Category: Rodeo Life Today

WPRA WORLD FINALS RODEO
NOVEMBER 12, 2022
WACO, TEXAS

WORLD CHAMPION ALL AROUND: Sarah Angelone, $8059.92
RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION ALL AROUND: Martha Angelone, $7569.84
FINALS ALL AROUND CHAMPION: Sarah Angelone, $8059.92
RESERVE FINALS ALL AROUND CHAMPION: Martha Angelone, $7569.84

Tie Down Roping: WORLD CHAMPION: Tanegai Zilverberg, $4155.33
RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION: Kari Nixon, $2876.69

Breakaway Roping: NATIONAL CHAMPION: Josie Conner, $54,432.61
RESERVE NATIONAL CHAMPION: Martha Angelone, $41,862.02

Team Roping:  HEADERS
WORLD CHAMPION: Hope Thompson, $21,671.22
RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION: Bailey Gubert, $18,626.28
TEAM ROPING – HEELERS
WORLD CHAMPION: Lorraine Moreno, $17,994.28
RESERVE WORLD CHAMPION: Rylie Smith, $12,245.22

WACO, TEXAS – The Angelone sisters are quickly making names for themselves and their Virginia family in the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association.

Martha Angelone (pronounced – Ang-a-lone-e) has dominated the WPRA ProRodeo Breakaway standings this year and will be looking for her first world title the end of the month in Las Vegas, but it was her younger sister, Sarah who captured the family’s first WPRA World Title this weekend in Waco, Texas.

Sarah won the WPRA All-Around World Title with Martha finishing as reserve world champion. Sarah finished the year with $8,060, while Martha won $7,590 at WPRA approved events that had more than one roping discipline being contested at the same time. The sisters won all their all-around money at this weekend’s WPRA World Finals at Extraco Event Center. Sarah competed in breakaway roping and team roping, while Martha competed in all events offered – breakaway, team roping, tie-down and all-around barrels.

Sarah headed for Martha in the team roping and heeled for Jessica Remsburg, a former WPRA world champion as well.

The Angelone sisters, originally from Cross Junction, Virginia, and now are both living in Texas, look to be a force for years to come. Martha is currently the traveler in the family, while Sarah elects to stay closer to home making the WPRA World Finals a perfect fit for her. She is now looking forward to Martha adding another gold buckle to the family trophy case on Nov. 30 at the conclusion of the Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping, presented by Teton Ridge at the South Point Arena.

Joining Sarah Angelone in the world champions circle was Hope Thompson and Lorraine Moreno in the team roping and Tanegai Zilverberg in the tie-down roping.

Thompson captured her third WPRA team roping world title and fourth WPRA world title over all. Thompson finished the year with $21,671 to reserve world champion Bailey Gubert’s $18,626.

Moreno captured her first WPRA world title finishing the year with $17,994, while Rylie Smith finished reserve champion with $12,245.

Two ladies that have spent time as college rodeo coaches teamed up together to win the average in Waco. Linsay Rosser-Sumpter and Taylor Munsell roped three steers in an event best 24.3 seconds to take the title. Danielle Lowman and Jordi Edens were second in a time of 30.6. Lowman qualified for the NFBR in 2021 and Edens will make her first appearance in just a few weeks.

Taking home the tie-down roping world title for the first time in her career was Tanegai Zilverberg. She finished the year with $4,155 to take the title from the reigning world titlist Kari Nixon, who finished second with $2,877.

Zilverberg placed third in the first round and won the second round en route to the average championship as well with a time of 52.9 seconds on three.

          The WPRA Boot Barn Card Holder race came to an end on Sunday morning with Jackie Ganter of Abilene, Texas, taking the title. Ganter turned in the fastest time on Sunday morning stopping the clock in 15.682 seconds to win the round. Ganter was aboard Howes A Tycoon and won the average in a total time of 47.565 on three runs.

All money won in the card holder race will count toward 2023 ProRodeo World Standings and the race also served as a qualifier for RodeoHouston. Ganter last qualified for the NFR in 2016, but 2023 might be the year she returns to the Thomas and Mack if this weekend was any indication.

Reigning world champion Jordon Briggs looked to be in championship form finishing second in the average with 47.675. Briggs and Rollo finished second in the final round in a time of 15.854 seconds. She will be looking to add another world title to her resume in Las Vegas, Dec. 1-10.

Brooklyn Balch took home the permit only race title finishing with a total time of 48.327 seconds on three runs. Balch and Quickaintfair entered the final round in the driver’s seat and remained atop the leaderboard following the short round. Balch won the second round of the permit only race in a time of 15.911 and was third in the final round in a time of 16.129 seconds. Rylee Leach won the short round in a time of 16.062 seconds and finished second in the average with 48.635. Look for both ladies on the rodeo trail in 2023 during their rookie season.

Full results of all competition from the weekend can be found at www.wpra.com.

2022 AMC Event deemed a success

Team roping showcases camaraderie

AMC photos by Click Thompson

FORT WORTH, Texas (Nov. 7, 2022) – What started in 2016 as a team roping school has turned into a four-day event that features dramatic roping competition.

Charly Crawford’s idea for a free roping school for the military has grown into the Hillwood Land and Cattle American Military Celebration presented by Douglas Allred Company. It is an extravaganza of roping and fundraising activities.

This year it started at NRS Arena in Decatur, Texas, with the Horns N’ Heroes Roping School for military and first responders sponsored by Garrett/Gowan, Joplin Stockyards, Integrity Team Roping Production and J5 Quarter Horses. There were two days of learning with Crawford leading the headers and Trey Johnson leading the heelers followed by a friendly competition. That was all preparation for Friday’s preliminary Military First Responder Roping sponsored by Flat Tail Ranch and Driver Land & Cattle.

