Monthly Archives: July 2016

ESTES PARK, Colo. – Every young man that grew up in rodeo has had a dream to compete in the sport’s super bowl, the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. Heeler Dugan Kelly of Paso Robles, Calif., has accomplished that goal six times in a career that began 18 seasons ago. He’s hoping to return to Las Vegas in December with a second-year cowboy, header Cody Snow of Los Olivos, Calif. “I’ve known him since he was a little kid,” Kelly said of his partner. “I’ve had my eye on him for a while.” On Friday night during the third performance of the Rooftop Rodeo, the tandem stopped the clock in 4.5 seconds to take the team roping lead with just three days of competition remaining. The veteran and the young gun proved they have a solid partnership. Snow sits 19th in the world standings with a little more than $26,000 in earnings; Kelly sits 14th on the heeling money list with $30,110. If their time holds up for a solid finish, those figures should increase come Monday when the rodeo concludes. “He knows where to enter everywhere and knows how to win,” Snow said of the veteran. “That’s good.” Kelly estimates he’s been to Estes Park’s rodeo every year since 1998. Winning the Rooftop Rodeo title would be a great way to not only pad the pocketbook but also give him a great memory in the sport. “It’s just a great rodeo and (has) a lot of money,” he said about the purse. “You get a good chance to win some money. The weather is nice; it’s beautiful up here and has great atmosphere around here.” That combination of a top purse and outstanding accommodations is an attractive feature for ProRodeo’s best. About 800 contestants were scheduled to be part of the six days of competition. “I’ve struggled this last week,” Kelly said. “It felt good to finally catch one.” Every catch means an opportunity for team ropers earn their way to the NFR. “I’ve been to the finals, so, of course, that’s my goal to make it,” he said. “I want to be in the top five going in there and dang sure to be in the top five when it’s over. You just want to have a chance; coming into the ninth and 10th round, your name needs to be in the top.” It is in Estes Park so far. Rooftop Rodeo Estes Park, Colo. July 6-11, 2016 Leaders through third performance Bareback riding: 1. Brian Bain, 84.5 points on Cervi Rodeo’s Sugar Daddy; 2. Joel Schlegel, 83.5; 3. Blaine Kauffman, 82; 4. Bill Tutor, 80.5; 5. Kody Lamb, 80; 6. (tie) Caleb Bennett, Orin Larsen and Tim O’Connell, 79 each. Steer wrestling: 1.  K.C. Jones, 4.4 seconds; 2. Cody Cabral, 4.6; 3. Gabe Taylor. 4.9; 4. Jake Fulton, 5.1; 5. Sean Santucci, 5.3; 6. Ross Mosher, 5.4; 7. Jake Kraupie, 5.5; 8. Rowdy Parrot, 5.6. Team roping: 1. Cody Snow/Dugan Kelly, 4.5; 2. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 4.8; 3. J.D. Yates/Trey Yates, 5.4; 4. Monty Wood/Brandon Gonzales, 5.8; 5. Garrett Grieve/Steven Gaona, 66; no other qualified times. Saddle bronc riding 1. CoBurn Bradshaw, 82 points on Cervi Rodeo’s Exploding Springs; 2. Jesse Bail, 81; 3. Landon Mecham, 80; 4. Tyler Corrington, 79.5; 5. Rusty Wright, 79; 6. Ben Londo, 78; 7. (tie) Jake Watson, Taos Muncy and Andy Clarys, 75. Tie-down roping: 1. Rhen Richard, 9.0 seconds; 2. Marshall Leonard, 9.1; 3. Braxton Laughlin, 9.6; 4. Travis Lewis, 9.8; 5. Justin Brinkerhoff, 10.5; 6. Chad Finley, 10.6; 7. Garret Arnold, 10.9; 8. Stuart Hoar, 11.3. Barrel racing: 1. Lorie Manning, 17.94 seconds; 2. Sabra O’Quinn, 17.95; 3. Katelyn McLeod, 18.06; 4. (tie) Christine Laughlin and Jenna Waggoner, 18.07; 6. Cayla Melby, 18.16; 7. Paige Willis, 18.25; 8. C.J. Vondette, 18.28; 9. Benette Little, 18.33; 10. Brittany Kelly, 18.43; 11. Kari Hasler, 18.45; 12. Lesley Chester, 18.56; 13. Kasey Hall, 18.68; 14. Charity Hoar, 18.74; 15. Nicole Waggoner, 18.78. Bull riding: 1. Derek Kolbaba, 79 points on Cervi Rodeo’s Wolf Greeley Hat Works; 2. Dustin Muncy, 78; no other qualified rides.

