Monthly Archives: May 2014

Anyone who knows bucking horses realizes the true power that comes through when a massive beast loves what he does. Even at just 3 years old, Wazzup fits that category already. “I love his style,” said Guy French, Wazzup’s owner and the executive director of the United Bucking Horse Association. “He bucks hard, and he’s got the perfect criteria for a bucking horse.” That says a lot about the big brown gelding, which was sired by Midnight Kid, a Canadian-bred stallion. But there’s so much more. You see, Wazzup owns a Jekyll and Hyde-like personality that helps make the talented young horse even more special. “He’s super mild-mannered,” French said. “You can walk right up to him and pet him. He’s bucking because he loves it; it’s something that’s really special to me.” French knows a few things about bucking horses. He rode them through college as a bareback rider at Sul Ross State University in Alpine, Texas. While there, he found a passion for the majestic animals. “My friend and roommate traveled to Fredericksburg, Texas, to pick up some practice horses from Lester Meier for the school, and a dream was born that lives on in my heart to this day,” he said. “As we drove across the pasture to the catch pens, I saw an amazing spectacle of 70 to 80 broncs running and bucking behind us. “I was struck by the power, beauty, mystique and sheer awesomeness of these animals. At that moment, the dream of owning a herd of bucking horses took root in my soul.” French purchased his first set of bucking horses from Charlie Thompson in Lubbock, Texas, then continued to piece together a solid string of horses in order to be a stock contractor on the amateur level. Seeing the limited financial opportunities, he opted to build his herd of brood mares in order to raise colts to sell to stock contractors. “That didn’t go well until I became acquainted with bucking horse futurities four years ago,” he said, noting the first futurity in which he competed was in Glen Rose, Texas, where one of his fillies placed fourth. “If there had been any doubt before, I now had officially caught the bug.” He quickly realized there was a need to showcase younger bucking horses, so French developed the Classic Bronc Bash, a futurity now in its fourth year. But the Texan saw a bigger picture, which is why he developed the UBHA. The organization was established to showcase younger broncs, which buck with a mechanical dummy instead of a rider to allow the horses the opportunity to develop with age. “It makes perfect sense to establish an association that would cater to the dummy classes and potentially provide proven foals as contenders,” French said. There has been great interest. So far, more than 35 people have purchased shares in the UBHA, and the ultimate goal is to increase that number to 55 shareholders, who will adopt a set of bylaws, establish event rules and judging criteria, and sanctioning annual events across the United States and Canada. The shareholders will maintain ownership of the association, determine a board of directors and elect officers to oversee the organization. “The UBHA will have annual and lifetime memberships available for anyone who would like to participate in sanctioned events,” French said. “Year-end payouts will be awarded to the top colts in each of the three dummy classes. “It is my hope that the UBHA will be a cornerstone to the bucking horse industry. The UBHA will establish a track record for each colt as it competes in the yearling, 2-year-old and 3-year-old classes. The colt’s value will increase as it continues to prove itself.”

LOVINGTON, N.M. – The Lea County Fair and Rodeo has become a destination point for many who are looking for great entertainment and an amazing price. Fair officials have made it even more affordable with the creation of early bird ticket sales. From June 2-July 18, potential fairgoers will have an opportunity to purchase tickets online at a discounted rate. The early-bird prices are $7 for adult; $5 for a child; $20 for a Family Four Pack (two adults and two children); $48 for an Adult Season Pass (for ages 13 and older); and $36 for a Child Season Pass (for ages 6-12). That’s a significant savings, and the Family Fun Pack will not be available after July 18. Advanced tickets may be purchased at http://www.leacounty.net/events_detail.aspx?id=47. “None of these tickets will be available for purchase online after July 18,” said Stephanie Rice, the administrative coordinator at the Lea County Fairgrounds. “I encourage everyone to buy them online, get the discount and avoid any lines at the gate.” The annual fair and rodeo is set for Friday, Aug. 1-Saturday, Aug. 9, at the fairgrounds in Lovington. Over the years, it’s proven to be a hotbed of entertainment, and the 2014 lineup is a perfect example of that. Over the 10-day expo, fairgoers will have daily entertainment from ventriloquist Kevin Johnson, the Equilibrium Circus and Hambone Express. But it’s the night-time stage that will host some of the best acts in music history. Saturday, Aug. 2: Night Ranger and 38 Special Tuesday, Aug. 5: Casey Donahew Band Wednesday, Aug. 6: MercyMe Thursday, Aug. 7: Joe Nichols Friday, Aug. 8: Dwight Yoakam Saturday, Aug. 9: Eli Young Band That star-studded lineup will be highlighted by some of the best rodeo action in the country. The Lea County Fair and Rodeo will host Xtreme Bulls on Tuesday, Aug. 5, then four nights of ProRodeo action. The rodeo is part of the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour and will feature the top cowboys and cowgirls in the game. “We are excited to introduce the early bird ticket sales this year, because we think it will be a great thing for fairgoers,” Rice said. “They can get their tickets early and get a discount at the same time.”