Many of today’s top professional ropers competed in Friday’s Open Roping sponsored by Javelin. Then those same professionals paired up military and first responders in the Mil/Pro Roping sponsored by Kinetic Vet and Quanta. On Saturday action moved to Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth for the NFR Showdown sponsored by JPMorgan Chase. The final activity was the AMC Gala at The 81 Club at Billy Bob’s Texas where a live auction was held.

“It amazes me how people have responded to this event,” Crawford said. “I started it as a way to give back. I didn’t know I was gaining a new family. From our corporate partners to our participants, it’s turned into a brotherhood.”

Three years ago, AMC used their event as a fundraiser for charities that support those who serve. This year $160,000 was raised. It will support Building Homes for Heroes who has received approximately $200,000 in the past two years. In 2022, they also added the Fort Worth chapter of Brotherhood For the Fallen.

The Mil/Pro saw 21-year-old Andrew Shelton heading for Trey Yates for the win. The $3,800 didn’t compare to the experience that Shelton had. He grew up in Blanco, Texas, joined the Army, was deployed to the Middle East and returned in September. He is now part of the Army Reserves and is going to school at Texas A & M University.

“I don’t really rope,” Shelton said. “I did when I was younger and heard about this and had to come. It’s pretty cool how you get to be paired up with the pro guys. Lucky for me my brother ropes and had a horse for me. This is just awesome.”

In heeling, it was J.R. Berry that got to rope behind Kaleb Driggers for the win. Berry has been a firefighter for 18 years. He is a lieutenant in Blanco County. When Texas was hit in the spring with major grass fires, he was on 107 of those. Berry used lessons he learned from Johnson in the school to help him get the win.

“Roping with these pro guys and seeing how they handle cattle was amazing,” he said. “It’s been a ton of fun. I took a lot away from Trey’s school. The guys at the fire station are going to be real excited.”

In the Open Roping, Driggers took home checks in the top three spots and two of them were for heeling. He won first place with Jr. Dees heading, worth $6,300 for the team. Then he got the second-place check heading for Brazilian Vitor De Silva. His third-place win came behind Cory Kidd.

When action started at Cowtown Coliseum there were 13 Wrangler National Finals Rodeo teams along with two teams from the Open Roping. Between rounds of the professionals, the top 15 from the Military First Responder Roping had their finals. And just for fun, the finals of the Stray Gathering sponsored by Wrangler were held. It featured teams of four who had to rope, tie, gather and pen three steers. The big winners in the roping were Shawn Carrell and Justin Long who each earned $10,000, plus Elite Saddles and Legend Tack and Silver buckles. Carrell and Long met for the first time on Friday and now will be life-long friends. Just for fun, competitors also participated in the Stray Gathering sponsored by Wrangler.

“Not only is this the first saddle I’ve ever won, it’s my first check,” Carrell, who is a game warden in New Mexico. “I just started roping about 10 months ago and I can’t tell you how amazing this is.”

Justin, who is a lineman, started coming to the event three years ago. He volunteered during this year’s clinic and participated in 2020. “I’ve learned so much from Charly and Trey,” he said. “It’s a great thing they have going and I come every year.”

The final results of the NFR competition again saw Driggers at the top, but this time it was with his regular partner Jr. Nogueira. They were one of three teams that were successful on all five runs and split $20,000 for first place.

“Sometimes we take for granted that what we get to do everyday is something that a lot of these guys are passionate about too,” Driggers said. “We are forever indebted to them, so to be able to rope with them gives us a chance to give a little bit back. It’s amazing. I love everything about this roping, but especially getting the chance to interact with people that we wouldn’t normally. Seeing the smiles on their fafces is what is really important to me.”

Complete results from the 2022 American Military Celebration.

Money is per man —

Mil/Pro Roping Heading: (total on three) 1, Andrew Shelton, $3,800, roping with Trey Yates, 22.54 seconds. 2, Emily Gately, $3,200/Jr. Dees, 22.72. 3, Cole Turner, $2,500/Brye Crites, 22.77. 4, Dakota Lindboe, $1,900/Jr. Dees, 23.42. 5, Jerrod Miller, $1,300/Cory Petska, 23.58. Round 1: 1, Justin Long, $1,000/Coleby Payne, 6.77. 2, Scott Tripp, $500/Travis Graves. Round 2: Duane Boone, $1,000/Coleby Payne, 5.23/Coleby Payne. 2, Jerrod Miller, $500/Cory Petska, 5.98.

Mil/Pro Roping Heeling: (total on three) 1, Kaleb Driggers/J.R. Berry, $4,200, 29.56. 2, Tyler Wade/Dan Hernandez III, $3,100, 31.62. 3, Chad Masters/Clint Davis, $2,100, 32.17, $2,100. 4, Jake Orman/Jim Bay, $1,050, 35.09. First Round: 1, Tanner Tomlinson/Duane Boone, $1,000, 6.86. 2, Clint Summers/Jimmy Blake, $500, 8.69. Second Round: Lightning Aguilera/Marty McLaughlin, $1,000, 6.56. 2, Chad Masters/Clint Davis, $500, 6.08.