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Not many people outside this region know of Lovington, nor do they understand much about the community of hard-working folks. ProRodeo cowboys and cowgirls do, and they look forward to arriving every summer for the Lea County Fair and Rodeo, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10-Saturday, Aug. 13, at Jake McClure Arena. The rodeo is a major stop for the contestants with big money, a historic past and some of the best hospitality they receive on the rodeo trail all year. That’s why Lovington’s rodeo is regularly recognized as one of the best events in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Over the past few seasons, it has been nominated for the PRCA’s Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year. “It’s an honor to have this as my hometown,” said Kenyon Burns, a professional rodeo cowboy who is the rodeo chairman of the Lea County Fair Board. “To know that Lovington, New Mexico, is one of the best rodeos in the world, then to actually be involved with the committee, is out of this world. It’s an honor to ever be asked to be part of it.” He’s been part of it for a long time, first as a fairgoer, then a contestant. It’s in that role that he understands most what an honor it is for the local rodeo to be recognized as one of the top 20 rodeos in the country, the top five in its division. So does Corey Helton, the fair board’s chairman. “I’d say we’ve got to win this at some point,” Helton said with a laugh. “It really is a huge honor just to be nominated, considering the rodeos we’re up against.” The list is powerful in the rodeo world and includes other historic events in Pendleton, Ore.; Cheyenne, Wyo.; Ogden, Utah; and Salinas, Calif. Like Lea County, all those events offer lucrative purses and outstanding competition. Likely the most recognized is the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, which takes place two weeks prior to Lovington’s. Since the award’s inception in 1993, Cheyenne has earned the title 16 times. Pendleton earned the honor in 2015. “This is a really big deal, especially with me having a rodeo background,” said Burns, a two-time qualifier to the National Finals Steer Roping. “I’ve seen most of the rodeos in the western United States, and for me to be part of the production team and the volunteers that are putting this production together is a notch on my board. “It’s an honor to be considered to help out. It is worthwhile.” The rodeo has been on the landscape of the Plains for better than 80 years. The history of Lea County includes Jake McClure and Troy Fort and an entire clan of Coopers, just to name a few. Not only are they part of the local history, they are part of rodeo history. The tradition and legacy of rodeo in this neck of the woods is as strong as ever. “There are so many volunteers, both past and present, that have done a great job making this event what it is,” Burns said. “There have been people that have spent years making this rodeo what it is. I tip my hat to them.”

ESTES PARK, Colo. – Sometimes momentum swings in the right direction, and that’s the case for bareback rider Joel Schlegel. He is having the best season of his career with more than $20,400 in earnings; more than half that came last week when he won the championship in Cody, Wyo., and pocketed $10,500 in the process. On Thursday night, Schlegel matched moves with Cervi Rodeo’s Little Bo Beep for 83.5 points to take the lead in the 90th edition of Rooftop Rodeo. “My confidence is pretty sky high,” said Schlegel of Burns, Colo., a three-plus hour drive through the mountain range southwest of Estes Park. “Showing up today and knowing the horse I had, there’s little to no doubt you’d be excited. I’m riding better than I ever have.” It showed on the gray horse. Now the Colorado cowboy hopes his score holds out through the remaining four performances. “We came here last year, and it worked out and won the rodeo,” he said. “It’s cool to come back and say you won it again if you have the opportunity. There are still guys that have good horses and guys that ride great (and they could) just as easy bump me down. “It’s exciting to do good at a good rodeo right in our circuit.” Rooftop Rodeo has been recognized as one of the best in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, with only 20 events out of more than 600 that receive nominations annually for Rodeo of the Year. Over the last two decades, Estes Park’s rodeo has been in a regular fixture in that field. Part of that has to do with an crowd that fills the grandstands every night, considering the rodeo part of their Estes Park summertime experience. “A lot of people that are here are interested to come (and) have the experience, the show, get involved,” Schlegel said. “It’s good to have a bunch of people cheering you on. If you wave at the crowd, everybody cheers and hollers at you. It’s awesome.” It’s that kind of experience that pushes him to return to Estes Park every July. Now that he sits 27th