5 points. That gives him the opportunity to win the title here for the first time. While seeing Pope do well here is no surprise, watching his friend and traveling partner Tim O’Connell come up short was. O’Connell nearly bucked off before the eight-second buzzer but managed to score 79, just short of qualifying for Sunday’s finals. The Zwingle, Iowa, native is a three-time world champion and a three-time champion here. He has won the last two titles in Frontier Park and was hoping to make it three in a row.

In the breakaway roping KeAnn Hayes was the first competitor out, put her name at the top of the leaderboard and it stayed there. The Blanchard, Oklahoma, cowgirl had a time of 3.5 seconds and will be hoping to add her name to the history books as a champion at the “Daddy of ‘em All.”

Jake Pratt may be from Ellensburg, Washington, but winning the tie-down roping here would be really special for him. After graduating from high school, he moved to Laramie to attend the University of Wyoming. He qualified for the College National Finals Rodeo while in Laramie and has fond memories from the Cowboy State. He had the fastest time on Saturday at 12.3 seconds and will rope again on Sunday.

South Dakota’s Cole Elshere and Lefty Holman who grew up in California tied in the saddle bronc riding. Elshere rode the Summit Pro Rodeo horse named Big John. Holman got on United Pro Rodeo’s Awesome Sauce. When the judges added up their scores, they each had an 85 by their names. Both have qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo but have yet to win a title here.

There was also a tie in Saturday’s team roping at 8.9 seconds and all four men hale from Oklahoma. Curry Kirchner from Ames did the heading for Billy Jack Saebens from Nowata to set the pace. Three teams later, Corben Culley (header) from Muse, and Blayne Horne (heeler) from McAlester had an identical time.

The winner in the steer wrestling was Dakota Eldridge from Elko, Nevada. The nine-time NFR qualifier stopped the clock in 6.6 seconds and has a chance to win his first buckle from Cheyenne. Eldridge got to see his nephew, Lefty Holman, win in the saddle bronc riding.

Leslie Smalygo finished as the reserve champion in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association barrel race here last year. She had the fast time on Saturday and the Skiatook, Oklahoma resident will be a favorite for the championship.

When bull riders get hurt, there may be an option for a healthy rider to take his place. That’s what happened in the bull riding. Bryce Jensen, a recent high school graduate from Huntsville, Texas, competed in the Quarter Finals, advanced to the Semi Finals where he was the winner on Saturday. He scored 89.5 points on Stace Smith Pro Rodeo’s Redneck Romeo and will compete for the title on Sunday. If he wins, he will be one of the youngest CFD champions on record.

Stetson Wright, from Beaver, Utah, who won the last two saddle bronc riding titles in Frontier Park won’t be able to repeat. He rode here in that event on Saturday and fell short of the top six scores that advance. He was among Friday’s bull riders and will have an opportunity to win that title for the second time in his career. He also is a favorite to win the prestigious all-around award that goes to the contestant who wins the most money in more than one event.

Rodeo action at Frontier Park starts at 12:45 on Sunday where champions in all of these events will be crowned.

 

 

 

 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 29, 2023)- The following are unofficial results from Semi Finals  (eighth performance) and Finals qualifiers at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Saturday, July 28.

 

Bareback Riding: 1, Jess Pope, Waverly, Kan.,  86.5 points on Three Hills Rodeo’s Short Stuff Bucks, $3,144. 2, Waylon Bourgeois, Church Point, La., 85.5, $2,182. 3, Kade Berry, Weatherford, Texas, 84.5, $ 1,715. 4, (tie) Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, Canada, and Richmond Champion, Stevensville, Mont., 84, $905 each. 6, (tie) Trevan McAllister, Ronan, Mont., and Keenan Hayes, Hayden, Colo., 83.50, $238 each. Finals qualifiers:  Pope, Bourgeois, Kade Berry, Larsen, Champion, McAllister, Hayes, Donny Proffit, Diamondville, Wyo.; Ben Kramer, Max, N.D.; Jacek Frost, Browns Valley, Calif.; Kade Sonnier, Carencro, La.; Leighton Berry, Weatherford, Texas; Clayton Biglow, Clements, Calif.; and Cole Reiner, Buffalo, Wyo.

 

Breakaway Roping: 1, KeAnn Hayes, Blanchard, Okla., 3.5 seconds, $5,983. 2, Joey Williams, Volberg, Mont., 3.8, $4,533. 3, Anna Callaway, Billings, Mont., 4.3, $3,263. 4, Misti Brown, Valentine, Neb., 4.8, $2,175. 5, Kayelen Helton, Stephenville, 5.2, $1,269. 6 , Brandy Schaack, Chadron, Neb., 5.4, $907. Finals qualifiers:  Hayes, Williams, Callaway, Brown, Helton, Schaack, Bryana Lehrmann, Lexington, Texas; Willow Wilson, Baggs, Wyo.; Bradi Good, Abilene, Texas; Shayla Hall, Belle Fourche, S.D.; Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas, and Cassidy Boggs, Stephenville, Texas.

 

Tie Down Roping: 1, Jake Pratt, Ellensberg, Wash., 12.3 seconds, $5,200. 2, Westyn Hughes, Caldwell, Texas, 13.5, $4,300. , 3, Carsyn Sunvision, McDade, Texas, 13.6, $3,400. 4, Trent Creager, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 13.7, $2,500. 5, (tie) John Douch, Huntsville, Texas, and Tate Thomas, Sterling City, Texas, 16.8, $ 1,250 each. Finals qualifiers:  Pratt, Hughes, Sunvision, Creager, Douch, Thomas, Taylor Santos, Creston, Calif.; Marcos Costa, Tolar, Texas; Quade Hiatt, Canyon, Texas; Luke Potter, Maple City, Kansas; Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont., and Britt Bedke, Oakley, Utah.

 

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, (tie) Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif., United Pro Rodeo’s Awesome Sauce, and Cole Elshere, Faith, S.D., on Summit Pro Rodeo’s Big John, 85 points, $2,645 each. 3, Cameron Messier, Herald, Calif., 84.5, $1,642. 4, (tie) Stu Wright, Coalville, Utah; Dylan Hancock, Clarendon, Texas,  and Tegan Smith, Winterset, Iowa, 83.5, $730 each. Finals qualifiers:  Holman, Elshere, Messier, Wright, Hancock, Smith, Q Taylor, Casper, Wyo.; Sage Newman, Melstone, Mont.; Ryder Sanford, Sulphur, La.;  Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas;  Allen Boore, Axtell, Utah, and Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D.