Money is per team–

Open Roping: (total on five) 1, Jr. Dees/Kaleb Driggers, 32.20, $6,300. 2, Kaleb Driggers/Vitor de Silva, 32.67, $5,300. 3, Cory Kidd V/Kaleb Driggers, 33.79, $4,250. 4, Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 34.02, $3,200. 5, J.C. Flake/Tyler Worley, 34.92, $2,200. Fast Time Short Go: 1, Laramie Allen/Truman Magnus, 6.50, $1,000

NFR Showdown: (total on five) 1, Kaleb Driggers/Jr. Nogueira, 28.82, $20,000. 2, Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 28.91, $10,000. 3, Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 31.88, $8,000. (on four) 4, Jr. Dees/Levi Lord, 22.85, $6,000. 5, Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 24.60, $4,000. (on three)6, Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 16.99, $1,000. Round 1: 1, Clay Smith/Jake Long, 4.41, 3,000. 2, Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 4.42, $2,000. 3, Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 4.46, $1,000. Round 2: 1, Dustin Eguisquiza/Travis Graves, 3.72, $3,000. 2, Coleman Proctor/Logan Medlin, 4.23, $2,000. 3, Clay Smith/Jake Long, 4.31, $1,000. Round 3: 1, Jr. Dees/Levi Lord, 5.81, $3,000. 2, Tyler Wade/Trey Yates, 5.93, $2,000. 3, Kaleb Driggers/Jr. Nogueira, 9.63, $1,000. Round 4: 1, Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, 3.91, $3,000. 2, Tanner Tomlinson/Patrick Smith, 4.08, $2,000. 3, Clay Tryan/Jade Corkill, 4.19, $1,000. Round 5: 1, Dustin Egusquiza/Travis Graves, 3.51, $2,000. 2, Cody Snow/Wesley Thorp, 3.76, $2,000. 3, Lightning Aguilera/Jonathan Torres, 3.88, $1,000.

About American Military Celebration — American Military Celebration (AMC) is a non-profit 501c3 organization started by professional team roper Charly Crawford. AMC produces Western lifestyle events for veterans, retired and active service personnel, and first responders. Events promote leadership and teamwork while encouraging camaraderie, forming support systems and making memories. Through these events, opportunities for fund raising are utilized for charities that support the needs of our heroes.

Regular-season No. 8 Stampede beat the No. 1 Austin Gamblers, No. 2 Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, No. 3 Oklahoma Freedom and No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders en route to the national title

LAS VEGAS – The Nashville Stampede, who entered the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series playoffs in last place, proved that it’s not how a team starts a season, it’s how they finish, in winning the inaugural PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series Championship.

The Nashville contingent, stacked with talent including riders with four combined PBR World Championships, continually disappointed throughout the regular season, finishing 7-20-1. But the squad caught fire and was dominant in the eight-team tournament in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena. After concluding the regular-season last in the league standings, the Stampede delivered a historic Cinderella run through the progressive elimination tournament, riding upset wins against the Top 3 teams to be crowned the first-ever PBR Team Series Champions.

“It’s crazy,” said Nashville Stampede Head Coach Justin McBride dirtside. “I got to win two individual titles as a bull rider in this sport, and it’s nothing compared to this. The buckle is awesome, but for me, it’s about these guys who never gave up and finished on top.”

Before the final games, McBride delivered an epic amped-up pregame speech now going viral on social media.

The Nashville Stampede began their march to victory Friday evening when they faced off against the No. 3 Oklahoma Freedom. The gritty contingent rode three bulls to stun the Freedom, defeating the powerhouse team by one ride score, 264.75-176, to advance in the team tournament. The Stampede’s performance was headlined by scores from Ryan Dirteater, who came out of retirement to seek his first championship, Cladson Rodolfo and 2018 World Champion Kaique Pacheco.

As competition continued in Round 2, the Stampede were locked in a David vs. Goliath showdown with the No. 1 Austin Gamblers. Continuing their impressive run through the tournament, the Stampede bested the Gamblers by one ride score, 265-175.25, to earn the first direct berth to the Semifinals.

On Championship Sunday, the Stampede then went head-to-head with the No. 2 Texas Rattlers, presented by Ariat, in the first Semifinal showdown. Compliments of an early score from Joao Henrique Lucas, and a 90-point, fifth-frame ride from Pacheco, the Stampede punched their ticket to the title game with a 178.5-90.25 win.

The Stampede’s fate then came down to the Championship Game against the No. 5 Arizona Ridge Riders. Delivering three qualified rides from Dirteater, three-time World Champion Silvano Alves and Pacheco, the Stampede defeated Arizona 264-182.75, completing their come-from-behind surge to be crowned the inaugural PBR Team Series Champions,

Looking down the league standings, following Semifinal losses, the Texas Rattlers and Oklahoma Freedom squared off in the Third-Place Game. Outscoring Oklahoma by two rides, the Rattlers concluded the 2022 season third, beating the Freedom 270-86.75.

PBR RidePass on Pluto TV will offer replays of all the PBR Team Series action from Las Vegas. Check https://pluto.tv/en/live-tv/pbr-ridepass for the latest programming schedule.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo – The PRCA Linderman Award is one of the most prestigious awards in ProRodeo. It recognizes a cowboy who won at least $1,000 in three events, and those events must include at least one roughstock and one timed-event.

The 2022 Linderman Award winner is Randlett, Utah, cowboy Josh Frost. This past season Frost earned $228,557 in bull riding, $4,037 in tie-down roping, and another $1,091 in the steer wrestling. He said qualifying for the award is at the top of his list each season when writing out his goals for the year.

“It’s a great honor. It was one of my goals starting out the 2022 season,” said Frost, a three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier. “Being as committed as I am to winning a gold buckle in bull riding it really adds some challenges, but I take a lot of pride in the award. It’s always bittersweet when I know I get my qualifications for it.”

He said it’s the cowboy legacy the award encompasses that keeps him competing for it year after year. Frost is the second member of his family to capture the distinguished Linderman Award, his older brother, Joe, 27, captured the award in 2014.

“The cowboy legacy that goes with it is what really drew me in. The Linderman Award is very prestigious and like I said I enter all three events for that reason,” he said. “If they didn’t have the Linderman I probably wouldn’t enter the steer wrestling.

“That third event really adds a challenge to it. I take a lot of pride in that award to have my name on the list with all the other great cowboys that have won it.”