SILVERTON, Texas – Many of rodeo’s rising stars already have a keen understanding of what it takes to win at the professional level. For cowboys that ride bucking horses and bulls, it’s a combination of self-confidence and the ability to get on the best animals in the game. That’s why they trust in the outstanding athletes that are part of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, a Dallas-based stock contractor who produces more than 30 events a season. “Anytime Pete Carr has a rodeo, you know the stock’s going to be great,” said rookie Sage Kimzey, the No. 1 bull rider in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “His bull string is one of the best in the business.” That philosophy will come in handy at the Silverton Buck Wild Days Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 30, and Saturday, May 31, at Wood Memorial Arena. Kimzey knows a thing or two about great Carr bulls. Over the first weekend in May, the Strong City, Okla., cowboy matched moves with Line Man for 92 points to share the bull riding title at the prestigious Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo. Line Man was one of 27 Carr animals that was selected to perform at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and is recognized as one of the top bucking bovines in the sport. “I had a great bull from Pete Carr, and I knew it was going to be good if I could get him rode for the full eight seconds,” said Kimzey, who matched moves with Carr’s Hermes for 88 points this past weekend to win the Will Rogers Stampede in Claremore, Okla. “Pete has a ton of great bulls, and he puts on a great show, too.” That’s what fans have come to expect at events Carr produces. It’s what contestants favor, too. Take Richie Champion, a third-year bareback rider from The Woodlands, Texas, who has been ranked among the top 15 cowboys in the world standings for much of the early season. He shared the bareback riding title in Guymon with an 86-point ride on Fancy Free, a bay mare that has bucked at the NFR each of the last nine years. “That is a tough rodeo, because everybody comes to Guymon,” Champion said. “It seems like you can’t draw a bad horse. Pete brings the best of the best, and guys try hard to win.” Like many of the sport’s top hands, the Texas bronc buster makes sure to be part of the competition at as many Carr rodeos as possible. Last July, he shared the victory in Eagle, Colo., with an 87-point ride on Scarlet’s Web. He’s made a nice living on a number of other Carr horses so far in his career. “Pete has our interests in line,” Champion said of Carr. “He wants us to have good horses to get on. He’s put in a lot of time to get good horses together, and he has a lot. He has horses that are consistent. He’s one of the guys that have the top animals and hauls them all over the country to give us a chance to win.” Whenever the Carr team rolls into town, it’s a winning combination.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – The Will Rogers Stampede Arena was home to a storm Sunday night, but the rain didn’t wash out the final performance of the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo. Afternoon rain covered much of Rogers County, making the arena muddy and slick. More rain fell during the third performance, but the rodeo rolled on. That’s a good thing for 19-year-old Sage Kimzey of Strong City, Okla., who outlasted the storm to win the bull riding. “Nobody likes competing when it’s pouring outside,” said Kimzey, the No. 1 bull rider in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world standings. “You’ve just got to block it out and take care of your business.” Kimzey did. He rode Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hermes for 88 points to win the title. He now has pushed his annual earnings past $80,000 and owns a lead of nearly $20,000 over the No. 2 cowboy, four-time and reigning world champion J.W. Harris of Mullin, Texas. “I didn’t know that bull at all, but all the bulls here are great,” Kimzey said. “Pete Carr makes sure we have good bulls here, so I knew I had a chance to win when I showed up. It came down to the final ride of the weekend to distinguish the champion bull rider. But it was a wild way to close out the 2014 version of the Will Rogers Stampede. “With weather like this, it’s hard on the animals and the contestants because the ground conditions change,” said John Gwatney, the production supervisor for Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, which produces the annual rodeo. “For the spectators, I don’t think it gets any better. We keep going with the rodeo, and the crowd that are true rodeo fans stay and enjoy the show.” They got to see a good one all the way to the end. Kimzey is just 19 and has been a true ignition switch for rodeo. The win in Claremore marks the seventh time he has earned an event title; it’s also the third Oklahoma rodeo he’s won this May, adding titles in Duncan and Guymon. “This means everything by keeping your confidence up and keep everything rolling,” he said. “This year’s been crazy so far, and I’m just looking forward to it continuing.” Will Rogers Stampede Claremore, Okla. May 23-25 All-around cowboy: Josh Peek, $2,933, tie-down roping and steer wrestling. Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Caine Riddle, on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Sky Hawk, and Jared Keylon, on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Bright Lights, 84 points, $1,036 each; 3. Winn Ratliff, 81, $643; 4. (tie) Ethan Assmann, Jared Smith and Matt Bright, 80, $286 each. Steer wrestling: 1. Clay Mindemann, 4.1 seconds, $1,919; 2. Tooter Silver, 4.8, $1,669; 3. Jacob Edler, 4.9, $1,418; 4. Josh Peek, 5.1, $1,168; 5. Stewart Gulager, 5.2, $918; 6. Cody Kroul, 5.8, $667; 7. Ryan Jarrett, 5.9, $417; 8. Cole Edge, 6.0, $167. Team roping: 1. Cale Markham/Chase Tryan, 4.4 seconds, $1,676 each; 2. Casey Hicks/Jake Pianalto, 4.7, $1,457; 3. Nick Sartain/Rich Skelton, 5.0, $1,238; 4. Coleman Proctor/Jake Long, 5.1, $1,020; 5. (tie) Jesse Stipes/Casey Stipes, Will Clark/Michael Harris, A.J. Horton/Kyle Horton and Branden Duff/Dustin Harris, 5.2, $474 each. Saddle bronc riding: 1. (tie) Nat Stratton, on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s The Darkness, and Isaac Diaz, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Miss Molly, 82 points, $1,172 each; 3. Hardy Braden, 81, $728; 4. (tie) Justin Caylor and Wade Sundell, 80, $384 each; 6. (tie) Ty Kirkland and Heith DeMoss, 79, $101 each. Tie-down roping: 1. Josh Peek, 8.4 seconds, $1,765; 2. Cody Huber, 8.6, $1,461; 3. (tie) Bart Brunson, Luke Blanton and Riley Pruitt, 9.0, $852 each; 6. Kyon Buckley, 9.3, $304. Barrel racing: 1. Callie Gray, 17.16 seconds, $2,008; 2. Bailee Snow, 17.39, $1,721; 3. Natalie Foutch, 17.44, $1,434; 4. Jana Bean, 17.50, $1,243; 5. Michele McLeod, 17.64, $956; 6. Shelby Janssen, 17.65, $765; 7. (tie) Kara Posch and Laura Kennedy, 17.68, $478 each; 9. Cheyenne Shipps, 17.69, $287; 10. Jammie Tinker, 17.70, $191. Steer roping: First round: 1. Vin Fisher Jr., 10.6 seconds, $897; 2. Brady Garten, 11.2, $742; 3. Trey Wallace, 12.0, $587; 4. Bryan Reiter, 12.1, $433; 5. Cody Lee, 12.3, $278; 6. Brad Mohon, 12.9, $155. Second round: 1. Brad Prather, 10.4 seconds, $897; 2. J.P. Wickett, 11.3, $742; 3. Mike Chase, 11.4, $587; 4. (tie) Landon McClaugherty and Corey Ross, 11.5, $356 each; 6. C.A. Lauer, 11.7, $155. Third round: 1. Bryce Davis, 9.7 seconds, $897; 2. Corey Ross, 9.8, $742; 3. Roger Branch, 9.9, $587; 4. Kim Ziegelgruber, 10.2, $433; 5. Shane Suggs, 10.3, $278; 6. Vin Fisher Jr., 10.5, $155. Average: 1. Brady Garten, 38.8 seconds on three head, $1,345; 2. Jay Sellers, 39.1, $1,113; 3. Trey Wallace, 39.2, $881; 4. Landon McClaugherty, 39.9, $649; 5. Corey Ross, 40.8, $417; 6. Vin Fisher Jr., 42.2, $232. Bull riding: 1. Sage Kimzey, 88 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Hermes, $1,520; 2. Brett Stall, 87, $1,152; 3. Tate Stratton, 82, $829; 4. (tie) Reid Barker and Ardie Maier, 81, $438 each; 6. Brennon Eldred, 78, $230.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – World champion header Nick Sartain likes the way things are going this season. On Saturday night, the good times kept rolling as he and his heeling partner, Rich Skelton, stopped the clock in 5.0 seconds to take the team roping lead at the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo. “We just need to get a little momentum heading into the summer,” said Sartain, a four-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Dover, Okla. “We’ve actually been home all spring. We went out to Redding (Calif.) for the (Wrangler) champions challenge, and we clipped them for a little money out there last week. “This is huge for us when we’re starting to get at it rodeoing again. It’s huge to have a couple wins right off the bat to get the summer under way.” The tandem knows a thing or two about winning. Sartain won the heading gold buckle in 2009 roping with Kollin von Ahn. Now he’s roping with Skelton, an eight-time world champion from Llano, Texas. “Anytime you rope with Rich, you have a chance to win a world championship as long as you do your job,” Sartain said. “That’s the cool thing for me, knowing we have a chance to make the finals. “He’s one of the greatest heelers of all time, and he’s really cool to travel with. He’s one of my best friends.” This is the second year the two champs have roped together, and it’s a strong partnership. They have gold buckle memories. Now they want to add to them. Each cowboy is ranked fourth in the world standings. “I’d be lying to you if I said I didn’t want to get Rich Skelton his ninth world title, because I really want that for him,” Sartain said. “I think we have a legitimate chance at it.” Will Rogers Stampede Claremore, Okla. May 23-25 Leaders through second performance Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Caine Riddle, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Sky Hawk, and Jared Keylon, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Bright Lights, 84 points; 3. (tie) Matt Bright and Jared Smith, 80; 5. Layne Lerche, 78; 6. Tyler Pasour, 76. Steer wrestling: 1. Clay Mindemann, 4.1 seconds; 2. Tooter Silver, 4.8; 3. Jacob Elder, 4.9; 4. Josh Peek, 5.1; 5. Stewart Gulager, 5.2; 6. Cody Kroul, 5.8; 7. Ryan Jarrett, 5.9; 8. Cole Edge, 6.0. Tie-down roping: 1. Josh Peek, 8.4 seconds; 2. Cody Huber, 8.6; 3. (tie) Bart Brunson, Luke Blanton and Riley Pruitt, 9.0; 6. Kyon Buckley, 9.3. Saddle bronc riding 1. (tie) Nat Stratton, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s The Darkness, and Isaac Diaz, on Pete Carr Classic Pro Rodeo’s Miss Molly, 82 points; 3. Hardy Braden, 81; 4. Wade Sundell, 80; 5. Ty Atchison, 77; 6. Chase Miller, 76. Team roping: 1. Nick Sartain/Rich Skelton, 5.0 seconds; 2. (tie) A.J. Horton/Kyle Horton, Will Clark/Michael Harris and Branden Duff/Dustin Harris, 5.2; 5. Ryan Jarrett/Austin Rogers, 5.3; 6. (tie) Mike Bacon/Joseph Harrison and Caleb Bullock/Shade Etbauer, 5.4; 8. Adam Rose/Billy Saebens, 5.5. Steer roping: First round: 1. Vin Fisher Jr., 10.6 seconds, $897; 2. Brady Garten, 11.2, $742; 3. Trey Wallace, 12.0, $587; 4. Bryan Reiter, 12.1, $433; 5. Cody Lee, 12.3, $278; 6. Brad Mohon, 12.9, $155. Second round 1. Brad Prather, 10.4, $897; 2. J.P. Wickett, 11.3, $842; 3. Mike Chase, 11.4, $587; 4. (tie) Landon McClaugherty and Corey Ross, 11.5, $356; 6. C.A. Lauer, 11.7, $155. Third round leaders: 1. Bryce Davis, 9.7 seconds; 2. Corey Ross, 9.8; 3. Roger Branch, 9.9; 4. Kim Ziegelgruber, 10.2; 5. Shane Suggs, 10.3; 5. Vin Fisher Jr. 10.5; 6. J.P. Wickett, 11.0. Average leaders: 1. Jay Sellers, 39.1 seconds on three runs; 2. Trey Wallace, 39.2; 3. Landon McClaugherty, 39.9; 4. Corey Ross, 40.8; 5. Vin Fisher, 42.2; 6. Will Gasperson, 44.7. Barrel racing: 1. Callie Gray, 17.16 seconds; 2. Bailee Snow, 17.39; 3. Natalie Foutch, 17.44; 4. Jana Bean, 17.50; 5. Michele McLeod, 17.64; 6. Shelby Janssen, 17.65; 7. (tie) Laura Kennedy and Kara Posch, 17.68; 9. Cheyenne Shipps, 17.69; 10. Jammie Tinker, 17.70. Bull riding: 1. Brett Stall, 87 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Joe Kidd; 2. Ardie Maier, 81; 2. Brennon Eldred, 78; 4. John Young, 72; no other qualified rides.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Last May, the pain in Matt Bright’s right elbow was intense. In fact, the Texas bareback rider did not feel up to competing at the annual Will Rogers Stampede. Things have changed over the last 12 months. “This rodeo has been good to me my whole career,” said Bright, a three-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Stafford, Texas. “The first year I came here was the only time I didn’t win a check here.” Bright is well on his way to another Oklahoma paycheck after riding Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Powerade for 80 points to lead the rodeo at the Will Rogers Round Up Club Arena. He’s ranked 32nd in the world standings and moving up, which is a big change from a season ago. You see, Bright missed a big part of the 2013 season because of his injured elbow, which required surgery last summer. “It took a few months to knock all the rust off and get in some kind of good shape,” he said, noting the rugged nature of bareback riding is just tough on a cowboy’s body. “The last few weeks, I feel like I’ve stepped it back up to the level I was before I got hurt. “I feel like I’ve been riding about as good as I did when I left off. I’m gong to try to go to the same rodeos I did before. Hopefully I can make up some ground that I missed at the beginning of the year. My goal is to make it back to the finals and have a shot at the world title. I’m just barely out of the top 30 right now, so it shouldn’t take too much for me to get back in there where I need to be.” Only the top 15 contestants in each event at the conclusion of the regular season qualify for the NFR, ProRodeo’s grand championship that takes place each December in Las Vegas. Injuries kept the cowboy away from Sin City last year, but he’s hoping it’s just a small hiccup in his career. Of course, he needs good dance partners when the time comes, which is what he got from Powerade. “I had that horse at Big Spring (Texas) a couple years ago, and I placed good on him there,” Bright said. “He’s a really nice horse, and he let me show off a little bit. I just tried to get as many points out of him as I could.” Will Rogers Stampede Claremore, Okla. May 23-25 Leaders through first performance Bareback riding: 1. Matt Bright, 80 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Powerade; 2. Lane Lerche, 78; 3. Tyler Pasour, 76; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1. Clay Mindemann, 4.1 seconds; 2. Tooter Silver, 4.8; 3. Josh Peek, 5.1; 4. Stewart Gulager, 5.2; 5. Cody Kroul, 5.8; 6. Ryan Jarrett, 5.9; 7. Trell Etbauer, 6.1; 8. (tie) Riley Duvall and Jarek VanPetten, 6.3. Tie-down roping: 1. Josh Peek, 8.4 seconds; 2. Cody Quaney, 10.2; 3. Perry Dietz, 14.1; no other qualified times. Saddle bronc riding 1. (tie) Nat Stratton, on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s The Darkness, and Isaac Diaz, on Pete Carr Classic Pro Rodeo’s Miss Molly, 82 points; 3. Hardy Braden, 81; 4. Chase Miller, 76; 5. Andrew Harris, 69; 6. Dusty Hausauer, 57. Team roping: 1. (tie) A.J. Horton/Kyle Horton and Branden Duff/Dustin Harris, 5.2 seconds each; 3. Ryan Jarrett/Austin Rogers, 5.3; 4. (tie) Mike Bacon/Joseph Harrison and Caleb Bullock/Shade Etbauer, 5.4; 6. Adam Wallace/Justin Pruitt and John Wayne Giles/Jake Fox, 6.0; 8. Steele Herring-Smith/Jeremy English, 6.7. Steer roping: First round: 1. Bryan Reiter, 12.1 seconds; 2. Jay Sellers, 13.5; 3. Ralph Williams, 13.6; 4. Robert Fudge, 16.0; no other qualified times. Barrel racing: 1. Callie Gray, 17.16 seconds; 2. Bailee Snow, 17.39; 3. Natalie Foutch, 17.44; 4. Jana Bean, 17.50; 5. Michele McLeod, 17.64; 6. Shelby Janssen, 17.65; 7. (tie) Laura Kennedy and Kara Posch, 17.68; 9. Cheyenne Shipps, 17.69; 10. Jammie tinker, 17.70. Bull riding: 1. Ardie Maier, 81 points on Pete Carr Pro Rodeo’s Lumberjack; 2. Brennon Eldred, 78; no other qualified rides.