 

Team Roping: 1, (tie) Curry Kirchner, Ames, Okla., and Billie Jack Saebens, Nowata, Okla.; and Corben Culley, Muse, Okla., and Blayne Horn, McAlester, Okla., 8.9, $  each. 2, Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla., and Buddy Hawkins II, Stephenville, Texas, 9.3, $ each. 4, Clayton Van Aken, Yoder, Wyo., and Cullen Teller, Ault, Colo., 9.4,  $2,500 each. 5, Mitch Barney, Blair, Neb., and J.W. Nelson, Alta, Iowa, 9.8, $1,600 each. 6, Edgar Aguilar, Greeley, Colo., Edgar Villegas, Denver, Colo., 10.2, $900 each. Finals qualifiers:  Kirchner and Saebens, Culley and Horn, Ward and Hawkins, Van Aken and Teller, Barney and Nelson, Aguilar and Villegas, Bubba Buckaloo, Kingston, Okla., and J.R. Gonzales, Maypearl, Texas; Matt Sherwood , Pima, Ariz., and Dylin Ahlstrom, Hooper, Utah; Jr. Dees, Aurora, S.D., and Ross Ashford, Lott, Texas; Billy Bob Brown, Carbon, Texas, and Kirby Blankenship, Lampasas, Texas; Kaleb Driggers, Hoboken, Ga., and Junior Nogueira, Presidente Prude, Brazil; and Erich Rogers, Round Rock, Ariz., and Paul Eaves, Lonedell, Mo.

 

Steer Wrestling: 1, Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev., 6.6 seconds, $4,060. 2, Billy Boldon, Oglala, S.D., 7.6,  $3,360. 3, Walt Arnold, Coleman, Texas, 8.1, $2,660. 4, Chisum Docheff, Mead, Colo., 8.7, $1,960. 5, (tie) Tate Petrak, Martin, S.D., and Newt Novich, Twin Bridges, Mont., 8.8, $980 each. Finals qualifiers:  Eli Lord, Sturgis, S.D.; Rowdy Parrott, Bellville, Texas; Tyler Waguespack, Gonzales, La.; Don Payne, ; Tristan Martin, La.; and Cameron Moorman, Glen Ullin, N.D.

 

Barrel Racing: 1, Leslie Smalygo, Skiatook, Okla., 17.27 seconds, $5,248. 2, Summer Kosel, Glenham, S.D., 17.28, $4,343. 3, Kassie Mowry, Dublin, Texas, 17.53, $3,438. 4, Tarryn Lee, St. David, Ariz., 17.56, $2,533 . 5, Michelle Merrick, Buckeye, Ariz., 17.61 seconds, $1,629. 6, Shyann Lucas, Jackson, Wyo., 17.65, $905. Finals qualifiers:  Smalygo, Kosel, Mowry, Lee, Merrick, Lucas, Sue Smith, Blackfoot, Idaho; Lacinda Rose, Willard, Mo.; Taycie Matthews, Wynne, Ark.; Wenda Johnson, Pawhuska, Okla.; Sharon Harrell, Wickenburg, Ariz., and Tara Seaton, Winslow, Ariz.

 

Bull Riding: 1, Bryce Jensen, Huntsville, Texas, 89.5 points on Stace Smith Rodeo’s Redneck Romeo,  $3,109. 2, Tristen Hutchings, Monteview, Idaho, 88.5, $2,355. 3, Garrett Smith, Rexberg, Idaho, 88, $1,696. 4, Ky Hamilton, Mackay, Queensland, Australia, 86, $1,131. 5, Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah, 85.5, $660 . 6, Riggin Shippy, Colome, S.D., 83.5, $471 . Finals qualifiers: Jensen, Hutchings, Smith, Hamilton, Frost, Shippy, Cannon Cravens, Porum, Okla.; Tyler Taylor, Stephenville, Texas; Trey Holston, Fort Scott, Kansas; Parker Breding, Edgar, Mont.; Stetson Wright, Beaver, Utah, and Cullen Telfer, Plant City, Fla.

 

The following events do not have Semi Finals.

 

Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: (first round winners) 1, Caleb Brangham, Big Piney, Wyo., 85 points, $1,242. 2, Hunter Greathouse, Santa Fe, Texas, 82, $941. 3, Lavern Borntreger, Elsmere, Neb., 79, $677. 4, (tie) Isaac Richard, Eunice, La.; Slade Keith, Stanfield, Ariz., and Denton Mars, Freedom, Okla., 78, $301 each. (second round winners) 1, Coleman Shallbetter, Gunnison, Colo., 82 points, $1,242. 2, (tie) Cauy Masters, Leon, Iowa, and Clancy Glenn, Parma, Idaho, 79, $810 each. 4, Caleb Newell, Vernon, Texas, 78, $452. 5, Blake Steuck, Hume, Mo., and Tayson Jones, Howes, S.D., 75, 4226 each. (overall winners – total on two) 1, Keith, 151 points, $1,242. 2, Newell, 148, $941. 3, Masters, 146, $677. 4, Richard, 145, $452. 5, Borntreger, 144, $263. 6, Glenn, 139, $188.

 

Wild Horse Race: 1, Team Roanhorse, $550. 2, Team Agin, $413. 3, Billy Scharton, $275. 4, NDN Outlaw, $137.50.

Photos by Ric Andersen, Courtesy Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo

Nothing is sweeter than Gold in the world of rodeo whether it be a gold buckle for world champions at season end or gold medals at the Only Gold Medal Rodeo in the World in the heart of Salt Lake City.

For two-time world champion Brittany Pozzi Tonozzi she continues to add to her legacy and on Monday night, July 24 she added a Gold Medal to her collection and crossed the $3 million mark in career earnings as the cherry on top. Just this summer she has won Reno, Calgary and now the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo to extend her lead in the WPRA World Standings. She won a total of $17,688 in Salt Lake City that will not appear in the world standings until next week’s standings are released since the rodeo ended on Monday.

Pozzi Tonozzi of Lampasas, Texas was the last barrel racer on the cloverleaf pattern and stopped the clock in a quick 16.79 seconds to earn her first gold medal.

“There are no words to describe what I am feeling right now,” stated Pozzi Tonozzi just after coming off the medal stand. “This is definitely an exciting time for me. This win ranks right up there as this is a great rodeo and pays well. Plus, it is fun to win a gold medal. This summer has been incredible.”

She captured the title aboard Jets Top Gun “Benny” owned by Busby Quarter Horses. Sired by Blazin Jetolena, Benny, has carried Pozzi Tonozzi to all her major wins this summer and hopes to carry her to a third gold buckle.

“I am so thankful for this horse. I have never felt a horse like this before and how he goes around the barrels. I am thankful for the Busby’s, my husband and my daughter. This is so awesome,” stated Pozzi Tonozzi.

Jordon Briggs, who won Gold in 2022 finished silver in a time of 16.91 seconds and Rachelle Riggers landed on the medal stand for the first time with a 17.19.