He believes it’s an award that’s gaining more popularity across the ProRodeo ranks. Frost thinks the competition will be even stiffer in the years to come.

“There’s several other guys who I think are starting to try and compete for it,” Frost said. “I think I might have a little more competition in the years ahead. It’s dang sure something I have my eyes set on and I would like to get my name on that list a few more times.”

Frost has now won three straight Linderman awards. His first came back in 2019, followed up by 2021 and 2022. He hopes to be remembered as not just a bull rider, but a cowboy. He’s gained even more respect for the other events along the way. The Linderman Award was not awarded in 2020.

“I grew up doing all the events and have spent a lot of time on them throughout my life,” he said. “I have a lot of respect for all the other events because I have competed on both ends and know what it’s like.

“I know how much time and effort it takes to be successful in the bull riding and I know the time and effort I’ve put into the timed-events and I’m not even nearly as competitive as the top guys in the world. At the end of the day I want to be remembered as a cowboy and not just a bull rider.”

Kyle Whitaker holds the PRCA record for most Linderman Awards won with 10 in his ProRodeo career.

“First of all, I never knew I was nominated,” Veneklasen said. “They called me up and said I was PRCA Vet of the Year. I was kind of shocked and it is an honor. I was nominated in 2010 by Trevor Brazile, Speed Williams, and Travis Tryan. I got a little bronze and I never thought about it ever again. Brenda Binion Michael, who passed away in July, and who was my best friend, I’m going to accept with her. We are sharing it together. She told me I was never going to be Vet of the Year. She was very blunt. They are never going to be ready for a guy who wears Hawaiian shirts every day. I wear Hawaiian shirts every day and I always have.

“I would not be where I am today without Brenda (Binion) Michael. She introduced me to Clint Johnson and Mindy Johnson, who are my dearest friends, 30 years. I have done this because of Brenda.”

A practicing veterinarian for the last 40 years, Veneklasen has worked with the Frontier Rodeo Company for 15 years. He cares for many of their top bucking horses, ensuring they are healthy and able to compete at a top level. He has also cloned some of their award-winning bucking horses in an effort to keep the genetics viable for years to come.

Veneklasen is known to many contestants and stock contractors as Dr. Rodeo and is given credit for single-handedly revolutionizing the bucking horse industry.

The careers of some the greatest bucking horses were in danger of being cut short because of injuries or other ailments but Dr. Veneklasen dedicated his career and practice to helping these equine athletes through injections, supplements, nutrition, and rehabilitation. He received his DVM from Colorado State University and owns and operates Timber Creek Veterinary Hospital in Canyon, Texas.

“I saw some of my letters that were written and obviously I have done a lot of timed-events and the first nomination (in 2010) was with timed-event people and this nomination is all with stock contractors,” Veneklasen said. “I still do timed events, but I think it is pretty cool that the PRCA is recognizing maybe these bucking horses are pretty cool after all.

“I have had a great life and a great journey prior to rodeo, and Brenda Michael and Michael and Paula Gaughan are my mentors, and I would have never had them without Brenda. I’m excited every day to get to do what I do.”

Veterinarians play an integral role in ProRodeo. This award, created in 2010, honors veterinarians who have dedicated their lives in support of the health and welfare of our ProRodeo livestock.

Veterinarians are nominated by PRCA membership and must exhibit an extraordinary commitment to the health and welfare of our livestock. A review and selection committee made up of advocates and industry experts carefully consider the merits of each nominee and their contributions to the sport of rodeo. The nominees are also judged on the number of years they’ve been involved in rodeo, as well as their community involvement.

Veneklasen will be recognized at the PRCA Awards Banquet at the South Point Hotel, Casino, and Spa in Las Vegas on Nov. 30.

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO – The WPRA is pleased to announce their contract award winners that work tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all happen and keeps the Association alive and well. Each winner will be officially recognized during the WPRA Star Celebration at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Thursday, December 1.

Honored this year with the WPRA Lifetime Family Heritage Award is the Peterson Family – Kristie Peterson, Jordon (Peterson) Briggs and the late Chuck Peterson. In 2021, the Peterson family made history in the WPRA with Kristie and Jordon becoming the first mother-daughter duo to win a world title. Jordon enters this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo ranked No. 1 and looking to add to that legacy. She will have an extra angel riding with her this year after her dad passed away the end of August. Without Chuck’s encouragement the rodeo world might never have been treated to watching the great Bozo and Kristie and now his daughter, Jordon and Rollo. Time will only tell if Jordon’s daughter, Bexley, will continue the family legacy.

A lady that has covered both these world champions along with hundreds more is Kendra Santos, who will be receiving the WPRA Media Award this year. Santos has spent her entire life in the western industry and has used her talents to bring the stories of rodeo athletes to life. She previously was honored with this award in 1997.

Another individual who helps bring rodeo athlete stories to life and informs the audience about the sport of rodeo is rodeo announcer Steve Kenyon. Kenyon has used his voice to inform rodeo fans through live rodeo performances, radio and now TV. Kenyon joins an elite group of announcers to have been honored with the WPRA Announcer of the Year award at least twice. Kenyon first won the award in 2010. He joins Bob Tallman (1998, 2020), Boyd Polhamus (2000, 2003, 2005), Hadley Barrett (2001, 2011) and Alan Moorhead (2008-09) as a repeat honoree in this category.

In celebration of their 75 years in the business, Wrangler Jeans and Shirts will be honored with the WPRA Distinguished Partnership Award. Wrangler has been a cornerstone in the sport of rodeo and through their continued support rodeo dreams really can come true at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and Wrangler National Finals Breakaway Roping.