CHAMPIONSHIP WILL TAKE PLACE AFTER THE 2014 PRORODEO SEASON CONCLUDES MULVANE, Kan. – The Kansas Star Arena is rescheduling its inaugural National Roping Championship for the fall. Originally scheduled for early June, the event will feature many of the top all-around ropers in rodeo, including 19-time world champion Trevor Brazile, all competing for $122,000 in prize money during the three performances scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3 and noon and 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at the arena, just off Interstate 35 near Mulvane. “With the hectic schedule for ProRodeo’s top contestants, we have opted to move the dates for the National Roping Championship to October to secure the star-studded athletes this caliber of a championship rightly deserves,” said Tim Lanier, the Kansas Star Arena director. The original date was in direct competition with 17 events that are part of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. The date change will allow those top contestants to compete through ProRodeo’s regular season, which concludes the end of September, then take their shot at the top prize money up for grabs at the Kansas Star Arena. The National Roping Championship will feature 20 of the sport’s greatest stars competing in each roping event: heading, heeling, tie-down roping and steer roping.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Rodeo’s greatest stars make their way to Rogers County every spring. That’s the attractive nature that is the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo, scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Friday, May 23-Sunday, May 25, at Will Rogers Stampede Arena. Discounted tickets can be found on the rodeo’s website, www.WillRogersStampede.com; fans can also follow the rodeo on Facebook. In fact, 506 contestants have put their names in the hat in order to compete for the big prize money available in Claremore. “I love the fact that we have so many contestants who are coming to our rodeo this year,” said David Petty, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the annual rodeo. “When you look at the list of contestants, you see we have many of the greatest cowboys and cowgirls in rodeo that will be here. That says a lot about the hospitality they see in Claremore.” The field of entrants includes eight-time world champion heeler Rich Skelton, three-time world champion steer roper Rocky Patterson, two-time steer wrestling titlist Dean Gorsuch and two-time barrel racing champ Brittany Pozzi. In all, 62 of the Claremore competitors have qualified for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “I think that is a testament to the outstanding rodeo we have here,” Petty said. “We have a great history, but I think it helps us that we have the best stock contractor in rodeo with Pete Carr. He brings great livestock, which brings great cowboys. “It makes a better show for the fans, which is why we’re here.” There are a number of new things to greet fans, too. The committee has put in hundreds of hours to re-work the arena, which will feature the bucking chutes on the east side of the complex, providing all the action directly in front of the bleachers, which are on the west side. Modern restroom facilities also have been added just behind the main stands. “We’ve been doing a lot of things at the arena,” Petty said. “We have play days, which is a way to increase interest in our facilities and our event, and we’ve started a cowboy church. I think we’ve done a lot of great things that will keep things growing for years to come.” The final day of the rodeo features a cowboy church service beginning at 6 p.m. with the Rev. Roy Shoop officiating. Shoop is the pastor of Cowboy Gatherin’ Church in Inola, Okla., and also is a PRCA team roper. Anyone who attends the church service will be admitted to the rodeo for free. “I can’t think of a better way to close out our weekend than to have some faithful fellowship followed by a great night of rodeo,” Petty said. “This is an exciting week for us.”

A 2-year-old bucking horse from Waters Rodeo posted the highest-marked trip during the United Bucking Horse Association’s event this past weekend in Martin, S.D. The paint horse scored 45.75 points to win the 2-year-old class, earning its owners $2,140. Another 2-year-old colt had the next highest marking, with a Wain Rodeo horse posting a 45.25. That horse finished second. Wes Janis’ No. 111 posted a 44-point marking to win the 3-year-old class in Martin. Janis pocketed the $2,140 first-place check. 3-year-olds 1. Wes Jannis, 111, 44 points, $2,140 2. Richard Real Bird, O-W Witcha, 43.75, $1,605 3. Kenny Andrews, 10 Tom Dually, 43, $1,070 4. Steve Waagen, 171, 42.75, $535 2-year-olds 1. Waters Rodeo, paint, 45.75, $2,140 2. Wain Rodeo, 236 BFSOB, 45.25, $1,605 3. Harold Frazier, 23 Ambush, 43.5, $1,070 4. ST Rodeo, Medicine Bundle, 42.5, $535

WORLD CHAMPS EAGER TO COMPETE AT WILD WEST CHAMPIONSHIPS GROESBECK, Texas – Scott Snedecor arrived in Groesbeck a year ago with one mission in mind: Help raise money for those who need it. He left town with a plan to return. He will for the Invitational Steer Roping set for 10 a.m. Monday, May 26. It’s all part of the Wild West Championships, a four-day Western sports event that concludes with the greatest steer ropers in the world competing on Memorial Day. “I thought it was just a good deal and a way to raise money for a great cause,” said Snedecor, a two-time world champion steer roper from Fredericksburg, Texas. “It turned out to be a great roping. I’d say it’s one of the best jackpots there is all year.” The Wild West Championships will begin Friday, May 23, at the Limestone County Fairgrounds in Groesbeck. The event will go toward raising scholarship money for area youth, which is another key reason the biggest names in steer roping are planning to show up. “Everything just turned out great last year, and everybody wanted to be part of it again this year,” said Bobby Joe Hill, who is organizing the event with Cody Gantt. “We limited the Invitational Steer Roping to 35 ropers, which I think is attractive to these guys. We also run it in a timely manner, which is good for the ropers and for the fans.” In addition to a large purse, the contestants will rope for a championship buckle and a three-horse trailer. “Our goal this year was just to make it even better for everyone involved,” Hill said. The contestants have taken notice. “You like to go to a good roping any time, plus this is for a good cause,” said Rocky Patterson, a three-time world champion from Pratt, Kan. “It’s a good arena to rope in, and you get a chance to rope for good money.” Hill, who owns Hill Rodeo Cattle Co., provides roping cattle for numerous events each year, including the National Finals Steer Roping and other marquee events. The contestants understand the type of work that goes in to producing an event of this magnitude. “I think Bobby Joe and the others who helped put this thing on did an outstanding job putting it all together,” Snedecor said. “It turned into a big deal. It went from being an event that was for a good cause to being a really good roping.”

WILD WEST CHAMPIONSHIPS CONDUCTING TEXAS 10-HEADER OPEN TEAM ROPING GROESBECK, Texas – Like golf, team roping has a handicapping system that allows ropers of all levels an opportunity to compete. It’s the perfect scenario for the Wild West Championships, set for Friday, May 23-Monday, May 26, at the Limestone County Fairgrounds in Groesbeck. That means newcomers game will compete on the same playing field as the world’s best, just not in the same contest. There will be six handicapped ropings throughout the weekend in Groesbeck, but one of the highlight event will be the Texas 10-Header Open Team Roping, which features the very best in the game. It will take place Sunday, May 25, following the All Girls Team Roping. “I talked with the USTRC and was able to get the team roping affiliated,” organizer Bobby Joe Hill said, referring to the United States Team Roping Championship organization, which conducts a national championship each fall in Oklahoma City. “I think that’s going to make it a lot better event this year.” In fact, the Wild West Championships will pay the entry fees to the Priefert U.S. Open at the USTRC Finals for the winning team, which also will be awarded big money and championship buckles. “All of our event winners will get paid shootouts to the USTRC Finals,” Hill said. “With our Texas 10-Header, the entry fee is $1,500 a man, and they can only enter one time. It should bring out the very best to come to this event.” The Priefert U.S. Open features numerous world champions and regular qualifiers to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. A chance to qualify for paid entry fees to that USTRC finale, combined with a large purse, will be a huge incentive for the greatest ropers in the business. Of course, that’s what they’ve come to expect out of the Wild West Championships.