Pozzi Tonozzi bought her WPRA card 20 years ago, but she is experiencing a whole new list of new wins (Reno, Calgary, Salt Lake City) in 2023.

“I didn’t realize I still had so many first left but it is fun.”

Pozzi Tonozzi now joins Sherry Cervi and Lisa Lockhart as the only WPRA members to cross $3 million in career earnings.

In the breakaway roping Justine Doka, who is married to PRCA team roper Derrick Begay, finished atop the medal stand in a time of 2.0 seconds. Doka kicked off the Utah Days of ’47 Rodeo performances on July 19 winning the performance in a time of 1.8 seconds to easily advance to the Gold Medal Round. Doka advanced for a shot at gold landing eighth in the progressive round held the week before. Doka will add $12,840 to her season earnings from Salt Lake alone and will definitely make a big jump in the standings. She entered Salt Lake ranked 94^th with $7,591 so her gold medal performance should serve as a game changer for her career.

Zoie Bedke took silver in 2.3 seconds and Erin Johnson won bronze in 2.4 seconds in Salt Lake City.

      

CHEYENNE, Wyo., July 23, 2023 — Cheyenne Frontier Days is known for taking rodeo contestants out of their comfort zones.

Frontier Days boasts a big arena and animals have a lot of ground to cover. Nowhere is that more evident than in the timed events and it often takes a “never quit” mentality to get the job done. No one knows that better than Kyle Whitaker who has been a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association since 1995. Whitaker moved to the top of the leaderboard in steer wrestling with a 7.1-second run and is moving onto the Semi Finals.

The Nebraska native has been coming to Cheyenne nearly every year since then and in the early days would also enter the tie-down roping and saddle bronc riding. His prowess in rough stock and timed events has earned him the prestigious Linderman Award a record six times.

Now when he competes, he specializes in steer wrestling and that paid off for him here. He now lives in Bozeman, Montana, where he works as the rodeo coach at Montana State University. If his success here continues, he could win his first championship at the “Daddy of ‘em All.”

Tuesday’s saddle bronc riding competition was extremely competitive with a star-studded field, but the riders had their challenges in the big arena as well. Shorty Garrett, from Eagle Butte, South Dakota,  ended up at the top of the board with 85.5-point ride on his second horse of the day. He got on a re-ride after an equipment failure and made the best of it. His success came aboard Stace Smith Rodeo’s horse named Levi the Boss.

Lefty Holman from Visalia, California, and Orin Larsen from Inglis, Manitoba, both kept their momentum going here. Last Sunday, Holman was crowned bareback champion and Larsen won the saddle bronc riding at California Rodeo Salinas. They both will be advancing to the Semi Finals here after finishing second in their respective events.

The bareback riding winner was Bill Tutor from Huntsville, Texas, who has one Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification to his credit. Tutor was one-half point ahead of Larsen at 85 on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Cracked Pepper. Larsen also won the bareback riding in Frontier Park in 2016.

Taycie Matthews from Wynne, Arkansas is another Salinas champion who competed here today. The reigning National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association champion is loving being in Wyoming again. She won her college title in Casper last month. Matthews, who is a junior at the University of West Alabama, was 11^th in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association world standings in mid-July and is hoping to secure her first Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification. A win here would certainly help her do that. PRCA photo by Click Thompson

Quarter Finals 5 begins on Wednesday at 12:45 where new contestants in every event will be vying for their spots in the Semi Finals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (July 25, 2023)- The following are unofficial results from the Quarter Finals (fourth performance) and Semi Finals qualifiers at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo on Tuesday, July 25. Payoff subject to change.

 

Bareback Riding: 1, Bill Tutor, Huntsville, Texas, 85 points on Stace Smith Rodeo’s Cracked Pepper, $2,448. 2, Orin Larsen, Inglis, Manitoba, Canada, 84.5, $1,836. 3, Brayze Schill, West Columbia, Texas, 83, $1,224. 4, Donny Proffit, Diamondville, Wyo., 80.5, $612.

 

Breakaway Roping: 1, Martha Angelone, Stephenville, Texas., 3.5 seconds, $2.901. 2, Bradi Good, Abilene, Texas, 4.1, $2,176. 3, Willow Wilson, Baggs, Wyo., 4.7, $1,450. 4, Cadee Williams, Weatherford, Texas,  5.1, $725.

 

Tie Down Roping: 1, Haven Meged, Miles City, Mont., 9.9 seconds, $2,000. 2, Jake Pratt, Ellensberg, Wash., 10.4, $1,500. 3, Shad Mayfield, Lipan, Texas, 10.6, , $1,000. 4, Britt Bedke, Oakley, Idaho, $500.

 

Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Shorty Garrett, Eagle Butte, S.D., 88.5 points on Stace Smith Rodeo’s Levi The Boss, $ 2,354 . 2, Stu Wright, Coalville, Utah, 85., $1,766 . 3, Lefty Holman, Visalia, Calif., 84 points, $1,177 . 4, Isaac Diaz, Desdemona, Texas, 82, $589.

 

Team Roping: 1, Lane Goebel, Marshall, Minn., and J.W. Beck, Moville, Iowa, 8.3 seconds, $2,000 each; 2, Matt Sherwood, Pima, Ariz., and Dylin Ahlstrom, Hooper, Utah, 9.4 seconds, $1,500 each. 3, Andrew Ward, Edmond, Okla., and Buddy Hawkins II, Stephenville, Texas, 8.9, $1,000 each. 4, Billy Bob Brown, Carbon, Texas, and Kirby Blankenship, Lampasas, Texas, 9.6, $500 each.

 

 

 

Steer Wrestling: 1, Kyle Whitaker, Bozeman, Mont., 7.1 seconds, $2,000. 2, Curtis Cassidy, Donalda, Alberta, Canada,  7.5, $1,500. 3, Dakota Eldridge, Elko, Nev., 8.0, $1,000. 4, Logan Wiseman, Paola, Kan., 8.5, $500.

 

Barrel Racing: 1, Taycie Matthews, Wynne, Ark., 17.70 seconds, $2,413. 2, Jessi Fish, Washington, Texas, 17.77, $1,810. 3, Merritt Potter, Moody, Texas, 17.89, $1,206. 4, Lisa Lockhart, Oelrichs, S.D., 17.93, $603.

 

Bull Riding: 1, Fulton Rutland, Westville, Okla., 87 points on Rocky Mountain Rodeo’s Smokin Hot, $2,977. 2, Trey Kimzey, Strong City, Okla., 86, $1,798. 3, Maverick Potter, Waxahatchie, Texas, 85.5, $1,199. 4, Riggin Shippy, Colome, S.D., 84, $599. Other Semi Finals qualifiers: Josh Frost, Randlett, Utah, 82, and Connor Murnion, Jordan, Mont., 78.5.