Rodeo committees have long been the backbone of the rodeo industry and without the hardworking rodeo committees, the industry would have a hard time existing. Winning the WPRA Large Rodeo of the Year award in 2022 is the Ogden (UT) Pioneer Days Rodeo. The Woodward (OK) Elks Rodeo will be honored as the Medium Rodeo of the Year and the Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo in Vinita, Oklahoma, will take home the Small Rodeo of the Year.

 The WPRA would like to congratulate each of the award recipients as well as those that were nominated for these prestigious awards.

 Below is a full list of those that will be recognized by the WPRA in 2022.

Announcer of the Year

Steve Kenyon

Stock Contractor of the Year

Andrews Rodeo Company – Sammy Andrews

Judge of the Year

Sam Minnick

Mildred Farris Secretary of the Year

Marlene Dreesen

Small Rodeo of the Year (added money of $5,000 or less)

Will Rogers Memorial Rodeo (Vinita, OK)

Medium Rodeo of the Year (added money of $5,001 – $9,999)

Woodward (OK) Elks Rodeo

Large Rodeo of the Year (added money over $10,000)

Ogden (UT) Pioneer Days Rodeo

Corporate Partner of the Year                                

               SUCCEED                                                                     

Media Award

Kendra Santos

Lenora Reimers’ Heritage Award

Jerri Mann

Outstanding Individual of the Year

               Janet Cropper

Outstanding Service & Dedication Award

               George Gibbs

Distinguished Partnership

Wrangler Jeans and Shirts

Lifetime Family Heritage Award

               Peterson Family – Kristie and Chuck Peterson and Jordon (Peterson) Briggs

Outstanding Rodeo Committee Partner

               Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo (NFR Open) – Colorado Springs, CO

Innovative Rodeo of the Year

               Cowboy Channel Rookie Roundup presented by Resistol

Breakaway Trailblazer

               Farm-City Pro Rodeo – Hermiston, OR

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 13) – The ProRodeo Hall of Fame is proud to announce the completion of its Panoramic and Oversized Photograph Restoration Project.

This project started in 2019 when the Hall received a Save America’s Treasures Grant from the National Parks Service administered by the Institute for Museum and Library Services. The grant was to help with the humidifying, flattening, cleaning, repairing, and digitizing of 120 panoramic and oversized photographs that dated from 1912 to 1959. The Hall was awarded $95,500 in grant funds that had to be matched, dollar for dollar, by the Hall of Fame.

After an extension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hall and the Conservation Center for Art and Historic Artifacts were able to complete the project this September. The three-year long project is now finished, and the Hall wishes to thank the many individuals, businesses, corporations, and rodeo committees that helped match the grant funds through their generous donations.

“It was customary back in those days to take a group photograph of everyone involved in the rodeo,” said Kent Sturman, Director of the Hall. “These groups include not only the contestants, but the producers, officials, clowns, personnel, workers, and in some cases, even the rodeo band and local Native American groups. As a result, when these images were printed, they were quite large and panoramic in nature. Some of the committees whose photos are in the collection, donated to this project.”

Many of the photographs were taken in the arena with several on horseback, while others were taken just as groups in front of places such as city hall or the local courthouse. Many of the Madison Square Garden group photographs in New York City were taken in the basement of that historic building.

All final paperwork, reports, and budgets have been filed and the original photographs are being shipped back to the Hall from the lab in Philadelphia this week.

“We are so happy that this project is now complete, and the images will be forever preserved for future generations,” Sturman said. “Our fund-raising efforts were derailed almost a year with the pandemic, but we were granted an extension from the IMLS to raise the funds and complete the restoration of these incredibly historic photographs.”

The 120 photographs, which had not been thoroughly studied since their arrival at the Hall, received top treatment and are now available for viewing on the Hall of Fame’s digital database, where they can be viewed and enjoyed by anyone.

To showcase the completed photographs, an exhibit in the Hall’s 101 Gallery opened Sept. 28, and will remain in the gallery until later in the spring of 2023. The exhibit features many of the restored images and items from collections that tie-in with the rodeos featured in the photographs. One of the images was enlarged to five feet wide to encourage visitors to identify the cowboys and cowgirls at the 1953 Madison Square Garden Rodeo.

Another wall of the exhibit showcases the process that the images went through at the conservation center during the humidification and digitization stages. Before and after images tell the story of how well the photographs were restored and repaired. Even the most damaged images look new again.

Still another wall showcases the changes in the Madison Square Garden contestants from 1923 to 1959. Visitors are encouraged to examine the photographs and note the changes and similarities in western wear styles of both the audiences and the rodeo participants.

Two contest winners join list of 10 to perform at the Thomas & Mack Center; Anthem performances presented by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

LAS VEGAS (October 12, 2022) – After a three-month promotion, two performers have been selected by fans to sing the national anthem at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo^â in Las Vegas. The Wrangler NFR will kick off on Thursday, Dec. 1 and run through Saturday, Dec. 10.

The Wrangler NFR National Anthem Contest launched on Aug. 3. All entries had to be submitted by Aug. 24. Entries were received from 28 states. From there, an initial fan vote narrowed the list to the Top 30 and a panel of judges narrowed the list to the Top 8 for further open voting. From Sept. 28 through Oct. 5, fans voted on their selection of choice among the final eight entries. The 2022 winners were Presley Seal and Candace Muir. Seal will perform on Dec. 4, while Muir will perform on Dec. 8.

A 12-year-old cowgirl from Caldwell, Idaho, Seal competes in junior rodeos and ropings, and enjoys riding and spending time with her friends and family. She was asked to sing the national anthem at the Snake River Stampede in Nampa, Idaho for the first time when she was eight years old. She loves to sing the anthem and has performed a total of three times at Nampa, as well as the Canyon County Fair, Caldwell Night Rodeo, Idaho Cowboy’s Association Finals, the Reno Open Roping and All-Girl, as well as many other junior rodeos, barrel races and jackpots. Her goal was to sing at the Wrangler NFR someday, and that dream will become a reality in 2022.