in the world standings, he hopes the roller-coaster ride that is ProRodeo will stay on the downhill cycle for a bit longer. Finishing the regular season among the top 15 in the world standings would earn him his first qualification to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, which takes place in December in Las Vegas. “The ball’s been in my favor this year, and I’d like to keep the momentum going,” he said. “Everybody wants to go ride in Vegas.” Rooftop Rodeo Estes Park, Colo. July 6-11, 2016 Leaders through second performance Bareback riding: 1. Joel Schlegel, 83.5 points on Cervi Rodeo’s Little Bo Beep; 2. Blaine Kauffman, 82; 3. Kody Lamb, 80; 4. (tie) Caleb Bennett, Orin Larsen and Tim O’Connell, 79 each; 7. (tie) Tyler Waltz and Tanner Phipps, 78 each. Steer wrestling: 1.  K.C. Jones, 4.4 seconds; 2. Cody Cabral, 4.6; 3. Ross Mosher, 5.4; 4. Rowdy Parrot, 5.6; 5. Mike McGinn, 5.9; 6. Mike Garcia, 6.0; 7. Tristan Martin, 6.2; 8. Ty Lang, 7.2. Team roping: 1. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 4.8 seconds; 2. J.D. Yates/Trey Yates, 5.4; 3. Monty Wood/Brandon Gonzales, 5.8; no other qualified times. Saddle bronc riding 1. CoBurn Bradshaw, 82 points on Cervi Rodeo’s Exploding Springs; 2. Jesse Bail, 81; 3. Landon Mecham, 80; 4. Rusty Wright, 79; 5. (tie) Jake Watson, Taos Muncy and Andy Clarys, 75; 8. Wyatt Casper, 74. Tie-down roping: 1. Rhen Richard, 9.0 seconds; 2. Marshall Leonard, 9.1; 3. Braxton Laughlin, 9.6; 4. Travis Lewis, 9.8; 5. Justin Brinkerhoff, 10.5; 6. Chad Finley, 10.6; 7. Cody Collins, 11.8; 8. Paul Carmen, 16.2. Barrel racing: 1. Jenna Waggoner, 18.07 seconds; 2. Cayla Melby, 18.16; 3. C.J. Vondette, 18.28; 4. Kari Hasler, 18.45; 5. Lesley Chester, 18.56; 6. Kasey Hall, 18.68; 7. Nicole Waggoner, 18.78; 8. Heidi Tillard, 18.94; 9. Pollie Madden, 19.26; 10. Lake Mehalic, 20.52. Bull riding: 1. Derek Kolbaba, 79 points on Cervi Rodeo’s Wolf Greeley Hat Works; no other qualified rides.

DODGE CITY, Kan. – John Payne nearly died 43 years ago. He was electrocuted, fell 25 feet to what could have been a certain death, then revived by his work partner. It was an event that changed his life that led to the amputation of his right arm. It has defined him in more positive ways than anyone could have realized. Payne is a cowboy; when he has faced adversity, he tackled in head on like most cowboys would. He turned the potential tragedy into a lifelong pursuit of everything cowboy and has become one of the most decorated specialty acts in ProRodeo. He will return to western Kansas this summer for the 40th edition of the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3-Sunday, Aug. 7, at Roundup Arena. “I’ve always been a showoff, and I’m pretty good at showing off with animals,” said Payne, whose Shidler, Okla.-based One Armed Bandit & Co. has been recognized as act of the year 14 times. “It’s kind of a paid vacation. You get to travel all over the country and get paid for it. But I like to show off the talents of my animals and my horsemanship.” His  rodeo career began about 30 years ago, when he went to an event close to his home. He told the folks at the Ponca City, Okla., rodeo that he could get a better act if they hired him. He put something together, then went back to ranching. Shortly thereafter, legendary rodeo announcer Clem McSpadden – the longtime voice of Roundup Rodeo – made the call to Shidler. “He was the one who prompted me into pursuing a career in the entertainment business in ProRodeo,” Payne said. “Clem told me I could do that and make a heck of a living at it.” He has, and he’s one of the most sought-after acts in the game. “John is a showman and has been a great fit for Roundup in the past,” said Dr. R.C. Trotter, chairman of the volunteer committee that produces the annual rodeo. “He adds so much to our rodeo. John may look rough in his outfit, but he has a heart of gold.” That’s probably why so many events try to get the One Armed Bandit back to town as often as possible. Payne has a custom trailer, which allows him and the animals a high perch to show off to the fans. It takes guts and a real horseman to handle the intricacies of the act. “First of all, he’s got one arm,” said Boyd Polhamus, a four-time PRCA Announcer of the Year and the voice of Roundup Rodeo. “It’s one thing for someone to do it. It’s amazing in its own right, but John’s got just one arm. No one else can copy that. “You’re riding, messing with buffaloes. You’re a stud. There’s just something about that buckaroo. He’s just got a buckaroo look to him. He just looks the part. It’s a Wild West show. He is, by himself, an eight-minute Wild West show. It’s going to be Western, and it’s going to be fun.” There are many great acts associated with ProRodeo, but none provides the flavor of the One Armed Bandit. “If his act goes according to plan, it’s going to be awesome,” Polhamus said. “If it doesn’t go as planned, it’s going to be awesome.” That’s just what rodeo fans in western Kansas have come to expect with Roundup Rodeo.