 

The following events do not have Semi Finals.

 

Rookie Saddle Bronc Riding: 1, Cauy Masters, Leon, Iowa, 79 points. 2, Caleb Newell, Goodwell, Okla., 78, 3, Blake Steuck, Hume, Mo., 75. 4, Lavern Borntreger, Elsmere, Neb., 65.

 

Wild Horse Race: 1, Kenny Electric, $550. 2, Mo Green, Inc., $412.50, 3, Team Nowland, $275.

 

 

Horse finds perfect job as a trick riding animal for Helena cowgirl

Helena, Mont. – July 17, 2023 – A special horse has found a new direction to go in her life.

When Big Bonnie, a buckskin mare, was young, she didn’t fit anywhere. Because she was big at seventeen hands high, weighing 1,600 lbs., and smart, she could be intimidating, the people around here were unsure of her. There seemed to be nothing that the mare was willing to do.

When Big Bonnie was five years old, she was purchased by CR Kunesh, who had been her farrier. Her previous owner had called her “a handful,” he said, but he had always admired her. “She was a well-built big mare,” he said.

And when her owner wanted to sell her, nobody wanted her but Kunesh saw her potential. He didn’t need any more horses, but the owner asked what he’d give for her. “Fifty dollars,” he said, and for that price, she became his horse.

Kunesh, who guides elk hunts in the fall, rode her for three months on hunts, long days in the mountains. He knew she was good. “I really liked her. She was amazing,” he said.

But Big Bonnie was about to get a new home and a new job.

The mare “had a whole lot of energy with no place to go with it, and she was super intelligent,” he said. She needed a year-round job, not just three months a year guiding hunts.

In stepped Kunesh’s neighbors, nationally known trick rider Madison MacDonald-Thomas and her husband, Keegan Thomas, who live in Helena.

Madison had admired the buckskin, but had no need for another horse, till several of her trick riding horses were on the injured list.

Trick riding horses have to be trustworthy. They’re supposed to gallop around an arena, all while their rider is hanging off of them in precarious positions, without the reins in her hand.

But Madison had a sense that Bonnie could do it.

“She was big and beautiful,” she said, “and her previous owner couldn’t find a job for her. I asked if I could try her, because sometimes those horses work.”

And Bonnie worked great. Now she’s part of Madison’s herd, one of the horses she trusts as she performs at rodeos across the country.

Madison read Bonnie’s personality and came to understand that the big mare doesn’t respond positively when a rider pulls on the bit.

“If you hang in her mouth, she doesn’t take that very well.

“I can throw her the reins and she does her circle (in the trick riding). I stay out of her mouth,” she said.

Keegan gave the horse to Madison as a Christmas gift in December of 2021, and the mare took to the trick riding almost immediately.

“She loves running the circle (in the arena),” Madison said. “When she learned the pattern, it took nothing to teach her the tricks. She was so happy to run her little circle and stop. She’s tuned into one of my best horses.”

Madison, who is 5’4”, looks tiny when she’s on Big Bonnie.

“Everybody laughs when I ride her because I look like a fly on her back.”

Big Bonnie’s gift is the trick riding; Madison said she’s not well suited for anything else.

“Honestly, she’s not fun to ride outside the arena. I wouldn’t want to do any other discipline on her. She’s broke, but she loves trick riding.”

Bonnie loves to run, Madison said, and likes big rodeo arenas where there’s plenty of space to go full speed. “She’s so big, she stretches out and runs. She floats. It’s amazing.”

The horse, who seemed to have no purpose in life, now has a job.

“She was always a nice horse,” Kunesh said. “She just needed a job.

“Trick riding was the last thing I thought she’d do. But she’s found her calling.”

Big Bonnie will be one of the horses Madison rides as she trick rides at the Last Chance Stampede & Fair in Helena July 26-29.

The Night Show on July 26 is Nelly, with three nights of rodeo July 27-29.

Tickets for Nelly are $60 in advance and $65 on July 26. Rodeo tickets vary in price from $21-$26.

Night Show and rodeo tickets are available online at LCCFairgrounds.com, at the gate, and at the fairgrounds ticket office. Fees apply.

For more information, visit the website or call 406.457.8516.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Stars converged Saturday as the 2023 ProRodeo Hall of Fame class was immortalized.

 Steer wrestler Luke Branquinho, a five-time PRCA World Champion, headed up a star-studded 2023 induction class for the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

 Branquinho is joined by two-time PRCA World Champion Saddle Bronc rider Cody Wright (2008 and 2010), PRCA World Champion Team Roper Doyle Gellerman (1981), pickup man Kenny Clabaugh, rodeo notables Butch Knowles and Tom Feller and standout bareback horse Nightjacket, rodeo committees from the St. Paul (Ore.) Rodeo and Cowtown Rodeo in Pilesgrove, N.J., and barrel racer Sherry (Combs) Johnson, the 1962 WPRA World Champion and WPRA notable Fay Ann Horton Leach.

 The 2023 Ken Stemler Pioneer Award, which recognizes those who have provided groundbreaking, innovative ideas and forward thinking that help the development, advancement, and success of the PRCA and or the Hall of Fame and their missions is being awarded to Bryan McDonald, former bull rider and National Finals Rodeo judge. His foresight on day money and work with PROCOM have set the industry apart.

 

Branquinho is now a Hall of Famer

 

Branquinho, who was known for his booty shake, qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo 14 times – 2001-04, 2006-15 – and won the average three times in 2008, 2011 and 2014. He has the record for most NFR rounds won by a steer wrestler at 25.

 

“I don’t even know if words can describe it,” Branquinho said. “A guy starts his rodeo career just wanting to be the best that he can and win a world championship and to win five is pretty special. Then to be able to consider myself as one of the greatest with what you guys are saying being inducted into the Hall, I don’t have words to describe it. Some of my heroes are in there obviously, John W. Jones Jr. and John W. Jones Sr., and a lot of the California cowboys that helped put ProRodeo on the map and to be able to be in that Hall with them is very special.”

 

Branquinho was still digesting that he was being immortalized as one of rodeo’s greats.

 

“To be in the same building as the legends of the sport is still a little bit surreal, that I’m going to be in there with them,” Branquinho said. “When a person starts this journey of rodeo, being a hall of famer is not necessarily the goal. You just try and go out there and win as much as you can and support your family and hopefully at the end of the day you are called a great champion and to be put in the Hall of Fame, that means you accomplished all that and more.”

 

Although Branquinho had countless memorable rodeo moments – he pinpointed living the life of a PRCA cowboy is what he enjoyed most.