Muir, a native of Waynesfield, Ohio, has been performing for many years and enjoys singing anytime she gets a chance. She has performed the national anthem at many national cattle shows, cattle sales and other small events. Muir is a former graduate of The Ohio State University where she obtained her B.S. in zoology and a minor in music. She was a member of The Ohio State University A Capella group as well as a former singer in two local country bands.

On the professional side, she currently is a co-owner/herdsman of her family cattle and hay operation and a custom show cattle fitter. In addition, she assists in managing Graze On, her family-owned catering company. Muir won the NFR National Anthem contest last year. However, she was involved in a life-threatening accident just weeks before and was unable to perform.

The full list of anthem performers includes:

Thursday, Dec. 1 – Easton Corbin (also performing at Cowboy Revival at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas)

Friday, Dec. 2 – Glen Templeton (also performing at Cowboy Revival at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and Rodeo Vegas at The Mirage)

Saturday, Dec. 3 – Dan Smalley (also performing at Cowboy Revival at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas)

Sunday, Dec. 4 – Presley Seal, Contest Winner

Monday, Dec. 5 – Will Jones (also performing at Cowboy Revival at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas)

Tuesday, Dec. 6 – Wyatt McCubbin (also performing at Cowboy Revival at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas)

Wednesday, Dec. 7 – Jim McCloughan

Thursday, Dec. 8 – Corb Lund (Canadian anthem); Candace Muir, Contest Winner

Friday, Dec. 9 – Drake Milligan (also performing at Cowboy Revival at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas)

Saturday, Dec. 10 – Maggie Minor

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 2021, the event had a total attendance of 169,539 over the 10 days of competition at the Thomas & Mack Center and has sold out more than 340 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.