DELBURNE, Alberta – In its first Canadian event, the United Bucking Horse Association found great success north of the border. With a payout of nearly $13,000, the 2014 UBHA Tour stop featured 34 colts in an event that was organized and produced by two UBHA board members, Darcy Hollingsworth of Anchor Bar Ranch and Justin Twogood of 7W Ranch. “The 2- and 3-year-old colts were bucked with a dummy for six seconds and judged on the UBHA’s criteria of kick, altitude, pattern, intensity and rhythm,” said Guy French, the association’s president. “Four judges scored each animal from 0-25 points in quarter-point increments. The high and low scores were eliminated, and the scores from the two remaining scores are combined for the final score.” There were 16 contractors/breeders involved in the Delburne competition. In addition, two more Canadian events were finalized and a fourth is now in the worlds. Fifteen new members from Alberta and Saskatchewan joined the UBHA. “We plan to be the primary bucking horse association and the launch pad for the industry,” French said. “Our goal is to bring bucking horses and bucking-horse events to the forefront and increase public awareness.” The UBHA futurity system allows breeders and contractors to prove their colts and pave the way for their future success in the big leagues. The future bucking stars of rodeo will come through the UBHA. Through three events this season, the UBHA has paid out more than $33,000 and bucked 114 colts. “We welcome anyone and everyone who has ever had a dream of being a rodeo contractor to join us in the dream,” French said.

CLAREMORE, Okla. – The labor is intensive, but the work is worth it to the volunteers who produce the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo. Workers have been busy giving the Will Rogers Stampede Arena a major facelift. The end result will be of tremendous benefit to the fans of the annual rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Friday, May 23-Sunday, May 25, at Will Rogers Stampede Arena. Discounted tickets can be found on the rodeo’s website, www.WillRogersStampede.com; fans can also follow the rodeo on Facebook. “We’ve put in hundreds of hours into the reconstruction of our arena and making it a better experience for our fans,” said David Petty, chairman of the rodeo committee. The bucking chutes will be moved from the north end of the arena to the east side, while all the seating will be on the west. That change will allow fans the opportunity to see all the action right before them. “This change also allows all of our fans to have their backs to the sun, so it should be a more enjoyable experience,” Petty said. “No matter where you sit, you’ll have great seat for all the action.” Ropers and wrestlers will cross the arena while making their runs as the crowd cheers, while the cowboys riding bucking horses and bulls will be coming right toward the fans. It makes for a great experience. “We will have our bathrooms finished and ready for use this year, so we’ve really focused our attention on getting things ready for the fans,” Petty said. “As always, we’ll have various vendors and our concessions stand for everyone to enjoy. “We’ve made a lot of changes in the last couple of years, and they’re all geared toward making the Will Rogers Stampede experience something great for everyone who comes. We want our fans to come back every night and tell their friends how much fun they had.” Customer satisfaction is the key to any successful event. “We’ve got the best stock contractor in rodeo in Pete Carr, and we’ve got the most sought-after acts in rodeo coming to our rodeo this year,” he said, referring to the One Arm Bandit, John Payne, and funnyman/clown John Harrison. “We purposefully have put all these things together to make this one of the very best events that Claremore has every year.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story appears in the May edition of Women’s Pro Rodeo News, the official publication of the WPRA. Lary and Basia Benbenek were young newlyweds when they packed up their city life and moved to the country. There was a fondness for the expanse that is Missoula, Mont., which is so much different than the life they knew so well in Chicago. It was attractive and open, and it was nestled among the Lolo National Forest near the state’s western edge. A trip to visit family resulted in a lifetime change. It’s where their children, Hilary and Gretchen, were born. “My dad’s sister had moved out there,” Gretchen Benbenek said. “They came out to visit and fell in love with Montana. They were 19 years old. “I think it was God’s plan that my parents decided to build on one acre across from Missoula Equestrian Park.” It must have been. “When I was about 9 years old, I got horse crazy,” she said. “I used to go over and watch all the horses. I never grew out of the horse-crazy faze.” No, she didn’t; that’s a good thing. Her parents found her a job so Gretchen could work with horses, figuring the labor might be a bit overwhelming for the young lady. After three years of cleaning up horse manure and tackling the most menial of tasks, Gretchen Benbenek was more horse crazy than ever. On Saturday, April 12, she put all those years of hard work and equine passion together for a national championship run during the final go-round of the Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo at the Lazy E Arena near Guthrie, Okla. It was a season-changing event – maybe even a life-changing event – for the young cowgirl now living in the horse-country community of Aubrey, Texas. “I was at the point in the year where I was going to have to make a decision as to whether I was going to make an NFR run or not, and I was leaning toward not,” said Benbenek, who qualified for the RNCFR by winning the Prairie Circuit’s year-end title. “I’ve made some good runs this year, but it hasn’t resulted in very much money for the year end.” Not even the $13,025 she earned inside the Lazy E will count toward a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualification, but it helps in many ways in regards to entry fees and expenses that go along with traveling the rodeo circuit full time. Along with the national title comes an automatic qualifier to the Calgary (Alberta) Stampede. “Getting the qualification to Calgary is what pushed me a lot,” Benbenek said. “It’s time to do this thing. I’m going to plan on heading out in June, and I’m going to build my season around Calgary.” She should. The historic rodeo north of the border features just a handful of barrel racers. Money won in Calgary will count toward the WPRA world standings – the winner will be awarded $100,000, and $50,000 of that will count toward Wrangler NFR qualifications. “To only be competing against 20 other girls is a heck of an opportunity,” she said. Benbenek has had a number of opportunities over the years, but they all seem to have been the perfect stepping stones to chase her gold buckle dreams in 2014. It all started with a watchful eye for the grace and beauty of horses that turned into a lifelong passion. “I rode Western pleasure for a couple of years, and I didn’t really know anything about barrel racing or rodeo,” she said. “I went to a play day when I was about 13 and ran barrels for the first time. Even though I ran a 60-second pattern, I thought it was even more fun than Western pleasure.” She competed in high school rodeo, all while working with Ron and Vicki Kellum on technique and horsemanship. Her senior season, Benbenek won the Silver State Rodeo’s barrel racing crown. She also qualified for the National High School Rodeo Association Finals in pole bending. “I was a really shy kid,” she said. “I didn’t hardly say two words before I turned 18. I didn’t really care about hanging out with friends too much; I was mostly interested in hanging out with my horse.” That horse was Miss Willie Ada, a mare that was just 3 years old when Benbenek got her. The Kellums thought Miss Willie Ada was the perfect fit, and she was. “They made a deal for me to buy her, but I had to leave the horse with them for the sumer to come up and take riding lessons,” she said. “That ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me. They taught me everything I know about horses.” When the Kellums moved to north Texas, Benbenek eventually followed. When it was time to further her education, she began contacting colleges in the region. The late Terry Hyman was the rodeo coach at Oklahoma State University, and he added Benbenek to the team. It paid off quite well; OSU won the women’s National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association titles in 2001 and 2004. Upon graduation, she returned to north Texas, where she is a real estate appraiser for Merit Advisors in Gainesville. She also has maintained her place in the Prairie Circuit. She parlayed a cherished regional title into a coveted national title and all the perks that come with it, including a $20,000 voucher for a new Ram truck, which will come in handy. “I’ve been in need of a new pickup,” she said. “I have to do some trailer shopping as well as some truck shopping.” The new rig will get plenty of use in the months to come. The route to Las Vegas and the Wrangler NFR is scattered all across North America, so Benbenek will venture to parts unknown and see what happens. She’ll also haul A Shot of Firewater, an 11-year-old bay gelding by Firem Jet and out of Benbenek’s  Continue Reading »

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Professional rodeo contestants are part of a gypsy lifestyle. They travel the country in modified carriages that feature elaborate trailers housing living quarters and room for horses and other equipment. Most of their time on the rodeo trail is actually behind the wheel, with breaks along the highway in order to compete. It’s that reality that has led the organizers of the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo to make a change in their annual event. Performances remain scheduled for 7:45 p.m. Friday, May 23-Sunday, May 25, at Will Rogers Stampede Arena. Discounted tickets can be found on the rodeo’s website, www.WillRogersStampede.com; fans can also follow the rodeo on Facebook. But there’s more competition than time allows in a typical performance. That is why most rodeos feature slack, a time designated to allow the overflow of contestants to perform. “We wanted to help the contestants out as much as possible, so we won’t have slack on Thursday (May 22) at all,” said David Petty, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the rodeo. “Instead, we will have our slack for barrel racers, steer wrestlers and team ropers on Friday morning, then we will have tie-down roping and steer roping on Saturday.” That seems to be a winning ingredient for contestants. “It’s actually better for us,” said steer wrestler Stockton Graves, a seven-time Wrangler National Finals Rodeo qualifier from Alva, Okla. “As far as the (Prairie) Circuit goes, the only other one going on is in Mulvane (Kan.) that week, so this works well in our schedule. “I think it was a good idea on their part; that way people can work both circuit rodeos.” For the world’s greatest steer ropers, the day change allows for great opportunities to make a significant income. In addition to the rodeo in Claremore, contestants will have the opportunity to compete at another Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association event in Bandera, Texas, as well as non-sanctioned events in Saginaw, Texas, and Groesbeck, Texas. “This year, a guy can go to Claremore and get done Saturday morning,” said Rocky Patterson, a three-time world champion from Pratt, Kan. “We can go to the Windy Ryon (in Saginaw) on Sunday, then go down to Groesbeck on Monday, so it works well in our schedule.” The change will make things more convenient for everyone involved. “It allows us the opportunity to take care of the contestants while spending less time on the production end of it,” Petty said. “It’ll be easier on the volunteers and easier on the contestants. I think it will be better.”