 

“The memories going down the road is something I will never forget,” Branquinho said. “When you’re rodeoing, the people you meet, and the friends you are traveling with they become your family. No matter what part of the country you are in you can pick up a phone and get help if you need it. Running in the Thomas & Mack and looking up and seeing the family that supported you 365 days out of the year to try and achieve those goals and being able wave to them after the 10th round knowing you just accomplished something very few people do is incredible.”

 

Cody Wright still can’t believe he got HOF call

 

The Wright family has been the gold standard for PRCA saddle bronc riding for years.

 

That excellence guided Cody Wright, a two-time PRCA World Champion in 2008 and 2010, into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame on Saturday.

 

“It is pretty unbelievable to be put into something like this with all the other guys who are in there and it’s crazy that I will be added to them,” Wright said.

 

Wright never saw the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as the end goal.

 

“I never did see this happening for me,” Wright said. “I never imagined all this was going where it was going. I was just a young kid with dream. I just wanted to rodeo and have fun and it has turned into so much more.”

 

Wright comes from the storied Wright family of saddle bronc riders as his brothers Jesse (2012) and Spencer (2014) also won PRCA World Championships as have his sons, Ryder (2017 and 2020) and Stetson (2021). Stetson has won a total of seven world championships – four in all-around (2019-22), two in bull riding (2020 and 2022) and one in saddle bronc riding in 2021. His youngest son Statler Wright is in his second year on his PRCA card, and his career has been highlighted by two wins at the storied Reno (Nev.) Rodeo in 2021 and 2022.

 

“Being able to do this with my family has probably been the most memorable thing and watching all their accomplishments along with all of mine,” Cody said. “There’s nothing better than to see your kids and your family do great as well. I always feel like the better they do, the better I do.”

 

Gellerman honored to be part of ProRodeo Hall of Fame

 

Doyle Gellerman has been a staple in the team roping world for the last 40 years and will now forever be enshrined as an inductee into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

 

“It has sunk in all right and it sunk all the way in when it happened (July 15),” Gellerman said. “This is something I never thought would happen to me. I never thought I would ever be going into the Hall of Fame, but here I am going in and what a great honor. It means the world to me.”

 

In 1981, Gellerman, a header, roping with partner Walt Woodard, shared the team roping world championship. Gellerman and Woodard each ended the season with $48,818 – back when only one team roper typically earned a gold buckle. Not until 1995 were separate PRCA header and heeler world championships awarded.

 

The title fulfilled a dream for Gellerman.

 

“I would have to say winning the world championship and the friendships I have,” Gellerman said when asked of his fondest rodeo memories. “I probably had 400 or more text messages or calls from people who I met from rodeo congratulating me. Winning the world championship was my main goal. I did want that one.”

 

Just a few years before Gellerman and Woodard were the 1979 co-reserve world champions. Gellerman was also reserve world champion in 1990, and he was the 1995 header reserve world champ.

 

He qualified for the National Finals Rodeo 25 times, the fifth most by any team roper in PRCA history. 12 of those selections came while Gellerman and Woodard were roping together from 1977-85 and they teamed up again from 1992-94.

 

Kenny Clabaugh realizes HOF induction

 

Kenny Clabaugh has always been known for helping others, whether that was inside the arena or out of it.

 

By nature, Clabaugh wasn’t about the spotlight at all, hence his nickname “The Invisible Man.” He didn’t seek attention nor boast about his accomplishments throughout the years. That was just who he was.

 

However, after being selected as a pickup man for the National Finals Rodeo seven times, he didn’t go unnoticed by the ProRodeo Hall of Fame selection committee. Clabaugh got the call of a lifetime from the ProRodeo Hall of Fame and was inducted Saturday.

 

“Oh my gosh, this means everything,” Clabaugh said. “I’m still in a state of shock. I never thought I would ever be close (to being in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame).”

 

Clabaugh was selected to work the NFR in 1983, 1986-88, 1990-91, and 1994. He had the opportunity to pick up a handful of guys who are already in the Hall and even one joining him in 2023. The honor makes him only the second pickup man to ever be inducted, joining Charles “Lefty” Wilken, who was inducted in 1999 after 10 trips to the Finals.

 

The Wyoming cowboy worked many rodeos throughout his ProRodeo career, which came to an end in 2000. He was a pickup man at the Black Hills Stock Show and Rodeo in Rapid City, S.D., with partner Steve Sutton for nearly 30 years.

 

“The people, the rodeos, the cowboys, it was all good,” Clabaugh said. “The key for me was I had good partners and good horses.”

Knowles immortalized forever in Hall

 

The voice of Butch Knowles is one of the most recognizable in the sport of rodeo.

 

Knowles has been in the broadcast booth for every National Finals Rodeo dating back to 1988. His dedication to the sport is one of a kind. His longevity and love for rodeo was recognized by the ProRodeo Hall of Fame selection committee as he was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame on Saturday.

 

“When I got up here (in Colorado Springs) it hit me like a ton of bricks,” said Knowles about the realization he was going into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame. “This is just crazy. I kept waiting for them to call me and say they made a mistake we thought you were Butch Myers or something, but they never called. It’s just crazy. It is nothing you ever think about. When you start out, this is the last thing anybody ever thinks will happen. It is so humbling.”

 

Knowles may be going into the Hall as a rodeo notable, but he’s known for his work inside the arena as well. He qualified for the NFR in saddle bronc riding in 1981, 1983, and 1986-87. He also won the NFR average in 1987. He said being a Hall of Famer is something that never crossed his mind while riding or announcing.

 

“The one thing that stands out and it just happened after they announced my induction is all the people who I haven’t seen for years who have wrote nice notes and congratulated me,” Knowles said. “When it is all wrapped up and done, I don’t think there’s any better lifestyle or people to be around than who we deal with on a daily basis. It is amazing.”

 

Years of rodeo commitment land Feller in Hall

 

Tom Feller’s passion and decades of commitment and loyalty to ProRodeo were immortalized on Saturday when he was inducted into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame as a notable.

 

“It’s one of those things that you can’t believe you’re worthy of really,” Feller said. “It’s overwhelming to me, especially with the category I’m going in with. When they put your name next to guys like Benny Binion, Mel Potter, or Michael Gaughan it’s truly remarkable. I don’t feel I belong with that group because I admire them so much. The things they’ve personally done for rodeo are so incredible.”

 

Feller is a cowboy through and through. His loyalty to the sport of rodeo and his commitment to ProRodeo programs such as the Justin Sportsmedicine team, the Justin Cowboy Crisis Fund and Chairman of the PRCA Board Directors gained him entrance into the Hall.

 

When Feller obtained his PRCA card in 1974, his highest aspiration was possibly to clown at the National Finals Rodeo someday.