ESTES PARK, Colo. – K.C. Jones won’t win a title at the Rooftop Rodeo this year, but that didn’t stop the Colorado-born cowboy from making his way to Estes Park. On Wednesday night, the Decatur, Texas, cowboy wrestled his steer to the turf in 4.4 seconds to take the first-round lead in steer wrestling for the 90th edition of Rooftop Rodeo. “I entered this rodeo for Wednesday night because I thought this was going to be a one-header,” Jones said, referring to one-round events. “I have to turn out my second steer, because I’m out in Calgary (Alberta) for the first set there Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.” While most events at Rooftop Rodeo will feature one round, steer wrestlers will compete in two. Payouts will be made in each round, then to the top contestants in the two-run aggregate. “It pays $100,000, and last year it fell over the Fourth (of July),” Jones said of Calgary. “This year it worked out that I’m just going to have to miss one steer.” Still there’s a bit of a disappointment for the cowboy who was raised a few hours away. “I grew up in Colorado, so I’ve been coming here since Little Britches Rodeo,” he said. “I was telling the guys in the rig that the good thing about Estes Park is there’s a lot to do.” And the rodeo action is top flight. Wednesday’s performance featured numerous qualifiers to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, including world champions like saddle bronc rider Taos Muncy, bull rider Shane Proctor and tie-down ropers Shane Hanchey and Caleb Smidt. “The (committee) really cares about the contestants,” Jones said. “They put shavings in the stalls, and the stalls are free. They have great hospitality and feed you all day long. You can tell they appreciate you coming to town. We appreciate the extra effort they put into catering to our needs. “We spend a lot of money going to these rodeos. Any time we can get a break, we appreciate it a lot.” It shows in the annual nominations for rodeo of the year and in the nearly 800 contestants that have signed up to compete at this year’s Rooftop Rodeo. It also shows in the world-class competition in the Rocky Mountains. Rooftop Rodeo Estes Park, Colo. July 6-11, 2016 Leaders through first performance Bareback riding: 1. Blaine Kauffman, 82 points on Cervi Rodeo’s Monkey Mistress; 2. Kody Lamb, 80; 3. (tie) Caleb Bennett, Orin Larsen and Tim O’Connell, 79 each; 6. Kyle Charley, 70; 7. Seth Coursen, 60; no other qualified rides. Steer wrestling: 1.  K.C. Jones, 4.4 seconds; 2. Cody Cabral, 4.6; 3. Ross Mosher, 5.4; 4. Mike McGinn, 5.9; 5. Ty Lang, 7.2; no other qualified times. Team roping: 1. Clay Smith/Paul Eaves, 4.8 seconds; no other qualified times. Saddle bronc riding 1. Jesse Bail, 81 points on Cervi Rodeo’s Hell’s Fire Hostage; 2. Rusty Wright, 79; 3. (tie) Jake Watson and Taos Muncy, 75; 5. Wyatt Casper, 74; 5. Louie Brunson, 72; 6. Dustin Flundra, 71.5; 7. Nat Stratton, 68; 8. Zeke Thurston, 61. Tie-down roping: 1. Rhen Richard, 9.0 seconds; 2. Marshall Leonard, 9.1; 3. Braxton Laughlin, 9.6; 4. Cody Collins, 11.8; 5. Jim Breck Bean, 19.3; 6. Cy Eames, 21.6; no other qualified rides. Barrel racing: 1. Cayla Melby, 18.16 seconds; 2. Lesley Chester, 18.56; 3. Heidi Tillard, 18.94; 4. Pollie Madden, 19.26; 5. Lake Mehalic, 20.52; 6. Hali Scott, 23.31; 7. Jane Melby, 25.16; 8. Rachel Dice, 28.13. Bull riding: 1. Derek Kolbaba, 79 points on Cervi Rodeo’s Wolf Greeley Hat works; no other qualified rides.