LEATHERS TEAM LOOKING TO REPEAT AS CHAMPS IN GROESBECK GROESBECK, Texas – Every day that Brian Leathers goes to work, he does so on the back of a horse with a rope in his hand. “I cowboy for a living,” said Leathers, of Axtell, Texas. Whether it’s cutting hay, rounding up strays or doctoring cattle, he handles about any task that comes his way. He also takes those skills with him when he plays, primarily at ranch rodeos all across central Texas and beyond. On Sunday, May 26, Leathers and three friends will try to defend their title at the Wild West Championships’ Invitational Ranch Rodeo, which will take at the Limestone County Fairgrounds in Groesbeck. He partnered with Jake Conrad, Skeeter Ramsey and Wrangler National Finals Rodeo team roper Colby Lovell to win the title last spring, so repeating that feat would be grand. “It was a good rodeo, and, of course, it’s always better when you win,” he said. Twenty teams will compete in three events: pasture roping, branding and mugging. Points are accumulated in each category, and the top team wins the lion’s share of the prizes. That’s why having all the tools comes in handy. “I used to rope calves professionally for a long time,” Leathers said. “I really like the double mugging and that side of it now. “I always want to win. We win at a lot of the ranch rodeos we go to. We’ve won or placed at just about every big rodeo we’ve been to and have won 23 rodeos in a row.” When he’s not in the competitive arena, he’s doing whatever jobs come his way. He has a yearling operation, but also does day work as a cowboy whenever the need arises. In mid-March, Leathers was called to nearby Waco, Texas, to help wrangle a bull that had escaped its pen at a veterinary clinic. Now he’ll carry those skills into the fairgrounds arena to see if he can help entertain the crowd while his team wins its second straight Wild West title. “I’m lucky to have such a good team of good hands,” Leathers said. “We click together, and we all have good horses. A man needs to try to win when he goes and enters.”

BRAZILE, OTHER TOP ROPERS READY FOR NATIONAL ROPING CHAMPIONSHIP MULVANE, Kan. – Based on the numbers alone, Trevor Brazile is the most prolific all-around cowboy in professional rodeo. He will bring his bevy of talents with him to compete in the inaugural National Roping Championship, set for three powerful performances June 6-7 at the Kansas Star Arena. He will need every bit of his experience to help him at the National Roping Championship, which features 20 of the greatest cowboys in the game competing in each event. Each of the 20 cowboys will compete in three rounds, which consist of making runs in each discipline. The cowboys will battle for their share of a $122,000 purse, with their eyes firmly placed on the $25,000 first-place prize. If Brazile’s record 19 Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association world championships weren’t enough, there are many other statistics that prove his place atop the sport’s list of legends. Brazile is one of just two cowboys in PRCA history to have qualified for the National Finals in all four roping disciplines: heading, heeling, tie-down roping and steer roping. The most important statistics refer back to those world titles; he has a record 11 all-around gold buckles, four steer roping championships, three tie-down roping crowns and a heading gold buckle. He has earned more than $5 million in the PRCA alone, and that money doesn’t include countless other titles won at individual events that aren’t part of that equation. Nobody in rodeo history comes close. Brazile will be joined in the National Roping Championship by 19 other top all-around cowboys. In an age where most compete in a single event, it takes someone exceptional to do well in multiple events. It’s akin to a professional football player who excels on both offense and defense. It takes exceptional athletic talent and a determined focus. It will take talent, grit and powerful determination to overcome the many challenges set forth in the National Roping Championship. The combatants must make constant adjustments throughout the tough two days of competition in order to make a play for the coveted title. But that’s what cowboys do every day. From the days of pushing cattle up the Chisholm Trail to the laboring ranch work on the grasslands, the National Roping Championship is a competition that is engrained in the fabric that is Kansas. That’s why the Kansas Star Arena is the perfect place for the world’s greatest ropers to show their talent.  

CLAREMORE, Okla. – Members of the Will Rogers Round Up Club know what it takes to put on a high-quality event. They also know when it’s time to lean on a little expert advice when they can. That’s one reason members of the volunteer rodeo committee sought out the expertise of Pete Carr Pro Rodeo, a livestock firm with some of the most talented hands in the game. When Pete Carr established his rodeo company years ago, he knew he needed a great team of talented people to help him along the way. What Carr found was a family atmosphere, one very similar to the rodeo lifestyle itself. Crew members work, travel and celebrate together during the 30-plus rodeo season. Nobody in the sport epitomizes that family togetherness more than John and Sandy Gwatney, the husband-wife tandem that are a big part of the Carr brand. “Everybody knows their job, and everybody knows where they need to fill in if something goes astray,” said John Gwatney, the production supervisor for Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo, the livestock firm that will produce the Will Rogers Stampede PRCA Rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Friday, May 23-Sunday, May 25, at Will Rogers Stampede Arena. Discounted tickets can be found on the rodeo’s website, www.WillRogersStampede.com; fans can also follow the rodeo on Facebook. Gwatney and Carr work closely together making sure every aspect of a rodeo’s production goes off as flawlessly as possible. They lean on each other and the rest of the crew to put on the best competition and showcase as possible. Of course, John Gwatney leans on nobody more than his wife and traveling partner, Sandy, a secretary/timer/do-it-all cowgirl who is a big part of the rodeo’s success. “She’s my best friend, and she knows as much about the production as anybody going,” he said. “Whether she’s timing or is the secretary or is carrying the American flag, she knows the importance of what we do and why we do it. That’s a lady that there’s no job that’s too little or too big for her.” That’s a quality that is a shared among the talented Carr team. “The thing about John and Sandy is that they’re very good at everything they do, and they’re very selfless,” said Carr, owner of the Dallas-based livestock company. “They have been with us since the beginning, and they are an integral part of making each of our rodeos work. “I believe we have the best crew in rodeo, people who work hard and care about everyone: the fans, the committees and the contestants. That’s important.” The Gwatneys grew up in California – Sandy in the northern portion, John in the south. They have been together since the fall of 1996, and they’re lives have centered around rodeo. “The reason why I time or secretary is because I like being part of the rodeo,” Sandy Gwatney said. “Since we’re not competing anymore, this is a way for me to be part of it. I really like my job, and that’s why I do it. I’m a people person.” She is, and it’s been a tremendous benefit to the rodeos she works, because she knows so many people in the sport. There’s something that comes with having those relationships, but there’s so much more that goes into rodeo. One common theme among members of the Carr crew is a love for the sport. “I have a passion for horses in general,” she said. “I love watching a good bucking horse work as much as I love watching a good bulldogging horse or calf roping horse work. I absolutely love steer roping horses because they’re so disciplined and so intent on their jobs. “I love animals and watching the animals work. I’m sure that has a definite advantage in my position. We’re doing our jobs, and the animals are doing theirs.” When it all comes together, it’s a job well done. That’s what happens when people are passionate about the work they do. “I love the sport,” John Gwatney said. “While most people wanted to go play football and baseball and stuff, all I wanted to do was go to another rodeo. “A lot of it has to do with the love of animals, but then there’s the production side. If we can, for two hours a day, help people forget their problems and have a good time, then I feel that I’ve done my job, whether I’m running the bucking-chute end or the timed-event end or competing. I’m just taking people away from their worries for a couple hours each day, and it makes a big difference in my life.” Rodeo is one of those hybrid events in which quality entertainment is mixed with world-class competition. “We are always aware that we have an obligation toward the contestant, and a big part of our job is to make sure everybody at our rodeo has an equal shot to win,” John Gwatney said. “Mentally I’m still a contestant. Every stock contractors dream has been to buck everybody off, but without the 90-point ride, there is no rodeo. “The contestants know I competed. I rode bulls for eight years. I’ll listen, and they know that. I want what’s right for the contestant. I want them all to have the same shot.” It not only is the respect for others, but it’s a respect for the game. Rodeo is a rare breed in which humans match their skills against animal athletes. It’s a showcase of true athleticism. That’s the Carr rodeo specialty. In 2013, there were 27 Carr animals selected to buck at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the sport’s grand championship. Over the years, there have been three world champion bucking horses: Real Deal, Big Tex and MGM Deuces Night. “The thing I like about Pete Carr is he keeps people working together who like to work together so their jobs more enjoyable,” Sandy Gwatney said. “You keep your foundation solid. If everybody gets along, it makes  Continue Reading »

On the McCoy Ranch near Tupelo, Okla., there is vast pastureland that allows cowboys the freedom to maneuver. There really is no need for a U-turn, but if there was, it would be a simple tug on the reins and a swift horseback spin; it’s an easy process. That was not the case during the 10th episode of “The Amazing Race” on Sunday night. Jet and Cord McCoy were damned by the cousin team of Leo Temory and Jamal Zadran with a U-Turn, where the penalized team had to perform both segments of a Detour before they could finish the leg. “The strongest team in the race is still the cowboys,” Zadran said. “It only makes sense to U-Turn them.” Zadran suffered a knee injury during Sunday’s episode of the race around the world for $1 million, which led to The Afghanamals’ decision to penalize The Cowboys. “We love you guys, but Jamal messed up his knee really badly,” Temory said. The McCoys were eliminated, finishing the 24th season of “The Amazing Race” in fifth place. “Quite frankly, I think everybody was just outright scared of you guys,” host Phil Keoghan told the brothers as they wrapped up their third appearance on the CBS-TV reality series. The McCoys have been fan favorites of the show since their first race in 2010, when they finished second. But they know that’s the way the show goes. “We were surprised to see our face up there,” Jet McCoy said of the board displaying the U-Turn victims. “On the other hand, we were really disappointed in Leo and Jamal. You can’t trust anybody. You throw a million dollars in the mix, and it really kind of brings the worst out in some people.” Part of the beauty of the reality show is the drama that comes naturally throughout the 12-week series. Teams try many tactics to get the upper hand in the competition. Temory and Zadran said they have faith they could beat the other teams remaining on the show, but that they were concerned with having The Cowboys still in the mix. “I like our chances much better not having Jet and Cord there,” Zadran said. The brothers, though, have been there. Of the 10 legs of the race in which they competed, the McCoys finished in the top two six times, with two leg victories. “There’s so much more that you get to experience in life by coming on the race,” Cord McCoy said. “Jet and I got to go three times, and that’s something most people in the world would never experience.” It has been quite a ride, and in true cowboy form, Cord McCoy rode off on a beautiful Spanish horse as the episode came to a close. “We ran as good of a race as we could run with our character and integrity intact,” Jet McCoy said. “We got to meet some good people, and we got to see some beautiful, beautiful places that I don’t think we would’ve ever gotten to see otherwise. I have no regrets. Said his brother, “Any leg of the race that you get to go on is just a blessing.”