 

He realized that dream when he was chosen as a barrelman at the National Finals Rodeo in 1981 and was an alternate in 1976, 1982, and 1985. He was also chosen as the PRCA Clown of the Year in 1981 and 1987. For years, Tom worked as a bullfighter with his brother Jim Bob Feller. Tom also wrote a column for the ProRodeo Sports News back in the day.

 

Tom was born Sept. 10, 1948, in Waco, Texas. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps. After his rodeo career, Feller has served as the director of event marketing for Justin Brands for more than two decades.

 

Feller, who “rodeoed before sports medicine,” said the Justin SportsMedicine team can’t prevent a cowboy from getting hurt, but they can educate them about how to prevent injuries and can get them back in the saddle again.

 

“Looking back on my life in rodeo, it just makes me realize I was probably put here for a purpose,” Feller said. “That was to not only be a steward of Justin Brands and the western way of life, but to be a steward to the (Professional Rodeo Cowboys) Association. I’m forever grateful for that.”

 

Nightjacket forever enshrined

 

Stock in the sport of rodeo is never undervalued. You could make the argument the roughstock animals and timed-event horses are just as important to success as the athletes that compete on them.

 

With that being said, there have been 38 animals selected to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame since the first induction class in 1979. That number will rise to 39 in 2023 as the famous “Nightjacket” raised by Jim and Maggie Zinser, who founded J Bar J Rodeo Company, will be inducted into the Hall.

 

Nightjacket competed at every Wrangler National Finals Rodeo as a bareback horse from 2000-2007. During that time, the horse helped six different cowboys reach the pay window in Las Vegas.

 

Even with Nightjacket’s success inside the arena, the horse may be more known for his star-studded offspring. Moving from J Bar J to Pickett Pro Rodeo, NFR bucking horses like Fringe Jacket, Straight Jacket, and Night Gazer are direct descendants of Nightjacket.

 

Even with Nightjacket’s passing in 2013 at the age of 19, many more of his offspring are lighting up the ProRodeo ranks as we speak, carrying on this once-in-a-lifetime horse’s legacy.

 

Cullen Pickett, who bought Nightjacket in 2009, said the horses’ bloodlines took their bucking stock to the next level. Now, those bloodlines will never be forgotten as an inductee into the Hall of Fame.

 

“He (Nightjacket) never had a day off. He always showed up and it’s been the same thing with his colts. His colts are just the ones you can count on. It doesn’t matter the arena or the situation. Nightjacket had a great bucking career himself, but his legacy will forever be remembered in the stock that’s come from him.”

 

Jim Zinser was thrilled to see Nightjacket enshrined.

 

“Going into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame is such an impressive honor,” Zinser said. “It’s a special accomplishment that means a lot to my family and I.

 

“In 1970, I had a man call me that I knew and rodeoed some. He had a riding stable in the Detroit (Mich.) area. He said I have this big brown mare that’s just throwing everybody off and I think she would work for you. I said you know I’ll take a chance on her. We started rodeoing with her and I really couldn’t believe how good this horse was. To this day, I’m going to say she is definitely in the top three or four for horses that have ever been on this ranch in 40 years. That horse ended up being Nightjacket’s grandmother.”

 

Zinser gushed about the talent of Nightjacket.

 

“You couldn’t believe how good Nightjacket was in the arena, but then when we started breeding him and we were just amazed at how good the colts really were.

 

“I think Nightjacket is definitely more known for his offspring than his bucking career. I might be a little bit biased, but I think he is definitely right there as one of the all-time great producing stallions in the sport of rodeo. He’s produced four world champion bucking horses. Dirty Jacket won it twice, Big Tex, and Deuces Night. Plus, he has had 60 of his genetic offspring at the NFR, where they have won over $2 million on them alone. This is a once in a lifetime line of genetics in the sport of rodeo.”

 

St. Paul Rodeo takes its place in HOF

 

For decades, the St. Paul Rodeo has been known as one of the most unique and finest rodeos on the PRCA trail.

 

The success of the rodeo hasn’t gone unnoticed as the St. Paul Rodeo Committee was inducted in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame on Saturday.

 

“We have 11 members on our board right now and six out of the 11 are grandsons or great-grandsons of our rodeo founders from 1936,” said Kevin Smith, the vice-president of the St. Paul Rodeo Committee. “The rodeo really is a family and community tradition that runs deep. I think it means even more to us because of the family connections. When I got the call from the meeting room that day I kind of felt like two other generations were with me right then and there.”

 

St. Paul, Ore., with a population of less than 450, is in the heart of the Willamette Valley, 20 miles from Salem, the state capital.

 

From those roots, the St. Paul Rodeo is going strong as ever. In 1991, the PRCA cowboys gave the St. Paul Rodeo a plaque proclaiming it the finest rodeo in the Northwest.

 

“We are receiving this honor because of the dedication of not only our staff and the people that have come before us, but our special community over the last 87 years,” Smith said.

 

Cowtown Rodeo enters ProRodeo Hall of Fame

 

The storied history of the Cowtown Rodeo in Pilesgrove, N.J., was rewarded at the highest level as it was enshrined into the ProRodeo Hall of Fame.

 

“It didn’t set in that we are going to become the newest members of the ProRodeo Hall of Fame until we stepped foot in Colorado Springs,” Cowtown Rodeo’s Betsy Harris said. “That’s when the reality set in for all of us.

 

“The first thing we thought about when we found out was Grant’s (Harris) Dad Howard. We think back to the work he did for rodeo. Now, that we’ve been here for 45 years that in itself is remarkable. You don’t think that you’ll ever do anything that long. When it’s your life and it’s a joy everyday like it is for us and now that our children are still involved there’s nothing better. It’s the best way to live.”

 

Cowtown has held rodeo competitions in Salem County, N.J., nearly every week since 1955, rain or shine. The only exceptions were six Saturdays at the start of the pandemic in 2020.

 

Cowtown is known as the oldest weekly professional rodeo in the United States. The rodeo runs each year from Memorial Day to the end of September each summer.

 

Cowtown Rodeo was started in 1929 by Howard Harris Sr. and his son, Howard “Stoney” Harris Jr. Stoney held the first rodeo in Woodstown N.J., in conjunction with the Salem County Fair, at the original auction grounds on North Main Street.

 

Presently this ground is known as Harris Acres, with the back stretch of the racetrack now being the Presbyterian Church on Auburn Road. The rodeo was held annually during the County Fair until 1938. World War II caused the rodeo to be put on hold until 1955 when Howard “Baldy” Harris, Stoney’s son, came back from the University of Idaho carrying the 1954 National Intercollegiate All-Around Rodeo Championship saddle.