All Around Men

1             Tuff Ramsey Hometown: Delta, CO          $5,800.18

2             Cody Redden Hometown: Lipan, TX          $4,600.32

All Around Women

1             Willow Wilson Hometown: Baggs, WY     $8,296.68

2             Peyton Crowder Hometown: Ft Lupton, CO          $8,064.08

3             Tamara Tunick Hometown: Fowler, CO   $6,394.54

4             Shai Schaefer Hometown: Lake Creek, TX              $5,915.63

5             Taya McAdow Hometown: Keensburg, CO            $5,769.29

6             Josey Schnaufer Hometown: Pueblo, CO $5,577.66

7             Chelsie Cranson Hometown: Fowler, CO $4,921.60

8             Alex Odle Hometown: Brush, CO               $4,638.70

9             Jessie Miller Hometown: Fort Lupton, CO              $4,562.94

10           Mckenzie WATKINS Hometown: Bloomfeild, NM $3,114.13

11           Megan Burris Hometown: Eaton, CO       $2,735.39

12           Graycee Lay Hometown: Elbert, CO          $1,621.65

Bareback

1             Monte Downare ® Hometown: Hartsel, CO           $7,145.58

2             Tyler Ferguson Hometown: Bennett, CO $5,808.99

3             Jayce Harrison Hometown: Pierce, CO     $4,931.39

4             Creede Guardamondo Hometown: Avondale, CO              $4,772.11

5             Jade Taton Hometown: Goodwell, OK     $3,510.42

6             Brazos Winters Hometown: Sedcan, NM $2,314.46

7             Ty Zofchak Hometown: Littleton, CO       $1,255.40

8             Dalton Williams ® Hometown: Loveland, CO         $464.47

9             Robert Walter Hometown: Colorado       $199.38

Barrel Racing

1             Jenna Pruitt Hometown: Gering, NE         $9,588.48

2             Shaylea Yonkers Hometown: Calhan, CO $5,448.71

3             Sami Jo Buum Hometown: Keenesburg, CO          $4,043.82

4             Alex Odle Hometown: Brush, CO               $3,883.12

5             Mackenzie Scott Hometown: Estes Park, CO         $3,817.91

6             Kelley Schnaufer Hometown: Pueblo, CO              $3,278.91

7             Sydni Blanchard Hometown: Pueblo, CO $2,744.92

8             Kathryn Varian Hometown: Coalmont, CO            $2,581.76

9             Taylor Robson Hometown: Pueblo, CO    $2,424.28

10           Teresa Jessop Hometown: Peyton, CO     $2,238.72

11           Renee Freeland Hometown: Phoenix, AZ               $2,216.40

12           Josey Schnaufer Hometown: Pueblo, CO $2,160.73

13           Brenda McMahan Hometown: Divide, CO             $1,809.08

14           Kelly Yates Hometown: Pueblo, CO          $1,765.41

15           Katie Rathbun Hometown: Loveland, CO               $1,739.56

Breakaway

1             Tamara Tunick Hometown: Fowler, CO   $5,246.19

2             Willow Wilson Hometown: Baggs, WY     $4,325.40

3             Shai Schaefer Hometown: Lake Creek, TX              $4,272.54

4             Dara Belew Hometown: La Junta, CO       $4,124.59

5             Keylie Tatum Hometown: La Plata, NM   $3,271.51

6             Kinlie Brennise Hometown: Craig, CO      $2,996.52

7             Charity Hoar Hometown: Pine Bluffs, WY              $2,885.80

8             Haillie Smith Hometown: Delta, CO          $2,786.81

9             Olivia Lay Hometown: Elbert, CO              $2,713.20

10           Taya McAdow Hometown: Keensburg, CO            $2,592.80

11           Kacey Kobza Hometown: Brighton, CO    $2,507.76

12           Teryn McWhirter Hometown: Ignacio, CO             $2,399.64

13           Kodey Hoss Hometown: La Junta, CO       $2,213.76

14           Faith Hoffman Hometown: Kiowa, CO     $2,074.78

15           Chelsie Cranson Hometown: Fowler, CO $2,070.90

Bull Riding

1             Nathaniel Hoey Hometown: Montrose, CO           $7,353.15

2             Luke Mackey ® Hometown: Ignacio, CO  $4,074.97

3             Jaren Sturgis Hometown: Loveland, CO   $3,118.98

4             Logan Durham ® Hometown: Hamilton, CO          $2,591.58

5             Dylan Howland ® Hometown: Lone Tree, CO        $2,417.65

6             Cody Carpenter Hometown: Fort Morgan, CO      $1,529.31

7             Joseph Quintana Hometown: Saguache, CO         $1,361.83

8             Jacob Odell Hometown: Grover, CO         $1,023.23

9             Braydin Starr Hometown: Peyton, CO      $682.15

10           Ryley Lane Hometown: Morrill, NE           $546.26

11           Jacob Deacon Hometown: No Designation            $313.40

Mixed Team Roping

1             Peyton Crowder Hometown: Ft Lupton, CO          $6,746.17

2             Lydia Van Aken Hometown: Yoder, WY   $4,482.51

3             Willow Wilson Hometown: Baggs, WY     $4,221.28

4             Josey Schnaufer Hometown: Pueblo, CO $3,416.93

5             Jessie Miller Hometown: Fort Lupton, CO              $3,233.06

6             Taya McAdow Hometown: Keensburg, CO            $3,176.49

7             Sabrina Kreutzer Hometown: Lake Creek, TX        $3,038.33

8             Chelsie Cranson Hometown: Fowler, CO $2,850.70

9             Katlyn Norell Hometown: Hotchkiss, CO $2,766.55

10           Mikayla Wilson Hometown: Lakewood, CO           $2,208.92

11           Connie Harris Hometown: Boone, CO      $2,009.40

12           Nicole Cooper Hometown: Clearmont, WY            $1,951.47

13           Mckenzie Watkins Hometown: Bloomfeild, NM   $1,662.08

14           Shai Schaefer Hometown: Lake Creek, TX              $1,643.09

15           Callie Norell Hometown: Delta, CO           $1,625.71

Saddle Bronc

1             Coleman Shallbetter Hometown: Gunnison, CO  $6,297.09

2             Mitchell Story ® Hometown: Aztec, NM  $4,774.13

3             Walker Rezzonico Hometown: Jelm, WY $3,401.49

4             Cole Hoffman Hometown: Fruita, CO       $3,055.16

5             Denton Ward Hometown: Goodwell, OK $2,770.75

6             Tyler Beebe Hometown: Bayfield, CO      $1,587.13

7             Colt Allred Hometown: Rangely, CO         $1,266.03

8             Brady Love Hometown: Fort Collins, CO  $1,080.34

9             Colton Williams Hometown: Loveland, CO            $929.18

10           Kasey Rosendahl Hometown: Meeker, CO             $708.61

11           Roady Marsh Hometown: Minatare, NE  $685.81

12           Jace Angus Hometown: Kiowa, CO            $640.24

13           Taggyrt Moses Hometown: Keenesburg, CO         $616.74

14           Montana Barlow Hometown: Rock Point, AZ        $481.68

15           Brody Baca Hometown: Weatherford, TX              $444.53

Steer Wrestling

1             Cody Mumma  Hometown: Fort Lupton, CO         $4,271.58

2             Cody Redden Hometown: Lipan, TX          $3,802.67

3             Hadley Jackson Hometown: La Junta, CO               $3,171.15

4             Kyle Broce Hometown: Cheraw, CO         $3,087.19

5             Jacob Sterkel Hometown: Brighton, CO   $2,693.88

6             Cody Pratt Hometown: Pueblo, CO           $1,973.07

7             Brady Buum Hometown: Keenesburg, CO             $1,646.99

8             Rick Petersen Hometown: Clifton, CO      $1,624.47

9             Tait Kvistad Hometown: Wiggins, CO       $1,392.55