GUYMON, Okla. – To say that Richie Champion is having the best season of his young would be quite an understatement. In just a few months, the 21-year-old cowboy from The Woodlands, Texas, has won more than $1.1 million riding bareback horses, almost all of that coming from a new concept rodeo called RFD-TV’s The American. But he also is the No. 4 cowboy in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, where he’s won more than $35,000 already this season. On Sunday afternoon, Champion added another title to his growing list by matching moves with Fancy Free of the Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo string for 86 points to share the crown with another newcomer to the game, Tim O’Connell of Zwingle, Iowa, the reigning rookie of the year; O’Connell rode Carr’s Scarlet’s Web on Friday night to match the score. Each cowboy pocketed $2,900. “When I got my call back last week,” Champion said, referring to the notice of which animal he was to be matched with via a random draw, “I was so excited. She’s been so great for so long. It’s just a blessing to be able to be on her.” Fancy Free is a veteran bay mare that has been selected to perform at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo nine times. She also has been named the Texas Circuit Bareback Horse of the Year. “She was a little more of a handful than I expected,” Champion said. “She had a lot of down, and it took me a minute to adjust. She kind of loosened me up at the end. “For a horse like that to consistently be getting stronger on the ride … that’s why she’s so great and has been so great, because she doesn’t weaken.” In addition to winning the bareback riding title at The American, Champion shared titles in both Montgomery, Ala., and Denver. He also had a good run at RodeoHouston, which, like The American, is not affiliated with the PRCA. “I’m really having fun,” he said. “I’m really just enjoying it, and I have been all year. I had a great winter. Everything’s just been rolling.” A student at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas, Champion won the Southwest Region title this season and will compete for a college championship in mid-June. Now he hopes to remain in the position to qualify for the NFR in December. “I have had a lot of luck at events that are not PRCA sanctioned,” he said. “My goal is to go to the NFR and be a contender for the world championship. I want a gold buckle. “I don’t want to be that guy who had all that luck at a one-day or two-day rodeos. When I look at (world champions) Kaycee Feild, Bobby Mote and Will Lowe … those guys could take a whole year of hauling and have learned how to travel and win consistently all over the world on little sleep, no food and just really learn to rodeo and made a career out of it because they’re the best.” Combined, Feild, Lowe and Mote own 10 gold buckles. “They’re the guys I look up to,” Champion said. “I want to be that guy.” Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo April 28-May 4 Bareback riding: 1. (tie) Tim O’Connell, on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Scarle’s Web, and Richie Champion, on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Fancy Free, 86 points, $2,900 each; 3. Jared Smith, 85, $1,860; 4. Mason Clements, 84, $1,204; 5. Tilden Hooper, 83, $766; 6. (tie) Kyle Brennecke and Caleb Bennett, 82 $492; 8. Winn Ratliff, 81, $328. Team roping: First round: 1. (tie) Cole Dorenkamp/Jesse Jolly and Trevor Brazile/Travis Graves, 6.5 seconds, $1,956 each; 3. Travis Warren/Justin Price, 6.9, $1,547; 4. Tyler Wade/Kinney Harrell, 7.0, $1,274; 5. Chad Masters/Paul Eaves, 7.1, $1,001; 6. Matt Sherwood/Dugan Kelly, 7.2, $728; 7. Tuf Cooper/Marty Yates, 7.5, $455; 8. Kory Bramwell/Cole Jackson, 7.7, $182.Second round: 1. Keven Daniel/York Gill, 5.8 seconds, $2,092 each; 2. Turtle Powell/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 5.9, $1,819; 3. Casey Hicks/Jake Pianalto, 6.0, $1,547; 4. Coleman Proctor/Jake Long, 6.5, $1,274; 5. (tie) Calvin Brevik/Wade Masters and Charly Crawford/Ryan Motes, 6.6, $864 each; 7. (tie) Ty Blasingame/J.W. Borrego and Travis Bounds/Wade Kreutzer, 6.7, $318 each. Third round: 1. Keven Daniel/York Gill, 6.4 seconds, $2,092; 2. Paul David Tierney/Matt Kasner, 6.7, $1,819; 3. Luke Brown/Kollin vonAhn, 8.9, $1,547; 4. Chace Thompson/Twister Cain, 7.2, $1,274; 4.Turtle Powell/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 7.5, $1,0012; 6. Trevor Brazile/Travis Graves, 7.6, $728; 7. Arky Rogers/Travis Woodard, 7.9, $455; 6. Drew Horner/Buddy Hawkins II, 8.2, $182. Average: 1. Turtle Powell/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 23.6 seconds on three runs, $3,139; 2. Trevor Brazile/Travis Graves, 25.4, $2,729; 3. Brock Hansen/Cesar de la Cruz, 25.7, $2,320; 4. Chad Masters/Paul Eaves, 27.1, $1,910; 5. Arky Rogers/York Gill, 27.3, $1,501; 6. (tie) Drew Horner/Buddy Hawkins III and Mike Bacon/Joseph Harrison, 27.5, $887 each; 8. Chace Thompson/Twister Cain, 28.3, $273. Steer roping: First round: 1. J. Tom Fisher, 11.7 seconds, $1,891; 2. Brent Lewis, 12.3, $1,565; 3. (tie) Neal Wood and J.B. Whatley, 12.5, $1,076 each; 5. Tyrel Taton, 12.6, $587; 6. Jay Sellers, 13.1, $326. Second round: 1. Shay Good, 10.2 seconds, $1,891; 2. Trevor Brazile, 10.3, $1,565; 3. Tom Smith, 11.0, $1,239; 4. (tie) Vin Fisher Jr. and Corey Ross, 11.1, $749 each; 6. Chet Herren, 11.3, $326. Third round: 1. Trey Wallace, 10.8 seconds, $1,891; 2. Will McBride, 11.4, $1,565; 3. Chris Glover, 11.7, $1,239; 4. Tom Smith, 12.1, $913; 5. (tie) Jess Tierney and Joe Wells, 12.3, $456. Fourth round: 1. Chet Herren, 10.8 seconds; $1,891; 2. Chance Kelton, 11.1, $1,565; 3. Brodie Poppino, 11.7, $1,239; 4. (tie) Walter Priestly and Rob Denny, 11.9, $750 each; 5. Marty Poppino, 12.0, $326. Fifth round: 1. Kim Ziegelgruber, 11.2 seconds, $1,891; 2. Jason Evans, 11.7. $1,565; 3. Mike Chase and J.B. Whatley, 12.0, $1,076 each; 5. Chris Glover, 12.5, $587; 6. Joe Wells, 12.6, $326. Average: 1. Chance Kelton, 68.1 seconds on five runs, $5,673; 2. Brady Garten, 78.6, $4,695; 3. Mark Milner, 84.9, $3,717; 4.  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – Still three months shy of his 21st birthday, Sage Kimzey is living his dreams. He is the No. 1 bull rider in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association in his rookie season, having earned more than $72,500 heading into this weekend. He’s about to add a little more to his bank account. On Saturday night during the third performance of the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo, Kimzey rode the Line Man of Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo for 92 points to take the bull riding lead. “I had a great bull from Pete Carr, and I knew it was going to be good if I could get him rode for the full eight seconds,” said Kimzey, of Strong City, Okla. “It’s always a great accomplishment to be 90 anywhere, especially at a rodeo this close to home.” Kimzey has done pretty well in his home-state rodeos this week. On Friday night, he posted a 91 in Duncan, Okla., and owns the bull riding lead in the southern Oklahoma community. “My confidence is through the roof,” he said. “I’m riding extremely well, especially for my age. It’s like a baseball player when he talks about a ball coming slow to him and as big around as a beach ball; that’s how bull riding is to me right now. Everything’s slow; everything’s clicking.” Kimzey will have to wait until Sunday’s final performance is complete to see if his score holds up. If it does, he should win in excess of $3,500 – not too bad for eight seconds of work. “They told me that he’s a handful and that he’d make you work for the whole eight seconds, and he sure did,” he said of Line Man, which was selected to buck at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo last December. “He’s an awesome bull. Any time a bull is honest about it and gives you a chance to be that many points, he’s definitely an NFR-caliber bull.” Kimzey made several moves in order to stay atop the black-and-white, spotted bull, but that’s been a trademark of the young cowboy each of the past two seasons. In 2013, he set a PRCA record for money earned by a permit holder with nearly $48,000. Now he’s focused on continuing his top-caliber campaign in fine fashion, and the gold buckle awarded to the world champion would be the perfect fit. “Everybody’s goal growing up as a young kid is to be a world champion,” he said. “It’s all I’ve ever wanted to be since I was 3 years old. It’s always in the back of your mind, but it’s always one bull at a time, too.” He’s one bull closer to that goal. Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo April 28-May 4 Results through the third performance Bareback riding leaders: 1. Tim O’Connell, 86 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Scarlet’s Web; 2. Jared Smith, 85; 3. Tilden Hooper, 83; 4. Kyle Brennecke, 82; 5. Winn Ratliff, 81; 6. (tie) Clint Cannon and Luke Creasy, 80; 8. (tie) Matt Bright and Joe Gunderson, 79. Team roping: Third round leaders: 1. Keven Daniel/York Gill, 6.4 seconds; 2. Paul David Tierney/Matt Kasner, 6.7; 3. Chace Thompson/Twister Cain, 7.2; 4.Turtle Powell/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 7.5; 5. Arky Rogers/Travis Woodard, 7.9; 6. Drew Horner/Buddy Hawkins II, 8.2; 7. Travis Bounds/Wade Kreutzer, 6.5; 8. Brock Hanson/Cesar de la Cruz, 7.9. Aggregate leaders: 1. Turtle Powell/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 23.6 seconds on three runs; 2. Brock Hansen/Cesar de la Cruz, 25.7; 3. Arky Rogers/York Gill, 27.3; 4. Drew Horner/Buddy Hawkins III, 27.5; 5. Chace Thompson/Twister Cain, 28.3; 6. Travis Bounds/Wade Kreutzer, 30.2; 7. David Key/Jett Hillman, 32.6; 8. Matt Sherwood/Dugan Kelly, 33.1. Steer roping: Fifth round leaders: 1. Kim Ziegelgruber, 11.2 seconds; 2. Jason Evans, 11.7; 3. Mike Chase, 12.0; 4. Joe Wells, 12.6; 5. Cody Lee, 12.7; 6. Brady Garten, 13.1. Aggregate leaders: 1. Chance Kelton, 68.1 seconds on five runs; 2. Brady Garten, 78.6; 3. Tony Reina, 85.4; 4. Randy Wells, 55.5 seconds on four runs; 5. Mike Chase, 56.1; 6. Cody Lee, 59.6. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. Chad Ferley, 86 points on D&H Cattle’s Shaken Not Stirred; 2. (tie) Chet Johnson and Tyler Corrington, 84; 4. (tie) Rusty Wright and Rusty Aldridge, 82; 6. (tie) Brady Nicholes, Ty Thompson, Cody Taton and Hardy Braden, 79. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. Quinn Campbell, 3.7 seconds; 2. Dru Melvin, 3.9; 3. Kyle Irwin, 4.0; 4 Riley Duvall, 4.6; 5. Brady Hageman, 4.8; 6. (tie) Rowdy Parrott and Payden Kime McIntyre, 4.9; 8. Dean Gorsuch, 5.1. Aggregate leaders: 1. Quinn Campbell, 13.2 on three runs; 2. Josh Peek, 13.9; 3. Payden Kime McIntyre, 14.3; 4. Dean Gorsuch, 14.5; 5. Dru Melvin 14.7; 6. Rowdy Parrott, 15.2; 7. Jacob Talley, 15.8; 8. Kyle Irwin, 16.0. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. (tie) Hunter Herrin and L.D. Meier, 7.7 seconds; 3. Timber Moore, 8.2; 4. Catfish Brown, 8.4; 5. Jake Hamilton, 8.5; 6. Marcos Costa, 8.8; 7. Roger Nonella, 9.0; 8. Ryan Jarrett, 9.5; 6. (tie) Clay Long and Dane Kissack, 9.7. 8. Joe Frost, 10.2. Aggregate leaders: 1. Ryan Jarrett, 26.0 seconds on three runs; 2. Timber Moore, 26.7; 3. Clay Long, 27.2; 4. L.D. Meier, 27.2; 5. Hunter Herrin, 27.4; 6. Dane Kissack, 28.2; 7. Roger Nonella, 29.3; 8. Jake Hamilton, 29.5. Barrel racing: Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Toni Harden and Alicia Stockton, 17.18; 3. (tie) Carlee Pierce and Kim Schulze, 17.21; 5. Victoria Williams, 17.29; 6. Natalie Foutch, 17.37; 7. Tara Carr, 17.47; 8. (tie) Liz Combs, Kyra Stierwalt and Shawna Bourne, 17.48. Aggregate leaders: 1.Alicia Stockton, 34.61 seconds on two runs; 2. Natalie Foutch, 34.82; 3. Victoria Williams, 34.92; 4. Kim Schulz, 35.08; 5. Toni Hardin, 35.12; 6. Britany Diaz, 35.15; 7. (tie) Liz Combs and Shawna Bourne, 35.16; 9. Kyra Stierwalt, 35.18; 10. Emily Holtman, 35.22. Bull riding leaders: 1. Sage Steele Kimzey, 92 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Line Man; 2. Caleb Sanderson, 89; 3. Scottie Knapp, 87; 4. (tie) Trey Benton II and  Continue Reading »