 

Cowtown Rodeo was – and is – known nationwide due to live national TV exposure in 1958 & 1959 and taped exposure nationwide in 1969 and 1970. The rodeo outgrew the original arena and in 1967 built the present 4,000 seat arena.

 

Barrel racer Sherry Combs Johnson joins her sister, her horse in HOF

 

Combs Johnson joins the Hall of Fame alongside her world champion horse Star Plaudit “Red,” who was inducted in 2017 and her sister Florence Youree, who was inducted as a notable in the 2019 Class.

 

“When my horse Red went in it was great because I knew he was so worthy,” Combs Johnson said. “People have called me a legend this weekend, I’m not a legend. I’m just a person that did what they wanted to do and was able to do.

 

“I’m tickled beyond words and blessed to be included in this Hall, but I never thought I’d be here. Now, to join my horse and my sister, it’s truly special, it really is.”

 

Born Aug. 16, 1938, in Duncan, Okla., Johnson has made her home in Addington, Okla. During her career she qualified for 12 National Finals Rodeos, the first coming in 1959 at the first GRA (predecessor to the WPRA) Finals in Clayton, N.M. and the last in 1991 under the bright lights of Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center, a span of four decades (1959-68, 1970, 1991).

 

She won her first WPRA world title in 1961 in the all-around category, but the highlight of her career would come in 1962 when she won the barrel racing world title aboard Star Plaudit “Red.”

 

Johnson made her mark in the National High School Association as well, winning the all-around title, barrel racing and breakaway roping titles in 1955.

 

Johnson gave back to the WPRA, serving on the Board of Directors from 1963-1971, including a stint as the Vice President. She was named Coca-Cola Woman of the Year in 1997 and was inducted into the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City in 2005.

 

“When I got my card and went to the first NFR in Clayton (N.M.), I would have never dreamt of this day and what the Association has become,” she said.

 

Fay Ann Horton Leach’s years of dedication to rodeo put her in Hall

 

Fay Ann Horton Leach was one of the founding members of the Girls Rodeo Association.

 

Leach’s devotion to the sport has not gone unnoticed as she was inducted as a notable in the 2023 ProRodeo Hall of Fame class in Colorado Springs.

 

Leach led the Girls Rodeo Association (GRA-now WPRA) as a founding member, competitor, and board member. One of the 38 women who met in San Angelo, Texas, on Feb. 28, 1948, to form the very first professional sports association created solely for women by women.

 

“It didn’t set in for a long time that I was going to be a Hall of Famer,” she said. “I can’t really understand why I’m being inducted because all I’ve ever done is just work hard in my everyday life. But I’m really thankful for it I can tell you that. I think one of the things that I appreciate the most was getting to travel the country and meeting a lot of wonder people that are still really close friends of mine.”

 

Leach never won a world title in the barrel racing, but she qualified for nine consecutive NFRs (1959-1967). She would finish third in the world in 1962 behind Sherry Johnson, a fellow 2023 ProRodeo Hall of Fame inductee, and Wanda Bush.

 

Like many cowgirls during this era, they competed in many different events with calf roping being one of Leach’s favorites. In fact, she broke her mentor’s streak of six consecutive titles in the calf roping when she beat Bush for the world title in 1957. She would add three more of those titles in 1959, 1963 and 1971. She won the all-around in 1960, the flag race world title in 1964 and one that might surprise everyone was her bull riding title in 1966.

 

In 1967, Fay Ann married Billy Leach, who competed in the RCA roping calves and steer wrestling. Together they founded Billy Leach Ropes.

 

In 2011, she was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame under the category of Trailblazers and now she is immortalized in the ProRodeo Hall of Fame for her dedication to building a strong foundation for women in rodeo.

 

SHAWNEE, Okla. — The 2023 IFYR (International Finals Youth Rodeo) capped off a dominant event on Friday night as 11 new champions etched their names into the IFYR history books. The event hosted in Shawnee, Oklahoma, is one of the richest youth rodeos in history, dishing out $319,000 over six days and featuring nearly 1000 entries from 35 states.

Oklahoma Native Brooke Crenshaw (Colbert, Oklahoma) locked down the All-Around Cowgirl after earning more than $8,039 in the event. The Texas cowgirl ran supreme and notched the number two spot in pole bending ($3,388.80) with a 62.722 average and a lightning fast 7.3 average on three in the breakaway roping ($4,650.27).

 

Mason Stueve (Newton, Kansas) earned more than $8,784 during the six-day event to take the All-Around Cowboy title. Stueve earned a 28.2 average on three to win the runner-up in tie-down ($4,389.10) and took home the No. 2 spot in team roping heading for Junction City, Kansas teammate Trey Adams ($4,395.89).

 

Alabama bareback rider Collin Rolands (Childersburg, Alabama) landed in the final round after a 79.0 ride in the first go and a 77.0 ride in the second go alongside Kashton Ford (Sturgis, South Dakota) and Tate Papszycki (Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee). Rolands topped Ford and Papszycki’s averages after earning an 81.5 in the final round to land the championship position.

 

The team roping duo Carson Richey (Sunset, Texas) and Calvin Jr. Taylor (Cantuillo, Texas) earned a position in the short round after coming into the round in the No. 7 position.  Richey and Taylor matched up against Stueve and Adams along with the Decatur, Texas team of Huston and Gasperson. The dominant wave of team roping youth ended with Richey and Taylor recording one of the fastest times of the week with a 4.5 final round run to log an 18.5 average, besting the remaining 14 teams.

 

Colton Brumley (Mocksville, North Carolina) was unstoppable in steer wrestling. The North Carolina baseball pitcher recorded a 3.9-second run in Go-1 and a 4.5-second time in Go-2 before delivering a lightning-fast 4.8-second effort in the final round. The two-discipline athlete (tie-down roping and steer wrestling) ended the week with more than $4,130 in earnings.

 

As the Friday evening event continued, a hotly contested race in the saddle bronc began to unfurl. After being in the top two in both long rounds, Jasper Frost (Browns Valley, California) and Mitchie Story (Aztec, New Mexico) entered the final round edging each other’s averages. Calm and collected, Frost remained poised in the chutes as he readied for a career-defining moment. Reaching the requisite 8.0 for 80.0 points, Frost captured his first-ever IFYR win and accompanying $2,614 payday.

 

Breakaway roper Makenzie Dowell (Marlin, Texas) delivered a powerful performance when her string broke away from her saddle horn at the 1.7-second mark in the final round to end the event with a 6.1-second average on three. Dowell defeated Alabama’s Zoey Carpenter’s (Rutledge, Alabama) 6.1-second average and Grace Dubois’ (Church Point, Louisiana) 7.1-second average to earn the top time.