GUYMON, Okla. – The landscape of the Oklahoma Panhandle can be rugged, but so are the people that make it their home. They work hard and are proud. That’s exactly why they deserve some world-class events that make their way to Guymon, like the Kasey Hayes & Stormy Wing Invitational PBR BlueDEF Velocity Tour event, set for 8 p.m. Saturday, July 23, at Henry C. Hitch Pioneer Arena in Guymon. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the gate; children 5 and younger are free. “This is a rural area, cowboys and farmers that know and enjoy rodeo and bull riding,” said Nina Webb, one of the volunteers with Guymon’s PBR event. “When this all started, one of the members from the Pioneer Days Rodeo committee stopped by the house and talked about getting a PBR here. We got with the chamber, and we started going forward.” Now the PBR returns to Texas County for the third straight year. It’s become a staple in the town of about 12,000 residents, and the reasonable admission fee is part of the reason – advanced tickets may be purchased for $15, a discount from the $20 cost at the gate; children ages 5 and younger are admitted free. But it’s also because many of the top bull riders in the game make their way to Guymon every summer. That’s a testament to the type of event local organizers produce, but also to the crowd that has made the cowboys feel right at home. Not only does the community support the bull riding, but so do other neighboring communities. Fans from throughout a five-state region – Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, New Mexico and Colorado – find their seats and enjoy the show. “If you’re going to do something, you want to do it right,” said Wing, a six-time PBR World Finals qualifier from Dalhart, Texas. “I want it to be one of the best events in the PBR. I want the guys to talk about it.” The guys are the world-class bull riders who make up the top names in the PBR. Many of them will be in Guymon for the one-night event. It’s truly a drawing card for not only fans but also others who appreciate community events. “Every May we have the top cowboys in rodeo come in for Pioneer Days Rodeo,” said Jim Quimby, chairman of the rodeo committee and also a volunteer for the Guymon PBR. “We want that to be the same for our PBR event in July. “We have a lot of people here that know the bull riders, know the bulls, and they want to see the best in Guymon. We want to bring them the best.” It’s about to happen.

LOVINGTON, N.M. – Over the last few years, the Lea County Fair and Rodeo has hung its hat on having the perfect combination of concerts to go with its annual exposition. The 2016 edition is no different, with six nights of great shows headlining the full fair experience in Lovington. “I’m excited that there was a lot of input from the community about dances and having more of the personal bands from around here,” said Corey Helton, chairman of the Lea County Fair Board. “There was some feedback that they wanted to see a lite more home-grown people. That’s why we have some of the acts like Jody Murph and Jody Nix. We’ve been getting a lot of requests for that.” Nix, in fact, will be the featured act on the opening Saturday night, Aug. 6. Nix began his career at age 8 playing drums for his father’s band all over West Texas. He follows a trio of concerts – Los Traviezos, La Marquinaria and Arrolladora – that will be part of Hispanic Heritage night on the first Friday, Aug. 5. While Nix’s roots are in Western swing, William Clark Green will show off a direct and hard-hitting style of music during his Tuesday, Aug. 9. Matthew West, a four-time Grammy nominee who has won numerous Christian music awards, will be the featured act on Wednesday, Aug. 10. West has sold more than 1.2 million albums and provides the perfect entertainment for the fair’s Faith and Family Night. Murph – a singer/song writer from Justin, Texas, who holds a passion for Texas Music – will showcase his talents Thursday, Aug. 11. “We’ve got several nights of music that people will want to dance to,” Helton said. “But we also wanted to make sure everybody got to have the big music acts we’re all so used to at the Lea County Fair and Rodeo with Neal McCoy and Justin Moore. Those two acts are going to be a great way to close out our event.” McCoy has been a chart-topper for a couple decades. In fact, he was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009, with five top 10 hits to his credit. He will take the stage after the rodeo on Friday, Aug. 12. Moore, the 2014 ACM New Artist of the Year, has multiple ACM, ACA and ACC award nominations, all while showcasing two gold albums. His style will be on the main stage on Saturday, Aug. 13. Moore’s fourth studio album, “Kinda Don’t Care,” is set to be released the day before his Lovington concert. “We’ve been able to mix the dancehall music with some top-level acts for this year’s concert lineup, and I’m very excited about that,” Helton said. “I think this lineup is exactly what our fairgoers have been wanting for several years.”