GUYMON, Okla. – Ryan Jarrett is just looking for a little momentum. He may have found it at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. On Saturday afternoon during the annual rodeo’s second performance, the Georgia-born cowboy roped and tied his calf in 9.5 seconds. He is among the leaders in the third round; more importantly, he leads the average with a three-run cumulative time of 26.0 seconds. “They hadn’t really done anything on that calf the two previous rounds,” said Jarrett, the 2005 all-around world champion from Comanche, Okla. “I ended up missing the (start) a little bit, so I just went and tied her down.” He already has seen some success in the Oklahoma Panhandle this week. He won the second go-round and has already pocketed a much-needed check worth $1,744. By the time the rodeo ends Sunday afternoon, he should earn another check with a high finish in the average – the 9.5-second run from Saturday afternoon likely will not earn any third-round money. “Until that money I won the other day, I have not won a PRCA check since Feb. 5 in Rapid City (S.D.),” said Jarrett, an eight-time qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Pioneer Days Rodeo is a big event for all the contestants, but it’s especially nice for contestants like Jarrett that compete in the Prairie Circuit, the region that is made up of cowboys, cowgirls and rodeos primarily in Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. “It’s like double-dipping,” he said. “Coming to a good rodeo that counts for your circuit, too, is perfect. “This rodeo’s always been pretty good for me.” Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo April 28-May 4 Results through the second performance Bareback riding leaders: 1. Tim O’Connell, 86 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Scarlet’s Web; 2. Tilden Hooper, 83; 3. Kyle Brennecke, 82; 4. Winn Ratliff, 81; 5. Matt Bright, 79; 6. (tie) Yance Day and Justin McDaniel, 78; 8. (tie) Tray Chambliss III and Bobby Mote, 75. Team roping: Third round leaders: 1. Keven Daniel/York Gill, 6.4 seconds; 2. Turtle Powell/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 7.5; 3. Arky Rogers/Travis Woodard, 7.9; 4. Brock Hanson/Cesar de la Cruz, 7.9; 5. David Key/Jett Hillman, 9.6; 6. Jimmy Tanner/Shawn Harris, 10.8; 7. Matt Sherwood/Dugan Kelly, 12.7; 8. Ora Taton/Tyrel Taton, 16.3. Aggregate leaders: 1. Turtle Powell/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 23.6 seconds on three runs; 2. Brock Hansen/Cesar de la Cruz, 25.7; 3. Arky Rogers/York Gill, 27.3; 4. David Key/Jett Hillman, 32.6; 5. Matt Sherwood/Dugan Kelly, 33.1; 6. Lane Ivy/Kory Kootz, 42.8; 7. Ora Taton/Tyrel Taton, 55.5; 8. Keven Daniel/York Gill, 12.2 seconds on two runs. Steer roping: Fifth round leaders: 1. Kim Ziegelgruber, 11.2 seconds; 2. Jason Evans, 11.7; 3. Mike Chase, 12.0; 4. Joe Wells, 12.6; 5. Cody Lee, 12.7; 6. Brady Garten, 13.1. Aggregate leaders: 1. Chance Kelton, 68.1 seconds on five runs; 2. Brady Garten, 78.6; 3. Randy Wells, 55.5 seconds on four runs; 4. Mike Chase, 56.1; 5. Cody Lee, 59.6; 6. Kim Ziegelgruber, 59.2. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. (tie) Chet Johnson, on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Sweet Maria, and Tyler Corrington, on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Lori Darling, 84 points; 3. Rusty Wright, 82; 4. (tie) Brady Nicholes and Ty Thompson, 79; 6. Joe Lufkin, 77; 7. Dylan Henson, 76; 8. Dusty Hausauer, 75. Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. Quinn Campbell, 3.7 seconds; 2. Dru Melvin, 3.9; 3. Riley Duvall, 4.6; 4. Brady Hageman, 4.8; 5. Rowdy Parrott, 4.9; 6. Dean Gorsuch, 5.1; 7. Tom Lewis, 5.2; 8. (tie) Austin Eller and Josh Peek, 5.7. Aggregate leaders: 1. Quinn Campbell, 13.2 on three runs; 2. Josh Peek, 13.9; 3. Dan Gorsuch, 14.5; 4. Dru Melvin 14.7; 5. Rowdy Parrott, 15.2; 6. Morgan Grant, 20.9; 7. Riley Duvall, 21.8; 8. Brady Hageman, 21.9. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. Timber Moore, 8.2 seconds; 2. Catfish Brown, 8.4; 3. Jake Hamilton, 8.5; 4. Marcos Costa, 8.8; 5. Ryan Jarrett, 9.5; 6. (tie) Clay Long and Dane Kissack, 9.7. 8. Joe Frost, 10.2. Aggregate leaders: 1. Ryan Jarrett, 26.0 seconds on three runs; 2. Timber Moore, 26.7; 3. Clay Long, 27.2; 4. Dane Kissack, 28.2; 5. Jake Hamilton, 29.5; 6. Joe Frost, 30.9; 7. Chase Williams, 32.2; 8. Tyson Durfey, 32.7. Barrel racing: Second round leaders: 1. (tie) Toni Harden and Alicia Stockton, 17.18; 3. (tie) Carlee Pierce and Kim Schulze, 17.21; 5. Tara Carr, 17.47; 6. (tie) Reann Zancanella and Britta O’Keeffe, 17.55; 8. Karisa Brookshire, 17.59; 9. Kelly Yates, 17.60; 10. (tie) Shali Lord and Cheyenne Shipps, 17.62. Aggregate leaders: 1.Alicia Stockton, 34.61 seconds on two runs; 2. Kim Schulz, 35.08; 3. Toni Hardin, 35.12; 4. Emily Holtman, 35.22; 5. Sherry Cervi, 35.37; 6. Karisa Brookshire, 35.39; 7. Reann Zancanella, 35.40; 8. (tie) Britta O’Keeffe and Taylor Jacob, 35.49; 10. Judi Reed, 35.50. Bull riding leaders: 1. Scottie Knap, 87 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo; 2. (tie) Trey Benton II and Aaron Pass, 85; 4. Cody Sierks, 79; 5. Corey Maiaer, 78; 6. Dallee Mason, 77; no other qualified rides.