 

After earning the fastest times of the week in the second go with a 7.8-second run, Luke Coleman (Madisonville, Texas) backed into the box in the final round neck-and-neck with Mason Stueve (Newton, Kansas). The Texas tie-down roper earned the number one spot in the average after notching an 8.0-second time in the final round to take home a 28.1-second average. Coleman bested Stueve’s 28.2 average by one-one-hundredth of a second.

 

2022 All-Around Cowgirl Kacey Bass (Brenham, Texas) won the 2023 IFYR barrel racing title courtesy of her 46.063-second average. Bass notched the fastest time of the week in barrel racing during her round one run, clocking a 15.414. Emily Askew (Sealy, Texas) was near second place with a 46.182 average.

 

Ryker Butler (Mcloud, Oklahoma) was one of 10 bull riders to cover in the final round of bull riding. The Oklahoma Native Cowboy took home the IFYR title after recording an 84-point score in round two and an impressive 82.5-point score in the final round. Butler earned an overall 167.5 average on three.

 

Haiden Thompson (Yoder, WY) defended her IFYR goat tying title after securing her win with a 7.3 and 7.2-second run in the long rounds. The 2022 goat tying champ’s 6.8-second time in the final round marked the best time in two of three rounds. Thompson capped off the performance by defeating South Dakota’s Brylee Grubb (Spearfish, South Dakota) 21.9 average.

 

Cassidy Evans (Fort Supply, Oklahoma) and Brooke Crenshaw (Colbert, Oklahoma) found themselves in a shootout in the pole bending. The two ladies expertly navigated the course as Evans’ 20.323 in the final round would push her to the top of the leaderboard with a 62.116 average, distancing runner-up Crenshaw.

All results from the event can be found here.

AVERAGE WINNERS
Barrel Racing: Kacey Bass, Brenham TX 46.063/3 $3,865.97; Emily Askew, Sealy TX 46.182/3 $3,361.71; McKynlie Bowers, Woodward OK 46.266/3 $2,857.46; Braylee Ward, El Reno OK 46.414/3 $2,353.20; Roxy Waring, Ocala FL 46.481/3 $1,848.94; Addison Gregg, Guthrie OK 46.717/3 $1,344.69; Tannah Williams, Labelle FL 46.903/3 $840.43; Camree Slavin, Canadian TX 47.182/3 $336.17
Pole Bending: Cassidy Evans, Fort Supply OK 62.116/3 $2,185.33; Brooke Crenshaw, Colbert OK 62.722/3 $1,900.29; Camree Slavin, Canadian TX 62.768/3 $1,615.24; Harley Potter, Waxahachie TX 62.808/3 $1,330.20; Kaden Burger, Pauls Valley OK 63.719/3 $1,045.16; Dannie Hall, Tifton GA 64.142/3 $760.11; Madison Scott, Quenemo KS 64.234/3 $475.07; Gracie Lewis, Overbrook OK 65.011/3 $190.03
Breakaway Roping: Makenzie Dowell, Marlin TX 6.1/3 $4,706.29; Zoey Carpenter, Rutledge AL, Grace Dubois, Church Point LA split 7.1/3 $3,785.50 ea; Brooke Crenshaw, Colbert OK, Ceily Simpton, Navasota TX split 7.3/3 $2,557.77 ea; Chainey Weitz, London TX 7.8/3 $1,636.97; Addy Gose, Stephenville TX 8.3/3 $1,023.11; Tayln Wright, Canadian TX 4.3/2 $409.24
Goat Tying: Haiden Thompson, Yoder WY 21.3/3 $1,833.92; Brylee Grubb, Spearfish SD 21.9/3 $1,594.71; Alli Autrey, Abilene TX 22.2/3 $1,355.51; Madison Scott, Quenemo KS 22.5/3 $1,116.30; Shay Griswold, Geary OK, Kayleah Hurst, Slick OK split 23.2/3 $757.49 ea; McKynlie Bowers, Woodward OK, Georgia Shields, Lubbock TX split 23.7/3 $279.07 ea
Calf Roping: Luke Coleman, Madisonville TX 28.1/3 $2,521.46; Blake Carter, Seminole OK, Mason Stueve, Newton KS split 28.2/3 $2,028.13 ea; Nick Achille, Alvin TX 30.2/3 $1,534.80; Denton Dunning, Surprise AZ 32.8/3 $1,205.91; Riley Jenkins, Big Spring TX 33.0/3 $877.03; Colten Esthay, Kaplan LA, Brayden Kunz, Milan KS split 33.4/3 $383.70 ea
Steer Wrestling: Colton Brumley, Mocksville NC 13.2/3 $2,923.93; Ty Neal, Joaquin TX 13.4/3 $1,754.36; Colton Wilson, Burnet TX 15.3/3 $1,169.57
Saddle Bronc: Jasper Frost, Browns Valley CA 232.0/3 $944.57 ea; Mitchie Story, Aztec NM 225.0/3 $781.71 ea; Colt Bass, Statesville NC 209.0/3 $618.86 ea; Cooper Lane, Keller TX 158.5/2 $456.00 ea; Wyatt Lavergne, Sulphur LA 151.5/2 $293.14 ea; Jase Stout, Decatur TX 150.0/2 $162.86 ea
Bareback Bronc: Collin Roland, Childersburg AL 237.5/3 $1,010.57; Connor Griffith, Merryville LA 235.0/3 $757.93; Tate Papszycki, Cumberland Furnace TN 234.0/3 $505.29; Kashton Ford, Sturgis SD 233.5/3 $252.64
Bull Riding: Ryker Butler, McLoud OK 167.5/2 $1,175.74; Clay Guiton, Cherryville NC 167.0/2 $973.03; John Crimber, Decatur TX 85.0/1 $770.32; Hudson Bolton, Milan TN, Jace Hensley, Paola KS split 82.5/1 $466.24 ea; Ethan Winckler, Winnie TX 78.0/1 $202.71
Team Roping: Cason Richey, Sunset TX – Calvin Jr Taylor, Cantuillo TX 18.5/3 $3,178.44; Mason Stueve, Newton KS – Trey Adams, Junction City KS 19.0/3 $2,763.86; Dalton Huston, Decatur TX – Catcher Gasperson, Decatur TX 19.5/3 $2,349.28; Walker Guy, Waynesville NC – Houston Childers, Fairmount GA 21.8/3 $1,934.70; Briar White, Lawton OK – Hazen Suit, Ames OK 22.0/3 $1,520.12; Carson Coffelt, Ponce De Leon MO – Gus Albertson, Eldon MO 26.2/3 $1,105.54; Braxton Hughes, Canyon TX – Kyler Kanady, Breckenridge TX 27.6/3 $690.96; Levi James, Atoka OK – Garrett Hughes, Sulphur OK 28.4/3 $276.39