CODY, Wyo. – Dusty Tuckness knows Stampede Park as well as anyone. He grew up around the storied arena, home to much of rodeo’s history. Raised along the Greybull River half an hour south in Meeteetse, Wyo., the 30-year-old bullfighter has spent plenty of time inside the arena; that includes the last 13 years in cowboy protection at the Cody Stampede. On Thursday night during the Bullfighters Only freestyle bullfight in Cody, Tuckness put on a show by himself, dancing across the arena dirt with a speedy and agile red bull for 91.5 points. Not only is it the highest-marked fight in Bullfighters Only’s brief history, it earned propelled him to the title of the fight, held in conjunction with the Cody/Yellowstone Xtreme Bulls. “He was a pretty good bull from Darrell Diefenbach,” said Tuckness, the reigning six-time Bullfighter of the Year in the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. “We had a bunch of young bulls in this pen, so we really didn’t know what to expect out of them. I had the pick of the night. “He kept coming at me, so I got to break him down a little bit. We made a few rounds, and I worked a few step-throughs.” He finished much better than he started. As Tuckness attempted to jump the bull to begin the fight, the animal got just enough of the bullfighter to spin him to the ground. “We got the crowd on the edge of their seat to start it,” he said. “Then I went to work and was able to sell it with a jump at the end.” With scores based on a 100-point scale, men can earn up to 50 points per fight based on their ability to exhibit control and style while maneuvering around or over an animal; a bull can earn up to 50 points based on its quickness, aggression and willingness to stay with the bullfighter. “We just got off our first big stand-alone event in Cedar Park (Texas), and we wanted to build off our momentum there,” Tuckness said. “I was glad to be part of this event here in my backyard. “Praise God I drew the bull to have tonight. It worked out to win and have the fellowship and the fan base and fight in front of my family and friends. It was a good night and a good crowd.” Bullfighters Only is a freestyle bullfighting showcase of the top 15 men in the game. While Tuckness tests his skills against each bull he fights through the season, he does so in a competition with several others. In Cody, Weston Rutkowski of Haskell, Texas, finished in a tie for second with Nate Jestes of Douglas, Wyo.; both men scored 87 points. “I talked to the (Cody rodeo) committee, and a lot of them were pretty happy with the bullfights,” Tuckness said. “The biggest thing was that the crowd loved it and stayed around. We signed autographs after it was over for probably an hour and a half, so that was great. “It’s an honor to compete in this event, and I thank the Stampede for letting us do it.” CODY RESULTS 1. Dusty Tuckness, 91.5 points 2. (tie) Weston Rutkowski and Nate Jestes, 87 4. Cody Webster, 86 5. Chuck Swisher, 80

ESTES PARK, Colo. – Over the last year, volunteers have been busy planning, scheduling and decorating the biggest party of the year in Estes Park. It’s not balloons and candles on a cake, but it may as well be: The award-winning and prestigious Rooftop Rodeo is celebrating its 90th birthday during six world-class performances, set for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 6-Monday, July 11, at Granny May Arena in Estes Park. Tickets may be purchased through www.RooftopRodeo.com. “The members of this committee have a lot of pride in this event,” said Ben Vigil, president of Estes Park Western Heritage Inc., a group of volunteers that works with the town of Estes Park to produce the annual rodeo. “We began planning this year’s rodeo just as soon as last year’s was over.” While the anniversary is special, that’s actually the type of thing that has made Rooftop Rodeo one of the very best in the North America for so long. From 2003-2010, the committee was selected five times as the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Small Rodeo of the Year. In 2011, the rodeo moved into the medium division and has been nominated as one of the top five in its category every year since. Rooftop isn’t the only award-gathering aspect of this year’s rodeo, which will showcase the return of entertainer Justin Rumford, the reigning four-time PRCA Clown of the Year. “Estes Park is one of my favorite places, not just because of the rodeo,” said Rumford, who entertained at Rooftop Rodeo in 2013. “During the day, we went canoeing, rode bikes and went golfing. We took it all in. I was busy all day being a tourist. It’s just beautiful.” The town is home to about 6,000 people, but it hosts 4 million tourists. It also showcases a world-class rodeo, which will feature about 