10           Coy Zang Hometown: De Beque, CO        $979.30

11           Bill Claunch Hometown: Monte Vista, CO              $938.43

12           Cole Fritzlan Hometown: Silt, CO              $896.10

13           Austin Ellers Hometown: Glendo, WY      $805.59

14           Jace Joos Hometown: La Junta, CO           $649.90

15           Zack Woods Hometown: Brighton, CO     $564.21

Open Team Roping Header

1             Clayton Van Aken Hometown: Yoder, WY              $7,058.21

2             Blaine Redhorse Hometown: Rough Rock, AZ       $6,567.93

3             Tuff Ramsey Hometown: Delta, CO          $4,500.88

4             Jay Tittel Hometown: Pueblo, CO              $3,763.19

5             Robert Reed Hometown: Gill, CO              $2,993.93

6             Corey Whinnery Hometown: Powderhorn, CO     $2,967.60

7             Clay Norell Hometown: Hotchkiss, CO     $2,884.91

8             Chance Hine Hometown: Bayfield, CO     $2,794.04

9             Kyle Roberts Hometown: Dolores, CO     $2,730.31

10           Willow Wilson Hometown: Baggs, WY     $2,705.09

11           Austin Crist Hometown: Calhan, CO         $2,575.60

12           Casey Warnock Hometown: Lamar, CO   $2,524.93

13           Payton Norell Hometown: Delta, CO        $1,935.17

14           Kyon Kreutzer Hometown: La Veta, CO   $1,759.71

15           Justin Smith Hometown: Loveland, CO    $1,564.28

Open Team Roping Heeler

1             J W Borrego Hometown: Weston, CO      $9,811.65

2             Jayden Johnson Hometown: Casper, WY $7,486.27

3             David Menegatti Hometown: Walsenburg, CO     $4,082.29

4             Josh Fillmore Hometown: Penrose, CO    $3,527.56

5             Todd Wilson Hometown: Baggs, WY        $3,133.16

6             Joe Roderick Hometown: Loma, CO          $2,922.66

7             Bodie Hine Hometown: Bayfield, CO        $2,794.04

8             Calvin Brevik Hometown: Durango, CO   $2,730.31

9             Hank Bounds Hometown: Clifton, CO      $2,453.82

10           Justin Price Hometown: La Veta, CO        $2,102.79

11           Jace Norell Hometown: Delta, CO             $1,935.17

12           Clancey Kreutzer Hometown: La Veta, CO             $1,759.71

13           Devon Burris Hometown: Eaton, CO        $1,709.56

14           Michael Baleztena Hometown: Loma, CO              $1,543.75

15           Wade Kreutzer Hometown: Lake Creek, TX           $1,484.90

Tie Down Roping

1             Pecos Tatum Hometown: La Plata, NM    $6,163.34

2             Dontae Pacheco Hometown: Bloomfield, NM      $5,290.48

3             Shea Freeland Hometown: Phoenix, AZ   $3,844.78

4             Chance Wall Hometown: La Junta, CO     $3,294.75

5             Kyle Dickens Hometown: Loveland, CO   $2,561.49

6             Ricky Lambert Hometown: Wiggins, CO  $2,109.52

7             Brian Venn Hometown: Kersey, CO          $1,963.38

8             Kyle Belew Hometown: La Junta, CO        $1,962.85

9             Jd McCuistion Hometown: Estes Park, CO             $1,729.98

10           Pryce Harris Hometown: Canyon, TX        $1,645.46

11           Caleb Adle Hometown: Eastlake, CO        $1,619.19

12           Tuff Ramsey Hometown: Delta, CO          $1,299.30

13           Brandon Kammerzell Hometown: Galeton, CO    $1,119.14

14           Braeden Ross Hometown: Almont, CO    $1,023.69

15           Jake Harris Hometown: Canyon, TX          $1,008.60

Kolby Wanchuk’s ProRodeo.com profile lists his favorite rodeo as the storied Pendleton (Ore.) Round-Up.

After spurring Sankey ProRodeo & Phenom Genetics’ Black Tie for 90 points during the short round of the 2022 Round-Up to clinch the championship, Wanchuk’s profile could add a couple of exclamation points to that statement.

“It’s a dream to get to compete here,” Wanchuk, 26, said. “It’s unbelievable to get to win it.”

Wanchuk’s march to the title began with a long round match-up with Brookman Rodeo’s Pretty Woman.

“I didn’t know much at all about that horse,” Wanchuk noted. “He came out and acted like he was going to just be good.”

“Then he hit that grass and really got to bucking. He did some cool stuff,” Wanchuk laughed. The Round-Up is famous for being held on a football field, complete with grass and cowboys littering the field to watch the action. “I was thankful to get back to the short round.”

Wanchuk’s 84.5 point first go effort tied him for fourth in the round and set up the match-up with the legendary Black Tie.

“That’s one I’ve been waiting to see next to my name for a long time,” Wanchuk said. “I watched my hauling partner Tanner Butner win Sheridan on that horse, so I was pretty excited.

“It was a bit different from his usual trip. He took some different jumps and then just got to hanging in the air. He was about all a guy could ask for.”

One tradition of Pendleton is that champion’s climb aboard their brand-new championship saddles and take a victory lap around the Pendleton track.

“It was unreal,” Wanchuk said. “They said there were 16,000 people there (Saturday) and they just about got the wave going when we did our victory laps.”

Wanchuk scored 174.5 points on his two rides, slipping past his other traveling partner, Sage Newman, the PRCA | RAM World Standings leader who won the long round. The earnings were crucial for Wanchuk, who came to Pendleton ranked 11th as he seeks a second consecutive Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification.

“It sure makes you feel a little easier about it,” Wanchuk said of the standings bump.

He’ll finish his 2022 season next week at the Edmonton Pro Rodeo close to his Sherwood Park, Alberta home.

“I get to end the season at my hometown rodeo,” he said.

With the Wrangler NFR made, Wanchuk will take a little break and do some hunting to refresh before starting the 2023 season with Newtown, N.D., next month.

“I like to take a little break, head out to the bush,” Wanchuk said.

Wanchuk will compete at the Canadian Finals Rodeo (Nov. 2-6) prior to the Wrangler NFR and is looking forward to an exciting trip to Vegas.

“It’s nice, I was close for a couple of years and didn’t quite get in, so it was a bit of a sigh of relief last year,” he said. “It’s shaping up that our whole crew, Sage Newman, Chase Brooks, Tanner Butner and myself might be there and there’s also six Canadian bronc riders in there.”

“The NFR should be a lot of fun,” he said. Asked what he’s taking from his first experience a year ago, he said, “I think I’ll be more relaxed. Just go do my job and not get too worked up about things.”

Other winners at the $587,575 rodeo were all-around cowboy Marty Yates ($6,541, tie-down roping and team roping); bareback rider Kaycee Feild (175.5 on two head); steer wrestler Riley Wakefield (17.3 seconds on three head); team ropers Joshua Torres/Jonathan Torres (19.1 seconds on three head); tie-down roper Trevor Hall (29.0 seconds on three head); breakaway roper Jacey Fortier (6.0 seconds on two head); barrel racer Kacey Gartner (57.11 seconds on two runs); steer roper Logan Currie (37.4 seconds on three head); and bull rider Bubba Greig (88.5 points).