GUYMON, Okla. – It’s been eight years since Chet Johnson won a share of the saddle bronc riding championship at the Guymon Pioneer Days Rodeo. He’s ready to win it again. On Friday, he and traveling partner Tyler Corrington scored 84-point rides to take the early lead in the rodeo’s classic event during the rodeo’s opening night. Now they’ll await the final three performances to see how they finish. “It’s early in the rodeo, and there are a lot of good guys with a lot of good horses still to ride,” said Johnson, of Gillette, Wyo. “It would great if Tyler and I both won one of those belts together.” The Pioneer Days Rodeo championship belt is one of the most treasured trophies in the game. Many world champions attach their gold buckles to their Guymon belt, so the No Man’s Land title special. “The guy that makes the belts lives in Gruver (Texas) and is a buddy,” said Corrington, a native Minnesotan who also lives in the Texas town about 20 minutes south of Guymon. “He makes all my leather stuff for me. It’d be fun to go in there and watch him make my belt.” Corrington and Johnson did their parts with solid rides inside Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena. Corrington matched moves with Lori Darling, while Johnson rode Sweet Maria – both the horses are from the Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo string. “She’s a lot of fun,” Johnson said of Sweet Maria, which, like Lori Darling, has been selected to perform at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. “She’s a little horse, and she gets kind of tricky at the end. “During the first six seconds, it was a lot of fun. I can’t wait to get on her again.” Corrington had tried his hand with Lori Darling before, and he found the gray mare to be a nice fit. “She just feels awesome,” he said “She takes a bunch of rein and is the one you’d want. “This is a great rodeo to come to. The horses are always good, and any money you can win is awesome.” Corrington and Johnson travel the rodeo circuit with another top cowboy, Cort Scheer of Elsmere, Neb., who spends a good portion of his season living in Guymon. All three qualified for the NFR this past December. “Chet made an awesome ride,” Corrington said. “His horse was a little trickier than min. I’m just fortunate to be leading it with him.” Guymon (Okla.) Pioneer Days Rodeo April 28-May 4 Results through the first performance Bareback riding leaders: 1. Tim O’Connell, 86 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Scarlet’s Web; 2. Tilden Hooper, 83; 3. Kyle Brennecke, 82; 4. Winn Ratliff, 81; 5. (tie) Yance Day and Justin McDaniel, 78; 7. Justin Pollmiller, 72; 8. Heath Ford, 69. Team roping: Third round leaders: 1. Keven Daniel/York Gill, 6.4 seconds; 2. Arky Rogers/Travis Woodard, 7.9; 3. David Key/Jett Hillman, 9.6; 4. Jimmy Tanner/Shawn Harris, 10.8; no other qualified times. Aggregate leaders: 1. Arky Rogers/York Gill, 27.3 seconds on three runs; 2. David Key/Jett Hillman, 32.6; 3. Keven Daniel/York Gill, 12.2 seconds on two runs; 4/ Coleman Proctor/Jake Long, 14.7; 5. Charly Crawford/Ryan Motes, 15.3; 6. Ty Blasingame/J.W. Borrego, 15.5; 7. Cole Dorenkamp, 15.9; 8. Turtle Powell/Dakota Kirchenschlager, 16.1. Steer roping: Fifth round leaders: 1. Jason Evans, 11.7 seconds; 2. Joe Wells, 12.6; 3. Cody Lee, 12.7; 4. Brady Garten, 13.1; 5. Chance Kelton, 13.2; 6. Randy Wells. Aggregate leaders: 1. Chance Kelton, 68.1 seconds on five runs; 2. Brady Garten, 78.6; 3. Randy Wells, 55.5 seconds on four runs; 4. Cody Lee, 59.6; 5. Colt Carter, 67.2; 6. Mark Milner, 69.2. Saddle bronc riding leaders: 1. (tie) Chet Johnson, on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Sweet Maria, and Tyler Corrington, on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Lori Darling, 84 points Steer wrestling: Third round leaders: 1. Brady Hageman, 4.8 seconds; 2. Rowdy Parrott, 4.9; 3. Tom Lewis, 5.2; 4. Austin Eller, 5.7; 5. Casey Martin, 5.8; 6. Jon Herl, 6.0; no other qualified times. Aggregate leaders: 1. Rowdy Parrott, 15.2 seconds on three runs; 2. Brady Hageman, 21.9; 3. Austin Eller, 24.4; 4. Tom Lewis, 24.6; 5. Jon Herl, 26.2; 6. Casey Martin, 27.3; 7. Josh Peek, 8.2 seconds on two runs; 8. Cole Edge, 9.2. Tie-down roping: Third round leaders: 1. Timber Moore, 8.2 seconds; 2. Clay Long, 9.7; 3. Tyson Durfey, 11.5; 4. Chase Williams, 15.6; 6. Jeff Chapman, 21.0; no other qualified times. Aggregate leaders: 1. Timber Moore, 26.7 seconds on three runs; 2. Clay Long, 27.2; 3. Chase Williams, 32.2; 4. Tyson Durfey, 32.7; 5. Jeff Chapman, 45.8; 6. Marty Yates, 15.7 seconds on two runs; 7. Ryan Jarrett, 16.5; 8. Trevor Brazile, 17.0. Barrel racing: Second round leaders: 1. Toni Harden, 17.18; 2. Carlee Pierce, 17.21; 3. Tara Carr, 17.47; 4. Reann Zancanella, 17.55; 5. Kelly Yates, 17.60; 6. (tie) Shali Lord and Cheyenne Shipps, 17.62; 8. Ari-Anne Flynn, 17.65; 9. Emily Miller, 17.66; 10. (tie) Sherry Cervi and June Holeman, 17.67. Aggregate leaders: 1.Toni Hardin, 35.12 on two runs; 2. Sherry Cervi, 35.37; 3. Reann Zancanella, 35.40; 4. Cindy Gillespie, 35.54; 5. (tie) Bridgett Carr and Cheyenne Shipps, 35.66; 7. (tie) Brittany Grant and Ari-Anna Flynn, 35.70; 9. Sabrina Ketcham, 35.80; 10. Tye Green, 35.81. Bull riding leaders: 1. Dallee Mason, 77 points on Pete Carr’s Classic Pro Rodeo’s Next Thing Smoking; no other qualified rides.

Cord and Jet McCoy are cowboys, from the top of their brimmed hats to the heels on their boots. They were raised on a ranch near Tupelo, a town of about 320 in southeastern Oklahoma. Their parents, Janet and Denny McCoy, also were raised on ranches. In the upcoming 10th episode of this spring’s 24th season of “The Amazing Race” that airs Sunday, the brothers will visit their ancestry when the five remaining teams take a tour of Spain. You see, while Spain is best known for the Running of the Bulls and matadors, there is a grand history of ranching. The 10th leg of the race around the world for $1 million ventures from Switzerland to Spain in an episode titled “Bull Down.” In previews, team members are seen Spanish streets wearing giant bubble-like wraps that are outfitted with bulls’ horns. But the origins of the American cowboy are from Spain. Spaniards who settled in North America brought that with them. Those in Mexico were dubbed vaqueros, and it involved the caring of livestock. How will the McCoys fare in Spain? It’s hard to tell, especially with four other teams still in the mix. The reality show is scheduled to air at 7 p.m. Central Sundays on CBS-TV. The brothers bring a varied background with them to every task they tackle, and it’s paid off quite well so far. Through the first nine legs, The Cowboys have won twice and finished as the runners-up four times. They have been fan favorites of viewers since their first appearance in the spring of 2010, when they were part of Season 16. They finished second overall that year. They returned to “The Amazing Race” a year later in Season 18, dubbed “Unfinished Business,” a race that featured teams all vying for a second chance at the $1 million. The McCoys were eliminated in the ninth episode. Now they’re in place to make another run at the victory. Will the race through Spain on Sunday night be the perfect fit? In the storyline submitted by CBS this week, the teams will face a Double U-Turn, in which two teams can force two others to tackle both tasks of a Detour in an effort to slow their competitors down. CBS also revealed that one of the teams will suffer a potentially game-changing injury in Sunday’s episode. It all should be quite exciting, but that’s why millions of viewers tune in to “The Amazing Race” each week.