800 contestants through this year’s exposition. “To have that rodeo is a whole community effort,” Rumford said. “They’ve been nominated for rodeo of the year because cowboys remember when they’re treated good. The committee is truly on the side of the cowboys. The contestants are a priority. “They’re great to the contract personnel, and they take care of you once you get there. They just go out of their way. It’s just a good committee to work with.” As an entertainer and barrelman, he will work closely with announcer Andy Seiler and the crew from Cervi Rodeo, a Colorado-based stock-contracting firm, in the overall production of each of the six performances. He also will keep the fans laughing with his off-the-cuff antics and flair for comedy. “I’ve known the Cervis forever,” Rumford said of the family company, which has been recognized as Stock Contractor of the Year twice. “I probably wouldn’t be clowning if it wasn’t for Cervi Rodeo. When I first (started), Binion (Cervi) hired me for every rodeo he could. “They’re a lot like me; they’re looking out for the future of rodeo. They do rodeo schools and recruit. They’re trying to better themselves, better their company and better their rodeos every year.” It shows, especially in Estes Park. Having Rumford as part of the rodeo will be a key factor in another successful year. After all, what would a good birthday party be without a great clown? Rooftop Rodeo will have the best next week.

DODGE CITY, Kan. – For a man who spends much of his life on the rodeo trail, entertainer Keith Isley feels right at home inside the arena. “I thoroughly enjoy watching people have a good time and enjoy what I do or what I say,” said Isley, 58, now in his 24th year in ProRodeo. He is one of the most decorated clowns in rodeo, and he will be part of the festivities during the 40th year of the Dodge City Roundup Rodeo, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3-Sunday, Aug. 7, at Roundup Arena; he also will be featured during the Xtreme Bulls Tour and Bullfighters Only competition, which begins at 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2. “Just seeing people enjoy it and have a good time,” he said. “Sometimes later in the year, you’ll get home and have some letters for you and have some pictures of you that kids have drawn. “It’s the little things that really make me feel like I’m accomplishing something.” He has accomplished much. He’s been named the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Clown of the Year six times, the Coors Man in the Can five times, the PRCA Comedy Act of the Year six times and PRCA Specialty Act of the Year three times. For three straight years, from 2009-11, he won the funnyman’s trifecta: Clown of the Year, Coors Man in the Can and Comedy Act of the Year. In addition to being one of the best funny men in the business, he also has some of the top acts in rodeo. He’ll have it all with him when he arrives in Dodge City. “I enjoy what I do, and it’s a lot of fun when you’ve got a good crowd and a good announcer,” Isley said. “When you see people with smiles on their faces, and then people come up to you and appreciate what you do, that makes what we do a lot more worthwhile.” Isley sees a lot of smiles and has for much of his professional life. Though he was considered a class clown, being a comedian didn’t come easily. “Oh, it was natural if I knew you, but if I didn’t know you, it was really hard,” he said. “When I started the comedy, that was really hard for me to get used to because I didn’t know those people watching me.” He has since overcome his stage fright to become one of the most sought-after entertainers in the game. There’s good reason for it, too. Part of a good clown’s job is to fill any down time that could some during the event. If there’s a pause in the action, Isley knows it’s his turn to step up to the plate. “I like to play on the crowd,” he said. “I like to have fun with people that like to have fun.” It works, but Isley has a lot of tricks up his sleeve. He loves working with animals and allowing them to steal the show. When it’s all put together, it’s an award-winning showcase that reaches so many people. “Back in 1999, I worked a rodeo in Belle Foursche (S.D.); during the trick riding act, I was talking to the announcer and was just looking around,” he said. “That’s when I saw the contestants standing all around the arena just watching.” When Isley left town, he reflected on that image and still considers it one of his greatest honors. Later that year, he earned was named the Specialty Act of the Year for the first time. “Since then, I’ve won it a few times,” Isley said. “I’ve undoubtedly been the most blessed man who’s ever bought a PRCA membership.” The fans are pretty blessed, too.